☎

"

Residual
Current
Devices
(RCD) and
Isolated UPS
Systems

Residual Current Devices

(RCD) and Isolated UPS
Systems
By Tony Bell 17th April 2019 Categorised in:
Article

Did you know BS7671:2018 Requirements for

Electrical Installations, a.k.a. The IET Wiring
Regulations 18th Edition states that any socket
outlet under 32A must be protected by a Residual
Current Device (RCD)?

BS7671:2018 Section 411.3.3 states that RCDs

are necessary on all socket outlets under 32A

Section 4.11.3 is the Requirements for fault

protection. Subclause 4.11.3.3 entitled “Additional
requirements for socket outlets and for the supply of
mobile equipment for use outdoors” states:

In AC systems, additional protection by

“ means of an RCD with a rated residual
operating current not exceeding 30mA shall
be provided for:
”
(i) socket-outlets with a rated
“ current not exceeding 32A
”
BS7671:2018

In other words any socket outlet that you plug

anything into (basically anything powered from a 13A
outlet, or up to 8KVA Systems on Commandos) must
have an RCD protecting that circuit. There are
exceptions to this, dwellings excepted, but only
following a documented risk assessment which
would have to clearly state why an RCD would not be
necessary.

Purpose of RCDs.
An RCD works differently to a miniature circuit
breaker (MCB) or fuse. An MCB renders devices safe
in the event of an overload, or short circuit to earth.
They are rated in Amps, generally in stages from 1-
32A. RCDs work by tripping on an earth leakage fault
typically of 30mA. This is a fault current of up to
1000 times smaller than the MCB! RCDs are useful
as certain hazards can exist in the event of a fault
that will not trip an MCB. Typically this involves
applications that are, or may, come into contact with
water.

Earth leakage is a small current that stems from

phase conductors to earth. This causes an
imbalance between live and neutral and it is this
imbalance that RCDs detect. If the earth leakage is
high enough on an appliance due to a fault or water
contact then the equipment chassis can deliver a
dangerous “touch current” if a user touches it. The
RCD is there to protect against this scenario. If your
application has water involved, then it is very difficult
for a risk assessment to justify the omission of an
RCD from the electrical infrastructure unless other
safety measures are taken.

Isolation Transformer
An isolation transformer, by its very nature will stop
RCDs from tripping – even in the event of an earth
fault. See Isolation Transformers – what you need to
know for further reference on this. However this isn’t
a problem. In fact, the isolation transformer can
make the installation more safe than with the RCD
alone. Even a device with a fault can be touched by a
user without any hazard occurring. Unless – and I
can’t stress this point enough – the isolation
transformer has the output Neutral and Earth
bonded!

N-E bonds are not there for safety, but rather for
noise rejection performance by establishing a zero
volt neutral-earth voltage. Isolation transformers in
conjunction with UPS Systems provide a very
resilient power protection solution. However, in order
to ensure the system is safe, then you should not
bond the N-E. Our isolated UPS systems leave the
system floating, providing true isolation and an
inherently safe electrical environment. If you use a
N-E bonded system and no risk assessment has
been carried out to determine that no RCD is
necessary then this contravenes the requirements of
BS7671:2018.

Decision Flowchart

Start by asking if there is a documented Risk

Assessment as to why there is no need for an RCD
on a socket outlet. If there is, then you’re good to go
and any UPS is good for this scenario. You can use
isolated (floating or N-E bonded) or non-isolated
depending upon your requirements.

If there is not a risk assessment in place then we

need to check if there is an RCD fitted. If not, or
unknown, then in order to provide the safest
environment, the solution is a truly floating isolated
UPS. Granted, if no RCD is in place, fitting any UPS
does not make the situation less safe, it’s just that a
floating isolated UPS does make it safe.

If there is an RCD fitted, and no risk assessment has

been carried out, then you must not use any NE
bonded system. This removes the safety aspect of
the RCD.

Conclusion
According to the 2018 Wiring regulations there
needs to be an RCD fitted on any sub 32A circuit.
This will cause power to be removed if earth leakage
of over 30mA is detected. Any standard UPS will not
interfere with the operation of the RCD, however an
isolated UPS will prevent the RCD from operating.

However, a floating isolated system, where Neutral

and Earth are not connected provides a safe
electrical environment. In situations where an RCD
should be installed, for example there is water
required by the application, and the electrical
infrastructure is unknown (for example older
installations to which RCD was not a mandatory
requirement), floating isolated UPS provide the ideal
solution.

An isolated UPS that is floating renders

RCDs ineffective but provides enhanced
safety by removing any touch current
hazard.

On the other hand, a N-E bonded UPS system not

only negates an RCD but does not make safe any
scenario to which the RCD was required to protect
against. There’s a reason for section 4.11.3.3 of
BS7671 and this situation violates it.

An isolated UPS with a Neutral and Earth

Bond renders RCDs ineffective and does
not protect against hazards for which the
RCD is intended.

" VFI-B Series UPS LED Indicators

# Kehua UPS Chosen for Critical Industrial

Application

Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required
fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Post Comment

Tagged with isolation transformer, rcd

Available Tags

#powercut ag1500s ag series announcements automatic

voltage regulation B16 Cabs Battery Battery Backup Battery

Recharge buck and boost Bypass Switch case studies christmas

customers dc ups door access fan noise inverter iPower

isolation transformer line interactive line interactive ups

lithium Long Runtime Modem motor selection power

inspired power quality pricing regen

regenerator Router Runtime shutter door solar
transfer time tx series uninterruptible

power supply ups UPS Calculator ups runtime

calculator UPS Selector UPS Systems vis2000b

voltage

Company Information
Power Inspired Ltd
Unit 122 Churchill Road
Bicester
Oxfordshire
OX26 4XD
UK

+44 1869 814055

info@powerinspired.com

Registered in England: 06565627

VAT Registration: GB931219642

Commercial
Terms And Conditions Of Sale
Use Of This Website
Cookies
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Latest News
Company Profile
Careers
Trade Enquiries

Search
Search for: Search

Like most sites, this site uses cookies and other tracking tools to assist with

! " #
navigation and your ability to provide feedback, analyse your use of our
products and services and assist with our promotional and marketing
efforts.

Ok Read more Privacy - Terms

©2020 Power Inspired Ltd.