Advantages of air circuit breaker (ACB)
The air circuit breaker (ACB) has many advantages for electrical systems. Before describing these benefits let’s define what an air circuit breaker is.
The air circuit breaker is a special type of protection device that immediately opens the circuit as soon as it detects an excessive current. It is used in all types of plants for primary and secondary distribution. It must have a structure that can withstand the high electrodynamics to accept the overload and short circuit current. It can operate manually and automatically.
Now it is time to give you the advantages of the device.
Table of Contents
Advantages of air circuit breaker (ACB)
The pros of an air circuit breaker are listed below.
It has a wide current range
Air circuit breakers are produced from 630A up to 6300A. There are lots of models that give flexibility to the users.
There are a lot of brand options
There are lots of different ACB brands in the market. You can use any of them according to the project specifications.
Temperature performance is excellent
An air circuit breaker must not exceed its operating temperature limits under normal current-conducting. Generally, ACB can be used in very low and high temperatures. These temperature and derating limits should be checked from the manufacturer’s catalogs.
Its technology is developing
Air circuit technology is developing day by day. Each manufacturer launches advanced products almost every year. They improve the performance of the device by adding extra protection and communication functions.
It has a long lifespan
You can use an ACB for years without changing. The lifetime varies from brand to brand but the electrical lifetime of a good ACB is around 10000 break/make operations.
It reacts quickly
The air circuit breaker opens very quickly as soon as it detects a short circuit. In milliseconds, it reacts and protects the system.
It has advanced trip units
Each air circuit breaker is equipped with a trip unit which actuates the circuit breaker release mechanism and allows opening based on the current flowing through it. There are two types of trip units used in low voltage circuit breakers. Thermomagnetic and electronic trip unit. The new generation of protection trip units is fitted with the latest advances in electronics, offering individual bespoke solutions for control and protection.
Communication capabilities are advanced
The communication capability of the air circuit breaker enables it to open up new possibilities in power distribution. It can provide and transmit all-important operational information. This increases system transparency and shortens the response times to states such as overcurrent, phase asymmetry, and overvoltage.
Wide accessory mounting is possible
The air circuit breaker has various electrical and mechanical accessories. Accessories increase the functionality of the breaker. Shunt trips, undervoltage releases, mechanical interlocks, spring charge motors, auxiliary contacts, terminal shrouds, and extension busbars are examples of ACB accessories.
Fixed and withdrawable versions are available
You can use fixed or withdrawable options according to the requirements of the projects. The fixed version of the ACB is smaller in size. Fixed ACB is used in installations that can tolerate service interruptions in the event of faults or maintenance. The withdrawable ACB is used in applications that can only tolerate short interruptions or maintenance.
It can be fitted with various combinations
Horizontal, vertical, rear, and front-connected terminal connections can be done easily. The availability of various types of terminals makes it possible to build wall-mounted switchgear, or switchgear to be accessed from behind with rear connections. For special installation needs, the circuit-breakers can be fitted with various combinations of top and bottom terminals.
It has high breaking capacities
High interruption ratings with current limiting performance and low current let-through to reduce damaging energy to downstream equipment at high fault levels.
It has advanced protection functions
Some ACBs are donated with different protection functions such as ground fault, over and under-voltage/frequency, and unbalance.
Maintenance is easy
Due to its open-type construction, maintenance of an ACB is easy. But it should be done by a professional.
