BMC and the Electrical & Electronic (E&E) Industry

Maximum Safety with minimum maintenance
For more than 40 years, BMC has been successfully used in the electrical an electronic industry. BMC provides economical solutions for electrical equipment thanks to a unique blend of beneficial properties: electrical insulation, thermal resistance, fire protection and design freedom. BMC has progressively replaced traditional materials such as metals (non - insulating and prone to corrosion), ceramics (poor mechanical properties) and traditional thermosetting materials (shrinkage problems, irregular color matching etc.)

BMC has become the choice material for low voltage and medium voltage applications such as insulating housings for switches are barriers and insulators. Industrial low voltage BMC switches are produced in millions of units around the world every year: they provide efficient power distribution and protect the end user against he dangerous effects of short circuits.

Circuit breakers provide protective and operational functions and are manufactured to prevent current overloads. They ensure the maximum level of safety under continuous operation with minimal maintenance. International standards used to classify circuit breakers in severe conditions and performance, require a material that is unaffected by fatigue and temperature.

One of the severest tests is the short circuit test, where the heaviest current overloads are repeatedly applied. Inside the switch an electrical arc raises the temperature to thousands of degrees over a short time. The current impact causes an explosive arc, which the BMC housing must withstand without penetration. No emissions of toxic gases are allowed during this test. BMC generates very low concentrations when ignited, and pollution levels are lower than with competing material, because BMC achievers excellent fire retardency without the use of halogens.

In addition to the technical and safety features of BMC, the driving factor and most decisive point in many cases is the considerable reduction in production and assembly costs- for example by moulded-in inserts. Size and weight can also be reduced, and electronic functions integrated, are as required in power centers, panel boards and motor and motor control centers.