IS 13947 Part 1 : 1993Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (RCCBs) - Part 1: General rules
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IS 13947:1993 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (rccbs) - part 1: general rules. This standard covers the general rules and specifications for Residual Current operated Circuit-Breakers (RCCBs) that do not have integral overcurrent protection. It applies to devices for household and similar uses, detailing their classification, operational characteristics, construction, and testing methods to ensure user safety from electric shock.
Specifies general rules for residual current operated circuit-breakers intended for household and similar installations, without integral overcurrent protection (RCCBs).
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! A common mistake is assuming an RCCB also protects against overloads or short circuits. This is incorrect; an RCCB only detects earth leakage and must be backed up by an MCB or fuse for overcurrent protection.
! The test button ('T') on an RCCB should be operated monthly by the user to ensure the mechanical tripping mechanism is working correctly.
! For personnel protection (e.g., in socket circuits, bathrooms), an RCCB with a sensitivity of 30 mA or less is mandatory.
Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (RCCBs) - Part 1: General rules
Direct international equivalent on which the IS code was originally based, covering general rules for RCCBs.
BS EN 61008-1:2012+A12:2017BSI (UK) / CENELEC (EU)
HighCurrent
Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (RCCBs). General rules
European and British adoption of the IEC 61008-1 standard, with regional deviations.
AS/NZS 61008.1:2015Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (AU/NZ)
HighCurrent
Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (RCCBs), Part 1: General rules
Australian and New Zealand adoption of IEC 61008-1, with modifications for local conditions.
UL 1053UL (US)
MediumCurrent
Standard for Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters
Covers functionally similar devices (GFCIs) but with different ratings, test methods, and form factors for the North American market.
Key Differences
≠IS 13947-1:1993 is based on an older, withdrawn version of the IEC standard (IEC 1008-1:1990). The current international standard, IEC 61008-1, has undergone significant revisions, introducing updated tests and requirements not present in the 1993 Indian standard.
≠The reference ambient air temperature for testing in IS 13947-1 is 40°C to reflect the climate in India, whereas the reference temperature in IEC 61008-1 is 30°C.
≠The test for immunity to nuisance tripping due to surge currents is different. IS 13947-1:1993 specifies a 0.5 µs/100 kHz ring wave impulse test, while the modern IEC 61008-1 specifies a more stringent 8/20 µs current impulse test (250A peak for standard types).
≠While both standards cover Type AC RCCBs, the modern IEC 61008-1 standard has more evolved and detailed requirements for other types like Type A, F, and B, which are designed to detect pulsating DC and smooth DC residual currents, which the 1993 IS standard does not cover in detail.
Key Similarities
≈Both standards define the same fundamental operating principle: detecting a differential or 'residual' current between live conductors and tripping when it exceeds a predetermined value (IΔn).
≈The preferred values for rated residual operating current (IΔn) are identical, including 10, 30, 100, 300, and 500 mA. The 30 mA rating is universally recognized in both standards for providing additional protection against electric shock.
≈The maximum breaking time requirements are fundamentally similar for safety. For a general-purpose, non-delayed RCCB, both standards require it to trip in under 300 ms at a residual current equal to IΔn.
≈Both standards mandate the inclusion of a manual test device ('T' button) to allow periodic verification of the mechanical and electrical tripping function by the user.
≈The range of operation is consistent: both standards specify that an RCCB must not trip for residual currents up to 0.5 x IΔn, but must trip for any current between 0.5 x IΔn and 1.0 x IΔn.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Reference Ambient Temperature
40 °C
30 °C
IEC 61008-1
Standard Rated Voltage (Phase-Neutral)
240 V
230 V (common, though standard covers a range)
IEC 61008-1
Personnel Protection IΔn
30 mA
30 mA
IEC 61008-1
Maximum Break Time at 1x IΔn (General Type)
300 ms
300 ms
IEC 61008-1
Maximum Break Time at 5x IΔn (General Type)
40 ms
40 ms
IEC 61008-1
Surge Current Immunity Test (Standard Type)
200 A peak (0.5 µs/100 kHz ring wave)
250 A peak (8/20 µs current impulse)
IEC 61008-1
Tripping Current Range
Must trip between 0.5 x IΔn and IΔn
Must trip between 0.5 x IΔn and IΔn
IEC 61008-1
Conditional short-circuit current (Inc)
Preferred values: 3000, 6000, 10000 A
Preferred values: 3000, 4500, 6000, 10000 A
IEC 61008-1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Human safety sensitivity rating30 mA
Max break time for general type at IΔn300 ms
Minimum insulation resistance2 MΩ
Insulation resistance test voltage500 V DC
Standard dielectric test voltage (for 240/415V systems)2000 V AC
Standard rated currents (In)16, 25, 40, 63 A
Standard rated residual currents (IΔn)10, 30, 100, 300 mA
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Standard values of rated residual operating current (IΔn)
Table 2 - Standard values of rated current (In)
Table 3 - Standard values of break time and non-operating time for RCCBs
Table 7 - Test voltages for verification of dielectric strength
Key Clauses
Clause 5 - Classification
Clause 7 - Marking and other product information
Clause 8 - Standard and preferred values
Clause 9.9 - Verification of tripping characteristics
Clause 9.11 - Verification of dielectric properties
What is the difference between an RCCB and an MCB?+
An RCCB protects against earth leakage current (shock hazard), while an MCB protects against overcurrent (overload and short-circuit). They serve different safety functions.
Which RCCB rating should be used for human safety?+
A high-sensitivity RCCB with a rated residual operating current (IΔn) of 30 mA or 10 mA is required for protection against direct contact and electric shock.
Does this standard cover RCCBs with built-in overload protection?+
No, this standard is for RCCBs only. Devices with combined residual current and overcurrent protection (RCBOs) are covered by IS 12640.
What is the maximum tripping time for a standard 30mA RCCB?+
For a general type RCCB, the maximum break time at its rated tripping current (30mA) is 300 milliseconds (0.3 seconds) as per Table 3.