Benefits of Type E / Type F Motor Protection Circuit Breakers

PBUS-27-C3Controls-MotorProtection-400.jpg

May 19, 2021

Motor Control Configuration Challenges

Designing motor-driven electrical equipment and panels can be a labor-intensive process due to installation requirements mandated by NFPA 70 National Electric Code (NEC) Article 430: Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers, which defines the requirements for all motor branch circuits and the operational functionality of panel devices to include:

  •    –   Motor disconnecting means – disconnect switch, molded case switch or molded case circuit breakers
  •    –   Motor branch-circuit, short-circuit, and ground fault protection – molded case circuit breaker or fuses
  •    –   Motor controller – contactor
  •    –   Motor overload protection – thermal overload relay

Electrical control products must be able to be used globally in addition to being compliant with NEC codes and standards. To ensure compliance with NEC codes, third party certifications (such as Underwriters Laboratories) and international standards, controls engineers often times would size and install individual single function devices that would meet all industry specifications.

These efforts resulted in panels being packed with multiple controls with each individual device requiring proper sizing and spacing to fit within the panel — resulting in larger enclosures, increased panel complexity, decreased configuration flexibility, and a higher overall installation cost.

There had to be a better way — Simplify the motor disconnect, control, and protection processes by reducing the number of panel components by creating a multi-functional, standalone replacement component.

C3Controls_3.JPG

The expansion of the IEC motor protection circuit breaker’s performance could provide all of the motor protection functions required by NEC Article 430:

At c3controls, this approach resulted in a UL Listed Type E/Type F combination motor controller, which provides motor disconnecting means, branch-circuit, short-circuit, and ground fault protection as well as motor control and overload protection.

These multi-functional devices come installed with:

  •    –   Series 330 thermal and magnetic motor protection circuit breaker (c3controls’ catalog number 330-T25)
  •    –   Line side terminal barrier (c3controls’ catalog number 330-LSTB25)
  •    –   Trip indicating auxiliary contact module (c3controls’ catalog number 330-STA22S25)

The Type E manual, self-protected combination motor controller was tested with a Series 300 Contactor creating a Series 630 Direct-On-Line Starter, providing the customer with the option to take advantage of the contactor’s extended switching life, while simultaneously achieving the required motor disconnect capability and short circuit/overload protection.

Type F construction is very similar to Type E with the following exceptions:

C3Controls_1.JPG

Since the contactor is not part of the self-protected test, the Type F combination motor controller will clear a short and protect equipment and operators, but the device may not be operational immediately after a fault occurs.

Type E/Type F Benefits

A Type E self-protected combination motor controller can be specified as either a Series 330 or a Series 630, while a Type F self-protected combination motor controller is specified as a Series 630. As a result, c3controls’ customers can take advantage of our single part number cataloging system to order a complete starter assembly. If more configuration flexibility is required, he or she can take advantage of the modularity of the device and purchase the desired components separately.

c3controls’ Type E/Type F combination motor controllers are optimized for single motor or few motor (less than 3) applications and provide the greatest benefit when used with any three phase motor ≤20Hp @ 460VAC that requires Trip Class 10 thermal overload protection. Both Series 330 and Series 630 devices mount onto a single 35 mm DIN rail or can be panel mounted, reducing labor costs and making installation quick and easy.

c3controls’ users do not need to identify and size additional short circuit protective devices. Rather, these are determined by the self-protected combination motor controller. As a result, customers who purchase Type E/Type F devices will recognize simpler bills of materials, reduced inventory requirements, and lower overall costs.

C3Controls_2.JPG

The lock-off features of these devices ensure safety during maintenance and repair. The trip indicator allows a user to determine which type of fault has occurred, whether overload or short circuit, to ensure timely resolutions and minimal operational downtime. Additionally, since the Type E device is self-protected, equipment does not need to be replaced once a fault occurrence has been resolved.

The Type E/Type F combination motor controller’s compact design and multi-functionality reduce panel space requirements allowing customers to increase panel density using smaller enclosures, which result in lower installation costs. Furthermore, the decreased number of total panel components and increased ease of specification produce panels and machines capable of operating with more function at lower overall costs.

c3controls’ Type E/Type F combination motor controllers provide the kind of high functionality, simplistic specification and ease of installation that our customers require at a value unmatched in the electrical controls industry. These product features and benefits combined with c3controls’ factory direct pricing, lifetime warranty, and guaranteed same day shipping make Type E/Type F combination motor controllers your one-stop motor control solution.

Important_Links_Bar.jpg

https://www.c3controls.com/white-paper/benefits-of-type-e-type-f-motor-protection-circuit-breakers/

 

Related Articles

Network Infrastructure Featured Product Spotlight

PBUS 14 Panduit logo 400

This webinar presented by Beth Lessard and Keith Cordero will be highlighting three Panduit solutions that will optimize network equipment and cabling to ensure that your spaces are efficiently and properly managed to support ever-evolving business needs of today and beyond. Products that will be featured include PanZone TrueEdge Wall Mount Enclsoure, Cable Managers, and Adjustable Depth 4-Post Rack.

REGISTER HERE


Editor’s Pick: Featured Product News

Siemens: SIMOVAC Non-Arc-Resistant and SIMOVAC-AR Arc-Resistant Motor Controllers

The Siemens SIMOVAC medium-voltage non-arc-resistant and SIMOVAC-AR arc-resistant controllers have a modular design incorporating up to two 12SVC400 (400 A) controllers, housed in a freestanding sheet steel enclosure. Each controller is UL 347 class E2, equipped with three current-limiting fuses, a non-load-break isolating switch, and a fixed-mounted vacuum contactor (plug-in type optional for 12SVC400). The enclosure is designed for front access, allowing the equipment to be located with the rear of the equipment close to a non-combustible wall.

Read More


Sponsored Content
Electrify Your Enterprise

Power is vital to production, and well-designed control cabinets are key. Allied Electronics & Automation offers a comprehensive collection of control cabinet solutions including PLCs, HMIs, contactors, miniature circuit breakers, terminal block connectors, DIN-rail power supplies, pushbutton switches, motor starters, overloads, power relays, industrial Ethernet switches and AC drives engineered to keep your operations running safely, reliably and efficiently.

Learn more HERE.


Products for Panel Builders

  • OKW: IK/IP-Rated SOLID-BOX for Industrial Touch Screen and Display Electronics

    OKW: IK/IP-Rated SOLID-BOX for Industrial Touch Screen and Display Electronics

    More electronics designers are specifying OKW’s tough SOLID-BOX to safeguard sensitive touch screens, control panels and displays in harsh industrial environments. IK 08 (impact) and IP 66/IP 67 (ingress) protection make SOLID-BOX ideal for plant and machine construction, HVAC, IoT/IIoT, Smart Factory/Industry 4.0, gateways, data loggers, ICT, electrical installations, measurement/control, agriculture/farming, sensor systems and safety… Read More…

  • LOVATO Electric: New Double Contact Elements and Auto-Monitoring Contact Element

    LOVATO Electric: New Double Contact Elements and Auto-Monitoring Contact Element

    LOVATO Electric enriches the range of pushbutton and selectors Platinum series with the new double contact elements and auto-monitoring contact element. The double contact elements provide the flexibility of two contacts (1NO+1NC, 2NO or 2NC) within the same dimensions as a single contact (LPXC10 or LPXC01). The new auto–monitoring contact is replacing the previous auto-monitoring contact versions (LPXC01SM and LPXC02SM)… Read More…