MEAN WELL ICL-16L is a linear terminal-block AC inrush current limiter for 180–264 VAC systems. It limits capacitive-load starting current to the specified 23 A while carrying 16 A continuously. An integrated bypass relay and thermal fuse support operation within the stated 2,500 µF load and set-up-time-dependent switching limits.
Product Datasheet
Download MEAN WELL ICL-16 Datasheet (PDF)
The ICL-16 section is on PDF pages 1, 2, 3, 4. Refer to the complete mechanical drawings and notes when planning installation.
Model and Application
Product function
AC inrush current limiter for the start-up of capacitive loads and power supplies; not an AC/DC converter or a regulated DC power supply.
Exact configuration
ICL-16L: L identifies the linear, terminal-block-mounted type.
Current ratings
23 A inrush limiting current and 16 A continuous AC current. The series number does not replace the separate 23 A inrush specification.
Operating principle
Internal limiting resistor and integrated bypass relay, controlled electronically; not a simple NTC-only limiter.
The module reduces capacitive-load starting current to help avoid unintended circuit-breaker tripping. It can allow multiple downstream power supplies on one AC line, subject to the total current, capacitance and switching-cycle limits. Breaker coordination must be checked for the actual installation.
AC Electrical Ratings
Input voltage
180–264 VAC.
AC line frequency
47–63 Hz.
Inrush limiting current
23 A.
Continuous rated current
16 A continuous.
AC input power reference
3,680 VA at 230 VAC (16 A × 230 VAC). This apparent-power reference is not a DC output-wattage rating.
Module input consumption
Less than 1.5 W at 264 VAC, 50 Hz input.
Allowed capacitive load
2,500 µF maximum.
Choose the number and type of downstream power supplies using their aggregate input current, input capacitance and start-up characteristics. The application drawing does not specify a universal maximum number of power supplies or a model-independent breaker size.
Relay Timing and Permitted Switching Cycles
Power-on limiting interval, TON
300 ±50 ms.
Internal relay release time
500 ±50 ms.
Power-supply set-up time below 250 ms
1 limiting cycle per 5 minutes.
Power-supply set-up time from 250 to 350 ms
1 limiting cycle per minute.
Power-supply set-up time above 350 ms
5 limiting cycles per minute, with more than 1,500 ms per cycle.
Use the row matching the connected power supply’s set-up time. The relay timing values do not override the corresponding permitted cycle rate.
Protection and AC Wiring
Internal protection
A thermal fuse provides overload and fire protection.
Line path
The limiting resistor and bypass relay are in the L path; the block diagram shows a continuous N path.
Application connection
Connect the AC source through the circuit breaker to the marked input. Connect the marked output L and N to the corresponding AC inputs of the downstream power supplies.
Installation boundary
The circuit breaker and downstream power supplies in the application example are external system components; no quantity of these components is included by the diagram.
The thermal fuse is not described as an automatically resetting protection. Follow the installation instructions and identify the marked INPUT and OUTPUT before connecting the unit; keep all continuous-current, capacitance and cycle limits within specification.
Dimensions, Terminals and Installation
Dimensions, L × W × H
175 × 42 × 24 mm; drawing tolerance ±1 mm.
Mechanical drawing details
Case PLM-40; the drawing marks a 19.9 mm body height, 3.5 mm end height and 4.5 mm end-position dimensions. Use the actual hole/slot geometry rather than treating these coordinates as screw diameters.
Mounting form
Linear type with terminal blocks TB1 and TB2; this model is not the R-version DIN rail housing.
Input terminal block TB1
Pin 1: AC/N input; pin 2: AC/L input.
Output terminal block TB2
Pin 3: AC/N output; pin 4: AC/L output.
Terminal reference
SWITCHLAB MB312-750 equivalent, as identified for TB1/TB2. This is a terminal reference, not a separately included accessory kit.
Input and output conductor cross-section
0.5–1.5 mm², as specified in the linear-model mechanical note.
Wire-retaining bar grooves
1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm; choose the groove to suit the actual wire diameter. These groove dimensions are not conductor cross-sectional areas.
Use the supplied unit’s installation instructions for terminal tightening and mounting details not specified in this drawing. No terminal torque or additional complete mounting-kit order code is supplied in the reviewed ICL-16 pages. The terminal reference and retaining-bar choices above apply to this L configuration only.
Environment and Altitude
Working ambient temperature
−30 to +70°C.
Working humidity
20–90% RH, non-condensing.
Storage temperature
−40 to +85°C.
Temperature coefficient
±0.03%/°C over 0–50°C, as listed.
Vibration
10–500 Hz, 2 G, 10 minutes per cycle, 60 minutes each along X, Y and Z; mounting compliance with IEC60068-2-6.
Operating altitude
Up to 5,000 m.
Overvoltage category
III according to IEC62368-1, for altitude up to 5,000 m.
Pollution degree
2.
High-altitude temperature allowance
Above 2,000 m, apply the catalogue’s fanless ambient-temperature reduction of 3.5°C per additional 1,000 m.
Apply ambient, altitude, current and switching-cycle conditions together. No additional numerical temperature/load curve is specified in these ICL-16 pages.
Safety and EMC
Listed safety approval
LVD BS EN/EN62368-1 approved.
Conducted and radiated emissions
BS EN/EN55032, Class B for each.
Harmonic current
BS EN/EN61000-3-2, Class A.
Voltage flicker
BS EN/EN61000-3-3 is listed; no numerical test level is provided.
Immunity framework
BS EN/EN55035 and BS EN/EN61000-6-2.
Electrostatic discharge
BS EN/EN61000-4-2: Level 3, 8 kV air; Level 2, 4 kV contact; criterion A.
Radiated susceptibility
BS EN/EN61000-4-3, Level 3, criterion A.
EFT / burst
BS EN/EN61000-4-4, Level 3, criterion A.
Surge
BS EN/EN61000-4-5, Level 4, 2 kV L–N, criterion A.
Conducted immunity
BS EN/EN61000-4-6, Level 3, criterion A.
Magnetic field
BS EN/EN61000-4-8, Level 4, criterion A.
Voltage dips and interruptions
BS EN/EN61000-4-11: greater than 95% dip for 0.5 periods; 30% dip for 25 periods; greater than 95% interruption for 250 periods.
The completed equipment must be rechecked for compliance with the applicable EMC directives. Module test data do not automatically establish compliance of the entire installation.
Weight, Reliability and Reference Conditions
Single-unit catalogue weight
132 g (0.132 kg), explicitly listed in PACKING. This is a catalogue unit-weight reference, not a measured net weight or shipping-package total.
Packing reference
98 pieces / 14 kg / 1.04 CUFT.
Minimum MTBF estimates
7217.9 thousand hours by Telcordia SR-332 (Bellcore); 2113.8 thousand hours by MIL-HDBK-217F at 25°C.
Default measurement conditions
230 VAC input, rated load and 25°C ambient, unless specifically stated otherwise.
Catalogue warranty
The catalogue lists a 3-year manufacturer warranty, subject to its applicable terms.
Datasheet version
ICL-16 specification dated 2026-04-03; combined catalogue pages 1–4.
MTBF figures are statistical estimates under the stated methods, not a guaranteed service life.
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