Circuit breakers for consumer units
Circuit breakers protect the circuits in your flat or house against overload and short circuit, cutting the power automatically when a fault occurs. Choose from modular breakers for 35 mm DIN rail with various rated currents, including compact 1P+N models that take up the width of just one module in the consumer unit.
Circuit breakers for consumer units
Every breaker has a rated current, usually between 6 and 32 A, and trips the circuit when it is exceeded for a longer time. The value is chosen according to the cable cross-section and the connected appliances, and must never be higher than the cable can safely carry. Lighting circuits are usually protected with lower ratings, socket circuits and high-power appliances with higher ones.
The tripping curve determines how the breaker responds to a brief current surge. Type B suits standard home installations with lights and sockets, while type C is intended for circuits with motors, pumps or compressors that briefly draw more current when starting. The lever also shows whether the circuit is on and lets you switch it off manually during repairs.
A circuit breaker protects the wiring, not people from electric shock. That is the job of an RCD, or of a device combining both types of protection. Leave installing and replacing breakers in the consumer unit to a qualified electrician and turn off the main switch before any work.