Residual current device

Wiring diagram of a stand-alone PV system with a charge controller with DC lighting control and an inverter for AC loads. (1) An integrated overcurrent protection device and residual current device is located on the inverter output. Both the ungrounded and grounded conductors pass through it.

A residual current device (RCD) or Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI) is a device that constantly measures the current flowing between the outgoing and incoming wires of a circuit to see if there is a difference. If there is a difference, it means that there is a fault at some point in the circuit and a potential hazard. A RCD is typically incorporated into a breaker or outlet so that it is able to disconnect the circuit upon identifying a difference in current or fault. RCDs are often required by the electrical codes in many countries. In a grounded system this current is typically returning through the grounding system. RCDs are far more effective at preventing electrical accidents than OCPDs as they are far more sensitive and can therefore identify hazards more easily. All RCDs should include a test button (pictured in yellow in the diagram) that enables users to periodically make sure the device is functioning correctly.

A small amount of current - .1-.2 A - can be sufficient for an electric shock to be lethal, yet the overcurrent protection devices installed in electrical systems for lighting and outlets are generally 15 A or more. Additionally, overcurrent protection devices typically have a time delay to avoid accidentally opening (disconnecting) the circuit if there is a brief surge of current required by a surge load. If there is insufficient current flowing to activate the overcurrent protection device, this can lead to a many faults and potential hazards going unnoticed until there is an accident. An RCD is far more sensitive - can be activated by as little as 5-30 mA (.005-.03 A) of current - and will activate within 25-40 ms (.025-.04 seconds). It is recommended that an RCD is chosen with a 30 mA (.03 A) trip value.

It is recommended that a RCD be incorporated on the alternating current (AC) side of any off-grid system to improve its safety. RCDs can be found as breakers or integrated into outlets. RCDs can be put on individual circuits as a breaker or outlet or just one breaker can be used on the inverter output. RCDs on individual circuits increases system cost. One single RCD has the disadvantage of disconnecting all circuits if there is a fault, which can make it difficult to find the exact location of the fault during the troubleshooting process.

Functioning of an RCD

An RCD works best relative to an OCPD in cases where there is a poor (high resistance) ground connection, or no equipment ground for an appliance. In the example below a refrigerator is depicted with a loose/non-existent ground. There is a fault on the ungrounded conductor (wire) inside the refrigerator, which is leaking some current to ground, but not enough to cause an overcurrent protection device to open (disconnect) the circuit or to cause the refrigerator to stop working.

Example 1: If the system does not have an RCD then the small amount of current flowing through ground will go undetected until a lower resistance path to ground is created, which in the example is created when a person touches the refrigerator. A larger amount of current now flows through the person to ground and may trigger overcurrent protection device but not without electrocuting the person first.

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  Example 1 - no RCD

Example 2: If the system has an RCD then the small amount of current flowing through ground will be quickly detected and the fault/hazard will be mitigated by opening (disconnecting) the circuit. The refrigerator will stop functioning, but a person will be able to safely touch it without being electrocuted.

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  Example 2 - with RCD