CIRCUIT BREAKERS - How They Work & Different Types

Some of the most important components of any electrical system are its circuit breakers, so let's talk about them, how they work and the different styles.

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Circuit breakers are safety devices that stop the flow of electricity when it’s specifically rated parameters are passed. These can come in a few forms, the first is an Overcurrent Protection Device or OCPD, which you can read all about in Article 240 of the NEC. These circuit breakers do exactly what they say they do, use various methods to prevent a branch circuit from receiving too much current or amperage. Another is fuses. Fuses usually come in the form of a tube with a metal filament inside that breaks when too much current travels through it, opening the circuit. Unlike breakers, fuses no longer function after the first short and must be replaced.
Thermomagnetic circuit breakers work with two elements, these are the most common breakers and the type we use most in homes and small businesses. The first element is a bi-metal strip. When too much current passes through this bi-metal strip, it heats up causing the strip to warp and change shape, releasing the spring inside of the breaker, opening the circuit to stop the flow of electricity. This slow build up of heat is caused by an Overload, which happens when the circuit is demanding more current than the breaker is rated for. The amount of time it takes for this breaker to trip is directly related to how much amperage it receives. This mechanism is what classifies this as an Inverse-time breaker. The more amperage they receive the quicker they trip, but if the overload is minimal, say two or three amps, it will take much more time to trip than if the breaker experienced a short.
The second element of thermomagnetic breakers is the magnetic! When a short occurs in a circuit, an intense amount of electricity is released in the form of light and heat. This huge flow of electricity creates a magnetic field that instantaneously separates the magnetic strips inside the breaker, causing it to release the internal spring that trips the lever and opens the circuit. This type of tripping classifies these breakers as Instantaneous. Because of how many amps these short circuits can generate, most standard residential circuit breakers are rated to withstand 10,000 amps before completely blowing up and melting.
Some breakers come with extra components that allow for more versatile control, like the Shunt-Trip breaker, which communicates with other important systems like security and fire suppression. These systems tell the breaker when to trip without triggering either of the thermomagnetic elements, and is essential for some of the emergencies that can happen in restaurants and factories etc. Another type is Electronic or “smart” breakers, which are designed to fit into a panel that is connected to a computer system so it can be controlled remotely...

Stay safe out there, Love from the ATX

[jonanderson]

I'm a Older Electrician I'm the type that learns/comprehends by physically hands on . And though I have the understanding of this doing this 30 years. Your doing a Excellent job with these videos some of us can pick up a book and get nothing out of we need the hands on visual aids for it to stick in are Melons .. Nice Job 😊

[calisthenicsforlife]

All the free knowledge you are laying out is so helpful you have no idea!!

[tidurphious]

Hats off to your channel man. I have been unfortunate to be stuck working under an unqualified journeyman at my work site. These videos have truly been a blessing as most of my questions would have never been answered have I not come across your channel. Keep pumping these videos. I’ll be sure to keep viewing 🤙🏽

[raymond]

Priceless amount of information and the illustration and breakdowns of each items are just phenomenal.

[JenniferCosgrove]

Thank you so much! I've been going insane trying to figure out the difference between magnetic and thermal breakers - you are the ONLY source who has been able to break this down for me in a way that makes sense. Now I totally get it. I really can't thank you enough!!!!

[Sparky-wwre]

While on the subject of types of circuit breakers, one type which may be worth an honorable mention is an obsolete type known as a delta circuit breaker. This is a three phase breaker that was designed to snap across the two bus bars in a single phase panel, and had an extra lug to accept the high leg conductor on the line side, often smaller than the A and B service conductors such as a 6 or 8 awg copper and usually ran directly from the meter enclosure. This oddball breaker was typically used when there was one three phase load on the service and was prohibited by the 1978 NEC. You may find these in homes built in the mid 20th century that once had a three phase central air conditioner, because many 4 and 5 ton units in the 1950s and 60s were 240 volts 3 phase, they were more reliable and more efficient than single phase models at the time and many of these installations were in the southern US in the more upscale neighborhoods.

[jaw]

Love your channel man. I appreciate all the info. Really helps with small repairs here and there.

[ryanfelton]

Having issues with a desktop cnc trippn my 220 so the past 2 weeks has been learning on how power works. 3rd video of yours and you give the most info in the easiest way to comprehend. Big thanks man.

[jman]

Dustin!! Your videos have gotten way better recently, even though they were already great! Someone stepped their game up, I see you..

[DynaDev]

So crazy we were just talking about breakers today in my WECA class and this video should of been played! I sent the link to everyone in my class! Love the vids man can’t tell you how much they have helped me out in my adventure to becoming a journeyman electrician!

[jrg]

Shunt trips are also used in clubs or loud places where people are gathered from what I read about. This shuts down the equipment so that an alarm can be heard if an emergency occurs. I guess it’s fire code, haven’t looked into it that far yet.

[ahmedm]

You are too smart of a master electrician to be ignored ! So consider it subscribed!! Thank you for sharing your expertise..

[JoseLopez-lmbf]

I've been trying to learn a little bit about circuit breakers I looked into a lot of different channels and you are the 1st person that explained that blamed it the way that I understood thank you
you earn my subscription

[zjeepgozweeln]

The replacement breakers from Connecticut Electric for most of the brands they carry are a Chinese import branded "UBI" and the ones I've seen are ETL listed not UL(which UL is a little more stringent as I understand). I've had couple of their Zinsco replacement breakers fail and the switching action didn't feel as nice as the originals. I don't know if they've gotten any better, but I've gone back to NOS or used/tested. YMMV.

Anyway... I recommend to ALWAYS inspect the buss bar and breaker contacts for corrosion on old panels. Breaker problems can start there with a poor connection. When these panels are hitting the 40-50+ year mark, I'd say they've done their job and maybe it's time to bite the bullet and upgrade to a modern load center that is up to modern code.

[flyinthevasoline]

Dustin you're my new favorite person to watch on youtube I watch you at the end of the day and it really is great content keep it up man I appreciate it

[FSAUDIOGUY]

Just did a job in a really old church. Sub panel said it was from 1968. I was trying to find a 20 amp Quicklag Type C Breaker to add a circuit. No such luck, had to do a work around. I will check the (Breaker Type) FIRST...next time! Learn something new almost every day!

[pkrysinski]

Awesome explanation! I also love the "fire pacific" panel in the background.

[paullucchesi]

I love your channel, I’ve watched all you videos and I want to be an electrician because of it. Thanks for all the knowledge you’ve given us through your videos

[bulamoves]

We had a breaker that kept tripping everyday when we run our room ac units. Roommate had a very old ac and as soon as he got a new one, we had no problems with the breaker tripping. Now i understand why, thermal trip!!!

[richardbedard]

You got to the nitty gritty, and I actually understood what you were saying. My former job involved troubleshooting and repairing automotive wiring issues. Like some car owner adding extra loads to a wire found under the dash. This would cause the fuse and the wiring to melt. Or the guy that has a short on his 8 amp circuit and installs a 20 amp fuse!