What is a breaker or circuit breaker? and what does the breaker do

short circuit problem Or overloaded electricity may cause harm to ourselves and our property, the breaker is a device that helps prevent danger. There are many types depending on the use in buildings, houses or in industry. Therefore, the breaker must be selected appropriately for effective protection.

What is a breaker?

A circuit breaker (breaker) or circuit breaker is a device that helps prevent damage to the electrical circuit. caused by over current or short circuit These problems may cause harm to property. The breaker is a device that will help protect and create security for the residence or buildings The working process of the breaker will occur when there is a fault in the electrical circuit. The breaker will cut off the current immediately. This is different from the fuse that when the power is cut off, the device must be replaced with a new fuse. commonly used in homes or industrial plant Types of breakers can be categorized as follows:

How many types of breakers are there?

Circuit breakers that are commonly used in homes. or that industrial plant It is popular to use low voltage breakers. Most of them will be installed inside consumer cabinets, DB cabinets or load center cabinets, divided into 4 types:

  • Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs): Also known as miniature circuit breakers (MCBs). Sub breaker Small size, used with 1-phase or 3-phase electricity. This type of breaker is commonly used in homes. or the building can be installed in the center cabinet And the consumer load is 1-4 pole size.

    Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

  • Residual Current Devices (RCDs): Also known as suction or leakage protection, this type of breaker will help cut off the electrical circuit when there is an abnormality. There are 3 types:

    • 2.1 Residual Current Circuit Breakers With Overload (RCBO): It is a type of protection against electric shock and short circuit with built-in Circuit Breakers. It can cut off the circuit both leakage, short circuit and overload. In this type of breaker, the value of KA (KA = value Short-circuit resistant) supplied

      Residual Current Circuit Breakers With Overload (RCBOs)

    • 2.2 Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCB): This type of breaker can only protect against leakage currents. Must be used in conjunction with Circuit Breakers or Fuses. In this type of breakers, there is no KA value specified.

      Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs)

    • 2.3 Earth Leakege Circuit Breakers (ELCB): This type of breaker can prevent leakage. and short circuit but cannot prevent overload Must be used in conjunction with Circuit Breakers or Fuses, similar to RCCB.

      Earth Leakege Circuit Breakers (ELCBs)

  • Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB): used with a current of 100 amps or more to act as an on-off switch for the electrical circuit. When there is an overload or a short circuit, it is commonly used in industrial plants.

    Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs)

  • Air Circuit Breakers (ACB): are large breakers used for currents from 225 amps up to 6300 amps, used as main breakers with electronic circuits for detection. Including power analysis It can also automatically cut off electricity. When the electricity is abnormal

    Air Circuit Breakers (ACBs)

circuit breaker selection and selection of breaker size

The selection of the breaker should be selected from Calculating the total load to determine the total current rating of the load. Then select the breaker size. But the most popular way to choose a main breaker is to choose from the size of the meter. from the table below