What is a Circuit Breaker? Vacuum circuit breaker working function

 What is a circuit breaker?

A circuit breaker is an electrical device that is used to interrupt electrical power. A circuit breaker is like a heavy switch that is used to switch on and off heavy electrical power. A special arrangement is made to quench the arc produced between switching contacts during circuit interruption. For the purpose of arc quenching, air, sf6 gas, or vacuum is used in the circuit breaker.

Types of circuit breaker

A circuit breaker is categorized in many ways. Different types of circuit breakers are used according to needs and requirements.

Circuit breaker types according to voltage

LV circuit breaker

LV circuit breaker is used on low voltage to interrupt electrical power. Air is normally used as arc quenching media in such kind of circuit breakers.

MV circuit breaker

MV circuit breakers are used to interrupt medium voltage in industry and power distribution substations. Vacuum and oil are used as arc quenching media in such kind of circuit breakers.

HV circuit breaker

HV circuit breakers are used to interrupt very high voltage power. SF6 gas is used as quenching media in such kind of circuit breakers.

Parts of Circuit breaker

There are many parts of a circuit breaker. A circuit breaker is a piece of complex electrical equipment having many parts like contacts, springs, levers, hinges, and many other parts. The following diagram shows common parts for a circuit breaker.

Circuit breaker parts

1. The Charging mechanism of the gearbox
2. The Charging flange
3. The Driver
4. The Spring charging motor
5. The Limit switches
6. The Manual spring charging port
7. The Close pushbutton
8. The Close coil 52SRC
9. The Open pushbutton
10. The trip coil 52T
11. The Closing spring charge indicator
12. The Linkage
13. The Control lever
14. The Close-open indicator
15. The Operation counter
16. The Operator housing
17. The Shock absorber
18. The Closing spring
19. The Charging shaft
20. The Crank
21. The Cam disc
22. The Lever
23. The Pawl roller
24. The Close latch pawl
25. The Drive lever
26. The Trip free coupling rod
27. The Spring return latch
28. The Trip free coupling lever
29. The Jackshaft
30. The Lever - phase C
31. The Lever - phase B
32. The Lever - phase A
33. The Opening spring
34. The Auxiliary switch
35. The Auxiliary switch link

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