BS IEC 62873-1:2017

What is BS IEC 62873-1‒ Residual current device standards about? 

BS IEC 62873-1 is an international standard that covers available common standards intended for the preparation of RCD (residual current device) standards. 

BS IEC 62873-1 defines the methodology and processes used when producing standards based on a new approach (blocks and modules) aiming at harmonizing a family of standards. It contributes to avoiding mistakes, inconsistencies, or discrepancies within this family of standards. 

The family of standards considered in BS IEC 62873-1 consists of standards for RCCBs (Residual Current Circuit-Breakers without overcurrent protection), RCBOs (Residual Current Circuit-Breakers with overcurrent Protection), and general safety requirements for residual current operated protective devices. 

Note: BS IEC 62873-1 also lists the available blocks and modules which were prepared for RCD product standards. 

Who is BS IEC 62873-1‒ Residual current device standards for? 

BS IEC 62873-1 on residual current device standards, is useful for: 

• Authorised committees dealing with the preparation of standard  
• Researchers and developers dealing with the preparation of standard 

Why should you use BS IEC 62873-1‒ Residual current device standards? 

A residual-current device (RCD) is protective equipment that maintains the safety of an electrical device and system by tripping an electrical circuit with leakage current to the ground. It is very helpful to reduce the risk of serious damage that can cause by the heavy current. 

BS IEC 62873-1 defines a way to optimize the drafting of standards, aiming to keep a common or 

similar structure and to have common clauses (as possible). It gives guidelines to avoid inconsistencies, to limit doing editorial work only once, as well as to speed up the production of standards. It commits to ensuring that even one comment on one clause in one standard is also taken into account in other standards if it is required to do so. 

BS IEC 62873-1 gives you the principles for approaching the blocks and modules like to identify those parts of the standards which need to be identical (or with limited differences) and those parts of the standards which should remain different. It sets a library of those common parts and helps you draft product standards, using the library. 

BS IEC 62873-1 helps the users to identify the parts which should be published as stand-alone standards as well as to keep track of revision that is needed for common parts used in a product standard.