IEC 61009-2-1:2024

Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (RCBOs) - Part 2-1: RCBOs according to classification 4.1.1

IEC 61009-2-1:2024 applies to residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses (hereafter referred to as RCBOs), classified according to IEC 61009-1:2024, 4.1.1. RCBOs according to this document are intended for voltages not exceeding 440 V AC with frequencies of 50 Hz, 60 Hz or 50/60 Hz and currents not exceeding 125 A and rated short‑circuit capacities not exceeding 25 000 A for operation at 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1991. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) harmonization of all clauses between the IEC 61008, IEC 61009 and IEC 60755 series using blocks and modules approach;
b) harmonization of all tables and figures between the IEC 61008, IEC 61009 and IEC 60755 series;
c) terms and definitions are now referred to IEC 62873-2;
d) modification of Subclause 4.1 for classification according to supply conditions;
e) specific tests for operating characteristics (9.9) of RCBO according to classification 4.1.1;
f) specific test conditions for temperature-rise (9.8), verification of trip-free (9.15), surge current tests (9.19), reliability (9.20) and ageing (9.21).

Interrupteurs automatiques à courant différentiel résiduel avec dispositif de protection contre les surintensités incorporé pour usages domestiques et analogues (DD) - Partie 2-1: DD conformes à la classification en 4.1.1

L'IEC 61009-2-1:2024 s'applique aux interrupteurs automatiques à courant différentiel résiduel avec dispositif de protection contre les surintensités incorporé pour usages domestiques et analogues (ci-après appelés DD), classés conformément au 4.1.1 de l'IEC 61009-1:2024. Les DD conformes à ce document sont conçus pour des tensions inférieures ou égales à 440 V en courant alternatif avec une fréquence de 50 Hz, 60 Hz ou 50/60 Hz, des courants inférieurs ou égaux à 125 A et des pouvoirs de fermeture et de coupure en court‑circuit inférieurs ou égaux à 25 000 A pour un fonctionnement à 50 Hz ou 60 Hz.
Le présent document s'applique conjointement avec l'IEC 61009-1:2024. Il spécifie les exigences, les essais et les séquences d'essais destinés à vérifier la conformité et est utilisé à des fins de certification.
Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 1991. Cette édition constitue une révision technique.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) harmonisation de tous les articles entre les séries IEC 61008, IEC 61009 et IEC 60755 par une approche fondée sur les blocs et les modules;
b) harmonisation de tous les tableaux et de toutes les figures entre les séries IEC 61008, IEC 61009 et IEC 60755;
c) les termes et définitions renvoient désormais à l'IEC 62873-2;
d) modification du 4.1 relatif à la classification selon les conditions d'alimentation;
e) essais spécifiques pour les caractéristiques de fonctionnement (9.9) des DD conformes à la classification en 4.1.1;
f) conditions d'essai spécifiques pour l'échauffement (9.8), vérification du déclenchement libre (9.15), essais de courant de choc (9.19), fiabilité (9.20) et vieillissement (9.21).
La présente version bilingue (2025-08) correspond à la version anglaise monolingue publiée en 2024-11.
La version française de cet amendement n'a pas été soumise au vote.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Nov-2024
• ICS: 29.120.50 - Fuses and other overcurrent protection devices
• Technical Committee: SC 23E - Circuit-breakers and similar equipment for household use
• Drafting Committee: WG 2 - TC 23/SC 23E/WG 2
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 21-Nov-2024
• Completion Date: 06-Dec-2024

