WHAT IS CIRCUIT

BREAKER?
Electrical Circuit breakers are the circuit
current interrupting mechanism which
opens or closes as per the operator
command or any fault. Circuit breaker
types are classified according to many
different criteria such as;
Applicable Voltage
Location where it is installed
External design characteristic
An overload occurs when equipment is
subjected to current above its rated capacity
and excessive heat is produced.
Arc chute - a set of insulating barriers on a
circuit breaker arranged to confine the arc
and prevent it from causing damage
Terminal – a point of connecting for closing
an electric circuit.
Arc runner – a longer arc path for the arc to
traverse.
A bimetallic strip separate contacts in
response to smaller, long-terms overcurrent.
Fixed and moving contacts are two parts of
the circuit breaker. Under regular conditions
a mechanical pressure on moving
contacts links the fixed and
moving contacts together.
Actuator lever –used to manually trip and
reset the circuit breaker. Also indicate the
status of the circuit breaker (on or off tripped)
 TYPE OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER
 MCB (Miniature circuit breaker):
These current ratings are less than 100A with only
one over current protection in built within it. The trip
settings are not adjustable in MCB.
 MCCB (Moulded case circuit breakers):
These current ratings are higher at 1000A. This has
earth fault protection in addition to over current
protection. The trip settings of the breaker can vary
easily.
Single pole circuit breaker:
It has one hot wire and one neutral wire
operated at 120V. on fault it interrupts only
one hot wire.
Double pole circuit breaker:
In case of 220 V there are two hot wires, so two
poles are needed to interrupt the two hot
wires on fault. Double pole circuit breaker is
used in this case to interrupt the two hot
wires.
Solid-state circuit breakers, also known
as Digital circuit breakers are a technological
innovation which promises advance circuit
breaker technology out of the mechanical
level, into the electrical. This promises several
advantages, such as cutting the circuit in
fractions of microseconds, better monitoring
of circuit loads and longer lifetimes.
Magnetic circuit breakers use
a solenoid (electromagnet) whose pulling
force increases with the current. Certain
designs utilize electromagnetic forces in
addition to those of the solenoid. The circuit
breaker contacts are held closed by a latch.
As the current in the solenoid increases
beyond the rating of the circuit breaker, the
solenoid's pull releases the latch, which lets
the contacts open by spring action.
Thermal magnetic circuit breakers, which
are the type found in most distribution
boards, incorporate both techniques with the
electromagnet responding instantaneously to
large surges in current (short circuits) With
very large over-currents during a short-
circuit, the magnetic element trips the circuit
breaker with no intentional additional delay.
Three-pole common trip breakers are
typically used to supply three-phase
electric power to large motors or further
distribution boards.
GFI or GFCI circuit breaker (Ground fault
interrupter):
These are safety switches which trips on
ground fault current. In brief this breaker
interrupts the electrical circuit when a
variance is detected between phase and
neutral wires.
Arc Fault circuit interrupter (AFCI):
It interrupts the circuit during excessive arc
conditions and prevents fire. Under normal
arcing condition this will idle and does not
interrupt the circuit.
A GFCI or Residual Current Device (RCD) is a
type of circuit breaker which shuts off electric
power when it senses an imbalance between
the outgoing and incoming current.
CIRCUIT BREAKER TYPE – Can be built in or
added to the circuit panel in buildings. Unlike
normal breaker panel, a GFCI breaker panel
is normally larger and has its own test and
reset buttons to protect against ground fault.
GFCI breaker is has a full protection against
ground faults.
1. If most of the electrical outlets require
ground fault protection.
2. If you want to ensure that all of the
receptacles in the circuit are fully protected.
3. For special uses, like heated pools, large
workshops, or large outdoors patio spaces.
A GFCI RECEPTACLES is easily recognizable,
simply its has test and reset button on the face
of the outlet. Any electrical device that is
plugged in will be protected in the case of
ground fault.
1. There are only few outlets that require
ground fault protection.
2. the outlets are too far away from the
breaker panel.
Electrical conductor - are substances or
materials used to convey or allow the flow of
electric current.

Insulators – are substances or materials that

resist the flow of electric current.
1. silver 6. zinc
2.copper 7. platinum
3.aluminum 8. iron
4.nickel 9. lead
5.brass 10. tin
1. rubber 7. latex
2. porcelain 8. asbestos
3. varnish 9. paper
4. slate 10. oil
5. glass 11. wax
6. mica 12. thermoplastic
WIRES – are those electrical conductors 8 mm
squared ( AWG No. 8) and smaller in sizes.
Cables – are those which are larger than the
wires .

