New-Tech Europe | December 2016 | Didital Edition

Circuit Protection a vital consideration for the machine builder

Dr. Peter Terhoeven, R&D Group Manager at Eaton

How circuit protection ensures operator safety, machine uptime and manufacturing OEM profitability In today’s global market, machine builders must be aware of their manufacturing customers’ priorities to gain a competitive edge – and these priorities centre on maximising uptime and productivity while protecting both personnel and equipment from harm. Achieving these objectives depends heavily on a successful circuit protection strategy, however choosing and sourcing the right protection components and balancing them against one another across an entire power distribution network is complex and challenging.

must have suitable electrical circuit protection against four possible fault conditions. The fault conditions can be broadly classified as over-currents, residual or leakage currents, arcing faults, and electrical surges induced by lightning strikes or other installed equipment. All four represent a hazard to operator safety as well as a risk of equipment damage leading to extensive down-time. Over-currents (overload or short-circuit current) Over-currents are caused by harsh environments, general deterioration, damage from accidents or natural causes, or overloading of the distribution system. They can be either in the form of overload or

This article reviews the electrical problems that can occur, and their possible consequences, outlining that with the help of the component partner, solutions that are successful for both the machine builders and their end user clients can be realised. Manufacturers in all types of industries insist on high throughput machines, reliable performance, reduced costs and increased operator safety. As machine builders work to meet these demands, they face ever-greater challenges from an increasingly global marketplace. The consistency of electrical power quality, the suitability of installation locations and the availability of trained technicians can not be guaranteed everywhere. To provide optimum performance a machine

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