Operation and Types of Circuit Breaker
Across electrical applications, devices such as Circuit Breakers are critical for controlling and protecting power systems. As technology continues to advance and required increase, having protection devices in place can ensure the smooth and safe operation of electrical appliances and systems of all types. In this blog, we will discuss how circuit breakers function, and how they are designed to accommodate the loads that they govern.
At their most basic, circuit breakers are switching devices that may be operated manually or automatically, protecting devices from faults such as short circuits. As such faults may damage sensitive components, the circuit breaker will interrupt current flow when such a fault is detected. Unlike other protective devices such as fuses, circuit breakers are reusable and may simply be reset to resume standard operation. Depending on the application and need for a particular electrical system or network, a variety of circuit breakers may be implemented.
The air circuit breaker is a type that is rated for use on electrical circuits between 800 and 10,000 amps, and they are typically present in low voltage applications that are less than 450 volts. To protect systems from overcharge, contacts are opened so that the electric arc is shifted upwards as it is pulled away with the electromagnet effect. As currents continue to flow despite contacts being separated, the arc must be extinguished so that it may not reform. To achieve this, circuit breaker air is used as an insulator, resisting the formation of an arc to protect the electrical system.
The vacuum breaker is another breaker type, extinguishing arcs by utilizing vacuum technology. Within vacuum breakers, the fixed and moving contacts are both sealed within a vacuum interrupter, and the arc is extinguished when contacts are opened within this sealed chamber. Vacuum circuit breakers are best applied for medium voltage applications, and they are rated for voltage ranging between 11 to 33 kilovolts. Due to their method of operation, the vacuum breaker presents various advantages. With vacuum arc extinction, the Vacuum breaker does not require any refills of fluids and is very self contained. They may also be installed in any orientation and are fairly compact, and they present an economic advantage due to their abilities and cost.
Sulfur hexafluoride circuit breakers are those that are implemented within electrical power stations and distribution systems, protecting high voltage applications around 800 kilovolts. With the use of sulfur hexafluoride, arcs are cooled and quenched to stop the flow of a current. Due to their method of arc extinguishing, such circuit breakers operate with low noise and do not emit gasses. They are also low maintenance, leading to their cost efficiency for such applications.
Due to their operations and capabilities, circuit breakers and circuit breaker accessories are very important for a wide range of applications. From box circuit breaker types to actuator circuit breaker types, many systems may be implemented depending on the voltage, number of systems, and protection needed. When it comes time to begin sourcing the aircraft circuit breakers, circuit breaker accessories, and other electronic components that you need for your operations, ASAP Aerospace Hub has you covered with everything you are searching for. ASAP Aerospace Hub is owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, and we can help you find the aviation, NSN, and electronic parts that you are searching for, new or obsolete. As a premier supplier of parts for the aerospace, civil aviation, and defense industries, we're always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7x365. ASAP Semiconductor is an FAA AC 00-56B, AS9120B, and ISO 9001:2015 certified enterprise. For a quick and competitive quote, email us at sales@asapaerospacehub.com or call us at +1-714-705-4780.
- charles price
- Posted on July 22, 2020 electronics
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