Earth Fault

Protection
How to design efficient earth fault protection
with Residual Current Devices (RCD)

Guide 2022

se.com
The aim of this guide is to provide advice for the
selection and implementation of Residual Current
Devices according to international series of standards
IEC 60364 and based on Schneider Electric best
practices and products.
The information provided in this guide contains general descriptions and/or technical characteristics of the
performance of the products contained herein.
This documentation is not intended as a substitute for and is not to be used for determining suitability or
reliability of these products for specific user applications. It is the duty of the reader to perform the
appropriate and complete risk analysis, evaluation and testing of the products with respect to the relevant
specific application or use thereof.
Neither Schneider Electric nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be responsible or liable for misuse of
the information contained herein. If you have any suggestions for improvements or amendments or have
found errors in this publication, please notify us.

No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, without express written permission of Schneider Electric.

Any work performed on an electrical installation must comply with all applicable local, regional and national
regulations.

Failure to observe this information can result in injury or equipment damage.

Contents www.se.com

How to design efficient earth fault protection

Why to use residual current devices........................ 2 A

What are the technologies used in RCD.................. 5 B

How to select and install

residual current devices........................................... 10 C

How to ensure maintenance of installation.......... 42 D

Example: ensure efficient

earth fault protection.................................................. 45 E

Selectors....................................................................... 54 F

Appendix....................................................................... 55 G

Acronyms...................................................................... 61 H

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Why to use residual current devices

Principles for Electric shock protection and RCD contribution

Current flow time Residual Current Devices (RCD) are designed to provide protection against
hazardous earth fault current.

A
t (ms)
C1
10000
5000
The principles of the protection of persons against electric shock refer to the serious
physiological risks (respiratory paralysis, ventricular fibrillation) that can occur in the
2000 AC-4
1000 hazardous zone event of contact with a live part, causing an excessively high current to flow through
500 the human body for too long a time.
AC-1 to AC-3
The IEC 60479-1 publications updated in 2016 define the limit (C1) below which
200 non-hazardous zone
100
these principles must be come into play.
50

20
10 Ib (mA) Protection of persons in low-voltage installations must comply with standards,
0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 2000 10000 installation rules, best practices, official guides, circulars, etc.
1000 5000
Current through i.e.IEC 61140, IEC 60364, IEC 60479, IEC 61008, IEC 61009, IEC 60947-2, etc.
body In accordance with IEC 61140, in low voltage installations, the triple level of
protection is mandatory:
Insulation
DB429095.eps

barrier Level 1
(cable trough)
Hazardous live-parts shall not be accessible
This level applies to any "normally" live part (for example electrical cable) to prevent
any person to come into contact with it (direct contact).
The type of protection to be implemented is called "basic protection".
An insulation barrier such as cable insulation, a cover, housing, cable protection
troughs, etc. is required to ensure protection.

Level 2
Accessible-conductive-parts shall not become hazardous
This level applies to any accessible conductive part that is not "normally" live but
DB428058.eps

which may become hazardous due to a failure of the basic protection that is not
visible to the user (indirect contact) (for example metallic casing of a machine).
The type of protection to be implemented under these circumstances is called "fault
IΔn = 300 mA protection".
This protection can be ensured by bonding and connection to earth of the accessible
conductive parts and the use of an earth fault protection device. In the TT method of
earthing, this earth fault protection device shall be a residual current device with
Ra max = 166 Ω adequate sensitivity.
A second insulation barrier also ensures protection.

Level 3
DB428057.eps

If the two previous means of protection fail or if in presence

of "hazardous" situation (for example socket outlet that will be
IΔn 30 mA used by non skilled people), an ultimate protection device must
be implemented.
This protection is called "additional" protection.
All the preceding protective measures cannot be regarded as being infallible. Some
X
cases where the protective measures can fail are: immersion in water, improper
earthing, wear and tear of insulation, etc...
In order to protect users in such circumstances, highly sensitive RCD (IΔn y 30 mA)
are used to disconnect the power supply automatically to prevent injury to, or death
by electrocution.

