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Search results for: tripping test
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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 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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Stanowisko do diagnostyki i regulacji wyzwalaczy przekaźników w obwodach lokomotyw elektrycznych
PublicationFast circuit breaker and protective relays play an important role of protecting locomotive’s electrical circuits from damage caused by short circuit or overload. Undisturbed operation and proper circuit protection depends on the technical condition and fine calibration of the over-current trips. Therefore the relays should be subject to periodic inspection and adjustment due to locomotive maintenance schedule. A test stand for...
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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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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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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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Immunity of residual current devices to the impulse leakage current in circuits with variable speed drives
PublicationThis paper concerns reliability of supply in variable speed drive circuits with residual current devices. During normal operation of these circuits high value of leakage current causes unwanted tripping of residual current devices. Immunity of residual current devices to the impulse leakage current should be evaluated. The system for testing of residual current devices and results of the test are presented
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Experimental verification of a new method of loop resistance testing in low voltage systems with residual current devices
PublicationA periodical verification of the effectiveness of protection against electric shock shall be performed in low voltage systems. The scope of this verification includes loop impedance/resistance testing. If a residual current device is installed in a tested circuit, this testing is problematic. A residual current device trips out during the test, because of the high value of measurement current. This precludes the execution of the...
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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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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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Time-current tripping curves of arc fault detection devices
PublicationTripping curves of arc fault detection devices, in accordance with PN-EN 62606 “General requirements for arc fault detection devices” have been presented in the paper. Consequently the most fundamental differences in arc fault detection devices tripping compared to circuit-breakers and residual current devices have been indicated.
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Tripping limitations of residual current devices in photovoltaic installations
PublicationIn electrical installations with photovoltaic sources of energy, earth fault current may comprise alternating current component and direct current component. The waveform shape of this earth fault current mainly depends on the point of the fault and the properties of a photovoltaic power electronics converter. The waveform shape of the current influences operation of protection devices, especially tripping threshold of residual...
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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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The effect of current delay angle on tripping of residual current devices
PublicationPower electronics converters applied in domestic or similar installations may utilize current delay (phase) angle control to change the level of transferred power. Due to application of such types of converters, earth fault current in the installation may be strongly distorted. The current distortion level depends on a value of current delay angle. This delay angle also influences the tripping threshold of residual current devices....
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Verification of safety in low-voltage power systems without nuisance tripping of residual current devices
PublicationLow-voltage power systems require initial and periodical verification to check the effectiveness of protection against electric shock. As a protection in case of fault, automatic disconnection of supply is most often used. To verify such a protection measure, the earth fault loop impedance or resistance is measured. This measurement is easy to perform in circuits without residual current devices. When residual current devices are...
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A new method of fault loop resistance measurement in low voltage systems with residual current devices
PublicationThis paper presents a new method of fault loop resistance measurement in low voltage systems with residual current devices. The method enables measuring fault loop resistance without nuisance tripping of residual current devices, by application an unconventional waveform of measurement current. It is important for proper verification of the effectiveness of protection against electric shock.
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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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Resonance problems in UHV transmission lines
PublicationThe paper presents resonance phenomena observed in 400 kV transmission lines in the Polish power system. Two events are analysed, when shunt reactors used for reactive power compensation, caused overvoltages and overcurrent protection tripping as a result of resonance. An oscillographic fault recordings from protection devices are compared to time domain simulation results. The obtained simulation results match fault recordings,...
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Modification of the operating point of residual current transformers for high frequency earth fault currents detection
PublicationFor protection against electric shock in low voltage systems residual current devices are commonly used. However, their proper operation can be interfered when earth fault current with high frequency components occurs. Serious hazard of electrocution exists then. One of the most important element of residual current devices is a residual current transformer with iron core. Tripping characteristic of residual current devices strictly...
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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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Low-frequency tripping characteristics of residual current devices
PublicationFast development of various types of converters makes their utilization in industry and in domestic installations very common. Due to converters, an earth fault current waveform in modern circuits can be distorted or its frequency can be different than 50/60 Hz. Frequency of earth fault (residual) current influences tripping of residual current devices which are widely used in low voltage systems. This paper presents the behaviour...
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Electric shock hazard in circuits with variable-speed drives
PublicationThe conventional approach to electrical safety under fault condition in typical power systems considers earth fault currents of sinusoidal waveform and frequency of 50/60 Hz. However, in circuits with variable-speed drives, there is earth fault current flow with harmonics, and these harmonics influence the threshold of ventricular fibrillation. The paper presents earth fault current waveforms in circuits with variable-speed drives...
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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...
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Residual Current Devices: Selection, Operation, and Testing
PublicationIn this book, the idea for residual current protection has been presented. The evolution in construction types of residual current devices, which has taken place over decades, is discussed. Types and functional properties of the contemporary residual current devices are described. The main parameters of these devices, from the point of view of their selection and application, are indicated. Special constructions of the protective...