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Search results for: RCDS
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Tripping of F-type RCDs for High-Frequency Residual Currents
PublicationResidual current devices (RCDs) are apparatus commonly used for protection against electric shock in low-voltage electrical installations. They protect people in the case of an earth fault or even in the case of direct contact with the live parts. However, to be effective protective devices, RCDs have to detect residual currents of various waveform shapes which appear in modern electrical installations. For this purpose, RCDs...
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Tripping of F-type RCDs for high-frequency residual currents
PublicationResidual current devices (RCDs) are apparatus commonly used for protection against electric shock in low-voltage electrical installations. They protect people in the case of an earth fault or even in the case of direct contact with the live parts. However, to be effective protective devices, RCDs have to detect residual currents of various waveform shapes which appear in modern electrical installations. For this purpose, RCDs are...
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Time-current tripping characteristics of RCDs for sinusoidal testing current
PublicationLow-voltage electrical installations are verified initially – before being put into operation, as well as periodically – during their utilization. According to the IEC standards, the scope of the verification includes measurements of both the tripping current and the disconnection time of residual current devices (RCDs). Experiences in RCDs testing show that disconnection times of two or more similar RCDs can be quite different....
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A method of earth fault loop impedance measurement without unwanted tripping of RCDs
PublicationIn low-voltage networks, earth fault loop impedance (EFLI) measurement is the basis for assessing the effectiveness of automatic disconnection of supply. Such a measurement is performed during initial and periodical verification, especially in a TN low-voltage network. Nowadays, due to widespread application of residual current devices (RCDs), such test is difficult in many circuits because RCDs operate during the test. In this...
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Tripping of F-type RCDs for sinusoidal residual current with superimposed smooth DC component
PublicationRecent trends in green energy development make that photovoltaics and electric vehicles are applied on an increasing scale. In both photovoltaic and electric vehicle charging installations, a significant value of DC component of the earth fault current may appear, which is a challenge, in particular, for commonly used residual current devices (RCDs). This paper presents results of the laboratory test on the operation of F-type...
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RCDs Tripping in the Range from DC to AC 50 kHz for Slowly Rising Residual Current
PublicationThe wide use of power electronic converters means that in many low-voltage systems earth fault currents containing components from DC to AC of various frequencies have to be taken into account. Due to the tendency to increase the modulation frequency in converters, components of higher frequencies may be in the order of several tens of kilohertz. Therefore, it is very important to verify the behavior of devices for protection against...
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Method of earth fault loop impedance measurement without nuisance tripping of RCDs in 3-phase low-voltage circuits
PublicationVerification of electrical safety in low-voltage power systems includes the measurement of earth fault loop impedance. This measurement is performed to verify the effectiveness of protection against indirect contact. The widespread classic methods and meters use a relatively high value of the measuring current (5–20) A, so that they are a source of nuisance tripping of residual current devices (RCDs). The meters dedicated to circuits...
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Electrical safety in low-voltage DC microgrids with B-type residual current devices
PublicationResidual current devices (RCDs) are most popular devices used in low-voltage installations for protection against electric shock and fire. In cases of high risk of electric shock the application of RCDs is mandatory. Currently, the spread of local direct current (DC) microgrids is widely considered. This creates new challenges for protective systems, in particular those based on RCDs. The main purpose of the research is to test...
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Application of RCD and AFDD in low-voltage electrical installations for protection against fire
PublicationThe paper presents the principles of application of residual current devices (RCDs) in protection against fire. The permissible rated residual operating current of RCDs is discussed. Limitations in the operation of RCDs in this type of protection are indicated. A new type of a protective device against fire – arc fault detection device (AFDD) – is described.
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Behavior of residual current devices at frequencies up to 50 kHz
PublicationThe use of residual current devices (RCDs) is obligatory in many types of low-voltage circuits. They are devices that ensure protection against electric shock in the case of indirect contact and may ensure additional protection in the case of direct contact. For the latter purpose of protection, only RCDs of a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA are suitable. Unfortunately, modem current-using equipment supplied...
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Residual current devices in installations with PV energy sources
PublicationThe paper presents the principles of residual current devices (RCDs) application in photovoltaic (PV) installations. Provisions of standards in this regard are commented on, in particular, attention is drawn to the lack of obligation to use of RCDs in PV installations. The issue of the shape of the earth fault current and the level of leakage currents in such installations are discussed. These factors influence the selection of...
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Testing sensitivity of A-type residual current devices to earth fault currents with harmonics
PublicationIn many applications, modern current-using equipment utilizes power electronic converters to control the consumed power and to adjust the motor speed. Such equipment is used both in industrial and domestic installations. A characteristic feature of the converters is producing distorted earth fault currents, which contain a wide spectrum of harmonics, including high-order harmonics. Nowadays, protection against electric shock in...
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Residual current devices in electric vehicles charging installations
PublicationThe main requirements of national regulations and international standards regarding protection against electric shock in electric vehicle charging installations are presented. The principles of using residual current devices (RCDs) in such installations are discussed. It is pointed out that RCDs are mandatory equipment for safe charging of electric vehicles. It is noted that the standards require the use of RCDs having an appropriate...
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Behavior of residual current devices at earth fault currents with DC component
PublicationLow-voltage electrical installations are increasingly saturated with power electronic converters. Due to very high popularity of photovoltaic (PV) installations and the spread of electric vehicles (EV) as well as their charging installations, DC–AC and AC–DC converters are often found in power systems. The transformerless coupling of AC and DC systems via power electronic converters means that an electrical installation containing...