Overview

IEC 61009-2-1:2024 is the 2nd edition international standard that specifies requirements and test procedures for residual current operated circuit‑breakers with integral overcurrent protection (RCBOs) classified under IEC 61009-1:2024, clause 4.1.1. It applies to RCBOs for household and similar uses for AC voltages up to 440 V, frequencies 50 Hz / 60 Hz / 50/60 Hz, rated currents up to 125 A, and rated short‑circuit capacities up to 25 000 A. This edition replaces the 1991 edition and constitutes a technical revision.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope & Classification
  • Defines RCBO behaviour according to supply conditions (classification 4.1.1): operation on residual current across the voltage range (up to 1.1 U to 0 V) with any number of supply conductors connected; RCBOs do not open automatically on loss of supply.
• Harmonization
  • Alignment of clauses, tables and figures with IEC 61008, IEC 61009 and IEC 60755 using a blocks-and-modules approach.
• Terminology
  • Terms and definitions referenced from IEC 62873-2.
• Construction & Marking
  • Requirements for construction, installation information and product marking are used in conjunction with IEC 61009-1:2024.
• Test Regime
  • Detailed tests for: operating characteristics (9.9), temperature‑rise (9.8), verification of trip‑free mechanism (9.15), surge current tests (9.19), reliability (9.20) and ageing (9.21).
  • Test sequences and sample numbers for certification are given in Annex A; routine tests (e.g., dielectric strength) are in Annex D.
  • Test specifics: residual-current tests applied to one pole with five measurements; ambient test temperature normally 20 °C ±5 °C; for multi-frequency RCBOs tests at lowest and highest frequencies unless otherwise specified.
• Test Circuits
  • Includes standard test circuits (Figures 2–4) for operating characteristic verification and tests involving pulsating or smooth DC components.

Applications and Who Uses It

• Manufacturers of RCBOs for design verification, type‑testing and product certification.
• Certification and testing laboratories performing conformity assessment to IEC requirements.
• Electrical specifiers, designers and contractors selecting RCBOs for household and similar installations.
• Regulators and compliance bodies referencing the standard for safety approvals and market surveillance.

Related Standards

• IEC 61009-1:2024 (Part 1: General rules) - to be used together with this document
• IEC 61008, IEC 60755 series - harmonized content
• IEC 61543:2022 - EMC for RCDs
• IEC 62873-2 - vocabulary for residual current devices

Keywords: IEC 61009-2-1:2024, RCBOs, residual current operated circuit-breaker, overcurrent protection, testing, temperature-rise, trip-free, surge current, household electrical safety.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61009-2-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2024-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection
for household and similar uses (RCBOs) –
Part 2-1: RCBOs according to classification 4.1.1

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IEC 61009-2-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2024-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection

for household and similar uses (RCBOs) –

Part 2-1: RCBOs according to classification 4.1.1

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.120.50  ISBN 978-2-8327-0012-9

– 2 – IEC 61009-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Classification . 6
4.1 According to the supply conditions . 6
5 Characteristics of RCBOs . 6
6 Marking and other product information . 6
7 Standard conditions for operation in service and for installation . 6
8 Requirements for construction and operation . 6
9 Tests . 6
9.1 General . 6
Annex A (normative) Test sequence and number of samples to be submitted for
certification purposes . 15
A.1 Test sequences . 15
A.2 Number of samples to be submitted for full test procedure . 16
A.3 Number of samples to be submitted for simplified test procedures if
submitting simultaneously a range of RCBOs of the same fundamental
design . 17
Annex D (normative) Routine tests . 21
D.3 Dielectric strength test . 21
Bibliography . 22

Figure 2 – Test circuit for the verification of operating characteristics and trip-free
mechanism for RCBOs classified according to 4.1.1 . 12
Figure 3 – Test circuit for the verification of the correct operation in case of residual
pulsating direct currents for RCBOs classified according to 4.1.1 . 13
Figure 4 – Test circuit for the verification of the correct operation in case of residual
pulsating direct currents in the presence of a standing smooth direct current of 0,006 A
for RCBOs classified according to 4.1.1 . 14

Table A.1 – Test sequences . 15
Table A.2 – Number of samples for full test procedure . 17
Table A.3 – Number of samples for simplified test procedure . 18
Table A.4 – Test sequences for RCBOs having different instantaneous tripping
currents . 20
Table A.5 – Test sequences for RCBOs of different classification according to
IEC 61009-1:2024, 4.3 . 20

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
RESIDUAL CURRENT OPERATED CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
WITH INTEGRAL OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR USES (RCBOs) –

