The Siemens SENTRON 5SM6011-1XX01 is a pre-assembled arc-fault detection device (AFDD) with an integrated miniature circuit breaker (MCB) 1+N B16, designed to detect and interrupt dangerous series and parallel arcs in final circuits. Rated at 16 A operational current on 230 V AC (50 Hz), it combines arc-fault detection with overcurrent and short-circuit protection in a single 2-module-wide (36 mm) DIN-rail housing — a space-saving fit for residential and light-commercial distribution boards.
Arc detection range — what it catches and what it passes
Series arc detection covers 2 A to 16 A; parallel arc detection covers 50 A to 500 A. That means it catches low-energy arcs in series with the load (e.g., a loose terminal on a 2 A lighting circuit) and high-energy arcs between line and neutral or line and earth up to 500 A. The 2 A minimum series-arc threshold is notable — it protects circuits where a bad connection might draw well below the MCB's magnetic trip threshold, which is exactly the kind of fault a standard breaker alone won't catch.
Integration notes
Mounts on DIN rail (REG) in any position. Installation depth 70 mm; device 68.5 mm deep, 36 mm wide, 95 mm tall. Degree of pollution 2, overvoltage category III — suitable for fixed-installation distribution boards in dry or intermittently humid environments. Halogen-free and silicon-free. Mechanical service life 10,000 switching cycles typical.