SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010
01-september-2010
1DYRGLOR]DSUDYLOQRXSRUDER]DãþLWQLKQDSUDYQDSUHRVWDOLWRN]DJRVSRGLQMVNRLQ
SRGREQRXSRUDER
Guidance for the correct use of residual current-operated protective devices (RCDs) for
household and similar use
Indications pour un bon usage des dispositifs différentiels résiduels (DDR) pour usages
domestiques et analogues
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: IEC/TR 62350
ICS:
29.120.50 9DURYDONHLQGUXJD Fuses and other overcurrent
PHGWRNRYQD]DãþLWD protection devices
SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010 en,fr
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010

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SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010
RAPPORT CEI
TECHNIQUE
IEC



TR 62350
TECHNICAL


Première édition
REPORT

First edition

2006-12


Indications pour un bon usage des dispositifs
différentiels résiduels (DDR) pour usages
domestiques et analogues

Guidance for the correct use of residual current-
operated protective devices (RCDs) for household
and similar use
© IEC 2006 Droits de reproduction réservés ⎯ Copyright - all rights reserved
Aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et les photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'éditeur. the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 919 02 11 Telefax: +41 22 919 03 00 E-mail: inmail@iec.ch Web: www.iec.ch
CODE PRIX
U
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
PRICE CODE
International Electrotechnical Commission
МеждународнаяЭлектротехническаяКомиссия
Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
For price, see current catalogue

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SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010
TR 62350 © IEC:2006 – 3 –
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.5
INTRODUCTION.9

1 Scope.11
2 Normative references .11
3 Terms and definitions .13
4 General information concerning availability of RCD protection.13
4.1 Availability of RCD protection .13
4.2 Failure of the RCD to operate.15
4.3 Failure rate.17
4.4 Useful life (see Figure 3) .17
4.5 Available surveys .17
5 Information related to contribution of products to the availability of protection .19
5.1 Contribution of compliance with RCD standards .19
5.2 Contribution of design and manufacturing.21
6 Availability of protection in installations fitted with RCDs .23
6.1 General considerations.23
6.2 Recommendations concerning the correct use of the test button .25
6.3 Recommendations for testing the availability of RCD protection within the
installation.25
6.4 Recommendations concerning the choice and installation of RCDs .27
7 Information related to the installation and use of RCDs in the field .31
7.1 General considerations and measures concerning harsh environment .31
7.2 Most significant parameters to take into account .31
7.3 Recommendation for selection and installation to avoid unwanted tripping of
RCDs .35
7.4 Relationship between availability of the protection and the selection of RCDs .39

Annex A (informative) General diagram showing contribution to availability of the protective
measure .45
Annex B (informative) Definitions from the IEV .47
Annex C (informative) Operation of RCDs with possible fault currents .51
Annex D (informative) Example of use of the test button .55

Bibliography.57

Figure 1 – Theoretical availability of protection without corrective measure within the
installation .15
Figure 2 – Theoretical availability of protection with corrective measures made within
the installation during periodical verification.15
Figure 3 – Failure rate and useful life.17

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SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010
TR 62350 © IEC:2006 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________

GUIDANCE FOR THE CORRECT USE OF RESIDUAL CURRENT-OPERATED
PROTECTIVE DEVICES (RCDs) FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR USE


FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. However, a
technical committee may propose the publication of a technical report when it has collected
data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard, for
example “state of the art”.
IEC 62350, which is a technical report, has been prepared by subcommittee 23E: Circuit-
breakers and similar equipment for household use, of IEC technical committee 23: Electrical
accessories.
The text of this technical report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
23E/604/DTR 23E/622/RVC

Full information on the voting for the approval of this technical report can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

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SIST-TP IEC/TR 62350:2010
TR 62350 © IEC:2006 – 7 –
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in
the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

