Behavior of Residual Current Devices at Frequencies up to 50 kHz

Stanislaw Czapp and Hanan Tariq
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Stanislaw Czapp: Faculty of Electrical and Control Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, PL-80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
Hanan Tariq: Faculty of Electrical and Control Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, PL-80-233 Gdańsk, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: The 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 via electronic converters with a pulse width modulation produces earth fault currents composed of high-frequency components. Frequency of these components may have even several dozen kHz. Such components negatively influence the RCDs’ tripping level and, hence, protection against electric shock may be ineffective. This paper presents the results of the RCDs’ tripping test for frequencies up to 50 kHz. The results of the test have shown that many RCDs offered on the market are not able to trip for such frequencies. Such behavior was also noted for F-type and B-type RCDs which are recommended for the circuits of high-frequency components. Results of the test have been related to the requirements of the standards concerning RCDs operation. The conclusion is that these requirements are not sufficient nowadays and should be modified. Proposals for their modification are presented.

Keywords: protection against electric shock; residual current devices; earth current; high-frequency currents; harmonics; testing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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