The two main renewable energy sources, wind and photovoltaics, supply direct current (DC), while alternating current (AC) technology dominates the global power supply. This leads to the need for devices that convert AC to DC (e.g. power supply units or rectifiers). On the one hand, these conversion steps require raw materials and money for the purchase of the devices themselves, and on the other hand they reduce the efficiency of the device or the entire system. If DC technology is used in an industrial environment, there is enormous economic and energy-saving potential for companies in addition to a sustainable energy supply.

Switching devices pose a particular challenge with direct current. With direct current, there is a risk of a standing arc when switching off under load.

Phoenix Contact has risen to this challenge and offers the CONTACTRON ELR HDC, the innovative DC circuit-breaker that combines four functions in just one device:

Switching: Thanks to the use of highly efficient semiconductors, the circuit-breaker reliably prevents arcing when it is switched off. The two electromechanical relays ensure galvanic isolation. The integrated pre-charging function pre-charges capacitive loads and thus prevents current peaks during the switch-on process.

Monitoring: During operation, the CONTACTRON ELR HDC's sensor system reliably monitors current, voltage and temperature and makes this data available for the protective functions and operating data acquisition.

Protect: The circuit breaker protects connected loads against overloads and even short circuits. The hybrid design with serial semiconductor switch guarantees ultra-fast switch-off in the event of a fault in <10 µs.

Communicate: With its integrated IO-Link interface, integrating the CONTACTRON ELR HDC into system networks is child's play. Switching, parameterization, monitoring of operating data and acknowledgement of messages can be carried out conveniently from the control station. An additional digital input and output offers further options for remote switching, monitoring and acknowledgement.

By operating an industrial DC grid, companies become largely independent of the grid operator. In technical terms, this relieves the load on the public power grid and stabilizes it.