ARC-K-SYSTEM arc fault protection
Safety system for detecting and extinguishing arc faults in low-voltage switchgear
Arc fault limiter with an actual response time of less than 5 ms in all low-voltage switchgear – unique and reversible for the most reliable protection of people and machinery with minimized production downtime. Due to the minimal impact of the arc fault on the switchgear, it can be put back into operation immediately after the fault has been rectified. Our ARC-K-SYSTEM is reversible and without pyrotechnics! Thus, the protection of the system is immediately reinstated after a trip. Applications in coupled systems or under special plant conditions, such as maintenance or retrofitting, can always be secured as well.
Technical details
The system detects an emerging arc fault using several optical sensors distributed throughout the installation. To avoid false trips, the system also monitors the current of the installation. In the event of a fault, the activation of a specially developed reversible extinguishing device initiates a three-pole short circuit on the main busbar. This short circuit ensures the arc fault is extinguished almost instantly. Furthermore, the feeder switches are turned off to relieve the installation from the short circuit. Thus, an uncontrolled release of energy is effectively prevented, and the arc fault is safely managed.
The ARC-K-SYSTEM was tested in accordance with DIN EN 61439-2, Annex 1, Criteria 1–7 in a high-performance test field fully integrated into our low-voltage switchgear system – the MODUL-K-SYSTEM. The achieved results were confirmed through sophisticated test runs and various installation configurations, and false trips were reliably excluded.
And we are proud of this…
The extinguishing time of the arc fault was so short that the short-circuit wires used for the tests to ignite the arc fault hardly melted and caused practically no destruction within the switchgear.
The ARC-K-SYSTEM also excels in tests with the switchgear door open!
