—

APPLICATION NOTE

Grid Feeding System

for Distributed Energy
Sources
IEC Commercial & Industrial scale
2

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Index

01 Overview
02 Reference architectures
03 Applications

04 Products and solutions

05 Key Standards
and Related Documents
—
Overview
4 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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The management of energy sources

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are decentralized energy technologies that generate electricity locally and feed it into the
grid or off-grid plant. Examples include solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage systems, fuel cells, and micro-turbines.

Country-specific standards or regulations define the requirements for their grid connection mainly according to power plant size
and determine the framework of the grid feeding systems.

— —
Photovoltaic Storage system

—
Fuel cells

— —
Wind power Micro-turbines
5 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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What is Grid Feeding System?

Grid Feeding System is a protection system that separates Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) whenever
the voltage and frequency values of the utility grid are outside the ranges prescribed by regulations.
6 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Why it is needed

With the growth of DERs over the years, energy systems have
become more decentralized and dynamic, allowing energy
users to play a more active role in the energy market.

However, DERs also bring some technical complications.

The utility grid may have independent faults that affect the system voltage and
frequency levels. Utility grid operators do not have control over DERs installed at
user sites, which can be up to 1 MW in installation size. Therefore, DERs should be
disconnected automatically to avoid feeding and magnifying the problem.

Also, power production can be inconsistent based on environmental conditions.

When producing too much power, it can result in voltage spikes, which can damage
equipment and pose safety risks. During times of high demand or low DER output,
voltage can drop below safe levels, resulting in flickers and inefficiencies.
Additionally, DERs can cause over-frequency by injecting excess power into the grid,
potentially damaging devices.
Under-frequency occurs when there’s not enough power to meet demand, leading
to outages and grid failures.

Lastly, unintentional islanding may also occur when a part of the grid remains
powered during maintenance, posing risks to workers and the public.
7 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Main benefits

— —
Safety Availability
Prevents safety hazards In case of temporary
by detecting grid disturbances,
unintentional islanding facilitate the automatic
phenomena and reconnection of DERs to
— equipment damage by — the grid once stability is
Grid stability detecting frequency Compliance with restored.
Ensures that DERs and voltage variations. regulations
operates in harmony Procures the
with the electrical grid compliance of DERs
in terms of voltage and with the requirements
frequency regulation. of different grid
operators.
8 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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How does it work?

Power plant size up to 1MW, which are the subject of this document, are generally connected to the grid at low voltage level but
sometimes at medium voltage.

Industrial and commercial scale

PV Plant String AC
Inverters Combiners
Loads

Battery DC Power LV/MV MV MV Grid

racks Combiners Conversion Transformer Switchgear
Grid Feeding
System Panel LV
Switchboard

Wind Plant Power

Conversion
System
LV Grid

Others

Figure 1: Typical diagram from to DERs to the Grid

9 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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How does it work

According to EN 50549-1 European Standard*, a typical diagram for a generating plant connected to a distribution network
and main definitions is given in Figure 2.

—
Distribution network
Distribution network

Point of connection (POC) Producer: Natural or legal person who already has connected or is planning to connect
Producer’s network
an electricity generating plant to a distribution network.
Main switch
Producer’s network: AC electrical installations downstream from the point of
connection operated by the producer for internal distribution of electricity.
Interface protection relay

Generating plant: Sum of generating units connected at one point of connection,

Producer’s non-island including auxiliaries and all connection equipment.
operation
Interface switch
Islanding: When a section of the distribution network with generating plants
becomes physically disconnected and one or more generating units continue
supplying electrical energy to the isolated section.
Producer’s island
operation Generating unit switch
Point of connection: Reference point on the electric power system where the user’s
electrical facility is connected.

Main switch, switch installed as close as possible to the point of connection,

for protection against internal faults and disconnection of the whole plant from the
distribution network.

Figure 2: Example of a generating plant connected to a distribution network.

* Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks – Part 1: Connection to a LV distribution network – Generating plants up to and including Type B.
10 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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How does it work

A Grid Feeding System is the protection system which comprises of different components and installed in the producer’s network.
This system ensures to separate the part(s) of the producer’s network containing at least one generating unit from the
distribution network.

