Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs) are designed to trip when they detect a difference in current between the live and neutral conductors. They primarily function based on the principle of detecting a residual current, which could occur in the presence of a fault, such as current leakage to the ground.
However, RCCBs are not designed to trip solely due to voltage drops. Voltage drop is a decrease in voltage along a conductor, and it does not necessarily imply a difference in current between the live and neutral conductors. RCCBs are more concerned with the balance of current flowing in and out of a circuit.
If a significant voltage drop occurs in a circuit, it might affect the performance of devices connected to that circuit, but it should not cause an RCCB to trip on its own. Voltage drop becomes more relevant when considering the proper functioning of devices and equipment rather than the operation of protective devices like RCCBs.
It’s important to note that RCCBs are primarily focused on safety by detecting imbalances in current, which could be indicative of a fault. They are not intended to respond to voltage variations or drops unless those variations are associated with a fault condition that leads to a current imbalance.
In summary, RCCBs are designed to trip in the presence of a residual current caused by a fault, such as current leakage to the ground. Voltage drops alone are not a direct trigger for RCCBs, as they are more concerned with maintaining the balance of current in a circuit for safety purposes.
