BTicino Megatiker M3 160 Circuit Breaker

BTicino Megatiker M3 160 Circuit Breaker

Introduction

In modern industrial power distribution systems, molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) are not only the on-off components of circuits, but also the key protective devices that ensure equipment and personal safety. The Megatiker M3 platform launched by BTicino aims to provide high-performance, compact, and cost optimized protection solutions for high-power applications. Among them, the M3 160 model, as a core member of the platform, is widely used in industrial distribution cabinets, motor control centers, and various OEM equipment due to its 160A rated current, maximum 100kA breaking capacity, and flexible functional configuration.

This article is based on the official technical documentation of BTicino, systematically reviewing the technical characteristics, electrical parameters, installation methods, accessory configurations, and trip characteristics of Megatiker M3 160 thermal magnetic circuit breaker and MS3 160 isolating switch, providing professional reference for engineers and system integrators.

Product positioning and scope

1. Product positioning

The Megatiker M3 platform is developed specifically to meet the demand for high-performance circuit breakers in the high-end market. Its design philosophy emphasizes:

High precision protection: providing precise overload and short circuit protection

Compact size: achieving high-power applications in limited space

Cost optimization: balancing performance and economy

M3 160 is a model with a rated current of 160A in this platform, suitable for small and medium-sized distribution circuits and motor protection.

2. Product Scope

Thermal magnetic circuit breaker

According to different breaking capacities, M3 160 circuit breakers are divided into the following four levels:

Breaking ability level, model code, breaking ability Icu (415V AC), number of poles

F T7303F160 / T7304F160 36 kA 3P / 4P

N T7303N160 / T7304N160 50 kA 3P / 4P

H T7303H160 / T7304H160 70 kA 3P / 4P

L T7303L160 / T7304L160 100 kA 3P / 4P

disconnecting switch

MS3 160 isolation switch is suitable for isolation applications that require visible breakpoints:

Model, rated current, number of poles

T7303S160 160 A 3P

T7304S160 160 A 4P

Size and weight

The M3 160 series features a compact design for easy panel installation:

Parameters 3P 4P

Width (W) 75 mm 100 mm

Height (H) 135 mm 135 mm

Depth (D) 86 mm 86 mm

Pole spacing 25 mm 25 mm

Weight Reference

Component weight (kg)

Circuit breaker/isolating switch (3P) 0.95

Circuit breaker/isolating switch (4P) 1.20

Direct rotary handle 0.18

Variable depth rotary handle 0.55

Mechanical interlocking 0.35

Expansion terminal 0.135

Supply content and installation method

1. Factory standard configuration

Each M3 160 circuit breaker comes with the following accessories at the factory:

Fixed screws (2 for 3P, 4 for 4P)

Wiring screws (6 for 3P and 8 for 4P)

Interphase insulation partitions (2 pieces for 3P, 3 pieces for 4P)

2. Installation method

The circuit breaker supports the following installation directions:

Vertical installation: standard installation method

Horizontal installation: suitable for cabinets with limited space

Reverse feeding: Supports upper or lower input lines, no LINE/LOAD marking required for reverse feeding

Please refer to the detailed steps in the product manual during installation to ensure proper operation.

Electrical and mechanical characteristics

1. Technical parameters of circuit breaker

Parameter values

Rated current In 160 A

Pole number 3P/4P

Rated insulation voltage Ui 800 V AC

Rated working voltage Ue 690 V AC

Rated impulse withstand voltage Uimp 8 kV

Rated frequency 50/60 Hz

Reference ambient temperature 40 ° C/50 ° C

Working temperature range -25 ° C to+70 ° C

Mechanical lifespan of 20000 cycles

Electrical lifespan of 8000 cycles

Use category A

Suitable for isolation is

2. Protection features

Overload protection (thermal): adjustable range 0.8/0.9/1 × In

Short circuit protection (magnetic): fixed instantaneous trip value, In=1600 A (non adjustable)

Neutral wire protection: The 4P version provides 100% phase pole protection

3. Technical parameters of isolation switch

Parameter values

Rated uninterruptible current Iu 160 A

Short time withstand current Icw (1s) 1.5 kA

Rated short-circuit connection capacity Icm 2.5 kA

Use category AC23A

Suitable for isolation is

Mechanical lifespan of 20000 cycles

Electrical lifespan of 8000 cycles

Breaking ability and current limiting characteristics

1. Breaking ability (Icu)

The breaking capacity of M3 160 circuit breaker at different voltage levels is as follows:

Voltage 36kA (F) 50kA (N) 70kA (H) 100kA (L)

240V AC 70 kA 90 kA 100 kA 150 kA

415V AC 36 kA 50 kA 70 kA 100 kA

500V AC 12 kA 16 kA 20 kA 25 kA

690V AC 5 kA 6 kA 10 kA 12 kA

250V DC 10 kA 10 kA 10 kA 10 kA

2. Current limiting characteristics

The M3 160 circuit breaker has excellent current limiting capability, which can significantly reduce the peak value of short-circuit current and the passing energy (I ² t), thereby reducing thermal and electrical stress on downstream equipment. The document provides detailed I ² t and peak current curves for system coordination and design.

