Does an rcd operate on earth fault only or does it operate on short circuit too.? please help
Wasn't sure what an RCD was so I had to look it up.
Here is what Wikepedia says about them;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device#searchInput
A residual current device (RCD), or residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), is an electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the electric current is not balanced between the phase ("hot") conductor and the neutral conductor. Such an imbalance is sometimes caused by current leakage through the body of a person who is grounded and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit. A lethal shock can result from these conditions; RCDs are designed to disconnect quickly enough to mitigate the harm caused by such shocks.
In the United States and Canada, a residual current device is also known as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), ground fault interrupter (GFI) or an appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI).
Hope this answers your question:whistling2:
