About Airpax
Industrial Circuit Protection & Thermal Control SolutionsSensata Technologies
Airpax, a Sensata Technologies brand, is a trusted global manufacturer specializing in circuit protection, temperature sensing, and power-control components for critical aerospace, industrial, medical, military, and telecommunications applications. The company has built a reputation for reliability and precision in devices that protect valuable equipment and personnel from electrical faults, thermal overload, and pressure surges.
The Airpax product portfolio includes hydraulic-magnetic circuit breakers combining fluid-damped electromagnetic operation with thermal overload sensing, SNAPAK® series combination circuit protectors that integrate switch, fuse, and fuse-holder functions into a single cartridge, electronic and thermostatic snap switches for precise temperature control, and pilot-operated pressure switches for hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
All Airpax devices are designed to UL, TUV, CCC, CSA, and military standard specifications, with current ratings spanning 0.1 Amperes (fractional controls) through 1,200 Amperes (industrial power distribution). Response times and trip thresholds are precisely calibrated to protect downstream equipment without nuisance tripping during normal operation.
Applications include aircraft power distribution, industrial motor starters, telecommunications cabinet protection, medical imaging equipment, data-center UPS power conditioning, hydraulic system overload safeguards, and industrial process-heating temperature control. Airpax components often become mission-critical elements where equipment failure triggers cascading system failures or safety hazards.
ChatMRO connects electrical engineers and maintenance technicians instantly with the exact Airpax protection device—specify required current rating, trip type (instantaneous, inverse time, dual threshold), and application environment (standard industrial, extreme temperature, vibration-rich), and our AI surfaces compatible circuit breaker or switch models with certification and lead times from our indexed 30M+ component database.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an instantaneous and inverse-time circuit breaker?
Instantaneous breakers trip immediately when current exceeds rating (used for short-circuit protection). Inverse-time breakers allow controlled overload for brief periods before tripping—critical for motor inrush currents and preventing nuisance trips on equipment startup. Inverse-time breakers require longer response time to distinguish overload from normal peak draw.
Why do Airpax SNAPAK protectors cost more than a separate fuse and switch combination?
SNAPAK integrates switch, fuse, and fuse-holder into a single compact cartridge, reducing panel space, wiring complexity, and assembly cost. Single-cartridge replacement also simplifies maintenance—no separate components to track or mix up. For complex power distribution cabinets, SNAPAK integration saves significant cost and error risk.
Can I adjust the trip current of an Airpax circuit breaker after installation?
Most Airpax breakers are factory-set to a specific current rating and cannot be field-adjusted. Some models offer adjustable thermal elements via a screwdriver adjustment, but this is rare. Always order the correct factory-rated breaker for your application; retrofitting is simpler than adjusting in-place.
How often do Airpax breakers require testing or recertification?
After every trip (especially short circuits), breakers should be inspected for internal damage—a breaker that has seen a hard fault may fail to operate correctly on the next event. Some military and aerospace applications mandate annual testing and recertification. Standard industrial practice is to replace rather than retest after a high-energy fault.
What's the typical response time of an Airpax thermal snap switch at rated temperature?
Thermal switches typically respond within ±5°F of their setpoint and cycle repeatably within 2–3°F hysteresis (temperature swing before resetting). Response time is typically under 100 milliseconds. Exact specifications vary by model—consult the datasheet for your specific application's required response.