Classification of circuit breaker

Circuit breakers are classified based on their operating mechanism, application, and characteristics. Here are some common classifications of circuit breakers:

  1. Operating Mechanism:
    • Thermal-magnetic breakers: These breakers use a combination of thermal and magnetic elements to detect overcurrent and trip the circuit.
    • Thermal breakers: These breakers use a thermal element to detect overcurrent and trip the circuit.
    • Magnetic breakers: These breakers use a magnetic element to detect overcurrent and trip the circuit.
    • Electronic breakers: These breakers use electronic sensors and control circuits to detect overcurrent and trip the circuit.
  2. Application:
    • Residential breakers: These breakers are designed for use in residential electrical systems and are typically rated for 15-20 amps.
    • Commercial breakers: These breakers are designed for use in commercial electrical systems and are typically rated for 30-60 amps.
    • Industrial breakers: These breakers are designed for use in industrial electrical systems and are typically rated for 100-200 amps or more.
    • Marine breakers: These breakers are designed for use in marine electrical systems and are typically rated for 30-100 amps.
  3. Characteristics:
    • Low-voltage breakers: These breakers are designed for use in low-voltage electrical systems (e.g., 120/240V) and are typically rated for 15-60 amps.
    • High-voltage breakers: These breakers are designed for use in high-voltage electrical systems (e.g., 600V) and are typically rated for 100-200 amps or more.
    • Molded-case breakers: These breakers are designed for use in indoor applications and are typically rated for 15-60 amps.
    • Air-break breakers: These breakers are designed for use in outdoor applications and are typically rated for 100-200 amps or more.
  4. Type:
    • Plug-in breakers: These breakers are designed for use in plug-in applications and are typically rated for 15-60 amps.
    • Hard-wired breakers: These breakers are designed for use in hard-wired applications and are typically rated for 100-200 amps or more.
    • Arc-fault breakers: These breakers are designed to detect and interrupt arc faults in electrical circuits.
    • Ground-fault breakers: These breakers are designed to detect and interrupt ground faults in electrical circuits.
  5. Certification:
    • UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified breakers: These breakers meet the safety standards set by UL.
    • CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified breakers: These breakers meet the safety standards set by CSA.
    • IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) certified breakers: These breakers meet the safety standards set by IEC.

These are some of the common classifications of circuit breakers. The specific classification of a breaker will depend on its design, application, and intended use.