Phoenix Contact Introduces 8 mm-Wide Pluggable Thermal-Magnetic Circuit Breaker PTCB TM

Phoenix Contact has recently launched a new pluggable thermal-magnetic circuit breaker, the PTCB TM, which stands out in the industry with its mere 8 mm width, bringing higher space utilization and flexibility to the design of industrial control cabinets.

Image used courtesy of Phoenix Contact

The PTCB TM series circuit breaker integrates overcurrent protection and signal transmission functions into a single unit, significantly reducing the overall width requirements compared to similar thermal-magnetic circuit breakers. This innovative design enables the installation of more components within control cabinets with limited layout space, thereby enhancing the overall performance and scalability of the system.

Designed specifically for applications with high inrush currents, the PTCB TM series offers nominal current ratings ranging from 0.5 amperes to 16 amperes and provides two trip curve options, F2 and M1. These features make the PTCB TM circuit breaker versatile for a wide range of load types, from sensitive electronic control circuits to motors and transformers requiring high startup currents.

The compact design of the PTCB TM circuit breaker not only saves DIN rail space but also eliminates the need for separate auxiliary signal modules by integrating protection and signal transmission functions into a single housing. The tilting lever on the circuit breaker provides a clear mechanical indication of the switch state, allowing for easy determination even during power outages, thus simplifying troubleshooting during commissioning and maintenance.

Furthermore, the PTCB TM circuit breaker offers optional current monitoring capabilities, enabling real-time monitoring of load conditions and early detection of abnormal current consumption through adjustable signal thresholds before a full trip event occurs. The digital output function allows the circuit breaker to be connected to a PLC for remote status indication, supporting both local and centralized monitoring strategies.

The PTCB TM circuit breaker employs a thermal-magnetic tripping mechanism that effectively manages high inrush currents while providing selective protection within circuits. When paired with Phoenix Contact's QUINT POWER power supplies, these circuit breakers can utilize selective fuse breaking technology to ensure that only the affected circuit trips during a fault condition, thereby maintaining system availability and fault isolation.

Notably, the PTCB TM circuit breaker can be directly integrated into Phoenix Contact's CLIPLINE complete terminal block system, eliminating the need to separately construct protection and potential distribution structures on the rail. This feature maintains layout consistency and reduces the need for jumpers and additional wiring. Additionally, the series is optimized for typical industrial control cabinet conditions, with conformal coating on the PCB ensuring stable operation in environments with dust, humidity, or temperature variations.

Phoenix Contact's PTCB TM pluggable thermal-magnetic circuit breaker, with its ultra-thin design, integrated functions, high flexibility, and reliability, brings revolutionary changes to the industrial control field, making it an ideal choice for enhancing system performance and space utilization.