Molex boasts first portable, IP69K-rated ground fault circuit interrupter
Believed to be the first portable, IP69K-rated GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) the Super-Safeway safeguards personnel and equipment operating in harsh environments.
Its sealing properties and vulcanised rubber resistant make it suitable for high-pressure washdowns typically found in food processing. The interrupter is available in a choice of voltages on 20A circuit with multiple cord lengths, including an overhead configuration for convenience and safer installation.
The GFCI offering is claimed to be the first portable 20A device to earn the IP69K rating, which is the highest level of industrial protection against the penetration of high pressure, high temperature water and dust. It joins Molex’s Woodhead line of permanent-mount and portable GFCIs. In addition to food processing it is recommended for use in applications where sanitising equipment continually creates excessive moisture and humidity conditions.
Tony Quebbemann, product marketing manager at Molex, commented: “We developed the portable, IP69K-rated, 20A GFCI product to give our customers the highest levels of protection possible to safeguard them from the dangers of electrical failure or electrocution.”
As well as food processing, petrochemical processing and mining plants where excessive water, moisture and humidity can create hazardous conditions, they can be used in temporary outdoor environments where exposure to the elements can damage electrical equipment. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), for example, issues stringent guidelines on the use of GFCI to protect employees from electrical shock.
Molex’s double-insulated GFCI meets industry standards and offers extra measures of protection. These include an open-neutral sensing relay which stops power flow under threatening conditions in accordance with OSHA requirements. Additionally, the product meets both UL-listed and CSA-certified regulations.
The IP69K-rated, industrial-duty Super-Safeway GFCI also features superior sealing properties, claimed Molex, with impact-resistant housing, chemical/UV-resistant enclosure and vulcanised rubber for long-lasting, reliable operation. Nuisance tripping is minimised by the inclusion of an electronically enhanced filter while various product options, including automatic and manual resets as well as different outlet-box configurations, are designed to accommodate a variety of worksites.
The cable drops on the Super-Safeway GFCI feature a primary cord that can accommodate an overhead configuration for more convenient and safer installation. The device can be coupled with cable drops using Molex Watertite wiring devices with IP67, IP69K, NEMA Type 4X and 6P ratings.
