Why Does RCD Trip with Earth Leakage Fault Downstream of UPS?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of Residual Current Devices (RCDs), also known as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs), in relation to a dual conversion Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). When an Earth leakage fault is induced downstream of the UPS, the RCD trips, which raises questions about the UPS's true dual conversion capabilities. Participants confirm that the RCD trips in both normal and bypass modes, indicating that the UPS may not be isolating the ground effectively, allowing leakage current to return through the neutral line, thus causing the RCD to trip.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of RCD/GFCI functionality and operation
  • Knowledge of UPS configurations, specifically dual conversion
  • Familiarity with Earth leakage faults and their implications
  • Basic electrical circuit theory, including neutral and ground bonding
NEXT STEPS
  • Investigate the specifications and operational principles of dual conversion UPS systems
  • Learn about RCD/GFCI sensitivity thresholds and testing methods
  • Explore the effects of common-mode transients in electrical circuits
  • Research grounding and bonding practices in electrical installations
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, UPS system designers, and technicians involved in power distribution and safety testing will benefit from this discussion, particularly those dealing with RCD/GFCI functionality in conjunction with UPS systems.

qbnchopper
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Gents, Ladies,

I have a design where I have:

AC -> RCD -> UPS (dual conversion apparently) -> PowerStrip -> Equipment

If I induce an Earth leakage fault downstream of the UPS (i.e. at the powerstrip), the RCD upstream of the UPS trips.

The UPS is in the "normal" not bypass state, and the UPS is supposedly dual conversion.

I cannot understand how this can happen unless the UPS is not true dual conversion !

Can someone confirm or debunk my understanding here please ?

Q
 
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Another name for the RCD is GFCI, BTW. Does the GFCI trip if the UPS is in bypass mode too? I agree that if it really has switching power supply transformer isolation between the AC Mains with the GFCI, and the load where you introduce the ground fault, that the GFCI should not see anything different, other than a slight change in its AC load (no common-mode load change).

On second thought, it might see a common-mode load change because of the winding-to-winding capacitance of the switching transformer. Does it only trip the GFCI if you introduce a hard fault to ground (like with a wire)? What if you use a 10kOhm resistor instead? Try some resistor faults right at the GFCI to see where its sensitivity threshold is, and then do the same downstream of the UPS. It may just be the capacitive common-mode transient from a hard wire fault downstream of the UPS that is tripping the GFCI.
 
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Berkeman,

Thanks for your reply ! I new that the RCD was called something else - but couldn't remember ...

Being an Aussie - RCD = Aussie; GFCI = American ? :-)

In bypass mode, the RCD/GFCI trips as expected.

In normal mode, the RCD/GFCI trips (not really as expected - but noting your second though!)

I am using a tool to induce the Earth leakage fault - it allows me to change the mA-erage to see how quickly an RCD responds. I came across this situation when I was testing to see if the UPS had anything in it to cope with a Earth leakage fault (i.e an experiment) ...
Anyway, I'll look at the tool and also try as you suggest ...

Thanks !
 
Glad to help, qbnchopper, and welcome to the PF. It's a great place.

I'd really be interested in the results of your experiments. Your initial test results are a bit non-intuitive for me as well.
 
The UPS loops the ground circuit thru to the UPS outlet.
I'm not entirely certain, but I think they also loop the neutral line thru.
If so, then at some point in a normal mains circuit the neutral and ground lines have a common bond.
Then a leakage current from the UPS hot to ground will loop back thru the neutral to complete the circuit. The unbalanced current in the RCD (GFCI) neutral will cause the breaker to trip.
 
Notime,

Thanks and Interesting ... in my case the Earth and neutral are not bonded ... however, on another problem that I am working that is related, earth/neutral are bonded upstream of the ups ... have to have a think about this ...

Q
 

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