IEC 61540:2023

IEC 61540
®

Edition 2.0 2023-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Portable residual current devices (PRCDs) without integral overcurrent
protection for household and similar use

Dispositifs différentiels portables à courant résiduel (PCDM) sans protection
incorporée contre les surintensités pour usages domestiques et analogues

IEC 61540:2023-07(en-fr)

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IEC 61540

®


Edition 2.0 2023-07




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME


INTERNATIONALE











Portable residual current devices (PRCDs) without integral overcurrent

protection for household and similar use



Dispositifs différentiels portables à courant résiduel (PCDM) sans protection

incorporée contre les surintensités pour usages domestiques et analogues
















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE





ICS 29.120.01  ISBN 978-2-8322-7185-8




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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– 2 – IEC 61540:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 10
INTRODUCTION . 12
1 Scope . 13
2 Normative references . 14
3 Terms and definitions, symbols and abbreviated terms . 15
3.1 Definitions relating to plugs and socket-outlets . 15
3.2 Definitions relating to residual current devices (RCDs) . 16
3.2.1 Definitions relating to currents flowing from live parts to earth . 16
3.2.2 Definitions relating to the energization of a residual current device
(RCD) . 17
3.2.3 Definitions relating to the operation and to the functions of a residual
current device . 17
3.2.4 Definitions relating to values and ranges of energizing quantities . 18
4 Classification . 18
4.1 According to the type of connection . 18
4.1.1 PRCD intermediate adaptor . 18
4.1.2 Non-rewireable residual current-protected cord extension sets . 19
4.1.3 Residual current-protected plugs . 19
4.1.4 In-line PRCDs . 19
4.2 According to the type of terminals . 19
4.3 According to behaviour after opening automatically in case of failure of the
line voltage . 19
4.4 According to their operating characteristics and behaviour in presence of DC
components . 19
4.5 According to the ambient air temperature . 20
4.5.1 For use between −5 °C and +40 °C . 20
4.5.2 For use between −25 °C and +40 °C . 20
4.6 Classification according to the protective conductor path . 20
4.6.1 PRCDs with switched protective conductor . 20
4.6.2 PRCDs with non-switched protective conductor . 20
4.7 According to the supply . 20
4.7.1 PRCDs supplied from one phase and neutral (LNSE or LNE) . 20
4.7.2 PRCDs supplied from two phases (LLSE or LLE) . 20
4.8 According an additional function of detecting faults on the supply side . 20
4.8.1 PRCDs not providing an additional function of detecting faults on the
supply side . 20
4.8.2 PRCDs providing an additional function of detecting faults on the supply
side with a defined behaviour in case of supply failures or miswiring
(PRCD-S) . 20
5 Characteristics of PRCDs . 20
5.1 Summary of characteristics . 20
5.2 Rated quantities and other characteristics . 21
5.2.1 Rated voltage . 21
5.2.2 Rated current (I ) . 21
n
5.2.3 Rated residual operating current (I ) . 21
Δn
5.2.4 Rated residual non-operating current (I ) . 21
Δno
5.2.5 Rated frequency . 21

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IEC 61540:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
5.2.6 Rated making and breaking capacity (I ) . 22
m
5.2.7 Rated residual making and breaking capacity (I ) . 22
Δm
5.2.8 Operating characteristics in case of residual currents comprising a DC
component . 22
5.3 Standard and preferred values . 22
5.3.1 Preferred values of rated operational voltage (U ) . 22
e
5.3.2 Standard values of rated current (I ) . 22
n
5.3.3 Standard values of rated residual operating current (I ) . 23
Δn
5.3.4 Standard value of residual non-operating current (I ) . 23
Δno
5.3.5 Standard minimum value of the non-operating overcurrent through the
PRCD . 23
5.3.6 Preferred values of rated frequency . 23
5.3.7 Minimum value of the rated making and breaking capacity (I ) . 23
m
5.3.8 Minimum value of the rated residual making and breaking capacity
(I ) . 23
Δm
5.3.9 Standard value of the rated conditional short-circuit current (I ) . 24
nc
5.3.10 Standard value of the rated conditional residual short-circuit current

