Fundamentals CKT Prot Color

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection
101 Basics
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101 Basics
What are the 101 Basics?

These modules provide an introduction to various products and services available in the electrical
control, distribution and power quality categories.
The modules are organized by market segment and you can link here to view a planning page to help
select the modules that meet your product and service knowledge needs.
What will you learn from this module?

You will learn:
The types of circuit protection available.

Codes and Standards for circuit breakers.
The five main components of circuit breakers.
The functionality of those five main components.

101 Basics
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101 Basics
Learn
Welcome to Fundamentals of Circuit Protection. This module is designed to increase your
technical knowledge of circuit protection.
Assessment
Do you know the Fundamentals of Circuit Protection? Test your knowledge. An 80% or
better is required to pass this module.

101 Basics - Learn
Introduction
The primary purpose of circuit protection is to

protect the wire from overheating in an
overcurrent situation, therefore limiting damage
to the equipment downstream of the protective
device.
Exampleofaprotective
devicethatfailed

101 Basics - Learn
What is Circuit Protection?

Circuit protection devices, also known as circuit breakers and
fuses, protect the wire and electrical equipment from fault
conditions including:
Overload Faults
Short Circuit Faults
Specialty Faults (Ground Fault and Arc Fault)
Objectives
By the end of this section,
you will understand:
1. The purpose of circuit
protection.
2. The types of circuit
protection available in
the market.
3. Difference between
circuit breakers and fuses.
4. Codes and Standards for
circuit breakers.
These protective devices were developed out of a need for safe

resettable devices that would be used as a means of disconnect
in facilities.

101 Basics - Learn
Types of Circuit Protection

Miniature
Picturedisa
representationof
Eatonscircuit
protectionoffering,in
orderofincreasing
voltagecapacity.
Molded
Case
MediumVoltage
VacuumBreaker
Medium
Voltage
Fuse
LowVoltage
PowerBreaker
Supplementary
Protector

101 Basics - Learn
Fuse Protection
The purpose of a fuse is to protect the wire from overheating in an
overcurrent situation, therefore limiting damage to the equipment
downstream of the protective device.
Fuses are manufactured for low voltage through high voltage
applications and can be either current limiting or expulsion type.
Eaton manufactures medium voltage fuses for use in medium voltage
assemblies. Eaton does manufacture devices that require low voltage fuses
(such as safety switches), however the low voltage fuses are sourced from other
manufacturers.
For more information on medium voltage fuses, see the Medium Voltage Circuit
Protection module.

101 Basics - Learn
Fuse Protection
Current Limiting Fuse
Expulsion Fuse
A vented fuse in which the expulsion

A fuse that when its current
As was responsive
defined previously,
theispurpose
the wire
offrom
the gases produced by
element
meltedofbya fuse
a is to protect effect
overheating
in anwithin
overcurrent
situation,
therefore limiting internal
damage to
the either alone or aided
arcing,
current
the fuses
specified
equipment
downstream
of
the
protective
device.
by
other
mechanisms,
results in
current limiting range, abruptly
current interruption.
introduces a high resistance to reduce
Fuses are manufactured for applications from low voltage through high voltage
current magnitude and duration,
and can be either current limiting or expulsion type.
An expulsion fuse limits the duration
resulting in subsequent current
of a voltage
fault onassemblies.
the electrical system, not
Eaton manufacturesinterruption.
medium voltage fuses for use in medium
the
magnitude.
Eaton does manufacture devices that require low voltage fuses (such as
safety
switches), however these are sourced from other manufacturers.
For more information on fuses, see the following modules: Medium Voltage Circuit
Eaton
Protection
andmanufactures
Safety Switches.both current limiting and expulsion type medium voltage
fuses. More information can be found in the Medium Voltage Circuit Protection
module.

101 Basics - Learn
Circuit Breakers vs. Fuses

While the purpose of circuit breakers and fuses is the same, there are fundamental
differences to their designs, which are important to understand when making selections for
a system or assembly.
Circuit Breaker
Fuse
Resettable after a fault causes the

circuit breaker to trip
Generally have a higher cost of initial
investment
Require regular maintenance
(specifically for low voltage power circuit
and medium voltage vacuum circuit
breakers)
Optional protective features (such as
ground fault)
Must replace a fuse that is blown while

interrupting a fault
Less initial cost of investment
No maintenance required
Only sense overcurrent and do not
have capability for optional protective
features

101 Basics - Learn
Codes and Standards
Example of circuit
breaker label
meeting UL
standards
The electrical industry requires that circuit breakers are designed

and manufactured to meet codes and standards in order to
minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
These codes and standards can vary by country or by region. For
example, in the United States, the National Electrical Code can be
adopted, rejected or modified down to the state or municipal
level.
While standards can vary around the world, the impact that
standards have on the design and application of circuit breakers
worldwide is profound, and helps to ensure that the product is
safe for use in electrical systems.

