Types of Residual Current Devices (RCD)

Residual current devices protect your safety switches. They provide protection in three ways, i.e., fire protection, fault protection, and additional protection.

Fire protection for currents of higher mA, usually more than 300 mA

Fault protection for tripping currents

Additional protection for currents with lower mA less than 30 mA

There are different kinds of residual current devices that work for the protection of switches, devices, and people in the surroundings.

RCCB – Residual current circuit breaker breaks the circuit and stops the flow of the current during an event of earth leakage. They do not give any response to the short circuits or over currents. To handle issues related to short circuits and over currents, you need an additional breaker to provide maximum protection and safety to your switches and circuits.

RCBO – Residual current operated circuit breaker has additional features. It does not need an additional breaker to deal with the short circuits, overload, and over currents.

SRCB – Socket outlet residual current devices are usually used for fixed installations. The switching contact in your main circuit board opens the value for the residual currents. Switched socket outlet is available in both single and twin versions with white plastic material.

FCURCD – Fused connection units incorporated within the residual current devices are used for fixed installations like socket outlets. These devices incorporate a sensing circuit that automatically generates the contact between switches of the main circuit board, which will open the value of the residual currents.

RCM – Residual current monitor is the device that monitors the electrical installations or electric circuits to inspect the presence of unbalanced earth fault currents. The residual current monitors do not incorporate the tripping devices and over current protection.

MRCD – Modular residual current device is an independent device to incorporate protection to the residual currents. They do not incorporate overcurrent protection. These devices can signal the associated switches and devices to trip immediately during an abnormal event.

PRCD – Portable residual current device consists of a plug, one or more socket outlets, and a residual current device. These devices typically protect the appliances, circuits, and people during an event of over current or overload.

There are other types, usually called wave form types of residual current devices. These forms are:

Type A

Type AC

Type F

Type B