Bidirectional RCBO with BS EN 61009-1

Types of Power Supply Systems in the UK

• TN-C-S system: In this system, the neutral wire (N wire) and the protective wire (PE wire) on the power supply side are combined into one, which is called the PEN wire. After entering the building, the PEN wire is divided into a neutral wire (N wire) and a protective wire (PE wire), and they cannot be combined again after being separated. This system combines the characteristics of both the TN-C system and the TN-S system and is commonly used in industrial and civil buildings.

• TT system: The neutral point of the power supply is directly grounded, and the exposed conductive parts of the electrical equipment are directly grounded through the protective wire (PE wire), which is independent of the grounding of the neutral point of the power supply. The TT system is relatively common in some rural areas or small buildings in the UK.

    Today, we are going to delve deeply into a bidirectional RCBO that complies with the BS EN 61009 - 1 standard, and analyze the connotations of the standard behind it as well as the outstanding features of the product itself.

1.In-depth Interpretation of the BS EN 61009 - 1 Standard

    The BS EN 61009 - 1 standard holds great significance in the electrical industry. It is issued by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and is also an important part of the European standard system. This standard is specifically formulated for Residual Current Circuit Breakers with Overcurrent protection (RCBO) used in household and similar applications.

    In terms of the scope of application, it covers  RCBO products with an alternating current rated voltage not exceeding 440V, a rated frequency of 50/60Hz, a rated current not exceeding 125A, and a rated short-circuit capacity not exceeding 25,000A. This means that a large number of electrical protection devices used in households, small commercial premises, and other places on the market need to be manufactured in accordance with this standard.

        At the level of technical requirements, the standard is extremely detailed. In terms of electrical performance, clear boundaries are set for key parameters such as the rated voltage, rated current, rated residual operating current, and breaking capacity of the product. For example, the optional values of the rated residual operating current for different types of RCBOs are clearly defined to ensure that when a leakage fault occurs, the product can quickly cut off the circuit within a specified extremely short time, protecting people from the risk of electric shock.In terms of mechanical performance, strict requirements are put forward for the flexibility of the operating mechanism, tripping characteristics, and mechanical life. The operating mechanism must ensure flexible and reliable operation under various complex conditions, including normal and fault situations. The tripping characteristics should accurately meet the requirements of decisive action within the specified current and time ranges. As for the mechanical life, the product is required to maintain good performance after a specified number of operations.

    This standard also elaborates in detail on comprehensive test methods, including electrical performance tests, mechanical performance tests, and environmental tests. Through short-circuit tests, the breaking capacity of the RCBO in response to short-circuit situations can be effectively verified. With the help of residual current operating characteristic tests, the operating performance of the product under different residual current conditions can be examined. High and low temperature tests are used to evaluate the performance stability of the product under different ambient temperatures, ensuring that it can operate normally in various harsh environments.

2.ETEK Electric Bidirectional RCBO：EKL17（H）-40BD

    After gaining an in-depth understanding of the standard, let's shift our focus to the popular two-way wiring RCBO of ETEK Electric, the EKL17 (H)-40BD. This product has won the favor of numerous customers in the market with its outstanding performance and reliable quality.

(1)The Background of R&D and Design

        With the continuous upgrading of the electrical infrastructure in the UK and the increasing emphasis on electrical safety by people, the demand for high-performance, multi-functional RCBOs that are adaptable to different installation scenarios in the UK market has become more and more urgent. Traditional single-directional wiring RCBOs lack flexibility in some complex electrical layouts and are difficult to meet diverse installation requirements. Based on this, the company has invested a large amount of research and development resources and is committed to creating an innovative RCBO that can not only meet strict electrical standards but also has the function of two-way wiring, so as to fill the gap in the UK market and provide users with more convenient and safer electrical protection solutions.

(2)Working Principle

        During normal operation, the currents in the live wire and the neutral wire are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, and the vector sum of the currents is zero. When a leakage occurs (such as electric shock to a person, damage to the insulation of an electrical appliance, etc.), a part of the current in the live wire flows into the ground through the leakage path and no longer returns completely through the neutral wire. At this time, the vector sum of the currents in the live wire and the neutral wire is not zero. The leakage detection device detects this difference value and triggers the tripping device, causing the circuit breaker to open and cut off the circuit, thus ensuring the safety of people and equipment. At the same time, if the circuit experiences overload or short circuit, the fuse will blow or the tripping device will also act to achieve the protection function.

