Newest ABB circuit breaker offers power control technology

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by Brianna Crandall — November 12, 2014—Global power and automation technology group ABB has launched the newest version of its Emax 2 circuit breaker, which the company says is the first low-voltage circuit breaker with integrated energy management functions that monitor power usage and control installed loads and generators.

“ABB’s new Emax 2 circuit breakers include the optional, patented Ekip Power Controller feature, which enables circuit breakers to monitor power usage and control installed loads,” said Nazim Matmati, product group manager for low-voltage breakers at ABB. “Rather than merely switching power, Emax 2 breakers manage it by disconnecting non-priority loads during times when consumption should be limited, and reconnecting them as soon as it’s appropriate. It can also automatically activate emergency, standby or alternate power supplies when needed.”

The Ekip Power Controller load management software, exclusive to ABB, is available for Emax 2 circuit breakers for any application where control of power usage is needed. It monitors power as it flows through the circuit breaker and manages loads to keep total power use below the limit set by the user, enabling cost savings on electricity by limiting peak power consumption, says the company.

Emax 2 circuit breakers also include direct communication capabilities for seven of the most popular industrial protocols, which simplify network integration. Mechanical design features include a frame that occupies less space, which decreases material needs for switchgear, and adjustable terminals that reduce the need to bend and extend bus bar. The Emax trip unit features color touch-screen navigation with embedded ANSI codes and a wide variety of easily installed accessories to tailor the breaker to its application, as well as increase safety, notes ABB.

Emax 2 circuit breakers offer protection for power distribution, as well as options designed specifically for generator applications, which comprise a comprehensive line of products for energy-efficient power management. Emax 2 provides control, connectivity, safety and performance, while being easily adaptable to future developments in electrical power technology, adds the company.

ABB’s development center in Bergamo, Italy, led the effort of several years that culminated in the new Emax 2 breaker for all power distribution and energy management needs. ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs approximately 145,000 people.