Part 2-1: RCBOs according to classification 4.1.1

FOREWORD
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shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 61009-2-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 23E: Circuit-breakers and similar
equipment for household use, of IEC technical committee 23: Electrical accessories. It is an
International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1991. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) harmonization of all clauses between the IEC 61008, IEC 61009 and IEC 60755 series using
blocks and modules approach;
– 4 – IEC 61009-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
b) harmonization of all tables and figures between the IEC 61008, IEC 61009 and IEC 60755
series;
c) terms and definitions are now referred to IEC 62873-2;
d) modification of Subclause 4.1 for classification according to supply conditions;
e) specific tests for operating characteristics (9.9) of RCBO according to classification 4.1.1;
f) specific test conditions for temperature-rise (9.8), verification of trip-free (9.15), surge
current tests (9.19), reliability (9.20) and ageing (9.21).
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
23E/1371/FDIS 23E/1389/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 61009-1:2024.
Where this document states "addition", "deletion" or "replacement", the corresponding
requirement, test specification or explanatory material in IEC 61009-1:2024 is adapted
accordingly.
Where this document defines a new subclause, this subclause number starts at 100 (for
example an additional definition in this document would read 3.100).
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61009 series, published under the general title Residual current
operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses
(RCBOs), can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
RESIDUAL CURRENT OPERATED CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
WITH INTEGRAL OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR USES (RCBOs) –

Part 2-1: RCBOs according to classification 4.1.1

1 Scope
IEC 61009-1:2024, Clause 1 is applicable except for the first paragraph and the last paragraph,
which are replaced by the following, respectively:
This document applies to residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent
protection for household and similar uses (hereafter referred to as RCBOs), classified according
to IEC 61009-1:2024, 4.1.1. RCBOs according to this document are intended for voltages not
exceeding 440 V AC with frequencies of 50 Hz, 60 Hz or 50/60 Hz and currents not exceeding
125 A and rated short-circuit capacities not exceeding 25 000 A for operation at 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
This document applies in conjunction with IEC 61009-1:2024. It specifies requirements, tests
and test sequences to verify compliance and is used for certification purposes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 61009-1:2024, Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent
protection for household and similar uses (RCBOs) – Part 1: General rules
IEC 61543:2022, Residual current-operated protective devices (RCDs) for household and
similar use – Electromagnetic compatibility
IEC 62873-2, Residual current operated circuit-breakers for household and similar use – Part 2:
Residual current devices (RCDs) – Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 62873-2 and in
IEC 61009-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp

– 6 – IEC 61009-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
4 Classification
IEC 61009-1:2024, Clause 4 applies with the following modifications (deletion of 4.1.2, 4.1.3,
4.1.4, 4.1.5, and 4.1.6):
4.1 According to the supply conditions
4.1.1 RCBO operating correctly on the occurrence of residual current
– within the voltage range 1,1 U and zero volt; and
e
– with any number of supply conductors connected.
The RCBO does not open automatically in the event of loss of supply.
5 Characteristics of RCBOs
IEC 61009-1:2024, Clause 5 applies.
6 Marking and other product information
IEC 61009-1:2024, Clause 6 applies.
7 Standard conditions for operation in service and for installation
IEC 61009-1:2024, Clause 7 applies.
8 Requirements for construction and operation
IEC 61009-1:2024, Clause 8 applies.
9 Tests
IEC 61009-1:2024, Clause 9 applies with following modifications.
9.1 General
IEC 61009-1:2024, 9.1 applies with the following modification:
Replace the third paragraph with:
The test sequences and the number of samples to be submitted are stated in Annex A.
9.8 Test of temperature-rise
9.8.2 Test procedure
IEC 61009-1:2024, 9.8.2 applies with the following addition:
The test is performed at any convenient voltage.

