What to Know About Your Industrial Circuit Breaker

Basics of industrial circuit breakers

Industrial circuit breakers serve the purpose of protecting electrical circuits from overload. Electrical flow is stopped immediately in the electrical wiring and as a result, all electrical power leading from that breaker is shut down. In addition to controlling the electrical flow in the form of amperes (amps), industrial circuit breakers also monitor the flow on a continuous basis. The design varies if the circuit breaker is used in a home or in an industrial place.

Amps and Industrial Circuit Breakers

The amount of amps that are sent in the wiring vary, therefore there are different breakers that can be used in different cases. Industrial locations require a larger breaker due to the high volume of amps running through the electrical wires. A home may require the use of smaller circuit breakers that can handle 10, 15, or 20 amps. An average home uses about 100 amps or 200 amps of electrical power.

Simple Industrial Circuit Breakers or Electronic Industrial Circuit Breakers?

Some circuit breakers have an electronic component that helps to monitor electrical current levels. The main difference between circuit breakers with the electronic component or a simple circuit breaker is the price. The circuit breakers with the electronic current can be quite expensive because of the advanced technology that is used. Also, the circuit is cut more quickly with the aid of an electronic circuit breaker. While the advanced circuit breakers may be ideal, conventional circuit breakers are still used throughout homes and buildings.

Circuit breakers are best as opposed to fuses for either homes or industrial places. Fuses are usually just found in older homes and buildings. Circuit breakers are easier to fix and are safer. If the power is shut down someone can simply switch on whatever circuit breaker was tripped. However, if the power is shut down and the fuse blows, then the person taking care of the repairs may not know which fuse controls which area of the house or building. If the person in charge of the repairs finds the right fuse, then the new fuse will have to be installed via the fuse box.

New Innovations in Industrial Circuit Breaker Design

A new, more sophisticated type of industrial circuit breaker is called the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and it is designed to help prevent electrical shock. It is designed to be safer because handling anything that feeds electricity can potentially cause damage and harm to people. The GFCI aids against damage to the electrical wiring of the building, which is the role of the industrial circuit breaker, and prevent electrocution, which is the role of these advanced industrial circuit breakers.

Location of Industrial Circuit Breakers

Industrial circuit breakers are usually installed in a basement or a separate room. There is a central circuit breaker panel which contains all the circuit breakers for the building. Some household appliances, such as refrigerators, require their own circuit breaker while the electricity for a whole room can be designated for one circuit breaker. In a building, there can be an industrial circuit breaker for just the lighting in the facility. Knowing the location of the industrial circuit breakers is important in order to take care of repairs or maintenance. Also, the industrial circuit breaker panel should be correctly labeled for convenience in repairs or maintenance.

There are multiple design factors that are taken into consideration when choosing the right industrial circuit breaker, including the type of place that will be using the circuit breaker such as a home or building, the number of amps that are running through the wiring, and deciding on a simple or electronic industrial circuit breaker. As technology advances, there will be even more choices forĀ industrial circuit breakers.