Measurements and modeling of the frequency behavior of residual current devices- from 4 Hz to 40 kHz

Abstract

Residual current devices (RCDs) are a common means of protection against shock due to indirect contact in low voltage (LV) systems. Due to the increasing penetration of power electronics equipment in LV systems, higher amounts of waveform distortion at a broad range of frequencies, from dc, subharmonics up to hundreds of kHz (supraharmonics), are expected to be present both during normal operation and during faults. The standardization committees and manufacturers have responded to this challenge by proposing different types of RCDs that are expected to function under given conditions of fault current waveform. However, subharmonic and supraharmonic frequency components are not considered in the standards for most of the RCD types. This article studies the effect of these frequency components on RCDs type AC, A, B and F. An assessment is made in terms of two types of RCD failure: blinding and nuisance tripping, for which both magnitude of the current and breaking time is considered. A frequency mapping of the RCDs is performed, and an assessment of these results based on the frequency-dependent response of the human body to currents is performed. Finally, a frequency model for RCDs type A, F and B is developed.