RCCB and ELCB, as mentioned in the subject, are two circuit breakers that we will discuss in our latest article. First, we will explain both circuit breakers in detail, and then we will identify the difference between them. Keep reading till the end to learn more about RCCB and ELCB. While explaining both devices, we will mention the differences too in each heading of the article.
Let’s discuss the RCCB first.
RCCB
RCCB full form is residual current circuit breakers. It is an electrical wiring device with two ends. Both ends are connected with two different wires. The first end of the residual current circuit breaker is attached to the phase wire, while the second end of the residual current circuit breaker is attached to the neutral end. These devices are best for domestic applications as they are extremely good and provide shock protection immediately. Residual circuit breakers are current-sensitive devices and are comparatively much more beneficial than that earth leakage circuit breakers.
It would not be wrong to call it a life saving device or equipment. These devices can detect any current leakage at the location where they are installed. Once they detect any problem, they immediately trip the supply and disconnect the circuits for protection. They not only save equipment and applications but also save the life of a human from electrical shocks, damages, current leakages, and fire situations. They can detect current leakage of 30 mA, 100 mA, and 300 mA.
These devices disconnect the circuit if there is any current flow through the human body or if the current is not balanced between phase conductors attached to the circuit and residual current circuit breakers. These devices are not connected to the earth wire. They get trip when both phase and neutral wires have different currents.
Main Characteristics of RCCB
Residual current circuit breakers refer to the current flow and operational devices.
How Does an RCCB Work?
If you know a bit about the electrical functions and principles, you will probably have an idea about the core balance current transformer. This is the basic principle that is used in residual current circuit breakers. These devices critically monitor the flow of the current from both wires attached to it. It will then determine the amount of the current that must be returned to the neutral wire. If it finds any difference, these devices will consider it a fault. There may be leakage too. These devices will disconnect the circuits and stop the flow of electricity immediately.
ELCB
The full form of ELCB is an earth leakage circuit breaker. These devices work on the same pattern as the residual current circuit breakers. These are the voltage sensor and old devices, so they are not in use now. People prefer to have the latest devices installed at their desired location to get maximum protection from shocks, leakages, short circuits, and overload situations. These devices measure the voltage on the earth. If the measured voltage is not zero, there is current leakage to the earth.
How Does an ELCB Work?
Earth wire is of green color that is attached to the sensing block of the breaker. If another wire has contact with the green earth wire, there would be the current leakage from the phase wire to the earth wire. This leakage current may pass through the human body. When the device detects, the voltage will drop to the tripping coil and activate the trip circuit. It will switch off the supply to avoid any major issues.
Main Characteristics of ELCB
Earth leakage circuit breakers are designed for voltage operated earth leakage devices.
Disadvantage of ELCB
Earth leakage circuit breaker is an outdated device.
These devices are not preferable because they can detect fault only in case of earth leakage when the current flows through the earth wire.
Difference between RCCB and ELCB
Let’s see the difference between earth leakage circuit breaker and residual current circuit breakers.
In an earth leakage circuit breaker, a coil is connected with the earth wire while the transformer in the residual current circuit breaker is connected to the trip coil.
There is no test button in an earth leakage circuit breaker, while the residual current circuit breaker has a test button to check the performance and reliability from time to time.
An earth leakage circuit breaker senses the earth’s connectivity. In contrast, a residual current circuit breaker senses the current and monitors the amount of the current in the live and neutral wire.
Residual current circuit breakers measure the amount of current in both wires. Under normal situations, the amount of the phase current is the same as that of the neutral current. On the other hand, an earth leakage circuit breaker measures the voltage on the earth connection.
Earth leakage circuit breakers are not used commonly, while residual current circuit breakers are almost in every home these days. According to a study, 95% of domestic applications run through residual current circuit breakers.
Earth leakage circuit breakers are difficult to use, while residual current circuit breakers are safe and easy to use.
Residual current circuit breakers (RCCB) are also called residual current devices rcb full form, while earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCB) is also called voltage operated earth leakage circuit breakers (VOELCB).
While installing these devices, the earth leakage circuit breaker’s earth wire must be connected to the ground and in series with the trip coil. In residual current circuit breakers, there is no need to connect any wire with the ground.
The cost for an earth leakage circuit breaker is a bit higher than the residual current circuit breakers.
Final Words
That is it! You know everything about ELCB and RCCB. Do not get confused with both terms. Both devices are the same, but the residual current circuit breakers are the new earth leakage circuit breaker version. ELCBs are not used these days and are replaced with the updated version, the residual current circuit breakers.
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