Modular equipment is the "heart" of an electrical panel. Increased requirements are placed on such products: reliability, long service life, ease of installation and operation, etc. IEK GROUP has been perfecting the technical characteristics of modular equipment over the past 25 years. In the article, we will take a detailed look at the evolution of the IEK circuit breaker.
Evolution chronology
1999 became the starting point in the history of IEK modular equipment. The company entered the market with DZ47 and C45N circuit breakers and also registered a Russian model named VA47-29, which became recognizable.
By 2008 – the year of rebranding – the assortment already included VA47-29 series for 4.5 kA and VA47-100 for industrial use for 10 kA, now they belong to the KARAT line.
2013 was remembered for the launch of VA47-29M with a contact position indicator and the ability to connect with PIN and FORK busbars on both sides.
"Among the important changes, the modernization of the circuit breaker's arc extinguishing system should be highlighted. We set ourselves the task of increasing stability during short circuits. Our R&D Service proposed a new design of the arc chute plate for effective arc quenching, which was manufactured, tested and implemented into production. As a result of this development, IEK GROUP received a patent for the invention," notes Nikolai Dmitrievich Dushkin, one of the company's oldest employees, chief expert of the IEK GROUP Quality Service.
2017 – one of the significant stages in the evolution of IEK circuit breakers. By this time, the VA47-60 series for 6 kA had appeared on the market.
Evolution of materials
In the manufacture of devices, contact system tips made of a silver-carbon composite began to be used, achieving low transition resistance and arc resistance. This, in turn, ensures high electrical and mechanical endurance of the device.
For the production of modular equipment housings, polyamide began to be used, characterized by heat resistance and low thermal conductivity.
Evolution of the technological process
In 2017, the process of installing tips on contacts was automated. This eliminated displacement and increased contact closing reliability. And already in 2020, an automated assembly line was launched, which includes several inspection units, including machine vision.
Evolution of design
The appearance of the equipment also changed in 2017: the front part became curved, and the side surface – ribbed for better heat dissipation. In addition, IEK GROUP engineers refined the design and increased the number of fastening rivets from 4 to 6. This solution was a response to installers' requests to strengthen the screw connection assembly structure.
In 2021, the ARMAT line of modular devices appeared on the market. It became a synthesis of the company's experience and modern technologies. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the equipment characteristics to understand its fundamental difference from classic models.
Endurance: ARMAT circuit breakers withstand up to 10,000 switching cycles under load.
Speed: the modernized free-tripping mechanism (design with less inertia) allows faster circuit breaking.
Mechanism strength: 8 rivets made the design even more reliable. High tightening torque of screw connections – up to 5 N·m – ensures quality contact connection and reduced losses at the transition resistance point.
Assortment breadth: the line includes both AC and DC circuit breakers.
Compliance with 2 standards at once: devices are certified not only according to the "household" standard GOST IEC
Price: IEK GROUP positions ARMAT equipment in the high price segment. This decision is fully justified by the quality level – the line is comparable in characteristics to products of European brands.
Mid-segment modular equipment was combined into the KARAT line, and budget models the company supplies under the GENERICA trademark.
In subsequent years, the ARMAT line assortment constantly expanded.
In 2022, the company presented ARMAT modular circuit breakers with time-current characteristics Z, K, L. The devices successfully passed tests according to standard IEC
In
In 2024, the company offered the market several ARMAT models:
- circuit breakers for 80 and 100 A currents with double contact break, providing faster and more effective arc quenching
- circuit breakers for ventilation and fire extinguishing systems – without a thermal release sensitive to high temperature
- devices for protecting three-phase motors – these are circuit breakers for high starting currents with a full range of additional devices.
That same year, a remote handle appeared in the ARMAT series, intended for remote operation of modular equipment.
For IEK GROUP, product modernization is a continuous process. The company strives to fully meet the needs of its customers. There are many plans ahead, including the development of a new series with increased breaking capacity.
Company evolution
The evolution of the IEK circuit breaker is closely related to the development of the entire company. In June 2024, IEK GROUP celebrated its
The company's new goal is to become the domestic brand No. 1 with the best product selection and world-class customer services. For this we have:
10 production sites in Russia.
More than 4200 employees.
Over 30 thousand product names in the assortment.
A brand portfolio that has proven itself in major projects in Russia and abroad:
- electrical equipment IEK, including flagship lines ARMAT, FORMAT, TITAN, KREPTA, BRITE, FORTE&PIANO, SKANDY
- lighting equipment IEK, LEDEL and FEREKS
- telecommunication equipment ITK
- automation equipment ONI and MasterSCADA software
- solar generation and energy storage solutions NEOSUN.
25 years ago, a circuit breaker turned on life at IEK, and today IEK GROUP turns on into the life of its customers.
