Residual current devices (RCDs) have long established themselves as electrical products that can ensure human safety and prevent electric shock in the event of a phase breakdown on the housing of a household appliance. However, the installation of such equipment in a control cabinet is not always possible due to insufficient board size or DIN rail length. For such cases, there is another device that appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. This is a socket with an RCD, which is installed in place of the standard point of connection of electrical appliances.
A socket combined with an RCD: what is it?
Such devices are quite convenient to install and use. A socket with an RCD built into the housing is a protective device that provides shutdown when a current leak occurs, designed to connect one household appliance. Although the amount of equipment that can be powered from one point is debatable - it all depends on power consumption.
The “Test” button is located on the front panel of the outlet, by analogy with a conventional residual current device. With its help, you can check the performance of the product. When the “Test” button is pressed, conditions similar to current leakage are created - the socket must cut off. Also on its front panel is a check box.
The advantages of such outlets over conventional RCD
The advantages of such devices are enough. The main can be called ease of installation. A socket with a built-in RCD is connected like a regular power point. On the rear panel there are 2 contacts for switching the phase and neutral wires, respectively marked.
An interesting decision of the engineers was the production of extension cords equipped with residual current circuit breakers. In appearance they can be compared with surge protectors with one exception - in addition to the power supply flag, there is a “Test” button on the case. Extenders can be either with one connection point, or have 3-4 outlets with an RCD. Especially convenient are such electrical products in the kitchen, when there is a decent distance from a regular power point to sophisticated household appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, oven).
Other devices that do not require complex connection
Often there are no sockets with RCDs on sale. This is especially true for small towns. And sometimes the owner himself does not have the desire to change the standard outlet. But, for example, for a boiler, such protection is necessary. The way out of this situation may be an adapter with a built-in RCD. Externally, such a device looks like a mobile voltage control relay. A plug is located on its back side, and on the front there is a power-on flag, a “Test” button and a socket.
Using such a device, you can protect any equipment, and when moving it, simply rearrange the adapter from one power point to another. The maximum current load of such adapters, as well as sockets with an integrated residual current device, is 16 A.
Useful advice! When using the adapter, you should make sure that the installed power point is rated at 16 A. Often, cheaper sockets do not withstand a load of more than 10 A.
Is it worth it to purchase?
To provide protection against current leaks of one outlet, the use of such devices is justified. They cope with the tasks provided there are no overloads. The inclusion of several devices with high power consumption will disable the device. No cutoff will occur. If you follow the operating rules recommended by the manufacturer, the UZO socket will last a long time, protecting the owner from electric shock and various leaks.