TRIMAX Circuit Protectors

Count on Trimax
for high quality, competitively-priced
circuit protectors, including breakers,
fuse holders and sockets.
Contact us early for
engineering assistance and
get the right component
at the right price.
What can we create for you?
TRIMAX
Circuit Protectors
A division of Pelco Component Technologies

Introduction to Circuit Protectors
Bi-metallic and expansion type
INTRODUCTION
Of the various devices available to
protect against short circuits and
overloads, thermal circuit protectors
have proven to be the designers’ choice
since they meet the demands of a
great majority of applications requiring
supplementary protection. The reasons
are their ruggedness, simplicity and
ability to repeatedly handle overloads
and short circuits, at a reasonable cost.
Thermal Circuit Protectors may be
divided into two classes:
n The Bi-Metal type and
n The Expansion type
BI-METALLIC CIRCUIT PROTECTORS
This type operates on the principle
of a load current flowing through a
bimetal strip. The electrical resistance
encountered causes the strip to heat
up, bend, and by doing so, to open a
set of contacts.
To ensure rapid opening of the circuit
protector contacts, Trimax incorporates
a “snap-action” feature as part of the
bi-metal strip design configuration.
Select Trimax Series Circuit Protectors
supplement this feature with a spring
mechanism to open the contacts
more rapidly to reduce arcing, thereby
extending operating life.
Bi-metallic circuit protectors inherently
are thermal sensors and as such are
affected by ambient temperature.
Operation in a higher temperature
environment than that for which they
are normally rated (25°C), will cause the
protector to trip prematurely, unless
compensated for in the selection
process.
Conversely, a bi-metallic circuit
protector installed in a temperature
environment lower than that for
which they are rated will cause the
circuit protector to trip too late. This
may result in failure of the equipment
it is designed to protect, unless also
compensated for during the selection
process.
Trimax product literature includes
capacity correction factors to
compensate for the difference in
temperature between design, e.g. 25°C,
and a variety of ambient temperature
conditions, making the task of
adjusting for these conditions easy.
Trimax offers two kinds of reset
capabilities: automatic reset and
manual reset.
Automatic reset circuit protectors are
mainly applied to non-critical situations
where space requirements and
inaccessibility are prime considerations,
such as automotive or marine
applications, audio equipment, etc.
Manual reset circuit protectors are
mainly used in critical applications
where, from an operational point of
view, access to the device is available
and desirable.
Resetting a Trimax Circuit Protector
requires moving the bi-metal from its
“Open” to its “Closed” position. The
procedure to be followed depends on
the type of reset mechanism employed.
“Push to Reset” type circuit protectors
may be reset by simply pushing a
button. Circuit protectors which
combine overload protection with an
ON/OFF switching capability (such as
the Toggle or Rocker) may be reset by
switching them to the “ON” position,
or by switching them “OFF” first,
then “ON”.
All Trimax manual reset, bi-metallic
circuit protectors are trip-free, making
it impossible to hold the circuit
manually closed should an overload
exist.
Trimax bi-metallic circuit protectors
are extremely suitable for applications
where nuisance tripping due to inrush
or power surges must be prevented.
This is due to their inherent capability
to withstand high overload currents
with a predictable time lag before
interruption.
EXPANSION TYPE CIRCUIT
PROTECTORS
Trimax Expansion Type Circuit
Protectors operate on the principle
of a load current flowing through an
extremely thin, special alloy wire or
strip, which is held under tension.
Due to its extremely low mass and
configuration, the electrical resistance
encountered causes it to rapidly
expand precisely at its designated trip
point, and by doing so, to open a set of
contacts. An integral spring mechanism
of the same alloy ensures “snap-action”
opening of contacts, thereby extending
operating life.
Due to the extremely low mass of
the current-carrying wire or strip,
coupled with the unique thermal
expansion characteristics of the alloy
used, the Trimax Expansion Type
Circuit Protector is insensitive to
variations in ambient temperature, and
requires no compensation for ambient
temperature.
Additionally, due to the rapid heating
and expansion characteristics of the
sensing element, tripping always takes
place consistently and precisely at
the designated trip point. The circuit
protector is immediately resettable due
to extremely rapid cool down.
Resetting the circuit protector activates
the spring mechanism, causing it to
“snap-close” the contacts, thereby
extending contact life.
All expansion type circuit protectors
offered by Trimax are trip-free, making
it impossible to hold the circuit
manually closed should an overload
exist.
Trimax expansion type circuit
protectors are the ideal choice for
applications requiring consistent
repeatability, chatter-free interruption
and ultra-precise tripping over a wide
temperature range.

trimax Product lines
MX11 Series
Manual or Auto Reset
circuit PROTECTOR
MX12 Series
Manual or Auto Reset
circuit PROTECTOR
MX22 Series
Manual Reset circuit
protector
expansion type
MX23 Series
Manual Reset circuit protector
expansion type, miniature
MX15 Series
manual Reset circuit
PROTECTOR
MX68 Series
ac socket / manual Reset
circuit breaker
snap-in mount
MX31 Series
Manual or Auto Reset
circuit PROTECTOR
MX33 Series
Auto Reset circuit
PROTECTOR
MX35 Series
Auto Reset circuit PROTECTOR,
miniature
MX41 Series
manual Reset rocker switch
circuit PROTECTOR
MX69 Series
AC socket / fuseholder
pressure tab MOUNT
MX81 Series
AC socket
pressure tab mount
MX82 Series
AC socket
snap-in mount
MX86 Series
AC socket
PCB mount
Circuit Protectors
A division of Pelco Component Technologies
2747 Route 20 East, Cazenovia, NY 13035
315-655-8476 n www.trimaxcb.com

selection, quality and powerful personal service
Trimax is a primary OEM source of high quality, competitively priced circuit
protectors, including breakers, fuse holders and sockets.
Trimax circuit protectors meet the most stringent demands of sophisticated
electrical and electronics applications. Our world-class product lines
carry internationally recognized approvals. In addition to reliable products
manufactured to your specifications, Trimax provides outstanding customer
service and offers an extensive stocking program.
Since its inception, Trimax has featured engineering assistance and
technical support focused on the needs of our customers. Thanks to this
personal attention, along with state-of-the-art technology, competitive
pricing and rapid delivery, Trimax is the supplier of choice for numerous
original equipment manufacturers.
Trimax is a division of Pelco Component Technologies, a manufacturer and
distributor of standard and customized electrical components. Our products
are Putting Power to Work – managing electricity to make things happen–
across America and around the world.
Trimax representatives and engineers are ready to answer your questions
and deliver the right solution. To protect circuits, systems and operators,
count on Trimax.
We welcome customers at Pelco Component Technologies’ manufacturing and
distribution facility in Cazenovia, New York and encourage direct communication
to ensure satisfaction.
A division of Pelco Component Technologies
2747 Route 20 East, Cazenovia, NY 13035
315-655-8476 n www.trimaxcb.com
Trimax
9/07