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.
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