Protecting electrical circuits over 63 A traditionally called for a mccb. EMC investigates an alternative solution new to the market.
Those needing protection for circuits operating above 63 A have a new option. Recognising the market need arising from ever-increasing electrical use, Aylesbury-based manufacturer Moeller Electric recently launched a miniature circuit-breaker (mcb) panel board as an alternative to moulded case circuit-breaker (mccb) panels boards.

The Mini Panel Board provides circuit protection up to 125 A and is claimed to be cheaper and smaller than the existing alternatives. Its compact dimensions, ease of installation and comprehensive range of accessories provide users with good functionality and cost savings.

Hugo Lambourn, Moeller's sales manager, explains: "Prior to the launch of the Mini Panel Board customers had to use an mccb panel board to provide circuit protection beyond 63 A. Now with the Mini Panel Board's option of 125 A mcbs, a more compact and cost-competitive solution is available.

"Additionally, a future requirement for 125 A protection is provided without the need to replace the existing mcb board with an mccb panel board, saving time and money. This class-leading flexibility will be crucial in many commercial and industrial sites with changing power demands."

Designed with a wide choice of incoming and outgoing devices, the Mini Panel Board can be specified to precisely match customer needs. The firm's range covers applications from panel boards that handle the mains feed to a building, to individual consumer units in each specific work area.

Outgoing mcb devices are available from 20-125 A. These comprise three ranges of mcb with type B, C and D tripping characteristics. The breaking capacity of the circuit-breakers cover from 15-25 kA and are offered in one, two or three-pole configurations. Pan assemblies come with a choice of four, eight, 12 and 16 outgoing ways and gland plates are offered with or without knockouts to facilitate cable entry.

Incoming devices are available as either an mccb or a main switch, with the incoming circuit-breakers offering current ratings from 100-400 A. Steel enclosures for the Mini Panel Boards can be provided in two modular sizes of 960 x 610 x 180 mm and 1290 x 610 x 180 mm.

Accessories includes a spreader box to meet large cable requirements and a modular service box that can be used to house automation and control devices and metering packs.

In addition to the standard Mini Panel Boards, Moeller offers customers special one-off designs via its KeyBuild Service. Essentially, a customer is able to specify replacement or additional components to the standard panel board configuration, and KeyBuild produces a fully-assembled unit. In this way specialised products, such as the firm's small building controller and Easy control relays, can be incorporated for energy management and other control functions.

What’s new

Rittal has extended its range of NH fused isolators to include compact 00 devices. The units can be mounted directly onto busbars with centre distances of 60 and 100 mm. On larger busbars, standard adaptors can be used. Greenbrook electrical has introduced the Metalclad RCD (residual current device) Fused Spur to complement its white RCD Spur. Designed to replace a standard fuse connection unit, the H92M protects against the risk of electrocution and fire by tripping if a leakage to earth is detected. ABB has launched a residual current circuit-breaker (rccb) with overcurrent protection that combines the functions of a miniature circuit-breaker (mcb) with an rccb. The DS 271 provides supplementary earth protection for individual circuits. It has an operating voltage of 230 V and snaps onto a standard DIN rail in accordance with IEC 60715. BILL Switchgear has extended its Talisman MPS range of air circuit-breakers (acb). The new modules enable switchboards to be built up to 2000 A, a 750 A rise on the existing maximum rating. The three and four-pole drawout acbs are offered in 800, 1000, 1250, 1600 and 2000 A ratings. Terasaki (Europe) has launched a double-rated neutral acb. The 6300 A AH60DN has been developed for the UK market. It can protect up to 12 000 A in the neutral conductor, removing the risk of overheating. EA Technology has added the PDM100 MultiNode to its range of non-intrusive partial discharge monitoring equipment. The product can be used to monitor the condition of substations with up to 30 switches each. Merlin Gerin has launched MCset, a range of withdrawable medium voltage switchgear. The units are offered in ratings up to 3150 A , with a choice of vacuum or SF6 gas insulated circuit-breakers.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor