The invention of the first Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) revolutionized electrical safety 100 years ago by eliminating the need to replace fuses, allowing for easy resetting by anyone. Today, the range of protection devices has expanded. What prompted the development of these?
Over time, researchers discovered more harmful faults that can occur in electrical systems, leading to the development of additional protection devices such as Residual Current Devices (RCDs), Surge Protective Devices (SPDs), and Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), complementing Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) that protect against short-circuits and overload.
RCDs protect against residual currents, also known as earth faults, which can occur if electrical devices come into contact with water, such as a hair dryer falling into a bathtub. RCDs detect the difference between outgoing and incoming current and disconnect the circuit within milliseconds to prevent potentially fatal consequences.
Similarly, SPDs protect against surges, or transient voltage, caused by lightning strikes or system switching operations, preventing damage to connected equipment and electronic devices.
AFDDs protect against arc faults, which can occur due to damaged cable insulation caused by factors like rodent damage or wear and tear. When current flows through the damaged cable, tiny arcs can spark fires. AFDDs are commonly used in wooden constructions and in environments where additional protection is needed, such as elderly care homes or historical buildings. Notably, two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Kinderdijk windmills in the Netherlands and Aachen Cathedral in Germany, have been retrofitted with our AFDDs.
With a wide variety of potential faults and protection devices, ensuring complete protection in limited installation space can be a challenge. How can we address this issue effectively?
The challenge of space constraints, particularly in historic buildings or retrofit projects, significantly influences product development. To address this, we offer combined devices, such as an AFDD with an integrated MCB and RCD in a compact size. Additionally, our recently launched DS301C is an RCD with integrated MCB, effectively making it a Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection (RCBO). Occupying only one module width, the DS301C functions like a standard MCB but also includes an RCD. This means that upgrading the protection level of an electrical installation is as simple as swapping the MCB for an RCBO.
By integrating different protection types into more compact designs, retrofit projects become more manageable, and new installations can accommodate smaller enclosures or allocate more space for the addition of smart home systems.
The development of more compact products not only offers space-saving advantages but also contributes to sustainability by reducing material usage. What other sustainability initiatives are currently being pursued?
Sustainability encompasses a wide range of initiatives aimed at making our products and production sites more sustainable. Our Mission to Zero™ program is being implemented at more sites worldwide, including those involved in the production of our protection devices.
Additionally, transparency is a key factor in improving the environmental impact of our product ranges. This involves assessing each product range and making the environmental impact data available as part of externally verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Following this, our ABB EcoSolutions™ program imposes additional criteria, such as sustainable packaging, takeback programs, and recyclability, as part of the ongoing process to systematically evaluate and enhance our product portfolio.
