Energy management and automation group Schneider Electric has launched two new entry-level market products – the GoPact Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) and the Manual Transfer Switch (MTS).

The products have been designed with the basic entry level of the market in mind that require robustness and reliability, without the premium cost of circuit breaking and automatic transfer switch solutions.

These products meet the needs of basic non-critical applications, which is a gap in the market that Schneider sought to fill. In particular, the MTS is the first product of its kind in the Schneider stable.

Some of the non-critical applications that these basic circuit breakers can be used for include low- to medium-density commercial buildings, cluster housing complexes, standalone residences, retail stores and mini substation applications.

While the products have been launched in other markets such as Egypt, they are being launched for the first time in South Africa.

Distribution partners, panel builders and electricians, for example, can leverage the uncomplicated, wide range of basic circuit breakers with current ratings up to 800 amps, breaking capacities of up to 70 kA and options of fixed, adjustable and electronic trip units.

Additionally, GoPact products are packaged in recycled, biodegradable cartons, with QR codes serving as the source of additional technical documentation on the products.

“As a premium brand, Schneider commands quality and reliability, as well as everything related to the best-in-class technical capabilities and ground-breaking technology. Our Go Series products still provide customers access to all of this at a cost-sensitive price point,” explains Schneider power products offer manager Kamogelo Makwana.

With these products, Schneider aims to make inroads into the entry-level market where it has been traditionally active but not competitive enough.

Additionally, the new offerings provide a solution to current challenges that end-users and businesses are experiencing related to the high costs of operations.

PRODUCT DETAILS

The MCCB has a high electrical life of between 3 000 and 8 000 cycles, as well as a high mechanical life of between 15 000 and 30 000 cycles. It also has high temperature resilience, being able to operate in temperatures of up to 55 ˚C without derating.

The range includes five frame sizes from 125 to 800 amps and comes fitted with most accessories that are necessary for easy operation, easy maintenance and stringent security.

In turn, the MTS also has a long mechanical life of between 10 000 and 20 000 cycles, and can also operate at temperatures of 55 ˚C without derating.

Schneider offers the MTS range in six frame sizes, from 100 to 2 000 amps, and up to 105 kA.

The MTS allows for customisation on the handle, as well as fast installation through factory-fitted bridging bus bars.

Schneider will soon offer these products for sale on a dedicated marketplace e-commerce platform from about May, as well as through its distribution partner websites.

Each product comes with a QR code to scan not only for additional information but to verify that it is a genuine product.