What Is a Circuit Breaker and How Does It Work?

A circuit breaker or an electric breaker is an important part of electric safety, they can control how much electricity will go through the electric wiring system.

Read the following article to get in-depth knowledge about how do circuit breakers work. How to pick one, and other vital details. 

What Is A Circuit Breaker? 

It is a device that protects the electric circuit from damage that can be caused by a short circuit or overload. They automatically close or open to prevent the current flow from going over the safe level. 

Circuit breakers are used for commercial and residential complexes. For example, solar panel users can use DC circuit breakers to get protection from overload short circuits. A circuit breaker can easily switch several types of loads. 

Types Of Circuit Breaker 

You have seen what is an electrical breaker, but there are three classes of circuits that are defined by different features and parameters.

Standard Circuit Breakers

These are used in the electrical panels that work on 120V/240V single-phase electrical power. One can get this circuit breaker with a single or double pole. The double pole circuit breakers are preferred for high-voltage loads.

GFCI Circuit Breakers

Ground fault circuit interrupter circuit breakers, or GFCI, are designed to bypass line-to-ground errors. They protect against overload currents and an electrical short. These breakers are best used for the areas in the house that can become water, such as laundry rooms, outside areas, etc. 

AFCI Circuit Breakers

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Circuit Breakers or AFCI are used where there is arcing. Standard circuit breakers do not always detect electric arcs, so in that scenario, AFCI is preferred. In fact, in most newer houses code, an AFCI circuit breaker is needed. 

How Do Circuit Breakers Work? 

Till now, you have understood what is an electrical breaker; however, to fully understand a circuit breaker, it is vital to know how a circuit breaker work.

The Designs Of Different Circuit Breakers

Different types of circuit breakers are available such as mini circuit breakers, molded case circuit breakers, etc., but when it comes to design, they are all almost similar structures. 

• Frame

It is the outer shell of the electric breaker. It is made up of molded insulating materials. These insulating materials protect the inside and outside components if a hazard occurs. 

• Terminal

This block of metal has a bolt emerging on the outside of it. It connects the wires that carry the current from the power supply via a circuit breaker.

• Lever

The lever, also known as a switch, is connected to the trip unit. The switch allows the circuit breaker to get off or on. When there is a short circuit or overloaded, the circuit trips at that point and the lever gets positioned in the middle and identifies which components need troubleshooting.

• Contacts

The contacts are two pieces of metal; one is attached to the actuator mechanism, and the other to the main panel.

• Actuator Mechanism

When the lever flips off, the actuator mechanism either pulls the contact apart or pulls them together. 

• Trip Unit

If there is an overload, short circuit, or fault, a trip unit instructs the breaker when to trip automatically. 

How Do Thermal-Magnetic Circuit Breakers Work

The mechanism of thermal-magnetic circuit breakers includes a bimetal element that is present behind the trip bar. When there is an increase in the current flow, overload, the increased heat causes the bimetal to bend. When the bimetal bends, it touches the trip bar and rotates it, which causes the circuit breaker to trip. 

How Do Electronic Circuits Breakers Work

Electronic circuit breakers control the current flowing through throughout a circuit and find short circuit faults or surplus levels of current. They interrupt the circuit to deter damage when they detect any fault or overcurrent. The faulty section is separated by the circuit breaker and after it is fixed, the breaker can be reset to restore power. 

When Should You Replace Your Circuit Breaker? 

Knowing how a circuit breaker works is vital, but to ensure safety, it is extremely vital to know when you should replace the circuit breaker. Below are some signs that you can check out to ensure if there is a need for replacement. 

When It Trips Frequently

When the circuit breaker trips frequently, it means too much power is passing through it. So, if the circuit breaker trips whenever an electric appliance turns on, it is a sign-off failing circuit, and it needs replacement. 

When Worn And Frayed Wires Appear

If there are signs of frayed and worn wires, or if there are symptoms such as smoke damage or melted wires around the circuit breaker, then it needs immediate attention. 

When It Is More Than 20 Years Old

It is true that the electric breaker can last for years, but several factors play a crucial role in wearing out the circuit. Electric shocks, flickering lights, etc., are signs of an old circuit breaker. 

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Circuit Breaker

When selecting a circuit breaker, there are different criteria that one must follow. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to choose a circuit breaker.

Voltage

The overall voltage rating is calculated by:

• The highest voltage applied across the ports
• The distribution type
• How the circuit is integrated into the system

When selecting a circuit breaker, it is important to pick one that has enough voltage capacity so that it can meet the end application.

Operating Frequency 

You must select a circuit breaker with a frequency below 60 Hertz. Mostly the circuit breakers have a frequency range between 50 and 60. It is recommended to stay within this range, as going beyond that can degrade the circuit breaker or reduce the power rating. 

Interrupting Capacity

The maximum interrupting capacity is the highest current the breaker can interrupt. The maximum interrupting capacity of 10,000 amps is standard; however, it can trip when several appliances are used. So for larger businesses, high MIC is required. 

BENY: An Experienced PV Protective Product Manufacturer 

When it comes to electric circuits or accessories, you must maintain the quality. BENY is a Quality PV protection products and EV chargers manufacturer. We have experience of more than 30 years, and that lets us manufacture components of the highest quality that comply with the latest DC standards.

BENY’s Advantages

One of the primary advantages of working with Beny is their commitment to quality. With our highest quality standards, we provide the best performance for solar, Ev chargers, and storage.

We provide customization options to our clients. Whenever you need photovoltaic customization projects, our workshop can produce new molds according to your demands. 

It becomes possible to track products as we can integrate independent and single OR codes into our photovoltaic products. This way, you can be sure that your orders are genuine. 

Circuit Breakers Manufactured By BENY 

Our line of DC circuit breakers protects photovoltaic power generation systems. We understand the market needs, and we manufacture circuit breakers based on your needs. Our circuit breaker range includes DC mini circuit breaker, Dc molded case circuit breaker, etc. 

Also, we provide efficient and fast production with our certified facility, as we have ten automated production lines. 

Conclusion

Summing up, a circuit breaker does such an important function of protecting electric appliances; it is vital that you always contact a reliable manufacturer. We offer different product lines, such as microinverters, EV chargers, Energy storage, combiner box, and DC circuit breaker.

So, if you are in need of circuit breakers, you can contact us and place your order at the best possible price.