Consumer & Light Commercial
Consumer & Light Commercial
Low Voltage Distribution Equipment
Our range of low-voltage distribution equipment for residential and light commercial installations, including metalclad consumer units, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), residual current devices (RCDs), RCBOs and associated installation components.
The products are designed and tested in accordance with BS EN standards, which are the United Kingdom’s implementation of the harmonised European EN standards adopted across the European Union and Croatia as HRN EN standards. As a result, the equipment aligns with the same core technical requirements applied within European electrical installations.
Relevant standards include EN 61439-3 (HRN EN 61439-3) for low-voltage distribution boards and EN 60898-1 (HRN EN 60898-1) for miniature circuit breakers used in residential and similar applications.
The range is suitable for modern electrical systems including installations incorporating electric vehicle charging, photovoltaic systems, battery storage and other high-demand electrical loads, providing reliable circuit protection and practical distribution solutions for contemporary buildings.
Standards & Technical Terminology
(Applicable to the Proteus Residential Distribution Range)
Consumer Unit
UK term for a low-voltage residential distribution board used to distribute electrical power within a building while providing circuit protection. In European terminology this corresponds to a distribution board for household installations as defined in EN 61439-3 (HRN EN 61439-3) .
Metalclad Consumer Unit
A distribution board with a metal enclosure, designed to provide enhanced fire containment and mechanical protection in accordance with modern electrical installation practices.
MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker
A protective device designed to automatically disconnect a circuit in the event of overload or short circuit.
Manufactured in accordance with EN 60898-1 (HRN EN 60898-1).
RCD – Residual Current Device
A device that disconnects the electrical supply when a residual current (earth leakage) is detected, providing protection against electric shock.
Manufactured in accordance with EN 61008-1 (HRN EN 61008-1).
RCBO – Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection
A device combining the functions of an MCB and an RCD, providing protection against overload, short circuit and earth leakage within a single device.
Manufactured in accordance with EN 61009-1 (HRN EN 61009-1).
SPD – Surge Protective Device
A protective device designed to protect electrical installations from transient overvoltages caused by lightning or switching events.
Manufactured in accordance with EN 61643-11 (HRN EN 61643-11).
AFDD – Arc Fault Detection Device
A device designed to detect dangerous electrical arc faults in circuits which may lead to fire, and automatically disconnect the supply when such faults are detected.
Manufactured in accordance with EN 62606 (HRN EN 62606).
BS EN Standards
British adoption of European EN standards. Products manufactured to BS EN standards follow the same technical requirements as EN standards used throughout the European Union.
HRN EN Standards
Croatian national adoption of European EN standards, published by the Croatian Standards Institute (HZN). These standards are technically identical to EN standards.
EN 61439-3 (HRN EN 61439-3)
European standard covering low-voltage switchgear assemblies and distribution boards for residential installations, including requirements for safety, temperature rise, mechanical strength and short-circuit withstand capability.
| UK Term (Used in Catalogue) | European / Croatian Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Unit | Distribution Board (DB) | Low-voltage electrical distribution assembly used in residential installations, incorporating protective devices such as MCBs, RCDs or RCBOs. |
| Metalclad Consumer Unit | Metal Distribution Board | Distribution board with a metal enclosure providing enhanced fire containment and mechanical protection. |
| MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker | MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker | Protective device designed to disconnect a circuit in the event of overload or short circuit. |
| RCD – Residual Current Device | RCD – Residual Current Device | Device designed to disconnect power when earth leakage current is detected, providing protection against electric shock. |
| RCBO | RCBO | Combined protective device providing both residual current protection and overcurrent protection. |
| SPD – Surge Protective Device | SPD – Surge Protective Device | Device protecting electrical installations from transient overvoltage caused by lightning or switching events. |
| AFDD – Arc Fault Detection Device | AFDD – Arc Fault Detection Device | Device designed to detect dangerous electrical arc faults and disconnect the circuit to reduce fire risk. |
| BS EN Standards | EN Standards / HRN EN Standards | British adoption of harmonised European standards. In Croatia these standards are published as HRN EN standards by the Croatian Standards Institute. |
| BS 7671 Wiring Regulations | IEC 60364 / HD 60364 / HRN HD 60364 | National electrical installation standards based on the IEC framework used across Europe. |