When the Producer has grid-connected generating plants, the Grid Feeding System
should have below devices which their purpose of usages is explained here.
• Interface protection relay, combination of different protection relay functions
which opens the interface switch of a generating unit and prevents its closure,
whichever is appropriate in case of: a fault on the distribution network, an
islanding situation, the presence of voltage and frequency values outside the
corresponding regulation values. Once, the distribution network restabilizes and
all conditions are okay, this relay reconnects the generating unit(s) to the grid.
Main switch
• Interface switch, switching device (circuit breaker, switch-disconnector,
or contactor) installed in the producer’s network, for separating the part(s) Interface
of the producer’s network containing at least one generating unit from the protection
relay
distribution network.
• Generating unit switch, switch installed electrically close to the terminals of Interface
each generating unit, for protection and disconnection of that generating unit. switch

The Grid feeding system can be built as a seperated panel or combined with the
specific DER panels, such as solar AC combiner panels, depending on the conditions
of producer’s site and power plant. Generating unit switch
—
Reference
architectures
12 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Reference architectures

Reference architectures can vary a lot according to country regulations, user habits, whether it is a new or existing project,
distances between main distribution board (MDB) and power plant etc.

Here a few common versions are examined with important design criteria. Table 1
In these examples a solar power plant is used as the DER being integrated. The most common CEI-021 VDE-AR-N G99 DRRG
architectures
- Scheme X
Moreover, the priority architectures in the countries where the main standards 5- 2 - 1 6-7 6-2 1-2-3

are used are given in table 1.

Scheme 1: New solar power plant in existing building

Substation LV Main Distribution Board AC Combiner with grid connection String In some country regulations, grid connection
inverter have to be managed by two switching
Short cable
distance

devices which are two circuit breakers here,

one in the MDB and one in the AC combiner.
Breaker
In this scenario, it is assumed that there is
a spare and equivalent outgoing circuit
MV / LV Breaker Breaker
breaker in MDB and the cable length between
them is short enough to ensure effective
command transmission.
Relay
13 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Reference architectures

Scheme 2: New solar power plant in existing building

Substation LV Main Distribution Board AC Combiner with grid connection String The grid connection is supplied by two circuit
inverter breakers however due to long distance

Long cable
distance
between MDB and AC Combiner, both of two
circuit breakers should be installed in AC
Breaker
combiner.
In this scenario, it is assumed that there is a
MV / LV Breaker Breaker Breaker
spare and equivalent outgoing circuit
breaker in MDB.

Relay

Scheme 3: New solar power plant in existing building

Substation LV Main Distribution Board Grid Connection AC Combiner String In this scenario, it is assumed that there is no
Close to MDB

Panel inverter spare or equivalent outgoing circuit breaker

Long cable
distance

in the MDB. In such cases, a new separate

Breaker Breaker
panel should be installed close to the MDB.
Breaker
This panel can include two circuit breakers
and a grid feeding monitoring relay, along
MV / LV Breaker
Relay with other necessary auxiliaries. This design
can also be utilized when there are different
installation areas for PV panels. Since each
power plant license has only one grid
connection point, it is necessary to have a
separate panel upstream.
14 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Reference architectures

Scheme 4: New solar power plant in new building

Substation LV Main Distribution Board AC Combiner with grid connection String The grid connection is supplied by two
inverter contactors which are in AC combiner.
In this case for the protection of AC combiner,
Breaker Contactor Contactor
circuit breaker or fuse should be installed on
Breaker
upstream.
MV / LV Breaker

Relay

Scheme 5: New solar power plant in new building

Substation LV Main Distribution Board AC Combiner with grid connection String The grid connection is supplied one
inverter contactor and one circuit breaker.

Breaker Contactor
Breaker

MV / LV Breaker

Relay
15 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Reference architectures

Scheme 6: New solar power plant in existing building

Substation AC Combiner with grid connection String In some country regulation, grid connection
inverter can be managed by only one switching device.
Here the circuit breaker will take the role of
interface switch and protection of AC
Breaker combiner together.
MV / LV Breaker

Relay

Scheme 7: New solar power plant in existing building

Substation AC Combiner with grid connection String The grid connection is supplied only one
inverter contactor which takes the role of interface
switch. In this case for the protection of AC
3° pary Contactor
fuse combiner, circuit breaker or fuse should be
Fuse switch- installed on upstream.
disconnectors
MV / LV

Relay
—
Applications
200kW AC combiner with grid
feeding applications are shown as
referring the different architectures.

