Specification

Effective January 2011
Application Paper AP00308001E
Definition
Many of today’s residential, commercial and indus-
trial applications require miniature circuit breakers
which include electronic circuit boards to provide
additional protection. These circuit breakers include
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and Arc Fault
Circuit Interrupters.
To be sure these breakers work correctly in the
intended application, considerations must be made
to the environmental conditions the breakers
encounter. This document outlines the design
environmental limits in accordance with UL
®
standards and NEMA application standards. Failure
to adhere to the application guidance may alter
the performance of the electronic miniature circuit
breaker.
Application Paper for Arc Fault and Ground Fault
Miniature Circuit Breakers
Should your application fall outside the prescribed environmental
conditions, please contact Eaton to determine if the breaker is suitable
for use in the application.
Table 1. Application and Reference
Temperature
The expected ambient air temperature immediately surrounding the circuit breaker should fall between -5°C
(23°F) and 40°C (104°F).
Humidity
Electronic circuit breakers are designed to operate in environments with maximum relative
humidity of 93% at 32°C (90°F).
Corrosion / Dust
Application of electronic breakers in extremely corrosive or dusty conditions is not recommended without the
use of proper enclosures.
Altitude Breaker performance may be affected at altitudes over 2000m (6600ft).
Vibration Consult Eaton application engineers for installations where vibration or mechanical shock are present.
Power Quality
Electronic miniature breakers are designed to operate at 120VAC +10/-15% per pole at 60Hz. The presence
of harmonic distortion, voltage variation, changes in frequency and excessive conducted or radiated emis-
sions may interfere with the operation of the electronic breaker. Excessive voltage variation and transients
may damage sensitive electronic circuits.
Reverse Feed Applications Reverse feeding of an electronic breaker is not permitted as it will damage the electronic circuit board.
Additional Information
The following documentation is available from Eaton for further assistance in specifying equipment for your
application.
CA08104001E Consulting Application Guide
CA08101001E Distribution and Control Products - U.S. Catalog
Reference Documents
NEMA AB 3-2006 Molded Case Circuit Breakers and their Application
UL 489, CSA 22.2 No.5 Molded-Case Circuit Breakers, Molded-Case
Switches and Circuit-Breaker Enclosures
UL 943, CSA 22.2 No. 144 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
UL 1053, CSA 22.2 No. 14, 5, 144 Ground Fault Sensing and Relaying Equipment
UL 1699, CSA T.I.L No. M-02A Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters
Eaton Corporation
Electrical Group
1000 Cherrington Parkway
Moon Township, PA 15108
United States
877-ETN-CARE (877-386-2273)
Eaton.com
© 2011 Eaton Corporation
All Rights Reserved
Printed in USA
Publication No. AP00308001E
January 2011
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