RCBO’s are becoming the preferred choice for modern electrical installations thanks to their reliability, enhanced safety, and compliance with the latest wiring regulations. Whether you’re an electrician, contractor, or homeowner upgrading a consumer unit, understanding RCBOs is essential for making safe and informed decisions.
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In this guide, we explain what an RCBO is, how RCBO’s works, and the key benefits of using RCBOs in both domestic and commercial installations.
What Is an RCBO?
An RCBO (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection) is a protective device that combines the functions of:
RCD – detects and disconnects earth leakage faults
MCB – protects against overloads and short circuits
This combined functionality allows an RCBO to provide complete circuit protection within a single device. RCBOs are now commonly used in consumer units, distribution boards, and modern electrical systems where safety and compliance are priorities.
How Does an RCBO Work?
An RCBO continuously monitors electrical flow on an individual circuit. It will instantly trip if it detects:
Earth Leakage (RCD Function): Protects users from electric shock and prevents potential fire risks caused by fault currents.
Overcurrent (MCB Function): Stops damage caused by overloaded circuits or excessive current draw.
Short Circuit Faults: Protects wiring and equipment from severe fault conditions.
Because RCBOs detect multiple fault types at once, they offer a more advanced and reliable form of protection compared to traditional devices.
Benefits of Using RCBOs in Modern Installations
Individual Circuit Protection: Only the faulty circuit trips — reducing inconvenience and improving overall system reliability.
Faster and Easier Fault Finding: RCBOs isolate faults directly to the affected circuit, allowing electricians to diagnose issues quickly.
Space-Saving in Consumer Units: Combining RCD and MCB functionality into a single device saves valuable space inside consumer units and distribution boards.
Enhanced Electrical Safety: Each circuit gets dedicated RCD protection, significantly improving safety in high-risk areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor circuits.
Compliance With Modern Wiring Regulations: RCBOs support current standards that favour individual circuit protection, making them ideal for new installations and consumer unit upgrades.
What about Bi-Directional RCBO’s
A Bi-Directional RCBO works in either direction of power flow, providing full protection even if the supply and load are connected the opposite way around.
This means it has the added capability of monitoring and protecting against faults when current flows in either direction.
This is essential for modern electrical systems, such as those with solar panels, home batteries, or vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, where power can be both drawn from and sent back to the grid.
Where RCBOs Are Commonly Installed
RCBOs are suitable for almost all circuit types, but they are particularly valuable in areas requiring enhanced safety, such as:
Kitchens and bathrooms
Outdoor power sockets
Garage, shed, and workshop circuits
High-load appliances (ovens, showers, washing machines)
EV chargers and emerging technologies
Commercial and industrial installations
Their flexibility makes RCBOs a practical choice for both electricians and end users.
RCBO vs RCD/MCB: Which Is Better?
Traditional consumer units use a combination of RCDs and MCBs to protect grouped circuits. However:
A fault on one circuit can trip multiple circuitsunder an RCD.
Troubleshooting can take longer.
Nuisance tripping affects lighting, sockets, and appliances all at once.
RCBOs eliminate these issues by providing individual protection per circuit, making them the preferred option for modern, reliable consumer unit design.
Why RCBOs Are Becoming the Modern Standard
With electrical safety regulations becoming more stringent, electricians increasingly choose RCBOs for:
Reduced nuisance tripping
Cleaner, more organised consumer units
Better protection for vulnerable circuits
Improved customer satisfaction
Future-proof installations
As the industry continues to move toward safer and smarter systems, RCBOs are quickly replacing older RCD/MCB configurations.
Final Thoughts
RCBOs offer superior protection, easier fault-finding, and compliance with modern wiring regulations — making them an essential component of today’s electrical installations.
If you’re upgrading a consumer unit or looking for reliable circuit protection devices, our team at CPN Cudis is here to help.
You can browse CPN Cudis' range of RCBO’s here!
Contact their technical experts for guidance on choosing the right RCBOs and consumer units for your next project.