Description of BS EN IEC 62020-1:2021 2021

This document applies to residual current monitors for household and similar purposes, having rated operational voltages and a rated voltage of the monitored circuit not exceeding 440 V AC and rated currents not exceeding 125 A.

NOTE 1 The standard for residual current monitors having rated operational voltages and a rated voltage of the monitored circuit exceeding 440 V AC is in preparation, as IEC 62020-2.

RCMs are intended to monitor the residual current of the installation and to give a warning if the residual current between a live part and an exposed conductive part or earth exceeds a predetermined level.

RCMs covered by this document are not intended to be used as protective devices.

RCMs detect residual currents circulating in an AC circuit (e.g. residual alternating current, residual pulsating direct current, residual smooth direct current), whether suddenly applied or slowly rising.

NOTE 2 RCMs for DC systems are under consideration.

This document applies to monitors performing simultaneously the functions of detection of the residual current, of comparison of the value of this current with the residual operating current of the device and providing the specified warning signal(s) when the residual current exceeds this value.

RCMs supplied by internal batteries are not covered by this document.

The requirements of this document apply for standard conditions (see 7.1). Additional requirements can be necessary for RCMs used in locations having severe environmental conditions.

RCMs are intended for use in an environment with pollution degree 2 and overvoltage category III. For an environment with a higher pollution degree, enclosures giving the appropriate degree of protection are used.

RCMs in compliance with this document are suitable for use in TN, TT, and IT systems.

This document does not cover Insulation Monitoring Devices (IMDs), which are covered by the scope of IEC 61557-8.

kNOTE 3 An RCM is distinguished from an IMD in that it is passive in its monitoring function and only responds to an unbalanced fault current in the installation being monitored. An IMD is active in its monitoring and measuring functions in that it can measure the balanced and unbalanced insulation resistance or impedance in the installation (see IEC 61557-8).

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