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OEZ (https://www.oez.com/)

New Minia. New features.

In 2015, the Minia modular devices manufactured by OEZ are subject to radical changes, which can be understood as a generation or innovative jump in connecting. In particular, the changes concern the key product groups in the Minia portfolio – circuit breakers and residual current circuit breakers including their accessories, and also switches.

WHAT IS CHANGED?

The introductory table clearly shows the changes in the product range compared with the old products. There will be about 450 new products i.e. more than half of the total number of approx. 850 Minia products! 

Tabulka-1.jpgTab. 1: Changes in Minia product portfolio in 2015

WHAT THE CHANGE WILL BRING?

We want to offer better products to customers. This is a standard rhetoric, without stating concrete benefits. So why we have changed these products? The most substantial are these reasons: improved interconnection of devices and better check of the connected conductors, unified design, easier removal of the devices from the "U" rail, circuit breakers for both direct and alternating current, easier selection of accessories...

IMPROVED INTERCONNECTION OF MINIA DEVICES BY INTERCONNECTING BUSBAR

New LTS/LTP circuit breakers and LFN/LFE residual current circuit breakers eliminate the disadvantage of the old series - their interconnection by an interconnecting busbar. Before there were certain limitations in interconnecting from the top side of the devices. Now, with the new LTS/LTP circuit breakers and LFN/LFE residual current circuit breakers it is generally possible to perform connection by means of an interconnecting busbar without limitation (see Fig. 1). Interconnection is also possible with the other devices such as MSO switches etc.

Obr-1.jpgFig. 1: Example of interconnection of the new LTS/LTP circuit breakers and LFN/LFE residual current circuit breakers by means of an interconnecting busbar

UNIFIED DESIGN

It is evident from the figure that we have also unified the design including identical height of the circuit breakers and residual current circuit breakers, shape of levers or front side of the devices, which is another benefit of the new products.

PIN BUSBAR

One important thing should be mentioned in connection with the interconnecting by an interconnecting busbar: we have gone from the fork to the pin interconnecting busbars. Consequently, so called interconnection of the "New Minia" devices can only be implemented by means of the pin busbar.

BETTER CHECK OF CONNECTION OF CONDUCTORS IN THE TERMINALS OF THE LTS/LTP CIRCUIT BREAKERS

The new LTS/LTP circuit breakers are equipped with a terminal, which makes it possible to connect both the conductor and the interconnecting busbar in the terminal opening simultaneously. The conductor is connected in front of the interconnecting busbar, which provides for better visual check of the connected conductor with simultaneous connection of the interconnecting busbar. The conductor is in front of the interconnecting busbar, and thus it is easier to check its insertion in the terminal, tighten it, etc. – see Fig. 2.

Obr-2.jpgFig. 2: Example of connection of conductors in front of the interconnecting busbar for better visual check of the conductor connection.

Should a conductor be connected in the terminal separately, it would have a cross section of up to 35 mm2. It is also possible to connect two conductors in the terminal – in this case it is possible to connect

2 conductors of maximum cross sections 10 mm2.

 

EASIER REMOVAL OF THE DEVICES FROM THE "U" RAIL

The LTS/LTP circuit breakers, LFN/LFE residual current circuit breakers as well as MSO switches are equipped with latches, which enable manual control, i.e. no tool is needed. This can be used above all in removing the device from the "U" rail. The latches can be released by simple pulling, and then the device can be simply removed from the busbar. Figure 3 shows such latch on the LTS circuit breaker, and the handling with it.

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Fig. 3: View of the latches of the LTS circuit breaker from the side and direction of latch release for removing the circuit breaker from the "U" rail. The easiest is to "hook" the latch by nail and pull it out. The latch can be fixed by the edge of the cover.

For LTN-UC circuit breakers, the latches are a bit different; they are on both sides of the device and bring at least the same functionality as the latches of the LTS/LTP circuit breakers (the LTN-UC latches are shown on Fig. 4)

Obr-4.jpgFig. 4: View of double terminal of the LTN-UC circuit breaker. The terminal provides for the connection of up to 4 conductors or 2 conductors of various cross sections. Max. connectable cross section is 35 mm2

For all versions the latches are always easily accessible – they are always placed in front of conductors as well as in front of the interconnecting busbar.

The fastening of the devices has not been changed – the fastening can be made by simple clicking the device onto the "U" rail like up to now.

 

CIRCUIT BREAKERS FOR BOTH DIRECT AND ALTERNATING CURRENT

The LTN-UC circuit breakers with In from 1 to 63 A, sometimes called "universal" circuit breakers (UC = Universal Current) are designed for application in both direct current (up to 440 V DC) and alternating current circuits (230/400 V AC).

Beside this primary and the most important advantage they have also other features which are worthy of mention. Probably the biggest additional advantage of these circuit breakers are double terminals (see Fig. 4), which make (in addition to the protection function) a comfortable connecting point from the circuit breaker wherein it is possible to connect up to 4 conductors in one terminal. You can connect, for instance, two conductors of various cross sections, while one of them can have cross section up to 35 mm2. Like for the LTS circuit breakers, the conductors are connected in front of the interconnecting busbar, which brings better visual check of the connected conductor.

EASIER SELECTION OF ACCESSORIES

Now, the new range of the devices has the same electrical accessories for all circuit breakers and residual current circuit breakers (see the table below). For example, the most common PS-LT-1100 auxiliary switch  or SV-LT-A230 release can be used both for the LTS/LTP/LVN circuit breakers and LFN/LFE residual current circuit breakers; the auxiliary switches can also be used for MSO switches. The advantage is easier selection and wider applicability across the devices.

The new design of signal switches with reset push-button makes it possible to reset the switch by means of reset lever on the front face of the device. Compared to the signal contact without reset, the advantage consists in that the operator need not switch on the main circuit (circuit breaker) to interrupt the signal circuit i.e. switch off light or sound signal until a fault is detected. Fig. 5 shows such signal switch.

Obr-5.jpg

OTHER BENEFITS

The above mentioned benefits are the most important, but these represent only part of what the change is bringing about. Other benefits (compared to the old range) only "telegraphically". For details, see the Minia catalogue.

LFN/LFE RESIDUAL CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKERS

  • Ambient temperature already from -25 °C for all types compared to older range, whose part began at -5 °C. Advantage: Wider applicability from the viewpoint of ambient temperature
  • State indicator – residual current circuit breakers are equipped with a state indicator, which is connected with contacts. Advantage: visible identification of device contact position
  • Optional installation of a signal switch. Advantage: optional remote indication of switching off by residual current
  • Optional installation of a shunt trip or undervoltage release.  Advantage: optional remote switching off of the residual current circuit breaker

 

MSO SWITCHES

  • Up to 125 A with the width of 1 module/pole. Advantage: saving of space in the switchboard

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