Protection Device : Types of

Protection Devices
Protection devices for electrical circuits accomplish two main functions namely
consistency as well as protection. Protection is assured through detaching
power supply in a circuit through overcurrent protection, which removes fire
hazards and electrocution. Additionally, the accurate protection may be
required to obey with organization principles for some products. Designers
must take time to know the different protection devices for circuits. Protection
devices used to protect circuits from extreme voltages or currents. This article
discusses what is a protection device, and types of protection devices used in
electrical and electronic circuits.

What is a Protection Device?

The circuit protection device is an electrical device used for preventing an
unnecessary amount of current otherwise a short circuit. To ensure the
highest security, there are many protection devices available in the market
which offers you a total range of protection devices for circuits such as a
fuse, circuit breakers, RCCB, gas discharge tubes, thyristors, and more.
Different types of Protection Devices
The different types of circuit protection devices examples include the following.
 Fuse
 Circuit Breaker
 PolySwitch
 RCCB
 Metal Oxide Varistor
 Inrush Current Limiter
 Gas Discharge Tube
 Spark Gap
 Lightning Arrester
 Types of Circuit Protection Devices
Fuse
In electrical circuits, a fuse is an electrical device used to protect the circuit from
overcurrent. It consists of a metal strip that liquefies when the flow of current
through it is high. Fuses are essential electrical devices, and there are
different types of fuses available in the market today based on specific voltage
and current ratings, application, response time, and breaking capacity.
The characteristics of fuses like time and current are selected to give sufficient
protection without unnecessary disruption. Please refer to the link to know
more about: Different Types of Fuses and Its Applications

Fuse
Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is one kind of electrical switch used to guard an electrical
circuit against short circuit otherwise an overload which will cause by excess
current supply. The basic function of a circuit breaker is to stop the flow of
current once a fault has occurred. Not like a fuse, a circuit breaker can be
operated either automatically or manually to restart regular operation.
Circuit breakers are available in different sizes from small devices to large
switch gears which are used to protect low current circuits as well as high
voltage circuits. Please refer the link to know more about: Types of Circuit
Breaker and Its Importance

Circuit Breaker
Poly Switch or Resettable Fuse
A resettable fuse is a passive electronic component used for protecting
electronic circuits from over-current mistakes. This device is also called as a
poly switch or multi fuse or poly fuse. The working of these fuses is same as
PTC thermistors in particular situations, however, work on mechanical
transforms instead of charge-carrier-effects within semiconductors.
Resettable Fuses are used in several applications like power supplies in
computers, nuclear or aerospace applications where substitution is not easy.

Polyswitch
RCCB or RCD
The RCD-residual current device (or) RCCB- residual current circuit breaker is
a safety device which notices a problem in your home power supply then turns
OFF in 10-15 milliseconds to stop electric shock. A residual current device
does not give safety against short circuit or overload in the circuit, so we
cannot change a fuse instead of RCD.

RCDs are frequently incorporated with some type of circuit breaker like an
MCB (miniature circuit breaker) or a fuse, which guards against overload
current in the circuit. The residual current device also cannot notice a human
being due to by mistake touching both conductors at a time.

These devices are testable as well as resettable apparatus. A test button

securely forms a tiny leakage condition; along with a reset button again
connects the conductors after an error state has been cleared.

RCCB
Inrush Current Limiter
This is one type of electrical a component used to stop inrush current for
avoiding regular damage to apparatus and evade tripping circuit breakers and
blowing fuses. The best examples of inrush current limiter device are Fixed
resistors as well as NTC thermistors.

