i21_01.fm Seite 2 Mittwoch, 19.

April 2000 5:46 17

Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

General Data
Product Overview
Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

Residual current operated circuit-breakers

Number of Rated current Rated residual MW Auxiliary contacts
poles A current can be mounted
mA
N-type, for busbar mounting 2 16 10, 30 2 • • •
25 30, 100, 300 • • •
40 • • •
2 63 30, 100, 300 2.5 • • •
80 • • •
4 25 30, 300, 500 4 • • •
25 100 • •
40 30, 100, 300, 500 • • •
63 • • •
80 30, 300 • •
Selective 2 63 300 4 •
4 40 100, 300 4 • •
63 300 • •
63 1 000 • •
Short-time delayed 4 25 30 4 • •
40 • •
63 100 • •
For 50 Hz to 400 Hz 4 25 30 4 • •
40 • •
For 500 V AC 3 25 30, 300 4 •
40 •
63 •
N-type, AC/DC sensitive 4 25 30, 300 8 •
40 •
63 fixed-mounted •
Selective 63 300 fixed-mounted •
RCCB module, supplementary components for
5SX7 MCBs
2 80/100 30, 300 3.5 on the MCB part • •
4 80/100 30, 300 5 on the MCB part • •
Selective 4 80/100 300, 1 000 5 on the MCB part •
2 80/100 300 3.5 on the MCB part •
RCCBs 125 A
4 125 30, 300, 500 - • •
125 1 000 - •
For 400 V AC to 690 V 4 125 30, 300, 500 - • •
Selective 4 125 500, 1 000 - •
RCCB protected socket outlets
Moulded-plastic housing fitted with
RCCB and 5 socket outlets 2 16 10 - •
Residual current protected socket
outlet for surface mounting 2 16 10, 30 - •
Protected socket outlet
5 plus socket outlet box 2 16 10, 30 - •
Body Guard protected socket outlet
IP44 2 16 30 - •
RCCB protected socket outlet
DELTA profil
5 socket outlet
DELTA profil titanium white 2 16 10, 30 - •

3/2 Siemens I 2.1 · 2000

i21_01.fm Seite 3 Mittwoch, 19. April 2000 11:26 11

Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

General Data
Product Overview

Combined devices RCBO

Number of Rated current Rated fault current MW
poles A mA
With MCB characteristic B
• For 50 Hz to 60 Hz 2 6 30, 300 4 •
10 10, 30, 300 •
16 •
20 30, 300 •
25 •
32 •
4 6 30, 300 6 •
10 •
16 •
20 •
25 •
32 •
• For 50 Hz to 400 Hz 4 6 30 6 •
16
With MCB characteristic C
• For 50 Hz to 60 Hz 2 10 10, 30, 300 4 •
16 •
20 30, 300 •
25 •
32 •
4 10 30, 300 6 •
16 •
20 •
25 •
32 •
• For 50 Hz to 400 Hz 4 16 30 6 •
With MCB characteristic B
in two MW (modular widths)
• For 50 Hz to 60 Hz 2 6 30 2 •
10 •
16 •
20 •
25 •
32 •
40 •
With MCB characteristic C
in two MW (modular widths)
• For 50 Hz to 60 Hz 2 6 30, 300 2 • •
10 • •
16 • •
20 • •
25 • •
32 • •
40 •

Siemens I 2.1 · 2000 3/3

i21_01.fm Seite 4 Mittwoch, 19. April 2000 2:18 14

Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

General Data
Summary of Technical Data
, ,

Standards EN 61 008, DIN VDE 0664, IEC 1008, EN 61 543

EN 61 009, DIN VDE 0664, Part 2, IEC 1009
Versions 2-pole and 4-pole
Rated voltages Un V AC 125 - 230 50 - 60 Hz
230 - 400 50 - 60 Hz
500 50 - 60 Hz
400 - 690 50 - 60 Hz
Rated currents In A 16, 25, 40, 63, 80, 125, 160, 224
Rated fault currents I∆n mA 10, 30, 100, 300, 500, 1 000
Housing gray moulded plastic (RAL 7035, exception: 160 and 224 A - black moulded plastic)
Terminals tunnel terminals at both ends; for RCCB for busbar mounting (5SM1) with wire protection, lower combina-
tion terminals for simultaneous connection of busbars (fork-type) and conductors
for 2 MW for In = 16 A, 25 A, 40 A for 1.0 - 16 mm2 conductors
for 2.5 MW for In = 63 A, 80 A for 1.5 - 25 mm2 conductors
for 4 MW for In = 25 A, 40 A, 63 A for 1.5 - 25 mm2 conductors
Housing 80 mm for In = 125 A for conductors up to 60 mm2
for auxiliary contacts up to 0.75 - 2.5 mm2 conductors
for RCCB module up to In = 80/100 A for max. 35 mm2 conductors
for RCBO for In = 6 - 32 A for 1.0 - 16 mm2 conductors
Supply connection either top or bottom
Mounting position any
Degree of protection IP 20 in accordance with DIN VDE 0470 Part 1
IP 40 when mounted in distribution boards
IP 54 when mounted in moulded-plastic housings
Minimum operating voltage for V AC for RCCB 16 A - 80 A: 100
test function operation for RCBO in two modular widths: 230 +/-10 %
Device service life > 10 000 operations (electrical and mechanical)
Storage temperature °C -40 to +60
Ambient temperature °C -5 to +45,
-25
for designs with the symbol : -25 ... +45
Climate resistance humid heat, cyclic (55 °C/28 cycles)
acc. to DIN IEC 68 Part 2-30 used in accordance with DIN 50 019 Part 1 “Technoklimate“ temperate and dry heat
Flammability level Class IIb in accordance with DIN VDE 0304
Chlorofluorocarbon-free yes

■ Definitions
1 MW =modular width 18 mm Mounting depth 70 mm =
N-type =Device mounting Device mounting depth 70 mm
depth 55 mm

3/4 Siemens I 2.1 · 2000

i21_01.fm Seite 5 Mittwoch, 5. April 2000 1:45 13

Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

General Data
Description

■ Protection against hazardous shock currents according to DIN VDE 0100 Part 410
Application
• Protection against indirect 10 mA 30 mA
10000 Range 1

AI2-6158d
contact (indirect personnel Usually, the effect
protection). Protection is pro- ms
is not perceived.
t
vided by disconnecting haz-
2000 Range 2
ardous high touch voltages Usually, there are
caused by a short circuit to ex- 1000 no noxious effects.
posed conductive parts of 500
equipment. 1 2 3 4 Range 3
• When using RCCBs with 200 Usually, no danger
I∆n ≤ 30 mA, protection from of heart fibrillation.
100
direct contact (direct person-
nel protection) is also provid- 50
Range 4
ed. Supplementary protection Heart fibrillation
20
measure by disconnection 0,1 0,2 0,5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1000 mA 10000
danger.
when live parts are touched. Current ranges acc. to IEC 479 M: Shock current
M

t : Duration

Protective action

RCCB
RCCB

RCCB

While RCCBs for rated fault cur- L1 L1 L1

rent I∆n > 30 mA provide protec- N N N
tion against indirect contact, the PE PE PE
installation of RCCBs with I∆n ≤ RA RA RA
30 mA provides a high level of
additional protection against
unintentional direct contact with
live parts.
The above diagram shows the
physiological responses in the
human body when current flows PE conductor Conductors
Damaged interrupted
through it, classified into current insulation interchanged
ranges. Current/time values in and insulation
failure in the
area 4 are dangerous, as they equipment
can initiate heart fibrillation
which can result in death.
The tripping range for RCCBs
with rated fault currents of
10 mA and 30 mA are also
shown. On the average, the trip-
ping time lies between 10 ms
and 30 ms. The permissible trip-
ping time, according to DIN
AI2-6156b

