Errors in the installation of electrical wiring and RCD

RCD (residual current circuit breaker) compares the current passing through each phase and if these values ​​differ, the device quickly turns off the network. Thus, the RCD monitors the leakage current from each phase to earth. If in some phase a leak occurs and the current strength increases, then the wiring will be immediately de-energized. In the case of contact of a person to live parts, under voltage, the device will also turn off the network, as there will be a difference in the strengths of the currents in the phases, due to leakage of current per person.

Cases are not uncommon when errors are made during the installation of electrical wiring. Sometimes the power grid in general remains operable, but if an RCD is installed in it, then it becomes an error indicator, and it would work, it would seem unreasonable.

The most common mistakes in the installation of electrical wiring :
- the neutral conductors of different branches are shorted.
- the neutral conductor is connected to the socket of the “neighboring” phase, which is protected by another RCD.
- the neutral conductor in the socket is short-circuited with the grounding conductor.
- when a protection device is connected, the directions of phase and zero are confused.

In all cases, the protection will not function properly. In some cases, when the consumer is connected, there may be a difference in the strength of the currents in the phases, and the RCD will turn off the voltage. Sometimes the RCD group may even work, although the consumer is only connected to one of them. Or it is possible that the protection is triggered when the load increases rapidly (instantly switching on a high power load). Or the protection apparatus will not work at all (for different directions of phase and zero).

It is very important to prevent violations of wiring diagrams. After all, it will mainly be located inside the walls (hidden wiring), and will not be available for inspection. Therefore, finding the wrong installation is extremely difficult. Full testing of the assembled electrical wiring in a house or apartment should be carried out before the start of plastering of walls and other surfaces. Only by making sure that the circuit is assembled unmistakably possible to start the walling up of the conductors. This video about the installation of electrical wiring will help professionals, and not only.