9.9 Verification of the operating characteristics
9.9.1 Verification of the operating characteristics under residual current conditions
9.9.1.1 Test circuit and test procedure
The RCBO is installed as for normal use.
The test circuit shall be of negligible inductance. For tests according to 9.9.1.2, the test circuit
shall correspond to Figure 2. For tests according to 9.9.1.3, the test circuit shall correspond to
Figure 3 or Figure 4, as applicable.
The instruments for the measurement of the residual current shall display (or allow to determine)
the true RMS value.
Unless otherwise specified in this document, the tests are performed with no load at the ambient
air temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C.
The RCBO shall perform the tests of 9.9.1.2 and 9.9.1.3, as applicable.
Each test is performed by applying the residual current to one pole only, taken at random, with
five measurements, unless otherwise specified in this document. The other poles shall not be
connected to the supply, unless otherwise specified in this document.
For RCBOs having more than one rated frequency, the tests shall be carried out at the lowest
and highest frequency, except for the test in 9.9.1.2.5 where verification is performed at one
frequency only.
For RCBOs having multiple settings of residual operating current, the tests shall be carried out
for each setting.
9.9.1.2 Tests for all RCBOs
9.9.1.2.1 Verification of correct operation in the case of a steady increase of the
residual current
The switch S and the RCBO being in the closed position, the residual current is steadily
increased, starting from a value not higher than 0,2 I , trying to attain the value of I within
Δn Δn
30 s. The test shall be performed five times, the tripping current being measured each time.
All five measured values shall be situated between I and I .
Δno Δn
9.9.1.2.2 Verification of correct operation on closing on a residual current
The test circuit being calibrated at the value of the rated residual operating current I and the
Δn
switch S being closed, the RCBO is closed to simulate service conditions as closely as
possible.
The break time is measured five times. No measurement shall exceed the limiting value
specified for I in IEC 61009-1:2024, Table 11, according to the type of RCBO.
Δn
– 8 – IEC 61009-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
9.9.1.2.3 Verification of correct operation in the case of sudden appearance of
residual current
1) All types
The test circuit being successively calibrated at each of the values of residual current
specified in IEC 61009-1:2024, Table 11, the RCBO being in the closed position, the test
current is suddenly established by closing the switch S .
The RCBO shall trip during each test.
Five measurements of the break time are carried out at each value of residual current.
No value shall exceed the relevant specified limiting value given in IEC 61009-1:2024,
Table 11.
2) Additional test for type S
The test circuit being successively calibrated at each of the values of residual current
specified in IEC 61009-1:2024, Table 11, the RCBO being in the closed position, the
residual current is suddenly established by closing the switch S for periods corresponding
to the relevant minimum non-actuating times, with a tolerance of %.
-5
Each application of residual current shall be separated from the previous one by an interval
of at least 1 min.
The RCBO shall not trip during any of the tests.
9.9.1.2.4 Verification of correct operation in the case of sudden appearance of
residual currents between 5 I and 500 A
Δn
The test circuit is calibrated successively to the following values of the residual current:
5 A, 10 A, 20 A, 50 A, 100 A and 200 A.
The RCBO being in the closed position, the residual current is suddenly established by closing
the switch S .
The RCBO shall trip during each test. The break time shall not exceed the times given in
IEC 61009-1:2024, Table 11.
The test is carried out once for each value of residual current on one pole only, taken at random.
9.9.1.2.5 Verification of correct operation with load
The tests of 9.9.1.2.2 and 9.9.1.2.3 are repeated, the pole under test and one other pole of the
RCBO being loaded with rated current, at any convenient voltage.
This test is not intended to reach thermal steady-state conditions.
NOTE The loading with rated current is not shown in Figure 2.

9.9.1.2.6 Tests at the temperature limits
The RCBO shall perform the tests specified in 9.9.1.2.3 under the following conditions,
successively:
1) ambient air temperature: −5 °C, off-load, the residual current being connected to one current
path only.
2) ambient air temperature: +40 °C, the RCBO having been previously loaded with the rated
current, at any convenient voltage, until it attains thermal steady-state conditions.
Preheating may be carried out at any convenient voltage at either 50 Hz or 60 Hz but
auxiliary circuits shall be supplied at rated voltage, or loaded with rated current, as
applicable.
In practice, these conditions are reached when the variation of temperature-rise does not
exceed 1 K per hour.
For the tripping tests in 2), the flow of rated current may be interrupted, provided that the
total interruption period does not exceed 30 s. As soon as the sum of interruption periods
exceeds 30 s, the RCBO shall be loaded again with rated current for 5 min before the next
tripping time measurement.
9.9.1.3 Additional verification of correct operation for RCBOs of type A
9.9.1.3.1 Verification of correct operation in the case of a continuous rise of residual
pulsating direct current
The test shall be performed according to Figure 3.
The switch S and the RCBO shall be closed. The relevant thyristor shall be controlled in such
a manner that current delay angles α of 0, 90 and 135 are obtained. Each pole of the RCBO
shall be tested twice at each of the current delay angles, in position I as well as in position II of
the switch S .
For each test, the current shall be s
...