Compact impact: ABB’s new DS301C compact circuit breaker

Combining the functions of multiple relays into one device, CPC reduces network complexity, thus providing the means to better manage substation protection. And, by offering CPC as a virtualized image, ABB enhances scalability and flexibility – a boon for time-critical control and protection applications. Driven by the desire for more capillary control and increased safety, the number of branches in low-voltage electrical installations – and the quantity and type of circuit breaker found there – is undergoing profound change. This rapid evolution means more electrical devices must be accommodated into electrical panelboards. This poses a major miniaturization challenge to circuit-breaker manufacturers like ABB. The trend mostly concerns final distribution lines, usually hosting loads supplied by one phase and the neutral conductor. This context explains the remarkable market acclaim for ABB’s newly released DS301C. The DS301C is an extremely compact, one-phase and neutral RCBO that combines protection against short-circuit, overload and earth fault – all in a single circuit breaker just one module wide, as opposed to the two-module width of current approaches. Crucially, the breaker is voltage-independent – ie, it works without an external power source. Space savings through targeted specification To allow space optimization, the electrical ratings of the DS301C have been precisely matched to the targeted applications – for example, residential, commercial, marine and railway installations. The DS301C is characterized by a rated current of up to 20 A, a more-than-respectable short-circuit capacity of 6 kA, and – for earth faults – the classic maximum residual current of 30 mA. The DS301C not only detects current leakages with sinusoidal waveforms but also the truncated or distorted waveforms associated with electronic appliances, such as LED lights, computers, etc. A compact product like the DS301C allows panels to be more compact, too – a benefit greatly appreciated when extending or retrofitting electrical installations in hospitals, boats, trains, etc. Fast and easy installation Speedy and straightforward installation was a cornerstone of the DS301C design philosophy in order to shorten installation time and make the process error-proof. Either flexible cables or rigid busbars may be used to wire the circuit breaker. Additionally, the DS301C comes in versions compatible with ABB’s newly released fast wiring system, which allows product mixing on the same DIN rail. This system has the added advantage that the electrical feed-in connections that bring power from one DIN rail to the next in the vertical direction can be accomplished by the first circuit breaker in the line, requiring neither dedicated products nor specially shaped busbars that constrain the type and number of products that can be mounted.