Overview
IEC 60755:2017 - General safety requirements for residual current operated protective devices (RCDs) - is an IEC Group Safety Publication that provides general minimum requirements, recommendations and guidance for drafting product standards for residual current devices. It replaces IEC TR 60755 (2008) and aligns the document with IEC Guide 104. The standard applies to any device providing residual current protection intended primarily for protection against electric shock.
Key updates in IEC 60755:2017 include restructuring as a group safety publication, the introduction of classification for Type F RCDs, and a dedicated Clause 9 covering test requirements (operating characteristics, electrical endurance, short‑circuit behaviour, trip‑free mechanisms, surge testing, reliability and EMC).
Key technical topics and requirements
- Scope and classification: Comprehensive classification of RCDs by method of operation, installation type, adjustable operating current, immunity to DC components, time-delay, mounting and connection method, number of poles/current paths, and intended use.
- Rated quantities and characteristics: Definitions and preferred values for rated voltages, rated current, rated residual operating and non‑operating currents, making/breaking capacities and conditional short‑circuit currents.
- Construction and safety requirements: Mechanical design, clearance and creepage, terminals and connections, protection against electric shock, dielectric properties, temperature rise and fire resistance.
- Operating behaviour: Requirements for response to different residual current waveforms (AC, A, F, B types), behaviour at and above rated residual operating current, and performance under DC components.
- Performance and reliability testing (Clause 9):
- Operating characteristics tests for AC/A/F/B types
- Electrical endurance and mechanical endurance tests
- Short‑circuit behaviour and conditional short‑circuit testing
- Verification of trip‑free mechanisms and test devices
- Surge immunity (ring wave and 8/20 µs surge tests)
- Climatic, ageing and EMC testing
- Marking and information: Required labeling and documentation for product standards and embedded RCDs.
- Coordination: Guidance for coordination with short‑circuit protective devices (SCPDs) and application notes in Annex D.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
IEC 60755:2017 is used to:
- Guide national and international RCD product standards and test clauses
- Inform manufacturers designing RCDs or integrating RCDs into equipment
- Support test laboratories and certification bodies in developing test programs for safety, EMC and surge performance
- Help standards committees and technical writers apply uniform classification and test requirements
- Assist electrical safety engineers, specifiers and regulators in selecting compliant RCDs for residential, commercial and industrial installations
Keywords: IEC 60755:2017, residual current operated protective devices, RCDs, residual current devices, safety requirements, Type F RCD, testing, electrical endurance, EMC, trip‑free mechanism.
Related standards and guidance
- IEC Guide 104 (Group Safety Publication guidance)
- Product‑specific RCD standards and national equivalents (see Annex D of IEC 60755:2017 for relationships and application guidance)
