Circuit Breaker plugs into standard terminal blocks.

Press Release Summary:



Offered in current ratings from 0.1-10 A, Series 1180 thermal circuit breaker is for voltages up to 250 Vac or 65 Vdc. It replaces fuses commonly used in DIN-rail terminal block applications that protect factory control equipment. Hot swappable unit avoids nuisance tripping during harmless short-term surges, and protects against long-term, low-value current overloads. Push-button actuator clearly indicates tripped position, and enables fast, manual reset.



Original Press Release:



First Circuit Breaker for Terminal Blocks Can Reduce Equipment Downtime



CHICAGO - December 16, 2002 - E-T-A Circuit Breakers announced a new circuit breaker designed to plug-in industry standard terminal blocks. The 1180 series thermal circuit breaker can reduce costly equipment downtime by replacing the fuses commonly used in DIN-rail terminal block applications that protect factory control equipment. In many factories, the cost of an idled production line can reach thousands of dollars per minute.

Designed for voltage up to 250V AC or 65V DC, the new circuit breaker is available in current ratings ranging from 0.1A to 10A. Unlike fuses, the replacement of which is time-consuming and unreliable, the 1180 circuit breaker can be reset immediately after a fault condition.

The 1180 circuit breaker eliminates the possibility that a blown fuse will be replaced with a new fuse of incorrect rating, which could leave equipment vulnerable to damaging overcurrent.

Only 8mm wide, the 1180 circuit breaker provides enhanced protection without consuming valuable panel space. The 1180 is a replacement for fuses used in popular terminal block systems made by Phoenix Contact, Wago, Entrelec, Weidmuller, and any other system that accepts fuses having the SAE J1284 footprint.

A Superior Replacement For Fuses
Characteristic of a thermal circuit breaker, the 1180 series avoids nuisance tripping during harmless short-term surges, such as in-rush current associated with motor startup. For this reason, a fuse can be replaced by an 1180 circuit breaker of lower current rating, increasing the level of overload protection for devices that control factory equipment such as assembly lines, robots, heaters, and machine presses. The breaker also protects against long-term low-value current overloads...something that some fuses may not do.

The 1180 circuit breaker has several other advantages over the glass fuses currently used in terminal block applications:
o During field replacement, a fuse must be removed, visually inspected, and replaced with a new fuse drawn from inventory. In contrast, the 1180 circuit breaker has a push-button actuator that clearly indicates the tripped position, and enables fast, easy manual reset.
o Fuses degrade with age, eventually leading to failure even under normal conditions. Age has virtually no effect on circuit breakers.
o To assure reliable operation, every 1180 circuit breaker is performance tested before it is shipped - an important consideration for protecting critical equipment. Fuses cannot be tested prior to installation.
o Unlike fuses, the 1180 can also be used as an on/off switch to provide safe shutdown during equipment maintenance. It is hot swappable, whereas fuses are not.

DIN-Rail Mounted Terminal Block
E-T-A's 1180 circuit breaker may be purchased with matching terminal block. The E-T-A DIN-rail mounting, X-222 23301, terminal block accommodates the 1180 circuit breaker in an 8mm wide package. It has a universal foot for mounting on NS 32 or NS 35 DIN-rails.

An LED version is available that provides remote visual indication of breaker trip status. A special 10-pole, 34 A-rated bus is available for the connection of a common supply to several terminal blocks.

Price And Availability
In the past, engineers have been reluctant to specify circuit breakers for terminal block applications because of the comparatively low cost of fuses. However, the miniature 1180 circuit breaker is roughly one-fifth the cost of a typical DIN-rail circuit breaker. Prices in volume at $7.00.

The optional X-222 23301 terminal block has prices in volume around $3.00.

Both the 1180 circuit breaker and X-222 terminal block are available from stock. For detailed information, visit the E-T-A web site, www.e-t-a.com.

About E-T-A
E-T-A Circuit Breakers is the world's leading manufacturer of circuit breakers for OEM equipment and is the only resource for all circuit protection technologies: thermal, thermal-magnetic, magnetic and high performance. E-T-A circuit breakers are available in more than 150 models and 350,000 different
configurations. E-T-A is also a world-leading manufacturer of control and monitoring products, and solid state remote power controllers (SSRPCs). With the North American headquarters in Chicago, the company serves industrial OEMs and end-users.

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