The difference between electronic and electromagnetic RCBO

What is an Electronic RCBO or  Electromagnetic RCBO?

Electronic RCBO :

• Residual current operated circuit breaker (RCBO) has the function of overload and short circuit protection, isolation and current protection, i.e., besides the protection function of Miniature Circuit Breaker, it can also serve as additional protection for direct or indirect or protective measures for electric fire. It is especially suited for places with low safety level, such as bathroom, swimming pool, plug socket or transformer.
  The main benefits include that of the breaking capacity  is up to 10kA; The shell and other plastic parts are made of high flame retardant, high temperature resistant and impact resistant plastic; Installation guide rail and size modularization; The dynamic test device makes the button more flexible and reliable; The Rated impulse withstand voltage(1.2/50) Uimp is up to 6kV.

Electromagnetic RCBO:

• Function: Also detects and interrupts electrical faults, but uses a different principle.
• Components: Mechanical parts made of high magnetic permeability materials, permanent magnet steel, and other metals.
• Operation: A magnetic field is generated when a leakage current flows. This magnetic field interacts with a mechanical mechanism, causing it to trip and break the circuit

The difference between electronic and electromagnetic RCBO

The operating energy of electronic RCBO and electromagnetic RCBO is different: 

Electronic RCBO:
when the ground fault occurs, the electronic RCBO uses the electric energy provided by the fault residual voltage of the power supply voltage at the RCBO terminal to operate. 

The electronic RCBO needs an auxiliary power supply, which comes from the outlet end of the leakage circuit breaker (the side of the electrical equipment), and is related to the working voltage of the line. If the voltage is too low, a leakage current is generated in the line and reaches the switch Leakage current operating value, the switch will not operate.

Electromagnetic RCBO:
When the residual voltage is too low, the energy is insufficient, and it will the electromagnetic RCBO is operated by the electric energy provided by the fault current of the RCBO, and the dangerous fault current can act regardless of the fault residual voltage of the power supply voltage.

Generally speaking, the electromagnetic RCBO does not need auxiliary power supply, there is no circuit board component in it, and it has nothing to do with the operating voltage of the switch. As long as the leakage current generated by the circuit reaches the electromagnetic leakage current, the leakage circuit breaker will act to cut off the back power supply and protect personal safety. 

That is to say, the electronic RCBO can only act when the residual voltage of the power failure is high enough. Therefore, in some cases, the electronic RCBO is not as reliable as the electromagnetic RCBO. Electromagnetic RCBO are mostly used in European countries, and some developed countries, such as the United States and Japan, use electronic RCBO more.