Free Expert Guides on Power Systems, Circuit Design & Electrical Troubleshooting

What is a Residual Current Circuit Breaker?RCCB DefinitionA Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) is defined as a safety device that detects and interrupts a circuit when there is a leakage current to the ground.Working PrincipleAn RCCB operates based on Kirchhoff’s current law, which states that the total current entering a node equals the total current leaving it. In a normal circuit, the currents in the live and neutral wires are balanced. If there is a fault, like damaged insulation or con

Medium Voltage Switchgear DefinitionMedium voltage switchgear ranges from 3 KV to 36 KV and is used to manage and protect electrical systems.Types of MV SwitchgearIncludes metal enclosed indoor and outdoor switchgear, and outdoor switchgear without metal enclosures.Short Circuit Current InterruptionThe main focus of circuit breaker design is to that all circuit breakers should be capable of interrupting short circuit current with a high degree of reliability and safety. The number of faulty trip

What is Electrical Switchgear Protection?Switchgear DefinitionA switchgear is defined as all the switching devices used in power system protection. It includes devices for control, metering, and regulating electrical power systems. When assembled logically, these devices form switchgear. In simpler terms, switchgear refers to systems that switch, control, and protect electrical power circuits and equipment.Switchgear and ProtectionWe all know about low voltage switches and re-wirable fuses at ho

What is High Voltage Switchgear?High Voltage Switchgear DefinitionHigh voltage switchgear is defined as equipment that manages voltages above 36KV to ensure safe and efficient power distribution.Main ComponentsHigh voltage circuit breakers, such as air blast, oil, SF6, and vacuum circuit breakers, are essential for interrupting high voltage currents.Essential Features of High Voltage Circuit BreakerThe essential features to be provided in high voltage circuit breaker, to ensure safe and reliable

What is Low Voltage Switchgear?Low Voltage Switchgear DefinitionLow voltage switchgear is defined as electrical switchgear rated up to 1kV, including protective devices like circuit breakers and fuses.Components of LV SwitchgearLV switchgear includes devices such as circuit breakers, isolators, and earth leakage circuit breakers to protect the system.Incomer FunctionThe incomer feeds incoming electrical power to the incomer bus. The switchgear used in the incomer should have a main switching dev

What is an Electrical Isolation Switch?Isolator DefinitionAn isolator in electrical systems is a manually operated mechanical switch that separates a part of the circuit for safe maintenance.A circuit breaker trips the circuit, but its open contacts are not visible from the outside. Therefore, it is unsafe to touch an electrical circuit by just switching off the breaker. For better safety, we need a way to visibly confirm that the circuit is open before touching it. An isolator is a mechanical s

What is a Mixed Media Circuit Breaker?Mixed media circuit breaker definitionMixed-medium circuit breaker is a high-voltage circuit breaker that uses a variety of media (usually a combination of gas and solid materials) as insulation and arc extinguishing media. This type of circuit breaker is designed to combine the advantages of different media to improve the performance, reliability and environmental protection of the circuit breaker.Working principleThe operating principle of mixed media circ

What is an Air Switch?Air circuit breaker definitionAir circuit breaker is a kind of high voltage circuit breaker which uses air as arc extinguishing medium. Compared with other types of high-voltage circuit breakers such as SF6 circuit breakers and vacuum circuit breakers, air circuit breakers are usually suitable for lower voltage levels of power systems.Constituent structure Auxiliary contact Alarm contact Shunt release Undervoltage release Electric operating mechanism Turning handle Extensio

What is SF6 Circuit Breaker?SF6 Circuit breaker definitionSF6 circuit breaker is a high-voltage circuit breaker using SF6 gas as insulation and arc extinguishing medium. SF6 gas has excellent insulation performance and arc extinguishing ability, which makes SF6 circuit breaker become one of the widely used circuit breakers in high voltage power system.Working principleThe working principle of SF6 circuit breakers is based on the insulation characteristics and arc extinguishing ability of SF6 gas

What is a Vacuum Circuit Breaker?Vacuum circuit breaker definitionVacuum circuit breaker is a kind of high voltage switchgear which uses the arc extinguishing characteristic in vacuum environment to disconnect and connect the high voltage circuit. Compared with traditional circuit breakers such as oil circuit breakers, vacuum circuit breakers have higher reliability and longer service life.ComponentAirtight insulation system: made of glass or ceramic airtight insulation shell, moving end cover p