SAFETY IN ENGINEERING SUPPLEMENT FEATURE HAZARD WARNING


some of the clauses relating to RCD protection and equipment containing power electronics. Failing to take account of the types of RCD that can be used with power electronics leads to ineffective protection (fire hazards), nuisance tripping and increased costs to correct errors in the installation. HD60364-5-53 (2015) contains


additional information relating to the safe association of RCDs and equipment containing semi-conductors (power electronics). Annex A contains detailed information for power electronic topology and the associated types of RCD. This will help to identify erroneous information provided by some equipment manufacturers, and possible errors in electrical specification, at an earlier stage in the project. The up and coming publication of the


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nstalling ‘green technology’ in existing and new builds, without taking proper


precautions, increases the risk of electrical fires. Off-grid energy generation and energy saving technologies contain ‘power electronics’, generating non-linear waveforms, increased harmonic distortion and higher earth leakage currents. Even with


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specialist electrical knowledge, agreeing a safe electrical specification can be a real challenge. Some manufacturers of green technology give limited information relating to the connection of their equipment to RCD protected circuits. Consulting the 17th Edition Wiring


Regulations may be equally as confusing, particularly when trying to interpret


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18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations will hopefully clarify many of these anomalies, with the addition of at least some of the new information and recommendations contained in HD60364-5-53. For information on RCDs principles and selection download Doepke Techpub-16, here: doepke.co.uk/download/Techpub-16


Doepke www.doepke.co.uk


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SAFETY IN ENGINEERING | MAY 2017 S9


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