Switching to circuit breakers
Date: 05 March 2007

Growth of nearly 4% is forecast for the EMEA market for moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs), driven both by the development of the economy in EMEA and the success of MCCBs in replacing alternative circuit protection products according to a new study from leading electronics analysts IMS Research.

Outside of the growth in the general economy, the major driver in the MCCB market has been the replacement of fuse products. In fact the market for the more functional MCCBs is predicted to grow at almost double the rate of switch fuse products through 2009. There are a number of benefits associated to the use of MCCBs, including improved functionality, such as remote trip indication, as well as not having to replace the MCCB product after a fault current. Continued developments in the MCCB market, including the more widespread use of “intelligent” MCCBs and the further reduction in prices, are predicted to continue to drive this replacement of fuse products in the future.

Report analyst Alex West states that “whilst the replacement of switch fuses is the main driver of growth for MCCBs, this market is also itself beginning to face competition from alternative circuit breaker types, albeit to a smaller degree”. In applications where high levels of breaking capacities are required larger air circuit breakers (ACBs) are, in some instances replacing MCCBs, similarly the smaller, lower cost miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) used at the low end of the market for small currents are also biting into MCCB business. However, Alex West continues, “these trends are only having an impact at the extremes of the circuit breaker market and in comparison to the level of replacement of fuse products the net effect is small”.

Editors Note :

If you would like an interview with an expert in this area, please contact Chris George, Press Manager, at Chris.George@imsresearch.com or +44 1933 402255.

About IHS Inc. (www.ihs.com)

IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS employs more than 5,600 people in more than 30 countries around the world.

About IMS Research:

IMS Research is a specialist supplier of market research and consultancy services on global electronics markets. Information from IMS Research is used by major companies worldwide to assess market trends, solve marketing problems, and improve the efficiency of their businesses. IMS Research is an international company, selling in more than 35 countries around the world and is supported by headquarters in Wellingborough, UK and an office in Austin, Texas. IMS Research’s Mechatronics Group produces data on the global market for motor and motor related products. Its core product areas include AC induction motors, AC & DC motor drives, motion control equipment (including servo and stepper based control), small motors, linear actuators and linear motors.

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