Circuit Protection
Providing protection and consistency to electrical circuits are the two primary functions of a circuit protection device. By adding a weak link into an electrical circuit, it protects against short circuit, excessive current, and any other electrical fault. It automatically disconnects the supply and break the weak link as soon as an overload is detected. A fault or overload happens in an electrical circuit when the electron that flows through a conductor is excessive. Going over the allowed safe level of amperage that passes through the wire is dangerous. Additionally, a wire’s insulation can also ground a circuit that can lead to chafing. It is during situations like this that a circuit protection device is vital. Read More
Types
There are two general types of circuit protection devices: fuses and electro-mechanical circuit breakers.
- Fuses are classified into slow-blow, fast-blow, and semiconductors. Each category has its own way of responding to fault currents. Semiconductor and fast-blow fuses are the quickest to respond, while slow-blow fuses are equipped with spring-loaded mechanisms. They can manage temporary current surges that go over the fuse’s current rating. Also, slow-blow fuses have built-in time delay features, so they only disconnect circuits when the excess or overcurrent remains constant in the supply line or when current overload conditions are repeated.
Fuses are equipped with wires that can easily melt. If excessive current gets in through these fuses, their wires get heated up and melt until the circuit breaks. - Electro-mechanical circuit breakers are divided into two primary sub-categories: thermally actuated and magnetically actuated. Thermal devices use mechanical motion in unlatching a pair of contacts. Current-sensitive magnetic devices unlatch contacts through magnetic fields generated by coils. They are ideal for circuit protection.
Thermal-mags devices are those that use both thermal and magnetic technologies in one device. A good example for this would be the circuit breakers used in a typical house.
Category Selection
View Parts from CategoryParts from Circuit Protection Category
DOOR HINGE KIT, CIRCUIT BREAKER; For Use With:Schneider QO/HM Series Circuit Breakers; Accessory Type:Door Hinge Kit; Product Range:- RoHS Compliant: Yes
BOOT SEAL, THERMAL CKT BREAKER, CLEAR; For Use With:AMP W54 Series Thermal Circuit Breakers; Accessory Type:Boot Seal; Product Range:W54 Series RoHS Compliant: Yes