For each one of them, electrical

scheme, bill of material, and some
design notes are given together.
17 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Application Bundle 1#
200kW AC combiner with grid feeding in the architecture

AC combiner with grid connection

Substation

3 phase system, MCCB MCCB

400V, 50Hz

MCCB
Fuse Fuse with
Main Distribution Board

Breaker
RCD
LV

Breaker
Fuse for
Power measuring
SPD supply circuit

Long cable distance

String
AC Combiner with grid connection

Inverter

Breaker Buffer Time Time

module relay relay

PV Panel
Relay
Breaker

Interface
Fuse for protection
control circuit relay Control circuit
Power circuit

SPD: Surge protection device

inverter
String

MCCB: Moulded case circuit breaker

RCD: Residual circuit device
18 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Application Bundle 1#
200kW AC combiner with grid feeding in the architecture

Product type Code Description Quantity

Design notes
XT5N 400 Ekip Dip
• Fuses are used for current protection of the measuring and control circuit Circuit breaker 1SDA100396R1*
LS/I In=400 4p F F
2

of relay, and surge protective device. Interface protection relay for DEWA DRRG 1SVR560731R3703 CM-UFD.M34M 1

Fuseholder 2CSM274343R1801 E 93hN/32S 2

Main circuit
• Surge protective device is used to protect the system from transient
Fuse 2CSM257453R1801 E 9F10 GG10 6
voltage spikes and surges in ac combiner.
OVR T1-T2 3L 12.5-
Surge protection device 2CTB815710R4700 1
440s P QS
• Power supply + Buffer module: can be used for providing uninterrupted
XT1C 160 TMD 100-
power for relay and accessories of switching devices. Also, UPS can be an Circuit breaker 1SDA067406R1
1000 4p F
4

option instead of these two devices. RC Sel HV 85...690Vac

Circuit breaker - residual current device 1SDA067125R1 4
XT1 4p F
• Time relay is used when a time delay is needed to ensure the motor of the YU-C XT5-XT6 F/P
Circuit breaker - undervoltage release 1SDA104955R1 2
breaker is charged before sending the closure command to the breaker. 24...30 Vac/dc

AUX-C 1Q+1SY 24Vdc

• Circuit breaker with residual circuit device is used to protect people against Circuit breaker - auxilary contact 1SDA066446R1 2
XT1..XT6 F/P
electric shock and current protection for each inverter.

Control Circuit
AUX-SA-C 1S51
Circuit breaker - auxilary contact 1SDA066429R1 250Vac/dc XT2-XT4... 2
XT6 F/P

MOE XT5 220...250V

Circuit breaker - motor 1SDA104885R1 2
AC/DC

Timing relay 1SVR500100R0000 CT-ERD.12 2

— Fuseholder 2CSM206573R1801 E 91hN/32S 2

Bill of Material Fuse 2CSM256363R1801 E 9F10 GG6 2

Power supply module 1SVR360763R2001** CP-C.1 24/20.0-C 1

Input data IEC
Buffer module 1SVR427060R2000** CP-B 24/20.0 1
System rated power [kW] 200
Rated LVAC voltage [V] 400 XT5N 400 BREAKING
1SDA100552R1 2
*For embedded communication and PART 4p F F
Cosfi 0,9
Alternatives

measurement function breaker can be

Rated LVAC bus current [A] 321 Ekip Touch
chosen with Ekip Touch trip unit.
1SDA100681R1 Measuring LSI In=400 2
Short circuit current LVAC bus [kA] 16
XT5 4p
Inverter rated AC active power [kW] 50
Inverter max. output current @400V 80 ** UPS is an option for power supply and UPS PowerValue 11T
4NWP100163R0005 1
buffer modules combination. G2 3 KVA
N. inverters per AC recombiner 4
19 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Application Bundle 2#
200kW AC combiner with grid feeding in the architecture

AC combiner with grid connection

Substation

3 phase system, MCCB Contactor

400V, 50Hz

RCBO
Fuse Fuse
Main Distribution Board

Breaker
LV

Breaker
Fuse for
Power measuring
SPD supply circuit

Long cable distance

Breaker String
Inverter
AC Combiner with grid connection

Pluggable
Buffer Time
interface
module relay
Contactor relay

PV Panel
Relay
Breaker

Interface Control circuit

Fuse for protection
control circuit relay Power circuit

SPD: Surge protection device

inverter

MCCB: Moulded case circuit breaker

String

RCBO: Residual circuit device with Overcurrent

protection
20 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Application Bundle 2#
200kW AC combiner with grid feeding in the architecture

