Questions tagged [circuit-breaker]
An automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit.
79
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2answers
32 views
How do TVSS and Circuit Breakers (thermal-magnetic) interact with each-other?
In EU you can find thermal-magnetic circuit breakers all other the places in buildings and it's not uncommon to have daisy chains of them (meaning a main panel will have one, which is connected to ...
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0answers
17 views
200 A service upgrade [migrated]
I want to install central air conditioning in my home but my current service is 100 A, I Believe.
If I were to upgrade to the 200 A service, could the breakers be configured where I have 2 100 A main ...
2
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1answer
53 views
Why location of CT is different for the two Circuit breakers in same substation layout?
This is a schematic diagram of a traction substation.
In this traction substation protection system schematic diagram, at point marked 'A', CT is located after the 25kV CB. However, at point marked 'B'...
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1answer
101 views
What does this switch do?
Also, what is that circuit element symbol (an arrow leaving a rectangle) called, in the diagram next to the switch?
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15 views
Tripping threshold question
The tripping threshold is between 0.5 and 0.7 times the rated voltage
I will like to confirm the above statement. If my rated voltage is 215V, assuming we picked 0.5 setting, does this means that the ...
0
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1answer
45 views
Can I replace a 32 A switch with a 32 A MCB?
A switch for a water heater in my apartment is broken (image attached).
It is an "Anchor Roma 32 Amp 1-Way Switch with indicator".
Can I replace it with this or this switch?
Would the installation ...
0
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2answers
32 views
3-Pole Circuit Breaker with GPIO
I'm starting a small project involving 3-pole circuit breakers and 3-ph motors. There's this custom built machine with multiple 3-ph motors, each connected to circuit breakers. The purpose of the ...
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1answer
37 views
Generator to Main changeover issue RCCB not moving up
RCCB not moving to up position while DG to EB ( generator to mains) changeover.
I live in a community where we have almost 1200 apartments in India which will serve power through generators when the ...
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0answers
23 views
What is the NEMA and IEC schematic symbols for a Variable Current Circuit Breaker or Adjustable Trip Circuit Breaker?
I really need a depiction of a variable current circuit breaker (VCB) for a single line drawing of a new MCC cabinet. We are putting in a 40 to 100 amp 3 phase 480 Volt circuit breaker and this is ...
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4answers
7k views
Why can an AC circuit breaker not be used in DC circuits?
Let's assume that I want to use a 20-amp GE AC circuit breaker in a DC circuit. So, after testing it in a DC circuit with some loads and ammeter + clamp DC amp meter I find the current at which the ...
0
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1answer
59 views
I'm looking for a circuit breaker that interrupts the circuit when current drops to zero
I am looking for a switch that only keeps contact while current is running. Once the current drops to zero the switch opens contact. Something like a circuit breaker that trips with no current. It ...
1
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1answer
51 views
Are ground fault currents shown as RMS or Peak in GFCIs?
When a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) states that it trips for example at 30 mA, is this value RMS or Peak?
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33 views
Do 24-volt DC arc fault breakers exist?
I've seen arc fault breakers for 80-volt DC systems, which I understand to be a requirement for photovoltaic installations. I'm interested in whether such devices exist for 24-volt DC systems. Does ...
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1answer
35 views
GFI Breaker on a three line 240V circuit
I need to add GFI to an existing 240V 30A circuit your use an electric home brewing system. The system uses an electric heating element that is immersed in a kettle of water. The manufacturer ...
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2answers
121 views
How does the arc extinguisher work in a miniature circuit breaker?
In a miniature circuit breaker, as shown below, the distance between open contacts is much less than the distance between metal bars in the arc extinguisher part (the gap gets progressively longer ...
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1answer
66 views
What symbol to use for a electronic circuit breaker in a schematic?
What symbol should I use to electronic circuit breaker in a schematic?
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1answer
68 views
Safety switch “breaking capacity” vs. voltage
In the context of safety switch rating (fuses, circuit breakers, etc.), the concept of breaking capacity refers to the maximum electric current which can be safely interrupted by a tripping safety ...
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1answer
83 views
Does a 5A Car Fuse Blows in a 12 Miliseconds Peak of 6A, in a 220v Circuit?
