Electricity is the cornerstone of modern industry, suffusing every aspect of business operation and our daily lives. As a result, we often forget the dangers of electricity. Electrical protection devices like RCDs (residual current devices) and earth leakage relays perform a critical role in protecting us from the danger of electricity while allowing us to harness it’s power. Here’s some insight from leading suppliers of solutions from CIRCTOR in Australia.
Different Types of Electrical Faults
Electrical protection devices like RCDs and earth leakage relays work by disconnecting the power supply in the event that dangerous conditions are detected. These include:
Overload or oversupply of electrical current – When the electrical system draws more power from the supply than it can safely manage, exceeding the load for the circuit. This can easily occur in systems using three-phase electric motors and lighting systems with ballasts.
Transient or voltage surges – A spike in power supplied to an electrical network. Can be due to oversupply from the mains or lightening.
Short circuits – A normal short circuit is when a live wire connects with a neutral wire in an electrical circuit, causing resistance to drop and electricity to surge along a different pathway. Often the result of damaged wiring.
Line-to-line faults – Short circuiting between two phases of an electrical system.
Ground or earth faults – Also known as a line to ground fault, where a fault occurs between a live conductor and the earth, causing a short circuit.
How Do Earth Leakage Relays Work?
Earth leakage relays are a type of circuit breaker designed to protect electrical systems when ground or earth faults occur. It both detects the leakage and cuts of supply to the affected circuit to protect equipment. CIRCITOR in Australia offers a wide range of earth leakage relays, both to address voltage earth leakage issues and current earth leakage issues. Current earth leakage circuit breakers are also known as RCDs.
How Do RCDs Work?
RCDs work to protect electrical equipment by disconnecting the circuit if a leakage occurs. RCDs from CIRCITOR in Australia come in a range of sensitivities for different applications, and it’s important to get the right product matched to your electrical network. Too sensitive and your facility will suffer from nuisance tripping, too insensitive and electrical equipment is put at risk.
RCDs and Earth Leakage Relays from CIRCITOR in Australia
Quality Energy is a leading provider of cost-effective power quality solutions, including earth leakage relays and RCDs. Our team has over 30 years of experience assisting industrial and commercial facilities in achieving their power quality goals, as well as reducing their energy costs and implementing effective protection for their electrical systems. Contact us today for more information.
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