In this day and age, electricity is absolutely necessary. But, things were not as smooth as they used to be. There was a time when electricity was utilised despite its various drawbacks. Several deaths due to electrocution, especially during the rainy season, or in bathrooms due to faulty wiring used to be extremely common, along with short circuits and fire outbreaks.
As time has passed, technology has developed, and new devices that have the ability to detect faults and leakages have been created.
Earth Leakages & Electric Shocks:
When a current starts leaking from a conductor, it is termed an earth leakage.
Current leakages can occur due to several other factors, including rupturing and weak insulation, causing the current to leak from the conductor and make its way towards the ground.
If a human body comes in contact with this current, it can cause an electric shock and promptly lead to death.
Protection from Current Leakages:
To ensure protection against earth leakages, two types of protection devices can be used:
- Voltage Sensing ELCBs
- Current Sensing RCCBs
Voltage Sensing Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker:
ELCBs work using the principle of Voltage Sensing. They are connected to the equipment that needs protection, and the other terminal is connected to the earth. A voltage difference is then created between these points, energising the coil in the circuit breaker, which then trips when there is an earth leakage.
Disadvantages:
- Separate devices require separate earthing; otherwise the leakage cannot be detected by the ELCB
- Mandatory wiring of the earth conductor to the ELCB is required for smooth operation.
Current Sensing Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB):
The RCCB contains a CBCT (Core Balance Current Transformer) that senses the size of the current entering and leaving the circuit. Thus, if a current leak is sensed, the CBCT is energised and in turn, trips the RCCB.
Advantages:
- Trips the circuit even if the Earth element is unavailable
- No individual device earthing is needed
- Simple wiring
RCCBs & Distribution Boards:
RCCBs are connected in line with MCBs inside distribution boards. In short, the MCB provides protection against overloads and short circuits. On the other hand, RCCBs ensure protection against earth leakages.
Special distribution boards, called ‘Per Phase Isolation’ Distribution Boards, have the ability to hold RCCBs, and these devices can be installed with no extra cost.
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