5
C048-702-30 R02, Rev. B (03/2021)
1.0
1.0 Purpose and Applicability
Purpose and Applicability
The purpose of this document is to detail the installation and operation instructions for the Alpha
®
TRD
™
Battery Thermal
Runaway Detection System�
1.1
1.1 Product Model
Product Model
This document applies to the TRD Battery Thermal Runaway Detection System� This kit may have been supplied pre-
installed on your DCX
™
Series battery disconnect system, or was sold separately�
Table 1.
GMT 125 Series Fuse Panel Configurations
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
C016-934-10
TRD - VRLA Battery Thermal Runaway Detection System
2.0
2.0 Theory of Operation
Theory of Operation
The DCX Series top terminal mount DC disconnect product family consists of an internal magnetic trip DC rated circuit
breaker and control circuit to provide remote status monitoring, remote trip and provides an interface expansion connector
to allow optional circuit modules to plug into the DCX Series system� DCX units are available in 400, 600, 800, 1,000
and 1,200 ampere rated versions with a multitude of adapter termination copper bus and mounting kits to support many
battery types�
The standard DCX Series disconnect comes with circuit breaker status monitoring via both LED indicators as well as
form-c alarm contacts for remote breaker status detection. In addition, a remote EPO (Emergency Power Off) input circuit
is provided to allow for use of EPO wall mounted switches, remote trip supervisory controllers or other options to comply
with applicable fire or building codes for remote trip function.
A terminal block is provided for remote switch contact or relay contact closure to EPO trip the DC circuit breaker and
disconnect the battery string from the load and rectifier system. Manual disconnect is always available via simply turning
off the circuit breaker handle.
The TRD option (Thermal Runaway Detector) is a kit that consists of a plug-in circuit card and control panel assembly,
two remote temperature sensors, and cable� The TRD can be installed in any DCX Series disconnect unit� The TRD
control board assembly simply plugs into the DCX Series circuit board expansion connector and is secured with mounting
screws to hold it in position�
The TRD controller circuit monitors temperature in three locations to analyze and determine if the VRLA battery system
is approaching or is in thermal runaway condition� Two remote battery terminal sensors are compared against an internal
reference temperature sensor and differential is analyzed and if a thermal fault is detected, the system alerts this status.
New NFPA and local state fire codes now specify use of a thermal runaway detection system for VRLA batteries to
provide the ability to detect and alert if the battery system has a thermal fault developing or in process� In addition,
many local municipalities have added the requirement that if thermal runaway is detected, the battery system must
automatically be disconnected from the charging and load circuit without requiring manual intervention�
The DCX Series battery disconnect and TRD system is the only self-contained telecom grade thermal runaway detection
and auto-disconnect system that complies with both NFPA and state/local fire codes for VRLA battery installations.
2.1
2.1 Features
Features
y
Modular, hot-swap circuit card assembly
y
Two remote temperature sensor probes
y
Pre-alert and Thermal Runaway alarm relay contacts
y
Temperature display
y
Optional self disconnect feature
y
Kit retrofits in any existing DCX Series battery disconnect system
