CAN/CSA-E1008-1-98 (R2003)

This National Standard of Canada is based on International Standard CEI/IEC 1008-1: 1990, (first edition, 1990-12), with Corrigendum 1990 and Amendments 1:1992 and 2:1995. 1. Scope This International Standard applies to residual current operated circuit-breakers functionally independent of, or functionally dependent on, line voltage, for household and similar uses, not incorporating overcurrent protection (hereafter referred to as RCCB's), for rated voltages not exceeding 440 V a.c. and rated currents not exceeding 125 A, intended principally for protection against shock-hazard. These devices are intended to protect persons against indirect contact, the exposed conductive parts of the installation being connected to an appropriate earth electrode. They may be used to provide protection against fire hazards due to a persistent earth fault current, without the operation of the overcurrent protective device. RCCB's having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA are also used as a means for additional protection in case of failure of the protective means against electric shock. This standard applies to devices performing simultaneously the functions of detection of the residual current, of comparison of the value of this current with the residual operating value and of opening of the protected circuits when the residual current exceeds this value. NOTES 1 The requirements for RCCB's are in line with the general requirements of IEC 755. RCCB's are essentially intended to be operated by uninstructed persons and designed not to require maintenance. They may be submitted for certification purposes. 2 Installation and application rules of RCCB's are given in IEC 364. 3 RCCB's within the scope of the present standard are considered as suitable for isolation (see 8.1.3). Special precautions (e.g. lightning arresters) may be necessary when excessive overvoltages are likely to occur on the supply side (for example in the case of supply through overhead lines) (see IEC 364-4-443). NOTE 4 - For RCCB's having a degree of protection higher than IP20 special constructions may be required. Particular requirements are necessary for - Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection (see IEC 1009); - RCCB's incorporated in or intended only for association with plugs and socket-outlets or with appliance couplers for household or similar general purposes. NOTE 5 - For the time being, for RCCB's incorporated in, or intended only for socket-outlets or plugs, the requirements of this standard in conjunction with the requirements of IEC 884-1 may be used as far as applicable. The requirements of this standard apply for normal environmental conditions (see 7.10. Additional requirements may be necessary for RCCB's used in locations having severe environmental conditions. RCCB's including batteries are not covered by this standard. This Standard applies to the safety of equipment designed to be installed and used in accordance with the Rules of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I. The Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, contains Rules that mandate the installation of ground fault circuit interrupters, as follows: Class A, which has a specific characteristic curve defined in terms of tripping time versus leakage current, as shown in Annex AA. These ground fault circuit interrupters are designed for protection of personnel. The devices covered by this standard shall not be permitted to be used where the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, mandates the installation of a Class A ground fault circuit interrupter that is constructed, tested, and marked in accordance with CSA Standard C22.2 No.144. The devices covered in this standard are permitted to be used only where the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, does not require a Class A ground fault circuit interrupter. Portable RCCB's of the direct plug-in type or a cord connected type shall not be designed for use with a receptacle that is shown in Diagram D1 or D2 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I. Portable RCCB's of the direct plug-in type or cord-connected type shall not have an output receptacle configuration as shown in Diagram D1 or D2 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I. Devices complying with this Standard shall not be designed for installation in outlet boxes. Notes: (1) Manufacturers designing products for use in Canada may find a helpful summary of equipment-related requirements of the CEC,Part 1, in CSA Publication SPE-2000. (2) The nomenclature used in CEI/IEC 1008-1 does not match the nomenclature used in the Canadian Electrical Code, Prt 1. The device termed a "residual current circuit breaker" (RCCB) in CEI?IEC 1008-1 corresponds to a "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter" (GFCI) in the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1. (3) This Standard is not to be used for the evaluation of a Class A GFCI. (4) GFCI's covered by this Standard are only permitted to be used where the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 does not mandate the use of a class A GFCI for protetion of personnel. The definition of a class A GFCI, and its trip current/trip time characteristics are contained in Appendix B of the CEC, Part 1. The applicable notes are attached as Annex AA. The devices covered by this Standard can be used for protection of equipment and are not permitted to be used in lieu of a class A GFCI for personnel protection.