Should all RCBOs in a CU/DB be Bi directional and Dual Pole

Should all RCBOs in a CU/DB be Bi directional and Dual Pole, I am mainly talking domestic dwellings but it may also apply to commercial and industrial

The RCBO have electronics which expect the current to flow the correct way

Increased amount of properties with Solar PV, Battery storage/Car To Grid thus back feeding

The increased reporting of Pen faults in street potentially reverse feeding a property via the Earth/CPC

What role the supply characterises have eg TT, TN/TNC/TNCS, IT

Parents
  • Alternating current.

  • Agreed.

    The RCBO have electronics which expect the current to flow the correct way

    The current flows in both directions all the time in any event. As far as I can tell, whether it's in sync with the voltage or 180 degrees out of phase (plus or minus a bit), isn't likely to worry most mechanisms. There can be an issue where the voltage on the "load" terminals doesn't disappear when the device opens - e.g. where the test circuit is simply connected across the load terminals if someone holds in the T button after the device trips then the test current continues to flow and the resistor and/or solenoid and can burn out, possibly permanently damaging the device. I'd be interested if anyone know of any other failure scenarios ...

       - Andy.

Reply
  • Agreed.

    The RCBO have electronics which expect the current to flow the correct way

    The current flows in both directions all the time in any event. As far as I can tell, whether it's in sync with the voltage or 180 degrees out of phase (plus or minus a bit), isn't likely to worry most mechanisms. There can be an issue where the voltage on the "load" terminals doesn't disappear when the device opens - e.g. where the test circuit is simply connected across the load terminals if someone holds in the T button after the device trips then the test current continues to flow and the resistor and/or solenoid and can burn out, possibly permanently damaging the device. I'd be interested if anyone know of any other failure scenarios ...

       - Andy.

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