Bourns circuit protection for generator low-voltage control interfaces

Universal solution can prevent equipment failure due to miswiring during installation, Bourns explains.

March 4, 2010
Circuit protection can prevent generator equipment failure from incorrect wiring, Bourns says.

Bourns Inc. announced a circuit protection solution, called Bourns TBU, for low-voltage control lines on generator interfaces. This circuit protection device provides a fast response time to protect exposed low-voltage generator terminals of the generator. This universal circuit protection solution, announced today, March 3, is important in delivering adequate circuit protection, regardless of installer experience, to guard against miswiring issues that can result in costly, dead on arrival (DOA) equipment failure.

The solution applies to line voltage (120 V ac split phase, 240 V) and low voltage signals (less than 50 V). The product offers a resettable overcurrent/overvoltage design capable of handling line voltage and ESD/EFT/current surge protection to safeguard sensitive circuits.
The Bourns TBU device combined with a multilayer oxide varistor (MOV) and zener diode provides power cross and overcurrent protection. A zener diode can be used for low voltage clamping to protect sensitive circuits and to create an avalanche current, which triggers the TBU device. Furthermore, the MOV protects the TBU device from excessive common mode voltages when exposed to ESD and EFT surge threats, the company says.
Bourns TBU devices protect low-voltage generators from the following threats:

– Power cross events that typically occur during installation from miswiring;

– Pre and post-installation ESD threats from handling EFT and inductive load (relay) switching; and

– Post-installation current surges from load switching transients.

Learn more in Bourns’ application note on generator interface protection:

www.bourns.com/data/global/pdfs/Bourns_FU0954_Generator_AppNote.pdf.

Also read from Control Engineering :

– Transient blocking circuit protection via acquisition ;
– System integration channel ; and
– Motors & Drives channel .
– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering , www.controleng.com.