Easee one EVCP has a type B RCD fitted in it.....

[HappyHippyDad]

A customer has asked me to fit an easee one EVCP. I notice that it has a type B RCD in it (I think). We are not supposed to fit a 'lower grade' RCD upstream, due to the blinding effects.

Its not possible (at least not easily) to fit a type B RCBO into the 'fusebox' branded consumer unit, so I am unsure how to proceed?

I feel I may be missing something here as there must be 1000's of easee one EVCP's fitted?

 

[westward10]

Is the RCD actually 61008 compliant?
A lot of these built in RCDs do not comply.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Is the RCD actually 61008 compliant?
A lot of these built in RCDs do not comply.

Would this affect which RCD is installed upstream?

 

[westward10]

No it would mean the inbuilt RCD protection is not compliant with BS7671 and the CoP.
A lot of the early charger points had built in RCDs with did not satisfy EN 61008 and hence did not comply to the standards. If it does comply is RCD protection upstream necessary?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

No it would mean the inbuilt RCD protection is not compliant with BS7671 and the CoP.
A lot of the early charger points had built in RCDs with did not satisfy EN 61008 and hence did not comply to the standards. If it does comply is RCD protection upstream necessary?

The route is through the ceiling, all the way to the outside (from consumer unit). Then in conduit to the EVCP.
It's PME, so has fault protection from ADS.
I do get a little confused about what 'doesn't' need to be RCD protected.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

Its not possible (at least not easily) to fit a type B RCBO into the 'fusebox' branded consumer unit

If you have 3 spare ways in the board, you could potentially do what I did for a heat pump circuit I worked on recently. I shortened the busbar by two modules, installed the type B RCCB in the space, and installed the circuit MCB next to it on the last 'tooth' of the busbar. The MCB fed the RCCB which then fed the circuit.

This was with fusebox gear btw.

 

[Avo Mk8]

Google AI declares the Easee RCD as being compliant with BS610081 etc, but no references.
Not being convinced, I had a further look, which revealed this... does it help?

Easee's RCD is compliant with European standards | Easee

The RCD and all other product-related issues have been thoroughly tested and proven compliant with European standards.

easee.com

In summary:

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Crikey, so is my only option here to take up 3 ways in the consumer unit. A type B RCCB (2 ways) fed by an MCB?

I think I may try and persuade them to buy a different unit!

 

[westward10]

#7 indicates the built in RCDs satisfy the standards so an upstream RCD would not be required but I would double check your unit with the supplier.
Why do you think an upstream RCD is needed?

 

[Avo Mk8]

In the Easee installation instructions online, there is a short list of situations which they say require an upstream RCD, and then a corresponding list of when you don't.

https://download.easee.com/m/5049e14c34189c98/original/EN_One_IG.pdf

Whether this is the latest, or applies to the exact unit in question, I don't know!

 

[Brother Blue]

The route is through the ceiling, all the way to the outside (from consumer unit). Then in conduit to the EVCP.
It's PME, so has fault protection from ADS.
I do get a little confused about what 'doesn't' need to be RCD protected.

What type of cable and is it buried in the wall less than 50mm deep at any point?

RCD protection is not required for fault protection in this case, it's not a domestic lighting circuit and presumably the charger isn't in a bathroom so those aren't relevant.

The requirement for RCD protection of the outlet is covered by the unit itself.

 

[Risteard]

Google AI declares the Easee RCD as being compliant with BS610081 etc, but no references.
Not being convinced, I had a further look, which revealed this... does it help?

Easee's RCD is compliant with European standards | Easee

The RCD and all other product-related issues have been thoroughly tested and proven compliant with European standards.

easee.com

In summary:
View attachment 122421

Don't forget they faced a sales ban in Sweden and their native Norway for lying about the nature of this "RCD". You definitely need to install one. It absolutely and categorically is not a BS EN 61008 or BS EN 61009 device in the EVSE.

 

[Avo Mk8]

Don't forget they faced a sales ban in Sweden and their native Norway for lying about the nature of this "RCD". You definitely need to install one. It absolutely and categorically is not a BS EN 61008 or BS EN 61009 device in the EVSE.

I did wonder!
From the blurb that says it does an auto test, I assume it must be a sort of 'electronic equivalent' to mimic the characteristics of an EN61008 etc device, but not physically of traditional RCD form (and therefore not amenable to approval to that standard)

I've just had a look for the latest version of the Certificate of Conformity for the Easee One, which was issued on 21st May this year, and regarding the RCD it says this:
Residual direct current detecting device (RDC-DD) complying with IEC 62955, clause 9.9
I don't know the details of what that implies, other than the fact they can't claim compliance with the traditional RCD device standards.

I have come across this, which seems to be a description of the protection system aimed at installers
https://download.easee.com/m/31bc990e0654fd3a/original/A2g_RDC-DD Functional_Description_EN.pdf
The above does include the gem: "The charging station shall be installed with an external RCD Type A in the fixed installation."

The Easee certification claims compliance with the Electric Vehicle Charging standard, EN IEC 61851-1:2019, which embodies electrical safety, and they also claim compliance with the standard for Circuit Breakers IEC 60947-2:2016+A1:2019 (which includes those with a re-closing function),
There appears to have been type testing by TUV for this particular design of residual current circuitry, so it seems they can now legitimately CE mark the product and sell it as safe!

So following the mantra of selecting a CE approved product, and following manufacturers instructions, you could argue that despite the lack of BS EN 61008 certification for residual current circuitry, it has an alternative type approval for the bespoke device within it, so you wouldn't be doing anything wrong by installing or using it! (Except some parts of the manufacturers documentation/instructions seem to contradict each other!)

 

[Risteard]

I did wonder!
From the blurb that says it does an auto test, I assume it must be a sort of 'electronic equivalent' to mimic the characteristics of an EN61008 etc device, but not physically of traditional RCD form (and therefore not amenable to approval to that standard)

I've just had a look for the latest version of the Certificate of Conformity for the Easee One, which was issued on 21st May this year, and regarding the RCD it says this:
Residual direct current detecting device (RDC-DD) complying with IEC 62955, clause 9.9
I don't know the details of what that implies, other than the fact they can't claim compliance with the traditional RCD device standards.

I have come across this, which seems to be a description of the protection system aimed at installers
https://download.easee.com/m/31bc990e0654fd3a/original/A2g_RDC-DD Functional_Description_EN.pdf
The above does include the gem: "The charging station shall be installed with an external RCD Type A in the fixed installation."

The Easee certification claims compliance with the Electric Vehicle Charging standard, EN IEC 61851-1:2019, which embodies electrical safety, and they also claim compliance with the standard for Circuit Breakers IEC 60947-2:2016+A1:2019 (which includes those with a re-closing function),
There appears to have been type testing by TUV for this particular design of residual current circuitry, so it seems they can now legitimately CE mark the product and sell it as safe!

So following the mantra of selecting a CE approved product, and following manufacturers instructions, you could argue that despite the lack of BS EN 61008 certification for residual current circuitry, it has an alternative type approval for the bespoke device within it, so you wouldn't be doing anything wrong by installing or using it! (Except some parts of the manufacturers documentation/instructions seem to contradict each other!)

Yes exactly, the RDC-DD is fine allowing use of Type A dedicated RCD interrupting all live conductors instead of Type B. It may mimic RCD functionality, but is not really an RCD - certainly not to either BS EN 61008 or BS EN 61009. It's a common problem with many EVSEs, but they shouldn't misrepresent what the internal device is.