Peter Perkins

Product standards, such as IEC 62368‑1 for ITC equipment, struggle to keep up with technology changes, even when they are designed to be adaptable – such as this hazard-based standard. Unexpected consequences can develop with the introduction of disruptive technology that takes advantage of a seeming loophole in a standard and move forward without getting a full evaluation under the standard. Fault managed power systems, such as PoE, push the standard in getting proper evaluation. This paper is a case study including a detailed proposal as to how to address an issue such as this within the standard.

The ubiquitous increase in the use of mains power switching devices has been paralleled by the increase in nuisance tripping of GFCIs and other protection devices. Nuisance tripping can be identified to contain such high frequency signals and these must be properly taken into account when designing proper GFCI operation in this environment.