(RCD/RCBO/MCB)
What is switchgear?⚡
Every electrical circuit in the house requires "circuit protection" which will protect the circuit from pulling too much current and overheating, as well as protecting people from electric shock. These devices are collectively known as "switchgear".
Switchgear will be found in the consumer unit, otherwise known as a Fusebox, Distribution board or Switchboard.
For an EV charger it will come in one of two forms:
RCD (Residual Current Device) AND a separate MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)
RCD (Residual Current Device)
- Will be a double width device
- Will always have a test button
MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)
- Does not have a test button
- Will be a single width device
-
Will have a letter (B or C) before the current rating
Sample MCBs
RCBO (Residual Current Device with Overcurrent Protection
- An RCBO will always have a test button, just like an RCD
- You can tell an RCBO from an RCD because an RCBO will have a letter (B or C) before the current rating
- RCBO can be single or double width
- Examples of an RCBO are as below:
Sample RCBO's
Indra Switchgear Recommendations💡
We recommend the use of a C40 overcurrent protection device to minimise the chance on nuisance tripping.
A 32A device can be used, but it may fail sooner because it operates at its limit for long periods.
Identifying which switchgear supplies the EV charger🔍
- The installer should have shown you where the charger consumer unit is/which switchgear controls the charger.
- Check your consumer unit for labels like “EV”, “EV Charger”, “Car Charger” or a car symbol.
- EV chargers are often fed from a separate consumer unit near the main fuse.
-
Follow the supply cable from the charger to the consumer unit.
EV Consumer Unit Example
Testing the Switchgear