They present a high resistance firstly, which stops huge currents from flowing
by turn-on. Because the flow of current will continues, NTC thermistors heat-
up, permitting high flow of current throughout normal operation. These
thermistors are generally much superior to measurement kind thermistors,
which are intentionally planned for power applications.
 Inrush Current Limiter
Lightning Protection
The lightning protection includes MOV (metal oxide varistor) and gas
discharge tube
Metal Oxide Varistor
A varistor or VDR (voltage dependent resistor) is an electronic component and
the resistance of this is changeable and depends on the applied voltage.
The term varistor has been taken from the variable resistor. When the voltage of
this component increases then the resistance decreases. In the same way,
when an extreme voltage increases then the resistance will decrease
significantly.
This performance creates them appropriate to guard electrical circuits
throughout voltage flows. Origins of a flow can comprise electrostatic
discharges as well as lightning strikes. The most frequent type of voltage-
dependent resistor is the MOV (metal oxide varistor). Please refer the link to
know more about varistor/voltage-dependent resistor circuit with working

Gas Discharge Tube

A gas discharge tube or gas-filled tube is a collection of electrodes in a gas
inside a temperature resistant envelope and insulating. These tubes use
phenomena allied to electric discharge within gases, also work through
ionizing the gas by an applied voltage enough to reason electrical conduction
through the fundamental phenomena of the Townsend expulsion.

An expulsion lamp is an electrical device which uses a gas-filled tube such as

metal halide lamps, fluorescent lamps, neon lights, and sodium-vapor lamps.
Specific gas-filled tubes namely thyratrons, ignitrons, and krytrons are
employed as switching devices in various electrical devices.
The required voltage to begin and maintain discharge is reliant on the force,
geometry of the tube, and composition of the fill gas. Even though the cover is
normally glass, power tubes frequently employ ceramics, as well as military
tubes frequently employ glass wrinkled metal.
 Gas Discharge Tube
Crowbar vs. Clamping
The terms Crowbar vs. Clamping is regularly used to explain how overvoltage
protection devices work in a temporary event. A crowbar protection device
decreases the voltage under the system’s operating voltage. As the
impermanent is complete, the crowbar device retunes and lets the circuit to
function usually. Throughout a temporary occurrence, a clamping device grasps
the voltage just higher than the operating voltage of the system.
ESD Protection
This device protects an electrical circuit from an ESD (Electrostatic
discharge), in order to avoid a breakdown of a device. Murata has a wide
array of ESD protector devices comprising particular devices very small
devices, for high-speed communication, & included noise filters. ESD
Protection devices can also be utilized to change Zener diodes (TVS), varistors,
as well as suppressors.

ESD Protection
Surge Protection Device
The term SPD stands for Surge Protection Device is one type of component
used in an electrical fitting security system. The SPD device is allied in parallel
in the power supply circuit, which can be used on all stages of the power
supply system. The surge protection device is the most frequently used and
also well-organized kind of over-voltage protective devices.
 Surge Protection Device
This is all about protection device and its types. The protection of the circuit
can be done by using different protection devices in an electrical circuit
purposely in order to stop extreme amounts of current. To make sure extreme
safety, this article gives an overview of circuit protection techniques, namely
circuit breakers, ESD protection electronic fuses, gas discharge tubes,
thyristors, and many more.

Difference between Induction Motor and

Transformer
1. A Transformer is a static device, whereas motor is a dynastic machine contains
on moving parts.
transfers electrical power from one circuit to another without
changing the supply frequency, i.e. it only step-up or step-down the level of voltage
and current, whereas converts

3. In , the frequency of induced EMF and current in the secondary is

same as supply frequency,
while in an , the frequency of current and EMF on stator remains
same, whereas the frequency of the rotor is variable which depends on slip and
slip is further depends on motor loads. The frequency of induced EMF on the rotor is
equal to slip times the stator frequency.
4. In a transformer, both the input and output energy (primary and secondary) is in the
form of electrical energy, whereas in motor, the supply energy in the rotor is in
electrical form and the stator energy converted to the mechanical form of energy.
5. is an alternating flux machine while induction motor is a rotating
flux machine.
6. In a transformer, mostly a ferromagnetic iron core is used as a medium for the
passage of flux from primary to secondary, whereas in an induction motor, the air
gap is used between rotor and stator.
7. A transformer can be operated at any kind of power factor depends on load
while induction motor operated on lagging power factor because it draws lagging
current to magnetize the rotor filed at starting and operating due to air gap.
8.
, whereas
mechanical in an as it is not static machine
like a transformer.
9. Note that the working principle of both transformer and Induction motor is same
i.e. Faraday law’s of electromagnetic induction or mutual induction.

