Residual Current Device and its Characteristics (RCD)

What is Residual Current Device (RCD)?

In case of a fault, a residual current device (RCD) shuts off the electrical supply. Compared to a standard circuit breaker it is more advanced. Faults such as damage to cables or short circuits will not result in an even flow of energy and it will trigger the circuit breaker instantly. It is an additional protection that in many workplaces is required by law and it never replaces other safety features like fuses.

In an electrical system unit, the devices are installed so that using the installation, wiring, and fixed appliances; they can give protection to the persons. You can achieve protection by having constant monitoring of the electric current that flows through one or more circuits that an RCD is used to protect. 

The RCCB Residual CurrentCircuit Breaker will switch off the circuit quickly if it finds that electricity is flowing down an unintentional path, such as via a person or faulty appliance down to earth along with reducing the risk of death, injury, or fire.

By three main characteristics RCDs are defined:

• The rating in amps
• The rated residual operating current of the protective device in amps
• Instant tripping takes place.

These devices are also said to ground fault circuit interrupters.

RCD has been specifically designed to protect employees from electrical shock. Many workplaces need this by law and it never replaces other safety features like fuses.

RCD consists of a test button and needs to be tested regularly. Regular testing of provided RCDs is done and in safeguarding against electrical hazards they are highly effective.

For detecting any leaking current a residual current device monitors your wiring installation permanently. It continuously measures the amount of current that passes through a wire in one direction, and even though a different wire is in the opposite direction.

Hager Residual Current Circuit Breaker breaks the circuit in case it detects a difference greater than 300 mA (milliamps), or less in certain cases.

If the current is missing, it indicates any kind of leak in the wiring installation. People are protected by residual current devices. Follow us on Twitter

Everything about Circuit Breakers

In a home, a circuit breaker is a very important part of electrical wiring as it is a very essential safety feature. Household electricity would not even be practical without circuit breakers because of the potential danger of a fire and other hazards. Specifically designed to protect electronic circuits from any type of damage, It is an automatically, operated electrical switch. This helps if there is a short circuit or overload. Identifying any faulty condition is the major function of the circuit breaker and continuity must be stopped to discontinue the electricity flow.

Short Circuit and a Breaker’s Significance

A short circuit in between two nodes of an electrical circuit is generally an abnormal low-resistance current, which are generally meant to have different voltages. This results in having an excess flow of electric current and can result in damage to a circuit that can result in a fire, overheating, and even explosion. Due to overloading or fire breakouts, a short circuit usually happens. So to protect your home, a good vacuumcircuit breaker is important. It becomes very much important to get the electrical appliances checked by a licensed and professional electrician.

Compared to fuses the breakers are more expensive. But there are many homeowners who prefer breakers instead of fuses because of the safety factor associated with them. Instead of old-fashioned fuses maximum electricians and electrical wiring experts prefer these breakers.

The Variety

In various shapes and sizes, circuit breakers are available. One must be aware if there is enough space in the house to accommodate the device before you install a breaker. There are different requirements of different people with some opting for living room, some for the kitchen while others for their bedrooms. This is just a kind of protection for the house.

For the safety of a house air circuit breaker is very important and all residential electric specialists are aware of it. A house can face many potential hazards without them, so for any type of problem associated with a circuit breaker you need to consult someone who is specialized in circuit panel repair, replacement, and upgrades. Follow us on Twitter

Know About Thermal Overload Relays

The current flowing to the motor also flows through the overload relay as with the motor thermal overload relays are wired in series. Rating of thermal overload relays is done by their trip class.

Three types of thermal overload relays are there— bimetallic, eutectic, and electronic.

A bimetallic thermal protection relay is made of two metals that too with different coefficients of thermal expansion that are together fastened or bonded. Current is carried by a winding, wrapped around, or placed near the bimetallic strip.

The two metals expand at different rates as the current running through the relay heats the bimetallic strip, which results in the bending of the strip towards the side with the lower coefficient of thermal expansion. It actuates a normally closed (NC) contactor when there is bending of the strip that causes it to stop and open the flow of current to the motor.

The circuit, once the bimetallic relay has cooled, is automatically reset and to their normal state, the metal strips have reverted. The motor then can be restarted. Electronic designs can protect motors against phase loss which only occurs when one phase of current equals zero amps.

A Fuji electronic thermal overload relay is used by eutectic thermal overload relays, housed in a tube and connected to a heater winding. To the motor, the supply current flows through the heater causing winding and heating of the alloy. When a sufficient temperature of the alloy is reached, it transforms rapidly into a liquid.

But, the mechanical device releases when the alloy melts, opening the overload contacts., a eutectic thermal overload relay cannot be reset Like the bimetallic design until the alloy has cooled and returned to its original, solid-state.

Rather than relying on a heater mechanism electronic thermal overload relay measure current electronically, as a result, they are insensitive to changes in ambient temperature. They’re quite less prone to nuisance or false, tripping. Electronic designs can protect motors against phase loss which only occurs when one phase of current equals zero amps. On the remaining two phases this causes the motor to draw excessive current and leads to significant motor heating. Follow us on Facebook

Different Types and Uses of Watt Meters

A wattmeter can be defined as an instrument that indicates the amount of electric current supplied to a circuit. In the earlier days, only professionals used this instrument but today you will find a variety of din rail energy meter that is available which is easy to use and quite cheap. Its use is to measure the amount of electric power that is utilized by an electrical appliance and to calculate the electrical costs.

Different Types and Uses

The measurement is indicated in watts. You will only find two types of meters- the analog and the digital meters. The analog meters are also referred to as the ammeters. It consists of a compass needle and a scale indicator. By the scientists of the earlier days, this was in fact the first device used in laboratories.

Professional meters: These meters are the most commonly used meters that are seen outside homes and apartments. The power department fixes these types of meters to measure the total electrical energy consumed by the households. In calculating the amount of power consumption the reading on the device helps a lot.

Meter with plugs: To measure the power consumption you will find meters that can be plugged into the appliance. This din energy meter is the most useful meter because it helps in detecting electrical problems that are related to the appliances.

Before Purchasing a Meter Few Things to Remember

Specific voltage range: For a specific voltage rating is provided to each instrument and an excessive amount of current can damage the instrument. Therefore it becomes necessary to select equipment that can be used to measure multiple voltage values.

Reliable manufacturers: It becomes important that you buy these meters from reliable and authentic manufacturers.

Authentic websites: It becomes important to select an authentic website that sells reliable products as you will find different online stores that supply din rail meter.

In measuring the overall power consumption a wattmeter is one of the most useful equipments that can be utilized. So it is necessary to purchase equipment which is in-built with a number of attractive features. Find a professional supplier online to get the best deal. Follow us on Twitter