Hi All, I am looking for some information in relation to RCD testing, not just the push button test, but actual leakage testing. There appears to be push back form company's in doing this, due to the cost and down time required for the testing. In your experience how many company's would you say choose not to do it? Thanks, Ann

anng, I would like you to describe a little more as to what you describe as leakage testing. An RCD does not have leakage per se. Are you asking about disconnection time or disconnection current? Is this in relation to fixed installations and thus BS7671 or are other standards or guidance involved?

OK, So you are looking to undertake two tests here, you are looking for a disconnection time test and what we call a ramp test. A full disconnection time test is undertaken at 1/2x RCD rated current, (I subscript caplital delta lower case n, I can't get the torum to do subscripts or greek letters!) this is to ensure that the RCD will not pose a "nuisance" tripping scenario. This is undertaken in phase and at 180 degrees out of phase. This is then repeated at 1x rated current and for RCD's used to provide additional protection 5x rated current, where by the device must trip within the time defined in the relevant product standard there are different times depending on which standard, I'd have to check, but is generally <40ms (BS7671) The next test is the "ramp" test, in this test, a steadily increasing current is applied to the device and the current at the trip point is recorded, this must be less than the rated trip current. say for a 10mA I did recently this was 8mA & for a 30mA I had 27mA as trip currents, these are acceptable. Please note however, these descriptions and explanations are based on BS7671, I note that you are quoting Irish standards and that you are located in Ireland, so I am not sure how this translates to your requirements, I believe that they are similar as BS7671 is moving ever closer to IEC 60364. The relevant section of IEC60364 for initial verification is part 6. You will need test equipment complying with EN61557-6 to undertake these tests, this should be traceably calibrated and subject to regular (monthly) monitoring and cross checking with other instruments or other verification device to ensure reliable and repeateable results.

Half test at rated mA (will be 15 mA for a 30mA) at both cycles and the device must not trip. At full rated current (30mA) it must trip within 300mS for a BS/EN 61008 RCD and for BS/EN 61009 RCBO (both cycles) Then at X5 - 150mA trip for a 30mA it must trip at no more than 40mS.Times for a selective device will be another topic. For a BS 4293 RCD or a BS 4293/3871 then 200mS and 40mS A RCD trip meter is called for plus the competence to use it. All loads removed prior to testing. As testing will be 'LIVE' and normally with enclosure removed call in an electrician or risk problems re Electricity at work act 1989. We use a ramp test to get close to exact trip currents for fault location and in order to test for nuisance tripping I would not let anyone other than an electrician do this testing. Please do not do this yourself.