RCBOs

What are RCBOs?

An RCBOs (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent) is a type of RCB used in the electrical system that offers protection against overloads and short circuits. These breakers are available for both US and European 50Hz and 60Hz AC (L and N). The RCBO is also used for homebrewing and provides extra safety when controlling a power source. They sense faults and trip the circuit based on a preset threshold. This protection can also be helpful in applications with overcurrent and earth leakage current protection. 

Working Principle of Circuit Breakers:

The circuit breaker mainly consists of fixed and moving contacts. These contacts are physically connected during regular “ON” conditions due to applied mechanical pressure on the moving contacts. There is an arrangement of potential energy stored in the circuit breaker, which is released if the switching signal is given to the breaker.

The potential energy can be stored in the circuit breaker in different ways, like deforming metal springs, compressed air, or hydraulic pressure. But whatever the source of potential energy, it must be released during operation. As a result, makes the sliding of the moving contact a speedy manner.

Types and applications: 

According to different criteria, there are different types of the circuit breaker. 

• Schneider Acti9 RCBO

The Schneider Acti9 RCBO is a type of RCBO designed to perform both functions. It is a smaller, more efficient unit and provides comprehensive protection. In addition, it is more energy-efficient than the previous generation RCBO and can prevent short-circuits and overloads. For this reason, it is an excellent choice for both commercial and residential uses.

According to arc quenching media, the circuit breaker can be categorized as: Oil Circuit Breaker, Air Circuit Breaker and Vacuum Circuit breaker.

• Oil Circuit Breaker

It is a type of acti 9 RCBO circuit breaker that includes separate contacts. The primary function of these contacts is to separate an insulating oil. It has good insulating properties compared with air. When the fault occurs, then the connections of the breaker open under oil. When the arc strikes among the two contacts of the breaker, then the arc's heat dissolves the surrounding oil & at high pressure, separates into gaseous hydrogen. The main characteristics of this circuit breaker are low cost, reliability, and simplicity.

• Air Circuit Breaker

An air circuit breaker is a circuit operation breaker that operates in the air as an arc extinguishing medium at a given atmospheric pressure. There are several types of air circuit breakers and switching gears available. They are durable, high-performing, and easy to install and maintain. The air circuit breakers have completely replaced oil circuit breakers.

• Vacuum Circuit Breaker

It is a circuit breaker where the arc quenching takes place in a vacuum medium. The operation of switching ON and closing current carrying contacts and interrelated arc interruption takes place in a vacuum chamber in the breaker, called a vacuum interrupter.