2010

Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Definitions ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................................... 4 What is a circuit breaker and an isolator switch ....................................................................................... 4 Circuit breaker tripping types................................................................................................................... 5 What is the difference between an isolator switch and a circuit breaker .................................................. 6 Circuit breakers and isolator switches brand names. ................................................................................ 6 Suppliers of circuit breakers and isolator switches in South Africa............................................................ 6 Selection procedure / technical information required when selecting which circuit breaker or isolator switch to use ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Appendix A: Circuit breaker data sheet .................................................................................................... 8 Appendix B: Isolator switch data sheet .................................................................................................... 9

Introduction
This report and its attachments define what are circuit breakers and isolator switches. It provides information required when selecting which circuit breaker to use and which isolator switch to use.

Definitions
Rated current Rated current is the current that an electric device can carry under specified conditions without resulting in overheating or mechanical overstress Rated voltage is the voltage necessary for operation and should not be exceeded Breaking capacity is the current that a circuit breaker is capable of breaking at given recovery voltage and under specified conditions. Rated service breaking capacity is the maximum level of fault current operation after which further service is assured without loss of performance. Rated insulation voltage is the voltage on which the dielectric properties are based using tests at high voltage and mains frequency The peak value for an impulse voltage of the prescribed form that equipment is capable of withstanding without failure and that serves as a reference for clearance values.

Rated operational voltage

Breaking capacity

Rated service breaking capacity

Rated insulation voltage

Rated impulse withstand voltage

Local signaling

local signaling is a form of indication to show when the circuit has tripped. Instantaneous tripping current above 3 In up to and including 5 In Instantaneous tripping current above 5 In up to and including 10 In

Type B circuit breakers

Type C circuit breakers

Type D circuit breakers

Instantaneous tripping current above 10 In up to and including 20 In

Abbreviations
A AC ANSI DC DIN EN Hz IEC KV Kg mm N.m V Ampere Alternating current American National Standards Institute Direct current Deutsche Institut fr Normung European Norm Hertz International Electrotechnical Commission Kilovolt Kilogram Millimeter Newton meter Volt

What is a circuit breaker and an isolator switch

A circuit breaker is electrical switch gear equipment which can open or close a circuit under all conditions (no load, full load and fault conditions) it is designed that it can be operated manually under normal conditions and automatically under fault conditions. An isolator switch is basically a switch used to isolate or open a circuit for maintenance or service. It is only intended to be used under no load conditions when no current is flowing in the line.

Circuit breaker tripping types

Electronic Unit Electronic trip units are composed of three components, internal to the trip unit. These components are the current transformer, circuit board and flux-transfer shunt trip (for remote controlled tripping of the breaker). There are two types of electronic trip units: Analog and digital. Magnetic circuit breakers use a solenoid (electromagnet) whose pulling force increases with the current. The circuit breaker contacts are held closed by a latch. As the current in the solenoid increases beyond the rating of the circuit breaker, the solenoid's pull releases the latch which then allows the contacts to open by spring action. A load break switch is a circuit breaker that only interrupts load current. A standard circuit breaker can interrupt any type of current: high or low, overload current, under load current, etc. This is a fast acting magnetic circuit breaker with hydraulically delayed switching characteristics. The tripping mechanism is comprised of a thermal actuator and a mechanical latch designed to discriminate between in-rush or temporary current surges and prolonged overloads. Applications include motors, transformers, solenoids and low voltage wiring. This type of circuit breaker combines a bimetal element with a magnetic coil to provide time/current characteristics with two distinct steps. The magnetic coil activates quickly at high overcurrent values. Prolonged low value overloads cause the thermal element to activate. Applications include telecommunications, process control, and similar applications requiring precision performance.
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Magnetic Circuit Breakers

Load Break Switch

Magnetic-Hydraulic Circuit Breakers

Thermal Overcurrent Circuit Breaker

Thermal Magnetic Circuit Breaker

What is the difference between an isolator switch and a circuit breaker

The difference between an isolator and a circuit breaker is that an isolator is an off load device designed to be opened after current has been interrupted by some other control device (fuse or circuit breaker). It is also important to note that an isolator switch cannot detect fault conditions hence it can only be manually operated.

Circuit breakers and isolator switches brand names.

Circuit breakers Hager Gewiss ABB Schneider electric Isolator switches Moeller Allen Bradley Gewiss Kraus and Naimer

Suppliers of circuit breakers and isolator switches in South Africa

Electromechanica AC/DC dynamics RS components Schneider electric.

Selection procedure / technical information required when selecting which circuit breaker or isolator switch to use
The below information forms part of the data required when selecting a circuit breaker or an isolator switch to use for a particular system. A data sheet for a Hager circuit breaker is attached in Appendix A: Circuit breaker data sheet and a data sheet for an Allen Bradley isolator switch is attached in Appendix B: Isolator switch data sheet: Current rating of the system Operational voltage Network type (AC or DC) Number of poles Frequency of supply

Appendix A: Circuit breaker data sheet

Appendix B: Isolator switch data sheet