What is a circuit breaker?

Circuit breakers are electrical safety devices designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by an overcurrent or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow to protect equipment and to prevent the risk of fire.

Circuit breakers can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation.

Circuit breakers are made in varying sizes, from small devices that protect low-current circuits or individual household appliances, to large switchgear designed to protect high voltage circuits feeding an entire city.

How many types of circuit breakers are there?

MCB, MCCB, RCD, RCCB, and RCBO are all circuit breakers.

The appliances are designed to perform specific functions, It is their particular functionality that makes them different.

Application of different types of circuit breakers

Common in domestic, commercial and industrial low voltage applications less than 1,000 VAC, and include:

MCB, RCDs, and RCCBs : Used for smaller electronic circuits with smaller current ranges, low as 125 amps.

MCCBs: Used for larger circuits with larger current ranges and variances, up to 1600 amps.