Page 38 - Energize November 2022

INTERVIEW

Discovering the benefits of

ABB’s latest range of MCCBs

BB recently announced the introduction of its new moulded case
circuit breaker (MCCB) SACE Tmax XT (See published press
Arelease here). According to the company’s press release, this
MCCB replaces an older design (SACE Tmax T) and offers more features
than its predecessor.
Energize spoke to ABB’s Ettienne Delport and Veron Maharaj
recently about the new range and discovered some very interesting
and useful facts which were explained in the interview. Ettienne is
ABB’s product marketing director, and Veron is the company’s product
marketing specialist.
Click here to listen to the interview Ettienne Delport Veron Maharaj

ABB’s Tmax XT range of MCCBs have enhanced electrical and mechanical circuits. The first level of electronic trip units, Ekip DIP, are
capabilities compared to the previous range. Electrical and mechanical used for protection of AC applications. These are based on
performance now exceeds the previous range. The range has also microprocessor technologies and guarantee high reliability and
introduced new trip units to the market, such as Touch and Hi-Touch trip tripping precision. They provide protection against overloads,
units, in addition to the existing trip unit options, available on XT2, XT4, selective short-circuits, short-circuits and earth faults. The
XT5 and XT7. Additional digital capabilities and communication protocols Ekip Touch/Hi-Touch trip units represent state-of-the-art
have also been introduced in this range. technology for AC network protection with advanced protection
The XT range has been extended from XT4 to XT7. We needed to and system management functions. They also support diverse
complete the range up to 1600 A, 690 V AC, by introducing XT5, XT6 and communication protocols enabling the reading of measurement
XT7. This is shown in the technical specifications for the new range parameters and can control circuit-breakers remotely.
New trip units have also been introduced to complement the new No special installation procedures are required when
digital capabilities now available in the full product range. Ekip Touch working with the Tmax XT range. Safety is top of mind. The
and Hi-Touch trip units have measurement accuracies up to Class 1. accessories can be fitted onsite and don’t have to be fitted by
The range now supports up to eight communications protocols and ABB. All accessories come with installation manuals and only
cloud connectivity. We believe these cloud connectivity features will help need to comply with the local wiring codes.
customers meet sustainability goals. All accessories are modular in nature. Different
The Tmax XT range broadly covers power distribution, motor communication protocols are now available in the
protection and generator protection applications, up to 690 V AC and complete range. The circuit-breakers can be equipped with
750 V DC. The new range current from 160 A frame size up to 1600 A, communication modules for Modbus RS485, Modbus TCP,
690 V AC. It also supports DC currents application up to 800 A at 750 V DC. Profibus, Profinet, DeviceNet™, EtherNet/IP™ and IEC61850
There are different frame sizes available in the range. XT1 starts at communication protocols. These communication protocols
160 A frame size with XT7 supporting current up to 1600 A. Within each are used for monitoring, data acquisition and control of circuit
frame size we have different fault level capabilities at different voltages. breakers. Using communication protocols makes it universal. It
Some have thermal-magnetic trip units, while others have magnetic takes the information away from the breaker closer to the user.
trip units, and still others in the range have electronic trip units. Thermal
magnetic trip units are our most basic trip unit. These can be used in Contact Busisiwe Molefe, ABB, Phone 010 202-5523,
both AC and DC applications for protection against overloads and short busisiwe.molefe@za.abb.com, www.abb.com