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Three Phase RCD & MCB Wiring?

Please could somebody advise on the most cost effective procedure of wiring up RCDs & MCBs on a DIN Rail for independent circuit protection.  Tried Googling to no joy.  Plenty of Single Phase advice, images, videos.  If using 4 Pole MCBs & RCDs, would I be correct in assuming that similar to single phase, it's just a case of Busbar-ing the MCB Lives to the RCD Lives and taking the RCD to Neutral Bar?


Have seen diagrams (like below) where the Incoming L1, L2, L3 get split to separate DP MCBs, RCDs and SP MCBs for each phase.  Seems like a bit of a faff and a pricey option (3x DP MCBs + 3x RCDs + 3x SP MCBs) per circuit.


I have 3x Three Phase Circuits (13A, 40A, 48A) that I wish to protect independently with RCDs.


Thanks in advance!  Dan.

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  • AJJewsbury:

    That diagram is no good at all for 3-phase final circuits (and actually looks a bit non-conventional for the UK in several areas).


    Unfortunately building a (BS 7671 compliant) distribution board these days isn't as simple as picking up the modular devices you require, clipping them onto a DIN rail and wiring them together - the thing as a whole will need type approval to comply with BS EN 61439 (see BS 7671 reg 536.4.203) - which either means that you can only use components specified by the DB manufacturer in the manner the DB manufacturer stipulates, or you take on the rather onerous responsibility of becoming an assembly manufacturer yourself. Some of that requirement might be just bit of manufacturer's blather, but there will be some details (e.g. reaction to overvoltages or breaking large fault currents) that require co-ordination between the individual components, their spacing/positioning and the physical capabilities of the enclosure to contain the products of arcing etc) which could easily catch out the unwary.


    So, it would be a lot simpler (and probably safer) to go for an off-the-shelf solution - perhaps an ordinary type B (3-phase) distribution board, with either 3-phase RCBOs or 3-phase MCBs feeding 3-phase RCCBs downstream in their own enclosure.


       - Andy.




    Hi Andy,


    Apologies for any confusion.  I do intend to use brand new components from the same manufacturer.  Probable Wylex in this situation. 


    Was just trying to understand if it is possible to connect/wire up a 4P RCCB and a 4P MCB in the same manner as a 1P RCCB and numerous MCBs?  i.e. By connecting the L1 L2 L3 of the 4P RCCB to the L1 L2 L3 of the 4P MCB via a Busbar or Individual wiring of L1 L2 L3?


    Cheers.


Reply
  • AJJewsbury:

    That diagram is no good at all for 3-phase final circuits (and actually looks a bit non-conventional for the UK in several areas).


    Unfortunately building a (BS 7671 compliant) distribution board these days isn't as simple as picking up the modular devices you require, clipping them onto a DIN rail and wiring them together - the thing as a whole will need type approval to comply with BS EN 61439 (see BS 7671 reg 536.4.203) - which either means that you can only use components specified by the DB manufacturer in the manner the DB manufacturer stipulates, or you take on the rather onerous responsibility of becoming an assembly manufacturer yourself. Some of that requirement might be just bit of manufacturer's blather, but there will be some details (e.g. reaction to overvoltages or breaking large fault currents) that require co-ordination between the individual components, their spacing/positioning and the physical capabilities of the enclosure to contain the products of arcing etc) which could easily catch out the unwary.


    So, it would be a lot simpler (and probably safer) to go for an off-the-shelf solution - perhaps an ordinary type B (3-phase) distribution board, with either 3-phase RCBOs or 3-phase MCBs feeding 3-phase RCCBs downstream in their own enclosure.


       - Andy.




    Hi Andy,


    Apologies for any confusion.  I do intend to use brand new components from the same manufacturer.  Probable Wylex in this situation. 


    Was just trying to understand if it is possible to connect/wire up a 4P RCCB and a 4P MCB in the same manner as a 1P RCCB and numerous MCBs?  i.e. By connecting the L1 L2 L3 of the 4P RCCB to the L1 L2 L3 of the 4P MCB via a Busbar or Individual wiring of L1 L2 L3?


    Cheers.


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