• • • SURGE & CIRCUIT PROTECTION • • • Electrical Protection Systems
for new and refurb projects By Gary Miles, MD, FDB Electrical
electrical protection devices available, alongside a wide range of panel mounting components, for the installation of this type of customised industrial systems. These protective devices are typically used on industrial/commercial sites, utilities, health and welfare facilities, military and civilian airfields, and similar. Rail approved equipment is available with DC immune characteristics. Fully enclosed protection equipment is exemplified by the FDB 2 modular multi way RCBO, the FDB 11 and the FDB 13 series general purpose RCD, with overload and short circuit protection, with the Home Office FDB21 ‘Interruptible’ RCD/MCB, and the FDB27 unit for Protection of Ground Support Equipment. This is a range of earth leakage/earth monitoring devices for protection of personnel and plant in RAF/RNAS hangars. Specialist components for incorporation into custom protection systems enable panel builders to choose from a selection of remote core transformers, universal earth leakage protection relays, multi-function RCDs and earth fault monitors for specialist systems. Leading industrial earth monitoring and electrical power protection specialists, like ourselves, are pleased to offer ranges of RCDs and RCBOs for personnel or plant protection. Earth Continuity Monitors, together with a range of ancillary devices may be supplied separately as panel mounting components, or pre-assembled within steel, stainless steel or GRP enclosures, complete with socket outlets or terminals as required.
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The FDB11 series is an excellent example which incorporates DC immune RCBO protection for specialist railway installations, and they offer many other variants or custom specifications for other industrial situations to meet customer’s needs. Not only does the FDB11 series meet new build installation requirements but they continue to meet the needs of upgrade projects and refurbishments where earlier generations of this series were installed many years ago and need to be extended or replaced.
On the military side the FDB27/M, RCD
Protection unit is designed for Communications Vehicles in accordance with MOD specifications, with six standard variants according to voltage/current rating required, and with the possibility for custom specification where required. Because of their robust electronics and mechanical assembly, the FDB27 series is also suited to other outdoor installations where reliable RCD protected power is needed in arduous environments. Elsewhere the FDB Electrical series of FDB 19 heavy duty RCCB series of units is designed to overcome inherent earth leakage or inrush currents, combining a variable sensitivity and time
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JULY/AUGUST 2024 45
ith the UK’s building project continuing to gather pace, it is interesting to note the range of high-quality enclosed
delay RCD together with a triple pole MCCB (minimum 16 KA) to provide overcurrent and short circuit protection. With a unit of this type there is no ‘typical’ application since it is suitable for use throughout industry from construction sites, mines and quarries to mobile plant and cranes and for the protection of stage lighting systems where thyristor spikes can trip conventional RCD’s. A standard feature of the unit is its non-fail-safe operation ideal for primary breaker installations or those that are unmanned or prone to supply interruption. The standard FDB 19 series combine a variable sensitivity and time delay RCD, together with a triple pole MCCB (minimum 16KA) to provide overcurrent and short circuit protection all housed in an IP65 zinc coated steel enclosure. For example, an STS variant of the FDB 19 series is used as a special-purpose power supply unit by the Royal Marines for landing crafts such as the
RM rapid-response/patrol boat. Typically, RM landing crafts were used to patrol the harbour approaches at Weymouth and Portland during the 2012 Olympic sailing events.
The FDB19/STS is a specially configured version of the standard FDB 19 Heavy Duty Adjustable RCCB designed to be mounted on offshore pontoons that are supplied from shore-based transformers. Once moored, landing crafts can plug into the FDB19 and recharge on-board batteries and ancillary equipment. Housed in GRP enclosures with glazed panel to provide sight of the various LED status indicators, the equipment comprises a 60A, 16KA MCCB feeding an electro/mechanically interlocked socket outlet. Electrical protection is provided by means of an EFU15 multi-function RCD and Emguard Earth Continuity Monitor, both manufactured in-house by FDB’s relay division. External Test and Reset buttons facilitate ease of operation and testing.
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