IEC/EN 61851-1:2017 standard specifies two optional residual current protection measures for mode-3 EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) as followings
- Option 1: RCD Type B (IEC 60947-2 type-B mRCD/CBR or IEC 62423 type-B RCCB)
- Option 2: RCD Type A (IEC 61008-1 type-A RCCB, IEC 61009-1 type-A RCBO or IEC 60947-2 type-A mRCD / CBR ) and RDC-DD (IEC62955 RDC-PD or RDC-MD)
Over the past years, we have seen a clear trend of using the above option 2 of RCD Type A and RDC-DD for home charging applications. More specifically, the main-stream implementation approaches are illustrated in diagram 1 (left) and diagram 2 (middle) of the following pictures. For E.g. our BRCS01-ADC-H2 and BRCS01-DC6-H2 residual current sensor have been widely used by mode-3 EVSE manufacturers. Some mode-3 EVSE manufacturers tell their users and installers that an external type-A 30 mA RCD is not necessary with built-in type-A 30 mA and DC 6 mA residual current protection at their EV chargers – as illustrated in diagram 3 (right).
Our experts believe it is not a good idea to solely rely on built-in type-A 30 mA protection that consists of relays/contactors, a charging controller, and AC/DC residual current sensors. In the testing report of EV chargers with built-in type-A 30 mA protection, it is often stated “Partial Testing Items in IEC 61008-1″. In other words, the EV chargers declaring IEC 61008-1 type-A 30 mA protection are unlikely to as robust as a traditional DIN-rail type-A 30 mA RCD fully tested.
For example, a traditional Din-rail type-A 30 mA RCD is designed and tested to withstand harsh climatic tests defined in IEC 61008-1 or IEC 61009-1 – such as in acid and humid environments. Some professional manufacturers of traditional Din-rail type-A 30 mA RCDs even consider severe conditions with SO2. Another example is a traditional type-A 30 mA RCDs can trips within 40ms in the occurrence of residual current at the switch-on stage, but this feature might not be guaranteed by built-in type-A 30 mA protection at EV chargers. It might cause electrical accidents for the electrician if someone switches on the MCB upstream of the EV chargers unintentionally (the above diagram 3).
Type-A 30mA protection is vital for electrical safety. It costs only 20~30 EUR/GBP/USD to buy a traditional Din-rail type-A 30 mA RCD, which is affordable for EV users. The manufacturers had spent years improving the design and manufacturing of Din-rail type-A RCDs until they become safe and reliable. Therefore, it is nice to have built-in type-30mA protection at EV chargers as a backup for the external type-A 30mA RCDs, but the external type-A 30mA RCDs is not suggested to be removed.
