While there are numerous types and variations of circuit breakers, they all have the same function:

protecting the distribution system and utilization devices from overloads and short circuits. However, for breakers to adequately perform their intended function, they must be able to trip within the manufacturer's design parameters from the time that they are installed until they are replaced. To assure this, the breakers should be exercised and tested on a regular basis. At least once per year, breaker handles should be operated to keep those portions of the mechanism operating freely. Every two years the breakers should be tested and tripped using primary current injection. This test will confirm that each breaker is operating within the manufacturer's tripping curves and it will also exercise all internal parts of the breaker, including the unlatching and tripping components that do not get exercised with the aforementioned handle operation. Circuit Breaker Types Molded Case Breakers Insulated Case Breakers Glass reinforced case, 100% rated from 100 to 5,000 amps; interrupting duties from 42 to 150kAIC, solid-state digital tripping; typical uses are in commercial and light industrial applications Current Limiting Breakers Fused Power Air Circuit Circuit Breakers Breakers

Description

Molded plastic case, 80% or 100 % rated in larger sizes, interrupting duties from 10 to 100kAIC; commonly used for residential and most branch circuit applications, also used in retail and commercial switchboards

Generally molded or insulated case breakers, interrupting duties from 10 to 200kAIC, trip sizes from 15 through 600 amps

Rigid, open metal frame for longer life,100% rated, interrupting duties from 42 to 100kAIC, trip ranges from 200 to 5,000 amps

Interrupting duty of 200kAIC, generally molded case breaker

Advantages

Inherently current Fiberglass limiting both reinforced for themselves Smaller size, lowest case fully and for in cost adjustable; downstream limited short devices; same time rating case size as molded case

Fully adjustable, microprocessor trip unit; may be fully repaired, maintained and adjusted; expected life on the order of 40 to 50 years;

High interrupting duty, small size for maximum interrupting duty

breakers; digital, adjustable trip unit

depending on usage and maintenance, short time rating allows better coordination with downstream equipment

Cannot be maintained or repaired; limited adjustability without selecting operational Disadvantages tripping unit; useful life in the 10- to 20year range; may not be operational after a fully rated fault interruption Options Electronic trip unit

Cannot be maintained or repaired; useful life from 20 to 25 years; may not be operational after a fully rated fault interruption May be electrically opened or closed

Same disadvantages Large size, as other highest cost molded case breaker breakers.

Protects only selected downstream lower rated over-current devices

Variations

Ground fault circuit interrupting, arc-fault interrupting, heating/refrigeration rating DC rating

Every possible option is available

Same concept can be found on power air circuit breakers

Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier, Inc. Oct 2004