Personal circuit breakers on the construction site - why the caution?
Craftsmen and tradespeople often have to connect their power tools to a socket outlet whose functional safety they do not know and cannot check. Faulty electrical installations are usually not immediately recognisable and are therefore particularly dangerous. Serious accidents can be the result.
According to the rules of the employers' liability insurance associations, existing sockets on construction and assembly sites must therefore never be used without further ado. In the case of sockets with unknown protective measures in a building installation, the direct connection of electrical appliances to sockets is therefore only permitted with an upstream PRCD-S.
This poses a problem for tradesmen and fitters in particular, as they work at frequently changing locations and require electrical devices to carry out their work.
The solution for more protection on construction and assembly sites: The brennenstuhl® Professional PRCD-S ADVANCED
The Professional PRCD-S ADVANCED provides the perfect remedy. It is an extended personal circuit breaker, also known as an RCD RCD, which also features protective conductor monitoring. The PRCD-S ADVANCED was explicitly designed for use on construction sites and permanent outdoor use.

The technology of a PRCD-S: The circuit breaker
An RCD (residual current circuit breaker) is an electrical protective device. It is primarily used to protect against electric shocks. The RCD recognises the difference between incoming and outgoing current in a circuit. As soon as the residual current circuit breaker detects a fault current, whether due to an insulation fault or a current flow, e.g. via a person, the residual current circuit breaker switches off the circuit. This significantly reduces the risk of electric shock due to a residual current.
For personal protection, the residual current device must trip and interrupt the circuit at a residual current of 30mA at the latest. In DGUV Information 203-006 (formerly BGI 608) Section 5.4.1, a PRCD-S is strongly recommended on construction and assembly sites and is also promoted accordingly by BG Bau.
More safety with brennenstuhl® quality
Compared to other brennenstuhl® PRCD-S on the market, the PRCD-S ADVANCED has low-resistance protective conductor monitoring, glove detection and extended test coverage, thus preventing electrical accidents.
Switch-on fault detection (glove detection)
When switching on with strong insulation, e.g. by wearing a glove, the brennenstuhl® PRCD-S Advanced cannot be switched on.
Low-resistance protective conductor monitoring
Only connections below approx. 1 kΩ are accepted - reliable protection against high-resistance, unsafe contacts.
Extended test functions
In addition to the prescribed residual current test, the protective conductor monitoring is tested for interruption and voltage detection.
Ready for operation
After successful switch-on, the switching status indicator lights up red, signalling voltage at the output of the PRCD-S Advanced.

Subsidised by the BG Bau
Fulfils all technical requirements for the occupational safety premium (in accordance with DGUV information 203-006 / formerly BGI608).
The PRCD-S ADVANCED offers protection against the following faulty electrical installations:
- N or L conductor interruption
- undervoltage
- PE conductor interruption
- Wiring fault
- Voltage on PE conductor when switching on
- External voltage on PE conductor during operation
- Residual current 30mA
PRCDS-ADVANCED with oil-resistant rubber cable
The PRCD-S ADVANCED from brennenstuhl® with oil-resistant rubber cable utilises a low-resistance protective conductor detection of approx. 1kΩ. Only connections below approx. 1kΩ are accepted, thus providing reliable protection against high-impedance unsafe contacts - in contrast, simple devices accept connections with several 100kΩ.
Glove detection is also integrated. This means that the device cannot be switched on in the event of a fault, even with an insulated glove.
An extended test cover including protective conductor detection and monitoring ensures additional safety. Safety is increased with the comprehensive function test by checking the entire signal chain from protective conductor monitoring to the RCD switching function.
The PRCD-S fulfils all technical requirements for promotion by BG Bau.
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PRCD-S ADVANCED for cable mounting
The PRCD-S ADVANCED from brennenstuhl® is also available as a mobile personal protection circuit breaker for cable mounting. Cables with a connection cross-section of 1.5mm2 or 2.5mm2 and a cable diameter of 8-14mm can be connected to it by a qualified electrician.
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