Testing RCDs with

the Fluke 1650B Series

Application Note

Residual Current Operated Devices (RCDs)

are often fitted in electrical installations to
provide additional protection against fire and
electrical shocks. Verifying the correct and
safe operation of RCDs involves a number of
dedicated tests, all of which can be carried
out using the new Fluke 1650B Series
Multifunction Installation Testers.

Testing RCDs with

the Fluke 1650B Series
Why use RCDs? are made to the line, neutral and earth conductors at convenient
An RCD detects fault currents flowing to earth that are too small points on the load side of the RCD. Note that the test is performed
to trip over-current protection devices (such as fuses), but are with a live circuit with the load disconnected. The 1650B Series
Residual still
Current Operated
sufficient to cause aDevices
dangerous(RCDs)
electricare often
shock (seefitted in
also figure testers also perform a pre-test to determine if the actual test
electrical1 installations to provide additional protection against
and 2) or an electrical fire. Verifying their operation is critical will cause a fault voltage exceeding the 50 V or 25 V limit. For S
fire and electrical
for safety, andshocks. Verifying
is covered the correct
in IEC 60364 and safe
(and its various national Application Note
type (time delay) RCDs, set the 1650B unit to S-type mode. This
operationequivalent
of RCDsstandards).
involves Thisa number
standardof dedicated
specifies tests, all of
the requirements incorporates a 30 second delay, activated between the pre-test
which can for be carried
fixed out
electrical using the
installations in new Fluke 1650B Series
buildings. and the actual test in order to avoid having an inaccurate trip
Multifunction Installation Testers. time.
Why do we test RCDs?
Most RCDs have an integral test button, but even a successfully
Why usecompleted
RCDs?test using this facilitymilliseconds)
does not necessarily confirm
by inducing that
a fault
the RCD is working correctly. Additional
current intests
thetocircuit.
measure In tripping
this test
Effects of currents through human bodies
An RCD detects fault currents
time are necessary to verify thatusing
the RCD will perform
a Fluke correctly
1650B Series
flowing to earth that are too small to 10000

under fault conditions, while extra tests may also

Multifunction be carried
Installation out a
Tester, 5000
trip over-current protection devices t
to determine the actual tripping calibrated
current. In fault
standard regulations,
current is induced in
[ms]
2000
(such as fuses), but are still sufficient
testing RCDs fall under ‘Verifyingthe
protection by automatic
circuit, causing the RCD supply
to trip.
1000

to cause a dangerous electric shock 500

disconnection’. Depending on the Thetype of system,measures
instrument that is TN,and 1 2 3 4
(see also figure 1 and 2) or an 200
TT or IT, various test procedures displays
are used.the
These
timeinclude
taken for the RCD
electrical fire. Verifying their 100 Add AC to X
measurement of the fault loop impedance,
to trip. Thismeasurement
test can be of the
performed at 50 axis label
operation is critical for safety, and is I
I ac [mA] for
earth-electrode resistance for exposed-conductive-parts
distribution panels with of test leads 20
[mA]
clarity
covered in IEC 60364 (and its 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1000 5000 10000
the installation, and measurement or socket
or at calculation of the
outlets usingfirstthe
fault
mains
various national equivalent Fig. 1: Effects of AC current (for RMS values from 50 Hz to 60 Hz)
current. In all these procedures, cord
verifying the characteristics
supplied and
with the instrument.
standards). This standard specifies
operation of protective devices such
When asconnecting
circuit breakers, fuses and
at distribution 10000
the requirements for fixed electrical
RCDs is critical. boards, connections are made to 5000
installations in buildings. t
[ms]

the line, neutral and earth 2000

Different tests the Fluke conductors at convenient points on

1000

Why do1650B we test RCDs?

Series can perform Basicthe testing
500

loadofside
RCDsof the RCD. Note that 1 2 3 4

Most RCDsinvolves
have andetermining
integral test the trippingthetime
test(in
is milliseconds)
performed with by a live
200

