Energy and Power
Discrimination between residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs)
The operating principle of the residual current release is basically the detection of an earth fault current, by means of a toroid transformer which embraces all the live conductors, included the neutral if distributed. In absence of an earth fault,… Read more
Jan 11, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Purpose of Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)
Miniature circuit breakers (MCB) are primarily designed to protect cables and lines against overload (thermal) and short-circuit (electromagnetic). They thus care for protecting this electrical equipment against excessive temperature rises and destruction in the event of a short-circuit. They meet the requirements… Read more
Nov 24, 2012 | By Edvard Csanyi
Electrical Lectures
Fundamental Characteristics of Circuit Breaker
The fundamental characteristics of a circuit breaker are: Its rated voltage Ue Its rated current In Its tripping current level adjustment ranges for overload protection (Ir or Irth) and for short circuit protection (Im) Current-level setting values which refer to the… Read more
Jun 05, 2012 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Working Principle of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) and Residual Current Device (RCD)
The operation of an earth leakage circuit breaker (or shorten ELCB) is based on the fact that the algebraic sum of the currents in any healthy single phase, three phase and three phase and neutral system is zero. This simply… Read more
Nov 07, 2011 | By Jignesh Parmar
Low Voltage
How Low-Voltage Air Circuit Breaker Works?
A low-voltage circuit breaker is one which is suited for circuits rated at 600 volts or lower. One of the most commonly used low-voltage air circuit breakers is the molded case circuit breaker (picture above). A circuit can be connected… Read more
Oct 23, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Generator tripping as stability control
Generator tripping is an effective (cost-effective) control especially if hydro units are used. Tripping of fossil units, especially gas- or oil-fired units, may be attractive if tripping to house load is possible and reliable. Gas turbine and combined-cycle plants constitute… Read more
Jul 06, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy Efficiency
Setting circuit breaker tripping with MS Excel spreadsheet
The protective unit of circuit breaker MUST fulfill: Instantaneous trip setting Im < Iscmin for a circuit-breaker Fusion current Ia < Iscmin for a fuse The protective unit (or device) must satisfy the two conditions: Its fault-current breaking rating must… Read more
Jul 02, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Low Voltage
How residual current device (RCD) works?
The residual current device (rcd) is used to detect earth fault currents and to interrupt supply if an earth current flows. The main application is to prevent electrocution but RCDs can also be used to protect equipment, especially against fire…. Read more
Jun 11, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
How circuit breaker trip unit works?
In addition to providing a means to open and close its contacts manually, a circuit breaker must automatically open its contacts when an overcurrent condition is sensed. The trip unit is the part of the circuit breaker that determines when… Read more
Mar 10, 2011 | By Edvard Csanyi
