Circuit Breakers and Switches

Schneider Electric is the first choice for all of your circuit breaker and equipment needs. We have the largest selection of circuit breakers in the industry, from the latest NSXm moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB) upto the legendary high current Masterpact air circuit breaker (ACB) range. Our products deliver the reliability and performance that you and your customers deserve and expect.

A circuit breaker is a safety mechanism that interrupts failures or aberrant current. It is a switching device that disrupts the flow of large magnitude (fault) current while serving as a switch. The circuit breaker is primarily intended to close or open an electrical circuit, therefore protecting the electrical system from damages. An electric breaker is a device that may be controlled both automatically and manually to protect and manage an electrical power supply.

Working Principle of Circuit Breaker

Circuit breakers consist of two essential contacts they are moving contacts and fixed contacts. When the circuit is closed, the contacts make contact with each other and carry the current. Current-carrying contacts in a closed-circuit breaker are known as electrodes that engage each other due to the pressure of a spring.

How Circuit Breakers Work?

Applying pressure to the trigger opens the circuit breaker. When a defective current flows through any portion of the system, the trip coil of the breaker becomes electrified, causing them to move away from each other and so open the circuit; This is how a principle of a circuit breaker.

What is a Circuit Breaker?

Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB):

ComPact molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) protect cables sized for 100A to 3200A. Their highest breaking capacities allow them to protect also smaller cables when connected close to a powerful energy source. As one pillar of digitally connected power distributions (EcoStruxure Power), ComPact breaker takes part in energy consumption and asset management optimization. Benefit from 65 years of technological leadership, and rely on proven quality, opted for even in the most demanding environments.

Schneider Electric's Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) devices are a type of circuit breaker widely used in industrial applications and provide unique and tailored solutions based on varied load requirements. This breaker is often used as an electrical safety device that is frequently employed when the load current exceeds the limit of an electric breaker. The MCCB protects against short circuit failures and may also be used to switch circuits. It may be used for greater current ratings as well as fault level detection.

Switch Disconnectors

Switch disconnectors combine the properties of a breaker and a load switch. These are used to break up load current to their normal current and provide safety to any low-voltage circuit. The benefits of switch disconnectors are low-maintenance, durable, cost-efficient and ease of installation. Additionally, fuses are electric breaker devices used for protecting an electric circuit from excessive current flow. They are automatic, high-performance, require minimum operation time, and offer maximum protection.

Earth Leakage Protection

Our expert professionals at Schneider Electric UK offer a broad range of residual current relays that effectively monitor earth leakages and offer optimum soil leakage protection. We have carefully designed multiple residual current devices to help you safeguard your electrical networks from hazardous fires and electric shocks that may be a result of mismanaged current flow. Our Earth leakage circuit breaker detects minor stray voltages on electrical equipment's metal casings and cuts the circuit if a harmful voltage is detected. In this capacity, Earth leakage devices serve acts as a circuit breaker. Vigirex is our exclusive and comprehensive range of indication devices and earth leakage protection that will ensure the safety of all your electrical equipment.

Motor circuit breakers and switches

A circuit breaker prevents wires and motors from any damage by reducing the current flow in a circuit when the power running through an electric circuit exceeds its standard or specified limitations. Compact NS80H MA is our exclusively designed circuit breaker device for motor protection rated up to 37kW. In contrast, a switch acts as an isolator by controlling the power of a particular device. At Schneider Electric, explore our range of motor circuit breakers that can be used in industries, buildings, and infrastructure. This compact and adaptable range includes LK3, a kit of disconnector switches from 32A upto 1250 A 3 pole and 4 poles. And our Compact NS80H MA circuit breaker, designed for motor protection needs from 0.37 kW to 37 kW.

Circuit breakers open the circuit when the electric current level reaches an unsafe level. Unlike fuses, another type of safety equipment, circuit breakers, can be used multiple times.

A basic breaker is made from a simple switch linked to either a bimetallic strip or an electromagnet. When the switch is turned on, electricity flows from the bottom terminal to the electromagnet. Then the current travels up to moving contact, across to the stationary contact, and out to the upper terminal.

The electromagnet is magnetized by electricity. A rise in current increases the magnetic force of the electromagnet while lowering current decreases magnetism. When the current becomes dangerously high, the electromagnet is powerful enough to draw down a metal lever linked to the switch linkage. To break the circuit, the entire linkage shifts, tilting the moving contact away from the stationary contact. When this happens, the electricity shuts off.

Electric breakers are critical in any setting since it helps in preventing any damage to the electrical equipment as well as help prevent any accidents.