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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.
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
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
Circuit Protection a vital consideration for the
machine builder
Dr. Peter Terhoeven, R&D Group Manager at Eaton
56 l New-Tech Magazine Europe