Electrical Research & Development Association (ERDA) has received the patent for its newly-developed “Fault Current Limiter for LT Switchgear and Appliances” (Patent No. 289733) from Government of India.
Fault current limiter (FCL), as the name suggests, is used to limit the short-circuit current. Fault current limiter can be used in conjunction with MCBs of smaller fault current rating, giving an economical solution to expensive moulded case circuit-breakers (MCCBs) having higher breaking capacity. It also provides value addition in terms of light in weight, faster operating time, higher safety and reliability, a release from ERDA said.
Potential applications of the FCL can be circuit breakers (MCB, ELCB), short circuit protective devices (SCPP) for motor, over-current protection, load limiter, domestic appliances, rotating machines etc.
This technology has been conferred with various international, national and state level awards such as WIPO, NRDC, ELECRAMA and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Award of Govt. of Gujarat, the release noted.
Established in 1974, ERDA operates its services under three business verticals of Testing and Evaluation, Field Services, Research and Development & Expert services from Vadodara (Head Office), Rabale at Navi Mumbai, Gurgaon (ERDA-North) and Rajahmundry (ERDA-South).
ERDA employs around 400 employees, holds 16 patents for its developed products and systems, tests more than 135 electrical products at its 24 state of the art testing facilities and successfully handles a base of more than 9,000 customers.