Across the Big Pond Question

Gfci

HI John.

Ground Fault Current Interupter (hope that is correct) or Residual Current Device as it is known here in the UK is available in many forms.


Non Industrial Standard Types

1 Stand alone unit rated at 63.80.100.200 amps Single and 3 Phase Din Rail
mounting. This type sits at the main incomer end of a distribution board
and protects all the bus bars upsteam. They come as 6.10.30.100.200mA
rated at opperating times of 10/


30/100mS. Also available are units that
have adjustable settings.

2 Receptacles (mounting boxes) are available in all sizes for both flush and
surface fixing.

3 Accessories also are available with a integral RCD. Sockets and switch
outlets. Again many kinds of fittings and finishes (plastic-chrome-brass-
coloured .

4 Also available is a mcb with rcd integral. Fits standard bus bar and
enclosures. Ideal for local rcd protection when you would not wish to
protect an entire distribution board. Computer runs etc.



DIN RAIL INCOMER RCD DP 63 Amp





Single Phase and 3 phase RCD Incomer




RCD rwin socket

Local rcd fused protector outlet






External Weatherproof RCD socket









Hope this helps.



Frank

Hi John.

Well you sure have a good selection of outlets on your test bench front panel.

Your Company's problems are strange. The equipment should not activate a RCD unless the insulation resistance to earth is very low?

Anyway. You need a 2 pole RCD for sure. You could easily mount one on the external panel of the test bench or if you want to be posh then on the inside also. The frequency of operation will have no effect upon the operation of the RCD.

The transformer idea is good one but I would trytwo or three other methods first.

1. Use the US 208 Voltage as the test voltage. European voltage is 230 V and given the plus/minus factors that can occur with supply voltages I would think that all apparatus will work perfectly at 208V

2.The secondary side of the transformer windings should not be earthed. The transformer must also be non isolating .The metal casing of the test bench will be of course ( also bonded to the earth pin outlets )and this should carry to the neutral/earth point upstream of the primary. Set the trip times to 30mA. This is the //ameter for domestic rcd units.

3. You could use the tansformer as you have drawn but the earth must be at the centre tap of the windings. The RCD then could be fitted in the secondary side.

I would go for No 1 myself if the equipment works at 208V

Let me know the results of your experiment. If you need to source a UK double pole RCD I can help there also.

Frank

John

I am coming to the USA next week. Arriving Boston Thursday afternoon.I can bring one and post to you direct or you can use the link below.

Go into electrical then Consumer Units and the page with mcb's and incomers pops up.







Frank

Hi John.


The problem is with the Sure Tester, or so the folks that know such things tell me. The Ideal Sure Tester is not configured for dedicated time lapse rcd testing . Utiising the test button proves the integrity of the resudual current integral circuitry but it does not prove the full electromechanical characteristics of the RCD. You should be able to obtain a 230 volt multirange RCD tester in the USA. They are expensive however. Even new here in the UK.Say $500/600 I am not sure how you test RCD units in the US.Since I believe you do not use the bus bar mounted types (only socket types) then a RCD tester for outlets will be of no use. Unless you can get a 230 volt model and fit flying crocodile leads to the outlet plug and then test the RCD at the input poles. But going by what the Megger Co told me today you would need to ensure that the GFI tester was designed to switch up to 230 volts and test at 30mA and 100mA at Half Times and one Time and Five Times trip current to meet UK spec.

If all fails I could maybe get you a discounted one or even a calibrated second hand one from this end.

Be sure to let me know.


Frank