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RCBO’s

Our RCBO range is compatible with popular consumer units and includes devices from top brands such as Hager, BG, Fusebox, Lewden, Wylex & MK Sentry.

Choose from B curve RCBOs, which trip at around 3–5 times full load current and are mainly used in domestic installations, or C curve RCBOs, which trip at 5–10 times full load current and are typically used in commercial and industrial applications.

For additional safety, we also supply AFDD RCBOs, which combine RCBO protection with an Arc Fault Detection Device. These help protect against fires caused by arcing from loose connections, rodent damage or damaged cable insulation.

Need more information? Check our FAQs..

If you need to buy in bulk, we’d be happy to provide a quote. As one of the largest electrical wholesalers we deal with traders every day, so give us a call on 0203 994 5470 or email us sales@electricpoint.com.

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RCBO FAQs

Let's start by breaking it down. An RCBO actually carries two separate ratings: the RCD type (what kind of earth leakage it detects) and the MCB curve (how quickly it trips on overcurrent). This therefore provides the protection from potential injuries like an electric shock. So “Type A, B‑curve” means Type A leakage protection plus B‑curve overcurrent protection. Please remember that product selection, cable size and installation must always be confirmed and carried out by a qualified electrician. Under no circumstances should you be attempting the install yourself. 

RCD Type: What It Detects Typical Applications Key Benefit
Type AC: Sinusoidal AC Residual Current Only Simple Resistive Loads With No Electronics, Such as Basic Heaters and Incandescent Lighting Lowest Cost Option
Type A: AC Plus Pulsating DC Residual Current (Up to 6mA Smooth DC) General Domestic & Commercial Circuits, Including Sockets, Lighting, Kitchens and Appliances With Electronic Controls The Modern Default, Safely Covering Most Everyday Loads
Type F: Everything Type A Detects Plus Mixed-Frequency Currents (Up to 1kHz) and Up to 10mA Smooth DC Single-Phase Inverter Loads, Including Heat Pumps, Inverter Washing Machines, Air Conditioning and Variable Speed Drives Reliable Protection for Inverter Appliances With Enhanced Resistance to Nuisance Tripping From Surges
Type B: Everything Type F Detects Plus Smooth DC and Higher-Frequency Residual Currents Three-Phase Inverters, Solar PV Inverters, EV Chargers Without Built-In 6mA DC Detection, Medical & Industrial Equipment Full-Spectrum Protection Wherever Smooth DC Fault Currents Are Possible
Trip Curve: Instant Magnetic Trip Point Typical Applications Key Benefit
B-Curve: 3–5× Rated Current (In) Domestic Sockets, Lighting, Cookers, Showers and Resistive Loads Trips Quickly on Low Fault Currents, Making Maximum Zs Easiest to Achieve
C-Curve: 5–10× Rated Current (In) Commercial & Light Industrial Loads, Including Motors, Fans, Pumps, Transformers, Large Lighting Groups and Recommended for EV Car Chargers (although B-Curve can still be used) Rides Through Moderate Inrush Without Nuisance Tripping
D-Curve: 10–20× Rated Current (In) Heavy Inrush Loads, Including Welding Equipment, X-Ray Machines, Large Transformers and Large Motors Tolerates Very High Start-Up Surges

Below are the main Amps RCBO's are supplied in. 

