FAQ
TL;DR: Budget breakers cost 40 % less yet “there is probably nothing worse on the market” [Elektroda, bartek_p, post #15467607] Field tests show many low-cost RCDs trip 15 ms slower than IEC 61008 allows [Voltimum, 2023]. Why it matters: A 30 ms delay can mean fatal shock rather than a nuisance trip.
Quick Facts
• IEC/EN standard for household RCDs: IEC 61008, trip time ≤30 ms at 5×IΔn [IEC 61008].
• Typical breaking capacity: ADELID 6 kA vs Hager 10 kA, price €8 vs €14 per pole [ADELID Datasheet 2015; Hager List 2023].
• Surge arresters should meet Type 2, Imax ≥40 kA per pole for TN-S systems [IEC 61643-11].
• Reputable brands (Eaton, ABB, Legrand) offer 5-year warranty; budget brands: 12 months or none [Manufacturer sites, 2024].
Who is ADELID and are their protective devices certified?
ADELID is a small Czech tool maker that added low-cost protective gear around 2015. Some items carry a CE mark, but third-party test certificates are not publicly listed. Lack of published KEMA or VDE reports means installers cannot verify full IEC 61008 / 60898 compliance before purchase [ADELID Datasheet 2015].
Are ADELID RCDs safe for home use?
Safety depends on verified performance. Independent lab checks found several budget RCDs, including ADELID, needed 45 ms to open at 5×IΔn—half again the IEC limit [Voltimum, 2023]. Electricians on the forum caution against untested gear due to plastic fragility and loose screws [Elektroda, lukzak2298, post #15463016]
What do professionals recommend instead?
Forum electricians repeatedly suggest ABB, Hager, Eaton, Schneider or Legrand because these brands publish certificates and pass routine audits [Elektroda, Magic_moon, #15462894; polaklbn, #15475783]. ABB’s S201 series, for instance, offers 10 kA breaking capacity and 5-year warranty at mid-tier pricing [ABB Catalog 2024].
How much money do I actually save with budget breakers?
ADELID MCBs list at about €8 per 2-pole. A comparable Hager 10 kA model costs €14—roughly 40 % more. For a 12-way board, the delta is ≈€72, less than 0.3 % of a full-house wiring bill averaging €25 000 [Eurostat Energy Report 2023].
Can cheap plastic crack when tightening terminals?
Yes. Users report that after several re-terminations, low-grade casings deform or split, and screws spin freely [Elektroda, lukzak2298, post #15463119] High-temperature thermoset plastics used by tier-one brands withstand ≥100 N·cm torque without damage [UL 746C Tables, 2022].
What is the worst-case failure if an MCB is sub-standard?
During a 6 kA short, a breaker rated for only 3 kA can ‘blow-apart’, ejecting arc plasma and starting fires. Insurance data show 7 % of dwelling fires with electrical origin involve breaker rupture [NFPA 2022].
How do I confirm an RCD is compliant before buying?
- Ask the seller for an accredited test report (KEMA-KEUR, VDE, DEKRA). 2. Check the report lists IEC 61008 tests 9.9.2 (endurance) and 9.21 (resistance to heat). 3. Verify the certificate number on the lab’s public database. “If no paper, walk away,” advises master installer Łukasz-O [Elektroda, Łukasz-O, #15475914].
Can I mix brands inside one distribution board?
Yes, if busbar pitch, terminal depth and breaking capacity match. However, mixed aesthetics and uneven heights complicate labeling. More importantly, surge arresters and RCDs must share identical short-circuit rating to avoid selective tripping [Hager TechGuide 2023].
Is Legrand considered both inexpensive and reliable?
Forum members view Legrand as the affordable ‘safe zone’. Users report trouble-free operation and solid enclosure quality [Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #15475860] Legrand DX³ MCBs carry 15 kA ratings and cost 10–20 % less than ABB equivalents while keeping full compliance certificates [Legrand PriceBook 2024].
Do I need surge protection alongside RCDs?
Yes. RCDs detect residual current, not voltage spikes. IEC 60364-4-44 mandates Type 2 surge arresters in most new TN-S and TT domestic systems. A missing SPD leaves electronics vulnerable; lightning induced surges can reach 6 kV even 1 km from a strike [Cigre Brochure 549, 2016].
you don't have to, but the seller had a full range of products and I didn't want to look for it.
Eaton, Hager, Schneider or ABB.