Protection Contact Involvement of the

residual current device
1- Basic Direct

2- Fault Indirect

3- Additional Direct / Indirect

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Why to use residual current devices

Installation standard requirement for additional protection
with high sensitive RCD (30 mA)
Additional Protection against electric shock with RCD
International
Circuits supplying socket-outlet up to 32 A for any type Mandatory (1)
France
Mandatory
Other countries
b Mandatory in European A
of buildings countries
b For other countries, to
check specific rules
Circuit supplying mobile equipment up to 32 A Mandatory (2) Mandatory b Mandatory in European
for outdoor use countries
b For other countries, to
check specific rules
Dwelling: circuits supplying luminaires Mandatory (3) Mandatory Depends on the country local
regulation
Dwelling: circuits supplying fixed appliances for Mandatory Depends on the country local
electrical heating regulation
Dwelling: other circuits Mandatory Depends on the country local
regulation
Bathroom: all circuits supplying equipments and Mandatory (4) Mandatory See local regulation
circuits passing in the bathroom
Swimming pool: all circuits in swimming pools or Mandatory (5) Mandatory See local regulation
locations with fountains except circuits protected by
SELV or electrical separation
Saunas: all circuits Mandatory (6) Mandatory See local regulation
Construction sites: circuits supplying socket-outlets up Mandatory (7) Mandatory See local regulation
to 32 A and hand held equipments
Agricultural premises: Mandatory (8) Mandatory See local regulation
b circuits supplying socket outlets up to 32 A
(protection by 30 mA RCD)
b other circuits: protection by 300 mA RCD
Caravan park and camping parks: all circuits to be Mandatory (9) Mandatory See local regulation
protected by 30 mA RCD
Marina and pleasure crafts: all circuits supplying Mandatory (10) Mandatory See local regulation
socket-outlets up to 63 A and circuits supplying the
fixed connection of a supply to a boat
External lighting installations: circuits to be protected Mandatory (11) Mandatory See local regulation
by 30 mA RCD
Exhibitions, shows and stands: all circuits to be Mandatory (12) Mandatory See local regulation
protected by 30 mA RCD
Supply of electric vehicle: each connected point to be Mandatory (13) Mandatory See local regulation
protected by 30 mA RCD
Circuit supplying heating cables and heating Mandatory (14) Mandatory See local regulation
embedded systems (heating floor) to be protected by
30 mA RCD
(1) See IEC 60364-4-41 § 411.3.3, 1st paragraph
(2) See IEC 60364-4-41 § 411.3.3, 2nd paragraph
(3) See IEC 60364-4-41 § 411.3.4
(4) See IEC 60364-7-701 § 701.415
(5) See IEC 60364-7-702 § 702.410.3
(6) See IEC 60364-7-703 § 703.412
(7) See IEC 60364-7-704 § 704.410.3
(8) See IEC 60364-7-705 clause 705.411
(9) See IEC 60364-7-708 § 708.531
(10) See IEC 60364-7-709 § 709.531.2
(11) See IEC 60364-7-714 § 714.411
(12) See IEC 60364-7-711 § 711.410.3
(13) See IEC 60364-7-722 § 722.411.3
(14) See IEC 60364-7-722 § 753.411.1.

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Why to use residual current devices

RCD contribution to protect against fire hazards

Protection against fire hazards

DB428076.eps
Fire outbreak Many fires of electrical origin are caused by the creation and propagation of electric
A arcs in building materials, in the presence of moisture, dust, pollution, etc.
These arcs appear and develop due to the wear and tear or ageing of the insulating
materials. The fire hazard occurs when the leakage currents reach a few hundred
milliamps for a few seconds.
For fault currents of this magnitude, residual current devices with a sensitivity of
300 mA or 500 mA trip in less than a second, whether they be instantaneous,
selective or time-delayed.

Id < 300 mA IEC 60364-4-42 (subclause 422.3.10) states that it is mandatory to install a residual
current device with a sensitivity less than or equal to 300 mA:
Wet dust
b on premises with a risk of explosion (BE3)
b on premises with a risk of fire (BE2)
b in agricultural and horticultural buildings
b for circuits supplying fair, exhibitions and entertainment equipment
b on temporary outdoor leisure facilities.
In some countries, installation rules and/or local safety regulations require a
sensitivity of 300 mA.

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What are the technologies used in RCD

How does RCD work

Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

DB428083.eps
The basic characteristics of the operation of a RCD are shown opposite:
b a magnetic toroid surrounds all the active conductors, including the neutral
conductor, if present, supplying an electrical circuit. The magnetic flux generated in
V V the magnetic toroid depends at all times on the vector sum of the currents in the
I1 I2 active conductors ➡
b in the case of a single-phase circuit, the incoming current I1 (from source to use) is
V considered to be positive, while the outgoing
➡
current I2 is considered to be negative
I3 ➡ ➡
b for a healthy electrical circuit, I1 + I2 = 0, there is no magnetic flux:
no electromotive force created in the secondary winding
B
➡
b in case of earth leakage, a fault current Id flows through the magnetic toroid from
source to use but returns through the protective conductors (TN method of earthing)
or via the earth (TT method of earthing).
➡ ➡
Consequently,
➡
the sum of the incoming and
outgoing currents is not zero, i.e. I1 + I2 = Id, and this difference in current creates a
magnetic flux. The difference in current is called "residual current"
b the resulting alternating flux in the magnetic toroid consequently ➡
induces an
V electromotive force in the secondary winding so that a current I3 flows through the
V V I3
I1 I2 tripping control winding➡
of the device.
If the residual current Id exceeds the value (the threshold) required to trip the device
V directly or via an electronic relay, this will cause the associated disconnection device
Id (switch or circuit breaker) to open

