ABB S201-C6 Single-pole Miniature Circuit Breaker, C 6 A

The S201-C6 is a single-pole miniature circuit breaker in ABB’s System pro M compact S200 range, listed under order code 2CDS251001R0064. Overloads are handled thermally and short circuits magnetically, while the C characteristic lets ordinary inrush currents pass without nuisance tripping. ABB gives 6 kA short-circuit capacity to IEC/EN 60898-1, which covers common board duties such as a single 230 V lighting, control or socket circuit.

Related devices can be found under circuit breakers; for loads beyond 63 A look at the SACE Tmax XT series.

Technical specifications

Selecting the 6 A C-curve

The C curve trips instantly between 5 and 10 times In, which for 6 A means 30 A to 60 A, and at 5 x In the delay is 0.1 to 15 s. The bimetal element holds at 6.78 A (1.13 x In) for one hour and must trip inside one hour at 8.7 A (1.45 x In); the reference temperature is 30 C. The permitted operating current falls to 5.7 A at 40 C, 5.3 A at 50 C and 4.9 A at 60 C according to the ABB table. Grouping matters too, with factors of 0.9, 0.8 and 0.75 for two or three, four or five and six or more adjacent loaded devices.

Single-pole use and accessories

A 1P device switches off the phase and leaves the neutral alone. Under IEC/EN 60898-1 it is rated 230/400 V AC and 6 kA, and for DC the data sheet allows 72 V DC across one pole. For remote switching and signalling there are auxiliary and signal contacts, a shunt trip, an undervoltage release and a motor operating device, plus the DDA 200 RCD block for earth-fault protection. Where the neutral must be switched as well, choose the 1P+N or two-pole versions instead.

Type designation and order code

Break S201-C6 down and you get S200, 1 pole, C curve, 6 A. Use 2CDS251001R0064 as the part number in an enquiry or order. Our check list is short: poles, curve, current, voltage, fault level and whether auxiliary or release accessories must be added.

Key features of the S201-C6

• Thermal-magnetic protection in a single 17.5 mm module, covering both overload and short circuit.
• C characteristic with a magnetic trip window of 30 to 60 A, tolerant of moderate inrush from transformers, small motors and LED drivers.
• Dual rating to IEC/EN 60898-1 for residential-type installations and IEC/EN 60947-2 for industrial use, plus UL 1077 as a supplementary protector.
• 35 mm² terminals top and bottom, accepting both cable and busbar connection.
• Accessory compatibility with the System pro M compact range of auxiliary contacts, signal contacts and shunt trips.

Typical circuits for a 6 A C-curve breaker

A 6 A rating is common for control circuits rather than power circuits. In industrial panels it is often used to protect a 230 V control transformer secondary, PLC and instrument power supplies, panel lighting and sockets, heaters and fans in an enclosure, or the supply to a small DC power supply. In buildings it protects lighting circuits with modest load. The C curve is usually preferred over the B curve here because switch-mode power supplies and transformers draw an inrush current at switch-on that could trip a B-curve device.

Coordination and cable protection

The breaker rating must protect the cable connected to it. Check the cable current-carrying capacity after applying correction factors for ambient temperature and grouping; this is important in the GCC, where cable ambient in roof spaces and outdoor trays can be far above the reference temperature used in standard tables. Also confirm that the prospective short-circuit current at the board does not exceed the breaker capacity, and if it does, use upstream back-up protection as described in ABB coordination tables.

Effect of high ambient temperature

The thermal trip element is calibrated at a reference temperature. In a hot enclosure the breaker will trip at a lower current than its rating, and in a cool one at a higher current. Densely packed rows of breakers that are all heavily loaded also heat each other. ABB publishes derating factors for temperature and for side-by-side mounting; consult them when designing boards for outdoor kiosks, plant rooms without air conditioning or rooftop panels in Oman, where internal temperatures can be well above 40 °C.

Installation and maintenance

• Tighten terminals to the stated 2.8 Nm and re-check after the first thermal cycles; loose terminals are a common cause of overheating.
• Use the correct cable size and ferrules for stranded conductors.
• Operate breakers manually during planned maintenance to confirm free mechanical movement.
• Keep panels sealed against dust, which can collect on terminals and contribute to tracking in humid coastal areas.

What to include in an RFQ

State the type S201-C6 and order code 2CDS251001R0064, the quantity, and any accessories required such as auxiliary contacts or busbars. If you need other ratings or curves in the same range for a full board, list them together so the order can be consolidated.

Documents and quotation

Technical data, tripping curves, derating tables, the accessory overview and the dimensional drawing are all in the ABB data sheet for the S 200 and S 200 M range linked here. Ask Seven Star LLC, an independent supplier in Muscat, for a quotation stating type and quantity. This page shows no price or stock level; confirm the specification before you order.