SpaceKadet Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I am looking for practical difference between these two. That is, can I use 2P RCBO in a normal house 1phase consumer unit, instead of 1P+N type? I have used a 2P type in my consumer unit, but it broke when the unit got flooded and is now bypassed. I have came across 1P+N while looking for a replacement. This is how the ABB RCBO's look like: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 The 1P+N has a solid (un-switched) neutral so it only opens the live, the 2P opens both live and neutral. For a main breaker you must use 2P, for internal circuits 1P+N is ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceKadet Posted July 11, 2016 Author Share Posted July 11, 2016 Thanks for a quick reply Crossy. The 1P+N has a little schematic on the unit showing that N is also switched. That's what got me confused, as they were basically the same. But I will definitely use 2P unit now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bankruatsteve Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Crossy, shouldn't the 2P be used only as main breaker? And the 1P only as single circuit breaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Crossy, shouldn't the 2P be used only as main breaker? And the 1P only as single circuit breaker? No, a 2P is fine as a single circuit breaker (at least in the UK regs), theoretically better in fact as it will isolate any N-E faults on that circuit as well. It's possible that a 1P+N opens the neutral (as in the diagram) but why it wouldn't be labelled as 2P I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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