RCD's in Commercial Fluorescent Circuits-

Technical Guide
Introduction:
Following the new requirement of additional protection by the use of RCD's in AS/NZS 3000:2007;
understandably a number of questions have been raised in regards to their use with commercial
fluorescent circuits. The following information serves as a basic guideline for the use of such
equipment.

General guide:
To avoid unwanted tripping of RCD's, care should be taken to ensure that the sum of leakage on the
load side of the RCD is significantly less than the rating of the RCD used.
Residual current devices may operate ie: trip in excess of 50% of their rated current, hence it is
recommended that the loading of the circuit be such that the leakage current not exceed one-third of
the tripping current, which is specified in AS/NZS3000 Clause 2.6.2.1. As a guide, ensure that no
more than 3 circuits are to be protected by 1 RCD, and for installations that require more than one
lighting circuit; distribution between the RCD's is recommended.
Types of RCD's:
The RCD used must comply with AS/NZS3190, AS/NZS61008.1 or AS/NZS 61009.1 for fixed
installations.
Type AC: designed for residual sinusoidal alternating currents
Type A: designed for sinusoidal and pulsing direct currents
Type B: designed as per Type A and residual alternating currents up to 1000Hz, residual direct
currents, which may result from rectifying circuits.
Type S: designed with a predetermined time delay.
It is important that the correct RCD be determined at the time of the electrical installation design.
General design expectations:
As a general example, a single 28w electronic (linear fluorescent ballast) has an earth leakage of
<0.5mA with a total harmonic distortion of <10%; therefore a maximum of twenty (20) ballasts could
be used on a 30maA RCD, with no other equipment connected on the same circuit.
For more information:Please consult your local, licensed electrical advisor

WHS Act 2011 - WHS Regulation 2011 - New requirements:

Residual Current Devices RCDs are required in workplaces

New regulations in NSW mean that all employers and premises controllers (i.e. building owners, property
managers etc) need to ensure that power points in their workplaces are protected by RCDs (Safety Switches or
Residual Current Devices).

On 1 January 2013, the requirements for Residual Current Devices (RCDs) changed in accordance with the Work
Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (NSW).

The requirement to retrofit RCDs applies to workplaces where ‘plug in’ electrical equipment (electrical equipment
supplied with electricity through a socket outlet) is used in the following operating environments:

 electrical equipment is exposed to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment
(or a reduction in its expected life span) including conditions that involve exposure to moisture, heat,
vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust
 electrical equipment is moved between different locations in circumstances where damage to the
equipment or to a flexible electricity supply cord is reasonably likely
  electrical equipment is frequently moved during its normal use
 electrical equipment forms part of, or is used with, an amusement device.

If electricity is supplied through a socket outlet that has a rating of up to and including 20 Amps, then the RCD must
have a tripping current that does not exceed 30 milliamps.

Some special exemptions apply, for example where the electricy supplied from a socket:

 does not exceed 50 volts alternating current

 is direct current
 is provided through an isolating transformer that provides at least an equivalent level of protection
 is provided from a non earthed socket outlet supplied by an isolated winding portable generator that
provides at least an equivalent level of protection.

The reason for these changes is that RCDs dramatically reduce the likelihood of electrocution of a person if they
were to come into contact with live parts of an appliance or the power point itself.

New developments in RCD technology have meant that manufacturers can now supply a combined RCD and
Circuit Breaker, in a single device known as an RCBO or an RCD/MCB combination. All the major manufacturers
such as ABB, Schnieder (makers of Clipsal and Merlin Gerin), Legrand (HPM), Hager, Eaton (Cuttler-Hammer/
Quicklag), Heinemann, and NHP (Terasaki, MOD6) are now supplying 1-pole RCBOs up to 20A and some even up
to 32A. 4-pole RCDs for 3-phase articles and socket outlets are also readily available.

This means that the single-phase Circuit Breakers in most commercial or industrial switchboards can be directly
replaced with an RCD/MCB combination unit of the same size, which makes upgrading to RCDs on all power point
circuits achievable and affordable for employers and building owners.

For 3-phase power points, often an easy solution is to upgrade the socket outlet itself to the type that incorporates
an RCD.

RCD Safety Switch Installation & Testing

NOTE THIS IS ONLY THE QUARTERLY RCD AND FULL RCD TESTING

NOT A FULL EICR REPORT

RCD’s (Safety Switch) trip time / current tests performed on your premises

By having the RCD’s (Safety Switch) trip time / current tests performed on your premises your company
will be fulfilling its obligations under BS7671: 2008

RCD Safety Switch Testing

TMUK conducts a 3 monthly, 6 monthly and yearly or bi-yearly procedure (Pending environment) to
ensure that the British Standard is being met.

