RCBO's | Rowe Hankins

RCBO's

Residual circuit breaker overload

More Information

Features

AC residual current

Our RCBO range uses AC residual current, the trip levels are typically between 30mA, 100mA and 300mA.

Various trip levels

A range of various trip characteristics are available: instantaneous fixed time delay and inverse time delay.

Test button

Fitted with a ‘test button’ to check the circuit breakers trip setting when an appropriate residual current fault is generated internally.

Auxiliaries

Electrical connections to the unit are via stud terminals, auxiliary contacts can be used to control and monitor the state of the circuit breaker.

Designed for harsh environments, Rowe Hankins offers a range of residual circuit breaker overload products. Also known as RCBOs or RCBO’s, these products are industry proven for both rail and traction systems.

Benefits

Residual current reduction

Inverse time curve - the operating time of the RCBO reduces as the residual current increases.

Fixed time delay

Ability to ‘fix before failure’.

What do RCBO's do?

OVERVIEW OF RCBOs

Rowe Hankins Residual Circuit Breaker Overload products (RCBOs) have two main functions:

Firstly, to help to measure AC residual current;
Second, to trip whenever they detect a fault.

The RCBOs are available in 2 and 4 pole configurations – specifically, the 2 pole series 373, and the 4 pole series 368. Additionally, these 2 and 4 pole versions are available at MCB ratings of up to 50 amps and different residual current trip levels.

DETAILED LOOK AT RCBOs

The circuit uses a current transformer to measure AC current imbalance. The signal is amplified, rectified and then passed to a time delay RCBO circuit. If the signal is present after the delay, then a solid-state switch energises the supply circuit breaker trip coil.

Options for either a fixed time delay or an inverse time delay trip characteristic can be specified. Trip currents can be specified for factory setting at levels between 5 and 300mA (Trips levels up to 2A are possible on a 4 pole series). A unit with a trip level of 5mA is specifically suited for the American market to meet the requirements of the ‘National Electrical Code NFPA 70’.

A wide range of time delay RCBOs can be specified and set during manufacture. The detector circuit power supply is derived from the AC supply. A test signal can be injected through the current transformer from a test button to confirm correct operation.