101 Basics - Learn
Codes and Standards

United States Domestic Standards:
Molded case circuit breakers are designed, built, and tested in accordance with the NEMA and/or
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. (UL) standards.
Low voltage power circuit breakers are designed, built and tested in accordance with the ANSI
and/or Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) standards. In addition, these breakers are designed to
be applied in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers are also certified to the ANSI standard for North America.
International Standards:
In addition to the above domestic standards, international standards must be complied with in order
to sell products to world markets. There are many individual country standards on circuit breakers,
along with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards.
Additional details on standards can be found in Eatons catalogs and Consulting Application Guide.
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101 Basics - Learn
Objectives
By the end of this section,
you will understand:
Key Components of Circuit Breakers
1. The five main

components of circuit
breakers.
2. The functionality of the
main components.
Although low and medium voltage circuit breakers have unique

designs that are specific to amperage, voltage and application,
there are five main components that are universal across the
different types of circuit breakers.
This section will provide information on each component, its functionality, and purpose.
Frame
Operating Mechanism
Contacts
Protects internal parts of

circuit breaker from outside
materials
Provides a means of opening

and closing the circuit breaker
Allow current to flow

through the circuit breaker
when closed
Arc Extinguisher
Trip Unit
Extinguishes arc when circuit

breaker interrupts a fault
Opens operating mechanism

in the event of a prolonged
overload or short circuit

101 Basics - Learn
Fast Facts
Frame
The circuit breaker frame provides the rigidity and strength
required to successfully deal with the interruption process and
achieve the desired interrupting ratings.
It insulates and isolates the electrical current in order to protect
people and equipment during use or operation.
Metal Frame
The interrupting rating of

the circuit breaker is the
maximum amount of fault
current it can interrupt
without damaging itself.
The interrupting capacity of
the circuit breaker must be
equal to or greater than the
amount of fault current that
can be delivered at the point
in the system where the
circuit breaker is applied.
Molded Insulating Material
Click each
frame to
learn more:

101 Basics - Learn
Fast Facts
Frame Frame
Metal
Theprimarypurposeofa
circuitbreakeristoprotect
thewirefromoverheating.
Assembled from precise metal pieces that are bolted and welded
together to form
Provides
rigidity and strength required to successfully deal with
thethe
frame.
the interruption process and achieve the desired Interrupting

Ratings.
Some low voltage power circuit breakers and all medium voltage vacuum circuit
breakers
are of and
the isolation
metal frame
Provides
for insulation
of thedesign.
current path, offering
personnel protection near the equipment during operation.
Two Types of Frames:
Metal Frame
Eaton offers the following circuit breakers in metal

Molded Insulating Material
frames:
Low Voltage Power Circuit Breakers
Medium Voltage Vacuum Circuit Breakers

101 Basics - Learn
Fast Facts
Frame Insulated Frame (aka Molded Case)Theprimarypurposeofa

Molded
circuitbreakeristoprotect
thewirefromoverheating.
Molded case frames are made from strong insulating materials,
such as glasspolyester
or thermoset
(i.e. plastic
frames).
Provides
the rigidity
and strengthcomposite
required toresins
successfully
deal with
the interruption process and achieve the desired Interrupting

Sizes vary according to the Ampere Rating of the circuit breaker. Molded
Ratings.
insulated material frames are primarily associated with miniature, molded case
Provides
insulationcase
and isolation
of the current
offering
andforinsulated
circuit breakers
(low path,
voltage
power circuit breakers designed
personnel
protection
nearcase
the circuit
equipment
duringstandards)
operation.
to meet
molded
breaker
Two Types of Frames:
Metal Frame
Eaton
offers
the following
Molded
Insulating
Material circuit breakers in molded
case frames:
Miniature Circuit Breakers
Molded Case Circuit Breakers
Insulated Case Circuit Breakers
Low Voltage Power Circuit Breakers

101 Basics - Learn
Operating Mechanism
Click each type

of operating
mechanism to
learn more.