(I ) . 24
Δc
5.3.11 Standard values of maximum break time. 24
5.4 Coordination with short-circuit protective devices (SCPDs) . 24
5.4.1 General . 24
5.4.2 Rated conditional short-circuit current (I ) . 24
nc
5.4.3 Rated conditional residual short-circuit current (I ) . 24
Δc
6 Marking and other product information . 24
6.1 Information and marking for PRCDs . 24
6.2 Information to be provided in an instruction sheet . 27
7 Standard conditions for operation in service and for installation . 27
7.1 Standard conditions . 27
7.2 Conditions for installations . 28
7.3 Pollution degree . 28
8 Requirements for construction and operation . 28
8.1 Mechanical design . 28
8.1.1 General . 28
8.1.2 Plug part, socket-outlet parts and RCD part(s) . 29
8.1.3 Mechanism . 34
8.1.4 Clearances and creepage distances (see Annex C) . 35
8.1.5 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 37
8.1.6 Terminals for external conductors for rewireable PRCDs . 37
8.1.7 Terminations for non-rewireable PRCDs . 39
8.1.8 Current-carrying parts . 39
8.2 Protection against electric shock . 40
8.2.1 General . 40
8.2.2 Requirements relating to plugs and socket-outlets, whether
incorporated or not in integral items . 40
8.3 Dielectric properties . 42
8.4 Temperature rise . 42
8.4.1 Temperature rise limits . 42

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– 4 – IEC 61540:2023 © IEC 2023
8.4.2 Ambient air temperature . 42
8.5 Operating characteristic . 42
8.6 Mechanical and electrical endurance . 42
8.7 Performance at short-circuit currents . 43
8.8 Resistance to mechanical shock and impact . 43
8.9 Resistance to heat . 43
8.10 Resistance to abnormal heat and to fire . 43
8.11 Test device . 43
8.11.1 General . 43
8.11.2 Test function . 43
8.12 Behaviour of PRCDs in case of failure of line voltage . 44
8.13 Behaviour of PRCDs in case of overcurrent in the main circuit . 44
8.14 Resistance of PRCDs against unwanted tripping due to surge currents to
earth resulting from impulse voltages . 44
8.15 Behaviour of PRCDs in case of an earth fault current comprising a DC
component . 44
8.16 Reliability . 44
8.17 Resistance to tracking . 44
8.18 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 44
8.19 Standing current in the protective conductor . 45
8.20 Electrical performance . 45
8.20.1 Protective conductor path . 45
8.20.2 Contact mechanism . 45
8.20.3 Operation with supply failure and hazardous live protective conductor
conditions . 46
8.20.4 Behaviour of PRCDs in case of external fault current in the protective
conductor . 46
9 Test . 46
9.1 General . 46
9.1.1 Characteristics of PRCDs checked by means of type tests . 46
9.1.2 For certification purposes, type tests to be carried out in test sequences . 47
9.1.3 Routine tests . 48
9.2 Test conditions . 48
9.3 Test of indelibility of marking . 48
9.4 Test of reliability of screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 49
9.5 Test of reliability of terminals for external conductors . 50
9.6 Verification of protection against electric shock . 51
9.6.1 Test with conductors of the smallest and largest cross-sections . 51
9.6.2 Test with plug completely withdrawn . 52
9.6.3 Test with engagement surface in horizontal position . 52
9.6.4 Verification of the resistance between the earthing terminal and the
accessible metal part . 52
9.6.5 Verification of the isolation between the earthing terminal and the
accessible metal part . 52
9.6.6 Stray wire test for rewireable PRCDs . 52
9.6.7 Stray wire verification for non-rewireable PRCDs . 53
9.6.8 Verification of high electrical resistance of the conductive operating
means . 53
9.7 Test of dielectric properties . 53
9.7.1 Resistance to humidity . 53

