Finally, a new opportunity for frequency inverters and servo drives!
If a device is equipped with our PECON+®, the known limit value of AC 3.5 mA / 10 mA may be exceeded, as the effectiveness of the protective conductor is permanently monitored.
More than 3.5 mA on the Protective Earth conductor in accordance with the following standards:
DIN EN IEC 62477-1 / VDE 0558-477-1
(AC 3.5 mA limit for electronic equipment)
DIN EN 61800-5-1 / VDE 0160-105
(AC 3.5 mA limit for power drive systems)
DIN EN 60204-1 / VDE 0113
(AC 10 mA limit for machines)
PECON+®
Schutzleiterüberwachung
- Testable networks: L/N/PE – L1/L2/L3/PE – L1/L2/L3/N/PE
- Testable voltages: 1x 230 VAC – 3x 400 VAC, 50/60 Hz (depending on version – see below)
- Signal contact: Contact rating 230VAC / 5A or 16A, potential free
- Mounting: On DIN rail DIN EN 50022
- Dimensions h/w/d: 75 x 45 x 125 mm
- Protection: IP 20
- Ambient temperature: Operation -15°C … +40°C (Storage -25°C … 70°C)
- Humidity: 98%, no condensation
| File | Size |
|---|---|
| Brochures » LC | |
| EPA_PECON+_Protective_Earth_Monitor_Brochure.pdf | 7.02 M |
| Manuals » LC | |
| EPA_PECON+_Monitorowanie_przewodów_ochronnych_Instrukcja_eksploatacji.pdf | 8.19 M |
| EPA_PECON+_Protective_Conductor_Monitor_User_Manual.pdf | 9.61 M |
| CAD » Ableitstrom » PECON | |
| PECON+.zip | 364.67 K |
| Media » Videos | |
| PECON+ presentation – safety and compiland with standards even with more than 3.5 mA leakage current.mp4 | 0.93 G |
Protective earth conductor monitoring for single- and three-phase networks
In brief
The automatic disconnection of the power supply if the protective earth conductor is interrupted is a standard option if the 3.5 mA contact current limit is exceeded during the DGUV test (VDE 0701/702). The PECON+® permanent protective conductor monitoring system can be used to ensure that safety is maintained if the protective conductor is destroyed or disconnected.
- The PECON+® is used to safely monitor the availability of the protective earth conductor in 3-phase and single-phase networks.
- The PECON+® determined by measuring the availability of the protective earth conductor and operated with existing protective earth conductor an internal relay (Working position = PE ok).
- In case of interruption of the protective earth conductor, the relay trips.
- Furthermore, the fault is displayed by a red LED in the front cover.
- A green LED in the front cover indicates operational readiness of PECON+®.
- By means of a test button on the front cover, the functioning of PECON+® can be reviewed at all times.
In detail
Manufacturers of machines and equipment are familiar with this dilemma: On the one hand, frequency inverters and servo drives would significantly increase the utility value of their products. On the other hand, relevant standards permit only leakage currents of up to 3.5 mA or 10 mA AC/DC.
Often, the only option so far has been to use filters with extremely low leakage current to force the EMC emissions associated with modern drive technology within the tight constraints of the permissible limits. This is a very complex process that sometimes fails due to economic considerations and sometimes due to technical limitations.
As an EMC service provider and manufacturer of filters for specialized applications, we know this all too well! We frequently engage with companies whose efforts to implement innovative ideas ultimately risk failing due to the aforementioned regulation.
Because: If the 3.5 mA or 10 mA AC/DC limit cannot be met, the standards require alternative measures. The protective intent behind the standard is fundamentally reasonable and understandable, as it safeguards the person operating the machine from the risk of electric shock if their device is disconnected from the power supply’s protective conductor system due to a defective connection cable or plug.
Except: Relevant standards do, however, expressly permit higher leakage currents if the availability of the protective conductor is continuously monitored.
This is exactly where EPA’s PECON+® comes into play. The PECON+® is a testing device that is installed directly at the machine’s power supply point. Power to the machine is only enabled when the continuous protective conductor monitoring system activates the enable contact, thereby switching on the machine’s main contactor.
The device, which is only 45 mm wide, is mounted on a DIN rail in the control cabinet and reliably monitors all voltage configurations from single-phase 230 VAC up to three-phase 400 VAC, with or without a neutral conductor.
Available models
| PECON+® | For 1- and 3-phase networks with neutral conductor (TN system), nominal voltage 230V, 50/60 Hz |
| PECON+® IT | For 3-phase networks without neutral conductor (TN system), nominal voltage 400V, 50/60 Hz |
| PECON+® NVT-1 / PECON+® NVT-2 | For 1- and 3-phase networks with neutral conductor (TN system), nominal voltage 230V, 50/60 Hz with 2 relays (AC 16A) |
| PECON+® NVF-1 / PECON+® NVF-2 | For 1- and 3-phase networks with neutral conductor (TN system), nominal voltage 230V, 50/60 Hz with 2 relays (AC 16A) |