QOU115 SQUARE D, QOU115 Datasheet - Page 4

• Manufacturer Part Number: QOU115
• Description: CIRCUIT BREAKER, THERMAL MAG, 1P, 15A
• Manufacturer: SQUARE D
• Series: QOUr
• Type: Thermal/Magneticr

Specifications of QOU115

• Actuator Style: Toggle
• No. Of Poles: 1
• Current Rating: 15A
• Voltage Rating Vac: 240V
• Mounting Type: DIN Rail
• Voltage Rating Vdc: 48V
• Actuator Type: Handle
• Brand/series: QOU Miniture — Low Ampere
• Number Of Poles: 1
• Special Features: Visi-Trip® Trip Indicator
• Voltage Rating: 120 V
• Leaded Process Compatible: No
• Rohs Compliant: No
• Lead Free Status / RoHS Status: Contains lead / RoHS non-compliant

QOU Miniature Circuit Breakers and Switches
Application Information
4
© 2005 Schneider Electric All Rights Reserved
Thermal Trip
The thermal trip element of a circuit breaker is a root-mean-squared (rms) current sensing device. The
thermal element, or bimetal, is constructed from metals with dissimilar rates of expansion bonded
together. The thermal element responds to overloads by reacting to the heat generated both by the
current flowing through the circuit breaker and by the heat contribution from ambient conditions. The
bending force of the bimetal causes the circuit breaker to trip (see Figure 1). The deflection of the
bimetal is predictable as a function of current and time. This is the inverse time tripping characteristic of
the thermal element, i.e., the tripping time decreases as the magnitude of the current increases.
Square D calibrates the thermal elements and they are not field-adjustable. The thermal trip elements
are calibrated for 40° C (104° F) ambient temperature, per UL Standard 489 and CSA Standard C22.2
No. 5-02.
Figure 1:
Magnetic Trip
The magnetic (instantaneous) trip element uses an electromagnetic assembly to trip the circuit breaker
instantaneously (with no intentional delay) at or above a predetermined current value. During a short
circuit of sufficient magnitude, the high-level current passing through the conductor rapidly increases
the magnetic field of the electromagnet that attracts the armature. As the armature is drawn toward the
electromagnet, it initiates an unlatching action and opens the circuit breaker contact (see Figure 2).
Figure 2:
Trip Indicator
When the QOU miniature circuit breaker is tripped, the handle assumes a position between ON (I) and
OFF (O) and the red Visi-Trip
circuit breaker and Visi-Trip indicator by pushing the handle to OFF and then to ON.
Armature
Current In
Current In
Bimetal
Normal Conditions
Normal Conditions
Thermal Tripping
Magnetic Tripping
Latch
Latch
Conductor
Electromagnet
Spring
®
Current Out
Spring
indicator (A) appears in a window in the circuit breaker case. Reset the
Circuit Breaker
Contacts
Current Out
Circuit Breaker
Contacts
Normal Conditions
Thermal Trip
09/2005