Ouzo connection features
In any house or apartment should be not only cozy and comfortable, but also safe. In order to ensure the safety in the house, it is not necessary to purchase expensive equipment and one example is the installation of an RCD. Although this is a simple and affordable device, not everyone knows how to properly connect an RCD.
One of the main reasons that lead to fires is a malfunction in the electrical system of the house.
Frayed wiring can lead to short circuits, resulting in a fire or injury to a person, and electricity can also leak into the ground if a ground is installed in the house.
To minimize all risks and leakage of electricity, it is enough to install a residual current device (RCD). As soon as there is a failure in the system and a current leakage, the specified machine will turn off the power supply.
During normal operation of the system, the current flows only through the circuit and any leakage of it is undesirable, and often dangerous, it is necessary that a ground connection be installed. Electricity leakage can occur for various reasons.
Grounding - Connecting the equipment to a grounding device. Grounding is installed in order to protect people in the event of a short circuit.
Protective grounding is an indirect protection against human contact with the live parts of the equipment and the network. Making grounding is quite simple, it consists of a ground electrode, which is directly connected to the ground and conductors that connect the device and the ground electrode.
Device Features
The best option for connecting a residual current device is to install it near the power input to the house, that is, near the meter.
Before the meter, control over the operation of the system is carried out by electric power enterprises, and if you install an RCD after it, you will ensure maximum safety in your home.
Such an installation has one drawback, in case of problems, the whole house will be immediately de-energized. If this does not suit you, then such a machine must be installed either in that part of the circuit section that is the most significant or dangerous, or several such machines should be installed.
The RCD is an automatic device that, in case of any leakage of current to the ground, turns off its supply. The principle of operation of this device is to constantly monitor the difference in values between the phase and zero wire.
If everything is normal, then there should be no difference and the system works correctly, that is, the same current value passes through the phase and through zero.
In the event that the insulation of the wire is damaged and the room is damp, then moisture, falling on the wire, creates its connection with the ground and current leakage occurs. The RCD should respond to this difference.
After the leakage current is removed from the coil of the internal transformer, it is transferred to a polarized relay, in which the signal is amplified and the machine is triggered, which turns off the power supply. You will not be able to turn on the machine, as the RCD will constantly knock out until you find and eliminate the cause of the current leakage.
In case of a problem, this device has a self-test function. There is a test button on the front panel of such a device.
Pressing the specified button creates an imitation of current leakage and the machine is triggered. If you have a suspicion that the RCD is not working, click on this button. It is also recommended to periodically check the correct operation of the specified machine.
There are inscriptions on the body of the device, according to which it is necessary to connect it. The neutral is connected to the zero of the network, and the phase contacts to the phase. They are usually labeled 1, 2, or L, but may not have a label at all.
There are both single-phase and three-phase RCDs, the difference is only in the number of phase contacts, and the connections are made in the same way. Although the main purpose of the RCD is protection, sometimes it can bring problems.
This is very sensitive equipment and, for example, if the lamp is located outside and the wiring is no longer new, the device may turn off the power supply.
You will have to replace all the old equipment and wiring, but you have to choose, if safety is important to you, then you will have to spend money on replacing equipment.
Device connection
This device, like grounding, allows you to protect against electric shock, but it works much more efficiently. Each device must have a letter marking of the terminals and connect them accordingly.
When connecting, it must be taken into account that there is an input and output. Wires are connected from above, which lead to the machine, and the load is connected from below.
Another connection option will lead to the fact that the RCD will not work or its operation will be incorrect.
RCDs are usually installed in the electrical panel. It provides protection against current leakage, but does not protect against overloads and short circuits, so its installation must be carried out together with the circuit breaker.
This installation option will protect the device from failure, it must be installed after the machine.
Connection in the apartment
The apartment is usually single-phase wiring. First, an automatic machine is installed, then an electric meter, followed by an RCD, and then the apartment network goes on. For an apartment, an RCD with a leakage current of 30mA is enough.
In order to connect powerful consumers, such as a washing machine or an electric stove, you can use separate RCDs.
Fig 1. RCD connection diagram in the apartment.
Modern devices and equipment, in addition to the phase and zero terminals, also have a body or ground terminal, which ensures high safety when using them.
Connecting at home
If the house is large and there are many consumers of electricity in it, then several RCDs can be used.
Fig 2. Installation diagram in a private house.
First, an automatic device is installed, then a counter, an RCD with a power of 100-300mA, automatic devices for a device or a group, and again an RCD with a leakage current of up to 30mA.
Table 1. RCD cost:
| RCD power | Unit | Cost, rub. |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mA | PC. | 1600-1700 |
| 30mA | PC. | 1200-1500 |
| 100mA | PC. | 2900-3200 |
| 300mA | PC. | 2300-2600 |
In order to install this device, you must have the skills to perform electrical work.
If you don’t have these, then it’s better not to take risks, but to invite a specialist, his work will cost you 800-1000 rubles, but you can’t save on security.
