New Littelfuse Arc-Flash Relay, PGR-8800, Minimizes Arc-Flash Damage

The Littelfuse PGR-8800 Arc-Flash Relay, an easy-to-install stand-alone solution, provides extremely fast response that is crucial in minimizing Arc-Flash damage and injury to personnel.

2011-06-06 14:00:00

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 6, 2011Littelfuse, Inc. announced today that it has expanded its POWR-GARD protection-relay line with the addition of a new Arc-Flash Relay (PGR-8800), which protects electrical systems by detecting arc flash incidents early and economically. Used in general industrial facilities, the PGR-8800 is an easy-to-install, stand-alone product with up to 24 light sensors, including optional fiber-optic cable sensors that can protect difficult-to-reach compartments.

"Our new PGR-8800 relay offers one of the fastest detection times in the industry. It identifies and trips on an arc flash 300 times faster than 'the blink of an eye,' which takes about 300-400 milliseconds," said Tony Locker, P.E., Product Manager for Littelfuse Protection Relays. "Speed is extremely important as early detection of an arc-flash minimizes damage to expensive equipment, potential for fire, and more importantly, injury to personnel." Locker adds, "Our Arc-Flash Relay really sets a new standard for this product category. It is both easy-to-install and easy-to-use, and we offer ongoing technical support for this, as well as all of our protection relay products."

The Littelfuse Arc-Flash Relay is capable of detecting two different conditions related to an arc flash: excessive current and light, which is one of the earliest warning signs of an arc-flash incident. By detecting light combined with high current, the new Littelfuse Arc-Flash Relay can quickly distinguish an arc flash from unrelated current and ambient light fluctuations, defending the installation from nuisance tripping.

Arc-flash incidents cause 80% of electrically-related accidents and fatalities among qualified workers according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "This is a huge number, and it's no surprise that electrical safety and arc-flash mitigation have been hot topics in the industry," Locker said. "Employers are concerned about the safety of their workers and the enormous liability costs associated with electrical safety accidents. We are constantly expanding our protection relay product portfolio to address this ever growing concern."

In addition to its line of protection relays, Littelfuse also offers electrical safety services and on-site electrical safety evaluations as well as other products that promote electrical safety in general industrial facilities such as current limiting fuses, remote indication, and touch-safe products.

Availability
The PGR-8800 Arc-Flash Relay is available from stock.

For more information

For more information on POWR-GARD® Protection Relay Products, visit the Littelfuse protection relay website at www.littelfuse.com/protectionrelays or call our technical support line at 1-800-832-3873.

About Littelfuse

Littelfuse is the worldwide leader in circuit protection, offering the industry's broadest and deepest portfolio of circuit protection products and solutions. Backed by industry-leading technical support, design and manufacturing expertise Littelfuse products are vital components in virtually every product that uses electrical energy, including portable and consumer electronics, automobiles, industrial equipment and telecom/datacom circuits. In addition to its Chicago, Illinois, world headquarters, Littelfuse has more than 20 sales, distribution, manufacturing and engineering facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Technologies offered by Littelfuse include Technologies offered by Littelfuse include Fuses, Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs), Positive Temperature Coefficient Devices (PTCs), Protection Relays, PulseGuard® ESD Suppressors, SIDACtor® Devices, Silicon Protection Arrays(SPA™), Switching Thyristors, TVS Diodes and Varistors.

For more information, please visit www.littelfuse.com

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The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are intended to constitute "forward-looking statements" entitled to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks relating to product demand and market acceptance, economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product quality problems or product recalls, capacity and supply difficulties or constraints, coal mining exposures reserves, failure of an indemnification for environmental liability, exchange rate fluctuations, commodity price fluctuations, the effect of the company's accounting policies, labor disputes, restructuring costs in excess of expectations, pension plan asset returns less than assumed, integration of acquisitions and other risks which may be detailed in the company's other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements. This report should be read in conjunction with information provided in the financial statements appearing in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. For a further discussion of the risk factors of the company, please see Item 1A. "Risk Factors" to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.