101 Basics - Learn
Over Toggle Operating Mechanism
Operating Mechanism
The function of the operating mechanism is to provide

a means of opening and closing the circuit breaker.
This toggle mechanism is the quick-make, quick-break
type, meaning that the speed with which the contacts
snap open or close is independent of how fast the
handle is moved.
In addition to indicating whether the breaker is ON or
OFF, the operating mechanism handle indicates when
the breaker is tripped by moving to a position midway
between the ON and OFF.
Eatons residential, miniature and molded case circuit
breakers utilize over-toggle mechanisms.

101 Basics - Learn
Two Step
Stored Energy Operating Mechanism
Operating
Mechanism
The two-step stored energy mechanism is used when a large amount of energy is
required to close the circuit breaker and when it needs to close rapidly.
The major advantages of this mechanism are rapid reclosing and safety. Rapid
reclosing is achieved by storing charged energy in a separate closing
spring. Safety is achieved by providing remote charging of the spring.
The two-step stored energy process is designed to charge the

closing spring and release energy to close the circuit breaker. It
uses separate opening and closing springs. This is important
because it permits the closing spring to be charged independently
of the opening process. This allows for an open-close-open duty
cycle. The closing spring can be charged (or recharged) manually
via a charging handle or electrically via a motor. The motor can be
operated remotely, allowing maximum safety for the operator.
Eatons low voltage power circuit breakers and medium voltage
vacuum circuit breakers utilize two-step stored energy mechanisms.

101 Basics - Learn
Contacts
Movable
contact arm
Stationary
contact arm
Contacts are found in the arc interruption chamber (in low voltage
circuit breakers) and in the vacuum interrupter (in medium voltage
vacuum circuit breakers)
The contact assembly consists of the movable contact, the movable
contact arm, the stationary contact and the stationary conductor (as
pictured).
As the circuit breaker opens or closes, the fixed contact
maintains its position while the movable contact moves to close
(make) or open (break) the circuit.
The contacts are designed to protect against two fault
conditions:
- Overcurrent (thermal overload)
- Short Circuit (magnetic)

101 Basics - Learn
Arc Extinguisher
An arc extinguisher is the component of the circuit breaker that
extinguishes an arc when the contacts are opened.
An arc is a discharge of electric current crossing a gap between
two contacts. Circuit breakers must be designed to control them
because arcs cannot be prevented.
The next section will cover what an arc is and
methods to extinguish the arc in a circuit breaker.
Real World Example of an Arc:
Have you ever pulled a plug out of an electrical socket while the
appliance is still turned on and seen what appeared to be sparks? What
you were observing, on a very small scale, was an attempt at arc
formation between the wall contacts and the plug contacts in your hand.

101 Basics - Learn
What is an Arc?
Arcs are formed when the contacts of a circuit breaker open due to
larger than normal current.
The size of the arc depends on the amount of current present when
the contacts are pulled apart. Because arcs cannot be prevented,
circuit breakers must be designed to control them.
The heat associated with an arc creates an ionized gas
environment. The more ionization, the better the
conditions for an arc to be maintained and grow. The
bigger the arc, the greater the potential for damage to
the circuit breaker and electrical distribution system.
Arcing is a condition that must be dealt with quickly
and effectively by a circuit breaker. The ability of the
circuit breaker to control the arc is key to its short
circuit interrupting capability.

101 Basics - Learn
Arc Control Methods

Listed below are the six methods used in the electrical
industry to manage electrical arcs:
Arc Chute
Vacuum Interrupter
SF6
Minimum Oil
Magnetic Coil
Puffer
Eaton manufactures circuit breakers using Arc Chute and
Vacuum Interrupter technologies. The next slides will go into
more detail on these two types of technologies.

