New-Tech Europe | March 2017 | Digital Edition

superior protection from fire risk caused by ground fault currents in applications with electronic drives. This is especially requested in agricultural applications to avoid any fires caused by high frequent earth leakage currents. RCDs in Intelligent Wiring Solutions RCDs are an important component for reducing downtime, but machine builders and installers can increase uptime further and make savings by integrating them within an Intelligent Wiring environment. For example, devices such as MCBs, RCCBs and RCBOs can be quickly and easily connected to intelligent wiring and communications technology through Eaton’s SmartWire-DT MCB/RCD module.

possible strategies; these relate to the equipment’s technical features along with a wider range of equally important factors. An ability to specify and receive exactly the same products, albeit with controlled local variations, anywhere in the world simplifies exporting, maintenance and operational procedure planning. Not only is operational efficiency and productivity increased through the improved diagnostics available with today’s digital technology, but with the right circuit protection technologies, the safety and protection of both man and the machine is also increased. For further reading on the subject download Eaton’s white paper from www.eaton.eu/en/cp/rcd.

This makes additional I/O level and wiring redundant, enabling machine builders to reduce installation or upgrade time and costs. Using this system, the status (on, off, tripped) of the protection devices is made available within the machine’s control / monitoring system or to the power distribution network. This continuously provides the service and maintenance teams with information about the system, helping them to react immediately to problems and keeping system downtime to a minimum. Conclusions Machine builders specifying circuit protection equipment (in particular RCDs) and seeking to minimise costs while offering high performing, reliable machines have a number of

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