Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are functionally resettable fuses. Most of us

are familiar with the circuit breakers in our homes and have
reset a few over the years. Circuit breakers are also found in
virtually every type of electrical circuit made. Circuit breakers
can be found in the smallest appliances, with ratings as
low as a few milliamps, all the way through to huge power
distribution systems with ratings in the million amp range.
Circuit breakers provide a level of convenience that a fuse
cannot match; however, this convenience comes at a cost.
Circuit breakers are typically much more expensive than the
equivalent fuse.
Figure 8-6 shows a stylized schematic of a thermal circuit
breaker. Power is fed through a bimetal strip, flexible cable,
flat spring, and a set of contacts. If the current exceeds the rating
of the breaker, the bimetal strip heats and curves up,
releasing the latch and allowing the contacts to open. After the
bimetal strip cools the contacts can be reset.
For panel mount applications, small circuit breakers are
available that have the same general appearance as a push button.
Figure 8-7 shows a panel mount unit. When the breaker
Chapter 8 Circuit Protection 137
Figure 8-6 Thermal Circuit Breaker Schematic
Flexible Cable
Contacts Latch
Bimetal Strip
Terminal
Terminal
Spring
Closed
Open
Figure 8-7 Push Button, Panel Mount Circuit Breaker
10 AMP
240 VAC 10
Tripped Position
Reset Button
Mounting Nut
Current Rating
Body
Terminals
trips, the button extends out and provides a visual indicator. A
panel mount breaker should always have the current rating
clearly printed on the face of the button and the side of the
body.
Multipole, panel mount circuit breakers are typically
ganged, single-pole units with flip-type actuators. The actuators
are pinned together so that if one breaker trips it will trip
the other two at the same time, thus protecting the entire circuit.
Figure 8-8 shows a multipole, panel mount circuit
breaker assembly.
Figure 8-8 Multipole, Panel Mount Circuit Breaker
Assembly
Washers
Nuts
Terminals
Circuit Breakers
Clamp
Screws
Serrated
End
Connector Pin
Flip Levers
Spacers
Figure 8-9 Light Bulb Base Circuit Breaker
Screw Terminal
Button Terminal
Reset Button
Tripped Position
Body
Older light bulb base fuses are available in circuit breaker
versions. Although these units are not very common anymore,
they are convenient units for bench work. A panel of light bulb
sockets can be set up and an assortment of breakers can be kept
on hand. Simply selecting the appropriate rating and screwing
it into a socket provides ready protection for any given project.
Figure 8-9 shows a light bulb base circuit breaker.