What is An Air Circuit Breaker?

An air circuit breaker is an electrical protection device used to protect electrical circuits from factors such as short circuits, overloads, and earthquakes. It can quickly cut off the circuit when there is an abnormal current in the circuit to prevent circuit overload and failure. Air circuit breakers can be used for residential, industrial and commercial purposes, and are a very important electrical protection device.

Where Are Air Circuit Breakers Used?

Air-operated Circuit Breaker are usually used in high-voltage systems in DC and AC circuits, especially in substations, power plants, power grids and electrical equipment in power systems, and can also be used in low-voltage power distribution and control devices. In buildings, air circuit breakers are usually installed on the main circuit to protect the electrical system from circuit overloads and short circuits. In the industrial field, air circuit breakers can also be used in power control systems for large machines, equipment, and robots. In short, the air circuit breaker is a widely used power protection device, which is used in almost all fields that require power protection.

How Does Air Circuit Breaker Work?

The working principle of the air circuit breaker is to use the insulating properties of the gas and the heat release to break the circuit. When operating normally, current flows through the mechanism passage, establishing an arc between the mechanism passage and the gas isolation chamber. As the current continues to flow through the arc, the arc will release heat continuously in the gas. When the arc is released by heat, it stretches and cools continuously, and finally disappears. When the arc disappears, the circuit will close. When the current is overloaded or short-circuited, the heat in the device will increase, and a sudden explosion will generate a certain pressure. If the pressure exceeds the limit that the pressure release device can withstand, the release device will pop out. This popping action breaks the circuit, ensuring that no equipment in the circuit can be damaged and endangered by overload or short circuit. Generally speaking, Air Blast Circuit Breaker is a circuit protection device realized by the principle of gas insulation and heat release. As long as the air circuit breaker can withstand the voltage and current in the circuit, it can protect the circuit from overload or short circuit.

What Is the Difference Between VCB and ACB?

VCB is a vacuum circuit breaker and ACB is an air circuit breaker. The main difference between them is the working principle and scope of application. VCB is designed based on vacuum breaking technology. The vacuum airtight chamber in a circuit breaker has no gas molecules in it, so it doesn't need a sealed metal chamber for insulation or a maintenance mechanism to suppress the arc. This makes vacuum circuit breakers more popular in high-end applications, such as those used in high-voltage and extra-high-voltage power systems. Vacuum circuit breakers are also able to withstand rapid breaking currents, making them more effective in isolating short-circuit faults. ACBs are based on gas-insulated technology. This means that its insulation is achieved by filling high-density gas into the arc chamber to suppress and extinguish the arc. Like a VCB, it protects circuits from damage from overloads and short circuits, but is typically used in medium and low voltage applications, such as those found in residential and commercial buildings. In addition, ACBs are generally easier to maintain than VCBs because ACBs have no dynamic parts inside the mechanism, while VCBs may require more complex construction and techniques to achieve a vacuum airtight chamber.

Conclusion

The air circuit breaker is a special type of protection device which opens a strength circuit immediately as soon as it senses the possibility of a high current. It is also used in all types of plants for both primary and secondary distribution.

Also, it is one of the circuit breakers that can operate manually and automatically and has high electrodynamics to accept both the overload and short-circuit current. Because the air circuit breaker is openly constructed, it is easy to maintain. However, it is always good to let a professional handle circuit breaker maintenance.

The difference between various circuit breakers

1. The rated current of the universal circuit breaker is the largest, and it is used for the primary power distribution from the low-voltage end of the transformer. Its frame grades are 1600, 2000, 3200, 4000, 6300, and the rated current range is 200A-6300A.

2. The rated current of the molded case is second, and it is often used in secondary power distribution, such as the floor main switch, power box, etc. The frame grades are 125, 160, 250, 400, 800, and the rated current range is 800A.

3. The miniature circuit breaker is used at the end of the power distribution circuit. The maximum frame level is 125A, and the rated current 16-63 is more common.

The difference between Intelligent universal circuit breaker and General universal circuit breaker

1. Intelligent universal circuit breakers are equipped with intelligent controllers to realize electronic tripping (general products are thermal magnetic or electromagnetic tripping), with higher precision and more functions.It has automatic remote control and display

2. General universal circuit breakers only have thermal magnetic tripping or thermal tripping. It does not have automatic remote control and display.