A circuit breaker is an automatic device which is designed to stop the flow of

current in an electrical circuit and save the electrical circuit from damage caused
by overload or short circuit.

Its main function is to detect a fault condition and interrupt current flow.

A circuit breaker can be reset either manually or automatically to resume usual

operation.

Types:

1. Thermal magnetic circuit breaker.

2. Instantaneous trip circuit breaker.
3. Current limiting circuit breaker.
4. Instantaneous magnetic trip circuit breaker.
Circuit breaker must safely make into and interrupt prospective short circuit
fault current expected at that point into circuit. Main contact must open rapidly
when resulting arc is transferred to special arcing contacts above main contacts.

Arc chutes with arc splitters must stretch quickly to cool down the arc until it
snubs. The circuit breaker remain open during quenching of arc.

Typical circuit breaker consists of fixed contacts arranged so that arcing contact
make before and open after main contacts.

Working Principle of Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker normally consists of fixed contacts and moving contacts. In
the “ON” condition of the circuit breaker, the fixed and moving contacts are
normally connected to each other due to applied mechanical pressure on the
moving contacts. There is an arrangement to stored potential energy in the
operating mechanism of circuit breaker which is released if the switching signal
is given to the breaker. The P.E.(Potential Energy) can be stored in the circuit
breaker by different ways like by deforming metal spring, by compressed air, or
by hydraulic pressure. But whatever the source of potential energy, it should be
released during operation. The release of potential energy makes the sliding of
the moving contact in a speedy manner.

All circuit breaker have operating coils, whenever these coils are energized by
switching pulse, and the plunger inside them displaced. The working coil
plunger is normally attached to the operating mechanism of circuit breaker, as a
result the mechanically stored P.E.(Potential Energy) in the breaker mechanism
is released in forms of K.E.(Kinetic Energy), which tends to move the moving
contact to move as which is mechanically attached through a gear lever
arrangement with the operating mechanism. After a number of time of
operation of circuit breaker the total stored energy is released and hence the
potential energy again stored in the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker
with the help of spring charging motor or air compressor or by any other
means.

Survey of Circuit breakers

 Checking of main, arcing and auxiliary contacts for wear and damage
and misalignment.
 Checking of fixed and moving isolator contact for signs of wear,
damage and misalignment.
 Arcing chutes should be clean, no arcing debris prevent and should be
correctly alignment.
 Checks all wings for damage and proper connection at terminals. Loose
connections results in sparking.
 All mechanical linkage should be checked for signs of wear and
damage.
 The test of circuit breakers requires close and trip operations while it is
in isolated position.
 The racking mechanism which moves the circuit breaker from fixed to
isolated place should be checked for free movement.
 Check that fixed main contact terminals are shattered when circuit
breaker is removed.
 Under voltage release and overcurrent trip settings for level and time
delay.
 The time delay dash pot filled with oil up to correct level and of correct
oil is used as per manufacture
Operation of Circuit Breakers on Main Switch
Board in Ships
May 24, 2014 11:31 pm | Leave a Comment | Jaz

All Air Circuit Breakers (ACB) can be operated either electrically or manually.
There are two operation methods available.

Electrical Operation

The electrical operation of an air circuit breaker is initiated by an automatic

control signal produced in the main switch board or by manual operation of the
corresponding one of breaker control switches; these control switches are
located on the synchro panel of the switch board and marked “ACB CONTROL”.
Pull the breaker control switch knob towards you and turn it clockwise to close
the breaker, or anticlockwise to open the breaker. As soon as the knob is
released, it returns to the central position and is locked in this position.

Manual Operation

Direct manual operation of the air circuit breaker is recommended only for
inspection and maintenance. Pull the manual control lever of the breaker
towards you to close and press the trip button in the breaker front to open.

Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB)

All other circuit breakers used for distribution and load circuit protection
purposes are molded case circuit breakers. These breakers are automatically
tripped, should overload or short circuit develop in their load circuits; the re-
establishment of connection can be made easily and safely without need for
replacement of elements such as fuses.