VDE 0664 and EN 61 008 or

IEC 1008, of max. 0.2 s
(200 ms) or 0.3 s (300 ms) is not
reached.
Thus, RCCBs with rated fault
currents of 10 mA or 30 mA pro-
vide reliable protection even if a
current flows through a person
as a result of unintentional direct
contact with live parts. This level
of protection cannot be
achieved by any other compa-
rable means of protection
against indirect contact.
Wherever RCCBs are used, an
appropriate protective ground
conductor must also be provid-
ed and connected to all of the
equipment and parts of the sys-
tem. Thus, a current can only
flow through a human body if
two faults are present or if the
person accidentally touches
live parts.
R St R St R St
Examples for unintentional direct contact
If a person directly touches live L1
parts, two resistances deter- L2
mine the level of the current L3
flowing through the human N
body, i.e. the internal resistance
of the person RM and the local
ground leakage resistance RSt. RCCB
For the purpose of accident pre-
vention, the worst case must be
assumed which means that the
local ground leakage resistance
is almost zero.
R
The resistance of the human M
body is dependent on the cur-
rent path. For example, meas- I
urements have shown for a M
hand-to-hand or hand-to-foot
path, a resistance of approxi-
mately 1 000 Ω. R St
For 230 V AC fault voltage, this
results in a current of 230 mA for AI2-6408c
the hand-to-hand path. Schematic drawing: Additional protection when directly touching live parts

Siemens I 2.1 · 2000 3/5

i21_01.fm Seite 6 Mittwoch, 5. April 2000 1:45 13

Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

General Data
Description

■ Fire protection according to DIN VDE 0100 Part 720

Application
• When using RCCBs with
I∆n ≤ 300 mA, protection
against electrically ignited
fires due to insulation failures
is provided.
Protective effect
DIN VDE 0100 Part 720 speci-
fies for “locations exposed to
the hazards of fire“ measures to
prevent fires resulting from insu-
lation failures. A distinction is
made between:
• Short-circuit fire protection
• Ground-fault fire protection
• Safe clearance (only when
routing cables and conduc-
tors).
Short-circuit fire protection is current of 0.3 A.
ensured by overcurrent protec- The additional protection
tive devices, and ground-fault against fire provided by RCCBs
fire protection by RCCBs. should not only be used at loca-
However, it is stipulated that tions with increased fire hazard
only RCCBs with a maximum but should be generally used.
rated fault current up to 0.5 A
are used. This upper limit
should not be utilized. The opti-
mal protection is achieved with
devices having a max. fault

■ Design and mode of operation of RCCBs

An RCCB essentially comprises
3 major function groups:
1. Summation current trans-
former for fault current de-
tection
2. Release to convert the
electrical measured value
into a mechanical release
3. Contact latching mechanism
with the contacts
The summation current trans-
former involves all of the con-
ductors, i.e. also the neutral
conductor.
In a fault-free system, for the
summation current transformer,
However, if an insulation fault
causes a fault current to flow,
this balance is disturbed and a
residual magnetic field remains
in the transformer core. This
produces a voltage in the sec-
ondary winding, which, via the ’
release and the contact latching
mechanism, disconnects the
circuit with the insulation fault.
This tripping principle works in-
dependently of the supply volt-
age or an auxiliary supply. This
is also a prerequisite for the
high level of protection which
RCCBs provide according to
DIN VDE 0664.
This is the only way to ensure
Test button 3-pole connection
Each RCCB has a test button 4-pole RCCBs can also be used
which can be used to check its in 3-pole supply networks. In
operability. When the test button this case, the device must be
is pressed, an artificial fault cur- connected at terminals 1, 3, 5
rent is produced and the RCCB and 2, 4, 6.
must trip.
The functionality of the test
We recommend that the func- facility is only ensured if a
tionality of the RCCB is tested
jumper is inserted between
after installation and at regular terminal 3 and N.
intervals (about twice a year).
Furthermore, other standards or
regulations (e.g. accident pre- L1 L2 L3 N L1 L2 L3
vention regulations) which
specify test intervals must also 1 3 5 N 1 3 5 N
be met.
The minimum operating voltage

