Circuit Breakers

Introduction
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit.
Its basic function is to interrupt the current flow when a fault occurs.
Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then must be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation.
All circuit breakers have common features in their operation, although details vary substantially depending on the voltage class, current rating and type of the circuit breaker.

Types of circuit breakers
According to the voltage level of installation:
1)    High voltage circuit breaker
2)    Medium voltage circuit breaker
3)    Low voltage circuit breaker
--- a.    MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)
--- b.    MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker)

According to the environment:
1)    Outdoor circuit breaker
2)    Indoor breaker

According to the arc quenching medium:
1)    Air circuit breaker
2)    Oil circuit breaker
3)    SF6 circuit breaker
4)    Vacuum circuit breaker

According to the operating mechanism:
1)    Spring operated circuit breaker
2)    Pneumatic circuit breaker
3)    Hydraulic circuit breaker