Electrical protection: circuit breakers, RCDs and surge protection

Protection, control and metering for low-voltage distribution boards

Electrical protection devices respond to abnormal circuit conditions such as overloads, short circuits, residual currents or overvoltages. Each function requires a suitable device. Solera brings together these protection products with control equipment, meters and accessories for residential, commercial and industrial distribution boards.

The Solera range

• S24 miniature circuit breakers: overload and short-circuit protection, with 6 kA and 10 kA ranges.
• S24 RCDs: types AC, A and B, high-immunity versions and versions with automatic reclosing. Selection depends on the load and required protection.
• Surge protection devices and combined protection: products for specific protection functions; check exactly which functions each reference provides.
• Motor protection circuit breakers, modular contactors and time switches: motor protection, switching and scheduling, respectively.
• Meters, coils, fuse holders, pushbuttons, switches and comb busbars: metering, auxiliary functions and board equipment according to the product.

How to select electrical protection

Identify the required function, supply characteristics and load first. Compare rated voltage, rated current, poles and dimensions. For circuit breakers, check the tripping curve and breaking capacity; for RCDs, the type and rated residual operating current; for surge protection, the protection type and connection requirements. Also check device coordination, terminals, accessories and available space. Refer to each product’s technical data and documentation for ratings, standards and certificates.

Enclosures, equipped boards and documentation

To house the devices, consult electrical distribution board enclosures and check modular capacity, wiring space and product-specific thermal conditions. Enclosure selection and protection coordination are parts of the same project.

For an equipped supply, you can request a quote for a special assembly. For solar installations, use the photovoltaic board configurator with the project parameters; do not assume every device in this category is suitable for direct current.

Check your selection against Solera protection device technical documentation and the product reference sheets. Confirm included functions, ratings and mounting conditions before completing the board.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a circuit breaker and an RCD?

A miniature circuit breaker protects against overloads and short circuits. An RCD responds to residual currents. An RCD without overcurrent protection requires suitable overcurrent protection; a combined device can integrate both functions where its data sheet specifies this.

Does a circuit breaker also provide surge protection?

Overload and short-circuit protection alone does not provide surge protection. Use a dedicated protection device or a combined product explicitly specified for that function.

Can any RCD be used with any load?

No. The RCD type must suit the residual currents the load may generate. High-immunity and automatic-reclosing versions have specific characteristics; check their data sheets and operating conditions.

Do contactors and time switches replace circuit protection?

No. Contactors switch loads and time switches schedule operation. The circuit still requires protection appropriate to the anticipated faults.

How can I check compatibility with my distribution board?

Check dimensions, mounting, electrical ratings, terminals and permitted accessories for each product reference. A modular format does not guarantee compatibility with every busbar, coil or accessory.