Thinking here in using a 5A fuse in a certain circuit, but it may reach 6A sometimes for a mather of 10 or 12 miliseconds only.
That way, would this fuse blow or it would sustain and blow only in ...
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1answer
60 views
Flash in MCCB when switched off
Recently I switched off several molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) and saw a flash at the back of the breaker for an instant. This happened to all the MCCB on-site (around 14). The MCCB are all rated ...
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0answers
54 views
What do the white and green colours on the earth leakage CB denote?
I've come across two 4 pole earth leakage circuit breakers, one with the all green lever and another with white levers for phases and green for neutral. Is there any special meaning to this?
I've ...
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2answers
165 views
Why arc only happens when circuit on load?
I'm preparing research about high voltage electric distribution for my university but I don't understand why the arc only happen when current is flowing.
I made my internship in an electric ...
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0answers
40 views
Circuit breaker wiring: put source current on side marked with X or side with switch? [duplicate]
I am trying to wire an electrical panel in a standard manner.
I have several automation devices that take 120 Vac power. In order to protect them, I have purchased a 2-pole circuit breaker, Phoenix ...
0
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0answers
63 views
Protection Devices in DC ciruits
I am putting together a design for a custom Electrical panel. The panel consists of mainly DC powered components (Sensors, Controllers). Components are to be mechanically positioned using a DIN rail.
...
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1answer
527 views
Switching Power Supply - Type of MCB for Inrush Current
it's regarding this PSU from Mean Well:
https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/LRS-350/LRS-350-SPEC.PDF
It has a 60A inrush current. My lighting circuit (1.5mm2 wiring) is tied to this PSU supplying ...
0
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1answer
170 views
Switching Power Supply - Inrush Current, Input Current, MCB
I am getting several PSUs (LRS-350-24) from Mean Well. Here's the specs:
https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/LRS-350/LRS-350-SPEC.PDF
1) The input current is stated to be 3.4A/230VAC at 88%. 350W ...
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2answers
97 views
24V LED Strip Circuit - Switch, Breaker & Wiring Size Requirement
I am running a long LED strip (24V, 21 meter, 0.6A per meter, so technically 13A).
The 24V PSU supplying power to the strips is to be connected to a switch that is rated 240V, 10A & 2400W.
...
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1answer
58 views
Tripping a circuit breaker when using a half wave rectifier
How does a half wave rectifier or phase control dimmer affect the triggering of a circuit breaker? For example, if a 20A resistive load was on a 15A breaker with a half wave rectifier. Now average RMS ...
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2answers
46 views
Both fuse and circuit breaker operated
Is there a reason that both a fuse and a circuit breaker would operate? From my understanding, the fuse should blow first and kill any current flowing through it leaving the breaker intact. So why ...
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0answers
45 views
Modeling the thermal part of the Time-current curve
G’ day,
I am working on designing protection devices for my research work and I am struggling to model the thermal part for the low voltage circuit breakers based on IEC standards.
Based on the ...
0
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1answer
102 views
MCB with electronic trigger-off [closed]
How can I design a system that gives the functionality of an MCB (overload protection, operates in an AC circuit) with an electronic trigger-off.
So that once the device is in ON state, it should be ...
2
votes
1answer
360 views
Floating DC power supply (solar panels) - do I need double-pole breakers and why?
I am in the process of building a small off-grid solar setup.
There will be 4 parallel strings of panels in this setup, and I understand that for 3 or more strings, you need some sort of over-current ...
1
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2answers
222 views
What sort of protection does a 2 pole circuit breaker offer?
I am trying to understand the advantages of using a 2 pole circuit breaker. I mean when the 2nd pole is used in the Neutral line in a single phase 230VAC system. Normally they cost more so they must ...
0
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1answer
72 views
Device for preventing 12V battery from dying
I am looking for a device which cuts off the connection between batteries and the system just like a circuit breaker when my 12V battery goes below 9V(for example) for preventing it from dying ...
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3answers
307 views
Rounding up or down with Motor Overcurrent Protection
When sizing motor over-current protection, CSA 22.1 28-200 3a states that a circuit breaker can be sized up to 250% of the rated full load amperage (FLA) of the motor.
E.g. 100hp, 575VAC motor ...
