Did you see your neighbour installing an RCCB and feel you should also have it in your home? But, probably, not knowing about it restricts your action!
Using only MCB has been common for years. Now, RCCB is often installed parallel to the MCB inside the distribution board. It seems to be popular as a circuit breaker. So, a question may come to your mind.
Is RCCB a replacement for MCB? Or does it need to be placed with an MCB?
Do not worry! You will get the answers to your questions in this article. You will first learn about the benefits of installing an RCCB. Further, you will also learn about different ratings of RCCB. Also, we will shed light on what needs to be done when an RCCB tripping takes place.
The Major Benefits of RCCB
RCCB, or Residual Current Circuit Breaker, disconnects the circuit when it senses any fault or finds sensitivity exceeding the rated measurement. But how does it benefit you?
- Offers protection against voltage fluctuation:
Sometimes, a temporary unwanted voltage surge in an electrical circuit takes place. It may range from a few to several thousand volts and last from microseconds to milliseconds. RCCB comes with a filtering device inside it which enables it to protect against such voltage fluctuation.
- Can recognise uneven current flow in a circuit:
Usually, in a circuit, an equal level of current flows from the live wire and neutral wire. If any fault occurs, it reduces the current flow from the neutral wire. Whether a two-pole or a four-pole RCCB, it can sense this uneven current flow in a circuit. Then, it disconnects the circuit to prevent a heavy impact.
- Disconnects circuits once rated sensitivity is breached:
For residential appliances, a sensitivity of less than 10 mA is recommended. If an electric shock is more than 10 mA, it can cause fatal consequences to human beings. Sudden earth faults, fire hazards, and other electrocution cases may result in high-sensitivity electric shocks.
Installing an RCCB of 63-100 mA can save you from them. It reduces the impact of the shocks from the contact with the faulty areas by disconnecting the circuits once rated security is breached.
- Protects appliances from damage:
Frequent electrical hazards can damage the appliances at home and office. That is why you need an RCCB. It senses the exceeded sensitivity or faults in a circuit easily and breaks it before any mishap happens with the appliances.
- Prevents the impacts of earth leakage:
ELCB or Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker can also prevent earth leakage. But, it has certain limitations like mandatory continuity of earth, specific wiring arrangements, etc.
RCCB protects against earth leakage without any such drawbacks. Even if the earthing continuity is unavailable, an RCCB will trip the circuit breaker. Unlike ELCB, no separate it does not require earthing of different devices.
The Suitable Ratings of RCCB for your Home
Now, you have understood the benefits of an RCCB so far. If you have decided to install it in your home, here are more details to help you.
32-63A rated RCCB is an ideal option for your home. It can work well for the leakage of up to 30-100 mA. Anyways, 30 mA is very sensitive, which may cause a few tripping without any visible fault. You can opt for 60 mA and 100 mA. They provide a balance between no obvious fault and real fault.
What To Do When an RCCB Tripping Occurs?
Your task is not over after installing the RCCB. You must be prepared to troubleshoot the tripping whenever required.
If you find repeated tripping at home, it means it has faults. They might not be the regular MCB tripping. Kitchen appliances like mixers, plugs, sockets, geysers, etc., can be a reason for tripping.
There are various possible reasons for these regular trippings. They include faulty appliances, moisture in electric sockets, incorrect RCCB ratings used, etc.
So, first, isolate the MCB of the kitchen and then reset RCCB. If it works, unplug all appliances and re-connect them later on.
If it is not the case in the kitchen, try all MCBs one by one. Plug and unplug all appliances. Eventually, you will find out defective appliances as you can see some faulty circuits not working well, while others will work well.
If the problem is in appliances, you should replace them with good ones. If it is a moisture issue, clean and dry the area with proper protection. And if it is a problem of incorrect rating, take time to find the RCCB with the right sensitivity.
Once you find where the problem lies, take no time to resolve it. If you cannot reset the RCCB or resolve the problem, hurry up and call a reliable electrician to do the job for you.
Before You Go
It seems that your doubts are clear now. And you are looking ahead to buy an RCCB for your home. A wise decision indeed! It will protect you and your house in many ways. With proven benefits, it can save you from major electrical hazards. Make sure to buy RCCBs with the right ratings. Consult with an expert if needed. However, another critical point that needs to be borne in mind is that if the RCCB is not of high quality, it may be useless. Therefore, L&T-SuFin has brought you a wide collection of efficient RCCBs that are ideal for your house. So, check out this site and make the right RCCB choice today!