Date | 2024-09-17 06:35:00
Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), also known as Residual Current Devices (RCDs), are crucial safety components in electrical systems. They are designed to protect people from electric shock and prevent electrical fires by detecting imbalances in electrical currents. RCCBs are particularly important in modern electrical installations due to their reliability and efficiency in safeguarding lives.
An RCCB operates on the principle of detecting the imbalance between the live (hot) and neutral conductors. Under normal conditions, the current flowing through these conductors is equal. However, if there is a leakage current due to a fault, such as a person coming into contact with a live part, the current in the live and neutral wires becomes unequal. The RCCB detects this discrepancy and quickly disconnects the circuit to prevent harm.
The operation of RCCBs is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. They contain a core with a toroidal shape, around which the live and neutral conductors pass. This core is connected to a differential current sensing mechanism. When the currents are balanced, the electromagnetic field produced by the live and neutral wires cancels out. However, if there is a leakage current, the field becomes unbalanced, triggering the RCCB to disconnect the circuit.