What is an RCD?
Perth Electrical Contractor Franklin Bell explains what they are, what they do and why you need them.
RCD stands for Residual Current Device, a type of circuit breaker that is designed specifically to protect people against electric shock and property against fire. RCD's are sometimes called Safety Switches. They're required by law and even if they weren't, we'd still recommend you have them for your own safety and that of your friends and loved ones.
If you need an electrician to install, test or repair your RCD, Contact Franklin Bell today for quality service.
What you'll Learn from this Article
- Should you have an RCD?
- How to check if you have them.
- How RCD's Work.
- How RCD's measure Leakage Current.
- Why they're different from other Circuit Breakers.
- Why you may still need other Circuit Breakers.
- What the Test button on an RCD is for.
- How often to test your RCD.
- RCD's and Nuisance Tripping
- My Safety Switch Keeps Tripping - What Should I Do?
Should I have an RCD?
WA law requires that every house have 2 RCD's, and that RCD's may only be installed by licensed electricians like Franklin Bell. If you are the owner of a property that is tenanted, you may be subject to heavy fines if your property does not have the required number of RCD's installed. If you don't have an RCD, Contact Us and Request a Free Quote today to have them installed.
How do I know if I have them?
RCD's look a lot like other circuit breakers in your electrical switchboard, but unlike other circuit breakers, RCD's have a test button on them. Most of these test buttons are marked with the word 'Test' or the letter 'T'. If you're unsure whether a circuit breaker is an RCD, we can help you identify it.
How do RCD's work?
RCD's work by sensing minute imbalances in electrical circuits. Once this imbalance reaches a predetermined level, the RCD disconnects the circuit, assuming that the imbalance poses a risk to people or property. RCD's assume that the imbalances they detect are due to electrical current leaving the electrical installation in a way that is unplanned or unexpected. This phenomenon is known as Leakage Current.
How do RCD's measure Leakage Current?
In a properly functioning electrical system, the current passing through the active conductor(s) should be equal to the current passing through the neutral conductor. If this is not the case, we assume that the current is going somewhere it shouldn't be. This could be through a person (which would mean electric shock) or through other conductive (metallic) building materials (which could cause heat and the risk of fire). An RCD looks at the active and neutral conductors and checks to see whether the currents flowing in them are equal. When they're not, the RCD trips, protecting us and our belongings from the possible harmful effects of electricity.
Why can't other Circuit Breakers sense Leakage Current?
Other circuit breakers monitor the current flowing through the active conductor only. Without looking at the neutral conductor as well, ordinary circuit breakers cannot determine whether the current flowing through them is leakage current (current going somewhere it's not supposed to) or not. Most circuit breakers are designed to protect the electrical installation itself against the effect of overloads and short circuits, and are not sensitive enough to protect humans.
Do I need RCD's AND other Circuit Breakers?
Electrical systems need protection against leakage current as well as protection against overloads and short circuits. Up until recently, this meant that you needed both RCD's and other circuit breakers in your switchboard. Newer RCD's have overload and short circuit protection built right in so you don't need additional circuit breakers for this purpose.
What is the Test button for?
The test button on an RCD introduces a leakage current to the RCD to check whether it successfully disconnects the circuit. When you press the test button on an RCD and it does not trip, it may be for two reasons.
- The RCD is faulty
- There is no power to the RCD
If an RCD does not trip when you press the test button, it is best to get us to assess whether the RCD is still operational or not. We have special test equipment that can measure the performance of an RCD and compare that to current regulations and acceptable standards.
How often should I press the Test button?
We recommend that you test an RCD at least once a month. This way, you'll know about a problem with your RCD quickly. If you discover that you have a faulty RCD, Contact Us right away, as this faulty RCD may put your life at risk.
My RCD trips repeatedly. What should I do?
RCD's are subject to nuisance tripping for a variety of reasons. Small leakage currents in electrical equipment and appliances can add up to a value that is greater than the RCD is designed to allow. Alternatively, the RCD may be damaged or faulty. If your RCD has built in overload protection, it may be tripping for the same reason a normal circuit breaker would have tripped, indicating an overload or short circuit in your electrical system. Feel free to Contact Us to identify the cause of the RCD tripping and to rectify the fault.
