Operating mechanism of horizon circuit breakers

A Horizon circuit breaker is a type of electrical circuit breaker designed for high-voltage applications, typically used in power distribution systems. The operating mechanism of a Horizon circuit breaker is based on a combination of mechanical and electrical principles. Here's a detailed explanation of its operating mechanism:

Main Components:

1. Moving Contact: The moving contact is the part of the circuit breaker that opens and closes the circuit. It is typically a spring-loaded contact that is connected to a moving arm or a cam.
2. Fixed Contact: The fixed contact is the stationary contact that the moving contact connects to when the circuit is closed.
3. Spring: The spring is used to store energy and provide the necessary force to trip the circuit breaker.
4. Trip Unit: The trip unit is an electrical component that detects overcurrent or overvoltage conditions and sends a signal to the circuit breaker to trip.
5. Operating Mechanism: The operating mechanism is the system that connects the trip unit to the moving contact and allows the circuit breaker to trip.

Operating Mechanism:

The operating mechanism of a Horizon circuit breaker can be divided into three stages:

Stage 1: Normal Operation

• The moving contact is connected to the fixed contact, allowing current to flow through the circuit.
• The spring is compressed, storing energy.
• The trip unit monitors the circuit for overcurrent or overvoltage conditions.

Stage 2: Trip Signal

• If the trip unit detects an overcurrent or overvoltage condition, it sends a signal to the operating mechanism.
• The signal is received by the operating mechanism, which releases the stored energy in the spring.
• The spring expands, moving the moving contact away from the fixed contact and opening the circuit.

Stage 3: Tripping

• As the moving contact opens, the circuit is interrupted, and the current flow is interrupted.
• The circuit breaker remains in the open position until the fault is cleared or the circuit is reset.

Key Features:

• The Horizon circuit breaker features a high-speed operating mechanism, allowing it to trip quickly in response to fault conditions.
• The spring-loaded design provides a high level of reliability and durability.
• The trip unit is designed to detect a wide range of fault conditions, including overcurrent, overvoltage, and ground faults.

In summary, the operating mechanism of a Horizon circuit breaker is based on a combination of mechanical and electrical principles, allowing it to quickly and reliably detect and respond to fault conditions in high-voltage power distribution systems.