Resettable Circuit Breaker Reduces Downtime February 2005 Issue Published Date: March 09, 2005
A new remotely resettable electronic circuit breaker system has been designed to protect individual circuits connected to a power supply, so production can restart with minimal downtime. The ESS20-1 selectively protects circuits on DIN-rail factory automation equipment connected to switch-mode power supplies, components such as sensors, actuators, field bus couplers and controls. In the event of an overload, the ESS20-1 electronically shuts down the circuit and, after the source of the fault is cleared, it remotely resets and production resumes. Additionally, the fault condition can be quickly identified since the ESS20-1 can communicate with a logic controller or factory control software. The unit is also equipped with a manual push-button. When activated, the push-button turns off the unit by means of physical isolation. The ESS20-1 electronically limits the maximum amount of current drawn from the power supply to no more than 1.8 times the set rated current of the breaker, allowing the breaker to trip without causing the power supply to shut down. Current rating is selectable from 1A to 6A. Sporting a width of 12.5 mm, the device snap-mounts to the company’s Module 17plus DIN rail mounting power distribution system. Pricing ranges from $30 to $50. E-T-A CIRCUIT PROTECTION AND CONTROL, Chicago, IL. (847) 827-7600.
