Poll: How often do we/you still see specifications for Thermal Mags CBs?

[al in wi]

Wondering if Thermal Magnetic CB technology is truly being replaced by Electronic/Adjustable Trip CBs?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

What frame size breakers are you talking about?

 

[ron]

For most breakers 100A and less, I almost only see thermal mag. For 100-400A it depends. >400A almost always solid state

 

[al in wi]

What frame size breakers are you talking about?

i suppose i should have qualified that with frame sizes....let's call that 400A frames and below. since that's where both technologies exist.
I think 600A frame and above, most major brands are TM only.

Also add another qualifier for main breakers only....since branch breakers below 100A are indeed TM.

What i am getting at is that for CBs in the main switchboard, feeding downstream branch CBs; electronic trips should be more prevalent because they can be adjusted to coordinate with downstream breakers. What woudl be the reason TM is still used there?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Have not ever seen one in the 400 amp and less range. The only fully adjustable ones I have seen have all been 800 amps and larger as drawout breakers in switchgear.

Often we would use MCPs where you could change a rating plug for the short circuit and ground fault protection of motor circuits.

As far as coordination, how often is that actually important? Who would control after installation changes to the settings?
Do the electronic ones cost more than a standard one.

 

[ron]

What i am getting at is that for CBs in the main switchboard, feeding downstream branch CBs; electronic trips should be more prevalent because they can be adjusted to coordinate with downstream breakers. What woudl be the reason TM is still used there?

Cost

 

[don_resqcapt19]

....

What i am getting at is that for CBs in the main switchboard, feeding downstream branch CBs; electronic trips should be more prevalent because they can be adjusted to coordinate with downstream breakers. What woudl be the reason TM is still used there?

But you said 400 amps or less...not sure how often there would be any need to go to the expense of a coordination study and add electronic breakers.