Epd breakers

[electgut21]

I have a question that maybe someone can answer, it is about 30ma epd circuit breakers that we use to feed uv lighting that disinfects water. Some of These cb have been damaged from over heating and third harmonics. They are very expensive and we want to know is, are they also for people protection or just for equipment? Is using a standard cb a safety issue ? We have replaced menny parts from these units and don't every recall a tripped cb . Does anyone see a safety issue not using epd cb?

 

[cornbread]

EPD = Equipment Protection Device

 

[WorkSafe]

In other words:

If your company can afford to replace their equipment, they can afford to replace the EPD's.

 

[pfalcon]

I have a question that maybe someone can answer, it is about 30ma epd circuit breakers that we use to feed uv lighting that disinfects water. Some of These cb have been damaged from over heating and third harmonics. They are very expensive and we want to know is, are they also for people protection or just for equipment? Is using a standard cb a safety issue ? We have replaced menny parts from these units and don't every recall a tripped cb . Does anyone see a safety issue not using epd cb?

There is a false presumption that circuit breakers were developed for personal protection. They were not. They were developed to prevent fires and equipment damage. Arc-Flash and Ground-Fault devices were developed for personal protection. The energy to kill a person is often below the trip level of a circuit breaker. If personal protection is an issue here then you need to look into the GFCI/AFCI stuff.

Even though you have never seen a trip on these circuit breakers that does not mean they are not protecting your equipment. Most breakers never trip in their lifespan because the conditions needing them have never occurred on that circuit.

If you are seeing enough heat and harmonics to damage the circuit breakers then someone needs to address that issue not accept it.

 

[ELA]

There are various different standards in industry to add to the basic NEC requirements. When working in the Semiconductor industry there were standards that required EPD breakers on all heated chemical baths.
Because of the 30ma trip point they are primarily for equipment protection.
I also like to think that they provide some minor level of personel safety in that an energized bath will not go unnoticed as it might if there is no EPD and leakage continues to increase over time.