Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has received a 2021 R&D 100 Award from the U.S. publication R&D World for its low-voltage air circuit breaker (World Super AE V Series C-class), a switching device that protects low-voltage power distribution systems in factories and buildings.

Including this year’s award, Mitsubishi Electric has now won 27 R&D 100 Awards.

The circuit breaking is the industry’s first electromagnetic operating mechanism cuts maintenance costs and energy consumption

A new high-power electromagnet uses both tapered and magnetic latch structures in its movable iron core, realising the industry’s first electromagnetic operating mechanism, which requires only the same amount of power as a motorised control.

Using electromagnetism instead of a spring for the operating mechanism reduces the number of components by 46% and maintenance requirements by 30% compared to conventional operating mechanisms that use a motor and spring, thereby improving maintainability.

Not having to charge a spring conserves energy by reducing the use of electric power to open/close the circuit breaker by 88%.