With the Voltage Dependent (VD) technology, the summation current transformer
measures residual current. An electronic circuit detects the tripping level and then
sends an order to tripping unit to open the protected circuit
b in this case, the power supply of electronic circuit and energy for tripping unit come
from the line voltage
b with this technology, the RCD will be able to detect but not to trip if the line voltage
is too low, because the electronic circuit and tripping units needs to be powered.

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What are the technologies used in RCD

Categories of RCDs (RCCB, RCBO, add-on Vigi, SRCD)
and standards
The different residual current device categories
IEC 60755 describes general requirements for residual current operated protective
devices.
1 Vigi modules (Vigi NG125, see example in the figure)
The add-on Vigi module is the most flexible residual current device
(it is installed in combination with a circuit breaker).
Vigi are covered by the IEC 61009 and IEC 62423 series of standards.
2 Residual Current operated Circuit Breakers without integral overcurrent
protection (RCCB) (Acti9 iID, see example in the figure)
The Acti 9 iID RCCB is the main residual current device in the facility and is used as
B the main incomer.
RCCB are covered by the IEC 61008 and IEC 62423 series of standards.
3 Residual Current operated circuit Breakers with integral Overcurrent
protection (RCBO) (Acti 9 iCV40N, see example in the figure)
RCBO = combination of circuit breaker and residual current device function in the
same product. This can be obtained by combining the circuit breaker with its Add-on
Vigi Module.
RCBO are covered by the IEC 61009 and IEC 62423 series of standards.
4 Socket RCD (SRCD) (see example in the figure)
SRCD are covered by the IEC 62640 series of standards.
5
Industrial type circuit breakers incorporating the RCD function must comply with
Annex B of IEC 60947-2.
Residual current devices with a separate toroid are standardized in Annex M
of IEC 60947-2.

DB428278.eps
Compact Vigirex
NSXm160H

Vigi NG125

Acti 9 iID RCCB

40 A, 30 mA

Acti 9 iC60 circuit breakers Acti 9 iCV40N

RCBO

Socket

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What are the technologies used in RCD

Technology: Voltage Independent Technology

Residual current devices using Voltage

Independent Technology can continue to
operate in the event of a complete voltage loss
or neutral break.

Toroid

PB113740-90.eps
High-sensitivity relay

Test button

Electronic interface

Tripping mechanism

The residual current device consists of:

b high magnetic performance core (ex: nanocristalline)
b a high-sensitivity relay
b an electronic interface analyzing the signal.

N
DB406620.eps

1 3
High-sensitivity
relay
T
Toroid Electronic
circuit

R Electronic circuit not

connected to the
2 4 network
N

b The toroid provides information on the leakage current and the power required to
trip the device.

b The electronic circuit and the relay are not connected to the electrical network.
Power is provided only by the leakage current.

b Even if there is an accidental break of the neutral conductor or a voltage drop, the
entire electromechanical system will continue to operate, allowing the residual
current device to trip.

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What are the technologies used in RCD

Technology: Voltage Independent Technology (continued)

Standards associated with the technology

pb104472-41.eps

"Voltage Independent Technology"

b Voltage Independent RCCBs must comply with two international standards:
v IEC/EN 61008-1 - General rules for RCCBs,
v IEC/EN 61008-2-1 - Particular rules for line voltage-independent RCCBs.

b Voltage Independent RCBOs must comply with these two international

standards:
v IEC/EN 61009-1 - General rules for RCBOs,
v IEC/EN 61009-2-1 - Particular rules for line voltage-independent RCBOs.
B b conformity with the particular rules implies conformity with the general rules. In
practice, the products are certified IEC/EN 61008-2-1 or IEC/EN 61009-2-1.

b conformity with the standards is confirmed by a national conformity mark on the

PB104471-42.eps

product. The mark is assigned by a third-party organization independent of

Schneider Electric. This involves regular sampling at the production site to ensure
continued conformity with the standards in question.

b the international series of installation standards (IEC 60364) highly recommends

the use of residual current devices independent of the network voltage in buildings
occupied by persons not trained in the prevention of electrical hazards (residential
buildings, tertiary buildings, etc.).

In some countries, it is required to use RCD with voltage independant technology

(VIT) for final circuits.
PB119574-40.eps

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