How does a Circuit Breaker Work ?

What is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is defined as, a switching device that interrupts the faulty current and performs the function of a switch thus protecting the electrical system from damage.

The circuit breaker has become an essential device in the modern world, and one of the most important safety mechanisms in your home. Without circuit breakers, household electricity would be impractical because of the potential for fires and other electrical mishaps resulting from simple wiring problems and equipment failures.

How Does a Circuit Breaker Work?

Circuit breakers interrupt the flow of electrical current when it exceeds a predetermined amount, which is where a circuit breaker’s ratings come into play. Circuit breakers are rated based on the amount of current that they can safely carry and the amount they can safely interrupt.

There are many kinds of breakers, but most breakers have some main components in common. The frame protects what’s inside, a terminal where wires are connected, a lever to flip the breaker on or off (and show us when a breaker has tripped), contacts that move to open or close the circuit, actuator mechanisms, and trip units. All pieces work together, and when the amount of electrical charge exceeds safe amounts, they interrupt the current.

When the lever of a circuit breaker is switched to the “on” position, it allows electricity to freely flow from the power supply (typically the electrical panel or main) through the trip unit, contacts, and out the upper terminal to power the loads on a circuit. 

 A thermal-magnetic trip unit’s bi-metallic strip overheats in an event such as overload, causing it to bend and open the circuit (automatically cutting off power). During a fault or short circuit, the electromagnetic force causes the contacts inside the circuit breaker to separate tripping the breaker and shutting off the power to the circuit with the issue.

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