New-generation circuit breakers launched

A new range of circuit breakers designed to maximise power availability and reliability has been unveiled by energy management and automation company Schneider Electric South Africa.

The moulded case ComPacT NS circuit breakers are rated from 630 A up to 3 200 A and are engineered to provide reliable electrical power distribution and protection from electrical hazards.

“ComPacT NS series of circuit breakers has demonstrated the ability to meet the demands of the harshest conditions in electrical distribution and demonstrates our leadership in the breaker space by not only ensuring easy and efficient maintenance but also energy efficiency,” says Schneider Electric power products offer manager Kamogelo Makwana.

Advanced digital features and connectivity have been added to the range that replaces the ComPacT NSX range which was rated for 630 A. The ComPacT circuit breakers come in two frame sizes with a variety of optional functions and accessories and are designed to optimise space and electrical performance. 

“The front cover is transparent to enable the operator or customer to see all the auxiliaries and accessories that are installed within the breaker. Additionally, these circuit breakers include LED lights that flash in the event of a fault or trip, making it easy to identify which breaker is faulty,” says Makwana.

Additional features of the new generation breakers include:

• Ensuring optimised selectivity and coordination with upstream and downstream Schneider Electric breakers
• Providing corrective, preventive and predictive maintenance for asset management 
• Sending alerts, as well as a local indication, with a new wireless auxiliary contact

Makwana notes that the new circuit breaker range was designed to offer “protection through prevention”, meaning that the company’s MicroLogic trip units provide crucial data to the end-user for preventative maintenance.

“In terms of connectivity, the new wireless auxiliary contact provides local and remote communication with a trip alarm and pre-alarms enabling increased proactive operational and energy efficiency,” adds Makwana.

“This is our range of premium breakers for applications where customers require power availability for critical applications such as data centres, hospitals and even some mining applications, where customers require constant power availability,” Makwana concludes.