Tesla TMCB3P16D HPC2 Circuit Breaker 16 Amp Three Pole 6kA D Curve 415V 3 Module MCB

Description

D curve protection for high inrush three phase loads.

The Tesla TMCB3P16D is a 16 amp three pole miniature circuit breaker from the HPC2 Series, rated 415V with a 6kA breaking capacity. The D tripping curve is the reason to reach for it: it rides through the start-up surge that would drop a lower curve.

Key Features

• 16 A rated current, three pole
• D tripping curve
• 6000A breaking capacity
• 415V, 50/60Hz
• Three modules wide
• HPC2 Series
• Bi-metal overload tripping mechanism
• Pillar terminal with clamp
• Rigid conductor up to 25mm²
• IP rating 20
• Standard IEC/EN60898
• Approval number V08030
• Mechanical life 10000 cycles, electrical life 4000 cycles
• Box of 4, outer of 40

Order Today for fast dispatch Australia-wide.

What the D Curve Changes

The tripping curve sets how much momentary current the magnetic element will tolerate before it opens. A D characteristic sits at the high inrush end of the scale, holding through a much larger start-up surge than the curves used on general lighting and power circuits. Where a three phase load draws a heavy transient on energisation, a device on a lower curve reads that surge as a fault and trips, and the result is a breaker that will not stay in rather than a circuit that is better protected.

Tesla describes this range as suited to commercial, domestic and industrial applications, with the D characteristic chosen to cover most of them. The overload side is unchanged: sustained current above 16 amps still trips the device on its thermal element.

Bi-Metal Overload and Pillar Clamp Terminals

Overload tripping is handled by a bi-metal mechanism, the thermal element that bends as sustained overcurrent heats it and releases the latch. It is a deliberately slow-acting response, which is what allows a circuit to carry brief legitimate peaks without dropping out while still being protected against a genuine sustained overload.

Terminals are pillar type with a clamp and accept rigid conductor up to 25mm². On a three phase feed that headroom matters, because the conductor size is usually set by the run length and installation method rather than by the 16 amp rating alone.

Three Phase, Three Modules

The device is a three pole unit occupying three module positions, rated 415V at 50/60Hz for Australian three phase distribution. Ingress protection is IP20, so it is intended for installation inside an enclosure.

Tesla lists the standard as IEC/EN60898 and publishes approval number V08030 for the range. Mechanical life is quoted at 10000 cycles and electrical life at 4000 cycles. Supply is a box of 4, outer of 40.

Q: What does the D tripping curve mean on the Tesla TMCB3P16D?
A: The D characteristic tolerates a higher momentary inrush before the magnetic element operates than the lower curves do. Tesla specifies the tripping curve for this range as D.

Q: What size conductor will the terminals take?
A: Rigid conductor up to 25mm². The terminals are pillar type with a clamp, as specified on the Tesla product data sheet.

Q: What approval and standard does this circuit breaker carry?
A: Tesla publishes approval number V08030 for the range and lists the standard as IEC/EN60898, with an IP rating of 20.

Warranty

This product is backed by an extended manufacturer warranty - click here for details.