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INTRODUCTION
It is the purpose of this document to provide guidance and information to designers,
manufacturers, installers, users and persons in charge of installation maintenance on the
selection, erection and use of RCDs in fixed installations with a view to optimisation of the
long term availability of the protection provided by RCDs.
Over the last forty years the experience accumulated on RCDs by manufacturers, laboratories,
installers, users and installation bodies has been collated and used by IEC technical
committees (in particular within SC23E) to achieve improvements in the reliability of RCDs
through revisions of IEC RCD standards. Requirements and tests have been added or
improved within such IEC standards towards this objective. Considerable progress was made
when SC23E decided to introduce requirements such as a 28-day environmental test whose
purpose is to simulate RCD ageing.
Users, installers and other committees within IEC need to be informed that although the
reliability of an RCD compliant with relevant RCD standards has been substantially improved
in comparison to earlier RCDs, availability of protection provided by RCDs is linked to many
parameters, not all being related to RCDs themselves but including also the installation and
the environmental conditions.
This guide has identified and addressed in a comprehensive way the key factors impacting on
availability of RCD protection so as to contribute further towards the reliable operation of
RCDs in service and further enhance the valuable protective functions provided by these
devices. SC23E will continue to monitor this important area with a view to building on the
work that has been completed through publication of this guide.
Additional information: during a meeting between TC64 and SC23E officers it was confirmed
that this guide does not conflict with TC64 standards and that the purpose of the guide is to
provide information leading to a better understanding of the correct use of RCDs.

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GUIDANCE FOR THE CORRECT USE OF RESIDUAL CURRENT-OPERATED
PROTECTIVE DEVICES (RCDs) FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR USE



1 Scope
This technical report provides an overview of protection availability provided by residual
current-operated protective devices (RCDs) complying with IEC standards for household and
similar uses. It highlights the main parameters influencing protection reliability and provides
information on how to install and operate RCDs in relationship to their environmental
conditions after installation.
This guide gives general information concerning availability of the protection within the fixed
installation and how to keep a high level of availability of protection during use (installation
and maintenance). It has been drafted for the benefit of IEC technical committees, installers,
inspectors and users.
NOTE 1 The term RCD is a generic term applied to a family of products which open automatically in response to a
residual current at or exceeding the RCD’s rated residual operating current, I . This generic term is often applied
Δn
to the following.
RCCB - Residual Current Circuit Breaker without overcurrent protection
RCBO - Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection
SRCD - Socket outlet Residual Current Device
PRCD - Portable Residual Current Device
A RCCB differs from a RCBO in that the RCBO will additionally respond to overcurrent conditions whereas the
RCCB will not respond to such conditions.
NOTE 2 PRCDs are not considered to be part of the fixed installation, and are not covered by this guide.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60364 (all parts), Electrical installations of buildings
IEC 60364-4-44:2001, Electrical installations of buildings − Part 4-44: Protection for safety −
Protection against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances
IEC 60364-5-51, Electrical installations of buildings − Part 5-51: Selection and erection of
electrical equipment − Common rules
IEC 61008 (all parts), Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent
protection for household and similar uses (RCCBs)
IEC 61008-1:1996, Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent
protection for household and similar uses (RCCBs) − Part 1: General rules
Amendment 1 (2002)
Amendment 2 (2006)

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IEC 61009 (all parts), Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent
protection for household and similar uses (RCBOs)
IEC 61009-1:1996, Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent
protection for household and similar uses (RCBOs) − Part 1: General rules
Amendment 1 (2002)
Amendment 2 (2006)
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock − Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61543:1995, Residual current-operated protective devices (RCDs) for household and
similar use - Electromagnetic compatibility
3 Terms and definitions
(See in Annex B official definitions from IEV)
4 General information concerning availability of RCD protection
4.1 Availability of RCD protection
Availability of RCD protection is the ability of an item to perform a required protective function
under given conditions within an appropriate installation over a given period of time.
Availability of RCD protection is not limited to the equipment but includes parameters from the
installation such as PE continuity, appropriate earth resistance value, insulation resistance
and environmental conditions.
NOTE 1 Periodic verification of the installation including verification of electrical loads and equipment
incorporating RCDs is advised. After verification, appropriate corrective measures have to be taken, e.g. repairing
the installation or replacing faulty equipment, etc.
The value of availability of RCD protection may be expressed in percentage terms when
looking at a homogeneous population of RCDs within the same installation, or to express the
probability for a single device to perform the protective function after a defined period of time.
NOTE 2 Protection: the required function is to operate when required to do so and not to operate when not
required to do so.
NOTE 3 The availability of the protective measure corresponds to the real need of the user.

