RCCB tripping while checking the current between neutral and ground
Normally, when the panel is working, it means Residual Current Circuit Breaker (a type of GFCI) can be in the on stage, but while checking the current between neutral and ground the RCCB is getting tripped. Can anybody please explain why this happens?
electrical electrical-panel gfci
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
add a comment |
Normally, when the panel is working, it means Residual Current Circuit Breaker (a type of GFCI) can be in the on stage, but while checking the current between neutral and ground the RCCB is getting tripped. Can anybody please explain why this happens?
electrical electrical-panel gfci
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
3
Are you sure you're checking current between neutral and ground? Exactly how are you testing?
– batsplatsterson
Feb 4 at 11:37
add a comment |
Normally, when the panel is working, it means Residual Current Circuit Breaker (a type of GFCI) can be in the on stage, but while checking the current between neutral and ground the RCCB is getting tripped. Can anybody please explain why this happens?
electrical electrical-panel gfci
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
Normally, when the panel is working, it means Residual Current Circuit Breaker (a type of GFCI) can be in the on stage, but while checking the current between neutral and ground the RCCB is getting tripped. Can anybody please explain why this happens?
electrical electrical-panel gfci
electrical electrical-panel gfci
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
edited Feb 4 at 14:42
Machavity
7,50611837
7,50611837
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
asked Feb 4 at 11:03
kannankannan
111
111
3
Are you sure you're checking current between neutral and ground? Exactly how are you testing?
– batsplatsterson
Feb 4 at 11:37
add a comment |
3
Are you sure you're checking current between neutral and ground? Exactly how are you testing?
– batsplatsterson
Feb 4 at 11:37
3
3
Are you sure you're checking current between neutral and ground? Exactly how are you testing?
– batsplatsterson
Feb 4 at 11:37
Are you sure you're checking current between neutral and ground? Exactly how are you testing?
– batsplatsterson
Feb 4 at 11:37
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
This is normal. There can be a slight potential difference between the neutral and ground at a receptacle. (This would be due to a load on the circuit.) If you provide a current path to ground, then current will flow in the neutral path and there would be no corresponding current in the hot. A difference in the current between the neutral and the hot will cause the RCB (GFCI in the US) to trip.
EDIT Another way to look at it is that connecting the neutral and the ground at a receptacle divides any current flowing in the neutral path thereby reducing its value below that flowing in the hot path. This causes a difference in the current flowing in the hot and neutral paths. This will trip a RCB if it is in the receptacle or in the circuit breaker for the circuit or the master breaker.
EDIT2 There has to be enough current flowing through the RCB for a connection between neutral and ground to trip the RCB, that is, the circuit must have a load somewhere causing current to flow through the RCB.
If a circuit is completely unloaded and a low resistance path is established between the neutral and the ground (such as a connection with an ammeter), then the RCB would not trip.
In the case of RCB receptacles they can be in a loaded circuit, but on spur (as they would be if they are connected by pigtailing) or they can be "distal to" (beyond) the location where the neutral and ground are connected. I think the RCB receptacles would trip in those cases, but I doubt this is relevant to the OP's question here. He is probably asking about an RCB breaker.
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
I would be surprised that a meter could create enough of a load to trip a GFCI in the U.S. and that should happen at 6ma, from my reading an RCCB is set to 30ma so although your answer on the imbalance is correct having a meter trip would concern me.
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 14:40
3
@EdBeal OP is measuring the current, not the voltage. Measuring the current happens with low resistance, measuring the voltage with high resistance.
– glglgl
Feb 4 at 16:44
Missed that an inline current test would trip unless the current was limited, I do have an adjustable tester that verifies the GFCI / RCCB trips at the proper value. Putting an amp meter from neutral to ground should trip the device as long as the meter fuse is large enough+
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 17:04
add a comment |
Working as intended. A neutral-ground fault is still a ground fault.
In fact, some US GFCIs actively check for this during their power-up self test.
GFCI/RCD isn't about voltage, it's about leakage. Leakage on neutral can be just as deadly when combined with another problem.