RCD Safety Switch Testing Procedures

Locate switchboard and identify circuits protected by RCD’s

Check switchboard door hinge, locking mechanism and weatherproof seal

Clean outside switchboard and general area

Barcode RCD Circuits for tracking and data management procedure

Push button test to ensure RCD is operational

Plug in RCD test device and measure for trip time and current in accordance with Standard

Record all test results and action taken

To find out more please contact TMUK on 0800 121 8378 or use the online enquiry form below.

H&S Legislation

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 specifically deals with electrical “systems” in Regulation 4: (1)
All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as is reasonably

practicable, danger.

(2) As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is
reasonably practicable, such danger.

(3) Every work activity, including operation, use and maintenance of a system and work near a system,
shall be carried out in such a manner as not to give rise, so far as is reasonably practicable, to danger.

(4) Any equipment provided under these Regulations for the purpose of protecting persons at work on
or near electrical equipment shall be suitable for the use for which it is provided, be maintained in a
condition suitable for that use, and be properly used.

Regulation 8 deals with Earthing, or other suitable precautions, paragraph 138 of the Memorandum of
Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations, points out the many accidents caused by metalwork
becoming live as a result of faults and high impedance protective conductor connections. It is stated that
the danger may be reduced by the use of a Residual Current Device, which is designed to operate rapidly
at small leakage currents (typically not exceeding 30mA) but qualifies this by stating that this does not
eliminate the risk of shock and should only be used as a second line of defence.

BS7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition) defines the
wiring standards for the UK. Installations to this standard are regarded as giving conformity with the
relevant parts of EAW 1989. Whilst their use is not mandatory, electricity supply authorities may refuse
to connect an installation not conforming to this standard.

Changes in July 2008 to the IEE Wiring Regulations 17th edition increase the need for circuits to be
provided with RCD protection. The circuits that require RCDs are as follows:

EGN3 Electrical Guidance Note 3 Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

i. where the earth fault loop impedance is too high to provide the required disconnection time, e.g.
where the distributor does not provide an earth – TT systems (IEE 411.5

ii. for socket-outlet circuits in domestic and similar installations (IEE 411.3.3)

iii. for circuits of locations containing a bath or shower (IEE 701.411.3.3)

iv. for circuits supplying mobile equipment not exceeding 32Amps for use outdoors (IEE 411.3.3)
v. for cables without earthed metallic covering installed in walls or partitions at a depth of less than
50mm and not protected by earthed steel conduit or similar (IEE 522.6.7)

vi. for cables without earthed metallic covering installed in walls or partitions with metal parts
(excluding screws or nails) and not protected by earthed steel conduit or the like (IEE 522.6.8).

For items ii and vi above the RCDs used should be rated at 30mA.

RCDs may be omitted for:

(a) specific labelled sockets, such as a socket for a freezer. However, the circuit cables must not require
RCDs as per v and vi above, that is, circuit cables must be enclosed in earthed steel conduit or have an
earthed metal sheath or be at a depth of 50mm in a wall or partition without metal parts.

(b) socket-outlets in industrial and commercial premises where the use of equipment and work on the
building fabric and electrical installation is under the supervision of skilled or instructed persons.

As a result almost any changes to circuits may require upgrading of the circuit protection to incorporate
an RCD at the supply of the circuit.

Section 531 (IEE Wiring Regulations 17th edition), further defines the requirements for an RCD.

Functional testing is dealt with in 612-13-01( IEE Wiring Regulations 17th edition), which states that for
an RCD “the effectiveness of any test facility incorporated in the device shall be verified”.

Maintenance and testing of RCDs

4.3.1 All RCDsaresuitablymaintained,andwhereappropriate,testedbyacompetentperson

4.3.1.1 Guidance on testing of RCDs using Test-buttons

All RCDs have built-in test buttons, which should be used regularly to ensure that the device is working.
This button gives a small out-of-balance current of about 2.5 times the normal sensitivity to operate the
trip. However, please note that it gives no indication of the time to disconnect the circuit from the
supply or the overall safety of the unit.

For units in fixed installations, the built-in ‘test’ button should be operated at intervals of not greater
than 3 months, and preferably weekly, to ensure the RCD can trip the supply. A label, in accordance with
BS 7671 para 514-12-02, must be fixed at or near to the origin of the supply.

