Description
Overview
The Eaton Bussmann 160MT belongs to the Bussmann MT series of high speed British Standard BS88 semiconductor protection fuses, rated 160A at 690V AC and 450V DC with a 200 kA breaking capacity. Engineered to the Class aR characteristic under BS88 Part 4 and IEC 60269-4, this single barrel fuse offers the ultra-fast current limitation that sensitive power semiconductors — such as thyristors, IGBTs, and diodes — demand in industrial drive and converter applications. It carries CE marking, RoHS compliance, IEC rating, and UL recognition, making it suitable for installations across Indian industries and export-oriented OEM panel builders.
Key Features
- High Speed Class aR Characteristic — ultra-fast arc interruption protects semiconductors before they can sustain damage from fault currents
- 200 kA Breaking Capacity — handles high prospective fault currents found in industrial power systems up to 690V AC
- Dual Voltage Rating — 690V AC and 450V DC ratings support both AC supply side and DC bus protection in a single component
- BS88 Part 4 / IEC 60269-4 Compliant — internationally recognised standard ensures interoperability and design compliance for panel builders
- Single Barrel Form Factor — compact construction simplifies mounting in space-constrained drive panels and converter cabinets
- CE Marked and RoHS Compliant — meets European directives for equipment placed on EU and export markets
- IEC Rated and UL Recognized — dual certification supports projects with international approval requirements
- Bussmann MT Series Reliability — proven Eaton Bussmann design with consistent I²t and let-through current characteristics for coordinated semiconductor protection
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Catalog Number | 160MT |
| Series | Bussmann MT |
| Amperage Rating | 160 A |
| Rated Voltage AC | 690 V |
| Rated Voltage DC | 450 V |
| Breaking Capacity | 200 kA |
| Fuse Class | Class aR |
| Fuse Type | High Speed British Standard, Single Barrel |
| Standard | BS88 Part 4, IEC 60269-4 |
| Compliances | CE Marked, RoHS Compliant |
| Certifications | IEC Rated, UL Recognized |
| Application | Semiconductor protection, DC drives, VFDs, power converters, rectifiers, soft starters, thyristor stacks, DC common bus |
Applications & Selection Guide
The 160MT is the correct choice when you need to protect power semiconductors — thyristors, diodes, IGBTs, and SCRs — in industrial drive systems operating at up to 690V AC or 450V DC. The Class aR characteristic means this fuse is intended exclusively for semiconductor protection and not for general cable or motor circuit protection; it acts before the semiconductor’s rated I²t is exceeded, preventing costly device replacement and unplanned downtime. Typical panel-level applications include variable frequency drives (VFDs), soft starters, three-phase bridge rectifiers, regenerative DC drives, thyristor stacks in process heating, and DC common bus architectures in multi-drive systems.
In the Indian industrial context, the 160MT is widely used in steel rolling mills, textile machinery, paper and pulp drives, chemical process plants, water treatment VFD panels, and renewable energy converter cabinets across manufacturing hubs in Coimbatore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Panel builders and OEMs should verify that the fuse holder or fuse carrier selected is rated for the BS88 Part 4 single barrel body dimensions and that the system prospective short-circuit current does not exceed 200 kA at the point of installation.
When sizing for a drive application, ensure the fuse’s 160A continuous rating is appropriate for the semiconductor’s RMS current requirement and consult the I²t coordination data in the Eaton Bussmann MT series datasheet to confirm selectivity with upstream protective devices. For DC bus applications, confirm the 450V DC rating is adequate for the rectified bus voltage including transient overshoot.
Why Buy from Shansen Enterprises?
- Authorized Eaton Channel Partner in Coimbatore — genuine products with full traceability
- 100% genuine Eaton Bussmann products supplied with manufacturer warranty
- Pan-India delivery to all major industrial cities and tier-2 towns
- WhatsApp technical support for application selection, cross-reference, and datasheet queries
- Bulk and project pricing available for panel builders, EPC contractors, and OEMs
Compatible Products & Accessories
- Eaton Bussmann MT series fuse holders and carriers for BS88 Part 4 single barrel body
- Eaton Bussmann MT series fuse blocks rated 690V AC for drive panel assembly
- Eaton Bussmann semiconductor protection fuses in adjacent ratings — 100MT, 125MT, 200MT — for drive family standardisation
- Eaton Bussmann HRC fuse puller and safety handling tools for HRC fuse maintenance
- Eaton drive-duty contactors and input reactors for complete VFD protection coordination
- DIN rail and panel mounting accessories compatible with MT series fuse carriers
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Class aR rating of the 160MT mean and how is it different from gG or gR fuses?
Class aR (partial range) fuses are designed specifically to protect semiconductor devices and operate only in the high current fault region — they do not provide overload protection across the full current range the way a Class gG general purpose fuse does. The 160MT will not blow on moderate overloads but will clear high-magnitude fault currents in microseconds, limiting the energy (I²t) let through to a level the semiconductor can survive. You should always use a back-up overload protection device — such as a circuit breaker or contactor with overload relay — in series with a Class aR fuse to cover the lower fault current range.
Can the Eaton Bussmann 160MT be used for both AC and DC applications?
Yes. The 160MT carries a dual voltage rating of 690V AC and 450V DC, making it suitable for protection on both the AC supply side of a rectifier or drive and on the DC bus side. When applying the fuse on a DC circuit, ensure the actual DC bus voltage does not exceed 450V DC under any operating or transient condition, and refer to Eaton Bussmann’s DC application guidance for derating and installation polarity requirements.
What is the breaking capacity of the 160MT and why does it matter for drive panel design?
The 160MT has a breaking capacity of 200 kA, meaning it can safely interrupt fault currents up to 200 kA at its rated voltage without rupture or hazard. For drive panel designers in India, this is important because the prospective short-circuit current (PSCC) at the panel incoming terminals — determined by the transformer impedance and cable impedance — must be less than or equal to the fuse’s breaking capacity. A 200 kA rating provides a comfortable margin for most industrial installations connected to medium or large distribution transformers.
Is the Eaton Bussmann 160MT a direct replacement for other BS88 Part 4 single barrel semiconductor fuses?
The 160MT uses the Eaton Bussmann MT series body dimensions conforming to BS88 Part 4 for the single barrel form factor. Cross-replacement with other manufacturers’ BS88 Part 4 fuses of the same amperage is sometimes possible if the body dimensions, voltage rating, and I²t characteristics match, but Shansen Enterprises strongly recommends verifying the I²t let-through energy and peak cut-off current data against the semiconductor manufacturer’s withstand rating before substituting. Contact our technical team for a verified cross-reference.
Does the Eaton Bussmann 160MT comply with IEC and UL standards for use in certified control panels?
Yes. The 160MT is IEC Rated per IEC 60269-4 and UL Recognized, in addition to carrying CE marking and RoHS compliance. This combination of certifications supports its use in control panels and drive cabinets destined for both the Indian market and international export markets where IEC or UL compliance is mandated by the end customer or statutory authority.
How do I order the Eaton Bussmann 160MT from Shansen Enterprises?
You can request a quote for the Eaton Bussmann 160MT directly from Shansen Enterprises by clicking the WhatsApp button on this page or by sending an email to our sales team — both options are available at shansenenterprises.com. Please share your required quantity, delivery location, and any project or panel builder details so we can provide accurate pricing and lead time. We supply genuine Eaton Bussmann products with full warranty across India, with dispatch from our Coimbatore warehouse.