Also, I'm not quite sure why you're checking for current between neutral and ground, since the RCD already does that. Literally, the RCD compares current on the hot to current on the neutral, and they should be equal. If they are not equal, it trips. The RCD does not examine or interact with ground at all, but I cannot imagine a way for there to be any neutral-ground current and yet have the hot current and neutral current still be equal.
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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This is normal. There can be a slight potential difference between the neutral and ground at a receptacle. (This would be due to a load on the circuit.) If you provide a current path to ground, then current will flow in the neutral path and there would be no corresponding current in the hot. A difference in the current between the neutral and the hot will cause the RCB (GFCI in the US) to trip.
EDIT Another way to look at it is that connecting the neutral and the ground at a receptacle divides any current flowing in the neutral path thereby reducing its value below that flowing in the hot path. This causes a difference in the current flowing in the hot and neutral paths. This will trip a RCB if it is in the receptacle or in the circuit breaker for the circuit or the master breaker.
EDIT2 There has to be enough current flowing through the RCB for a connection between neutral and ground to trip the RCB, that is, the circuit must have a load somewhere causing current to flow through the RCB.
If a circuit is completely unloaded and a low resistance path is established between the neutral and the ground (such as a connection with an ammeter), then the RCB would not trip.
In the case of RCB receptacles they can be in a loaded circuit, but on spur (as they would be if they are connected by pigtailing) or they can be "distal to" (beyond) the location where the neutral and ground are connected. I think the RCB receptacles would trip in those cases, but I doubt this is relevant to the OP's question here. He is probably asking about an RCB breaker.
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
I would be surprised that a meter could create enough of a load to trip a GFCI in the U.S. and that should happen at 6ma, from my reading an RCCB is set to 30ma so although your answer on the imbalance is correct having a meter trip would concern me.
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 14:40
3
@EdBeal OP is measuring the current, not the voltage. Measuring the current happens with low resistance, measuring the voltage with high resistance.
– glglgl
Feb 4 at 16:44
Missed that an inline current test would trip unless the current was limited, I do have an adjustable tester that verifies the GFCI / RCCB trips at the proper value. Putting an amp meter from neutral to ground should trip the device as long as the meter fuse is large enough+
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 17:04
add a comment |
This is normal. There can be a slight potential difference between the neutral and ground at a receptacle. (This would be due to a load on the circuit.) If you provide a current path to ground, then current will flow in the neutral path and there would be no corresponding current in the hot. A difference in the current between the neutral and the hot will cause the RCB (GFCI in the US) to trip.
EDIT Another way to look at it is that connecting the neutral and the ground at a receptacle divides any current flowing in the neutral path thereby reducing its value below that flowing in the hot path. This causes a difference in the current flowing in the hot and neutral paths. This will trip a RCB if it is in the receptacle or in the circuit breaker for the circuit or the master breaker.
EDIT2 There has to be enough current flowing through the RCB for a connection between neutral and ground to trip the RCB, that is, the circuit must have a load somewhere causing current to flow through the RCB.
If a circuit is completely unloaded and a low resistance path is established between the neutral and the ground (such as a connection with an ammeter), then the RCB would not trip.
In the case of RCB receptacles they can be in a loaded circuit, but on spur (as they would be if they are connected by pigtailing) or they can be "distal to" (beyond) the location where the neutral and ground are connected. I think the RCB receptacles would trip in those cases, but I doubt this is relevant to the OP's question here. He is probably asking about an RCB breaker.
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
I would be surprised that a meter could create enough of a load to trip a GFCI in the U.S. and that should happen at 6ma, from my reading an RCCB is set to 30ma so although your answer on the imbalance is correct having a meter trip would concern me.
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 14:40
3
@EdBeal OP is measuring the current, not the voltage. Measuring the current happens with low resistance, measuring the voltage with high resistance.