Rating: Typical Circuits Indicative Cable Size
6A: Lighting Circuits, Smoke & Heat Alarms, Doorbells and Low-Load Controls 1.0mm² or 1.5mm²
10A: Larger Lighting Circuits, Extractor Fans, Boilers and Small Fixed Appliances 1.0mm² or 1.5mm²
16A: 3kW Immersion Heaters, Storage Heaters, Outdoor Sockets and Small Radial Circuits 2.5mm²
20A: Radial Socket Circuits up to 50m² Floor Area, Dedicated Appliance Circuits and Fused Spurs 2.5mm²
25A: Smaller Electric Showers, Single Ovens and Garage or Workshop Supplies 4mm²
32A: Ring Final Socket Circuits, Radial Socket Circuits up to 100m², Cookers and 7kW EV Chargers 2.5mm² (Ring), 4mm² or 6mm² (Radial)
40A: Electric Showers up to Around 9kW, Larger Cookers and Range Ovens 6mm² or 10mm²
45A: High-Output Electric Showers up to Around 10kW 10mm²
50A: High-Output Electric Showers and Sub-Main Feeds to Outbuildings 10mm²
63A: Sub-Main Feeds to Garages, Annexes, Outbuildings and Secondary Distribution Boards 16mm²
Configuration: How It Works Typical Applications Key Benefit
Single Pole (1P+N): Breaks the Live Conductor Only, While the Neutral Passes Through for Leakage Sensing via a Flying Lead or Neutral Terminal Standard Domestic Consumer Units on TN-S and TN-C-S (PME) Supplies, Including Lighting, Socket and Appliance Circuits Compact Single-Module Width Saves Board Space and Keeps Costs Down
Double Pole (2P): Breaks Both the Live and Neutral Conductors Simultaneously When Tripped or Switched Off TT Earthing Systems, Caravan Parks, Marinas, Outbuildings, EV Chargers and Solar PV or Battery Circuits Full Isolation of the Circuit for Safer Fault Finding and Maintenance, and Clears Neutral-to-Earth Faults
Configuration: How It Works Typical Applications Key Benefit
Uni-Directional: Designed to Be Fed From One Side Only, With the Supply Connected to the Terminals Marked by the Manufacturer Standard Domestic & Commercial Circuits Where Power Only Flows From the Supply to the Load, Such as Lighting, Sockets and Appliances Widely Available Across Most Ranges and Typically the Most Cost-Effective Option
Bi-Directional: Designed to Operate Correctly Whether the Supply Is Connected to the Top or Bottom Terminals Circuits With Solar PV, Battery Storage, Vehicle-to-Grid EV Chargers or Any Generation That Can Backfeed the Board Safe and Reliable Protection Where Current Can Flow in Both Directions, With Flexible Wiring in the Board
Breaking Capacity: What It Means Typical Applications Key Benefit
6kA: Can Safely Interrupt a Prospective Fault Current of up to 6,000A Without Damage or Danger Domestic Consumer Units and Light Commercial Installations on Single-Phase Supplies The Standard Choice for Homes, Widely Available and Cost-Effective
10kA: Can Safely Interrupt a Prospective Fault Current of up to 10,000A Without Damage or Danger Commercial & Industrial Distribution Boards, Three-Phase Installations and Sites Close to a Substation or Transformer Greater Safety Margin Where Prospective Fault Current Is High, Without Relying on Upstream Back-Up Protection

RCD's will detect earth current imbalances to prevent electric shocks or fires. However, it does not trip on overloads or short circuits so must be paired with MCB's (Miniture Circuit Breakers). The RCBO can handle it all avoiding the need of addiditonal breakers. 

RCD's are generally connected to a group or certain bank of circuits. So if a fault occurs, the power to all the connections will shut off (this is often called nuisance tripping). The RCBO however provides protection to individual circuits thus only tripping this connection and keeping the rest of the circuits powered.

Due to multiple circuits being connected with an RCD, faults are harder to identify. An RCBO is only connected to individual circuits so the exact fault can be found quickly.

 

Electricpoint has been supplying electrical products for many years and is now one of the UK’s largest online electrical wholesalers.

Here’s why customers choose us:

  • Wide product range — We carry thousands of lines from popular, reliable, leading brands.
  • Fast UK delivery — Most in-stock items are dispatched quickly.
  • Competitive pricing — We aim to offer great everyday value.
  • Trade & larger-order support — Trade accounts are available on application.
  • Secure & straightforward shopping — Safe checkout, straightforward returns and full manufacturer warranties on everything we sell.

If you need some help, would like to take advantage of our Price Promise or perhaps have a large order to place, please give our team of professionals a call on 0203 994 5470, drop us an email at sales@electricpoint.com or use our Contact Form.

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