Circuit Breakers
What is Circuit Breaker?
Electricity utilize by your home is run through and controlled by a circuit breaker. A circuit breaker is a crucial part of your electric system for safety. Circuit breaker allows the current to follow in normal conditions and shouts of the current in abnormal situations.
A circuit breaker is the primary paramount protection in the breaker box of your electrical wiring, appliances protection and protects you and your loved one from any electric shock hazards. So, it is imperative to use a suitable circuit breaker according to electrical safety codes.
How many different types of circuit breakers?
Circuit breakers are automatic switching devices or fuses installed in your electric panel as an automated means of interrupting power from a faulty system that protects yours home electrical wiring installations and appliances. There are three types of working principles of circuit breakers:
Standard Breakers
Standard circuit breakers function on thermal principle. A circuit breaker consists of many different parts, but its primary tripping mechanism consists of a bimetallic strip. This bimetallic strip gets heat up if the appliances draw more current than its rating; overheating causes a thermal expansion in the metallic strip in the circuit breaker, which triggers the breaker into the off position.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCIs)
Ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI breaker consists of a magnetic metallic strip and a complex electronic system. The electronic system consists of many components, but its principal function is to measure the difference between current flowing from the breaker and returning to the breaker. Suppose a circuit or electrical appliances have current leakage to the ground. In that case, the GFCI electronic system calculates the difference, sends a signal to the tripping coil, and cuts off the faulty circuits from the electric supply.
Arc Fault Circuit interrupter (AFCIs)
The manufacturing of arc fault circuit interrupter or AFCI is like GFCI breaker, but AFCI the working principle is different from GFCI. AFCI complex electronic system measures the variation in the frequency of the current. An Arc current generates a different frequency than its regular frequency, So AFCI detects the difference and sends a signal to the breaker tripping coil. As a result, the circuit breaker eliminates the potential fire hazards during the electric arc.
Repairing a Circuit Breaker
Circuit breakers are the main component in the electrical panel. After a while, the metallic strip sometimes loses some of its expansion properties. Sometimes with a lightning stroke can cause a problem is an electronic system used in circuit breaker. If the breaker does not inspect periodically, it can lead to jeopardizing your home safety.
You might think changing a circuit breaker is not a tuff job but working on the electrical panel without the expertise and proper licensing can be very dangerous, and you may risk electric shock.
The professionals at Bright Electric trained qualified licensed electricians who provide you the same-day repairs for your electrical emergencies. Bright Electric offers reliable circuit breaker installation with the highest possible industry standards.
When searching for a reliable electrician, call us at (405) 212-6252. We specialize in electrical repairs, indoor and outdoor lighting installations, panel upgrades, and even hot tub wiring!