I2-7557
the magnetizing effects of cur- for the test function is 100 V AC
rent carrying conductors cancel that the full protective function (5SM series).
2 4 6 N 2 4 6 N
each other out in accordance of the RCCB is maintained, even
with Kirchhoff’s law. There is no in the event of a supply fault, 3 x 230 V AC + N 3 x 230 V AC
residual magnetic field which e.g. if a phase conductor fails or 3 x 400 V AC + N 3 x 400 V AC
could induce a voltage in the the neutral conductor is inter-
secondary winding. rupted.

■ Use
RCCBs may be used in all three TN network
L1 TT network L1
IT network (conditional) L1
distribution network types (DIN L2 L2 L2
L3 L3 L3
VDE 0100 Teil 410) and in an IT N N AI2-6155d
network system provided that PEN PE AI2-6154e

the capacitance of the network AI2-6153e

RCCB RCCB
RCCB

RCCB

RCCB RCCB
to ground is sufficient to allow a
fault current to flow which has L1
the same level as the rated fault N PE
L2 PE PE
L3
current. N
The IT network can still be mon- TN-C TN-S
itored using an insulation moni-
tor. Both protective systems do
not mutually interfere with one
another.

3/6 Siemens I 2.1 · 2000

i21_01.fm Seite 7 Mittwoch, 5. April 2000 1:45 13
Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)
■ Current types
When using electronic compo-
nents in household appliances
and in industrial plants for
equipment with a protective
ground conductor (protection
class I), non-sinusoidal fault
currrents may flow through an
RCCB in case of an insulation
fault.
The specifications and regula-
tions for RCCBs include add-
tional requirements and test
specifications for fault currents
which, within a supply frequen-
cy period, reach zero or ap-
proach zero.
■ DC fault currents
In industrial electrical equip-
ment, circuits are being increas-
ingly used where smooth DC
fault currents or fault currents
with a low residual ripple may
flow in the event of a fault condi-
tion. This is shown on the follow-
ing diagram with the example of
a piece of elecrical equipment
with a three-phase rectifier cir-
cuit. Electrical equipment such
as this includes, for example,
AC drive converters, medical
equipment (e.g. X-ray equip-
ment and CT systems) as well
as UPS systems.
Pulsating current-sensitive
RCCBs cannot detect such DC
fault currents and cannot trip.
Further, this has a negative im-
pact on their tripping function.
■ AC/DC-sensitive protective device
Design
The basis for the AC/DC-sensi-
tive protective device compris-
es a pulsating current-sensitive
protective switching unit with a
release which operates inde-
pendently of the line supply,
supplemented by an additional
unit which senses smooth DC
fault currents. The following dia-
gram shows the fundamental
design.
The summation current trans-
former W1 monitors, as before,
the electrical system or plant for
AC and pulsating fault currents.
The summation current trans-
former W2 senses the smooth
DC fault currents, and, when a
fault develops, outputs a dis-
connection command to re-
lease A via electronic unit E.
Siemens I 2.1 · 2000
General Data
Description
RCCBs which trip on both sinu-
soidal AC fault currents as well Current type Tripping
current
as on pulsating DC fault cur-
rents have the symbol . 1 AC fault current 0.5 ... 1 I∆n
2 Pulsating DC fault currents 0.35 ... 1.4 I∆n
Half-wave current
(pos. and neg. half-waves)
Phased half-wave currents:
Phase control angle 90°el 0.25 ... 1.4 I∆n
135°el 0.11 ... 1.4 I∆n
3 Half-wave current with superim- max. 1.4 I∆n+
posed smooth 6 mA DC current 6 mA
Tripping currents for RCCBs defined according to DIN VDE 0664 Part 1
Thus, electrical equipment Three-phase star connection
which generates fault currents bridge connection
N L1 L2 L3
such as these when faults oc- -six pulse
L1 L2 L3
cur, may not be operated to- IB
gether with pulsating current-
sensitive RCCBs on electrical IB
supply networks.
Alternative protective measures
AI2-6161b
can, for instance, include pro-
tective separation, which, how-
ever, can only be implemented
using heavy and expensive AI2-6160b ID
transfromers. A technically opti- I
mum and cost-effective solution
is obtained by using the new Load current Fault current
AC/DC-sensitive RCCBs. This IB I
type of RCCB has been includ-
ed in prEN 50 178 (replacing
DIN VDE 0160) “Equipment for
power plants with electronic
AI2-6162b
equipment“. t t
Block diagram with fault location
L1 A Release conductor). Consequently, a
L2 M Mechancal system of the protec- tripping is still ensured in the
L3 tive device
event of a smooth DC fault cur-
N E Electronics to trip in the event of rent which may occur also in
PE smooth DC fault currents
1 3 5 N
T Test device case of faults in the supply net-
n Secondary winding work, e.g. when the neutral con-
M
W1 Summation CT to sense ductor is interrupted. Even in
A sinusoidal fault currents the extremely improbable case
W1
n W2 Summation CT to sense of a failure of the two phase con-
smooth DC fault currents ductors and the neutral conduc-
tor and if the remaining intact
n
W2 Mode of operation phase conductor represents a
E
T
In order to ensure a highly fire hazard due to a ground
secure supply, the power fault, protection is still provided
supply for the electronics unit is by the pulsating current-sensi-
I2-6666a
derived from all three phase tive breaker part, which due to
2 4 6 N
conductors and the neutral con- its supply-independent release,
ductor. Further, it is dimen- reliably trips.
sioned to ensure that the
electronics still operate when
the voltage is reduced down
to 70 % (e.g. between the phase
conductor and neutral
3/7
i21_01.fm Seite 8 Mittwoch, 5. April 2000 1:45 13

Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

General Data
Description

■ Circuit design
When designing and installing
electrical systems, it must be
ensured that electric devices,
which can generate smooth DC
fault currents when a fault de-
velops, have their own circuit
Wh
with an AC/DC-sensitive RCCB.
It is not permissible to branch
AI2-6164b
circuits with these types of elec-
tric devices after pulsating
currrent-sensitive RCCBs. De-
vices, which can generate DC I n =300 mA
RCCB
fault currents under fault condi- S
tions, would then diminish the
tripping capability of the pulsat- A
ing current-sensitive RCCBs.
The tripping conditions accord-
ing to DIN VDE 0664 also apply I n =30 mA I n =10 mA I n =30 mA
to the AC/DC-sensitive RCCB. RCCB RCCB RCCB RCCB RCCB
I n =30 mA
To trip in the event of smooth
DC fault currents, they have S
been extended, corresponding
to the current compatibility
characteristics according to
IEC 479, so that tripping must
be realized at a tripping current
of 0.50 to 2 × I∆n.
AC/DC-sensitive RCCBs have
the symbol . This new protective device has Note: RCBBs into the building man-
a monitoring symbol from VDE If you use the available auxiliary agement systems with instabus
with VDE Register No. 5342. contacts, you can integrate the EIB and AS-i-Bus or PROFIBUS.

■ Selective tripping
Residual current operated cir- Further, selective RCCBs ac- Main Sub distribution
cuit-breakers normally have an cording to DIN VDE 0664 must distribution board RCCB
instantaneous release. This have an increased surge board
means that a series circuit of strength of at least 3 kA. Sie-
such residual current operated mens devices have a surge
circuit-breakers with the aim to strength of ≥ 5 kA. S RCCB
provide selective tripping will Selective RCCBs have the sym-
not operate correctly when a bol î. Selective version RCCB
fault occurs. To achieve selec-
tivity when RCCBs are connect- The table opposite shows a
ed in series, the devices possible grading of RCCBs for
For undelayed undelayed
connected in series must be selective tripping when the disconnection
graded both with regard to the RCCBs are connected in series
without time delay. ID n = 300 mA 10 mA or 30 mA
tripping time as well as with re-
gard to the rated fault current. ID = 500 mA 10 mA or 30 mA
n
Selective RCCBs have a trip-
ping delay. ID n = 1000 mA 10 mA or 30 mA 0,3; 0,5
AI2-6168d

