RCD Requirements for EV Charging

Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are crucial to protecting the public and employees from the dangers of shocks and electrical faults. With the number of public Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers in the UK surpassing 70,000 for the first time, the electrification of the automotive industry is well and truly here.

At Wells Electrical Contractors, our NICEIC-approved contractors are ready to support your business, whether electrifying your fleet or preparing a convenient charging service for your customers.

Ensure that your EV chargers comply with the UK’s latest safety regulations with the support of our RCD protection and installation services today.

Is RCD protection required for an EV charger?

RCD protection is required for your EV charger under British Standard 7671. Under Regulation 722.531.3, all car chargers must have an RCD supplying them. It must be capable of disconnecting all live conductors. Likewise, amendments indicate the RCD shouldn’t serve circuits in addition to the charger.

In short, if your EV charger doesn’t have the appropriate RCD protection, you’re at risk of non-compliance with the law.

RCD requirements for EV charging

Understanding your business’s RCD obligations is vital for avoiding the consequences of non-compliance with UK safety regulations, which include, but are not limited to, fines, loss of reputation and potential legal action.

RCDs represent the second line of defence against serious injury and death from shocks and faults. Here are the UK’s primary RCD requirements for EV chargers:

·  RCD Type – EV chargers must have a Type A RCD at the absolute minimum. Chargers without a Residual Direct Current – Detecting Device (RCD-DD) should have a Type B.

·  Operating Current – The operating current for the RCD must be 30 mA or lower.

·  Disconnection – Your chosen RCD must be capable of disconnecting any and all live conductors if required.

·  Location – RCDs should be located within the charging equipment itself.

·  Selectivity – Compliant RCDs should have guaranteed selectivity and must be upstream from the EV charger.

At Wells Electrical Contractors, we ensure that all our clients always have UK-compliant RCDs to support their EV charging installations.

Some of the protection and installation services available now include:

·  Design

·  Installation

·  Testing

·  Maintenance

As you can see, we provide complete end-to-end services for our clients, from installing your EV charging infrastructure to the regular maintenance required to maintain consistent RCD performance.

Faulty and improperly maintained RCDs put people at risk, so it’s critical to outsource the issue of RCDs for EV chargers to the professionals.

EV charger RCD installation considerations

When choosing the correct EV charger/RCD combination, you must guarantee compliance with BS 7671; otherwise, you’re putting your business at risk of legal action. Some of the considerations include:

·  RCD Type – Both Type A and Type B RCDs are designed for specific scenarios. For example, you must use a Type B if your EV charger has no integrated fault protection.

·  Earthing – Your EV charger can’t be connected to a PME earthing system unless you have specific protections in place, such as PEN fault detection devices.

·  Selectivity – If you have multiple RCDs in the same sequence, they must be properly configured to ensure they work cohesively and prevent unnecessary tripping.

·  Load – Since EV chargers provide continuous loads, your RCD must be rated for the expected load, such as 32A or 40A and be compatible with the size of the cable and the installed circuit breaker.

·  Surge Protection – The law states that you must have Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) to protect the charger and RCD. In some circumstances, SPDs may be mandatory, such as if there’s an elevated risk of lightning.