ABB introduces energy- saving control gear
ABB has released a new generation of control that includes contactors with energy-saving features, and modular motor-control and protection devices which include manual motor starters, soft starters and relays.
The contactors have coils that can cope with AC from 24 to 500 V and DC from 20 to 500 V, reducing the number of contactors required from 2500 to 250. The holding power of the new contactors is substantially less than those they replace; the new 4 kW contactor has a holding power of 2.2 VA compared with 8 VA — and it is estimated that the are 10 million contactors from 4 to 18.5 kW in use in the UK.
These contactors have a standardised 45 mm housing, so they can easily be integrated into an existing installation. There is no need for mounting plates.
The MS132 range of manual motor starters is rated from 0.1 to 32 A for motors up to 15 kW at 400 V. They feature fuseless protection against short circuits, overloads and phase failures. A key safety feature is a lockable rotary handle with a clear indication of switch position for on/off and trip. Fault separation distinguishes between magnetic and thermal tripping.
There are three ranges of soft starters for currents from 3.9 to 45 A and motor voltages from 208 to 600 V a.c. The can handle 10 starts an hour, or 20 with a cooling fan. They came in a standard width of 45 mm.
There is a selection of accessories for all three types of devices, including electronic overload relays.
