AC Vs DC Circuit Breaker

Electricity works as a major element for the functioning of many articles. For the same, certain inputs are required to perform the tasks. There are different kinds of circuit breakers, such as VCB breaker could be classified by draw out breaker, high voltage vacuum circuit breaker, indoor vacuum circuit breaker, withdrawable circuit breaker, medium voltage vacuum breaker, and more. Ac and dc circuit breakers are also one of them. Ac and dc circuit breakers carry immense importance to them. It is likely impossible to imagine electricity-based tasks without the involvement of these components. Ac circuit breakers stand for alternating current, and dc circuit breakers are based on direct current. They have their own important roles to play. This blog will explore ac breaker vs dc breaker. To get the best of ac and dc circuit, Liyond can be visited.

What Is a DC Circuit Breaker and How Does It Work?

Image of circuit breaker
Source:pixabay

DC means direct current, therefore, dc circuit breakers deal with direct current. These breakers can be used to protect various amounts of loads in response to direct current. They have a crucial role in protecting battery banks, solar PV arrays, inverters, and more. DC circuit breakers use the principle of magnetic and thermal protections to function. When the dc circuit breaker gets overload current, the thermal protection mode is enabled to protect it. Similarly, when there is a  high fault current situation, the magnetic protection system acts as a protective barrier to defend the circuit. DC circuit breakers have a unidirectional flow to them. They flow in a constant direction. If the direction is changed in any way, it can cause immense damage to the circuit breaker and the system. The damage would not be the only concern, because safety hazards would also be issued during this instance. They are industrial circuit breakers. They can powerfully work like hv circuit breaker.

 

The dc circuit breaker can be used to close the flow or to trip the power in circuits. The reliable element of dc is that it can even be used when the ac circuit systems have failed. Therefore, they can provide reliability, less failure, and less maintenance worry.

What is an AC Circuit Breaker and How Does It Work?

ICCB
Source:elecspare

AC circuit breakers stand for alternating current. AC circuits are more common than DC circuit breakers. AC circuit breakers will not have a steady rate of voltage to them. The electrons would be relaxed, therefore, they have the capacity to move back and forth. When excessive current is detected, the circuit disconnects itself from the main power source to protect the wiring system from overheating.

 

AC current can be ideal for providing power to the transmission of power in a long-distance, or to power high motor drives. While dc breakers are commonly used in industrial sections, AC circuit breakers can be found in residential units as well. AC carries the importance of being easy to extinguish the arc at a crossing point. This takes place because AC has a zero-crossing point in each cycle. 

 

This extinguishing arc structure is based on the grid type. In another case like a vacuum circuit breaker, the arc quenching action will take place in the vacuum medium. 

 

AC circuit breakers have an important role to play, especially in residential areas. They can be frequently found in residential units. Therefore, they can work as indoor circuit breakers. DC breakers are not used in residential areas much.

Can We Use AC Circuit Breaker For DC Circuit And Vice Versa?

Image of circuit breaker
Source:pinterest

The short answer would be no. Dc vs ac breaker is such a mechanism that serves different roles in the respective cases. Even if one can work in place of the other in some way, it is best not to use that method for safety precautions. Both are altered and designed in a way to work for specific mechanisms. The constant and heavy current that dc circuit breakers deal with is not easy for ac circuit breakers. 

 

Dc circuit breakers deal with a one-directional constant flow of current. Ac current can deal with inconsistency in its current. DC cannot deal with zero crossing, which AC can. Both ac dc circuit breakers are designed for separate functions. 

 

Moreover, the arc in dc is stronger than the arc created in ac. This happens because of the constant and strong flow of current directed in dc circuits. Using them in place of each other can be a factor of danger for the system, and the employees working near them. The number of main contacts between these two is also different. There are two mina contacts for DC and three for AC. However, there are certain breakers that are manufactured in such a way that they work for both ac and dc circuits.

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Conclusion

Voltage breakers have a crucial role to play. Medium voltage circuit breakers can include SF6 and vacuum medium voltage circuit breaker types. They can operate on both manual and electrical levels. However, the voltage should be given consideration in order to get a manual operation to work. Vacuum circuit breakers are one of the most popular mv vacuum circuit breakers in comparison to the other types. There are also air circuit breakers, oil circuit breakers, and gas circuit breaker/SF6 circuit breakers. Therefore, medium voltage circuit breaker types are important as well. For further information, Liyond can be visited.

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