How do residual current devices operate?
Though technologies vary from one manufacturer to another, the theory behind the technology is simple. All current that flows from a power supply down a live conductor must return to the power supply up a neutral conductor. A residual current device is connected in line with the live and neutral power supply, both of which are connected to the load, and detects differences in current between the live and neutral conductors. Current to the load is interrupted within a few milliseconds at a defined current. Current differences are caused by current returning to its power source through an earth. Remember that some electrical equipment has low, naturally-occurring earth leakage current due to its design and electrical characteristics, for example filters for transient earth currents and fluorescent lighting devices (under humid conditions). Not all RCDs have the same rated power, and therefore faults on individual devices may be readily identified. If this variation did not exist and if a
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