What is the Difference Between an RCD and a Circuit Breaker
these two electrical components are essential to keep you safe.
When it comes to home safety, few things are more important than the electrical systems keeping your house running smoothly. Two key components are:
Residual Current Devices (RCDs) and
Circuit breakers
While they serve different roles, both are essential for protecting your home – and those living in it - from electrical hazards.
But what exactly is the difference between an RCD and a circuit breaker?
What is a Circuit Breaker?
A circuit breaker is a device designed to protect your home from electrical overloads and short circuits. It monitors the electrical current flowing through your house’s wiring and shuts off the power when it detects a fault. This prevents damage to your electrical system and reduces the risk of house fires caused by overheating wires.
Key functions of a circuit breaker are to:
Protect circuits from overloads: This can happen when too many appliances are drawing power from the same circuit. The Circuit Breaker will ‘trip’ to prevent overheating.
Respond to short circuits: If there’s an abnormal flow of electricity, breaker cuts the power instantly.
Essentially, circuit breakers protect your home's electrical infrastructure from too much current flowing through your circuits.
What is an RCD?
A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a lifesaving device that cuts the power when it detects an imbalance in the electrical current.
Your RCD is your first line of defence against electrical shocks for you and your family. An RCD monitors the current flowing through live and neutral wires and cuts the power within milliseconds if it detects a leak. This quick action can be lifesaving in preventing potentially fatal electrical accidents in your home.
RCDs are particularly important in rooms where both water and power may be present such as:
Kitchens and bathrooms e.g. when using of small appliances such as hairdryers.
Outdoor areas e.g. outdoor lighting, using power tools where cords may be exposed to water or damage.
Circuit Breakers vs. RCDs: What’s the Difference?
While both devices protect your home, their functions are different:
Circuit Breakers protect the wiring and appliances by cutting off power in the event of an overload or short circuit.
RCDs protect people from electric shock by detecting leakage currents and shutting down power if necessary.
Do You Need Both an RCD and a Circuit Breaker?
Yes! Circuit breakers and RCDs complement each other. A circuit breaker won’t detect an electric shock, but an RCD will. On the other hand, an RCD alone can’t protect your wiring from overloads the way a circuit breaker can.
Together, they form a important safety net for your home’s electrical system.
In Australia, it’s a legal requirement for new homes and any significant renovations to include RCDs as part of the electrical safety system.
If you are living in an older Perth home, we recommend you upgrade your electrical system and include RCDs if you haven’t already. Without RCDs, you are at risk of electric shocks. Installing RCDs or upgrading your system to ensure you have both protections in place is a wise investment.
How Can You Tell if Your Home Has RCD Protection?
It’s easy to check if your switchboard has RCDs installed. Simply look for switches labelled with a "Test" or "Reset" button. Testing them periodically is important to ensure they're functioning properly. If you're unsure or haven’t tested your RCDs recently, give the friendly Millennial Power Group team a call and we will send out one of our licensed electricians to inspect your system. This could be a life-saving decision!
What Else Should Your Home Electrical System have in place?
Circuit breakers and RCDs are crucial, but they are just one part of a broader safety strategy in your home. If you are living in a home built prior to the year 2000, chances are your home electrical systems needs to be brought up to modern standards.
In addition to RCDs and Circuit Breakers, this includes Switchboard upgrades, Smoke Alarms and regular inspections to everything is working as it should.
Expert electricians standing by…
If you're unsure whether your home’s electrical system is up to date, give us a call. We’re here to help Perth homeowners stay safe and compliant with modern electrical standards.
For more advice or to book an inspection, Contact Us Today!