Eaton First to Extend Arc-Resistant Rating for Switchgear during Routine Maintenance to Enhance Safety and Improve Uptime
Power management company Eaton today announced the industry’s first low voltage switchgear technology designed to extend type 2B arc-resistant ratings with the instrument and breaker secondary door open. Providing centralized control and protection for low-voltage power distribution equipment, the new switchgear is engineered to improve uptime for data center, oil and gas, mining, utility and other mission critical industrial applications.
“With an innovational two-part design, Eaton’s latest switchgear helps protect personnel around the perimeter of the switchgear from dangerous arcing faults,” said Bisrat Girma, product manager at Eaton. “The technological breakthrough demonstrates Eaton’s commitment to developing safety solutions that are designed to enhance both personnel safety and electrical system availability.”
The new switchgear design allows access to the control switch and indicator lights located on the breaker secondary doors without opening the main breaker door. This design has been made available for both front and rear access arc-resistant low voltage switchgear to help customers minimize the footprint of electrical distribution equipment while maintaining high safety standards.
Eaton’s innovational two-part design allows the circuit breaker door to remain closed while accessing control wire, and retains the C37.20.7 arc-resistant rating during routine maintenance to simplify access to circuit breaker secondary terminals and reduce unplanned downtime.
In compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standard, and as defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C37.20.7 standard, the arc-resistant low voltage switchgear carries a hazard risk category of zero for circuit breaker operation with doors closed and latched. The switchgear also meets National Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA®) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards.
The new switchgear offering strengthens Eaton`s broad range of electrical safety solutions incorporating the industry’s most comprehensive suite of arc-flash-related products and services including arc flash hazard analysis, training and compliance, mitigating products, labeling and safety procedures, and comprehensive safety audits. To learn more about Eaton`s full portfolio of arc flash safety solutions, visit www.eaton.com/arcflash.
To learn more about Eaton’s arc-resistant low voltage switchgear offerings, visit www.eaton.com/lva.
Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.
Eaton is a power management company with 2014 sales of $22.6 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 102,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.