An interview with ABB

ABB recently announced the introduction of its new moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB) SACE Tmax XT (See published press release 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

ABB’s Tmax XT range of MCCBs have enhanced electrical and mechanical capabilities compared to the previous range. Electrical and mechanical performance now exceeds the previous range. The range has also introduced new trip units to the market, such as Touch and Hi-Touch trip units, in addition to the existing trip unit options, available on XT2, XT4, XT5 and XT7. Additional digital capabilities and communication protocols have also been introduced in this range.

The XT range has been extended from XT4 to XT7. We needed to complete the range up to 1600 A, 690 V AC, by introducing XT5, XT6 and XT7. This is shown in the technical specifications for the new range.

New trip units have also been introduced to complement the new digital capabilities now available in the full product range. Ekip Touch and Hi-Touch trip units have measurement accuracies up to Class 1. The range now supports up to eight communications protocols and cloud connectivity. We believe these cloud connectivity features will help customers meet sustainability goals. 

The Tmax XT range broadly covers power distribution, motor protection and generator protection applications, up to 690 V AC and 750 V DC. The new range current from 160 A frame size up to 1600 A, 690 V AC. It also supports DC currents application up to 800 A at 750 V DC. There are different frame sizes available in the range. XT1 starts at 160 A frame size with XT7 supporting current up to 1600 A. Within each frame size we have different fault level capabilities at different voltages.

Some have thermal-magnetic trip units, while others have magnetic 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 both AC and DC applications for protection against overloads and short circuits. The first level of electronic trip units, Ekip DIP, are used for protection of AC applications. These are based on microprocessor technologies and guarantee high reliability and tripping precision. They provide protection against overloads, selective short-circuits, short-circuits and earth faults. The Ekip Touch/Hi-Touch trip units represent state-of-the-art technology for AC network protection with advanced protection and system management functions. They also support diverse communication protocols enabling the reading of measurement parameters and can control circuit-breakers remotely.

No special installation procedures are required when working with the Tmax XT range. Safety is top of mind. The accessories can be fitted onsite and don’t have to be fitted by ABB. All accessories come with installation manuals and only need to comply with the local wiring codes.
All accessories are modular in nature. Different communication protocols are now available in the complete range. The circuit-breakers can be equipped with communication modules for Modbus RS485, Modbus TCP, Profibus, Profinet, DeviceNet™, EtherNet/IP™ and IEC61850 communication protocols. These communication protocols are used for monitoring, data acquisition and control of circuit breakers. Using communication protocols makes it universal. It takes the information away from the breaker closer to the user.

Contact Busisiwe Molefe, ABB, Phone 010 202-5523, busisiwe.molefe@za.abb.com, www.abb.com