It is important to use a breaker that has a high enough breaking capacity to interrupt the maximum possible current and voltage in a system because an unchecked surge in electrical energy can do damage to electronics or to a building. Circuit breakers.
What do you mean by breaking capacity of a circuit breaker?
Breaking capacity or interrupting rating is the current that a fuse, circuit breaker, or other electrical apparatus is able to interrupt without being destroyed or causing an electric arc with unacceptable duration.
What happens if you use too big of a breaker?
1. They simple install the bigger breaker without upgrading the wiring to match. That will cause the wiring in the wall or conduit to overheat. As the equipment tries to draw the needed amperage, the wires overheat, resistance increases, then voltage drops to the machine.
What is making capacity and breaking capacity of circuit breaker?
The making capacity is expressed as a peak value as the dc offset during fault conditions is taken into account. Breaking capacity of the circuit breaker refers to the maximum current in rms value the circuit breaker can interrupt. This is also in the order of kA.
Why making capacity of circuit breaker is more than breaking capacity?
The making capacity of the circuit breaker is usually greater than the breaking capacity of a circuit breaker as breaking an electric circuit is difficult due to arcing which occurs and which has to be quenched.
Can I replace a 20 amp circuit breaker with a 30 amp?
The answer is, “No, do not put a 30 Amp breaker in place of a 20 Amp breaker because the wiring is most likely’sized’ for the 20 Amp load and -may- overheat if a 30 Amp load is used with wiring sized for a 20 Amp load.”
Can I replace a 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker?
If your wiring is of the correct gauge, you can change a 15-Amp circuit breaker to a 20-Amp breaker. A 15-Amp circuit uses a 14-gauge wire. A 20-Amp circuit breaker uses a 12-gauge wire. If the copper wire is 12 AWG, you can replace the 15A breaker with a 20A breaker.
What is the difference between breaking capacity and making capacity?
Breaking Capacity is the level of current the circuit breaker can interrupt without damaging itself electrically or structurally. Making Capacity is the level of current at which the circuit breaker can be closed without any damage to itself electrically or structurally.
Why making current is 2.5 times the breaking current?
As the rated short circuit making current of circuit breaker is expressed in maximum peak value, it is always more than rated short circuit breaking current of circuit breaker. The normal value of short circuit making current is 2.5 times more than short circuit breaking current.
