Protect your EV charging installation with RCBO consumer units built to meet BS EN 61009-1:2012 standards. Volta EV stocks high-integrity, Type A B-curve RCBOs engineered for residential and commercial electric vehicle charger setups-including PME earthing systems and solar-integrated loads.
Choose from industry-trusted brands Sync Energy, FuseBox, GARO, Matt:e and WCED (Whitecliffe Electrical Distribution).
Which RCBO is Right for Your EV Charger Consumer Unit?
Choosing the correct RCBO types means matching the unit’s characteristics to your car charger’s current, fault protection needs, and installation environment. Here is a quick breakdown:
Home Driveways (7kW, PME Earthing)
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Recommended: Type A, B-Curve, 32A SP RCBO
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Compliant with Regulation 722.531.3.101
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Compact for mini 1-way enclosures
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Trip time < 300 ms @ 5x IΔn
Commercial Sites and Fleet Depots (22kW, 3-phase)
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Use Type A, C-Curve, DP 40 A+ RCBOs
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Higher inrush current tolerance
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10 kA models for supply-side surge protection
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Choose Type B RCBOs with DC leakage detection
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Prevent nuisance tripping from inverters
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Required if EVSE uses non-isolated DC sources
Why Choose Circuit Protection from Volta EV
Tested to UK safety regulations (BS EN 61009- 1:2012)- Fast-trip, DC-sensitive detection for EVSE scenarios
- Prevents thermal damage (PVC insulation rated 160-180°C)
- Reduces downtime- each fault-trip may save up to £70 in EVSE module damage
- 5-year warranty on selected models
Our RCBO protection units not only protect individuals from electric shock but also preserve the lifespan of charging hardware and help maintain energy efficiency through rapid isolation of faults.
What Makes an RCBO Different?
An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) is a multifunctional safety device that combines the features of two essential components in an electrical circuit- an MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) and an RCD (Residual Current Device).
While an MCB is designed to trip during overcurrent conditions, such as short circuits or circuit overloads, it does not detect electrical leakages or earth faults. On the other hand, an RCD is engineered to detect earth leakage currents, which can occur when electricity flows through an unintended path, such as a person or exposed metal surface. However, an RCD offers no protection against overcurrent or short-circuit events.
RCBOs offer both protections in one unit, monitoring current imbalances and overloads in real time to disconnect the circuit within milliseconds if needed. This makes them ideal for electric vehicle charging installations, especially Type A RCBOs, which can detect both AC and pulsed DC leakage.
By using an RCBO, you benefit from complete circuit protection, space savings in the consumer unit, and simplified installation by a qualified electrician, eliminating the need for separate RCD and MCB devices.
Frequently Asked Question
In residential settings, the typical range for RCBO household use is usually 30-100mA. A 30mA sensitivity can lead to occasional tripping without any visible fault. Most households are equipped with 60 mA and 100mA RCCBs to strike a balance between detecting no apparent fault and a genuine fault.
Single pole devices (SP), including those with a switched neutral, are equipped with overcurrent protection only on the line side of the device. Double pole devices (DP), such as RCCBs and a DP RCBO consumer unit, have overcurrent protection on both the line and the neutral.
Residual current-operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (RCBOs) are covered in the standard BS EN 61009-1:2012.