Siemens First to Receive UL Listing for 120-Volt, Single Pole Solid-state Circuit Breaker

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macmikeman said:
Is this why we have to put surge protection at the service now? Because they knew it was forthcoming and would suffer greatly upon surge?
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more likely the makers of SPDs wanted the business that would come from mandating unnecessary stuff by putting it in the code.
 
petersonra said:
more likely the makers of SPDs wanted the business that would come from mandating unnecessary stuff by putting it in the code.
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I'm sure that is a factor. But with an electronic device failure from a surge, isn't it possible that a runaway short or overcurrent hazard might result in no trip events? Property loss? And become very common indeed? Almost the norm? I'm thinking it was realized by the industry and that thar code for the surges wasn't because of present day considerations so much as it was for a new type of easily controlled usage devices. Hmmmm....

Of course I always see a bit deeper than most I'll admit.
 
macmikeman said:
I'm sure that is a factor. But with an electronic device failure from a surge, isn't it possible that a runaway short or overcurrent hazard might result in no trip events? Property loss? And become very common indeed? Almost the norm? I'm thinking it was realized by the industry and that thar code for the surges wasn't because of present day considerations so much as it was for a new type of easily controlled usage devices. Hmmmm....

Of course I always see a bit deeper than most I'll admit.
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I would say you are more naive than anything else if you seriously think the people who dominate the code making system do not mostly have the interests of their employers at heart.
 
Can a solid state breaker be used as a code required disconnect, or an OSHA required energy isolation device?
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Can a solid state breaker be used as a code required disconnect, or an OSHA required energy isolation device?
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I would say if it is listed as a branch circuit breaker the answer it can be a disconnecting means.

As for an energy isolation device, who knows. I think OSHA is going to have to make a call here.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Can a solid state breaker be used as a code required disconnect, or an OSHA required energy isolation device?
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I see a switch marked On & Off, but a Voltage rating of 108v-120v.

So open neutrals on supply side smoke breakers when voltage varies above 150v, or shut down when
loads pull voltage below 108v ?

Where's the Ethernet port, needed to constantly update MS Windows software?
 
macmikeman said:
But with an electronic device failure from a surge, isn't it possible that a runaway short or overcurrent hazard might result in no trip events?
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Solid state devices usually fail in the shorted condition so yeah, it probably incorporates a fusible link that will blow at 200% over current. :rolleyes:

And here we go, more electronic stuff for us to figure out where the problem is when something goes wrong.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
Solid state devices usually fail in the shorted condition so yeah, it probably incorporates a fusible link that will blow at 200% over current. :rolleyes:

And here we go, more electronic stuff for us to figure out where the problem is when something goes wrong.

-Hal
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how would that help if there was not an overload?
 
petersonra said:
how would that help if there was not an overload?
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If your OCPD has failed closed, but you have no overload, then you don't have a problem....yet.

So a backup OCPD wouldn't do anything until you have an overload or fault that needs to be cleared.

No clue if there is such a fusible link in the device described in the OP.

Jon
 
Well, I've often wondered when technology would come into play for the garden variety breaker. In my view it is long over due. Let's be honest, the standard breaker is a pretty crude and less than accurate device and hasn't changed much in 50 years or so. On the other hand, if this is just yet another money grab by the manufacturers and becomes another thing like AFCI where the only folks making money on them is the manufacturer and the EC is left holding the bag for all the trip calls, well then, that's a problem.
 
Perhaps the Siemens breaker in the first post has a mechanical switch in series with the semiconductor switch, like in the following picture from the patent at link below:

Siemens_electronic_breaker_schematic_WO2022136443A1.png

https://patents.google.com/patent/W...l+semiconductor+breaker+single+phase&sort=new

The mechanical switch would provide galvanic isolation, while the semiconductor switch can open very quickly to minimize power dissipation in the semiconductor itself and the rest of the circuit during a fault or overload. Perhaps a traditional bimetal element could open the mechanical contacts in the event of a shorted semiconductor switch, although that does not appear to be included within the invention of this particular patent. There are also a lot of other similar patents out there.
The lever at the top of the circuit breaker in the first post looks adequate for actuating a mechanical breaker mechanism, but that's just a superficial observation because there's not much else to go on with the info provided.
 

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Perhaps the breaker will be released with AFCI or GFCI function that can have firmware upgraded via BT. Or some other to be invented function.
Not a feature I would want
 
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