101 Basics - Learn
Arc Chute
Technology
Arc Control
Methods
(also known as Arc Extinguisher)
The function of the arc chute is to confine, quench, split, and extinguish the arc drawn
Listedbetween
below are
six methods
used in the
industry
dealbreaker
with interrupts current.
thethe
circuit
breaker contacts
each
time a to
circuit
arc control:
Chute
InArc
order
to interrupt high, short circuit faults, and dissipate the large amount of
Vacuumthe
Interrupter
energy,
arc chute consists of specially shaped steel plates isolated from each other
SF6supported by an insulating housing (as pictured).
and
Minimum Oil
Arc Chutes
Magnetic
Coil
When
the contacts
are opened, the arc induces a
Puffer field in the steel plates
magnetic
which,
Click
the together
pictures to learn
with other magnetic forcesmore
and gas
flow,the
draws
themethods
about
two
arc into the plates. For an arc with current below
about 6000 amperes, the arc usually splits into a
Eatonseries
manufactures
using
of smallercircuit
arcs bybreakers
the plates
andArc
is Chute (for low
voltage
breakers) and
Vacuum Interrupter (for medium voltage
extinguished
rapidly.
breakers) technology. Those two methods will be covered in this
course.
Eaton uses arc chute technology in residential, miniature, molded
case and low voltage power circuit breakers. Note Not all
residential and miniature circuit breakers utilize an arc chute.

101 Basics - Learn
Arc Control Methods

Listed below are the six methods used in the industry to deal with
arc control:
Arc Chute
Shown
an
Vacuum is
Interrupter
animation
of
SF6
an
arc
chute
Minimum Oil
extinguishing
Magnetic Coil
Puffer
an
arc during
Click the pictures to learn
an overload.
more about the two methods
Eaton manufactures circuit breakers using Arc Chute (for low

voltage breakers) and Vacuum Interrupter (for medium voltage
breakers) technology. Those two methods will be covered in this
course.

101 Basics - Learn
VacuumMethods
Interrupter Technology
Arc Control
Vacuum interrupter technology uses enclosed contacts to extinguish arcs.
Listed below are the six methods used in the industry to deal with
arc control:
The vacuum interrupter is a pair of contacts (primary contacts) enclosed in a
Arc Chute
vacuum-tight
envelope (also known as bottle). The bottle itself is a ceramic
Vacuum Interrupter
material
with a metal end plate brazed to each end. The metal plates seal
SF6
the
ends and
Minimum
Oil provide support for the parts inside.
Magnetic Coil
Vacuum Interrupter
Puffer
pictures to learn
Bottle
Because the environment Click
inside the
the interrupter
aboutbethe
two methods
bottle is a vacuum, an more
arc cannot
easily
sustained and is extinguished within the bottle.

Eaton manufactures circuit breakers using Arc Chute (for low
Onebreakers)
vacuumand
interrupter
is provided
each voltage
voltage
Vacuum Interrupter
(forfor
medium
pole technology.
of a circuit Those
breaker.
breakers)
two methods will be covered in this
course.
Eaton uses vacuum interrupter technology for

medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers.

101 Basics - Learn
Trip Unit
The function of a trip unit is to trip (open) the operating mechanism in the event of a
prolonged overload or short circuit fault condition, such as:
Thermal Overload
Short Circuit Currents (Magnetic / Short Circuit Currents)
Specialty Faults (Ground Fault, Arc Fault)
To accomplish this, an electromechanical or a solid state trip unit is provided.
The differences between these two trip units will be explored after defining the different
types of fault conditions.

101 Basics - Learn
Types of Fault Protection

Click on each type of fault protection to learn more
ThermalOverload
Protection
Magnetic/Short
CircuitProtection
SpecialtyFault
Protection
Usesacircuitbreakerto
terminatepowertothe
circuitifan
overload/overcurrent
eventoccurs.
Anelectricalfaultthatis
createdwhentwo
exposedconductorstouch
orwhenaconductors
insulationfails.
Specialtyfaultprotection
is usedinspecific
applicationsbasedon
codesandstandards.Arc
FaultCircuit Interrupters
andGroundFault
Protectionaretwoofthe
mostcommontypes.

101 Basics - Learn
Thermal Overload Protection
Types of Overload Protection
Thermal trip action is achieved through the

use of a bimetal element heated by the load
current. A bimetal element consists of two
Click
on each
typeEach
of strip
protection to learn more.
strips of metal
bonded
together.
has a different thermal rate of heat
ThermalOverload
Magnetic/Short
expansion.
Protection
CircuitProtection
Magneticprotectionis
Thermalprotectionis
Heat due
to excessive current will
cause the
achievedthroughtheuse achievedthroughtheuse
bimetal
to bend or deflect. The ofanelectromagnetin
metal
ofabimetalelement
having(consistingoftwostripsof
the greater rate of expansion
will be
serieswiththeload
current.
on the metalbondedtogether)
outside (longer boundary) of the
heatedbytheload
bend curve.
current.
To trip the circuit breaker because of a

sustained overload, the bimetal must deflect
far enough to physically push the trip bar
and unlatch the contacts, as pictured.
SpecialtyFault
Protection
is usedinspecific
applicationsbasedon
andGroundFault
mostcommontypes.
10