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Availability
100 %
100 – 0,X %
n
Time (years)
IEC  2376/06


Figure 1 – Theoretical availability of protection without corrective measure
within the installation

Availability
100 %
100 – 0,X %
Time (years)
n years 2n years
corrective action corrective action
of installation of installation
IEC  2377/06

NOTE This figure is based on hypothesis of Figure 3, which supposes that the failure rate is stable within the
useful life.
Figure 2 – Theoretical availability of protection with corrective measures made
within the installation during periodical verification
Figure 1 shows that the RCD protection will decrease if the installation is not verified. For
example a 300 mA RCD used for indirect contact protection might not trip if the earth
resistance increases after a certain time.
Figure 2 shows that in case of periodic verification within the installation, the availability of
protection is restored to 100 % if appropriate corrective measures are taken, e.g. replacement
of faulty equipment.
4.2 Failure of the RCD to operate
The lack of operation of an RCD which should have operated but which did not operate as
intended.

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4.3 Failure rate
The probability of occurrence of a “failure to operate” over a given period of time.
4.4 Useful life (see Figure 3)
Under given conditions, the time interval from commencement of use to when the failure level
becomes unacceptable.
NOTE The useful life of an RCD cannot be expressed in hours or years due to the influence of the particular
conditions of service. Endurance, short-circuit and accelerated life tests, etc. are conventional means to assess an
expected useful life.


Obsolescence
Youth period
period
Failure rate
Useful life
Time
IEC  2378/06

NOTE At the end of the useful life period the failure rate will increase and availability of the protection can only be
assured by replacement of the protective device.
Figure 3 – Failure rate and useful life
4.5 Available surveys
Several surveys have been published in relation to RCDs installed in various countries over
many years and in different types of installation.
The analysis of these surveys highlights the following key information.
– Up to 50 % of the “faulty” RCDs were found to be fully functional when subsequently
tested in the laboratory. These “failures” were attributed to installation conditions, such as
faulty installations, miswiring, etc.
– Many RCDs had been fitted in installations in agricultural premises without due regard for
the environmental conditions in such installations which were far more severe than those
encountered in households and similar installations.
– Climatic and electromagnetic environmental conditions were major influencing factors. It
was noted that the failure rate increased significantly in cases of use of RCDs in
conditions that are beyond those defined in the relevant RCD standards.
Most of the studies related
– to RCDs fitted in installations more than twenty years old,
– and to RCDs not covered by current editions of IEC RCD standards. Most of the RCDs
tested had been installed prior to publication of IEC 61543 (1995), which sets out EMC
requirements for RCDs. Prior to 1996, RCDs were not subjected to a broad range of EMC
tests.

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5 Information related to contribution of products to the availability of
protection
5.1 Contribution of compliance with RCD standards
5.1.1 General
The relevant IEC standards covering RCDs intended for household and similar use are as
follows:
– IEC 61008 RCCBs for household and similar use,
– IEC 61009 RCBOs for household and similar use,
– IEC 61543 EMC requirements for RCDs.
Compliance with relevant product standards has to be ensured by the manufacturer for all
devices produced. This compliance can be ensured through
– type test conformity assessment (manufacturer’s declaration or certification), and
– routine tests as required by the standard.
Installers and users should only use RCDs fully complying with IEC standards.
RCD ratings are given in the relevant RCD product standards. Except for the tolerances
specified in these standards, the RCD ratings must not be exceeded. Operation of the RCD
outside its specified ratings is likely to result in damage to the RCD and undermine availability
of the protective function.
5.1.2 Contribution of standardised environmental conditions to the availability of
protection
RCDs complying with IEC 61008, IEC 61009 and IEC 61543 are intended to be used in
normal indoor conditions expected in household and similar uses where
– the extreme temperature range does not exceed –5 °C to 40 °C, with a reference value of
20 °C;
– the relative humidity level does not exceed 50% at 40°C;
– the air pressure remains in the range of 70 kPa to 106 kPa (altitude < 2 000 m);
– the quality of the atmosphere is that to be normally expected in a household, being neither
corrosive nor lacking of adequate ventilation;
– the external magnetic field does not exceed 5 times the earth’s magnetic field in any
direction.
5.1.3 Contribution of the standardised tests to the availability of protection
The availability of the RCD protection during its useful life and under the conditions of use as
foreseen is considered to be verified by specific tests (see list below referring to IEC 61008)
performed in the different type test sequences.
These specific requirements and tests either simulate ageing of the RCD or verify the
withstand capability to stresses that may occur at any time during use.

