Electricity and Control March 2016

COVER ARTICLE

FEATURES: • Control systems+ automation • Hazardous areas+ safety • Plantmaintenance, test+measurement • Temperaturemeasurement • Energy+ enviroFiciency: Focus onDrives,motors+ switchgear

Schneider Electric Automation and Control Invention of the first contactor When the switch became automated

I t’s hard to believe but before the contactor was invented, switching on an electrical load was not automatic. Imagine having to manu- ally switch on motors in applications such as heating, foundry and industry? The invention of the contactor in 1924 byTelemecanique, now Sch- neider Electric, meant for the first time this could now be automated and with it came improved safety for workers. After André Blanchet filed a patent for the first bar contactor, the company began producing 40 A contactors, timers, distribution

boxes, pushbuttons, stop contacts and relays.They quickly expanded the business to become a leading specialist in industrial control and automation.

The last 90 years has seen continuous innovation With safety at the heart, Schneider Electric has continued to innovate with not only the introduction of finger safe terminals but influencing the safety standards for contactors too. Over the years the contactor has evolved to the present day, the unique TeSys U offering multiple functions in one device. Everlink, unique to us, is enhanced withmany safety features such as well shrouded terminals and the elimination of ‘copper creep’ that can lead to terminals loosening and dangerous over-heating. Ninety years of evolution and innovation has resulted in a wide choice of products, Nowadays TeSys is the market leading motor starting and power switching range providing customers with a perfect solution for any application. The new LR9D and LR97D electronic overload relays complement the existing line of products, known as some of the most energy efficient, comprehensive and reliable products in the market. The newTeSys LR9D Electronic Overload Relay offers a unique selectable trip class and allows customers to select between Class 5, Class 10, Class 20 and Class 30. This enables the customer to set a desired level protection for added flexibility. The 5:1 current adjustment range makes these new relays a natural choice for a wide range of applications, from 0,1 to 110 A.

Enquiries: Customer Care: Tel. 086 1300 222 (RSA)

+27(0)11 230 5880 (Intl.) or email za-ccc@schneider-electric.com

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March ‘16 Electricity+Control

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