Download First Circuit Breaker for Terminal Blocks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First Circuit Breaker for Terminal Blocks
Can Reduce Equipment Downtime
CHICAGO – December 16, 2002 – E-T-A Circuit Breakers announced a new circuit breaker
designed to plug into industry-standard terminal blocks. The 1180 series thermal circuit
breaker can reduce costly equipment downtime by replacing the fuses commonly used in DINrail terminal block applications that protect factory control equipment. In many factories, the
cost of an idled production line can reach thousands of dollars per minute.
Designed for voltage up to 250V AC or 65V DC, the new circuit breaker is available in current
ratings ranging from 0.1A to 10A. Unlike fuses, the replacement of which is time-consuming
and unreliable, the 1180 circuit breaker can be reset immediately after a fault condition.
The 1180 circuit breaker eliminates the possibility that a blown fuse will be replaced with a new
fuse of incorrect rating, which could leave equipment vulnerable to damaging overcurrent.
Only 8mm wide, the 1180 circuit breaker provides enhanced protection without consuming
valuable panel space. The 1180 is a replacement for fuses used in popular terminal block
systems made by Phoenix Contact, Wago, Entrelec, Weidmuller, and any other system that
accepts fuses having the SAE J1284 footprint.
A Superior Replacement For Fuses
Characteristic of a thermal circuit breaker, the 1180 series avoids nuisance tripping during
harmless short-term surges, such as in-rush current associated with motor startup. For this
reason, a fuse can be replaced by an 1180 circuit breaker of lower current rating, increasing
the level of overload protection for devices that control factory equipment such as assembly
lines, robots, heaters, and machine presses. The breaker also protects against long-term lowvalue current overloads… something that some fuses may not do.
The 1180 circuit breaker has several other advantages over the glass fuses currently used in
terminal block applications:
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During field replacement, a fuse must be removed, visually inspected, and replaced with
a new fuse drawn from inventory. In contrast, the 1180 circuit breaker has a pushbutton actuator that clearly indicates the tripped position, and enables fast, easy manual
reset.
Fuses degrade with age, eventually leading to failure even under normal conditions.
Age has virtually no effect on circuit breakers.
To assure reliable operation, every 1180 circuit breaker is performance tested before it
is shipped - an important consideration for protecting critical equipment. Fuses cannot
be tested prior to installation.
Unlike fuses, the 1180 can also be used as an on/off switch to provide safe shutdown
during equipment maintenance. It is hot swappable, whereas fuses are not.
DIN-Rail Mounted Terminal Block
E-T-A's 1180 circuit breaker may be purchased with matching terminal block. The E-T-A DINrail mounting, X-222 23301, terminal block accommodates the 1180 circuit breaker in an 8mm
wide package. It has a universal foot for mounting on NS 32 or NS 35 DIN-rails.
An LED version is available that provides remote visual indication of breaker trip status. A
special 10-pole, 34 A-rated bus is available for the connection of a common supply to several
terminal blocks.
Price And Availability
In the past, engineers have been reluctant to specify circuit breakers for terminal block
applications because of the comparatively low cost of fuses. However, the miniature 1180
circuit breaker is roughly one-fifth the cost of a typical DIN-rail circuit breaker. Prices in volume
at $7.00.
The optional X-222 23301 terminal block has prices in volume around $3.00.
Both the 1180 circuit breaker and X-222 terminal block are available from stock. For detailed
information, visit the E-T-A web site, www.e-t-a.com.
About E-T-A
E-T-A Circuit Breakers is the world’s leading manufacturer of circuit breakers for OEM
equipment and is the only resource for all circuit protection technologies: thermal, thermalmagnetic, magnetic and high performance. E-T-A circuit breakers are available in more than
150 models and 350,000 different configurations. E-T-A is also a world-leading manufacturer
of control and monitoring products, and solid state remote power controllers (SSRPCs). With
the North American headquarters in Chicago, the company serves industrial OEMs and endusers.
Caption: E-T-A Circuit Breakers
1180 Circuit Breakes
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Media Contacts:
Julie Levy, Marketing Manager
E-T-A Circuit Breakers
Phone: 847-827-7600
Email: [email protected]
Mark Johnson, Account Manager
Goldstein Group Communications
Phone: 216-573-2300
Email: [email protected]