Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are vital to any industrial or commercial electrical system. A circuit breaker and its types act as a stopgap whenever things go wrong in a building’s wiring, shutting down power when current flow is too high. Without this safety equipment in place, electrical systems run the risk of reduced functionality or damage due to excessive current.
Circuit breakers can do more than just building installations. Depending on the type and rating, they can also be used with mining and military equipment, as well as commercial or industrial applications.
There is no official classification for circuit breakers, but they can fall into several categories, based on characteristics such as their operating mechanism type, installation location and medium of installation. However, the simplest sorting criteria is the level of voltage. Circuit breakers can be low, medium or high-voltage breakers.
High-voltage circuit breakers usually manage and protect industrial electrical power systems. Although high-voltage types don’t have a set definition, these circuit breakers are usually optimized for 72.5 kilo-Volts (kV) or higher.
Medium-voltage circuit breakers, which fall between 1 and 72 kV, have primarily industrial and commercial applications. The most common type of circuit breaker in commercial, industrial and domestic settings are low-voltage circuit breakers, which are less than 1 kV.
General Electric Molded Case Circuit Breakers
If you’re searching for the right low-voltage circuit breaker to fit your electrical needs, look no further than General Electric’s molded case circuit breakers. General Electric (GE) has been a leader in the commercial and industrial energy distribution field, since the company’s founding in 1892.
The innovative designs and exceptional performance of GE breakers have earned them the confidence of consumers and continue to push them ahead of other electrical manufacturing companies. GE circuit breakers set the industry standard for circuit breaker technology.
One of GE’s most notable electrical safety equipment is their molded case circuit breaker (MCCB). MCCB protects electrical structures by combining a current-sensitive electromagnetic device with one that is sensitive to temperature. Applications with currents that exceed the operating capabilities of miniature circuit breakers (MCB) instead use MCCB breakers.
General Electric Spectra RMS Series
Products in GE’s molded case circuit breaker Spectra RMS series perform exceptionally when compared to circuit breakers from other brands. This series features some of the most advanced trip sensing technology on the market. Spectra RMS circuit breakers are designed to last and offer years of overcurrent protection and overloaded circuit prevention.
The Spectra series breakers respond instantaneously to current fluctuations, irregularities or overloading. All frame types have adjustable, instantaneous, short and long-time trip serviceability, as well as tracking features.
They have a digital, solid-state RMS system for true RMS sensing, meaning Spectra models can provide accurate responses to high currents generated by processes, such as welding or powering discharge-type lighting fixtures without tripping.
Spectra RMS circuit breakers are multifaceted devices and very easy to accessorize. These breakers offer a wide-range of features and are compatible with accessories, such as stunt trips, bells alarms and auxiliary breaker switches, reducing the need to stock multiple types of accessories.
Furthermore, using Spectra RMS models decreases in-field installation time, labor and overall costs. Circuit breakers in the GE breaker Spectra series have special designs that allow for quick installation, without disassembling the breaker.
GE Circuit Breakers: E-frame Models
E-frame Spectra RMS breakers include models, such as the SELA36AT0150. E-frames like SED and SEL types are made for use with rating plugs up to 150A. The SELA150 model has a 600 VAC voltage rating and an interrupt current rating of 25 kilo-Amps (kA).
This frame type has front-mounted interchangeable rating plugs and has uses in reverse feed application. F-frame models also have front-mounted plugs. The design of SE150 types limit current and system stress as well, while protecting electrical equipment.
GE Circuit Breakers: F-Frame Models
F-frame models in GE’s Spectra series include the SFLA36AT0250 and SFHA36AT0250. Both types have three-pole molded cases with an electronic solid state trip. Both models have a short circuit interrupt capacity of 25 kA at 480 VAC.
However, the SFLA model has a greater voltage rating of 65kA at 480VAC while SFHA model is 35kA at 480VAC. In addition to superior performance, GE Spectra RMS circuit breakers can include accessories. E and F-frames come outfitted with snap-in lug capabilities for swifter lug installation.
GE Circuit Breakers: G-Frame Models
G-frame models like the SGLA36T0400 and the SGHA36T0400 are also three-poled molded case types with digital solid-state rating plugs. Like the SFLA and SFHA models, the primary difference between SGLA400 and SGHA400 types is their interrupting current rating.
The SGLA model offers 65kA at 480 VAC, and the SGHA type has a rating of 35kA at 480 VAC. Of the three mentioned Spectra RMS frame types, G-frame models have the largest dimensions.