Circuit Breakers: Types and Applications in Residential and Industrial Settings

Electricity is an integral part of our lives, powering homes, industries, and commercial establishments. However, electrical faults, overloads, and short circuits can also be very dangerous. This is where circuit breakers come in. An automatic electrical switch is designed to prevent damaging wires or electrical circuits from too much current. In the event of a fault occurring, it interrupts the flow of electricity, preventing electrical fires, equipment damage, and personal injury.

As different environments need their appropriate elemental protection mechanisms, a different type of circuit breaker is a must for both homes and industries. In this article, we share details about the different circuit breaker types, their functionality, applications, and price factors to help you make an informed choice for your needs.

What is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is an automatic electrical switch that interrupts current flow in a circuit as a result of excess current. Unlike fuses, which must be replaced once they have blown due to a fault, circuit breakers can often be reset and reused multiple times.

Usage of Circuit Breakers

There are circuit breakers available for the residential area (the home circuit breaker), industrial applications (main circuit breaker), and special environments, e.g., for DC applications or for inline circuit breakers.

Types of Circuit Breakers

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) are compact, user-friendly circuit breakers that are often used in residential and commercial electrical boxes. They are used to protect low-voltage appliances against overloads and short circuits.

Types of the Miniature Circuit Breakers:

• Type B Breaker: These are residential-type breakers that trip at 3-5 times the rated current and thus are safe for use in lighting circuits and household appliances.

• Type C Circuit Breakers: These trip at 5 to 10 times the rated current, allowing them to be used for commercial and other industrial applications with moderate inductive loads like motors and fluorescent lighting.

Low Voltage Molded Case Circuit Breakers

The utilization of MCCB is for bigger electrical loads, and it gives you a higher protection level than MCBs. They are ideal for industrial applications and commercial buildings.

Features: 

• Trip settings are customizable for improved adeptness.

• Provides protection against overloads and short circuits.

• Compatible with AC & DC breaker applications.

Inline Circuit Breakers

Inline circuit breakers are specialized breakers mounted directly into wiring instead of the typical breaker panels. They are commonly applied in automotive, marine, and industrial applications with limited space.

Applications:

• Automotive Electrical Systems

• For battery protection for solar and other renewable energy installations.

• Applications in telecommunications and networking.

Main Circuit Breakers

The main circuit breaker is found in an electrical panel, where it controls and protects the entire electrical supply for a home or building. It defines the limit on current that can be distributed among the different circuits within a home or industrial plant.

Key Features:

• Bypassing the whole building during fault conditions

• Available in different amp ratings (100A, 200A,…)

• Crucial for electrical safety maintenance

DC Circuit Breakers

DC is a common process type, so DC circuit breakers will not proactively trip and interrupt the circuit as the typical AC breakers do. The batteries are widely used in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and industrial control systems.

Applications:

• Solar power systems

• Charging stations for electric vehicles

• Battery storage systems

Circuit Breakers in Residential and Industrial Settings

Residential Applications

Home circuit breakers are a key part of ensuring safety and efficient electricity distribution in homes.

Common Residential Applications Include:

• Lighting Circuits: These are used for lighting fixtures. Avoids overload.

• Kitchen and Bathroom: Preventing electrical fires from high-power appliances such as microwaves and water heaters.

• Preventing Overheating and Equipment Damage: From heating and cooling systems.

• Smart Homes: Preventing risks for connected smart devices and ensuring power supply continuity.

Residential Recommended Breakers:

• Type B Circuit Breakers: Standard residential use.

• Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs): Protect individual appliances.

• Main Circuit Breaker: Used to protect the whole home’s electrical system.

Industrial Applications

Industrial mitigating mechanisms for electrical safety must be robust because of high-power machinery, large-scale power consumption, and increased susceptibility to electrical faults.

Circuit Protectors Surrounding Them In:

• Manufacturing Plants: Protect against the overload of appliances and electric accidents in assembly applications.

• Power Stations and Substations: Circuit protection control of high voltage.

• Data Centers: Protection against downtime and server equipment damage.

• Commercial Buildings: Power supply and protection from overloads and other issues.

Industrial Recommended Breakers:

• MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKERS 

• Type C Circuit Breakers: Good for commercial-grade apparatuses.

• DC Circuit Breakers: Found in battery backup and solar power systems.

Prices of Circuit Breakers and Things to Keep in Mind When Purchasing

The cost of a circuit breaker varies based on multiple factors, including type, capacity, brand, and features.

Here’s a General Price Range:

• Cost of Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs): ₹200 – ₹1,500/ unit

• Quotation of Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs): ₹3,000 – ₹25,000 for 1 unit

• Pricing Ranges from ₹500 to ₹3,000 for an Inline Circuit Breaker.

• Main Circuit Breakers: ₹2,000 – ₹10,000 per unit.

• DC Circuit Breakers: ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 (Per Unit)

Buying Guide for Circuit Breakers

• Ensure Voltage and Current Rating: Make sure the breaker matches your system electrical load.

• Breaking Capacity: Choose a breaker that can manage possible short-circuit currents.

• Application Type: Based on residential, commercial, or industrial requirements.

• Brand and Quality: Stick to reputable brands for safety and durability.

Regular Maintenance of Circuit Breakers

When it comes to electrical safety, circuit breakers are just as important as any electrical component, but they also need regular maintenance to work effectively and avoid hazards.

Why is Circuit Breaker Servicing Important?

• Prevents Electrical Failure: Electrical failures may occur due to dust, loose connections, or wear after a long period of time.

• Safety Confirmation: One of the key benefits of getting regular inspections is they prevent the risk of electrical fires and short circuits.

• Use a well-functioning breaker: This keeps the smooth operation and reduces the unnecessary loss of power.

• Helps to Reduce Replacement Cost: By identifying faults early, you can avoid costly repairs or replacements.

Some Basic Maintenance Tips for Circuit Breakers: 

• Visual Inspection: Look for signs of overheating, burn marks, or fraying of wires.

• Cleaning: Dust and debris can impact how breakers work. So, use a dry cloth or compressed air to get rid of buildup.

• Testing: Conduct regular trip tests to verify the breaker is tripping correctly during faults.

• Loosening Contacts: Loose electrical connections can result in arcing and damaging components.

• Official Survey: Have an electrician perform a thorough inspection at least once a year for main circuit breakers and even industrial installations.

Both residential and industrial users should ensure the proper functioning of circuit breakers to ensure continuity of power supply and safety.

Also Read: What is the Difference between MCB, MCCB, RCB, RCD, RCCB, and RCBO

Best Circuit Breakers at Schneider Electric eShop

Selecting the ideal circuit breaker can be vital for electrical safety, whether in residential or professional settings. Schneider Electric eShop supplies various circuit breakers of high quality and certified. Whether it is a circuit breaker for home use, a main circuit breaker, or an inline circuit breaker, Schneider Electric has the best options for reliability and safety.

FAQs

Q1. How does a fuse differ from a circuit breaker?

Ans: While a circuit breaker trips due to an overload or a short circuit and can be reset and reused, a fuse is a one-time-use device that melts when overloaded.

Q2. Can I change a circuit breaker myself?

Ans: Unless you are a trained professional, this is something best left to the pros, especially because live electrical panels can cause injury if wrongly handled.

Q3. How do I know what size circuit breaker I need for my house?

Ans: Home circuit breakers can vary in size depending on the load they need to carry. For residential properties, generally, a 100A or 200A main circuit breaker is installed. Consult an electrician for correct sizing.