{"id":741,"date":"2023-05-23T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/?p=741"},"modified":"2023-05-23T15:55:27","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T07:55:27","slug":"rccb-requirement-in-domestic-electrical-installations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/?p=741","title":{"rendered":"RCCB Requirement in Domestic Electrical Installations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On 12 May 2023, the regulator Energy Market Authority (EMA) issued a circular that w.e.f 1\/7\/2023, all residential premises will be required to have a Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) installed.  A two-year grace period is given. This circular was targeted to homes built in or before July 1985, as this RCCB requirement is already been in place since 1 July 1985.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Finer Points of this RCCB requirement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. It refers to the 30mA sensitivity RCCB, meant for protection of socket outlets and lighting circuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. The 30mA RCCB is a &#8220;Controlled Item&#8221;. In short, one should look out for the &#8220;Safety Mark&#8221;. Refer to Enterprise Singapore website for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rccb-safetymark-sisir.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"450\" src=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rccb-safetymark-sisir-1024x450.png\" alt=\"RCCB-ELCB Safety Mark\" class=\"wp-image-744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rccb-safetymark-sisir-1024x450.png 1024w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rccb-safetymark-sisir-300x132.png 300w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rccb-safetymark-sisir-768x337.png 768w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rccb-safetymark-sisir.png 1375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">30mA RCCBs and older ELCB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/safetymark-goods1.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"725\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/safetymark-goods1-725x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/safetymark-goods1-725x1024.png 725w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/safetymark-goods1-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/safetymark-goods1-768x1085.png 768w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/safetymark-goods1-1088x1536.png 1088w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/safetymark-goods1.png 1404w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>3. 30mA RCCB used in Singapore has a faster tripping time, as compared to the IEC Standard. One can refer to Singapore Standard SS97 (Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (RCCBs) \u2013 General rules) for details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: SS97 covers both Type A and Type AC RCCBs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ss97-rcd-table.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"143\" data-id=\"623\"  src=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ss97-rcd-table-1024x143.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ss97-rcd-table-1024x143.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ss97-rcd-table-300x42.jpg 300w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ss97-rcd-table-768x107.jpg 768w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ss97-rcd-table-1536x215.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ss97-rcd-table-2048x287.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>4. The RCCB has no overcurrent\/overload protection. Hence it is important to ensure that there is a corresponding circuit breaker protecting it against overcurrent\/overload. The 30mA RCCB comes in few typical ratings, 25A-40A-63A-80A-100A. One needs to ensure that the RCCB rating is higher or equal to its corresponding circuit breaker. In this example here, the 30mA RCCB is rated 40A, equal to the circuit breaker rating of 40A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/MCB-RCCB.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"216\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/MCB-RCCB-216x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/MCB-RCCB-216x300.png 216w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/MCB-RCCB.png 417w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">RCCB rating has to be greater or equal to MCB rating<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Power Quality Tips for RCCB Selection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 30mA RCCB is highly sensitive and can lead to cases of maltrip\/nuisance trip. An RCCB is designed to trip anywhere above 50% of its sensitivity rating (For the 30mA RCCB, it may trip anywhere above 15mA).  Below are couple of tips to follow, if you have been experiencing nuisance RCCB trip(s) with no clear fault\/causes found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1) One should not lump many circuits\/appliances to one RCCB. Typically, for a HDB flat, 1 RCCB will suffice. But for larger homes, one may need multiple RCCBs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rule of thumb is to limit the standing\/background leakage current to 20-25% of the RCCB sensitivity. If this is exceeded, additional RCCB(s) will need to be installed (eg. instead of 1 RCCB serving 10 circuits;  re-wire 1 RCCB each to serve 5 circuits; total 2 RCCBs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: Every equipment \/ appliance contributes a small amount of leakage current (from its mains filter etc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/RCCB-leakage-current.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" src=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/RCCB-leakage-current-1024x428.jpg\" alt=\"Background Leakage Less Than 25%\" class=\"wp-image-746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/RCCB-leakage-current-1024x428.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/RCCB-leakage-current-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/RCCB-leakage-current-768x321.jpg 768w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/RCCB-leakage-current-1536x641.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/RCCB-leakage-current.jpg 1571w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Use a Leakage Clamp &#8211; Clamp on both Live and Neutral cables<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>2) The RCCB type should match the load(s) type. A mismatch has been known to cause both maltrip and non-trip cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/types-of-rccb.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"539\" src=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/types-of-rccb-1024x539.png\" alt=\"RCCB Types\" class=\"wp-image-747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/types-of-rccb-1024x539.png 1024w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/types-of-rccb-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/types-of-rccb-768x404.png 768w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/types-of-rccb.png 1420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">RCCB Types &#8211; Type AC most common in Singapore homes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Locally, it is being accepted that for typical residential power and lighting loads, the Type AC RCCB suffices. The price difference between a Type A and Type AC can be as much as 10x. Hence, it is rare to ever find a &#8216;Type A&#8217; RCCB in homes. The type of RCCB can be differentiated from the &#8216;waveform logo&#8217; on the RCCB itself, as circled in the photo above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Loads today however are rarely sinusoidal in shape (as per the AC waveform seen). Here is a voltage\/current waveform snapshot of my own home. The current waveform is on the right. It hardly looks sinusoidal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: Some European countries have banned on the general use of Type AC RCCB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/waveforms-loads.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"680\" height=\"457\" src=\"http:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/waveforms-loads.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/waveforms-loads.png 680w, https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/waveforms-loads-300x202.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On 12 May 2023, the regulator Energy Market Authority (EMA) issued a circular that w.e.f 1\/7\/2023, all residential premises will be required to have a Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) installed. A two-year grace period is given. This circular was targeted to homes built in or before July 1985, as this RCCB requirement is already [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":744,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rccb-safetymark-sisir.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p41TEZ-bX","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=741"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":758,"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741\/revisions\/758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerquality.sg\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}