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Protection Devices for Consumer Units
Explore a wide range of protection devices to support safe and reliable operation of your consumer units and electrical installations. Find options for new installations, upgrades and replacements across domestic, commercial and industrial projects.
Types of Protection Devices
Browse the main protection device types to quickly locate the components needed for your board layout and circuit design. Each category segment focuses on a different aspect of control, isolation or fault protection within an electrical system.
- 3 Phase Circuit Breakers: Provides protection and control for three phase circuits in more demanding applications.
- AFDD - Arc Fault Detection Devices: Offers advanced protection focused on detecting specific fault conditions within electrical circuits.
- Blanks: Used to cover spare ways in consumer units to maintain a neat and enclosed board.
- Contactors & Timers: Supports automatic control of circuits based on load switching or time settings.
- Main Switches: Provides a clear means of isolating the entire consumer unit or distribution board from the supply.
- MCBs: Used to protect individual circuits by interrupting the supply under overcurrent conditions.
- MCCBs: Offers robust circuit protection for higher capacity or more complex installations.
- RCBOs: Combines multiple protective functions in a single device to help streamline board layouts.
- RCCBs: Provides residual current protection across one or more circuits within a distribution board.
- RCDs: Used to provide residual current protection to enhance safety in electrical installations.
- Surge Protection Devices: Helps manage transient overvoltage events on electrical systems and connected equipment.
- Bell Transformers: Used to supply doorbells and chimes with an appropriate low-voltage output from the mains.
Product Types and Ranges for Protection Devices
This table groups key protection device types with commonly available ranges and brand-backed options. Use it to compare the main product families for coordination with existing installations or new projects.
| Type | Popular Product Ranges | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| MCBs | Eaton Memshield 2 MK Sentry Wylex NH SP Sentry |
|
| RCBOs | Hager ADC Click Elucian Fusebox Mini Wylex NH Schneider Acti9 |
|
| AFDD - Arc Fault Detection Devices | Click Elucian Fusebox Mini Eaton xPole AFDD+ MK Sentry Greenbrook |
|
| 3 Phase Circuit Breakers | Eaton MEM |
|
| MCCBs | Schneider Electric Powerpact 4 Eaton Memshield 3 Schneider Powerpact 4 MCCB TP |
|
| RCDs | Click Elucian Robus Commodore Wylex Lifeline Eaton Memshield 2 MK Sentry |
|
| Contactors & Timers | Eaton Memshield 3 BN Thermic Sangamo |
|
Trusted Brands in Protection Devices
Choose from a wide selection of established manufacturers for circuit protection, surge protection and control gear. Explore options to match your consumer units, commercial boards and wider electrical installations.
- BG Electrical: Provides consumer unit accessories and surge protection components that integrate with domestic and commercial boards, helping electricians complete new installations or upgrade existing protection arrangements efficiently.
- BN Thermic: Delivers contactors and control products used alongside protection devices, supporting heating and load-control applications in plant rooms, commercial premises and specialist electrical projects.
- Click: Offers main switches, MCBs, RCBOs, AFDDs, RCDs and surge devices, giving installers coordinated protection and control options for modern domestic and light commercial consumer units.
- Eaton: Covers a broad range of MCCBs, MCBs, RCCBs, RCBOs, surge kits and contactors, widely used in Memshield boards and distribution systems across industrial, commercial and larger residential projects.
- Europa Components: Supplies enclosed MCCBs and related protective assemblies, giving contractors options for higher current, panelboard incomers and standalone protection in plant, workshop and distribution environments.
- Fusebox: Provides MCBs, RCBOs, AFDDs, RCDs, surge kits, bell transformers, blanks and contactors designed to complement its consumer units across domestic upgrades, extensions and small commercial installations.
- Garo Electric Ltd: Offers RCBOs and contactors that integrate with distribution equipment, helping manage final circuit protection, load control and specialist applications in residential and commercial settings.
- Greenbrook: Includes AFDD RCBOs, RCDs, MCBs, surge kits and accessories such as blanks and busbar components, supporting full board builds and consumer unit upgrades for a variety of installations.
- Hager: Covers AFDDs, MCBs, RCBOs, RCCBs, surge protection kits, incomer assemblies and blanks, commonly specified in residential, commercial and industrial distribution boards and consumer units.
- Knightsbridge: Provides RCD fused connection units and protection accessories that coordinate with wiring accessories, supporting safer connection points for appliances and fixed equipment indoors.
- Lewden: Supplies AFDDs, MCBs, RCBOs, RCCBs, surge protection kits, DIN blanks and accessories, frequently used in garage units, domestic boards and commercial distribution assemblies.
- MK: Offers AFDDs, MCBs, RCBOs and blanking plates within a coordinated modular system, helping electricians match protection devices to Sentry consumer units and distribution equipment.
- Sangamo: Provides DIN-rail time switches that sit alongside protection devices in consumer units and control panels, assisting with timed operation of lighting, heating and other loads.
- Schneider Electric: Delivers MCBs, RCBOs, AFDDs, contactors and MCCBs for Acti9 and Powerpact systems, often used in panelboards, distribution boards and control assemblies across commercial and industrial sites.
- Wylex: Includes MCBs, RCBOs, RCDs, surge devices, locking accessories and blanks to complement consumer units and distribution boards for residential refurbishments and commercial installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an MCB and an RCBO?
An MCB protects against overcurrent and short circuits only. An RCBO combines MCB functions with residual current protection, helping to disconnect the circuit under earth fault conditions as well.
When should I use an RCD or RCCB in an installation?
Use RCD or RCCB devices where additional protection against electric shock or earth leakage is required, such as socket circuits, outdoor supplies and circuits in locations with increased shock risk.
What does the B, C or D curve on an MCB mean?
The curve describes how quickly the device trips under fault conditions. B curve devices trip more quickly on lower fault currents than C or D, which are generally used for higher inrush or motor loads.
What are AFDDs and why are they used?
AFDDs, or arc fault detection devices, are designed to detect certain types of arcing faults on wiring and disconnect the circuit. They are used to provide enhanced protection in designated applications.
Do surge protection devices need to be installed in all consumer units?
No, surge protection is not always mandatory. A risk assessment should be carried out to decide if protection is required to help safeguard equipment and reduce the effects of transient overvoltages.
Can I mix different types of protection devices in the same consumer unit?
Yes, it is common to use a mix of MCBs, RCBOs, RCDs and surge devices, provided they are compatible with the consumer unit and installed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
How do I choose the correct rating for an MCB or RCBO?
Select the rating based on the design current of the circuit, cable size, installation method and protective device characteristics, following the guidance in the applicable wiring regulations.
What is the purpose of blank modules and shields in distribution boards?
Blank modules and shields are used to safely cover unused ways and busbars in consumer units or panelboards, helping to maintain enclosure integrity and reduce exposure to live parts.
Why are some devices described as Type A, Type B or Type F RCDs?
The type refers to the kind of residual current waveform the device is designed to detect. Different types are used to coordinate with loads that generate various AC or pulsating DC residual currents.
Should protection devices be tested regularly after installation?
Yes, periodic testing using the appropriate instruments and test buttons is recommended to confirm that protection devices operate correctly and to support ongoing electrical safety checks.
Need help choosing protection devices?
If you are unsure which MCBs, RCBOs, RCDs or surge protection options you need for your installation, our knowledgeable team can help. Call us on 01424 220384 for guidance on selecting the most appropriate products for your project.