Difference between 1P+N and 2P RCBO

[SpaceKadet]

I am looking for practical difference between these two. That is, can I use 2P RCBO in a normal house 1phase consumer unit, instead of 1P+N type?

I have used a 2P type in my consumer unit, but it broke when the unit got flooded and is now bypassed. I have came across 1P+N while looking for a replacement.

This is how the ABB RCBO's look like:

[Crossy]

The 1P+N has a solid (un-switched) neutral so it only opens the live, the 2P opens both live and neutral.

For a main breaker you must use 2P, for internal circuits 1P+N is ok.

[SpaceKadet]

Thanks for a quick reply Crossy.

The 1P+N has a little schematic on the unit showing that N is also switched. That's what got me confused, as they were basically the same.

But I will definitely use 2P unit now.

[bankruatsteve]

Crossy, shouldn't the 2P be used only as main breaker? And the 1P only as single circuit breaker?

[Crossy]

Crossy, shouldn't the 2P be used only as main breaker? And the 1P only as single circuit breaker?

No, a 2P is fine as a single circuit breaker (at least in the UK regs), theoretically better in fact as it will isolate any N-E faults on that circuit as well.

It's possible that a 1P+N opens the neutral (as in the diagram) but why it wouldn't be labelled as 2P I don't know.