What's the Difference?

 

The difference is quite simple, looking at the rotary device, the handle MUST be turned into the off position to open the door, ensuring that the breaker is off and therefore the outgoing side of the breaker is completely dead before you can open the door to the compartment, this giving a certain amount of resilience during everyday operations of switchgear. The opposing of this is the toggle, this has no interlock and must be isolated via opening the door and turning the breaker off/on. This is typically fitted with a shroud to house the outgoing cable and shroud this from the operator from touching the live parts. The shroud would be removed typically via screws to access the outgoing side of the breaker. 

 

From a safety point of view, the Rotary Handle is far superior and safe method of isolation of the breaker and typically for accessibility is considered generally easier also. However, on small units such as panel boards, the toggle is a very useful tool and is used widely as a good solution for smaller rated panels to keep cost low and panel size small. However toggles are widely used on main switchboards also, manufacturers will lean to fit toggles over rotary handles, simply because they are cheaper and MCCB's typically come with a toggle device and an additional kit for rotary is an extra cost.

 

How Do I Specify?

 

Rotary Handles - MCCB devices are to be fitted with separate door interlocked rotary handles, ensuring that the breaker must be in the off position before entering the compartment, isolating the outgoing side of the breaker.

 

Toggle Switches - MCCB devices are to be fitted with toggle switches, ensuring that the outgoing side of the breaker must be fully shrouded and fitted with a "Warning live bars, please isolate before removing cover" label.