High Leakage Current Earth Connection - Advice Needed Please

[matthewbutt]

Hi,

We are in the process of installing a large array of blade computer servers and we are experiencing a few problems whilst connecting them to our outlets, any help would be gratefully received.

In short, each rack of servers has four 32A CEE connectors of which one supplies the internal fans and the rest supply a row of servers each.

As soon as we plug the fans connector into the socket the RCBO trips, and without the fans connected the servers won't start up.

We have checked all the connections etc and can't find a problem. The only reason we can see is from a label on the unit which says the following: High Leakage Current Earth Connection needed before connecting Supply.

What does this mean, and how do we go about connecting this up?

Kind regards,

Matthew

 

[RF Lighting]

High earth currents are usually caused by mains filters in appliances, especially in computers and related appliances.

As these currents will trip an RCD, you need to have special dedicated supplies installed.

These are sockets which are not RCD protected, but as there is no RCD, the sockets are required to have special high integrity earthing.

 

[NotHimAgain]

Ask the designer of the installation why RCD protection has been used and also ask what provision has been made to handle functional earthing currents.

If this installation is in a work place you will be subject to various statutory Regulations.

If you do not have a designer you should take a look at the CDM Regulations, the H & S at Work Act and the Electricity at Work Regulations. Regulation 8 is a good one, it basically says don't kill people.

Note that 'The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill is soon to be enacted - this basically makes imprisonment the possible outcome of any health and safety offences.

In short you may have a dangerous situation if you do not install this equipment correctly - if you don't know how to do it - get someone in who does.