When Sparks Fly: Why Fire Protection in Electrical Cabinets Matters More Than Ever

Electrical cabinet fires can be devastating to a business. Overheating wires or components, sparks and component fatigue can all cause significant fast-growth fires in electrical enclosures which can be difficult to detect and extinguish. Not only can fire events in electrical infrastructure endanger lives, but a minor service disruption can also result in tens of thousands, to millions of dollars in lost revenue or production capability. As demands for energy continue to increase, it is becoming even more important that the right fire protection measures are put in place to protect all aspects of common electrical infrastructure.

In cabinet fire protection can be difficult due to space constraints. Electrical switch gears and cabling may occupy most of the volume inside an electrical cabinet, leaving little installation space for a fire suppression system.

Stat-X ® aerosol thermal generators & actuators

The Stat-X ® condensed aerosol generators offer the lightest, most compact and economical fire extinguishing solution available. Our Stat-X generators are an extremely rugged, hermetically sealed canister containing a stable, solid compound. In the event of a fire, Stat-X units are actuated electrically to release ultrafine particles and propellant inert gases which effectively extinguish fires using less mass of agent than any other conventional extinguishing system.

Historically Stat-X ® thermal generators can be used in applications where there is no access to electricty, or a fire control panel is not required. Consequently, this limit to one single generator per area. There is little flexibility with this method. One large Stat-X ® thermal generator maybe be required, however what is the solution when that generator is too large for the space? There is now an alternative solution, Pyralis.

Plate version: Surface temperature sensing

Pyralis is a passive energy storage and generation device. It harvests the energy from temperature rise, such as a fire event and converts this into electricity. It does not require an external power source and is completely de-energised in normal mode.

Airflow version: Airflow temperature sensing

Pyralis features and benefits include:

• Does not require external power source
• Polycarbonate and aluminium housing
• 15-year operational life
• Can actuate up to five Stat-X electrical generators
• Multiple Pyralis can be used
• Two versions Plate version:

1. Surface temperature sensing
2. Airflow version: Airflow temperature sensing

To learn more, visit kidde.com.au or contact your local Kidde Australia sales representative. Or connect with Kidde Australia on LinkedIn https://au.linkedin.com/company/kidde-australia