the community of electric car drivers in HungaryIn recent years, our energy demand has increased drastically, so the transformation of our lives in this area can now be said to be continuous.Homes are mushrooming with modern consumers operating on different principles, solar systems, and electric vehicles, which are all connected to a common network, so it is worthwhile to deal with the protection of these high-value and sensitive consumers as well as human life.Circuit breakers designed for this purpose have also undergone enormous development.Fortunately, we do not have to invent their use and application, they are regulated by international standards.Of course, most residential consumers don't need to understand how they work exactly, but these devices - like all electronic devices installed after the electric meter - are mostly used by laymen, so it's worth getting to know them.Fortunately, the MSZ HD 60364-7-722:2016 standard tells exactly where, when and what types are recommended to be used.But what are these devices good for and what not?How important are they in the home electrical network?What security role do they play and what should you pay attention to when choosing them?Circuit breaker is a simplified Hungarian name that refers to the function of the device.No, the circuit breaker does not protect the current!According to its English name according to the standard (RCCB - residual current operated circuit-breaker without integral overcurrent protection), the circuit breaker is actually a circuit breaker operated by leakage current, which does not have an overcurrent protection function.We will clarify what exactly this means later, but the point is that in everyday language it is also called ÁVK, leakage current protection, FI relay, contact protection relay, but it is also sometimes referred to as AE relay and life protection relay.In the various catalogs, the name according to the standard is usually used, so we also use the circuit breaker, or its abbreviation, ÁVK.Easily!The circuit breaker is most likely the only device in the home electrical network that has a test button.Not by chance, because it plays an important role in checking the correct operation.It is worth using the test button at certain intervals (typically every 6 months, but there are some devices where it is more frequent), because these devices can also fail at any time, and they can do it completely unnoticed.Manufacturers must include the test function in all circuit breaker devices, so with the help of the button, we can make sure that it is working as intended.By pressing the test button, it is possible to artificially create such a bypass current that it releases the circuit breaker.This means that the devices connected behind it will immediately be without power, and the tilting arm will collapse.If this happens, the ÁVK is doing its job perfectly.The circuit breaker can interrupt the nominal current value, or detect the leakage current and issue a tripping command.It primarily protects the network devices connected behind it, but we also use it for life protection!In a fault-free circuit, the resultant of the currents flowing there and back is zero.In simpler terms, the circuit breaker monitors whether the outgoing and return currents are the same or not.If so, then there is no problem, but if the two currents differ, then the so-called alternating flux is created and voltage is induced in the coil inside the circuit breaker.If this voltage reaches a certain level, i.e. the differential current exceeds the value set on the release, the switch releases in a fraction of a second, i.e. interrupts the current, in order to protect property and life.It is IMPORTANT that the circuit breaker cannot handle overcurrents by itself, it must also be protected against them with a suitable circuit breaker.(I told you we'll come back to this!) So the circuit breaker DOES NOT replace the circuit breaker developed for the overcurrent protection of wires and devices, since it doesn't monitor overload and/or short circuit, but leakage current.The strength of this can vary, but from the point of view of life protection, it is worth noting that an alternating current exceeding 30 mA (at 50 Hz) cannot pass through a person, because it would already permanently and seriously endanger life, so a trip current of at least 30 mA - protective switch is already suitable for property protection as well as life protection.There are even more sensitive devices that trigger at 10 mA, but their sensitivity can lead to frequent and unnecessary tripping in an improperly designed network.Of course, we distinguish between single-phase and three-phase circuit breakers.There is primarily a size difference between the two, but it is true for both types that both the phase(s) and the neutral conductor must flow through it.Otherwise, you will not be able to measure the aforementioned differential current on the phase/phases and the neutral conductor.The biggest and most important differences, however, stem from the types of leakage currents they can monitor and handle, under which interference protection.Of these, three types are worth noting: direct current, pulsating direct current, alternating current.Based on the above, we can distinguish 4 important basic types of circuit breakers: AC, A, F, and B types.The standards prohibit the use of the AC type for life protection in many European countries!Nevertheless, this is the most common type in Hungary, which is primarily due to its very favorable price.The AC type can only detect alternating (AC) bypass currents.If the fault current also contains a direct current (DC) component, there is a risk that the sensitivity of the iron core built into the circuit breaker will decrease, which may cause the ÁVK not to trip even for smooth alternating fault current in the event of danger.There are countless consumers in households whose fault current may also contain a direct current component.Think of laptops, cell phones, rechargeable toothbrushes, and other battery-powered devices that basically run on direct current.Of course, no one should go to the Danube if they have an AC circuit breaker.The point is that at least some kind of protection is built into your household.At the same time - if the electricity network is to be renovated, modernized or expanded after a while - it is worth replacing it with at least one type A.The A type already provides a much more sophisticated and reliable operation than the AC type.Unfortunately, however, it has a significant premium, so this may hinder its spread.The A type can detect all fault currents that the AC type can detect, but an important plus is that the A type can also monitor pulsating direct current as well as pure direct current leakage current of no more than 6 mA.This means that it will work reliably even with a DC current of no more than 6 mA in the network.In an average household, this can be important because today almost all electronic equipment that basically works with direct current has a switching power supply.Computers, laptops, monitors and printers are examples of this without being exhaustive.These devices generate the direct current required for their operation from the electrical network (230V/50Hz), so the risk of DC fault current may appear in the network, which is worth protecting against.In many cases, manufacturers of household appliances also require the use of type A circuit breakers.These can be washing and dishwashers, air conditioners, or even induction cooktops.Examples include the use of dimmers in lamps with adjustable brightness, as well as power supplies that drive very common LED light sources.The use of this type is justified by single-phase frequency converters, also known as inverters.With the help of these, the speed of asynchronous (induction) motors fed from the mains voltage can be continuously changed.Just think about how many devices we have in the household, the speed of which can be controlled!?These can be individual drills, angle grinders, vacuum cleaners, food processors, but in addition, a lot of household appliances are equipped with frequency converters.Modern washing and dishwashers, air conditioners, circulation pumps and heat pumps all use frequency converters.Such structures require more serious protection than what AC or type A can provide, because they were designed for the standard network frequency (50 Hz), so they are prepared for and tested for fault currents generated at 50/60 Hz.However, in the case of frequency converters, the frequency varies in a wide range due to their operation, so the possible fault current may also differ from 50/60 Hz.Type F RCDs can detect fault currents up to 1000 Hz and of course have all the same features as AC and A types!Another difference compared to type A is that type F can detect pure direct current (DC) fault currents up to 10 mA.Type AF is already a relay with a very high level of personal and property protection, and its use greatly reduces false, unwanted trips.Unfortunately, the price is correspondingly high.AB and B+ type circuit breakers offer the highest level of safety and technical standards.They have all the properties listed so far, but at the same time they can also detect the error current of pure direct current (DC).In other words, all alternating current networks where pure DC fault currents can appear should be protected with type B circuit breakers.These can be uninterruptible power supplies, solar systems, three-phase frequency converters and, of course, charging equipment for electric cars.The only difference between AB and B+ types is the detection range.Both types can detect both AC and DC fault currents in a very wide frequency range.This range extends to 2 kHz in the case of type B and 20 kHz in the case of type B+.What you prefer is a matter of personal preference for everyone, but mixed, complicated electricity networks should be equipped with a high level of protection.If someone has an electric car, it's good to know that it stores a huge amount of energy in the form of direct current at a particularly high voltage, which - if you charge it at home - you connect it to your traditional, alternating current electricity network one way or another.From the point of view of human life, the amount of current is essentially