101 Basics - Learn
Thermal Overload Protection (continued)
Deflection of the bimetal is predictable as a

function of current and time.
Click on each type of protection to learn more.
This means that a typical 100 ampere circuit
ThermalOverload
Magnetic/Short
SpecialtyFault
breaker might trip in 1800 seconds
at 135% of
Protection
Protection
rating (Point
A), as shown in theCircuitProtection
picture.
Thermalprotectionis
achievedthroughtheuse
Consequently,
bimetals provideachievedthroughtheuse
a long time
ofanelectromagnetin
delay (consistingoftwostripsof
onofabimetalelement
light overloads (Point A),
yet have a
serieswiththeload
fast response
on heavier overloads (Point
B).
current.
metalbondedtogether)
heatedbytheload
current.
Thermal elements
are calibrated at the factory
and most are not field adjustable. Typically a
specific thermal element must be supplied for
each current rating.
is usedinspecific
applicationsbasedon
andGroundFault
Time Current Curve
mostcommontypes.

101 Basics - Learn
Magnetic / Short Circuit Protection
Magnetic trip action is achieved

through the use of an electromagnet in
Click
on current.
each type of protection to learn more.
series with
the load
WhenThermalOverload
a short circuit occurs, theMagnetic/Short
fault
Protection
CircuitProtection
current passing
through the circuit
causesThermalprotectionis
the electromagnet in the
circuit
breaker
to attract the armature,
ofanelectromagnetin
ofabimetalelement
initiating
an unlatching action, in
turn
serieswiththeload
(consistingoftwostripsof
current.
causing
the circuit to open.
heatedbytheload
current.
The only delaying factor is the time it

takes the contacts to physically open
and extinguish the arc.
SpecialtyFault
Protection
is usedinspecific
applicationsbasedon
andGroundFault
mostcommontypes.

101 Basics - Learn
Time Current Curve for Fixed

Magnetic Action
Magnetic / Short Circuit Protection (continued)
That action takes place in less than one cycle (0.016

seconds), and trips the breaker instantaneously. See
top picture
for a typical
magnetic
tripof
curve.
The
Click
on each
type
protection
to learn more.
breaker will not trip until the fault current reaches or
exceeds Point A.
Magnetic/Short
ofanelectromagnetin
ofabimetalelement
Each adjustable
magnetic trip is calibrated
at the
serieswiththeload
factory
for a specific range and is set
on the high side.
current.
Knobs located
on the front of the trip unit can be
heatedbytheload
adjusted to current.
specific requirements. The knobs have a
high, a low, and a series of intermediate setting
positions. See bottom picture for a typical set of
magnetic trip curves, illustrating how the adjustment
knobs move the curve from left to right as the magnetic
trip is increased.
SpecialtyFault
Protection
is usedinspecific
applicationsbasedon
andGroundFault
mostcommontypes.
Time Current Curve for

Adjustable Magnetic Action
ThermalOverload
Protection
CircuitProtection
The magnetic
trip element may be
fixed or adjustable,
depending
upon the type of breaker
and frame size.
Thermalprotectionis
11

101 Basics - Learn
Specialty Fault Protection

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter
Ground Fault Circuit Protection
Arcing faults, a common cause of many Designed to protect against electrical shock,
in cases whereto
onelearn
phase goes
to ground.
home electrical
fires,on
caneach
occur when
Click
type of protection
more.
insulation around cords, wires or cables

National Electrical Code (NEC) requires
is damaged
or deteriorated.
ThermalOverload
Magnetic/Short
SpecialtyFault
ground fault protection in applications such as:
Protection
CircuitProtection
Protection
Residential: Anywhere
electricity can
Designed to prevent fires by detecting a
Thermalprotectionis
come into contact
with water, i.e.
non-working
(i.e., non-intended/nonis
usedinspecific
bathrooms, laundry
room, kitchen
useful) electrical arc and disconnecting
applicationsbasedon
ofanelectromagnetin
ofabimetalelement
Industrial: Any
assembly where there
the power
before the arc starts a fire.serieswiththeload
may be phase to ground loss
The National
Electrical Code (NEC)
heatedbytheload
current. of combinationrequires the installation
type AFCIs in all 15 and 20 ampere
residential circuits with the exception of
the laundry room, kitchen, bathrooms,
garage and unfinished basement.
current.
andGroundFault
Ground fault circuit

protection is not available
in an electromagnetic
trip unit and must be
mostcommontypes.
included in a separate device.
Can be included as an option in an electronic
trip unit.

