Electrical circuit is an attempt to isolate the electrical power for a building. It is used for individual protection against high-voltage conductors. The copper, aluminum and copper/aluminum wires are arranged in parallel and end at receptacles. These are present at buildings, electric power substations, electric dams and other equipment such as elevators or steam plants that require high voltage insulation. Electrical circuit breaker is used to disconnect the supply of electricity from a source of electrical energy at a particular circuit so that it does not come back on again until an operator releases it. To buy the best breaker you need the following tips;
- Faster and lighter
The faster and lighter you are, the more compact and powerful circuit breaker is. The speed of the electrical circuit breaker is dependent on the distance traveled by electrons to complete a circuit. It is measured in inches per second.
- Current Rating
The current rating reflects the highest current that can be safely interrupted by an electric circuit breaker. According to IEEE 15 Section 16 “The maximum interrupting capacity in amperes at lO-uSec. time delay shall be marked on each individual device”. It is measured in amperes.
- Trip Time
The trip time is the amount of time it takes for an electric circuit breaker to interrupt current flow when the current exceeds its rated value. It is measured at 10-uSec.
- Voltage Rating & Type Terminal Arrangement
According to IEEE 15 Section 16 “A circuit breaker shall carry the voltage rating and type terminal designation as specified on insulating equipment.” Voltage rating is measured in volts and it reveals the maximum system voltage that a circuit breaker can handle without encountering any damage or failure to it and other parts of a circuit.
- Number of Contacts
The number of contacts in one unit determines the locking mechanism for the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker has two terminals, a power terminal and a ground terminal. A contact is connected to the power terminal when it comes into contact with copper wires and disengaging the copper wires.
- Contacts Rating & Size
The contacts rating is measured in amperes, milliomils per amp and microampere. It reveals the ability of a circuit breaker to withstand high current leakage from conductors connected to it and withstand multiple cycles of 24-hour emergency interruption without damage to them or other parts of a circuit if used in emergency situations. A contact is connected to the power terminal when it comes into contact with copper wires and disengaging the copper wires.
- Type of Operation: Single-Pole or Double-Pole
The type of operation indicates whether a circuit breaker can be adjusted to a single-pole or double-pole position by an operator at a time when an accidental/unexpected fault is occurring in the system and can be interrupted by engaging it. It is indicated by single pole on both sides, double pole on one side and single pole on the other side.
In conclusions, electrical circuit breaker is a disc that can interrupt the flow of electricity when a fault occurs. It can be adjusted to alternate two positions, single-pole and double-pole. There are several things to consider when buying circuit breaker such as current rating, trip time, number of contacts, contacts rating and type terminal arrangement.
