DC-rated miniature circuit breaker for 72 V DC branch circuits
The Siemens SENTRON 5SL5101-6CC is a 1-pole DC miniature circuit breaker with a B tripping characteristic, rated at 72 V DC with a 10 kA breaking capacity. It occupies a single 18 mm modular width unit on the DIN rail, making it a direct fit for standard residential and infrastructure DC distribution boards where overcurrent and short-circuit protection is needed on a single pole. The B-curve trips between 3 and 5 times rated current, suited for resistive and general-purpose DC loads where inrush is modest — think control transformers, LED lighting strings, or small DC motor drives. The 10 kA interrupting rating at 72 V DC means it can clear a hard fault without upstream coordination issues in a typical sub-distribution panel.
Mounting and integration — 1 MWU, any position
Snaps onto standard 35 mm DIN rail in one 18 mm slot. The 70 mm installation depth leaves room behind the gland plate for wiring looms. Mounting position is unrestricted — vertical, horizontal, upside-down, it still trips on the same thermal-magnetic curve. IP20 with connected conductors — fine inside a closed panel, not for wet or outdoor locations. Pollution degree 2 and overvoltage category III mean it's rated for fixed installations in buildings, not for industrial machine interiors where higher pollution or transient levels occur.
Lifecycle and compliance
Sealable design allows the installer to lock the toggle position with a padlock or sealing wire — useful for utility metering or tamper-proof circuits. Touch protection is integral on the terminals.
Sourcing note — BOM fit for DC branch protection
For a BOM that calls out a 1-pole DC MCB at 72 V with B-curve, this is the direct Siemens order code. The 18 mm width and 76 mm depth match the standard SENTRON footprint, so it drops into existing 5SL panel layouts without rewiring. Sourced and quoted to order against an RFQ through independent distribution — availability and current pricing confirmed at quote time.