Add DC to X
100
button, butinducing
even a asuccessfully
fault current in the circuit.
circuitInwith
this the
test load
usingdisconnected.
a Fluke 50
axis label
I I dc [mA]
completed1650B
test using
Series this facility
Multifunction Installation
The 1650B Tester, a calibrated
Series fault
testers also 20
[mA]
For clarity
0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1000 5000 10000
does not necessarily
current is induced inthat
confirm the the
circuit,perform
causing a the RCD to to
pre-test trip. The
determine if Fig. 2: Effects of DC current
RCD is working correctly.
instrument Additional
measures and displays thethe timetest
actual taken forcause
will the RCD to
a fault
tests to measure tripping
trip. This test cantime are
be performed at distribution
voltage panels
exceeding thewith
50 test
V or 25 V Range 1: Usually not noticeable.
necessary leads
to verify Range 2: Usually not harmful for human.
or at socket outletswill
that the RCD using the mains
limit. For Scord
typesupplied with the
(time delay) RCDs, Range 3: Muscle cramps, danger of heart flutter (fibrillation) very low.
perform correctly under
instrument. faultconnecting atset
When distribution
the 1650B boards,
unit toconnections
S-type mode. Range 4: Danger of heart flutter (fibrillation) very high.
conditions, while extra tests may This incorporates a 30 second delay,
also be carried out to determine the activated between the pre-test and
actual tripping current. In standard the actual test in order to avoid
regulations, testing RCDs fall under having an inaccurate trip time.
 Manual measurement of RCD tripping time Auto testing
To manually measure the tripping time, a number of parameters To simplify and speed up testing, the 1652C, 1653B & 1654B
must be entered in the installation tester using the function soft models have an auto mode for measuring RCD tripping time in
keys. The following need to be set: which six tests (x1/2, x1 and x5 at 0° and 180°) are automatically
• RCD trip-current rating typically 10, 30, 100, 300, 500, carried out in sequence. This eliminates the need for the test
1000 mA or Var (variable test current setting) engineer or his assistant to keep returning to the installation tester
• Test current multiplier x1/2, x1, x5 or auto after resetting a tripped RCD. This feature saves a considerable
• RCD test-current waveform: amount of time on site. To measure RCD tripping time using Auto
- AC current to test Type AC (Standard AC RCD) and Type A mode on the 1652C, 1653B & 1654B models, the RCD current
(pulse sensitive RCD*) rating is again entered with softkeys and the Auto mode selected
- Pulse current to test Type A (pulse sensitive RCD*) using the function softkeys. After entering the RCD type and
- Smooth-DC current to test type B RCD 1 initiating the test, the sequence starts by applying x1/2 the RCD’s
- Delayed response to S-type B current rating for a predetermined period (310, 510 or 2000
(time delayed smooth-DC current RCD) 1 ms – depending on local regulations). If the RCD trips, the test is
- Delayed response to test S-Type AC (time delayed AC RCD) terminated. If not, the instrument automatically reverses the phase
or S-Type A (time delayed pulsesensitive RCD*) and repeats the test. Again, if the RCD trips, the test is terminated.
• Test-current phase setting 0° or 180° If not, the instrument supplies x1 the RCD’s current rating for 2000
ms. The RCD should now trip and the time is displayed and stored
Note: in memory. After the RCD has been reset, the instrument
The European standard IEC 61008-1describes the properties reverses phase and repeats the x1 test. The sequence is repeated
for RCD. Trip current limits for RCD type A, DC pulse is allowed with x5 the RCD’s current rating to complete the auto test cycle.
between 35% and 140% (even 200% for 10mA RCD type) of the The instrument ‘senses’ when the RCD has been manually reset
nominal trip current e.g. for a 30 mA RCD the trip current can be and initiates the next test in the sequence. Results are held in
between 10.5 mA and 42 mA. temporary memory, and viewed by stepping through with the
arrow buttons. The 1653B & 1654B also have an internal memory
* Pulse DC models 1652, 1653 & 1654 only, for storing results for later recall or importing into a report made
1 Smooth-DC 1654 only using FlukeView Forms or DMS Software.

Note that because some RCDs are more sensitive in one half cycle Ramp RCD testing
of the mains supply waveform than the other, the test must be In addition to measuring trip time, the 1652C, 1653B and 1654B
carried out for both zero and 180 degree phase settings, and the models can also measure RCD tripping current by gradually
longest time should be recorded. The default setting for the test increasing an applied current until the RCD trips. This is commonly
current multiplier is ‘x1’ (the 1651B base model has this setting referred to as a ramp RCD test. Once again, the RCD trip current
only), and this tests RCDs at their rated trip current. The measured rating, RCD type, and test current phase must be selected using
tripping time can be compared with the maximum time permitted softkeys before commencing the test.
by local Regulations or Standards for that type of device.

Variable RCD trip-current setting

The new 1650B series covers an additional feature for RCD
testing. To measure RCD tripping current for a custom RCD setting
the VAR mode is available. With the arrow keys a user defined
current can be selected between 10…1000 mA (AC test current)
and 10…700 mA (pulse DC test current*) to adjust the value.

Fluke (UK) Ltd. Tel. +44 (0)20 7942 0700

Fluke. K
 eeping your World up and Running.® 52 Hurricane Way Fax +44 (0)20 7942 0701
. Norwich, Norfolk E-mail: industrial@uk.fluke.nl
© Copyright 2014, Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. . NR6 6JB www.fluke.co.uk
Data subject to alteration without notice. Pub_ID: 11545-eng. . United Kingdom