type A RCD

[peanutty]

hi all, is there anything i should know about type A RCD's(RCD not MCB). i.e. testing, never come across them before. i'm told domestic charging points for electric cars are using them. any ideas what else they are used in.

 

[Rockingit]

I think you need to refine your question:
the 'types' apply to circuit breakers not RCD's as they relate to a ratio of current surge, and type A doesn't exist in practice (and you wont find it in the BGB) as the B,C & D grades replaced the previous numerical values of 1 - 5.

It is possible that you have seen a type on an RCBO, but it would be B,C or D.

I can't think of any reason why couldn't use a standard B type for a car charger.

 

[peanutty]

hi, i'll pop out to van in abit and take pic of it, i thought i was going mad when i was told!!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

There are as far as I know, four types of RCD.
Type AC which are the bog standard RCDs used in most installations and detect a.c. earth faults.
Type A which are again detect a.c. earth faults, but can be used for instances where there may be pulsed d.c. currents.
Type B which are used to detect d.c. earth faults.
Type S (selective) which are time delayed.

 

[spark 68]

6.1.4 Types a.c.,A and B RCDs.​

Residual current devices may also be classified as Type a.c.,Type A and Type B as follows:​

Type a.c.​

Ensures tripping for residual a.c. currents, whether suddenly appliedor slowly rising.​

Type A​

Ensures tripping for residual a.c. currents and pulsating d.c. currents,whether suddenly applied or slowly rising.​

Type B​

Ensures tripping for residual a.c. currents, pulsating d.c. currents andsmooth d.c. currents, whether suddenly applied or slowly rising.For most applications Type a.c. devices are the most suitable. For special applications, refer​

to the manufacturer.

Taken from the Beama RCD handbook here: www.beama.org.uk

Cannot post the link for some reason