■ Short-time delay tripping

For electric devices, which
cause high discharge currents
at switch-on (e.g. as a result of
transient fault currents which
flow between the phase and PE
via noise suppression capaci-
tors) can cause instantaneous
RCCBs to undesirably trip if the
discharge current exceeds the
rated fault current I∆n of the
RCCB.
For applications such as these,
where it is either not possible or
only partially possible to elimi-
nate such fault sources short-
time delayed RCCBs can be
used.
These devices have a minimum
tripping time of 10 ms, i.e. they
may not trip for fault current
pulses of 10 ms. In this case,
the tripping conditions accord-
ing to DIN VDE 0664 Part 1 are
maintained. The devices have a
surge strength of 3kA, thus ex-
ceeding the requirements of
DIN VDE 0664.
Short-time delayed RCCBs are
marked with a æ.

3/8 Siemens I 2.1 · 2000

i21_01.fm Seite 9 Mittwoch, 5. April 2000 1:45 13

Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs)

General Data
Description

■ Breaking capacity, short-circuit capacity

In accordance with DIN VDE The short-circuit capacity of the
0100 Part 410 (protection combination must be specified Rated current of Rated breaking Maximum short-circuit
the RCCB capacity Im acc. to back-up fuse LV HRC,
against hazardous shock cur- on the devices. EN 61 008 for a DIAZED, NEOZED
rents), RCCBs may be used in Siemens RCCBs have, together 35 mm grid clearance Operating class gL/gG
all three network types (TN, TT with an appropriate back-up for the RCCB
and IT systems). fuse, a short-circuit capacity of
10 000 A. This is the highest 125 V AC 500 V AC
If the neutral conductor is used to 400 V AC
as protective conductor in TN possible short-circuit capacity
A A A A
systems, short-circuit-type fault level according to VDE regula-
tions. 16 - 40 2 MW 800 63 -
currents may flow in the event of
a fault. Thus, RCCBs together Data regarding the rated break- 63 2.5 MW 800 100 -
with a back-up fuse must have ing capacity according to 80 2.5 MW 800 100 -
an appropriate short-circuit ca- EN 61 008 and the maximum
permissible short-circuit back- 25 4 MW 800 100 35
pacity. Tests have been defined
up fuse for RCCBs are shown in 40 4 MW 800 100 50
for this purpose.
the following table: 63 4 MW 800 100 -

■ Surge strength
During thunderstorms, atmos-
pheric-related overvoltage con-
ditions may enter a system or
plant via the overhead power
lines in the form of travelling
waves and thus the RCCBs are
A surge current of Î = 250 A is
used for testing with a
standardized surge of 8/20 µs.
Siemens pulsating current-sen-
sitive RCCBs have a surge
strength of ≥ 1 000 A.
% Peak Characteristics of a current impulse acc. to
100 DIN VDE 0432 Part 2
90 TS front time in s
Front Tail Tr virtual time to half-value on tail in s
I 01 virtual origin
Im peak value

Im
50
tripped. In order to prevent
these undesirable trips, pulsat-
ing current-sensitive RCCBs
must meet the requirements of 10
AI2-6165b
the tests defined to prove the 0
surge strength. 01 TS t
Tr

ISurge current 8/20 µs (8 µs front time: 20 µs time to half-value on tail)

Further information regarding RCCBs is included in the brochure

„Greater Safety through Earth Fault Protection by Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers“, Order No. E20001-P311-A17-V1

Siemens I 2.1 · 2000 3/9