The main difference between single phase system

and three phase system are…
1. Three phase system consume and deliver more power than single phase system .
2. The three phase system contains three phases with 120 degree phase shifting each
other but for single phase system it consist of a live wire and a neutral wire .which
is 90 phase shifted with each other.
3. The capacitor is used in single phase system to create 90 degree phase shifting
between two lines . Where for three phase system Capacitor is required to increase
the reactive power under overload condition to maintain the terminal voltage
constant.
4. The Efficiency of a single phase system is higher than the three phase system .
5. The generated voltage in power station is always three phase not single phase.
6. For the house hold application We use single phase system because the
equipment that we used in home are made for single phase supply .
7. For the three phase system Insulation should be thicker than the single phase
system because of high voltage..
 8. The three phase induction motor is always self starting but the single phase
induction motor is not self starting,,

9. 1- Single phase transformer contains two coils, one on the primary side, and another
one on the secondary side, while three phase transformer contains six coils, three for
primary side, and another three coils for the secondary side.
10. 2- Single phase transformer has four terminals, two on the input (phase & neutral),
and two on the output (phase & neutral), no delta or star connections are available
here, but three phase transformer has twelve terminals with different connection for
them for star or delta connections.
11. 3- Single phase transformers are most used in the household devices applications,
such as TV, Microwave Oven, Phone Charger, etc, while three phase transformers are
most used as a power or distribution transformers, with high rated KVA.
12. 4- In most cases, no cooling system is required for single phase transformer, on the
other side, three phase transformers have many cooling systems depending on the
transformer rated power, may be by oil, forced oil, air, forced air or by forced water.
13. 5- The magnetic core for each type is different, and it's always bigger in the three
phase transformers than the single phase ones.

Difference between Single

Phase and Three Phase AC
Power Supply
The AC power (alternating current) is a kind of electricity where there is
frequent change in the current flow direction. At the beginning of the 1900
year, AC power supply is used for businesses as well as homes and now it
got expanded to. The system of the power supply is categorized into two type’s
namely single phase power supply, as well as 3 phase power supply. For
most industrial and business settings, three-phase supply is used to run the
high loads, whereas homes are generally supplied by a 1 phase power
supply, because home appliances require less power. This article discusses
the difference between single phase and three phase power supplies and how
to know either single phase or three phase.

What is Phase in Electricity?

Generally, the phase-in electricity is the current or the voltage among an
existing wire as well as a neutral cable. Phase means the distribution of load,
if a single wire is used, an additional load will occur on it & if three wires are
used then loads will be separated between them. This can be called as less
power for 1-phase and more power for 3-phase.

If it is a 1-phase system, it includes two wires and when it is a 3-phase

system, then it consists of either 3 wires (or) four wires. Both the power
systems like single phase as well as three-phase use AC power to refer units.
Because the current flow using AC power is always in the direction of
alternating. The main difference between these two supplies is the reliability of
delivery.
Single Phase Supply
In the entire electrical domain, 1 phase supply is the delivery of AC power by
a system in which there is a simultaneous change in all the supply voltages.
This type of power supply sharing is utilized when the loads (home
appliances) are generally heat and lightning included with huge electric
motors.

When a 1 phase supply is connected to an AC motor, it doesn’t generate a

rotating magnetic field, instead, single phase motors require additional circuits for
the operation, but such electric motors are rare which have the power rating of
nearly 10 kW. In each of the cycles, a 1 phase system voltage achieves a
peak-value two times; the direct power is not stable.