Product type Code Description Quantity

Design notes
XT5N 400 Ekip Dip
• Miniature circuit breakers are used for current protection of the measuring Circuit breaker 1SDA100396R1*
LS/I In=400 4p F F
1

and control circuit of relay, and surge protective device. Contactor with auxilary contact 1SFL587102R1311 AF305-40-11-13 1

Interface protection relay for CEI-021 1SVR560730R3400 CM-UFD.M22 1

Main circuit
• Surge protective device is used to protect the system from transient
Fuseholder 2CSM274343R1801 E 93hN/32S 2
voltage spikes and surges.
Fuse 2CSM257453R1801 E 9F10 GG10 6
• Power supply + Buffer module: can be used for providing uninterrupted
OVR T1-T2 3L 12.5-
power for relay and accessories of switching devices. Also, UPS can be an Surge protection device 2CTB815710R4700
440s P QS
1

option instead of these two devices. Residual current circuit breaker with
2CCG001319R0001 DS804P-C125/0.3A 4
Overcurrent protection
• Time relay is used when a time delay is needed to ensure the motor of the YU-C XT5-XT6 F/P
Circuit breaker - undervoltage release 1SDA104955R1 1
breaker is charged before sending the closure command to the breaker. 24...30 Vac/dc

AUX-C 1Q+1SY 24Vdc

• Pluggable interface relay is used for electrical isolation, amplification and Circuit breaker - auxilary contact 1SDA066446R1 1
XT1..XT6 F/P
signal matching between the coil of contactor and CM-UFD control outputs. AUX-SA-C 1S51
Circuit breaker - auxilary contact 1SDA066429R1 250Vac/dc XT2-XT4... 1

Control Circuit
• Residual circuit device with o vercurrent protection is used to protect XT6 F/P

people against electric shock and current protection for each inverter. MOE XT5 220...250V
Circuit breaker - motor 1SDA104885R1 1
AC/DC
Timing relay 1SVR500100R0000 CT-ERD.12 1

— Pluggable interface relay 1SVR405613R1100 CR-M024DC4L 1

Fuseholder 2CSM206573R1801 E 91hN/32S 2

Bill of Material Fuse 2CSM256363R1801 E 9F10 GG6 2

Power supply module 1SVR360763R2001** CP-C.1 24/20.0-C 1

Input data IEC
Buffer module 1SVR427060R2000** CP-B 24/20.0 1
System rated power [kW] 200
Rated LVAC voltage [V] 400 XT5N 400 BREAKING
1SDA100552R1 1
*For embedded communication and PART 4p F F
Cosfi 0,9
Alternatives

measurement function breaker can be

Ekip Touch
Rated LVAC bus current [A] 321 chosen with Ekip Touch trip unit.
1SDA100681R1 Measuring LSI In=400 1
Short circuit current LVAC bus [kA] 16 XT5 4p
Inverter rated AC active power [kW] 50
Inverter max. output current @400V 80 ** UPS is an option for power supply and UPS PowerValue 11T
4NWP100163R0005 1
buffer modules combination. G2 3 KVA
N. inverters per AC recombiner 4
21 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Application Bundle 3#
200kW AC combiner with grid feeding in the architecture

AC combiner with grid connection

Substation

MV / LV 3 phase system, MCCB

400V, 50Hz

MCCB
MCB MCB with
RCD

MCB for
SPD measuring
circuit

Breaker
String
AC Combiner with grid connection

Inverter
Delay device for
undervoltage release

Relay
PV Panel
Breaker

Interface Control circuit

MCB for protection Time
control circuit relay Power circuit
relay
MCB: Miniature circuit breaker
SPD: Surge protection device
inverter
String

MCCB: Moulded case circuit breaker

RCD: Residual circuit device
22 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Application Bundle 3#
200kW AC combiner with grid feeding in the architecture

