The purpose of LV protection unit
If we are talking about LV applications, the protection (or trip) unit is a functional part of a circuit breaker. In most cases, they are physically integrated into the same housing as well. To better explain the purpose of the protection unit, let us first remember what a circuit breaker does.
How does low voltage protection unit workA circuit breaker is a device that, as the name implies, serves to safely break the circuit while current flows through it. This circuit breaker operation can be initiated for two different reasons:
- The electrical operator (or some other person) wants to switch off some circuit. This usually happens while the actual current is smaller than the rated current of the circuit.
- Some fault downstream of the circuit breaker occurs. In this case, the actual current (or voltage) will be outside rated limits for the circuit, and the circuit breaker will disconnect it from the supply, in order to prevent damage to the equipment and safety risk.
In other cases listed above, operation of the circuit breaker will be initiated without the intervention of any external factor or device, including an electrician, or some other technical personnel.
