Solar O&M Reference · No. 02 / 05 · Electrical

RCCB Trips
In The Rain

It is not a fault. Singapore mandates the strictest residual-current threshold in the world, and rain makes solar leak. Here is why — and what to do when it happens.

30 mA Singapore mandate The residential trip threshold required by law here.
100 mA Residential norm elsewhere More than three times less sensitive than Singapore.
Not a fault What a rain trip means Wet panels leak a little more. The breaker is doing its job.
§ A · Sensitivity Trip threshold scale
The reason it feels sensitive

SG vs the World

Singapore is one of only two countries that mandate a 30 mA residual-current threshold for homes. A breaker set that low reacts to leakage most other countries would simply ignore.

Mandated SG · 30 mA
Residential norm World · 100 mA
0 mA30 mA60 mA90 mA120 mA150 mA
Easily tripped by rain
§ B · Mechanism Weather-related, not a fault
Move the slider

Why heavy rain trips the breaker

Every circuit leaks a tiny current to earth. Wet panels leak a little more. Add the two together and a 30 mA breaker can be pushed over its limit. Drag from dry to heavy rain and watch it happen.

Live leakage model

DryHeavy rain
  • Household circuitsfridge · AC · lights · plugs 12.0 mA
  • PV array leakagerises as the panels get wet 6.4 mA
  • Total leakage to earth 18.4 mA
Below threshold · system running

Rain wets the PV arrayMoisture gives the array's normal leakage an easier path to earth.

Dry

Household circuits keep leakingFridge, air-con, lights and plugs leak a small amount all the time.

12.0 mA

The two add upThe RCCB does not care where leakage comes from. It measures the total.

18.4 mA

30 mA breached → tripThe breaker opens and cuts power to whatever sits behind it.

Holding
If your RCCB trips

Three things to check

  1. Flip it back to on

    If it tripped in rain, solar resumes once the panels have enough sunlight.

  2. Check the weather

    Active thunderstorm at trip time? It is almost always rain-related.

  3. Dry-weather trip?

    Or it will not stay on? Contact FOMO Support for a site inspection.

FOMO can mitigate by

Two options we offer

  1. Inverter leakage suppression

    The inverter catches leakage internally before it reaches the RCCB, keeping the system generating in wet weather. Available on some inverter models only.

  2. RCCB upgrade

    Carried out with full homeowner consent and a clear understanding of the regulatory position.

§ C · Quick answers

Common questions

Is frequent tripping normal in Singapore?

Yes. Singapore is one of only two countries mandating 30 mA for residential. Trips during wet weather are expected, not unusual.

Could it be damaged wiring or moisture ingress?

Unlikely if trips always coincide with rain. FOMO cross-checks weather against each trip. Dry-weather trips lead to a site inspection.

Is a 100 mA RCCB dangerous?

No. 100 mA is still a very small current — even accidental contact only causes a minor sensation. Singapore's 30 mA rule is precautionary.

Solar RCCB or household RCCB — which one trips?

If solar has its own RCCB, only solar drops and the house stays powered. If it is shared, the whole house cuts. FOMO installs a separate solar RCCB where possible.

Is inverter leakage suppression safe?

Yes. The inverter physically disables its contactors — a real circuit gap, no fire risk. Insulation is monitored continuously; above 1 MΩ is healthy.

Is the 'Grid Failure' alarm related?

Usually the same event. The inverter logs 'Grid Failure' when it loses grid, which is exactly what happens when the RCCB opens.

FOMO Energy reference sheet: RCCB trips in the rain
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The one-page reference sheet

Everything on this page, condensed into a single sheet you can save or forward. Prepared by the FOMO Energy Solar O&M team.

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Still tripping when the sky is clear?

A trip in dry weather is worth a look. Send us the date and time, and our O&M team will check it against the inverter logs.