WIRES AND CABLES ARE EITHER;

1. Stranded wire
2. Solid wire
Stranded wire – consist of a group of wire
twisted to form a metallic string. The circular
mil area of stranded wire is found by
multiplying the circular mil area of each strand
by the total number of strand.

Mil – the word mil that is equal to 1/1000 of an

inch was used to describe or measure a round
wire diameter.
Chord – is the term given to an insulated
stranded wire.
Description Operating temp. Size range Usage

TW oil resistant 600 1.60 mm – 500 mm2 Ordinary building

thermoplastic solid and stranded wire

THW -oil, heat & 750 1.6 mm – 500 mm0 Building wire and
moisture resistant solid and stranded dry location
thermoplastic

TF thermoplastic 600 0.60 mm – 0.33 mm2 FIXTURE WIRE

fixture wire solid and stranded single conductor
2 conductor twisted
or parallel 3-
conductor twisted
Descriptio Operating Size range Usage
n temp.
Copper line #12 – 1000 Polyethylen
wire MCM solid e insulated
and weather
stranded resistant
wire
Aluminum 750 12 – 400 Polyethylen
line wire AAC e insulated
weather
resistant
wire
High 1050 #18 - #8 Appliance
temperature machine
wire tool, motor
lead and
switchboard
wires.
Armored (BX) 600 1.50 mm .30 mm2 General
cable solid and stranded purpose
2-3 & 4 conductors
TV antenna No. 24 – no. 20 300 ohms TV
wire wire
Automotive 1050 #18 - #2 Primary
wire wire spark
plug and
battery
cable
Appliance #22 - #12 Heating
or elect. equipment
Stove heater dry location
cord
Jacketed 22/3 Extension
wire conductors cord
telephone
equipment
Welding 60 #6 - #4/0 Arc
cable welding
machinexc
Control 600 #22 - #8 For control
cables multi- circuit,
conductor aerial ducts
and direct
burial
Royal chord 60 0 #22 - #4 Portable
2,3&4 cords
conductors
Submersibl 600 #14 - #1 For
e pump 2&3 submersibl
cable conductors e pumps of
round deep water
connection wells
MAGNETIC 2000 #14 -#30 For seal
WIRE single and hermetic
MW 200 heavy motor class
14
insulation
Trade Type Operating Applicatio
name letter temp. n
provision
Moisture KHW 750 Dry and
and heat wet
resistant location
rubber
Thermoplast T 600 Dry location
ic moisture
resistant TW 600 Dry and wet
thermoplasti locaion
c
Thermoplasti THHN 900 Dry location
c heat
resistant THW Dry and wet
Moisture and 750 location
heat resistant
thermoplastic
Moisture and THWN 750 Dry and wet
heat resistant location
thermoplastic
Moisture and XHHW 900 Dry location
heat
resistant
cross linked
thermosettin
g
Polyethylene 750 Wet location

