Arc-Flash Relays
Arc-flash relays are microprocessor-based devices that use optical sensors to detect the onset of a flash. The sensors are strategically placed in various cubicles or drawers inside the switchboard. Installing an arc-flash relay to rapidly detect developing arc flashes greatly reduces the total clearing time and the amount of energy released through an arcing fault. In turn, there is less damage to equipment and fewer and less severe injuries to nearby personnel.
Littelfuse Arc-Flash Relays
Arc flash relays improve sustainability and life of electrical equipment. They can also help lower the PPE category of protected equipment. An arc-flash relay is an integral part of an arc-flash protection system that can minimise damage, save money, time and lives.
Littelfuse arc-flash relays use light instead of current to detect an arc flash in under one millisecond. The fiber optic light sensor detects light throughout the entire length of the fiber. The sensor is ideal to protect buss bars, multiple compartment installations like motor control centers, or areas with many obstructions.
Arc flash detection relays can detect a developing arc flash incident and send a trip signal to interrupt power before significant damage is caused. Arc flash relays can quickly detect developing arc flashes which will greatly reduce the total clearing time and amount of energy released through the arcing fault. This results in less damage to equipment and nearby personnel.
How do arc-flash relays work?
Ideal for applications requiring switchgear protection
Arc flash detection devices are ideal for generators, switchboards, transformers, capacitor load banks, grounded electrical distribution systems, circuit breakers, EV chargers, wind turbines, low, medium and high voltage switchgear and devices with high inrush currents. Arc flash relays are also used in solar combiner boxes, inverters, industrial UPS, junction boxes, OEM panels and motor control centers.
Common causes of arc flash incidents:
- Equipment failure
- Dropping un-insulated tools or metal parts
- Using incorrect instruments
- Loose connections and exposed live parts
- Live work on damaged equipment such as cables
- Lack of appropriate training on risks and faults
Littlefuse Arc-Flash Relays Product Range
AF0025
Features
- Compact solution
- Two sensor inputs
- Fixed light sensitivity
- Internal fail-safe design
- Selectable fail-safe and non-fail-safe operation
- Error output
AF0100
Features
- Compact size
- Works with two different optical sensor types
- Dual sensor inputs
- Adjustable light sensitivity
- Discrete wire networking
- Fail-safe system
- USB interface
- Unit health indication
- LED indication
AF0500
Features
- 4 arc sensor inputs
- Arc-flash trip time <1ms
- 1 IGBT high speed trip outputs
- Universal Power Supply
- Fail-safe system
- LED indication (on unit and each sensor)
- Discrete wire networking
- USB interface
- Data logging
- Ethernet interface
PGR-8800
Features
- Arc-flash trip time <1ms
- Multiple sensors (up to 24)
- Fail-safe system
- Redundant trip circuit
- Adjustable light sensitivity
- LED indication (on unit and each sensor)
- Current detection
- Optical detection
- 6 digital inputs
- USB interface
- Data logging
- Modbus
- Upstream tripping
For further information on Littelfuse’s arc-flash relays please contact us on 01444 243 452 or email [email protected].
