GFCI vs ELCB

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mrmuneeb

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Hi Guys,

been wondering about the difference of GFCI & ELCB, i have searched over the internet and found same drawings for both, i.e. both have a coil with power L & N both passing through that coil and coil operates when difference arises in line and neutral current.

the mail thing confusing is the difference between Ground Fault & Earth Leakage.

thanks as always.
 
mrmuneeb said:
Hi Guys,

been wondering about the difference of GFCI & ELCB, i have searched over the internet and found same drawings for both, i.e. both have a coil with power L & N both passing through that coil and coil operates when difference arises in line and neutral current.

the mail thing confusing is the difference between Ground Fault & Earth Leakage.

thanks as always.
Click to expand...
FWIW here in UK an Earth fault is what would be called a ground fault in the US. I don't know if that helps or hinders.
 
mrmuneeb said:
Hi Guys,

been wondering about the difference of GFCI & ELCB, i have searched over the internet and found same drawings for both, i.e. both have a coil with power L & N both passing through that coil and coil operates when difference arises in line and neutral current.

the mail thing confusing is the difference between Ground Fault & Earth Leakage.

thanks as always.
Click to expand...
Class A GFCI protective devices which are for "people protection" are supposed to trip when the leakage current is around 4-6 mA.

"Equipment protective" devices is commonly 30 mA but can also be found up to 100 mA trip level.
 
There’s a major difference between an ELCB and a RCD. ELCB’s were voltage operated whereas a RCD is current balance.

30mA is the usual rating for RCD’s but others are available.
10mA
30mA
100mA
300mA
500mA
100mA/S
300mA/S
500mA/S

/S = slow (time delayed)

The most extreme I’ve come across was 50A leakage current relay on an 800A ACB. I never did get it to work properly despite setting fire to two ACB’s in the process. Like my predecessors, I wedged a piece of cardboard in the relay.
 
Tony S said:
There’s a major difference between an ELCB and a RCD. ELCB’s were voltage operated whereas a RCD is current balance.

30mA is the usual rating for RCD’s but others are available.
10mA
30mA
100mA
300mA
500mA
100mA/S
300mA/S
500mA/S

/S = slow (time delayed)

The most extreme I’ve come across was 50A leakage current relay on an 800A ACB. I never did get it to work properly despite setting fire to two ACB’s in the process. Like my predecessors, I wedged a piece of cardboard in the relay.
Click to expand...

so, RCD & GFCI are same?
 
mrmuneeb said:
so, RCD & GFCI are same?
Click to expand...

No, at least not here in North America where we use the term “GFCI”. Both devices are “ground / earth fault” protective devices. But the term “GFCI” has a narrowly specific definition here as a “Class A” ground fault protection device, listed under UL standard 943 specifically for the purpose of protecting human beings based on a trip level of 4-6mA of ground current. ELCBs and RCD devices may work on the same principles, but here, are NOT qualified as Class A, so cannot be called a GFCI and fulfill our code requirements for them, even if you got one set to trip at 5mA, unless it would also be tested and listed to UL943 standards. Here, devices like ELCBs and RCDs are called GFP, or GFP-E, because they can be used for Ground Fault Protection for EQUIPMENT, but not people.
 
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