Power loss and derating usage

1. Power loss per pole (In=160A)

Circuit breaker (Icu ≤ 50kA)

Connection method Power loss (W)

Terminal block 15.62

Expansion terminal 18.18

Rear wiring terminal 24.58

Circuit breaker (Icu>50kA)

Connection method Power loss (W)

Terminal block 16.64

Expansion terminal 18.18

Rear wiring terminal 24.58

disconnecting switch

Connection method Power loss (W)

Terminal block 12.80

Expansion terminal 15.36

Rear wiring terminal 21.76

2. Temperature reduction

The ambient temperature has a significant impact on the current carrying capacity of circuit breakers. The following table shows the maximum continuous operating current (160A rated value) at different temperatures:

Environmental temperature (° C) -20-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Maximum current (A) 201 193 189 187 179 173 166 160 146 138

3. Altitude Capacity Reduction

When the installation altitude exceeds 2000 meters, it is necessary to reduce the capacity according to the following coefficient:

Altitude (m) ≤ 2000 3000 4000 5000

Working voltage Ue (V) 690 590 520 460

Rated current In 1 × In 0.98 × In 0.93 × In 0.9 × In

Accessories and Options

The M3 160 series offers a wide range of electrical and mechanical accessories to meet different application needs.

1. Release device

Split release (ST)

Voltage specifications: 12V, 24V, 48V, 110-130V, 220-277V, 380-480V (AC/DC)

Maximum power: 400 VA/W

Action time:<50 ms

Undervoltage Release (UVR)

Voltage specifications: 12V, 24V, 48V, 110-130V, 220-240V, 277V, 380-415V, 440-480V (AC/DC)

Maximum power: 4 VA

Action time:<50 ms

Delay module: can be equipped with 800ms delay module (M7000MR/230, M7000MR/400)

2. Auxiliary contacts

Model: M7X01

Contact form: 1NO/NC conversion contact

Rated current: 3A @ 250V AC

Purpose: To indicate the opening and closing status or fault tripping status of the circuit breaker

Configuration: M3 160 supports a maximum of 1 auxiliary contact and 1 fault signal contact

3. Rotate the handle

Type and Model Description

Direct standard M7R20 black handle

Direct emergency M7R21 red/yellow handle

Variable depth standard M7R22 IP55, black

Variable depth emergency M7R24 IP55, red/yellow

4. Lock attachments

Padlock: M7X02, used to lock in the "off" position

Keylock: Universal lock core, supports random or fixed coding (EL43525, EL43363)

5. Connect attachments

Cage terminal

Standard type: Supports Cu/Al cables, maximum 70mm ² (Cu)/95mm ² (Al)

High Capacity Type: Supports up to 70mm ² (Cu)/95mm ² (Al), suitable for applications above 80A

Expansion terminal and rear wiring terminal

Expansion terminals: M7A50 (3P), M7A51 (4P)

Rear wiring terminals: M7A54 (3P), M7A55 (4P)

6. Protective accessories

Terminal protective cover: M7C20 (3P), M7C21 (4P), IP2X protection

Inter phase insulation partitions: M7F01 (3P), M7F02 (4P)

7. Mechanical interlocking

M7O1: Standard mechanical interlock (fixed type)

M7O2: Mechanical interlock with electronic module

M7O4: Interlocking installation board

Release curve and current limiting curve

1. Thermal magnetic release curve

The M3 160 circuit breaker provides two types of trip curves based on the rated current:

In ≤ 50A: The curve contains both cold and hot characteristics, with a fixed instantaneous trip value of 12.5 × In or 16 × In

In>50A: The instantaneous trip value is fixed at 10 × In, and the overload protection has thermal memory characteristics

The action time under cold state (curve 1) and hot state (curve 2) is clearly marked in the curve graph, which facilitates the coordination of upper and lower level protection.

2. Through the energy curve (I ² t)

The document provides I ² t curves for two levels of breaking ability:

Icu ≤ 50kA

Icu > 50kA

Energy is an important indicator for measuring the current limiting capability of circuit breakers, and a lower I ² t value means better protection for downstream equipment.

3. Peak current cut-off curve

The peak current cutoff curve shows the peak current that a circuit breaker can limit in the event of a short circuit fault. The curve, with the expected short-circuit current (RMS) as the horizontal axis and the actual allowable peak current as the vertical axis, intuitively reflects the current limiting performance of the circuit breaker.

DC application

The M3 160 circuit breaker and isolation switch are also suitable for DC systems, and the appropriate number of poles in series should be selected according to the voltage level.

1. DC breaking capacity (circuit breaker)

Pole series 60V DC 110V DC 250V DC

1 pole 36 kA --

2-pole series 35 kA 35 kA 10 kA

3-pole series 35 kA 35 kA 10 kA

Note: The above data applies to ungrounded DC networks with voltage tolerances ranging from 0% to+5%.

2. DC usage category (isolating switch)

The MS3 160 isolation switch is suitable for use in DC applications in the DC-23A category, with the following specific configuration:

Pole series 60V DC 110V DC 250V DC 500V DC

1-pole DC-23A --

2-pole series DC-23A DC-23A DC-23A-

3-pole series DC-23A DC-23A DC-23A-

4-pole series connection DC-23A DC-23A DC-23A DC-23A

Compliance and Certification

The Megatiker M3 series products comply with the following standards and regulations:

Product standards: IEC/EN 60947-2 (circuit breaker), IEC/EN 60947-3 (isolating switch)

International certifications: IECEE CB certification, LOVAG certification

Environmental directives: REACH, RoHS, WEEE (RAEE)

The product label clearly indicates manufacturer information, model code, standard compliance, breaking capacity level (identified by color), barcode and other information for easy on-site identification and traceability.

Application scenarios and selection suggestions

1. Typical applications

Industrial power distribution: main incoming cabinet, distribution cabinet

Motor control: direct start, star delta start

Building Electrical: Commercial Complex, Data Center

OEM equipment: compressors, pump stations, air conditioning units

2. Key selection points

Rated current: Select 160A specification based on load current

Breaking capacity: Select F/N/H/L level based on system short-circuit current

Installation method: Vertical or horizontal installation, supporting reverse power feeding

Attachment requirements: auxiliary contacts, shunt release, rotating handle, interlock, etc

Environmental conditions: Temperature, altitude, humidity need to be considered for capacity reduction