(3)Product Features

1.    Comprehensive Protection Functions: The EKL17 (H)-40BD is equipped with functions for protecting against earth fault, overcurrent, short circuit, and optional overvoltage protection. The earth fault protection adopts an electronic tripping method, which can quickly detect extremely small leakage currents and cut off the circuit in an extremely short time to ensure the safety of personnel. The overload and short-circuit protection, on the other hand, utilizes thermomagnetic tripping technology, which can reliably and stably deal with abnormal current situations in the circuit, effectively preventing electrical equipment from being damaged due to overload or short circuit.

2.Diverse Specification Options: In terms of rated current, various specifications such as 6A, 10A, 16A, 20A, 25A, 32A, and 40A are provided, which can meet the protection requirements of electrical appliances and circuits with different powers. Whether it is for small lighting fixtures, socket circuits, or large electrical equipment, you can find a product with a suitable rated current to match it. At the same time, there are two types of tripping curves, B and C, available for selection. The B curve is suitable for circuits that are more sensitive to short-circuit currents, such as lighting circuits. The C curve is more suitable for electrical appliances with larger starting currents, such as air conditioners, washing machines, etc., ensuring that there will be no false tripping during normal startup and that it can act quickly in case of a fault.

3.Advantages of Two-way Wiring: The two-way wiring design is a major highlight of this product. Traditional single-directional wiring RCBOs have strict restrictions on the access direction of the lines during installation. Once the installation environment is complex and it is difficult to adjust the route of the lines, it will increase the installation cost and time. However, the two-way wiring function of the EKL17 (H)-40BD greatly improves the installation flexibility. Users can freely choose to introduce the lines from the bottom or in both directions according to the actual electrical layout, without having to worry about the route of the lines anymore. This significantly saves installation time and cost, and it is especially suitable for places with limited space and complex wiring, such as the electrical renovation projects of old buildings.

4.   High Protection Level and Reliability: The protection level of the product reaches IP20, which can effectively prevent the intrusion of solid foreign objects with a diameter larger than 12mm, and to a certain extent, ensure the safety of the internal electrical components. Its electrical life can reach 4,000 cycles, and the mechanical life is as high as 10,000 cycles. After a large number of actual tests and market verifications, it has a high degree of reliability. Even under frequent use, it can operate stably for a long time, reducing the frequency of equipment replacement and maintenance costs.

(4)Applicable Scenarios

1.    Family Residences: The EKL17 (H)-40BD can play an important role in various family residences in the UK. It can provide reliable protection for the sockets and lighting circuits in each room, preventing safety accidents caused by reasons such as electrical appliance leakage and overload. For example, in humid environments such as kitchens and bathrooms, where there are many electrical appliances in use and there is a risk of leakage, this RCBO can respond quickly and cut off the power supply in a timely manner to protect the lives of family members.

2.     Commercial Premises: For small commercial premises such as cafes and retail stores, there is a wide variety of electrical equipment inside with different power requirements. The diverse options of rated current and tripping curves of the EKL17 (H)-40BD enable it to meet the protection needs of different devices, ensuring the safety and stability of commercial power consumption, avoiding business interruptions caused by electrical failures, and reducing economic losses.

3.       Auxiliary Areas of Industrial Plants: In some auxiliary areas of industrial plants, such as offices and restrooms, although the power of electrical equipment is relatively small, there are still strict requirements for electrical safety. The two-way wiring function of the EKL17 (H)-40BD facilitates flexible wiring in limited spaces. At the same time, its stable performance and reliable protection mechanism provide a strong guarantee for the electrical systems in these areas.

3.Market Feedback and Prospects Outlook

    Since the EKL17 series products were launched into the market, they have received a lot of positive feedback from numerous customers. Users have highly praised the product's performance, installation convenience, reliability, and the consistency of the complete set of products in the distribution box. Many electrical engineers have stated that this product has performed excellently in actual projects. The two-way wiring design has greatly simplified the wiring work and improved work efficiency. Ordinary users are also satisfied with the safety guarantee it provides, adding a sense of reassurance to the electrical safety of their homes and workplaces.

    Looking ahead, with the continuous improvement of electrical safety standards and the continuous upgrading of market requirements for the performance of electrical equipment, the EKL17 series, with its advantages of meeting high standards, diverse functions, and innovative design, is expected to further expand its market share in the UK market. At the same time, it also lays a solid foundation for the company's expansion in other global markets. The company will continue to invest in research and development, continuously optimize product performance, and launch more high-quality electrical protection products that meet market needs, safeguarding the electrical safety of users around the world.

It is hoped that this article can give you a deeper understanding of this two-way wiring RCBO that complies with the BS EN 61009 - 1 standard. If you still have any questions or needs regarding the product, please feel free to contact us at any time.

ETEK Always for Your Safety!

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