Rcbo And The Consumer Unit

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The RCBO or the Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent has become an integral part of many consumer units. There are of course several different types of fuses or circuit breakers that can be used to interrupt the current flow in the circuit in cases of an electrical fault and these range from standard wire fuses through the mini circuit breakers to the Residual Current Devices and finally the Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent. Each one of these can do a good job in certain circumstances and that is the crux of the problem because some of them do the job better than others.

An ordinary fuse or a mini circuit breaker will blow when a fault occurs but it is possible that current may be passing through a person at the time and this system will not stop that. The RCBO is a type of circuit breaker that is a combination of the Residual Current Device and the Overcurrent circuit breaker.

The unit has been designed for two major purposes, the first being that of protecting human beings from a serious electrical shock and injury or death and the second protects the circuit against an overload and a short circuit. The RCD Residual Current Device is the major unit designed to stop any current leakage to earth by measuring the current at on the live and the neutral wire as the current goes in and out of the circuit. Any difference and an earth leakage is assumed and the breaker trips out within milli-seconds saving a good many lives in the process. The Overload protection trips the circuit in the consumer unit when there is a current overload, in this prevents overheating and electrical fires and also prevents short circuit problems.

When a damp liquid gets between the live and neutral wires there is a conduction of current between the terminals and this can cause various problems such as overheating or sparking or there is a chance of an electrical injury. In the main bathrooms were the cause of problems like this until pull switches took over, and later waterproof switches were made.

The RCBO has its place in the consumer unit and it will get greater as time goes on and may well be written in as must, into the regulations. If the circuit requires an absolute safe system this is about as good as it gets to prevent injury or overloads from occurring.

About the Author:
Based in Canterbury in Kent, The Lamp Post provide electrical supplies and equipment for electrical businesses and individuals. We deliver for free across the UK, with our products coming from some of the most well known and internationally trusted electrical brands. We pride ourselves on our high levels of customer service, with support via telephone or email available for all orders made online.



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