RCCB Types: Which One is Right for Your Electrical Safety?
urrent leakage threats can arise anywhere in your house, business, or other locations where you have electrical connections. Sometimes these threats could be quite dangerous. Thus, it is advisable to safeguard the circuits.
For this purpose, RCCB is a helpful safety precaution. It can be set up in any location, including residences, tunnels, building sites, welding machines, etc.. It measures the current and cuts the circuit in case a fault develops.
Learn about the different types of RCCB to choose the right one!
Types of RCCB by Number of Poles
RCCBs are categorised in many different ways, one of which is the categorisation by the number of poles. In this way, there are two types of RCCBs:
Single Pole RCCB
This type of RCCB is generally found in residential homes. It is used for single-phase connections, as the name suggests, and is best suited for small electrical loads. It provides basic protection from current leakage. Usually, it connects one live wire and one neutral wire.
Ideal For:
- Small homes
- Single-phase appliances
- Basic lighting circuits
Four Pole RCCB
This type of RCCB is designed for higher voltage three-phase systems, unlike the single-pole RCCB. Its output is neutral wire; its three inputs are live wires. Since this type of RCCB can better control higher current flows, it is commonly used in industrial environments.
Ideal For:
- Commercial buildings
- Industrial equipment
- Large residential complexes
Types of RCCB by Tripping Characteristics
Poles do not just classify RCCB types, but you can also classify them by their tripping characteristic. To explain simply, various electrical gadgets create different kinds of current leaks. RCCBs are thereby classified according to their detection and response to these flaws.
Type AC RCCB
Designed for use with sinusoidal AC circuits, this is the conventional type of RCCB, as its name suggests. As such, whether smooth or pulsed, it cannot consistently identify DC problems. It won't function with circuits running different frequencies than the conventional 50/60Hz either.
The type A RCCB is appropriate for uses devoid of electronic components that could generate DC problems since it only operates with sine wave circuits. Use it just for the conventional appliance.
Among the types of RCCB, AC RCCBs are used in immersion heaters, incandescent illumination, older electric showers, and such equipment.
Best for:
- Basic household circuits
- Non-electronic devices like lights or fans
Note: It is not suitable for appliances with electronic components, as it may not detect DC leakage.
Type A RCCB
Type A RCCBs not only find residual sinusoidal AC Circuits but also can react to residual pulsating direct currents from DC circuits. They are recommended for single-phase electronic equipment, appliances with electronic controls, USB socket outlets, single-phase inverters, Class 1 IT, and multimedia equipment.
Specifically, type A RCCB finds uses in circuits including UPS systems, inverters, motor drives, and appliances. You may quickly identify these types of RCCB by their typical AC and pulsed-DC waveform symbols.
Though they are made to guard against the failures of AC and pulsed DC circuits, this type of RCCB breaker will still detect smooth DC currents, only up to 6mA.
Best for:
- Washing machines
- Induction cooktops
- LED lighting systems
Type F RCCB
This type of RCCB is built to trip for composite residual currents, residual pulsing direct currents overlaid on smooth direct currents, and residual currents meant for circuits provided between phase and neutral or phase and grounded middle conductor. Type F RCCBs fit Type AC and Type A applications as well as frequency-regulated equipment like washing machines, dishwashers, and air conditioning controllers with variable frequency speed drives.
With the ability to perceive frequencies other than the normal 50/60Hz, the type F RCCB covers all the features of the two above-mentioned kinds of RCCB, A and AC. Well suited for use with variable frequency drives and other electronic equipment, it can detect up to 1000Hz, or 1 kHz.
These types of RCCB will additionally guard against smooth DC faults for up to 10 milliamps, more than the type A RCCB breaker provides.
Best for:
- Air conditioners
- Modern refrigerators
- Electronic speed controllers
Type B RCCB
Type B RCCBs provide the widest protection, more than any other type of RCCB; they can detect residual sinusoidal alternating currents up to 1 kHz, residual alternating currents superimposed on smooth direct currents, residual pulsating direct currents superimposed on smooth direct currents, and residual smooth direct currents, independent of polarity. They are advised to be used with three-phase electronic equipment, inverters for speed control, UPS systems, electric vehicle charging stations, and Power Electronic Converter Systems (PECS) applied in industrial machinery and cranes. Applications for Type AC, Type A, and Type F also fit Type B RCCBs.
Combining all the features of the previous three types of RCCB (A, AC, and F), the type B RCCB adds the capacity to measure and respond to smooth DC problems.
You might also come across the device in a type B+ variation. Though one that will react to higher frequency faults, this kind is similar to the B-type RCCB. The type B RCCB can respond to 1 KHz; the type B+ RCCB can detect frequencies up to 20 KHz.
Best for:
- Electric vehicle chargers
- Elevators
- Solar panel systems
- Medical equipment
Conclusion
Various uses call for different kinds of RCCB breakers. Whether AC or DC, as well as frequency fluctuations, if any, your choice of breaker should reflect the types of fault currents you wish to guard against. Make sure you know what each type of RCCB can accomplish and that it satisfies the criteria of your specific application, as described in this article.
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FAQs
How many types of RCCB are there?
Based on the poles, there are two types of RCCB, Single Pole and Four Pole, and based on tripping characteristics, there are four types, Type AC, A, F, and B.
What is Type S RCCB?
Designed to postpone tripping to give time for non-selective RCCBs (such as Type A or AC) closer to the fault to trip first, a Type S RCCB, sometimes known as a Selective RCCB, is applied in a cascading system to coordinate better and prevent unwarranted power interruptions. It is commonly used in multi-level electrical systems (like buildings with multiple distribution boards) as well as as a main RCCB in combination with other RCCBs downstream.
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