– glglgl
Feb 4 at 16:44
Missed that an inline current test would trip unless the current was limited, I do have an adjustable tester that verifies the GFCI / RCCB trips at the proper value. Putting an amp meter from neutral to ground should trip the device as long as the meter fuse is large enough+
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 17:04
add a comment |
This is normal. There can be a slight potential difference between the neutral and ground at a receptacle. (This would be due to a load on the circuit.) If you provide a current path to ground, then current will flow in the neutral path and there would be no corresponding current in the hot. A difference in the current between the neutral and the hot will cause the RCB (GFCI in the US) to trip.
EDIT Another way to look at it is that connecting the neutral and the ground at a receptacle divides any current flowing in the neutral path thereby reducing its value below that flowing in the hot path. This causes a difference in the current flowing in the hot and neutral paths. This will trip a RCB if it is in the receptacle or in the circuit breaker for the circuit or the master breaker.
EDIT2 There has to be enough current flowing through the RCB for a connection between neutral and ground to trip the RCB, that is, the circuit must have a load somewhere causing current to flow through the RCB.
If a circuit is completely unloaded and a low resistance path is established between the neutral and the ground (such as a connection with an ammeter), then the RCB would not trip.
In the case of RCB receptacles they can be in a loaded circuit, but on spur (as they would be if they are connected by pigtailing) or they can be "distal to" (beyond) the location where the neutral and ground are connected. I think the RCB receptacles would trip in those cases, but I doubt this is relevant to the OP's question here. He is probably asking about an RCB breaker.
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
This is normal. There can be a slight potential difference between the neutral and ground at a receptacle. (This would be due to a load on the circuit.) If you provide a current path to ground, then current will flow in the neutral path and there would be no corresponding current in the hot. A difference in the current between the neutral and the hot will cause the RCB (GFCI in the US) to trip.
EDIT Another way to look at it is that connecting the neutral and the ground at a receptacle divides any current flowing in the neutral path thereby reducing its value below that flowing in the hot path. This causes a difference in the current flowing in the hot and neutral paths. This will trip a RCB if it is in the receptacle or in the circuit breaker for the circuit or the master breaker.
EDIT2 There has to be enough current flowing through the RCB for a connection between neutral and ground to trip the RCB, that is, the circuit must have a load somewhere causing current to flow through the RCB.
If a circuit is completely unloaded and a low resistance path is established between the neutral and the ground (such as a connection with an ammeter), then the RCB would not trip.
In the case of RCB receptacles they can be in a loaded circuit, but on spur (as they would be if they are connected by pigtailing) or they can be "distal to" (beyond) the location where the neutral and ground are connected. I think the RCB receptacles would trip in those cases, but I doubt this is relevant to the OP's question here. He is probably asking about an RCB breaker.
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
edited Feb 4 at 18:11
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
answered Feb 4 at 11:20
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.4k11232
11.4k11232
I would be surprised that a meter could create enough of a load to trip a GFCI in the U.S. and that should happen at 6ma, from my reading an RCCB is set to 30ma so although your answer on the imbalance is correct having a meter trip would concern me.
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 14:40
3
@EdBeal OP is measuring the current, not the voltage. Measuring the current happens with low resistance, measuring the voltage with high resistance.
– glglgl
Feb 4 at 16:44
Missed that an inline current test would trip unless the current was limited, I do have an adjustable tester that verifies the GFCI / RCCB trips at the proper value. Putting an amp meter from neutral to ground should trip the device as long as the meter fuse is large enough+
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 17:04
add a comment |
I would be surprised that a meter could create enough of a load to trip a GFCI in the U.S. and that should happen at 6ma, from my reading an RCCB is set to 30ma so although your answer on the imbalance is correct having a meter trip would concern me.
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 14:40
3
@EdBeal OP is measuring the current, not the voltage. Measuring the current happens with low resistance, measuring the voltage with high resistance.
