2008-07-22
Eaton offers a comprehensive range of UK designed and manufactured circuit protection devices – MCBs, RCDs and RCBOs – to satisfy the latest requirements of the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations. They include the unique Memshield 2 ‘pod’ RCBO which comprises an MCB with clip-on RCBO ‘pod’ to offer numerous different combinations of overcurrent and residual current trip rating.
RCBOs offer the optimum solution to the need to provide earth fault protection on power and lighting circuits. They provide both overcurrent protection and earth fault protection of individual circuits. This means that an earth fault will only trip the associated RCBO whereas tripping of an RCD which provides group protection of several circuits will result in loss of supply to all the circuits in that group.
The unique Memshield 2 RCBO is available off-the-shelf in eleven popular combinations of overcurrent rating and residual current sensitivity, but the modular construction means that hundreds of other overcurrent/sensitivity combinations can be configured, on-site, to meet the needs of the installation. Furthermore, existing Memshield 2 miniature circuit-breakers can be upgraded to full RCBO functionality by fitting suitable RCBO ‘pods’. This means that in some cases, existing installations can be upgraded to the latest standards without replacing the consumer units or MCBs. All units up to and including 63A are available in a single 18mm module width.
The standard off-the-shelf RCBO options available with the Memshield 2 RCBO are as follows:
| Overcurrent rating |
10mA sensitivity |
20mA sensitivity |
| 6A |
MCH106R10 |
MCH106R30 |
| 10A |
MCH110R10 |
MCH110R30 |
| 16A |
MCH116R10 |
MCH116R30 |
| 20A |
MCH120R10 |
MCH120R30 |
| 32A |
MCH132R10 |
MCH132R30 |
| 40A |
- |
MCH140R30 |
RCBO ‘pods’ are available in the following sensitivities for use with Memshield 2 SP or SPSN 230/240A a.c. miniature circuit-breakers up to 63A:
10mA instantaneous
30mA instantaneous
100mA instantaneous
100mA time-delayed
300mA time-delayed
There are also 30mA and 100mA units for 110V centre-tapped to earth systems used on construction sites and other outdoor installations. Many of these devices can be supplied factory-fitted to special order or as field-fittable pods.
Fitting the pod to an existing Memshield 2 MCB is a simple process. The top bezel of the MCB and the DIN clip are removed. The back of the pod is then hooked over the back of the MCB and rotated forwards until the front clips into place. A new, larger DIN clip is then mounted on the back of the unit. Once installed in the MCB, the RCD ‘test’ button forms an integral part of the front moulding.
The pod has two flying leads; one is the neutral supply for connection to the neutral block in the consumer unit and the other is an earth reference connection. The outgoing phase conductor is inserted through a hole in the pod into the original MCB box clamp terminal while the outgoing neutral is inserted into a box clamp terminal in the top of the pod.
Miniature circuit-breakers
The Memshield 2 range of miniature circuit-breakers is the only truly British range of devices, developed and manufactured at Eaton’s Holyhead factory. They are high performance current-limiting Type B, C and D devices in 6kA, 10kA and 15kA short-circuit breaking capacities. The MCBs are available in single-pole, single-pole and neutral, two-, three- and four-pole configurations in 14 different ratings from 1A to 63A. All have an 18mm modular width (18mm per pole) including the 63A versions.
Memshield 2 miniature circuit-breakers are designed and tested to IEC 60898 and IEC 60947-2 and carry the KEMA-KEUR mark indicating third-party witnessing of testing and ongoing surveillance of production by an independent certification organisation.
The combination of a single-pole Memshield 2 MCB with an RCBO pod is still only 18mm wide. Memera 2000AD consumer units, and Memshield 2 distribution boards, are designed with adequate space to accommodate the MCB and pod. This means that existing installations can be upgraded to full overcurrent and earth leakage protection.
Residual current circuit-breakers (RCDs)
Memshield 2 RCCBs are available as single-pole switched neutral (SPSN) and triple-pole switched neutral (TPSN) versions. SPSN units are 36mm wide and available in sensitivities from 10mA to 300mA instantaneous and in 100mA and 300mA time-delayed versions. They are capable of sensing DC components in the supply in accordance with IEC 61008 and continue to give earth leakage protection under loss of supply neutral conditions. High voltage transient suppression is also incorporated.
Consumer units
Memera consumer units were first introduced to the market more than 50 years ago. The modern Memera 2000AD offering is a stylish range of moulded units designed for ease of specification and installation. The range is designed around the philosophy that the vast majority of consumer unit requirements can be satisfied by a relatively small number of enclosure designs. Nevertheless the range offers in-line units up to 19 ways and split-load units up to 17 ways.
Enclosures have generous wiring space and knock-out provision. Other labour-saving features such as removable pan assemblies and quick-release fixings for the pan and cover make for easy assembly. An outstanding feature of the split-load units is the variable split busbar system that allows on-site selection of the number of ways allocated to the two sections. Different configurations to meet the RCD requirements of the 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations can be seen on this website by clicking HERE.
To meet more complex requirements the company offers the Memera 2000 consumer unit system. This comprises both moulded and surface/flush metalclad enclosures. Enclosures include dual-tariff and total heating units, the latter having three 100A isolators. There are also dual-rail 25-way units and skeleton units for installation in customers’ own enclosures.
100 years of circuit protection
Eaton knows its market and offers products designed to satisfy the needs of the market for both fast-moving products and more specialist requirements. This year sees it celebrating the centenary of the famous ‘MEM’ brand – The Company has been manufacturing circuit-protection equipment from the earliest days and pioneered many developments in the sector, starting with ironclad switch and fusegear and early rewirable fuses.
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Related contacts
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Contact Eaton Information Response Service:
Tel: +44 (0)845 3380358 |
Email Eaton MEM
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