Ratings of automatic machines for current, types of protective devices

During the creation of an electrical panel or when connecting to a network of devices of rather high power, which load the system heavily, the employee thinks about which circuit breaker is better to use in this case. Such devices protect the network and all the equipment connected to it, for this reason it is impossible to miscalculate with the purchase.

Why do we need machines

Before approaching the solution of the main problem, it is worth understanding the purpose of the machines. These devices are connected to the network so that the wires do not overheat. All wires have a limitation by current strength. If it is exceeded, the cable will heat up, which can lead to melting of the conductor or even a fire. To prevent such an unpleasant situation, machines are used that, if necessary, turn off the power.

And also the circuit breakers are triggered in the event of a short circuit that has already occurred. In the case of a short circuit, the current flowing in the circuit can be hundreds of times more than the permissible, therefore it is very important

disconnect the circuit in time.

In order to protect your wiring, it is important to know how to select the correct ratings for the machines that will be in your house or apartment. This text will be helpful when choosing circuit breakers for your home or apartment.

Types of devices for network protection

There are various types of protective devices that are connected to the network in order to monitor the health of the circuit and, if necessary, de-energize the network. They are as follows:

• Closed (the machines are in a closed frame).
• Air (open).
• Mini models (small sizes).
• RCD.
• Differential (RCDs together with automatic machines).

Small options

Such devices are needed for networks with rather low power. As a rule, it is impossible to additionally adjust the power in them. In this category are devices designed for amperage from four and a half to fifteen amperes. They cannot be used in factories, since the permissible amperage is very small. Usually they are used in home networks

Open protective devices

In case if the chain is quite powerful, then the small model will not work, so you should buy open devices for protection. The current strength for which such a device is designed is already much higher. Usually, three-pole circuit breakers are made, but in recent years, many factories have started producing four-pole devices. They must be fixed in cabinets with special rails.

If the cabinet has a security class from IP 55, then it can be located outdoors, otherwise the cabinet must be fixed only indoors.

Open devices have one very important advantage over small ones. In them, you can adjust the required amperage using special spacers that are attached to the contacts.

Circuit breakers can differ only in width, which depends on the number of poles, their other dimensions are unchanged.

Automatic machines in a closed case

These circuit breakers are made of metal that is very difficult to melt. Therefore, the switches are moisture resistant and can be used in harsh environments. These devices can handle a voltage of 750 volts and a current of two hundred amperes. And they are also divided into different types:

1. Electromagnetic.
2. Thermal.
3. Adjustable.

The choice depends on the purpose of using the circuit breaker.

Electromagnetic protectors are the most accurate and also the fastest to cut off power when needed.

They are used in order to control the operation of various machine tools or other equipment with high power, since they can withstand amperage up to seventy thousand amperes. Automatic machines of all types come with two, three or four poles, for this reason they can be used for all buildings, residential or non-residential.

Residual current devices

Residual current devices or RCDs are designed to protect a person from electric shock. For this reason, they should not be the only protective devices in the circuit, but used in conjunction with circuit breakers. And also there are differential automata, they already have built-in RCDs. If you decide to use everything separately, then it is important to take into account that the RCD must first go, and only then the automatic switch. If you connect it the other way around, then in case of a short circuit, the automatic shutdown device will burn out due to very high power.

In this article, we talked about the use of automatic switches and their types. And also decided on the choice of the ratings of the current circuit breakers. This article will describe the correct choice of current machine ratings.