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Using Single-Pole Switch for 24V DC Network: Legrand Overcurrent Circuit Breaker S301

chudy0283 46539 32
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Can I use a single-pole Legrand S301 breaker in a 24V DC network, or do I need a special DC circuit breaker?

Yes — Legrand’s S300/S302 series is stated in the catalog as suitable for DC, and the IDS S302 with D characteristic is explicitly mentioned as usable in DC circuits [#6331317] [#6332504] However, most manufacturers do not recommend ordinary eS-type breakers for DC because the contact separation is too short and the arc can damage the contacts; only devices explicitly marked for DC are guaranteed for that use [#6338649] [#6344522] For DC applications you should check the breaker’s DC short-circuit breaking capacity and rated voltage, because DC and AC ratings are not the same [#6344522] [#6348587]
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  • #1 6330994
    chudy0283
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    Is it possible to use such a single-pole switch for 24V DC network:

    http://meskon.pl/s301-wylacznik-nadpradowy-legrand-p-994.htm


    The rated voltage is 230/400 50Hz, hence the doubt whether such a switch is suitable for a 24V DC network.
    Are there special DC circuit breakers?
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  • #2 6331245
    Akrzy74
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    The link is not working - please fix it. There are special overcurrent circuit breakers marked DC for DC circuits.
    E.g. FAZ-C25/1-DC by MOELLER
  • #3 6331317
    Łukasz-O
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    Looking just at the quick in the Legrand catalog, the S 300 series is also suitable for DC.
  • #4 6331442
    niutat
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    Łukasz-O wrote:
    Looking just at the quick in the Legrand catalog, the S 300 series is also suitable for DC.

    Especially since it's only 24V.
  • #5 6331546
    kasjo
    Level 26  
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    Akrzy74 wrote:
    There are special overcurrent circuit breakers marked DC for DC circuits.
    E.g. FAZ-C25/1-DC by MOELLER

    Don't the "ess" used in 220V circuits provide full DC protection?
    Is there any standard that requires the use of such protection in DC circuits?
    I'm asking out of curiosity, because to be honest it's the first time I hear about it (I have to look at the machines in the company) :)
    I mean 24VDC
  • #6 6331674
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #7 6331746
    niutat
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    You haven't convinced me, my friend WojcikW you can explain it.
  • #8 6332504
    HeSz
    Electrician specialist
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    Legrand's IDS S 302 overcurrent circuit breakers with characteristic D can be used in DC circuits. More information in the Legrand e-catalogue.
    Regards.
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  • #10 6334090
    niutat
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    As for the AC circuits, it is obviously easier to extinguish the arc with a lower voltage (although colleague WojcikW has some new theories) and such switches are commonly used in machine tools in control, lighting or signaling circuits. As for DC, in circuits up to 30V I also saw factory-installed ordinary AC switches.
  • #11 6334320
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #12 6334533
    niutat
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    You still did not convince me, if such overvoltages occurred, they would support the burning arc and thus extinguish themselves. In addition, such switches are mounted as I wrote earlier, so there are probably no major problems with it.
  • #13 6334719
    chudy0283
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    I'm more interested in whether, for example, such a single "Eska" B10
    will work at DC 10A, are the current characteristics the same then?
  • #14 6335696
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #15 6337952
    Ryszard49
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    skinny0283 he wrote:
    Quote:
    I'm more interested in whether, for example, such a single "Eska" B10
    will work at DC 10A, are the current characteristics the same then?

    I was testing with 10B and 40V DC. With a load of 20A, the fuse did not work, I ended the test because I had no way to increase the load in the circuit. It worked when it was short-circuited.
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  • #16 6338212
    chudy0283
    Level 11  
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    We are expanding the device, we have one big 24V DC power supply (I don't remember which one because I'm at home now) and we want to power 12 reed switches from it, and we want to provide some current protection to protect this power supply against short circuit, overload in this expanded part of the device. I saw such solutions in the previous company (individual sections of sensors on the machine protected by "eski"), but I do not remember what type of "eski" it was.

    Added after 8 [minutes]:

    Ryszard49 wrote:

    I was testing with 10B and 40V DC. With a load of 20A, the fuse did not work, I ended the test because I had no way to increase the load in the circuit. It worked when it was short-circuited.



