RCBO residual current breaker with overcurrent electrical symbol BS EN 60617 — what it represents, where it appears in UK electrical drawings, and how it relates to the rest of the symbol library.
Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 1,000+ UK electricians
Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
1,000+
UK electricians
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer — DP Electrical
A Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection to BS EN 61009. Combines RCD + MCB in one device. Each circuit has individual earth fault and overload protection.
Used in: Modern consumer units — preferred to split-load RCD arrangements; one trip = one circuit affected only.
See all distribution board symbols →Right-click the symbol above to save the SVG, or use the AI Diagram Builder to drop it into a working drawing.
A Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection to BS EN 61009. Combines RCD + MCB in one device. Each circuit has individual earth fault and overload protection.
Modern consumer units — preferred to split-load RCD arrangements; one trip = one circuit affected only.
For the full set of distribution symbols, see the Distribution Symbols reference page — covering every related symbol with the same level of installation context.
The Elec-Mate Diagram Builder gives you every BS EN 60617 symbol on a draggable canvas — perfect for EIC schedules, EICR observation diagrams…
Open the Diagram Builder
16 certificate types, 70+ calculators, RAMS, quoting, invoicing, AI agents, and 46+ training courses — from £6.99/mo.
Start free trialOther distribution symbols you may need on the same drawing:
A domestic consumer unit (fuseboard) to BS EN 61439-3. Houses the main switch, RCD/RCBO/MCB protective devices, and (since 2018) SPD and AFDD where required.
Used in: Domestic origin of the installation — typically meter cupboard, under-stairs, garage or hallway.
See all distribution board symbols →
A three-phase or single-phase distribution board to BS EN 61439-3 (commercial). Holds MCBs, RCBOs and MCCBs serving final circuits in commercial and industrial buildings.
Used in: Commercial buildings, offices, schools, retail; one per floor or department typically.
See all distribution board symbols →
A distribution board fed by a sub-main from the main switchboard. Sub-divides the installation into manageable zones; reduces voltage drop on long runs.
Used in: Large buildings, multi-tenant offices, plant rooms, lift motor rooms, sub-zones.
See all distribution board symbols →
A Miniature Circuit Breaker to BS EN 60898. Protects against overload and short-circuit fault current. Types B, C and D differentiate by magnetic trip characteristic.
Used in: Every domestic + commercial final circuit; standard protection device on distribution boards.
See all distribution board symbols →
A Moulded Case Circuit Breaker to BS EN 60947-2. Higher current ratings (typically 100-1600 A) and higher breaking capacity than MCBs. Used as main incomers or for large feeders.
Used in: Main switchgear, sub-main feeders, large motor circuits, three-phase distribution.
See all distribution board symbols →
A Residual Current Device to BS EN 61008. Detects imbalance between live and neutral (earth-fault leakage) and trips. 30 mA RCDs provide additional protection against electric shock.
Used in: Bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor sockets, EV chargers — anywhere BS 7671 requires additional protection.
See all distribution board symbols →A Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection to BS EN 61009. Combines RCD + MCB in one device. Each circuit has individual earth fault and overload protection.
Used in: Modern consumer units — preferred to split-load RCD arrangements; one trip = one circuit affected only.
See all distribution board symbols →
A Surge Protective Device to BS EN 61643-11. Type 1 (lightning current), Type 2 (transient overvoltage), Type 3 (point of use). BS 7671 443.4 risk assessment usually requires Type 2 at origin.
Used in: New installations + rewires — Type 2 at consumer unit origin; Type 1 where lightning protection is fitted.
See all distribution board symbols →
An electromagnetically-operated switch for high-current loads. Coil energised = contacts close. Used to control motors, heating, lighting circuits and timed loads remotely.
Used in: Immersion heaters with off-peak timer, motor starters, large lighting banks, HVAC plant.
See all distribution board symbols →
A main switch-disconnector at the origin of the installation. Disconnects all live conductors (including neutral on TT/IT) and must be lockable in OFF position.
Used in: Origin of every installation — domestic consumer unit, commercial main switchboard.
See all distribution board symbols →
The utility electricity meter — point of supply, owned by the meter operator. Modern smart meters communicate consumption to the supplier automatically.
Used in: Meter cupboard, garage external wall, riser cupboard; the boundary of utility responsibility.
See all distribution board symbols →
A switch that transfers a load between two sources (typically mains and generator). Manual or automatic (ATS). Always break-before-make to prevent backfeeding the grid.
Used in: Standby generators, UPS bypass, dual-supply critical loads, farms, remote homes.
See all distribution board symbols →
An Automatic Transfer Switch that detects mains failure and switches to a standby generator without manual intervention. Synchronised return-to-mains when supply restored.
Used in: Hospitals, data centres, telecoms, agricultural sites with standby plant.
See all distribution board symbols →
A metal enclosure containing busbars to interconnect multiple sub-main cables — typically at the main switchboard. Allows tap-offs to feed distribution boards without joint boxes.
Used in: Main switchboards, riser shafts, multi-tenant feeder distribution.
See all distribution board symbols →Verified reviews from the UK App Store.
Elec-Mate is my go to app for business and electrical work. It's feature rich without feeling cluttered. A true all in one app for quotes, certs, calculations, RAMS, EICRs, and more. I use it every day without fail, and it makes my workflow much smoother since I'm not jumping between apps anymore. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. Any issues I've had, the developer responds within the hour and usually fixes them the same day. 100% recommend.
I've used the app and the web based version for a while now and it's well worth the investment. If you're an apprentice or experienced Spark give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
I've been using Elec-Mate for a while now, and honestly, it's one of the best apps I've ever downloaded. Every aspect of it feels thoughtfully designed, from the clean and intuitive interface to the powerful features that make everything so easy to manage. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into building this app, and it shows in every detail.
Real feedback from real sparks
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer
Sole Trader · DP Electrical
“I've won two contracts this month because I could turn quotes around same-day with the AI cost engineer.”
Nathan Perry
Electrician · NP Electrical Services
“The study centre got me through my AM2. Mock exams and flashcards are brilliant.”
Jake Pizey
3rd Year Apprentice · Apprentice
Drag and drop BS EN 60617 symbols into circuit diagrams, EICR observation drawings, and EIC distribution schedules. 7-day free trial.
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer, DP Electrical
From £6.99/mo after trial — less than a coffee a week
We use cookies to improve the app and measure what works. Cookie Policy