Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has introduced its Cutler-Hammer Intelligent Technologies (IT) electromechanical motor starter and contactor, extending its line of 24V DC control products and providing, among other things, increased safety for operators.
Through 24V DC technology, these products are up to 40 percent smaller than existing Nema and IEC models, reducing floor space requirements for motor control centres (MCCs) and significantly reducing enclosure sizes. They also provide increased operator safety and network communications capabilities.
In 1999, Eaton introduced the IT Soft Starter, its first product in the Cutler-Hammer brand 24V DC control line. "The soft starter, featuring many of the same design and safety benefits, has received universal acceptance, and enjoyed a 400 percent increase in market share," the company said.
"We incorporated 24V DC control into our new line of motor starters and contactors for four main reasons: decreased size, increased safety for operators, global acceptance, and long life," said Matt Polk, product line manager for Eaton's Cutler-Hammer business.
"The new control voltage coupled with the size reduction, solid-state technology, and communication capabilities coupled with 24VDC control, provide users with robust motor controls that are safer and help reduce floor-space needed by the MCCs."
The 24V DC control is achieved through the use of 'pulse with modulation' control. This allows for a high closing force, lower steady state current in the starter and higher contact force resulting in a compact design.
This new configuration allows OEMs to double the number of starters in an enclosure. The 24V DC control also provides users a more reliable control voltage offering 100 percent ride through capabilities at 0 volts for 100 msecs and unlimited ride through at 50 per cent voltage, is fault tolerant, and provides a high contact force which reduces heat, helps eliminate cadmium from the contact design and increases the life span of the units.
Featuring solid-state overload, the IT Electromechanical Motor Starter offers overload alarm without trip function, and can be reset automatically, manually, or via remote control. Users can also select the overload trip class (10, 20, or 30), adjust overload FLA from 30-100 per cent and select phase loss/phase current motor protection.
To simplify communication, Eaton offers Cutler-Hammer starter network adapter products (Snap) that interface directly with the IT devices. The Snaps allow communication across several EtherNet networks, and the Cutler-Hammer QuickPort. Front mountable on the starters and contactors, Snaps are pre-wired and are compatible with several IT products.
Eaton's Cutler-Hammer business is a worldwide leader in electrical control, power distribution, and industrial automation products and services.
Eaton Corporation is a global $7.3 billion manufacturer that is a leader in fluid power systems; electrical power quality, distribution and control; automotive engine air management and fuel economy; and intelligent truck systems for fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 49,000 employees and sells products in more than 50 countries.
