Generally, in the case of a power connection, the electricity goes through a circuit breaker box where it is divided into numerous circuits. These circuits are supported by a breaker or fuse, which function as switching devices that can be function manually or automatically to control and support the electrical power system. Without a circuit breaker, there is a risk of electrical fires, shocks, and electrocution.
There is a broad range of circuit breakers available, which depend upon the voltage, installation, external design, placement, and breaking mechanism.
Here are the different types of circuit breakers:
This circuit breaker operates with their arcing contacts exposed to the air. These contacts operate at a given level of atmospheric pressure. In many of the places, air circuit breakers generally serve as replacements of oil circuit breakers.
- Types of air circuit breakers:
- Plain Air Circuit Breaker:
This circuit breaker is also known as Cross-Blast Circuit Breaker. These breaks are fixed with a chamber that surrounds the contacts.
- Air Blast Circuit Breaker:
This circuit breaker is used for a system voltage of 245 KV to 420 KV, if not more. These Air Blast Circuit Breakers are of two types – namely the Axial Blast Breaker and Axial Blast with a sliding moving contact.
The traditional molded-case circuit breaker uses electromechanical trip units that may be either fixed or interchangeable. A molded case circuit breaker provides support by bringing together a temperature-sensitive device with a current-sensitive electromagnetic device. Both these circuit breakers work automatically once the mechanism trips.
This device automatically switches off the electrical circuit in the event of a less-than-ideal network condition (typically an overload condition). A miniature circuit breaker is usually used for a low voltage electrical network, instead of a fuse. Handling an MCB is electrically safer.
Other than circuit breakers, a distribution management system is equally important. A distribution management system offers advanced monitoring, analysis, support, planning, and training processes for your power utilisation. A distribution management system can also study and analyse all the data involved in these power systems so that any problems can be taken into consideration and mitigated with ease.
A distribution management system has the following benefits:
- Enhanced outage response
- Enabling leading critical grid controlling capabilities
- Optimising the dynamic grid functioning
- Ease of managing a distribution management system allows one to explore a wide range of new power applications within the existing systems.
Thus, it’s absolutely important that circuit breakers are a component of every home to provide for a greater degree of protection.
Conversation
A job is well done, thanks for this informative article.
My husband and I are starting a business, so I wanted tips on keeping our employees safe when they’re working with our equipment. I didn’t know a circuit breaker can reduce the chances of shocks and electrical fires. That’s a good investment for my husband and future employees, so I’ll look for circuit breaker panels that can handle a commercial amount of power!