In this note, we are going to learn About Air Circuit Breaker or Air Break Circuit Breaker or ACB, Also its Construction, Working Principles, Advantages, and Disadvantages. Welcome to Poly Notes Hub, a leading destination for Polytechnic Notes for diploma engineering notes.
Author Name: Arun Paul.
What is Air Circuit Breaker or ACB?
An Air Circuit Breaker (ACB) is a type of circuit breaker that uses air as a medium to extinguish the arc created when the circuit is disrupted. It protects electrical circuits from overloads, short circuits, and other defects by immediately stopping the power supply when certain circumstances are met. Air circuit breakers are commonly employed in medium to high voltage electrical systems, offering dependable and effective protection for a variety of applications including industrial plants, power distribution networks, and commercial buildings. They are built to withstand high currents and can be operated manually or automatically, depending on the use and design.
Construction of Air Circuit Breaker
Below we shows the Air Break Circuit Breaker Diagram –
- Arc Contact: The purpose of the arc contact is to create and break electrical circuits. The current flow causes an arc to emerge between the contacts when the circuit breaker opens. In order to protect the system from harm, the arc contact must safely put an end to this arc.
- Current Terminals: The circuit breaker’s terminals are where the current passes through it. They are linked to the circuit that requires protection in electricity. Generally, current terminals are constructed from highly conductive materials in order to reduce heat generation and resistance.
- Main Contacts: When the circuit breaker is closed, the main contacts are the principal contacts that are in charge of transporting the typical load current. Their purpose is to manage elevated currents without causing undue heating or arcing.
- Arc Chute: A device called an arc chute is intended to let the arc that forms between the contacts when the circuit breaker opens quickly disappear. It is made up of several parallel plates or fins that work together to produce a magnetic blowout effect. This cools the arc and breaks it up into smaller pieces, which aids in its effective and speedy extinguishment.
- Spring: A vital part that gives the circuit breaker’s mechanism the force it needs to function is the spring. It guarantees that the contacts shut firmly and supplies the energy needed to open the connections in the event that an overcurrent or other problem causes the circuit breaker to trip.
Working Principle of ACB
Below we discuss about the Working Principle of Air Break Circuit Breaker –
Connecting the main contacts of an air circuit breaker (ACB) permits the flow of electrical current. Excess current activates the tripping mechanism in the event of a defect such as an overload or short circuit, opening the main contacts. Current flow causes an arc to form when they separate. The arc chute quickly extinguishes the arc by cooling it down and rerouting it into smaller segments using a magnetic blowout effect. By doing this, the circuit’s problematic area is isolated. Normal operation is restored by the ACB’s reset upon the fault clearing. This procedure ensures system dependability and safety by quickly cutting power during malfunctions, protecting the electrical system from harm.
Advantages of ACB
Below we listed some merits of Air Break Circuit Breakers –
- ACBs can handle high levels of electrical current.
- It can trip and disconnect the circuit rapidly.
- They need minimal maintenance and operate with dependability.
- Numerous ACBs have the ability to operate and monitor status remotely, making it simple to do so from one single spot.
Disadvantages of ACB
Below we listed some demerits of Air Break Circuit Breakers –
- Compared to other kinds of circuit breakers, ACBs are often heavier and bulkier.
- Air is used by ACBs as the medium for arc extinction, which may cause toxins and other pollutants to be released into the environment while the device is in use.
- As a result of the arc extinction process, ACBs may make noise when operating.