For OB units (which are classed as mobile rather than fixed installations), the RCDs on the supply side
should be tested by operating the ‘test’ button at every new connection; and those on the vehicle
outlets at least once a month and preferably at every re-location of the vehicle.

For portable units the ‘test’ button should be operated before every use at a new site to ensure that it is
functioning. Any device failing to trip must be removed from service (and destroyed / disposed of)
immediately.

4.3.1.2 Guidance on full function testing of RCDs

Full function testing must be carried out upon installation and thereafter, at least every five years. This
needs to be carried out by a competent person using a proprietary RCD test device. Fixed installations in
buildings may be tested by the term contractor for the premises depending on the local arrangements.

The RCD tester will thoroughly test the RCD to the BS Standard as follows :

1) the time taken to operate at the rated current will be measured. This will be carried out with the
fault on both the negative half cycle and the positive half cycle. The device must operate within
200ms for RCDs designed to BS4293 and BS7288 or 300ms for RCDs designed to BS61008 and
BS610097

5.9.3 - Regulations for residual current

devices
The primary purpose of the residual current device is to limit the severity of shock
due to indirect contact. In other words, it will detect and clear earth faults which
otherwise would could lead to dangerous potential differences between pieces of
metalwork which are open to touch. If the sensitivity of the device (its operating
residual current) is low enough, it may also be used to limit the shock received
from direct contact in the case of the failure of other measures. A problem which
may occur here is nuisance tripping, because the operating current may be so
low that normal leakage current will cause operation. For example an RCD with a
sensitivity of 2 mA will switch off the supply as soon as a shock current of 2 mA
flows, virtually preventing a fatal shock. The difficulty is that normal insulation
resistance leakage and stray capacitance currents can easily reach this value in
a perfectly healthy system, and it may thus be impossible to keep the circuit
breaker closed. The sum of the leakage currents in circuits protected by an RCD
should never be more than 25% of the operating current of the device. Normal
earth leakage current from equipment and appliances will, of course vary with the
condition of the device. Maximum permitted leakage currents are listed in
Appendix L of the 2nd Edition of Guidance Note 1, and vary from 0.25 mA for
Glass II appliances to 3.5mA for information technology equipment (see {7.8.2})
Some RCDs (usually electronic types) will not switch off unless the mains supply
is available to provide power for their operation. In such a case, mains failure
may prevent tripping whilst danger is still present, (due to, for example, charged
capacitors). Such RCDs may only be used where there is another means of
protection from indirect contact, or where the only people using the installation
are skilled or instructed so that they are aware of the risk.

In some cases RCD are designed so that their operating parameters, such as the
rated residual current or the time delay, can be adjusted. If such an RCD can be
operated by an ordinary person (rather than by a skilled or instructed person then
such adjustments must only be possible by a deliberate act using a key or a tool
which results in a visible indication of the setting.

If a residual current circuit breaker is set at a very low sensitivity, it can prevent
death from electric shock entirely. However, the problem is that a safe current
cannot be determined, because it will vary from person to person, and also with
the time for which it is applied. The Regulations require a sensitivity of 30 mA for
RCDs intended to provide additional protection from direct contact.

An RCD must not be used in an installation with neutral and earth combined
(TNG system using a PEN conductor) because there will be no residual current
in the event of a fault to cause the device to operate, since there is no separate
path for earth fault currents.

RCD protection is required for socket outlets where:

1. - they are part of a TT system (no earth terminal provided by the Electricity
Supply Company),
2. - they are installed in a bedroom which contains a shower cubicle, or
3. - the socket outlet(s) are likely to feed portable equipment used outdoors.
4. - they are installed in zones B or C of a swimming pool and comply with BS
EN 60309-2.
Protection by an RCD with a rating of 30 mA is required for fixed electrical
equipment installed in a bathroom or in zone C of a swimming pool.

Although residual current devices are current-operated, there are circumstances

where the combination of operating current and high earth-fault loop impedance
could result in the earthed metalwork rising to a dangerously high potential. The
Regulations draw attention to the fact that if the product of operating current (A)
and earth-fault loop impedance exceeds 50, the potential of the earthed
metalwork will be more than 50 V above earth potential and hence dangerous.
This situation must not be allowed to arise
 Fig 5.24 - Danger with an RCD when earth-fault loop impedance is high. In this
case, p.d. from earth to exposed conductive parts will be 1000 Ohms x 0.09 A = 90 V
RCDs must he tested to ensure correct operation within the required operating
times. Such tests will be considered in {8.6.3}.
Special requirements apply to RCDs used to protect equipment having normally
high earth leakage currents, such as data processing and other computer-based
devices. These installations are considered in {7.8.2}.