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IEC 61540:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
9.7.2 Insulation resistance of the main circuit . 54
9.7.3 Dielectric strength of the main circuit . 54
9.7.4 Secondary circuit of detection transformers . 55
9.7.5 Verification of impulse withstand voltages . 55
9.8 Temperature-rise test . 58
9.8.1 Test conditions . 58
9.8.2 Ambient air temperature . 58
9.8.3 Test procedure . 59
9.8.4 Measurement of the temperature-rise of different parts . 59
9.8.5 Temperature-rise of a part . 59
9.9 Verification of the operating characteristic . 59
9.9.1 Test circuit . 59
9.9.2 Off-load tests with residual sinusoidal alternating currents at the
reference temperature of (20 ± 2) °C . 59
9.9.3 Verification of the correct operation with load at the reference
temperature . 60
9.9.4 Tests at the temperature limits . 61
9.9.5 Additional tests for PRCDs classified according to 4.8.2 . 61
9.9.6 Verification of protective conductor contact behaviour . 64
9.9.7 Verification of behaviour in case of external fault current in the
protective conductor . 64
9.9.8 Verification of standing current in the protective conductor . 65
9.10 Verification of mechanical and electrical endurance . 65
9.10.1 Normal operation of socket-outlets and plugs of the PRCD . 65
9.10.2 Test of the RCD part of the PRCD . 66
9.11 Verification of the behaviour of the PRCD under overcurrent conditions . 67
9.11.1 List of the overcurrent tests . 67
9.11.2 Short-circuit tests . 67
9.11.3 Verification of the making and breaking capacity of the plug and socket-

outlet(s) of the PRCD, separate or incorporated in integral items . 72
9.12 Verification of resistance to mechanical shock and impact . 72
9.12.1 General . 72
9.13 Test of resistance to heat . 75
9.14 Resistance of insulating material to abnormal heat and to fire . 76
9.14.1 General . 76
9.14.2 Glow-wire test. 76
9.15 Verification of the trip-free mechanism . 77
9.15.1 General test conditions . 77
9.15.2 Test procedure . 77
9.16 Verification of the test device . 77
9.16.1 Verification of the operation of the test device to disconnect the load . 77
9.16.2 Verification of the ampere-turns . 77
9.17 Verification of the behaviour of PRCDs in case of failure of the line voltage . 77
9.17.1 Determination of the limiting value of the line voltage (U ) . 77
x
9.17.2 Verification of the behaviour in case of failure of the line voltage . 78
9.17.3 Verification of the re-closing of PRCDs classified according to 4.3.2 at
restoration of the line voltage after automatic opening on failure of the

line voltage . 79
9.18 Verification of limiting values of the non-operating current under overcurrent
conditions . 79

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– 6 – IEC 61540:2023 © IEC 2023
9.19 Verification of resistance against unwanted tripping due to surge currents to
earth resulting from impulse voltages for PRCDs of I ≥ 0,010 A . 79
Δn
9.20 Verification of the correct operation with residual currents having a DC
component for PRCDs according to 4.4.2 . 79
9.20.1 General . 79
9.20.2 Verification of the correct operation in case of a continuous rise of a
residual pulsating direct current . 79
9.20.3 Verification of the correct operation in case of suddenly appearing
residual pulsating direct currents . 80
9.20.4 Verification at the reference temperature of the correct operation with
load . 80
9.20.5 Verification of the correct operation in case of residual pulsating direct
currents superimposed by a smooth direct current of 0,006 A . 80
9.21 Verification of reliability . 81
9.21.1 Climatic test. 81
9.21.2 Test with temperature of 40 °C . 82
9.22 Verification of ageing . 83
9.23 Resistance to tracking . 84
9.24 Test on pins provided with insulating sleeves . 84
9.25 Test of mechanical strength of non-solid pins of plugs and portable socket-
outlets . 84
9.26 Verification of the effects of strain on the conductors . 84
9.27 Checking of the torque exerted by plug-in PRCDs on fixed socket-outlets .
...