Difference between 1p+N and double pole RCD

[LewisM]

So an update, went in today and @Risteard was indeed correct, Hager do not seem to list a single pole switch neutral or double pole in a single module size even the AFDD RCBO are single pole.
So I will be changing the lot for Fusebox as they do make a single module double pole RCBO at a very reasonable price!

Any questions like this message Hager on the whatsapp support number they are really helpful and normally reply within a few hours

+44 7778 161000

 

[timhoward]

Got to love Hager £90 from them £15 from elsewhere

CEF List lots of Hager rcbos as being SP+N but are definitely not.

Yes, this was my point of confusion. I was also wondering if they were using old photo's and the side diagrams were wrong.

So an update, went in today and @Risteard was indeed correct, Hager do not seem to list a single pole switch neutral or double pole in a single module size even the AFDD RCBO are single pole.
So I will be changing the lot for Fusebox as they do make a single module double pole RCBO at a very reasonable price!

It sounds as though you were in a similar position. The install I was thinking of has a perfectly good Hager metal enclosure but with a 30ma RCD main switch. It also has 14ma of earth leakage already and there is a lot of dodgy modifications. Changing to RCBOs already looked expensive, but if they are only single pole then yes, it's Fusebox all the way.
It seems strange that mid-range brands have RCBO's that switch the neutral but Hager doesn't seem to offer one that is a single module.

 

[DPG]

Yes, this was my point of confusion. I was also wondering if they were using old photo's and the side diagrams were wrong.

It sounds as though you were in a similar position. The install I was thinking of has a perfectly good Hager metal enclosure but with a 30ma RCD main switch. It also has 14ma of earth leakage already and there is a lot of dodgy modifications. Changing to RCBOs already looked expensive, but if they are only single pole then yes, it's Fusebox all the way.
It seems strange that mid-range brands have RCBO's that switch the neutral but Hager doesn't seem to offer one that is a single module.

The big companies sometimes lag behind smaller ones. Look at what happened to Kodak when digital printing came along.

 

[nicebutdim]

It seems strange that mid-range brands have RCBO's that switch the neutral but Hager doesn't seem to offer one that is a single module.

I've wondered about this, and similar issues, and the best I can come up with is that manufactuers concentrate their efforts on primary markets.

It may be that I'm wide of the mark here, but Crabtree, Wylex, Fusebox, SBS et all seem to primarily serve the UK market, whereas Hager, Schneider etc would primarily serve the continental European market and we get whatever suits from their respective ranges.

 

[brianmoooore]

Hager, Schneider etc would primarily serve the continental European market and we get whatever suits from their respective ranges.

But Europe has been using SP + N devices for years. I've bought SP + N MCBs in France and brought them back with me, years before such things were readily available in the UK.
If anything, I would expect the UK focused suppliers to be lagging behind.

 

[nicebutdim]

But Europe has been using SP + N devices for years. I've bought SP + N MCBs in France and brought them back with me, years before such things were readily available in the UK.
If anything, I would expect the UK focused suppliers to be lagging behind.

Single module?

 

[brianmoooore]

Single module?

MCBs, yes. Never looked at RCBOs.

 

[nicebutdim]

MCBs, yes. Never looked at RCBOs.

It's RCBOs that this thread references.

I'm not sure I'd consider either UK or Europe to be 'lagging behind' the other and consider this to be more a matter of practicality.

Manufacturers whose products are primarily aimed at UK market would struggle to sell 2 module breakers, whereas European market sees less limitations on space within domestic distribution boards.

 

[Rubes30]

Wylex and Crabtree miniature RCBO’s are all SP and switched neutral.

Can get them around £18.00 if you look online.