Product type Code Description Quantity

Design notes
XT5N 400 Ekip Dip
• Miniature circuit breakers are used for current protection of the measuring Circuit breaker 1SDA100396R1*
LS/I In=400 4p F F
1
and control circuit of relay, and surge protective device.
Interface protection relay for VDE 1SVR560730R3401 CM-UFD.M31 1

• Surge protective device is used to protect the system from transient

Main circuit
Miniature circuit breaker 2CDS383001R0105 S303P-B10 2
voltage spikes and surges in ac combiner.
OVR T1-T2 3L 12.5-
Surge protection device 2CTB815710R4700 1
440s P QS
• Electronic time-delay device for undervoltage release of breaker (UVD)
XT1C 160 TMD 100-
Circuit breaker 1SDA067406R1 4
ensure continuous power supply by acting as a load buffer in the event of a 1000 4p F
power failure. This ensures that the prescribed buffer time of at least 3 s is RC Sel HV 85...690Vac
Circuit breaker - residual current device 1SDA067125R1 4
respected. XT1 4p F

YU-C XT5-XT6 F/P

• Time relay is used when a time delay is needed to ensure the motor of the Circuit breaker - undervoltage release 1SDA104958R1 220..240Vac- 1
220..250Vdc
breaker is charged before sending the closure command to the breaker.
AUX-C 1Q+1SY
• Circuit breaker with residual circuit device is used to protect people against Circuit breaker - auxilary contact 1SDA066431R1 250Vac/dc XT1...XT6 1
F/P
electric shock and current protection for each inverter.

Control Circuit
AUX-SA-C 1S51
Circuit breaker - auxilary contact 1SDA066429R1 250Vac/dc XT2-XT4... 1
XT6 F/P

— MOE XT5 220...250V

Circuit breaker - motor 1SDA104885R1 1
Bill of Material AC/DC

Circuit breaker - delay device for UVD XT5-XT6

1SDA101982R1 1
undervoltage release 220..250Va.c./d.c.
Input data IEC
System rated power [kW] 200 Timing relay 1SVR500100R0000 CT-ERD.12 1

Rated LVAC voltage [V] 400

Miniature circuit breaker 2CDS381001R0065 S301P-B6 2
Cosfi 0,9
Rated LVAC bus current [A] 321 XT5N 400 BREAKING
Alternatives

1SDA100552R1 1
Short circuit current LVAC bus [kA] 16 PART 4p F F
*For embedded communication and
Inverter rated AC active power [kW] 50 measurement function breaker can be
chosen with Ekip Touch trip unit. Ekip Touch
Inverter max. output current @400V 80 1SDA100681R1 Measuring LSI In=400 1
N. inverters per AC recombiner 4 XT5 4p
—
Products
and solutions
24 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

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Products and solutions

SACE Tmax XT AF contactors CM-UFD OVR surge protective devices System pro E power main
molded-case circuit breakers Interface protection relays distribution switchboards

Website Website Website Ordering Technical Website

details details

ARIA Gemini multipurpose PowerValue System pro M

universal polyester enclosures enclosures single-phase ups modular products for DIN rail

Website Ordering Technical Website Ordering Technical Website Catalog Brochure Website
details details details details
—
Key Standards and
Related Documents
26 GRID FEEDING SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCES IEC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SC ALE

—
Key Standards and Related Documents

Interface monitoring relay type

CM-UFD.M22 • CM-UFD.M22M CM-UFD.M31 • CM-UFD.M31M CM-UFD.M33 • CM-UFD.M33M CM-UFD.M34M CM-UFD.M35M

Data Data Data Data Data

Sheet Sheet Sheet Sheet Sheet

Standard/Regulation and Country in use

Italy Germany Great Britain UAE, Umman, Bahrein France
CEI 0-21 VDE-AR-N 4105/ 4110/ 4120 G99 DEWA DRRG VDE 0126-1-1

Australia
Schaltungsempfehlungen
Componenti per quadri NA-Schutz und IEC 60255-1, -26, -27, -127, -18
di interfaccia ABB Kuppelschalter

Finland
Austria
EN50549-1
TOR-Erzeuger TYP-A/ B/ C/ D/

Switzerland
AES NA/ EEA-NE7

Netz- und
Anlageschutz-
Lösung von ABB

Solution d’ABB pour

la protection
du réseau et des
installations

La soluzione di ABB
per la protezione
di rete e impianti
 05.2024
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