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3answers
2k views
How can I check if two outlets are connected to the same electrical circuit?
I have some internet problems, and I was thinking to buy a PowerLine, that will help me extend the WiFi range. The thing is, to get this PowerLine working, both need to be conected to the same ...
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3answers
2k views
Can double-pole breakers trip each side separately?
How many of you have used double pole breakers?
Are double-pole breakers just two single pole breakers physically joined?
Someone stated that only one side of the double pole breaker provided short ...
6
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2answers
1k views
Help identify this breaker
I salvaged this breaker unit from the scrape yard. Compared to every other breakers i have seen before, this is very different. It has 5 terminals.
The labels are very clear but there is no ...
6
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4answers
7k views
Why cut both live and neutral wires?
It is a common practice, for high power loads such as boilers, furnaces, etc., to install a circuit breaker that "cuts" both live and neutral wires - at least in Europe.
In my search for EVSE, I saw ...
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1answer
411 views
240v AC Circuit Breaker for 24v AC
I am essentially intending to use this Schneider Electric A9F44120 MCB as an automatic brake for my wind turbine, which has an output of 25A @ 24Vac.
Can I use the normal 240Vac MCB for 24Vac?
Will it ...
0
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1answer
55 views
Can you bridge off of a 240 V Breaker Box that connects to an Intermatic Timer?
I have an Intermatic T104 Timer drawing power from a Homeline Breaker Box
for a home swimming pool. I'm wondering whether it would be considered safe to use the knockout in the timer enclosure to ...
0
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1answer
304 views
amp rating a circuit breaker
My application has a max Amp draw of 56@24Vdc, if I use a Circuit Breaker that is rated 60A@48Vdc, will it "trip" 60A@24Vdc? If not, what do you suggest? The Minn Kota MKR-19 Circuit breaker is rated ...
2
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1answer
3k views
When to use a 2 pole circuit breaker over 1 pole
We are currently designing a product that connects to 230VAC mains power (single phase) (South Africa). It has a simple 12v switch mode power supply that runs the electronics. We want to put a Circuit ...
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1answer
237 views
Full Load Amps vs General Purpose Amps
http://www.carlingtech.com/sites/default/files/documents/M-Series_Details_%26_COS_021114.pdf
This circuit breaker have two different current ratings, depending on amperage range: Full Load Amps and ...
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1answer
75 views
What's with the minimum voltage rating on *some* IEC 60947-2 MCBs?
It seems that some, albeit not all, miniature circuit breakers have a minimum voltage rating under the IEC 60947-2 scheme (often 12VAC/DC). For instance, see the Sprecher/Schuh L8 series (PDF page 8) ...
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1answer
58 views
Are there disadvantages to this method of testing building wiring after a lightning strike?
A lightning strike can damage wiring in a building. Specifically it can damage the insulation on the conductors, resulting in arcing and fire, either immediately or some time after the strike. I've ...
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0answers
285 views
Circuit Breaker Simulation in Matlab with Mayr and Cassie Equations
I'm trying to understand how to model arc circuit breaker.
There is a simulation example as called Mayr and Cassie Circuit in Matlab&Simulink.
I have examined Mayr and Cassie Differential ...
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6answers
272 views
Why can closing a circuit breaker into a short circuit result in an arc flash?
NFPA 70E 130.6(M) states:
After a circuit is de-energized by the automatic operation of a circuit protective device, the circuit shall not be manually re-energized until it has been determined that ...
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2answers
266 views
Is it possible for all circuit breakers in a panel to trip in the same time (for one fault)?
Today, I was in a hospital. Someone told me that there is a falt in a large washing machine. This fault caused all the CB's in the panel to trip.
The panel has many circuit breakers of different ...
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2answers
393 views
Automatic cut mains power on a thunderstorm
I am a software engineer with only a basic experience with electric/electronic engineering.
I live in a rural area subject to thunderstorms, my house is the end of the line from street poles. It's ...
0
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2answers
51 views
3 pole breaker and wire amp rating
In the main panel, there are 3 wires for 3 phase power going from 3 pole 40A breaker to a sub panel. the breaker is (CKIPSAL 4CB340/6 C40)
The wires are in 2 cables.
Each of these wires has 7 strands ...
