How to connect the RCD in the apartment

Thanks to the gradual introduction of European technologies in our country, stores began to offer more and more electrical innovations. Some of them find their niche quickly enough, while others quickly disappear, confronted with the peculiarities of the human mentality. Today we will look at how to properly connect the RCD. These devices are not only deservedly popular, but also included in the PUE - a desk book for each electrician. Despite the apparent simplicity of connection, we strongly recommend that those people who do not have proper education, use the services of specialists, and not try to solve the problem on their own. You need to know the theoretical basis for how to connect the RCD.

Security

The conventional designation "RCD" should be understood as a "protective shutdown device". This device is designed to reduce tens of times the risk of electric shock in the event of a malfunction with wiring or electrical appliances. The principle of its operation is incredibly simple: there is a comparison of the currents in two lines: incoming to the consumer and going into the external wiring. Between them, equality must be respected. If there is a difference (leakage), a shutdown occurs. In other words, if, for example, the heater of an electric boiler is damaged,

And the water will be under dangerous potential, the RCD will determine the leakage to the "ground", disconnect the circuit and prevent possible tragedy. Of course, a certain amount of loss is acceptable, which should be taken into account when choosing the nominal values of the device. However, in order for the circuit to work, it is necessary to understand how to connect the RCD.

Installation location

The location of this device depends on which part of the chain is planned to be protected. If it is a question of installing the whole apartment, then the masters who know how to connect the RCD usually offer a shield next to the meter - the counter. This is the most optimal, since it is in this place is the beginning of intra-apartment wiring. But if you want to protect a certain electrical appliance, you must first choose a convenient place near it, where you mount the box-base. Further, it is necessary to perform the necessary disconnection according to the scheme. In the article we will not consider the peculiarities of this or that solution, this information can be easily found in specialized sources.

How to connect an RCD

Please note that a simple trip device and a circuit breaker are two different things. For example, in the event of an occurrence between a conductor short circuit on a circuit section connected to the device, the RCD will not be disconnected, since the value of the currents in the conductors will be equal (the value, as you can see, is not controlled). Thus, the most important thing is how to connect the RCD circuit. That is, it is useful to first draw what, how and where will be mounted. The RCD is always installed after the machine, and the limiting current of the latter must not be greater than that of the protective device in question. The exception is the differential automata that combine both devices in a single package.

The RCD terminals-terminals have corresponding symbols indicating where the phase should be connected, and where - the zero conductor (N). On the outgoing lines, this order is not principled. If a grounding conductor is provided in the wiring, it will not start in the RCD. On the performance of the device has no effect. Let's sum up: there are no "hidden" features in the connection. For a two-wire network, 4 contacts are involved: phase and zero for the approach, and 2 for the load (outgoing line).