101 Basics - Learn
Electromechanical (Thermal Magnetic) Trip Units

Electromechanical trip units are commonly used in low voltage
circuit breakers.
They utilize bimetals and electromagnets to provide overload and
short circuit protection and are commonly referred to as thermal
magnetic trip units.
Thermal Magnetic trip units do not include any specialty
protection, such as ground fault. If ground fault protection is
required, you may need to select an electronic trip unit or include
separate ground fault protection within the system.
Interchangeable
Trip Unit
Fixed Trip
Unit
Eatons Thermal Magnetic Circuit Breaker offering is as follows:

Miniature, Residential, Supplementary Protectors Fixed (can not be replaced) Trip Unit
Molded Case Circuit Breakers - Fixed or Interchangeable (replaceable) Trip Unit

101 Basics - Learn
Electromechanical (Thermal Magnetic) Trip Units

Thermal magnetic trip units include the features of both
the thermal and magnetic protection, as pictured top.
Points A and B on the trip curve, bottom picture, illustrate
both the thermal and magnetic action on a typical
100 ampere circuit breaker. A 250% overload would take
60 seconds before the bimetal would deflect far enough
to hit the trip bar and open the circuit (Point A).
However, if instead of an overload there was a short
circuit that was 4000% (40 times) the circuit breaker
rating, the electromagnet in the circuit breaker would
attract the armature and trip the circuit breaker in
approximately one cycle (0.016 seconds)(Point B).
12

101 Basics - Learn
Electronic Trip Units

Electronic trip units offer capabilities such as programming, monitoring, diagnostics,
communications, system coordination and testing that are not available on thermal magnetic
trip units.
Thus, we are seeing more electronic trip units and electronic protective relays specified over
conventional electromechanical and thermal magnetic trip units for circuit breakers.
The result being increased accuracy, repeatability, discrimination, temperature independence
and built-in ground fault protection for the electrical system.
Almost all electronic trip units employ microprocessor
based technology that provides true RMS current sensing
for correlation with thermal capacity of conductors and
equipment, as opposed to bimetals that are used in
thermal magnetic trip units.
Clickfor
examplesof
EatonsElectronic
TripUnits

101 Basics - Learn
Eatons molded case circuit breakers and low voltage power circuit breakers

utilize Electronic Trip Units (ETU).
Electronic trip units offer capabilities such as programming, monitoring, diagnostics,

communications, system coordination and testing that are not available on thermal magnetic
trip units.
The result being increased accuracy, repeatability, discrimination, temperature independence
and built-in ground fault protection for the electrical system.
Almost all electronic trip units employ microprocessor
Clickfor
Molded Case ETU
based technologyLow
thatVoltage
provides true RMS current sensing
examplesof
for correlationPower
with Breaker
thermalETU
capacity of conductors and
EatonsElectronic
TripUnits
equipment, as opposed to bimetals that are used in
thermal magnetic trip units.

101 Basics - Learn
Protective Relays
Medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers do not have an integrated

trip unit, differentiating them from low voltage circuit breakers.
In this case, the circuit breaker handles the power flow and the
overcurrent protection requirements are handled by external
protective relays.
Clickfor
examplesof
EatonsProtective
Relays
Overcurrent, undervoltage, differential, lockout, and timing relays

are just a few different types of functions that exist.
13

101 Basics - Learn
Eatons medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers utilize external protective

relays.
Electronic trip units offers capabilities such as programming, monitoring, diagnostics, communication,
system coordination and testing that are not available on thermal magnetic trip units.
The result being increased accuracy, repeatability, discrimination, temperature independence and
built-in ground fault protection for the electrical system.
Almost all electronic trip units employ microprocessor based
technology that provides true RMS current sensing for correlation
with thermal capacity of conductors and equipment, as opposed
to bimetals that are used in thermal magnetic trip units.
Example of switchgear and medium

voltage vacuum circuit breaker
PROPERTIES
Clickfor
examplesof
EatonsElectronic
TripUnits
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101 Basics - Learn
Identifying Components on Circuit Breakers

