Question

What is the function of ELCB/RCCB in the circuit?

Answer 1

Recall that the electrical appliances are designed in a way so that they run smoothly. The current is made to flow through them so that there is no damage or harm to the person touching it. In order to do this, some safety measures are taken while making the circuits or electrical appliances. It is done so that only the required voltage or current can pass.

Complete step by step answer:
Step I:
ELCB means Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker. It is a safety device that is used while installing an electrical device that has high earth impedance. It’s function is to avoid shock and detect the voltage in the circuit. It protects the animals and human beings from electric shock.

Step II:
It detects the excess current in the circuit and transfers it to the earth wire in the connection it guards. In one terminal the sensor device is connected to the body of the equipment that is to be protected. The other terminal is connected to earth. If the charges accumulate at the non conducting terminal of the equipment, the excess voltage flows to the Earth. If ample voltage is detected across the ELCB sense coil, then it automatically turns off the power and remains off until it manages to rearrange manually to the required voltage.

Step III:
RCCB is Residual Current Circuit Breaker. It is a device that breaks an electrical circuit so that there is no harm due to electric shock. The function of RCCB is to sense the excess current in the circuit. It does not require an earth wire.

Note: It is to be noted that the terms ELCB and RCCB are different. ELCB is used to detect excess voltage but RCCB detects excess current in the circuit. ELCB works when current is made to flow through earth wire. RCCB can work by the difference in the current between the wires of the circuit.