Single Phase Waveform

A load with single-phase can be power-driven from a three-phase
sharing transformer in two techniques. One is with the connection between two
phases or with the connection between one phase and neutral. These two will
give dissimilar voltages from a given power supply. This type of phase supply
provides an output of nearly 230V. The applications of this supply are utilized
for running small home appliances such as air conditioners, fans, heater, and
many others.
Benefits

 The design is less complex

 Design cost is less
 Enhanced efficiency which delivers AC power supply of nearly 1000 watts
 It holds the ability to deliver a maximum of 1000 watts power
 Employed in multiple kinds of industries and applications
Applications
The applications of single-phase supply include the following.

 This power supply is applicable for homes as well as businesses.

 Used to supply plenty of power for homes, as well as for non-industrial
businesses.
 This power supply is sufficient to run the motors up to about 5 horsepower
(hp).
Three Phase Supply
The three-phase power supply includes four wires which consist of one
neutral along with three conductor wires. The three conductors are away from
phase & space and they have a phase angle of 120º from each other. 3 phase
power supplies are utilized as a single-phase AC power supply.

For the operation of small load, 1-phase AC power supply, along with the
neutral, can be chosen from the 3-phase AC power supply system. This
supply is constant and will not be dropped to zero value. The power of this
system can be illustrated in two configurations namely star connection (or) delta
connection. The connection of star configuration is used in long-distance
communication as it includes a neutral cable to the error current.
Benefits
The advantages of three-phase supply over single phase are because of the
following reasons:
 The 3 phase power supply needs less copper
 It shows the minimal risk for employees who are operating with this system
 It has a greater conductor efficiency
 Labor who are working in this system also receives wages
  It even holds the capability to function with an extended range of power
loads
Three Phase Supply Applications
The applications of the three-phase supply include the following.

 These types of supplies are used in power grids, mobile towers, data centers,
aircraft, shipboard, unmanned systems, as well as other electronic loads
larger than 1000 watts.
 It is applicable to industrial, manufacturing, and large businesses.
 These are used in power-hungry and high-density data centers too.
Key Differences between Single Phase & Three Phase
Supplies
The key differences between a 1 phase and three phases include the
following.

Feature Single Phase Three Phase

Single phase power supply operates
Definition using a single conductor
Wave Cycle It has only one distinct wave cycle
Need just a single wire to connect
Connection of Circuit with the circuit
Delivers a voltage level of almost
Output Voltage Levels 230V
The phase name of the single phase is
Phase Name split phase
It has minimum capacity for the
The ability of Power Transfer power transmission
1 phase power supply can be
Circuit Complexity constructed simply
There will be a frequent failure of
The occurrence of Power Failure power
Loss The loss in single phase is maximum
Efficiency It has minimal efficiency
It is not expensive than 3 phase power
Cost supply
Applications Used for home applications
3 phase power supply operate
three conductors
It has three distinct wave cyc
This power phase requires thr
for connection with the circui
Delivers a voltage level of alm
415V
There is no specific name for
phase
This phase holds the maximu
capacity for transmission of p
The construction of this is
complicated
No power failure happens
The loss in the 3 phase is min
It has maximum efficiency
It is a bit costly than single ph
Three phase power supply is
huge industries to run heavy l
The most confusing concept that people come across here is “how to identify
single phase and 3 phase”?
The answer lies in the identification of the main switch width. Single phase
power supplies are one pole wide while three phase power supplies have a
width of three poles.

How to Convert Single Phase to Three Phases?

As this is the most crucial concept to be known, the following points explain
the conversion of a single phase to three phases.

When there exists a large-sized compressor without any three-phase power

supply corresponding to the system that the local grid is constructed, there
exist multiple paths to solve this and to provide proper power for the
compressor. The prominent solution is to convert a three phase motor into a 1
phase motor.

For this conversion, there exist mainly three kinds of three-phase converters.

