The technical requirements of this standard apply to residual current operated protective devices (hereinafter referred to as "residual current devices" (RCD)) for rated voltages not exceeding 440V a.c., intended primarily for protection against shock hazard. They are intended to be used by technical committees and organizations concerned when drafting product standards and apply only if they are incorporated or are referred to in the relevant standards. This standard is not intended to be used as a stand-alone standard, for example, for certification.
Note 1: This standard may also be used as a guide for residual current devices of rated voltages up to 1000V, a.c., and performance requirements of such RCDs in the drafting of the relevant product standard will be negotiated by the manufacturer and the user.
This standard applies to:
——a single device which detects a residual current (see 3.3.2), compares it to a reference value (see 3.3.3) and opens the protected circuit when the residual current exceeds this reference value (see 3.3.4);
——an association of devices, each one of them performing separately one or two of the above-mentioned functions, but acting together in order to accomplish all three functions. Particular requirements may be necessary for devices intended for accomplishing only one or two of the above three functions.
This standard applies for conditions as stated in Clause 7. For other conditions, additional requirements may be becessary.
Residual current devices are intended to protect persons and livestock against harmful effects of electric shock due to contact with exposed conductive parts by automatic disconnection of supply in accordance with GB/T 17045 and GB 16895.21.
Note 2: In this context "harmful effects" include the risk of occurrence of heart fibrillation.
In accordance with GB 16895.4, residual current devices with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 300mA may also be used to provide protection against fire hazards due to a persistent earth fault current.
In accordance with GB 16895.21, residual current devices with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA may also be used for additional protection in case of failure of the basic protective provisions or carelessness of the user of the installation or equipment.
For residual current devices performing additional functions, this standard applies together with the relevant standard covering the additional functions; for example, when residual current devices incorporate a circuit-breaker, it should comply with the relevant circuit-breaker standard.
Supplementary or particular technical requirements may be necessary, for example, for:
——residual current devices intended for use by uninstructed persons;
——socket-outlets, plugs, adapters and couplers incorporating residual current devices.
This standard states:
——the definitions and terms used for residual current devices (Clause 3);
——the classification of residual current devices (Clause 4);
——the characteristics of residual current devices (Clause 5);
——the preferred values of the operating and influencing quantities (5.4);
——the marking and information to be provided for residual current devices (Clause 6);
——the standard conditions for installation and operation in service (Clause 7);
——the requirements for construction and operation (Clause 8);
——the list of minimum requirements to be tested (Clause 9).
Note 3: Devices having a residual current function for specific purposes other than those mentioned above (for example, motor protection) are not covered by this standard.
