1 Scope
This technical report provides an overview of protection availability provided by
residual current-operated protective devices (RCDs) complying with IEC standards for
household and similar uses. It highlights the main parameters influencing protection
reliability and provides information on how to install and operate RCDs in relationship
to their environmental conditions after installation.
This guide gives general information concerning availability of the protection within
the fixed installation and how to keep a high level of availability of protection
during use (installation and maintenance). It has been drafted for the benefit of
IEC technical committees, installers, inspectors and users.
NOTE 1 The term RCD is a generic term applied to a family of products which open automatically
in response to a residual current at or exceeding the RCD’s rated residual operating
current, I Δn . This generic term is often applied to the following.
RCCB - R esidual C urrent C ircuit B reaker without overcurrent protection
RCBO - R esidual C urrent B reaker with O vercurrent protection
SRCD - S ocket outlet R esidual C urrent D evice
PRCD - P ortable R esidual C urrent D evice
A RCCB differs from a RCBO in that the RCBO will additionally respond to overcurrent
conditions whereas the RCCB will not respond to ...