– glglgl
Feb 4 at 16:44
Missed that an inline current test would trip unless the current was limited, I do have an adjustable tester that verifies the GFCI / RCCB trips at the proper value. Putting an amp meter from neutral to ground should trip the device as long as the meter fuse is large enough+
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 17:04
I would be surprised that a meter could create enough of a load to trip a GFCI in the U.S. and that should happen at 6ma, from my reading an RCCB is set to 30ma so although your answer on the imbalance is correct having a meter trip would concern me.
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 14:40
I would be surprised that a meter could create enough of a load to trip a GFCI in the U.S. and that should happen at 6ma, from my reading an RCCB is set to 30ma so although your answer on the imbalance is correct having a meter trip would concern me.
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 14:40
3
3
@EdBeal OP is measuring the current, not the voltage. Measuring the current happens with low resistance, measuring the voltage with high resistance.
– glglgl
Feb 4 at 16:44
@EdBeal OP is measuring the current, not the voltage. Measuring the current happens with low resistance, measuring the voltage with high resistance.
– glglgl
Feb 4 at 16:44
Missed that an inline current test would trip unless the current was limited, I do have an adjustable tester that verifies the GFCI / RCCB trips at the proper value. Putting an amp meter from neutral to ground should trip the device as long as the meter fuse is large enough+
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 17:04
Missed that an inline current test would trip unless the current was limited, I do have an adjustable tester that verifies the GFCI / RCCB trips at the proper value. Putting an amp meter from neutral to ground should trip the device as long as the meter fuse is large enough+
– Ed Beal
Feb 4 at 17:04
add a comment |
Working as intended. A neutral-ground fault is still a ground fault.
In fact, some US GFCIs actively check for this during their power-up self test.
GFCI/RCD isn't about voltage, it's about leakage. Leakage on neutral can be just as deadly when combined with another problem.
Also, I'm not quite sure why you're checking for current between neutral and ground, since the RCD already does that. Literally, the RCD compares current on the hot to current on the neutral, and they should be equal. If they are not equal, it trips. The RCD does not examine or interact with ground at all, but I cannot imagine a way for there to be any neutral-ground current and yet have the hot current and neutral current still be equal.
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
add a comment |
Working as intended. A neutral-ground fault is still a ground fault.
In fact, some US GFCIs actively check for this during their power-up self test.
GFCI/RCD isn't about voltage, it's about leakage. Leakage on neutral can be just as deadly when combined with another problem.
Also, I'm not quite sure why you're checking for current between neutral and ground, since the RCD already does that. Literally, the RCD compares current on the hot to current on the neutral, and they should be equal. If they are not equal, it trips. The RCD does not examine or interact with ground at all, but I cannot imagine a way for there to be any neutral-ground current and yet have the hot current and neutral current still be equal.
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
add a comment |
Working as intended. A neutral-ground fault is still a ground fault.
In fact, some US GFCIs actively check for this during their power-up self test.
GFCI/RCD isn't about voltage, it's about leakage. Leakage on neutral can be just as deadly when combined with another problem.
Also, I'm not quite sure why you're checking for current between neutral and ground, since the RCD already does that. Literally, the RCD compares current on the hot to current on the neutral, and they should be equal. If they are not equal, it trips. The RCD does not examine or interact with ground at all, but I cannot imagine a way for there to be any neutral-ground current and yet have the hot current and neutral current still be equal.
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
Working as intended. A neutral-ground fault is still a ground fault.
In fact, some US GFCIs actively check for this during their power-up self test.
GFCI/RCD isn't about voltage, it's about leakage. Leakage on neutral can be just as deadly when combined with another problem.
Also, I'm not quite sure why you're checking for current between neutral and ground, since the RCD already does that. Literally, the RCD compares current on the hot to current on the neutral, and they should be equal. If they are not equal, it trips. The RCD does not examine or interact with ground at all, but I cannot imagine a way for there to be any neutral-ground current and yet have the hot current and neutral current still be equal.
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
edited Feb 4 at 18:52
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
answered Feb 4 at 18:46
HarperHarper
69.8k347141
69.8k347141
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Are you sure you're checking current between neutral and ground? Exactly how are you testing?
– batsplatsterson
Feb 4 at 11:37