testing 4 RCDs, lets see the result

[electricalchief]

Today i took some rcd tripping tests.
Two of RCDs are already in use for many years, other two are new!
At first i took a test on a ABB 40A/0,03mA about 8-10 years old. It did not pass it anyway. Tripping Ampers was out of limit, i assume about 40mA.
Next test was about an old RCD (F-G permat) about ~30 years old. The results were awesome! These are almost, not to say the same, as a new one rcd.

Next tests are about two new RCDs, a moeller-eaton at 63A/0,03mA and a Gewiss at 40A/0,03A.
Both of them are good with very good results as you can see in pictures below.

Tests were made by a Metrel 3100, so i have to write results in a paper. Most of them are made 2- or 3 times in order to see any differences, all the same.

These made me to think about some products and their quality. The PERMAT ( i don't know which company is at present) while it is so old is better than the newly ABB.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

With RCDs and RCBOs that have been in service for a years it's always worth tripping them a few times on the functional test button before starting a formal test just to ensure the mechanism is free moving. If you do this you may find the device then complies with the regulations. This is particularly worthwhile if you suspect that quarterly functional testing may not have been carried out ... most domestic situations in my experience.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Spot on.

Always been bemused at how well old "house brick" Wylex (et al) up front RCCBs perform, from memory usually record breaking times like in the 4 or 5 mS range. Much better than the new tat !

 

[electricalchief]

on both of them, mechanical test buttons work well. The faulty one also works fine, but the test gives the final winner.