silicon SA 900 Dry location

asbestos
Dry location
Asbestos & AVA 1100
varnish
cambric
 Armored Cable (AC) is a fabricated assembly of
insulated conductors enclosed in flexible metal
sheath. Armored cable is used both on exposed and
concealed work.
 Metal clad cable (MC) is factory assembled cable
of one or more conductors each individual
insulated and enclosed in a metallic sheath of
interlocking tape of a smooth or corrugated tube.
This type of cable is especially used for service
feeder, branch circuit, and for indoor or outdoor
work.
 Mineral insulated cable (MI) is a factory
assembly of one or more conductors insulated
with a highly compressed refractory mineral
insulation enclosed in a liquid and gas tight
continuous copper sheath. This type of cable is
used in dry, wet or continuously moist location as
service feeder or branch circuit.
 Non-metallic sheathed cable (NM) is also a
factory assembly of two or more insulated
conductors having a moisture resistant, flame
retardant, and non-metallic material sheath. This
type is used specifically for one or two family
dwellings not exceeding 3 storey buildings.
Shielded non-metallic sheathed cable (SNM)
this type of cable is a factory assembly of two
or more insulated conductors in an extruded
core of moisture resistant and flame retardant
material covered within an overlapping spiral
metal tape. This type is used in hazardous
locations and in cable trays or in raceways.
Under ground feeder and branch circuit
cable (UF) is a moisture resistant cable used
for underground connections including direct
burial in the ground as feeder or branch
circuit.
Service entrance cable is of the types SE and
USE. A single or multi-conductors assembly
provided with or without an over all covering
primarily used for service wire.
Power and control tray cable (TC) this is a
factory assembled two or more insulated
conductors with or without associated bare or
covered grounding under a metallic sheath.
This is used for installation in cable trays,
raceways, or where it is supported by
messenger wire.
Flat cable assemblies (FC) is an assembly of
parallel conductors formed integrally with an
insulating materials web designed specially for
field installation in metal surface or raceways.
Flat conductors cable (FCC) consists of three
or more flat copper conductor place edge to
edge separated and enclosed within an
insulating assembly. This type of cable is used
for general purposes such as; appliance branch
circuit, and for individual branch circuit,
specially in hard smooth continuous floor
surfaces and the like.
 AMPACITY OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS
ampacity is defined as the ability of the wire or
conductor to carry current without overheating.
Conductor resistance to current flow, generate not
only heat but also contribute to the voltage drop
expressed in the flowing equation:
Voltage drop = circuit current X resistance of
wire
Power loss in wire = Circuit current X voltage
drop
P=Ix(IxR)
P = I2 R
Power loss is equal to the components
resistance times the current squared. This loss
being converted into heat, must be
dissipated.
Conductors ampacity is determined by the
maximum operating temperature that its
insulation can withstand continuously without
heating.
 Table 2.5 ALLOWABLE AMPACITIES OF INSULATED
COPPER CONDUCTORS NOT MORE THAN 3 WIRES
IN RACEWAYS
SIZE TEMPERATURE RATING OF CONDUCTOR

600 C 750 C 900 C 1100 C

(1490 F) (1670 F) (1940 F) (2300 F)

Mm2 AWG Type Types Types Type

MCM T RHW SA AVA
TW THW RHH
THWN THH
XHHW XHHW
Mm2 AWG 600 750 900 1100
/MC
M
3.5 12 20 20 30 35
5.5 10 30 30 40 45
8.0 8 40 45 50 60
13.3 6 55 65 70 80
Mm2 AWG/ 600 750 900 1100
MCM
21.2 4 70 85 90 105
33.6 2 95 115 120 135
42.4 1 110 130 140 160
53.5 0 (1/0) 125 150 155 190
67.4 00 145 175 185 215
(2/0)
Mm2 AWG/ 600 750 900 1100
MCM
85.0 000 165 200 210 245
(3/0)
107 0000 195 230 235 275
(4/0)
Table 2.6 CURRENT CARRYNG CAPACITY DERATING FACTOR

Number of Derating factor

conductors in a
raceways
4 to 6 0.80
7 to 24 0.70
25 to 42 0.60
43 and above 0.50
 Table 2.7 TYPICAL AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

Location Temperature Minimum rating

required
conductor
insulation
Well ventilated 300 C See not below
normally heated
building
Building with such 400 750
major heat sources
as power stations
or industrial
processes
Poorly ventilated 45
spaces such as
attics
Furnaces and Min. 400 C 750 C
boiler room Max. 600 C 900 C

Outdoor in shade 400 C 750 C

in air thermal 450 C 750 C
insulation direct 600 C 1100 C
solar exposure
place above
Note : 60 degree Celsius up to no. 8 AWG
copper wire and 75 degree Celsius for bigger
than no. 8.
DERATING OF CONDUCTORS AMPACITY-
means that, the full amount of allowable
ampacity, is reduced to a certain percentage
due to the environmental condition it is
exposed of and the number of wire placed
inside the conduit.
SERIES CIRCUIT – has only one path for
electricity to flow from one point to another.
PARALLEL CIRCUIT – has a multiple paths for
the electricity to flow from one point to
another . OR all component are connected
between the same set of electrically common
points.
SERIES PARALLEL OR PARALLEL SERIES
CIRCUIT – A combination circuit, or
properties of both series and parallel circuits
that combined to form a specialized series
parallel/ parallel series circuit.
3way and 4way SWITCHES
3way switch – an electric switch having
three terminal used to control a circuit
from two different location.
4way switch – an electrical switch used in
house wiring so that a light may be turned
on or off a three or more location.