Energy Ministry Prepares Regulation for MCB Switch Conversion to RCBO

Jakarta - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is formulating a new ministerial regulation concerning national electrical system safety standards. The initiative aims to reduce the number of fires caused by short circuits through the adoption of more responsive safety technology in public buildings and residential areas.

Deputy Minister of ESDM Yuliot Tanjung explained that the government is currently undertaking a regulatory harmonisation process to strengthen the legal basis for the policy. He stated this effort is crucial to minimising losses of property and life due to electrical faults, which are prevalent across various regions.

“This Residual Current Protection Device (GPAS) addresses the considerable impact of short circuits that cause fires. Government offices in several regions, markets, and people’s homes have been affected. We are looking at how to manage safety for this residual current,” he explained when met at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta, cited on Wednesday.

The government plans to promote the conversion of safety devices from conventional Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) to Residual Current Circuit Breakers with Overcurrent Protection (RCBO). The replacement device is considered far more effective as it possesses high sensitivity in detecting electrical current leakage compared to the standard MCB switches commonly used by the public today.

“So there will be a conversion; this RCBO will replace the MCB. The price difference is also negligible,” he said.

In the future, the implementation of this new standard will be prioritised for office areas and traditional markets, which are deemed to have a high risk of fire. The use of RCBO technology is projected to be able to cut off the power flow automatically and comprehensively within a short time when a current load anomaly occurs in the network.

“For installations in offices and markets, during a short circuit, the system will shut down entirely; it is more sensitive. This is in the context of safety. The ministerial regulation itself is being prepared and is in the harmonisation process,” concluded Yuliot.