Technical Journal

March 2012

Earth Leakage Protection Criteria

Life safety is one of the critical issues which need taken into consideration when an electrical network is being designed. IEC60479-1 guidelines about effects of current passing through human body. It shows four zones which clearly indicate physiological effects of alternating current passing through human body. The below graph shows zones based on earth leakage current flowing through human body.

AC1 zone is the safe zone for any earth leakage current flowing through human body. AC2 zone up to line b is continues to be safe zone and have no physiological effect on human body. Between line b and c1, muscular contraction and difficulty in breathing. Beyond line c1, it is really unsafe zone as far as human safety is concerned. Residual current devices are classified based on 2 methods. One of them is type fault current which is detected and second method is based on operating time delay. In fault current type it is further classified into Type AC, Type A and Type series. 1. In type AC, the tripping is ensured for residual sinusoidal alternating currents for both suddenly applied and slowly rising. 2. In type A, the tripping is ensured for residual sinusoidal alternating currents as well as residual pulsating direct currents for both suddenly applied and slowly rising conditions. 3. In type B, tripping is ensured for residual direct currents, residual sinusoidal alternating current and residual pulsating dc currents for both suddenly applied and slowly rising conditions.

Earth Leakage Protection Criteria

The other classification of Residual current devices is based on time delay 1. Residual current devices without time delay 2. Residual current devices with time delay also known as S type According to IEC 61008 where human safety involved, it is strictly mandatory that Residual current devices without time delay be used. Standards clearly define fault clearance time for this type of application. Type General Rated residual current 0.3 seconds 2 x Rated residual current 0.15 seconds 5 x Rated residual current 0.04 seconds

S type RCCBs are suitable for achieving discrimination between two Residual current devices. There are two types of discrimination in residual current protection. 1. Horizontal Discrimination 2. Vertical Discrimination When horizontal discrimination is to be achieved, every line is provided with dedicated RCCBs. This ensures only line where fault exists is isolated. One has to guarantee protective measures against indirect contact in the upstream devices. Vertical discrimination is ensured when two devices connected in series are selective. In accordance IEC 60364, following conditions needs to be fulfilled to achieve vertical discrimination. 1. The nonactuating time-current Characteristics of residual protective device located upstream side shall be above the time-current characteristics of residual current device located load side (Downstream). The curve in red colour is selective type and blue is without time delay. 2. The rated residual operating current of the device located supply side shall be higher than that of load side.
Time-Current curve LPE

1E4s

1E3s

100s

10s

1s

0.1s

1E-2s

1E-3s

1E-4kA

1E-3kA

1E-2kA

0.1kA

1kA

10kA

100kA

1E3kA

1E4kA

Earth Leakage Protection Criteria

Every RCCB is required to fulfill the requirement transient currents in accordance IEC 61008. Hence it becomes necessary for manufacturer to ensure products comply with the international regulations in making sure that there will not be any nuisance tripping due to these surges however establishes proper tripping when a real earth leakage takes place. One needs to take care in selection of RCCBs without time delay for human protection. For selective application, S type RCCBs can be used. ABB offers versatile product range in RCCBs for various applications whether general application or selective application.

IEC 947-2 introduced another Annexure- M which defines characteristics of Residual current devices. Under IEC 947-2, it is defined as MRCD (Modular Residual Current Devices). IEC 947-2 also defines clearly non-time delay type MRCDs with stipulation that it follows time lag given in the above table. Type B characteristics is introduced under annexure M of IEC 60947-2 which is suitable for applications in AC, Pulsating DC, Pulsating DC superimposed by smooth DC of 6mA and residual current which results due to rectifying circuit. Manufacturer is required to consider 3 important parameters in case of Residual current devices (MRCD). 1. Operational time which is time elapsed between occurrence of fault and clearance of fault. 2. Cumulative operational time (Residual current relay, Shunt trip, Circuit breaker) of all the devices involved in the chain. Manufacturer is required guarantee the performance of the residual current device considering this requirement. 3. Non operation time means time delay adjustable in the device from the fault occurrence to fault clearance and ensure selectivity as well as resistance to unwanted tripping. In order to comply with the requirement of Annex M of IEC 60947-2, four stringent test sequence to be followed and complied to.

Earth Leakage Protection Criteria

ABB offers versatile range of front panel mounting type Earth leakage relays for various applications complying Annex M of IEC 947-2 regulations. The most important aspect of these relays is choice of selection of fail safe mode. When user switches of fail safe mode, relay activates the shunt trip once fault is detected and when there is no connection between the relay and toroid. When user switches on fail safe mode, relay activates the shunt trip even when there is lack of power supply to the relay. The front panel mounted ELR provides panel manufacturer freedom of space within the functional unit of the outgoing feeders. The new ELRs are tested with both S200 range of Miniature circuit breakers and Tmax MCCBs up to T5 range. ELRs have various option which can be selected from. They are available in 48x48, 72x72 and 96x96 size to suit customer needs.

Contact us for further information on Earth Leakage Relays

ABB Limited Design Institute 88/3, 88/6, Basavanahalli Village 562123, Bangalore North, Karnataka, INDIA email: Ramprasad.satyam@in.abb.com
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