Installing 'green technology' in existing and new builds, without taking proper precautions, increases the risk of electrical fires. Off-grid energy generation and energy saving technologies contain 'power electronics', generating non-linear waveforms, increased harmonic distortion and higher earth leakage currents. Even with specialist electrical knowledge, agreeing a safe electrical specification can be a real challenge. Some manufacturers of green technology give limited information relating to the connection of their equipment to RCD protected circuits. Consulting the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations may be equally as confusing, particularly when trying to interpret some of the clauses relating to RCD protection and equipment containing power electronics. Failing to take account of the types of RCD that can be used with power electronics leads to ineffective protection (fire hazards), nuisance tripping and increased costs to correct errors in the installation. HD60364-5-53 (2015) contains additional information relating to the safe association of RCDs and equipment containing semi-conductors (power electronics). Annex A contains detailed information for power electronic topology and the associated types of RCD. This will help to identify erroneous information provided by some equipment manufacturers, and possible errors in electrical specification, at an earlier stage in the project.
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