 Static Converter – When the three phase motor does not get initiated with
the 1 phase power, then it can operate on 1 phase owner once gets started.
This happens with the support of capacitors. But this method has not that
much efficiency and also less time span.
 Rotary Phase Converter – It functions like the integration of a generator and
a three-phase operated motor. It consists of idler type of motor which when
it is in motion, produces power and because of this whole set-up might
stimulate a three phase system in a proper way.
 Variable Frequency Drive Converter – It operates using inverters where
those generate AC at any frequency levels and reproduce almost all the
conditions internal to the 3 phase motor.
Thus, this is all about the difference between single phase and 3 phase power
supplies, and a comparison chart. From the above information finally, we can
conclude that with the right care in the design part of a power supply, the
designer can make suitable advice for the highest efficiency & cost savings of
your project.

Choosing a single phase (or) three-phase system mainly depends on the

power requirements of a particular application. Anyway, a well-designed
component will ensure a reliable as well as robust power distribution. Here is
a question for you, what is the main functionality of three phase & single phase
power supplies?
Difference Between Single Phase & Three
Phase
The power supply system is mainly classified into two types, i.e., single
phase and the three phase system. The single phase is used in a place
where less power is required and for running the small loads. The three
phases are used in large industries, factories and in the manufacturing unit
where a large amount of power is required.

One of the major difference between the single phase and the three phase
is that the single phase consists one conductor and one neutral wire
whereas the three phase supply uses three conductors and one neutral
wire for completing the circuit. Some other differences between them are
explained below in the comparison chart.

Comparison Chart: Single Phase V/S Three Phase

 Comparison Chart
 Definition
 Key Differences

Basis For
Single Phase Three Phase
Comparison

Definition The power supply through one The power supply through three
conductor. conductors.

Wave Shape

Number of wire. Require two wires for completing Requires four wires for completing
the circuit. the circuit.
Basis For
Single Phase Three Phase
Comparison

Voltage Carry 230V Carry 415V

Phase Name Split phase No other name

Power Transfer Minimum Maximum

Capability

Network Simple Complicated

Power Failure Occurs Do not occur

Loss Maximum Minimum

Power Supply
Connection

Efficiency Less High

Economical Less More

Uses For home appliances. In large industries and for running

heavy loads.

Definition of Single phase

The single phase requires two wires for completing the circuit, i.e., the
conductor and the neutral. The conductor carries the current and the
neutral is the return path of the current. The single phase supplies the
voltage up to 230 volts. It is mostly used for running the small appliances
like a fan, cooler, grinder, heater, etc.

Definition of Three Phase

The three phase system consist four wires, three conductors and one
neutral. The conductors are out of phase and space 120º apart from each
other. The three phase system is also used as a single phase system. For
the low load, one phase and neutral can be taken from the three phase
supply.

The three phase supply is continuous and never completely drops to zero.
In three phase system power can be drawn either in a star or delta
configuration. The star connection is used for long distance transmission
because it has neutral for the fault current.

The delta connection consists three phase wires and no neutral.

Key Differences Between Single Phase and Three Phase

1. In single phase supply, the power flows through one conductor

whereas the three phase supply consists three conductors for power
supply.
2. The single phase supply requires two wires (one phase and one
neutral) for completing the circuit. The three phase requires three
phase wires and one neutral wire for completing the circuit.
3. The single phase supplies the voltage up to 230V whereas the three
phase supply carries the voltage up to 415V.
4. The maximum power is transferred through three phases as compared
to single phase supply.
5. The single phase has two wire which makes the network simple
whereas the three phase network is complicated as it consists four
wires.
6. The single phase system has only one phase wire, and if the fault
occurs on the network, then the power supply completely fails. But in
three phase system the network has three phases, and if the fault
 occurs on any one of the phases, the other two will continuously supply
the power.
7. The efficiency of the single phase supply is less as compared to three
phase supply. Because the three phase supply requires less conductor
as compared to single phase supply for the equivalent circuit.
8. The single phase supply requires more maintenance and become
costly as compared to three phase supply.
9. The single phase supply is mostly used in the house and for running
the small loads. The three phase supply is used in large industries and
for running the heavy loads.
The star connection of the three phase allows the use of two different
voltages (i.e., the 230 volts and the 415 volts). The 230V is supplied by
using the one phase and one neutral wire, and the three phase is supply
between any two phases