IEC 61557-11:2020 PDF

Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC - Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures - Part 11: Effectiveness of residual current monitors (RCM) in TT, TN and IT systems

First page of standard IEC 61557-11:2020

Open preview (PDF)

Title (English):

IEC 61557-11:2020

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 52
Publication date:: June 23, 2020
Edition:: IEC IS 61557 edition 2 version 1
ICS:: 17.220.20

Delivery type:

Full version35 €Read online 24h10 €Read online 72h15 €

Document language:

enru

Delivery time:Immediate download

Price:35 €

Description (English):

IEC 61557-11:2020 specifies the requirements for test equipment applied to the testing of the effectiveness of residual current monitors (RCM) that are already installed in distribution systems. This test equipment can be used in any kind of network, such as a TN, TT or IT system. The test equipment can also be used for testing directionally discriminating residual current monitors (RCM) in IT systems. It is not the purpose of this document to verify the residual current monitors (RCM) according to their product standards. IEC 61557-11:2020 cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) document title modified to include all types of RCM; b) terms aligned with IEC 60050; c) addition of requirements for testing new types of RCM; d) moving of requirements for RCM Type B from former Annex A to main body text; e) alignment of the structure with that of the whole IEC 61557 series.

Technical details

Technical committee: TC 85 - Measuring equipment for electrical and electromagnetic quantities
SKU: IEC 61557-11:2020

Abstract

Overview

IEC 61557-11:2020 - part of the IEC 61557 series - specifies requirements for test equipment used to assess the effectiveness of residual current monitors (RCM) already installed in low-voltage distribution systems (up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC). The standard covers testing in all common earthing arrangements: TT, TN and IT systems, and includes directionally discriminating RCMs used in IT systems. It is a technical revision of the 2009 edition and focuses on the test equipment and test methods rather than product certification of RCMs.

Key topics and technical requirements

Scope and intent: Requirements apply to test instruments that verify an RCM’s effectiveness in situ; they do not replace RCM product standards.
RCM types covered: Type A and Type B RCMs are explicitly addressed; requirements for Type B were moved into the main text in this edition.
Test functions:
- Operating test - verifying the RCM trips/alarm at or above the rated residual operating current.
- Non-operating test - ensuring the RCM does not trip below the specified non-operating current.
- Actuating time test - measuring the time taken for the RCM to change to an alarm state when a residual current appears.
Safety protections during testing:
- Prevention of dangerous fault voltages (exceeding defined thresholds) in the monitored system during measurement.
- Protection against overvoltages when the equipment is connected.
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations for portable test gear.
Marking and documentation: Requirements for clear marking and operating instructions, including warnings and test information.
Test performance and uncertainty: Procedures and requirements for measuring operating uncertainty and validating protective performance.
Terminology alignment: Terms aligned with IEC 60050 and the broader IEC 61557 series for consistency.

Practical applications and users

IEC 61557-11:2020 is essential for professionals who design, manufacture, specify, commission or maintain electrical safety test equipment and for those that perform on-site verification of protective monitoring systems:

Test equipment manufacturers - to design instruments that comply with international test requirements for RCM effectiveness.
Commissioning and maintenance engineers - to validate installed RCMs in TT, TN, IT systems.
Electrical contractors, utilities and facility managers - to ensure residual current monitoring provides the intended protection.
Testing laboratories and certification bodies - for developing methods to assess test instrument performance.

Related standards

IEC 61557-1:2019 - General requirements for testing/monitoring equipment
IEC 61557-6 - Effectiveness of residual current devices (RCD)
IEC 62020 - Product standard for RCMs
IEC 61010-1, IEC 61326-2-2, IEC/TR 60755 - safety, EMC and RCM background references

Keywords: IEC 61557-11:2020, residual current monitors, RCM testing, TT TN IT systems, low voltage distribution, electrical safety test equipment.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Scope and intent: Requirements apply to test instruments that verify an RCM’s effectiveness in situ; they do not replace RCM product standards.
RCM types covered: Type A and Type B RCMs are explicitly addressed; requirements for Type B were moved into the main text in this edition.
Test functions:
- Operating test - verifying the RCM trips/alarm at or above the rated residual operating current.
- Non-operating test - ensuring the RCM does not trip below the specified non-operating current.
- Actuating time test - measuring the time taken for the RCM to change to an alarm state when a residual current appears.
Safety protections during testing:
- Prevention of dangerous fault voltages (exceeding defined thresholds) in the monitored system during measurement.
- Protection against overvoltages when the equipment is connected.
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations for portable test gear.
Marking and documentation: Requirements for clear marking and operating instructions, including warnings and test information.
Test performance and uncertainty: Procedures and requirements for measuring operating uncertainty and validating protective performance.
Terminology alignment: Terms aligned with IEC 60050 and the broader IEC 61557 series for consistency.

Practical applications and users

Test equipment manufacturers - to design instruments that comply with international test requirements for RCM effectiveness.
Commissioning and maintenance engineers - to validate installed RCMs in TT, TN, IT systems.
Electrical contractors, utilities and facility managers - to ensure residual current monitoring provides the intended protection.
Testing laboratories and certification bodies - for developing methods to assess test instrument performance.

Related standards

IEC 61557-1:2019 - General requirements for testing/monitoring equipment
IEC 61557-6 - Effectiveness of residual current devices (RCD)
IEC 62020 - Product standard for RCMs
IEC 61010-1, IEC 61326-2-2, IEC/TR 60755 - safety, EMC and RCM background references

Keywords: IEC 61557-11:2020, residual current monitors, RCM testing, TT TN IT systems, low voltage distribution, electrical safety test equipment.

IEC 61557-11:2020 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC - Equipment for testing…

BS EN IEC 61557-12-2 Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC –…

International electrotechnical vocabulary - Electrical accessories

Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. - Equipment for tes…

Corrigendum 1 - Electrical accessories - Residual current monitors (RCMs) - Part 1: RCMs for household and si…

Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use - Part 1: General r…

Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use - EMC requirements - Part 2-2: Particular re…