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All confusables

RCCB / ELCB

Different meanings

EMA recognises both RCCBs and ELCBs as electrical-safety devices that cut supply when electricity leakage is detected. Do not assume a functioning ELCB must be replaced merely because RCCB is the more familiar current term.

RCCB

Use when

You mean a Residual Current Circuit Breaker used to cut electricity supply when electrical leakage is detected.

Example

“Test the RCCB using its Test button.”

ELCB

Use when

You mean an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker serving the same household electrical-safety purpose in EMA's homeowner guidance.

Example

“A working ELCB does not need to be replaced solely because an RCCB is also an accepted safety device.”

Quick check

treating ELCB as automatically non-compliant, telling homeowners to replace a working ELCB solely because it is not called an RCCB, using RCCB and ELCB as exact technical synonyms outside the scope of EMA's household guidance

Source checked 2026-08-15 (opens in a new tab)