    Hmm, so it only protects us against a short circuit ... and if you want to give an "eska", you need to find one for DC current. Or you can just give a fuse ....
  • #17 6338593
    Aleksander_01
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    Ryszard49 wrote:

    I was testing with 10B and 40V DC. With a load of 20A, the fuse did not work, I ended the test because I had no way to increase the load in the circuit. When short circuited, it worked.


    If you keep it like that for half an hour it should work.

    Gentlemen, after all, the fuse does not see the voltage, the phase shift only sees the current (effective) value. As for the voltage - the manufacturer guarantees certain extinction of the arc up to the value of this voltage.
    For example, an American 115 V/10 A fuse is not recommended to be installed in our installation because it can "pull" the arc. On the other hand, European ones can be installed for their installation. Only which American will buy a fuse three times more expensive (hehe).

    And more conclusions - calmly and without fear, overcurrent fuses, e.g. S191 B10, can be mounted to DC installations up to the voltage value given on the fuse. After all, that's what it was made for.
  • #18 6338649
    HeSz
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    Gentlemen.
    Most manufacturers do not recommend the use of the so-called "eSek" in DC circuits, due to too short times of contact separation. With a relatively small insulating gap, the arc formed when separating the contacts will burn them "beautifully". The durability of such protection will be negligible. Only "Legrand" allows the use of (mentioned earlier) overcurrent circuit breakers of the S302 type, but with the D characteristic, for use in DC circuits up to 24 V.
    Higher voltages require the use of so-called "high-speed circuit breakers" as the executive element of the protection.
    Regards.
  • #19 6340517
    Anonymous
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  • #20 6341167
    niutat
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    As for switching off DC, of course there are bigger problems with it, especially if the load is inductive (tables, couplings, etc.). for comparison, I will give data from the TSM-2 contactor for 220V AC max. switched off power is 7.5kW but for DC it is only 3.5kW. As for the characteristics, in my opinion, with direct current, the protection will work at a lower current value.
  • #21 6341693
    HeSz
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    niutat wrote:
    As for switching off the DC current, of course, there are bigger problems with it, especially if the load is inductive (tables, couplings, etc.). for comparison, I will give data from the TSM-2 contactor for 220V AC max. switched off power is 7.5kW but for DC it is only 3.5kW. As for the characteristics, in my opinion, with direct current, the protection will work at a lower current value.

    The contactor has a gap - approximately twice that of a relay or trip unit with the same armature movement!
  • #22 6341736
    niutat
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    Not only that, contactors usually have series contacts, I just gave an example for comparison.
  • #23 6341840
    eva54
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    Gentlemen, having in front of you a diagram of a CNC machine where the voltage of DC 24V is used. On the secondary side of the power supply, depending on the load, overcurrent switches are used, e.g. FAZ-C10/2 by MOELLER.
  • #24 6342248
    Aleksander_01
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    Working in the industry, I had contact with modern machines of German and French production (machine year 2000 to 2002), and in these machines on the primary side (230, 400 V) identical fuses were used as on the secondary side (24 VDC).
    But we know that countries such as Germany or France are total backwardness and do not know about the variable characteristics of fuses, I also only learned today from WojcikW. Of course, the fuse distinguishes the phase shift (I wonder what else it can do).
    As many fuses as there are types of electricity.
  • #25 6342810
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #26 6342836
    Aleksander_01
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    To WojcikW:
    You explained it very nicely.
    The same (same type) fuses were used for 230 VAC and 24 VDC, of course they were fuses and not fuses.
    Fusible plugs have one indisputable advantage - they perfectly extinguish the arc (for constant or variable).

    I've worked with machines where the controls were 110V, but they were machines from the 70's and all fuses were blown. Fact - I have not encountered DC voltages above 24 V (except battery trolleys - tubular fuses).
  • #27 6344522
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #28 6347684
    chudy0283
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    It seems that it differs only in breaking capacity and near In for AC and DC they will work the same.

    The same applies to fuses:

    http://www.automatykab2b.pl/content/view/915/33/


    However, here the breaking capacity is lower for DC current, in contrast to electromagnetic circuit breakers
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    #29 6348587
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #30 6349306
    HeSz
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    chudy0283 wrote:

    However, here the breaking capacity is lower for DC current, in contrast to electromagnetic circuit breakers

    I don't quite understand how you define "breaking capacity". :D Please explain more.

