A circuit breaker is an electrical device used to automatically break open an electrical circuit when it becomes overloaded. This is a safety precaution that can save a home or building from having a major fire or electrical disaster.
To determine the ideal breaker, you have to consider the type of voltage you are using, the trip point, and the overload protection. These are important factors for the safety of your home and family.
There are different types of voltage breakers; the low voltage circuit breaker is the most common type, which is used in homes. Low voltage breakers are the easiest way to install, since you only have to install them on breaker panels.
Miniature circuit breakers or MCBs use the lowest low voltage. It is known to carry electricity of not more than 100 amps; MCBs are also capable of holding electric charges of not more than 1,000 amps. Next to MCBs, are the Molded Case Circuit Breakers or MCCBs.
MCCBs are ideal for 1,000 amps and can safely disconnect from electricity that goes beyond ten times its capacity. They are also called a magnetic circuit breaker, because they use an electromagnetic power solenoid to break the circuit when there is too much electricity flowing through it.
Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers are the next type. Its capacity is to hold amps that can reach between 1,000 and 72,000 before they break. Their performance is relative to the model and brand. Westinghouse breakers are known for its quality of performance.
Medium Breakers are found in large buildings and businesses, and are enclosed in switchboxes or indoor cabinets. Under this type of breaker are three sub-types, vacuum, air, and SF6 breakers.
The vacuum breakers can maintain a power arc in a vacuum by letting air back into the breaker when it is tripped. An air Circuit breaker is equipped with two spring loaded contacts close together in an air-enclosed environment, when the breaker is tripped; the spring snaps open and pushes the contacts away from one another.
SF6 breakers have an arc produced in a chamber of sulfur hexafluoride gas, which reacts to the presence of higher than a regular voltage. It increases in density to stop the arc.
The high voltage breakers are the ones that are capable of holding more than 72,500 volts of electricity. They are found outdoors in a chain-link enclosure together with high voltage power lines. They are operated by solenoid switch which activates the fill the arc-chamber, when too much power flows through them.
The trip point is the second consideration in choosing the ideal circuit breaker. The point at which the breaker will trip can be set at low, medium or high sensitivity to prevent your wiring from heating.
Breaker overload protection is critical. Westinghouse breakers have overload protection that are similar to hydraulic and earth leakage breakers, providing custom protection. This type of circuit breaker senses ground faults and excessive flow of electricity.
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