EMC & Circuit Protection
Leading the charge in circuit protection by managing component obsolescence
With circuit protection components’ life cycles shortening, it’s vital today for buyers to consider all options. GD Rectifiers talks exclusively to CIE Magazine on how to combat component obsolescence in circuit protection devices.
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oday component obsolescence is a critical issue facing manufacturers and engineers, particularly in the field of circuit protection. The lifecycle of electronic components is shortening, driven by the continuous development of newer technologies and materials, leaving many existing systems vulnerable to unexpected failures. The impact of component obsolescence extends beyond replacement concerns; it can affect the performance, reliability, safety, and longevity of products, particularly in industries such as automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, and industrial machinery where circuit protection is crucial. This article explores the challenges posed by obsolescence in circuit protection systems and provides practical strategies to manage and mitigate its effects. Circuit protection devices are essential components in any electrical system. Their primary role is to detect overcurrent, overvoltage, or short circuits and intervene to prevent damage to the system or its components. Without sufficient protection, electrical systems can be vulnerable to faults that can lead to equipment failure, fires, or even safety hazards for users.
Founded in 1964 and soon to celebrate 60 years in the industry, GD Rectifiers has built a solid reputation for designing, manufacturing, and distributing cutting-edge power electronic components and systems. The company’s extensive portfolio includes semiconductors, heatsinks, power assemblies, power supplies and transformers. Among these, its circuit protection devices act as critical components in safeguarding electrical systems, preventing damage, and ensuring operational excellence.
GD Rectifiers’ circuit protection range ● Arc-flash relays - an integral part of an arc-flash protection system used to minimise damage, save money, time and lives. ● DC EMI filters – designed to reduce EMI radiation with a rated current of 5-3000A, popular amongst solar applications and recharging stations.
20 September 2024
● DV/DT suppression – snubber networks suitable for most power devices including drive and motor applications.
● Electronic ignition devices – ideal for cooking, baking and other heat appliances due to the low power consumption, repetitive spark ignition and high voltage characteristics. ● EMI filters – single, three phase and three phase plus neutral filters used to suppress electromagnetic interference, available with a five year warranty. ● Fuses – current limiting fuses designed to protect and isolate sensitive semiconductor components, including battery storage, BS88, cartridge, square body, cylindrical, high speed, low voltage, medium voltage, high voltage, industrial and NH DIN fuses. ● Harmonic filters – active and passive harmonic filters used to reduce harmonic distortion to <5%, suitable for individual applications or an entire facility. ● Medical and military filters – used to ensure minimal leakage currents and safe operation of electrical medical devices, helping to provide clean power for MRI and X-ray machines. ● Motor protection devices – help protect motors from harmful overvoltage and dv/dt spikes generated by the drive’s output. Devices include sine wave filters, snubber dv/ dt filters, star point snubber filters and toroid and ferrite cores.
Components in Electronics
● Parallel filters – versatile filters that can work to any amperage, ensuring only one model is required for any current range.
● Power factor correction – static
var generators control power factor compensation from 30Kvar and nominal voltage from 400-600Vac. ● Selenium suppressors – designed to protect semiconductors from damage caused by transient surges, specifically for industrial power control applications. ● Surge protection devices – designed to offer protection from transient overvoltage events lasting micro-seconds, including surge arresters, surge protection modules and varistors. ● Thermal trips – provide protection of power semiconductors against over temperature. ● Voltage stabilisers – reliable voltage stabilisers from 230-400Vac and rated power from 1-4000kVA, when installed in existing systems, these devices do not require new calculations for protection.
Circuit protection component obsolescence
Obsolescence occurs when a component or material used in a system is no longer available from the manufacturer, typically due to advances in technology, changes in manufacturing processes, or shifts in market demand. In circuit protection, components
like fuses, circuit breakers, and transient voltage suppressors (TVS diodes) are integral to ensuring the safety and functionality of electronic devices. When any of these components become obsolete, they can compromise the overall system’s integrity. Several factors contribute to component obsolescence: 1. Shortened product life cycles: The lifecycle of electronic components, including those used in circuit protection, has reduced dramatically. As manufacturers push forward with next-generation products, older components are phased out more quickly, often leaving little warning. 2. Regulatory changes: New environmental and safety regulations, such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, can force the discontinuation of components containing certain materials like lead or mercury. 3. Market dynamics: Shifts in demand for consumer electronics, automotive systems, or industrial equipment can reduce the profitability of maintaining production lines for older components. 4. Advances in technology: The continuous advancement of semiconductor technology, for instance, pushes manufacturers to adopt newer, more efficient circuit protection solutions, rendering previous models obsolete.
Impact on circuit protection systems For industries relying on circuit protection systems, component obsolescence can lead to several adverse consequences: ● System downtime: The most immediate and noticeable impact of obsolescence is system downtime. When critical circuit protection components fail and replacements are unavailable, entire systems may have to be taken offline until suitable alternatives are found. ● Increased maintenance costs: Searching for and acquiring obsolete components, or engineering new solutions, often involves extensive labour and costs, driving up maintenance expenses.
www.cieonline.co.uk
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