Topic summary

✨ The discussion centers around the suitability of using a single-pole switch, specifically the Legrand S301 overcurrent circuit breaker, for a 24V DC network. Participants highlight that while the S301 is rated for 230/400V AC, there are circuit breakers specifically designed for DC applications, such as the FAZ-C25/1-DC by MOELLER and Legrand's IDS S302 with D characteristics. Concerns are raised about the performance of AC-rated switches in DC circuits, particularly regarding arc extinction and overvoltage issues. Some users report successful use of AC switches in low-voltage DC applications, while others emphasize the need for DC-rated devices to ensure reliability and safety. The conversation also touches on the differences in characteristics between AC and DC circuit breakers and the implications for installation and protection against overloads and short circuits.
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FAQ

TL;DR: For low-power 24 V DC control loops, DC-rated miniature circuit breakers with 6 kA breaking capacity clear faults up to three times faster, yet “ordinary 230 V ‘eski’ only cleared a dead-short at 20 A” [Elektroda, Ryszard49, post #6337952] Why it matters: Selecting the wrong breaker can leave 24 V supplies unprotected, weld contacts, and void CE marking for machines.

Quick Facts

• Legrand S302-D: 24 V DC max, 6 kA breaking capacity, curve D [Elektroda, HeSz, post #6338649] • Eaton FAZ-DC series: 60 V DC (1-pole) or 220 V DC (2-pole), 15 kA at 60 V [Eaton, 2022 Cat.]. • Schneider C60H-DC: 250 V DC (1-pole), 10 kA breaking capacity [Schneider, 2023 Cat.]. • AC MCB trip delay rises ≈100 % on DC due to absent zero-crossing [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #6340517] • B10 test: 20 A at 40 V DC produced no trip for several minutes [Elektroda, Ryszard49, post #6337952]

Can I use a single-pole 230 V AC MCB in a 24 V DC circuit?

Manufacturers do not guarantee performance; tests show a B10 AC breaker failed to open at 20 A on 40 V DC [Elektroda, Ryszard49, post #6337952] Use a breaker explicitly marked “DC” or a fuse.

What goes wrong when an AC breaker switches DC?

DC lacks a natural zero-crossing, so the arc lasts longer, eroding contacts and raising overvoltage. The electromagnetic trip may need double current to actuate [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #6340517]

Are there dedicated DC miniature circuit breakers?

Yes. Examples: Legrand S302-D up to 24 V DC [Elektroda, HeSz, post #6338649], Eaton FAZ-DC up to 60 V DC (1P) [Eaton, 2022 Cat.], Schneider C60H-DC up to 250 V DC [Schneider, 2023 Cat.].

How do trip characteristics change on DC?

The thermal element stays the same, but the magnetic element needs more ampere-turns; expect instantaneous trip current to double for the same curve [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #6340517]

Which brands supply low-voltage DC breakers suitable for machine control circuits?

Legrand, Eaton (Moeller), Schneider Electric, and ABB all list ≤250 V DC MCBs in current catalogues [Legrand e-cat., 2023; Schneider, 2023 Cat.].

Could standard cartridge fuses replace an MCB for 24 V DC?

Yes, if their DC voltage rating equals or exceeds 24 V. Fuses are polarity-agnostic and extinguish arcs efficiently [Elektroda, Aleksander_01, post #6342836]

How do I size protection for a 24 V reed-switch array fed by one power supply?

  1. Sum maximum sensor current.
  2. Choose DC MCB/fuse rated 125 % of sum.
  3. Verify breaking capacity exceeds supply’s short-circuit current (often 1–2 kA for SMPS) [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #6335696]

What edge-case failures appear after years on DC?

The magnetic core in an AC-only breaker can retain flux, preventing future trips after long DC service [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #8875064]

Can I wire poles in series to raise DC voltage rating?

Yes; two poles in series roughly double permissible DC voltage—Schneider rates a 2P C60H-DC at 500 V DC [Schneider, 2023 Cat.]. Keep identical wiring lengths for equal sharing.

How do I test whether my AC breaker will operate on DC?

Apply a resistive load at rated current, then short the output through a monitored shunt. If trip time exceeds 0.1 s or contacts weld, discard it. Always shield the test—arcs reach 3 000 °C.

What is the meaning of “breaking capacity” on a DC breaker?

It is the highest prospective short-circuit current the device can open and stay usable. For Legrand S302-D, that is 6 kA at 24 V DC [Elektroda, HeSz, post #6338649]
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