irrelevant, since – as I have already mentioned – even an alternating current of 30 mA and 50 Hz can be deadly, so this sensitivity must also be selected in the case of electric car charging stations.Of course, it doesn't matter if someone uses a home charging device, e.g.you use a wallbox, or simply charge the car with its own EVSE from the pre-installed 230 mains plug.Why is this an important question?The reason is that the use of the already extremely expensive B-type ÁVK can be dispensed with if the DC leakage current protection is provided by the charging station itself, for example in the form of built-in protection.If this is the case, it may be sufficient to install an A-type circuit breaker and, of course, the associated small circuit breaker to protect an independent network designed purely for electric vehicle charging.It doesn't matter from the point of view of price either, since while the AC type is available from only a few thousand forints, and the A type from 1-2 tens of thousands, the F type already costs several tens of thousands.Of course, type B is the most expensive.Depending on the manufacturer, this can start at almost HUF 100,000, and then we are only talking about single-phase ÁVK, but a serious, branded, 3-phase high-rated gadget (e.g. 63A) can cost hundreds of thousands of HUF.Of course, if the charger is 3-phase - which, in my opinion, is completely unnecessary for the home in most cases - then we have no other choice, we have to choose the latter, unless the charger can be operated from 1 phase.Of course, in this case, there is no need to buy a 3-phase charger in the first place.It is also important to note that some types of electric cars emit a few mA DC leakage current during charging, which is not considered a fault.So, if we have such a car and choose the wrong ÁVK, then our car will not charge, because the circuit breaker will always trip.Fortunately, the use of circuit breakers is becoming more and more common in Hungary, as it is now mandatory, but today households still prefer the single protection applied at the central supply point.As devices that operate in different ways spread and our habits change, the idea that critical circuits should receive dedicated ÁVK protection should be integrated into thinking.This means that the circuits that are more exposed to the possibility of fault current, for example in the household area the circuits of the washing machine or refrigerator, possibly the circuit of the electric oven, saunas, electric vehicle charging equipment, systems exposed to the weather such as garden lighting, outdoor plugs, receive a separate circuit breaker at the branching point, thereby dividing the electrical network into sections.Thus, if a leakage current occurs on these sections, in the case of a properly selective system, only the circuit affected by the leakage current will be tripped by the ÁVK suitable for the purpose.This preserves power in the rest of the network.So we don't have to worry that if a fault current occurs in the garden lighting during the torrential rain, we will no longer be able to watch TV, use the Internet, or cook in the house.Of course, the renovation of the electricity network is a big investment as a whole, but it can be said that our modern electrical equipment, especially our electric car, is considered a critically expensive asset and then there is also human life.In other words, it should at least be considered that if we charge an electric car - whether through a wall box or a household plug - we create a separate network for it, which is equipped with the appropriate ÁVK and other protection.Failure to do so is risky, because in the event of an error, in the best case, the protections placed at the supply point (if any) will be released and our car will simply not be able to be charged from that circuit, but in the worst case, a fire may break out and serious property damage or personal injury may occur. , which obviously no one can want.So, if we decide to buy an electric car, let's calculate in such a way that in the case of buying a traditional car, we would save the amount that we would spend on rewriting, inspection, oil change, control replacement, other calculated or uncalculated services. for the purpose of creating a suitable and safe "refueling station" in our home.I believe that even the smallest action can have a huge impact, which is why I use an electric car that I charge from a solar panel.I try to make my household plastic-free, collect waste selectively, reuse used things and grow what I can in my own garden.It feels good to know that this is not only important to me, which is why I joined the Villanyautosok.hu team.Plugin hybrid test: Škoda Superb iVElectric car test: Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATICElectric car to the Adriatic: Tesla vs.BMWKia e-Niro, the electric family carJoin the community of electric cars!The installation of municipal chargers is not over yetThis is the state program supporting the purchase of an electric carNew electric car chargers were built in EgerDebrecen's electric car chargers were handed overPest county has added four municipal chargers