ABB Emax 2 Series Air Circuit Breaker

**ABB Emax 2 Series Air Circuit Breaker: The Intelligent Choice for Future Power Protection and Energy Management**
In modern electrical systems, **safety, reliability, and intelligent energy management** have become the core directions of power distribution development. With the rapid expansion of industrial automation, smart buildings, and renewable energy applications, traditional air circuit breakers (ACBs) can no longer meet the requirements for **energy efficiency, visualized monitoring, and digital operation and maintenance**. To address these challenges, **ABB introduced the Emax 2 Series Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)** — a next-generation solution designed for the intelligent era.
The Emax 2 is not just a high-performance circuit breaker; it is a **comprehensive intelligent power distribution platform** that integrates protection, measurement, control, and energy management. It represents the future trend of modern low-voltage power distribution systems.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the **design philosophy, core technological advantages, intelligent features, application value, and market competitiveness** of ABB’s Emax 2 Series.
## I. Design Philosophy: From “Protection Device” to “Energy Manager”
When developing the Emax 2, ABB introduced a groundbreaking concept — **“From Circuit Breaker to Power Manager.”**
Unlike traditional ACBs that solely serve as fault protection devices, the Emax 2 uses intelligent modules and digital control technology to integrate **power distribution with energy optimization**, transforming the circuit breaker into a **core node of energy management**.
The Emax 2 Series covers **current ratings up to 6300A**, **voltage up to 690V AC**, and complies with **IEC 60947-2** international standards. It is widely applicable in **industrial facilities, data centers, hospitals, rail transit systems, and energy infrastructures** where supply reliability is paramount.
Its **modular structural design** includes multiple frame sizes (E1.2, E2.2, E4.2, E6.2) and supports both **fixed and withdrawable mounting options**, allowing for flexible expansion and simplified maintenance.
## II. Core Technologies: Ultimate Protection and High Performance
### 1. Multifunctional Trip Units
The Emax 2 is equipped with ABB’s proprietary **Ekip series intelligent trip units** — including Ekip G, Ekip LSI, Ekip Touch, and Ekip Hi-Touch — supporting up to **50 protection functions** such as overload, short-circuit, ground fault, inverse-time, harmonic monitoring, and undervoltage protection.
The protection curves of the Ekip trip units are fully adjustable, providing optimized protection for different load types (motors, transformers, generators, etc.). The high-precision sampling system enables **real-time current waveform monitoring**, ensuring faster and more accurate fault detection and tripping.
### 2. Superior Breaking and Switching Performance
Emax 2 uses **high-strength silver-alloy contacts** and an optimized **magnetic arc-extinguishing design**, delivering a **breaking capacity up to 150 kA @ 415V AC**, ensuring fast interruption even under severe fault conditions to protect both personnel and equipment.
It offers a **mechanical lifespan of up to 20,000 operations** and an **electrical lifespan of 10,000 breaking operations**, significantly exceeding industry standards for long-term reliability.
### 3. Environmental and Energy Efficiency Design
With an operating temperature range from **-25°C to +70°C**, the Emax 2 is suitable for demanding environments. Its **low-loss and efficient cooling design** minimizes heat generation and power losses.
Manufactured from **eco-friendly materials**, it complies with **RoHS and ISO 14001**, reflecting ABB’s commitment to sustainable development.
## III. Intelligent Features: Turning the Breaker into the “Energy Brain”
Emax 2 is the **world’s first ACB to integrate energy measurement and management functionalities** directly into the device. It is not merely a passive protector — it actively participates in **digital energy optimization**.
### 1. Intelligent Monitoring and Measurement
The Ekip Touch and Hi-Touch units feature a **color touchscreen display**, showing real-time data such as voltage, current, power, power factor, frequency, and energy consumption. They also log **event histories and waveform records** for diagnostics.
Users can analyze data directly via the **Human-Machine Interface (HMI)** or PC without installing additional metering devices.
### 2. Communication and Remote Management
Emax 2 supports various communication protocols, including **Modbus RTU/TCP, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, BACnet, and IEC 61850**, enabling seamless integration into **Building Automation Systems (BAS)**, **Energy Management Systems (EMS)**, and **ABB Ability™ digital platforms**.
Through **ABB Ability™ Energy and Asset Manager**, users can:
* Monitor energy consumption and alarms in real time;
* Configure and control parameters remotely;
* Diagnose equipment status and perform predictive maintenance.
### 3. Energy Optimization and Load Control
A standout innovation of the Emax 2 is the **Ekip Power Controller**, which automatically adjusts power distribution according to load demand, reducing overloads and peak consumption — achieving **energy savings of 20–30%**.
When the power grid approaches its demand limit, the controller automatically disconnects non-critical loads, maintaining system balance and preventing energy waste.
## IV. Installation and Maintenance: Simple, Efficient, and Visualized
ABB emphasizes ease of use in every stage of installation, commissioning, and maintenance:
* **Withdrawable design** allows live replacement, minimizing downtime;
* **Modular accessories** (auxiliary contacts, shunt trips, undervoltage releases) enable plug-and-play installation;
* **Visual status indicators** (mechanical windows and LED lights) display real-time breaker status;
* **Drive & Test feature** allows simulated operations without live power for safe testing.
The **Ekip Connect software** facilitates fast parameter configuration, data backup, waveform download, and remote diagnostics, greatly improving operational efficiency.
## V. Typical Applications
1. **Industrial power distribution systems** – Reliable protection for motors, production lines, and transformers;
2. **Data centers** – Power distribution, load management, and redundancy protection;
3. **Smart buildings** – Integration with BMS for visualized and efficient power use;
4. **Renewable energy systems** – Ideal for solar, storage, and microgrid applications;
5. **Infrastructure and healthcare** – Ensuring continuous power supply for mission-critical systems.
## VI. Market Competitiveness and Industry Position
In the ACB sector, the ABB Emax 2 stands out for its **intelligence, modularity, and digital management capabilities**.
Compared to competitors such as **Schneider Masterpact MTZ**, **Siemens 3WL**, and **Eaton Magnum DS**, the Emax 2 offers:
1. **Comprehensive energy management** – Integrated power analysis and control;
2. **Superior connectivity** – Multi-protocol support and ABB Ability™ cloud compatibility;
3. **High-speed protection accuracy** – Real-time sampling with microprocessor-based algorithms;
4. **Global technical support** – ABB’s worldwide service network across 100+ countries.
## VII. Conclusion
In the era of digital transformation and energy transition, the **ABB Emax 2 Series Air Circuit Breaker** is more than a high-end protection device — it is the **central hub of intelligent power distribution**.
By seamlessly integrating protection, monitoring, control, and energy management, it delivers a **safe, smart, sustainable, and efficient** low-voltage power distribution solution.
Whether in high-reliability industrial environments or advanced energy management systems, the Emax 2 stands as a **benchmark of excellence**, combining innovation, intelligence, and sustainability.
**Choosing ABB Emax 2 means choosing the future of smart, safe, and efficient energy management.**
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