If you want to protect your electrical circuits from overload and short circuits in a safe way at a reasonable price, you might want to buy a circuit breaker.
A circuit breaker is a device that immediately stops the flow of electricity when a fault is found. This keeps your appliances and equipment from getting damaged.
This piece will explain what a circuit breaker is, how it works, what kinds of circuit breakers are available, and how much circuit breaker price in the Philippines.
What is a Circuit Breaker?
A circuit breaker is an electrical switch that can open or stop a circuit automatically or by hand. Its main job is to find and stop the flow of current when it gets too high.
This keeps things from getting too hot, catching on fire, or giving someone an electric shock.
It protects your home’s electrical system by turning off the power if something goes wrong so that it doesn’t affect other lines.
Circuit Breaker Purpose
The main function of a circuit breaker is to protect your electrical circuits from overloading and short circuiting.
It finds problems in the electrical system, such as an uneven flow of current, a high temperature, or a short circuit.
When it sees these problems, it opens the connection and stops the flow of electricity to stop any damage that could happen.
This also keeps your tools and equipment safe and lowers the chance of a fire or an electric shock.
After fixing the problem, all you have to do to turn the power back on is reset the circuit switch on circuit breaker panel.
Types of Circuit Breaker
Circuit breakers come in different sizes, shapes, designs, functions, and uses, so there are many different kinds on the market. Some examples of common circuit breakers are:
1. Single Pole Circuit Breaker
This type of circuit breaker is the easiest and most popular. It has one hot wire and one switch that manage one circuit.
It is most often used to power lights and small tools that need 120 volts.
2. Double Pole Circuit Breaker
This type of circuit breaker has two hot wires and two switches that handle two different circuits.
It is most often used for big machines that need 240 volts of power, like air conditioners, water heaters, dryers, and stoves.
3. GFCI Circuit Breaker
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is what GFCI stands for. This kind of circuit breaker keeps you from getting an electric shock by catching any current that leaks to the ground.
Usually, it is used in places that get wet or damp, like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and outdoor outlets.
4. AFCI Circuit Breaker
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter is what AFCI is short for. This kind of circuit breaker keeps you safe from fire by noticing if the wire is arcing or sparking.
Arcing can happen when there is a loose link, a damaged wire, or a worn-out insulation.
It is most often used in bathrooms and living rooms where there are a lot of electrical devices.
5. Air Circuit Breaker
When the circuit is open, this type of circuit breaker uses air to put out the arc.
It is most often used in high-voltage places like power plants, industrial and substations.
6. Oil Circuit Breaker
When the circuit is broken, this type of circuit breaker uses oil to put out the spark. It’s better at insulating and cooling than air, but it needs more maintenance and is bad for the earth.
Usually, transformers and generators, which use medium voltage, use it.
7. Vacuum Circuit Breaker
When the circuit is broken, this type of circuit breaker uses a vacuum to put out the spark. It doesn’t move and there’s no gas or oil to leak or change.
It is most often used in low-voltage situations, like switchboards and motor control centers.
Circuit Breaker Price List
In the Philippines, the price of circuit breakers depend on things like type, brand, quality, features, and specs.
Here are some examples of the prices of circuit breakers from online places to give you an idea.
| Circuit Breaker Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Himel miniature 6kA type C | ₱265 |
| TOMZN 2P 1000V solar | ₱299 |
| Royu RCB20-60 | ₱299 |
| Delta lightin plugin 15A | ₱305 |
| Mini RCBO Taixi | ₱488 |
| Scheneider Easy9 40A | ₱491 |
| Omni 20A 2 poles | ₱599 |
| Opple ZBLE-63C | ₱700 |
| GE Circuit Breaker Plug In 2 Pole TQL | ₱1,154 – ₱1,433 |
| GE Circuit Breaker Bolt On 2 Pole TQC | ₱994 – ₱1,241 |
| ABB Sace formula moulded | ₱3,220 |
| GE Circuit Breaker TQD 2 Pole Bolt-On | ₱11,600 |
| GE Industrial Circuit Breaker THJK 3 Pole | ₱28,020 |
| GE Circuit Breaker THKMA 3 Pole | ₱40,500 |
Things You Should Know About Circuit Breaker
Before buying a circuit breaker, there are some things you should know and consider:
- What is Circuit breaker plug?: A small device that can identify problems in the circuit and trip to stop damage and shocks.
- Circuit breakers keep the following from happening: Turn off the power to stop fires and electric shocks.
- What are three kinds of circuit breakers? standard, GFCI, and AFCI. Each has a different capacity and can be put in different places.
- What are Breaker voltage: Used for levels between 1,000 and 72,000 volts, indoors and outdoors.
- What to do if a breaker is tripped? Turn on the breaker by moving the switch or handle to the “on” position
- Circuit breakers are used to protect setups and stop too much electricity flow in electrical distribution boards.
A circuit breaker is an essential device that protects your electrical circuits from overload and short circuit. It also protects you from fire and electric shock.
There are different types of circuit breakers available in the market with different features and prices. You should choose wisely based on your needs and budget.
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