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– Marking
– Mechanism
– Trip-free mechanism
– Resistance to heat
– Resistance of insulation against impulse voltages
– Reliability at 40 °C
– Ageing of electronic components
– Mechanical and electrical endurance
– Unwanted tripping
– Performance at I
∆m
– Test device
– Non-operating current under overcurrent conditions
– Coordination at I
nc
– Performance at I
m
– Coordination at I
m
– Coordination at I
Δc
– Reliability (climatic tests)
EMC phenomena, IEC 61543
– Conducted unidirectional transients of the ms and µs time scale
– Conducted and radiated high frequency voltages
– Conducted unidirectional transients of the ns time scale (burst)
– Electrostatic discharges
5.2 Contribution of design and manufacturing
5.2.1 General
Reliability of equipment is basically a design parameter such as technical performances that
are addressed by the manufacturer and that can also be affected by installation
considerations.
The manufacturer must apply design considerations that address mechanical, electrical,
software and other factors that contribute to reliability.
Additionally, the following actions may be applied by the manufacturer:
– follow up tests (as defined in annex in IEC 61008 and IEC 61009) (manufacturer’s
declaration or certification);
– quality assurance (compliance with ISO 9000 series);
– continuous improvement.
5.2.2 Mechanical and electrical design
All RCDs contain circuitry and mechanism parts and may also include electrical or electronic
components all of which contribute to the protective function.

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Such circuitry, mechanism and components may be sensitive to temperature, humidity and
voltage stresses. With appropriate design and manufacturing, these parts will be tolerant to
humidity, temperature, corrosion and voltage stresses that are to be expected in normal use
in household and similar applications as given in relevant IEC standards.
6 Availability of protection in installations fitted with RCDs
6.1 General considerations
Although availability of protection provided by RCDs or other electrical equipment depend on
good design and high quality manufacturing, it must also be acknowledged that RCDs are not
used alone, but form part of an electrical installation.
Factors relating to the installation and use of the electrical installation may influence the
availability of protection or correct operation of electrical equipment such as RCDs after
installation. This type of availability cannot be checked by tests in product standards and
therefore requires periodic verification of installations.
RCDs tested in accordance with IEC 61008 or IEC 61009 standards concern devices intended
to be used by unskilled and uninstructed persons in installations or equipment not subject to
maintenance. Nevertheless, a regular verification of installations including the verification of
RCD equipment is advised in order to keep a high level of availability of the protection (see
Figure 2).
– Equipment provided for checking the correct tripping of RCDs after installation should be
used with care since measurement may be influenced by parameters linked to the
installation. Analysis of some RCDs apparently not functioning indicated that they were
actually incorrectly wired or installed.
– Environmental conditions can have a considerable influence on ageing and availability of
the RCD protection. The use or operation of an RCD outside its intended range may impair
its correct operation or reliability. Such environmental conditions may include; high
humidity level; extreme temperatures, the presence of corrosive gas; high keraunic level;
recurring overvoltages; vibrations, etc.
– Quality of the mains supply can also influence ageing of RCDs. Tolerances to voltage
levels, dips, frequencies, sinusoidal wave distortion, etc. should be considered.
Excessive operations or abnormal use of electrical equipment such as RCDs will reduce the
availability of the protection. RCDs should therefore be replaced in the event of abnormal use.
Examples for excessive operations or abnormal use are as follows:
– reclosing several times in quick succession (e.g. in an attempt to locate a fault within an
installation);
– use of RCDs without appropriate enclosure in humid environment;
– temperature outside the specified limits;
– excessive shock or vibration.
From the above consideration and due to the large number of parameters influencing the
correct operation of RCDs, it is understandable that it is not possible to predict a number of
years or months for an expected lifetime of the RCD.

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Nevertheless, users of RCDs should also understand that, although RCDs tested in
accordance with IEC 61008 or IEC 61009 standards are recognised reliable and not subject to
maintenance, they cannot provide protection for ever. Considering all aspects of availability of
protection, it is therefore important
– to check installations, including the functioning of the RCD, during commissioning;
– to regularly verify installations, electrical loads and electrical equipment including RCD
equipment during the installation life and to replace failing loads and electrical equipment
including RCDs;
– to consider replacing loads or equipment, including RCDs, after a certain number of years
depending on the conditions of use or installation.
It is recommended that consideration be given to replacing RCDs complying with IEC
standards published before 1996 or not tested in accordance with climatic tests (e.g. 28-day
test) because such RCDs are unlikely to have been designed to meet the more demanding
requirements of the
...