RCBO energy consumption

[John-SJW]

RCBOs consume between 1.5 and 2.5 watts for each pole - according to Wylex. Have a CU with largish bank of DP RCBOs then the annual cost of just having RCBOs is substantial. It is not just a few quid a year in electricity costs to have them. My question is:

Do RCBOs still consume electricity when switched off?

 

[marcuswareham]

Wylex specs says full load losses are 1.5 to 2.6 watts per pole. DP is twice the load of SP. You must have noticed RCBOs are warm all the time, even when there is no load running through them. This also makes the insides of a metal CU case warmer. I assume the 1.5 watts is no load energy consumption,

I have not noticed RCBOs are warm all of the time, and i am often using large distribution units with over 100 rcbos in and for some shows half of then wont be used, i would say those are at room temp

 

[Julie.]

When I read up on this project and saw they were building a cable manufacturing facility at Hunterston which is only an hour away from me, I turned up to sign on for a job, clutching my brand new klein automatic cable strippers...
I didn't get the job...

Pity, you could take a quick swim over to Millport, and get 1960's/70's style food in the Ritz.

Since around the early '80's I have been going to both the Scottish national sailing centre and general diving off Cumbrae, and it's like a pilgrimage to go to the Ritz and re-live my childhood memories in a cafe that remains exactly the same since the 50's... early 70's

 

[pirate]

Been to Milport many, many times in my younger years when I sailed most weekends on the Clyde from my mooring in the Kyles of Bute. I've never been in the Ritz, as far as i can recall, so will make that "pilgrimage" next time and report back! Sold my boat some years back, but I have a SIB and just had my outboard motor fully seviced, so will be making some trips soon, hopefully.

 

[John-SJW]

I have not noticed RCBOs are warm all of the time, and i am often using large distribution units with over 100 rcbos in and for some shows half of then wont be used, i would say those are at room temp

Believe me, they do get warm. On the top and to the side. I have quality Wylex RCBOs, not some cheap Ebay trash, and they do get warm. MCBs will become warm if highish current is running thru them - e.g., 4A running thru a 6A mcb for a while will make it warm. Which brings me to the point of using the highest mcb rating you can to reduce the bi-metal strip bending consuming energy and getting warm.

 

[littlespark]

Which brings me to the point of using the highest mcb rating you can to reduce the bi-metal strip bending consuming energy and getting warm.

You should size your mcb to the correct one to protect the circuit, or am I missing your point?


Let’s say a standard new board with maybe 10 rcbo’s (not thinking AFDD yet) Nothing extreme load like a weed farm, but normal…. How much heat generated? How much power consumption? And would say a half module blank between each one would help?

 

[John-SJW]

You should size your mcb to the correct one to protect the circuit, or am I missing your point?


Let’s say a standard new board with maybe 10 rcbo’s (not thinking AFDD yet) Nothing extreme load like a weed farm, but normal…. How much heat generated? How much power consumption? And would say a half module blank between each one would help?

A 1.00mm LED lighting circuit can use a 3A MCB, as the current draw will not get near to 3A. My LED lighting circuit draws 1.3 A max - I used an amp clamp with all lights on. Using a 6A mcb would reduce the possibility of a warmish MCB/RCBO and still protect the cable, one of its two prime functions. I always try to fit MCB/RCBO/fuses as low a value as possible, to give added protection in fault conditions on connected appliances.

The specs for MCB and RCBO energy consumption were posted by Aron B. Good idea, I did think of spacing out RCBOs to dissipate heat, if there is enough space in the CU. Unfortunately I have no surplus ways.

 

[Aaron b]

The specs for MCB and RCBO energy consumption were posted by Aron B. Good idea, I did think of spacing out RCBOs to dissipate heat, if there is enough space in the CU. Unfortunately I have no surplus ways.

It would just be the mcb dissipating the heat better. The heat will still be produced. You might be thankful for a bit of heat next month...

 

[John-SJW]

I heard about people using bitcoin mining rigs as a source of heating. I'm not sure about now

It would just be the mcb dissipating the heat better. The heat will still be produced. You might be thankful for a bit of heat next month...

Heat I have purchased . But heat when I do not need heat.

 

[ipf]

Blimey! Reading this thread is worrying.
With the current economic problems, it'll cost more for a week's increase in grocery prices than a year of this craP.

 

[mainline]

You should size your mcb to the correct one to protect the circuit, or am I missing your point?


Let’s say a standard new board with maybe 10 rcbo’s (not thinking AFDD yet) Nothing extreme load like a weed farm, but normal…. How much heat generated? How much power consumption? And would say a half module blank between each one would help?

I've no doubt that blanks may help to dissipate some heat, but I don't think I will be fitting a CU with twice the ways just to get some space between them, I shall stick to what I've been doing for years with no problems.

And as for sizing, I shall stick to Regulation 433.1.1

 

[mainline]

Heat I have purchased . But heat when I do not need heat.

If it's a concern, oversize all the cables.

Edit: oh I forgot you won't do that, as in another thread you argue for smaller ones.

 

[John-SJW]

If it's a concern, oversize all the cables.

Edit: oh I forgot you won't do that, as in another thread you argue for smaller ones.

Oversize cables? Another one who does not get it.

 

[Avo Mk8]

Do RCBOs still consume electricity when switched off?

I suspect I may regret this, but I will attemt to answer your original question..

From a scan of published block schematics of RCBO's, and John Wards teardown of a compact Hager (below), power for the electronics appears to come from 'switched live' - ie is disconnected when breaker 'off'.
My conclusion is that the answer to your question is "no".

I want to know how they work.

Might help if you have 21 minutes to spare! (the viewers comments are also useful)

 

[John-SJW]

I suspect I may regret this, but I will attemt to answer your original question..

From a scan of published block schematics of RCBO's, and John Wards teardown of a compact Hager (below), power for the electronics appears to come from 'switched live' - ie is disconnected when breaker 'off'.
My conclusion is that the answer to your question is "no".

I want to know how they work.

Might help if you have the time!

I did conclude that. I also did post the same John Ward vid.

Great vid by John Ward. Big Clive tears a Hager down that had fried. Worth looking at.

 

[Avo Mk8]

I did conclude that. I also did post the same John Ward vid.

Great vid by John Ward. Big Clive tears a Hager down that had fried. Worth looking at.

Sorry missed that