Now that the five main components of circuit breakers have been defined, we will identify those
components on Eaton circuit breakers. Note These are examples and not to scale. Not all circuit breakers
are designed the same.
Click each type of circuit breaker for a closer look at its components.
Miniature
Circuit Breaker
Molded Case
Circuit Breaker
Low Voltage
Power
Circuit Breaker
Medium Voltage
Vacuum
Circuit Breaker
14

101 Basics - Learn
Introduction
Miniature Circuit Breaker
Now that the four main components of circuit breakers have been defined, we will identify those
components on Eaton circuit breakers. Click each type of circuit breaker for a closer look at its
components.
Molded Frame
Trip Element
Miniature
Circuit Breaker
Molded Case
Circuit Breaker
Low Voltage
Power
Circuit Breaker
Medium Voltage
Vacuum
Interrupter
Contacts
Operating
Mechanism
Remember Not all residential and miniature circuit breakers utilize an arc chute.

101 Basics - Learn
Introduction
Molded Case Circuit Breaker
Molded Frame
components.
Arc Extinguisher
Miniature
Circuit Breaker
Molded Case
Circuit Breaker
Low Voltage
Power
Circuit Breaker
Medium Voltage
Vacuum
Interrupter
Contacts
Operating
Mechanism
Trip Unit

101 Basics - Learn
Introduction
Low Voltage Power Circuit Breaker
Frame
components.
Note - Arc
Miniature
Circuit Breaker
Molded Case
Circuit Breaker
Low Voltage
Power
Circuit Breaker
Extinguisher
and Contacts
Medium Voltage
are located
Vacuum
behind the
Interrupter
interface.
Trip Unit
Operating
Mechanism
(Charging
Handle)
15

101 Basics - Learn
Introduction
Medium Voltage Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Vacuum Bottle
Now that the four main components of circuit breakers have been defined, we will
identifyarc
those
(includes
components on Eaton circuit breakers. Click each type of circuit breaker forextinguishing
a closer look at
its
function
Metal Frame
components.
and contacts)
Miniature
Operating
Circuit
Breaker
Mechanism
Molded Case
Circuit Breaker
Low Voltage
Power
Circuit Breaker
Medium Voltage
Vacuum
Interrupter
Remember These circuit breakers utilize external protective relays.

101 Basics - Learn
Module Summary
After reviewing the material in this module, you should now understand:
The purpose of circuit protection.

The types of circuit protection available in the market.
The difference between circuit breakers and fuses.
Codes and Standards for circuit breakers.
The five main components of circuit breakers.
The functionality of the main components.

101 Basics - Assessment
Assessment
This is the final section of this module. If you have any comments or
suggestions about this module please email EETraining@eaton.com
Follow us on
www.twitter.com/eatontraining
Register to receive our podcasts
via email or iTunes>Podcasts>
EatonTraining
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PROPERTIES
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101 Basics
Thank You!
You have completed this module.
Want to learn more about this topic
Access Information for Training Courses and Resources

Register for training via the Eaton University
courses and registration system at
www.eaton.com
> Sign-In
> Electrical Distributor Extranet
> Online Applications
> Eaton University
Access training resources via the Distributor
Resource Center (DRC) at www.eaton.com
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Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

New to Eatons eLearning?

Copyright Eaton Corporation 2011. All rights reserved.

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

What are the 101 Basics?

What will you learn from this module?

The types of circuit protection available.

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Included in this Module

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

The primary purpose of circuit protection is to

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

What is Circuit Protection?

These protective devices were developed out of a need for safe

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Types of Circuit Protection

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Current Limiting Fuse

A vented fuse in which the expulsion

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Circuit Breakers vs. Fuses

Resettable after a fault causes the

Must replace a fuse that is blown while

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Codes and Standards

The electrical industry requires that circuit breakers are designed

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Codes and Standards

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Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Key Components of Circuit Breakers

1. The five main

Although low and medium voltage circuit breakers have unique

Protects internal parts of

Provides a means of opening

Allow current to flow

Extinguishes arc when circuit

Opens operating mechanism

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

The interrupting rating of

Molded Insulating Material

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

the interruption process and achieve the desired Interrupting

Eaton offers the following circuit breakers in metal

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Frame Insulated Frame (aka Molded Case)Theprimarypurposeofa

the interruption process and achieve the desired Interrupting

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Click each type

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Over Toggle Operating Mechanism

The function of the operating mechanism is to provide

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

The two-step stored energy process is designed to charge the

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection

Fundamentals of Circuit Protection