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1
Protecting low-voltage circuits
1-3 Phase-loss protection
1-3 Phase-loss protection
1-3-1 Phase-loss fault
(1) Three-phase power supply circuit
A phase-loss fault occurs when there is a disconnection in one 
of the phase wires. If a motor continues running under those 
conditions, the result is an imbalance in the current flow to the 
motor windings that can generate enough heat to burn out the 
windings. This can develop eventually into a short-circuit or 
ground fault.
A phase-loss protection device protects the motor windings 
from burning and prevents the fault from developing into a 
wider problem.
1-3-2  Phase-loss burnout protection 
(threephase circuit)
One way to prevent phase-loss from burning the motor or 
severely lowering its durability is to disconnect it from the 
circuit. For economic reasons, it is recommend that this be 
done using a manual motor starter (MMS) with phase-loss 
protection capability.