There are few power networks that can claim to be truly intelligent and monitor for both energy consumption and safety.

NZM Digital was created because Eaton recognised the need for more intelligent solutions to stay on the front foot of power management, quality, and distribution.

The new NZM Digital Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) becomes a part of the network’s brain; watching, checking, and calculating data collected from the network to warn about load conditions, improve operator safety, and send alerts about upcoming trouble before it happens.

Suitable for multiple applications from Mining and Industry, to residential, NZM Digital meets the specific requirements of a wide range of industry sectors including Photovoltaic, Marine, and Wind power.

Importantly, NZM Digital occupies the same footprint as previous generation NZM Classic, while being more intelligent, saving time and money, and reducing complexity. NZM Digital is tested to AS/NZ60947.2. Furthermore, NZM Digital, as a component of the switchboard it becomes part of, is compliant to AS/NZS 61439 standards.

What are the protection capabilities of NZM Digital?

When is a circuit breaker not a typical circuit breaker? When it collects information, analyses data, and identifies issues before they happen, protecting infrastructure, maintenance staff and users.

NZM Digital monitors power consumption, and provides maintenance information, saving users money. It measures energy distribution, to maximise efficiency, while also monitoring status (on, off & trip), and voltages, all via an integrated display which feeds information back to the user.

Other ways it significantly improves safety without increasing footprint is via the ability to send de-energising and re-energising commands to the network to assist in load shedding, NZM Digital provides information regarding the lifespan of your circuit breaker. This information assists in alerting the user prior to failure due to mechanical and electrical operational aspects. This indication when maintenance is envisaged avoids downtime due to unforeseen events.

Which environments does this new product application sit in?

The NZM Digital is suitable for use in all industry sectors and for all applications, including Data Centres, Mining, Marine, Machinery, Light and Power Distribution, Industry in general, Manufacturing, Renewables, and Power Generation plants. NZM Digital is available in one to four poles, with thermal magnetic options from 20-500 amps, and electronic options from 100 to 1600 amps.

A great thing to note is, because the NZM Digital has the same footprint and dimensions it is able to be installed into existing switchboards, while offering extra protection and connectivity without taking up more space.

What are the different types and categories of circuit breakers available?

NZM Digital frame sizes remain unchanged from previous generation, and come in the standard 90mm, 105mm, 140mm and 210mm wide frame sizes.

• NZM Digital Thermal Magnetic - Type A: System and cable protection, suitable for up to 50 degrees Celsius, from 20 to 500 amps
• NZM Digital Thermal Magnetic - Type M: Motor protection, with phase failure sensitivity, from 40 to 200 amps
• NZM Digital Electronic - Type VX: System and cable protection, Ground Fault, overload LED, cause of trip, micro-USB port allows communication Power Expert Protection Manager (PXPM) software. Integrated Modbus communication optional
• NZM Digital Electronic - Type MX: Motor protection from 90-1400 amps, overload LED, cause of trip, phase failure sensitivity, and micro-USB port
• NZM Digital Electronic - Type PX: System and cable protection from 100 to 1600 amps, Ground Fault, LCD display, micro-USB port, laptop software, and predictive maintenance information. Integrated Modbus communication optional

The Arcflash Reduction Maintenance System TM (ARMS)

ARMS makes breaker tripping faster than instantaneous and can be activated when the network is powered and when maintenance activity is required via the integrated LCD display, Modbus communication or via an external switch.

ARMS uses a separate bypass that is strictly analogue, and by bypassing the electronic trip unit this saves critical milliseconds over using instantaneous trip settings.

ARMS is available on NZM3 and NZM4 frame sizes only.

ARMS provides the fastest possible breaker clearing time which results in the lowest arc incident energy exposure, for better safety and to save critical infrastructure.

Zone Selective Interlocking (ZSI) also feature on NZM Digital NZM3 and NZM4 devices. This feature allows two NZM Digital (NZM3 and NZM4) devices of the same size, in the same string, to fully discriminate with each other.

Find out more about NZM Digital here: https://www.eaton.com/au/en-gb/catalog/electrical-circuit-protection/digital-nzm-mccb-eaton.html