Residual current protection for UK Heat Pumps

Doepke

Residual current protection for UK Heat Pumps

Published: 10 June 2024 · Category: Product Catalogues & Brochures

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Doepke Residual current protection for UK Heat Pumps Modern heat pumps utilise inverters to reduce energy consumption. The IET Wiring Regulations specify that inverters can only be connected to circuits protected by specific "Types" of residual current device - Regulation 531.3.3 For this reason, residual current protection expert Doepke offers RCCBs specifically for heat pump applications. ? Use electricity safely. DFS HP – safe heat residual current protection for heat pumps HP-optimised protection The demand for heat pumps (HP) has grown worldwide, in 2023 France installed 500,000 HPs. The UK installed circa 40,000 providing ample opportunity for growth with a Government target set to install 600, 000 annually by 2028. To meet energy saving requirements and match the building heating requirements, modern HP designs* use frequency inverters to optimize the speed of the HP fan and compressor. Frequency inverters produce high frequency leakage currents and under fault conditions can generate smooth DC residual currents > 6 mA DC. Consequently connecting modern HPs to circuits containing Type A RCD protection is dangerous and does not meet the Wiring Regulations - ref 531.3.3. * In the past, less efficient / old HPs designs with fixed speed fans and compressors, may have been used with Type A RCDs. Manufacturers of modern HPs, who understand the safety requirements of the UK wiring regulations (for example Vaillant, Worcester, Viessman..) specify the use of Type B RCDs,...