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What Is A Circuit Breaker and An Isolator Switch
What Is A Circuit Breaker and An Isolator Switch
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.
Breaking capacity
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
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
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