How to select circuit breakers and other protection devices?
If someone asks me to name one invention that has changed mankind, I would name electricity. Can you just imagine the world without electricity? From residential to commercial to industrial spheres, you just cannot simply survive without electricity. It has contributed to mankind a lot to grow and expand their horizons. No other methods can deliver energy faster and efficiently. However, when it comes to electricity, it must be handled with care or it might be dangerous with fatalities. Even buildings and other structures must be equipped with powerful protective measures against electrical faults. The protective electrical measures must be sufficient to handle additional current peaks here and there in some devices such as electric motors and lighting ballasts. Also, it should pass the normal current through the devices for smooth functioning. However, in certain scenarios where abnormally heavy currents are present, protective devices must cut off the affected load immediately. When it comes to ​electrical supplies protection in buildings, circuit breakers are widely used as protection devices. They are known for their ability to handle short current peaks and are designed to ensure that the electrical devices function smoothly in normal conditions. When do circuit breakers trip? Though the name circuit breaker feels like one protection device, most of the available models actually have two protection mechanisms inside. One immediately cuts off the most dangerous electric faults and the other allows current above the rated value for a short time and takes time to respond.
Immediate response is based on Magnetism When an electrical current passed, it creates a strong magnetic field around it and the circuit breaker has an internal connection adjacent to the electromagnetic coil. When a fault current occurred, the coil opens and cuts off the ​electrical supplies.​ A delayed response is based on heat When current passes through wiring or other devices it produces heat which expands the conductor material. An internal connection of the circuit breaker opens with thermal expansion. For a short period, the circuit breaker allows current above the rated value to pass, but not for a long time. If the current stays high for too long, it will produce more heat and in turn, the circuit breaker would act immediately. High electrical faults can cause currents of a volume of hundreds of times above the rated value and in such cases, the electrical suppliers must be disconnected immediately. There are different types of circuit breakers which have different responses to magnetic protection. Most common type B circuit breakers trip at 3 to 5 times the rated current and for type C circuit breakers trip at 5 to 10 times the rated current. However, most effective circuit breakers are ​square D circuit breakers which trip 10 to 20 times the rated current. What circuit breakers exactly protect?
Most of the building owners don't have any ideas about what exactly circuit breakers protect. Apart from electrical devices, circuit breakers also protect the wiring between
devices and the power supply. Wires with insulation can melt when they are heated and can be a cause of electrical shock or even equipment damage or fire.
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