It is impossible to imagine a modern world without electricity. Different devices work in each house, and sometimes people don’t even think about how much power all devices and devices connected to the power supply consume.
Household appliances have entered people's lives so much that when some appliance breaks down, a person begins to get nervous, and some even panic.
Since usually many different appliances work in an apartment or house, the uninterrupted operation of a computer, refrigerator or television and other devices often leads to exceeding permissible norms in electrical networks, and as a result a short circuit occurs.
Purpose of circuit breakers
In order to prevent such a situation, there are automatic switches. The most common and well-established are ABB circuit breakers. Indoors, they usually put a 16 amp machine. Such switches are made in the form of modules, due to which they can be freely mounted in the required quantity and in the right place.
It is best to use special DIN rails designed for mounting switches on them. Any person who is not even too knowledgeable in electrics will be able to carry out the installation of such switches. The only thing you need is to choose the right value for the device used.
Among other things, circuit breakers can be supplemented with various remote shutdown sensors, trip indicators, etc., if necessary, which ultimately makes the use of electrical installations more comfortable and durable.
When suddenly the electricity turns off in a house or apartment, they begin to look for a reason. And it often lies in exceeding the permissible load on the network. In other words, much more electrical appliances are included in the sockets than was calculated during construction, or than allocated to a specific consumer.
So how do you determine what load the machine will withstand at the entrance to a house or apartment, or on a single consumption group? There are a few simple rules, and if you follow them, problems with a power outage should not arise. And it doesn’t matter which machine is used - 16 amperes or 25, etc.
How mistakenly choose machines
In practice, they usually choose a machine, especially without thinking. Many are repelled from the necessary load, namely, they try to put such an automatic machine so that it simply does not turn off when the load is heavy. So, for example, if 5 kW is required, then put the machine on 25A, if there is 3 kW load - the machine is 16 amperes and so on. But this approach is not thought out at all, since it will only lead to equipment breakdown or even worse - to a fire in the electrical wiring or even a fire.
The circuit breaker is also designed to protect against overload. This is a switching device for protection, not a decoration for an electrical panel.
The principle of operation of the circuit breaker
AB (circuit breaker) is designed to protect against overload all devices connected in the electrical circuit immediately after it.
If he is chosen incorrectly, then he will not be able to work properly. So, for example, if you use an electric cable that is designed for 4-5 amperes and run 20-30 over it, then such an automaton will not turn off immediately, but will wait until the insulation is melted and a short circuit occurs. Then it will turn off. But this is not what the proper operation of the circuit breaker should lead to. Therefore, it is important to consider in advance, setting the machine at 16 amperes, how many kW it will withstand in the presence of wires of a certain cross section and maximum working load.
Ideally, it should turn off as soon as it senses an overload. Then the wires will remain in order, and the connected equipment will not burn out.
Choose the machine correctly
How do you understand a 16 amp machine how many kilowatts can withstand in practice?
The most common correct way to select a circuit breaker is as follows:
- determine the cross section of the wire
- according to the rules of the electrical installation, find the current that is permissible for such a section of the wire
- choose a machine suitable for these parameters
For example, there is a copper wire with a cross section of 1.5 square mm. The current for it is permissible to a maximum of 18-19 amperes. Accordingly, according to the rules, you need to choose a suitable machine, but with a shift to a smaller side according to the table. And it turns out 16 amperes. That is, you can put a 16 amp machine.
If the wire is copper, and its cross section is 2.5 square mm, then only a current of up to 26-27 amperes is permissible. Therefore, it is possible to use a machine with 25 amperes as much as possible. Although for reasons of reliability, it is better to install a machine at 20 amperes.
Thus, the parameters of the necessary automaton for the remaining sections of the wires are calculated.
Board for automatic machines for aluminum wires
When using aluminum wires, it is possible to select automatic machines in the same way, only increase the cross section not to a smaller, but to a larger side.
Example: for an aluminum wire with a cross-section of 4 square mm, the allowable current is the same as for a copper wire with a cross-section of 2.5 square mm. And for the same wire, but made of aluminum, - as for 10 mm square. copper. The 6 mm is the same as the 4 mm copper. Further - similarly.
Types of machines
When choosing a circuit breaker, it is very important to study all the characteristics of the device. It is also necessary to carefully calculate the total power of all devices that are supposed to be connected to each group of machines. From these factors will depend not only the speed of the circuit breaker, but also the quality of its work.
Most often, both in everyday life and in production, there are 16A machines. Usually they are installed in electrical panels. Therefore, the question of how much the machine can withstand 16 amperes is always relevant.
Switch Features
Circuit breakers are made of materials that are completely harmless to human health. Self-extinguishing thermoplastic is used in the manufacture of the device body. It is able to withstand very high temperatures. Its contacts are made of copper plates, silver plated for better contact and durability.
In the design of the circuit breaker there is a special thermal relay that trips when the norm of the passing current is exceeded, and the electric circuit opens, not leading to a short circuit. The higher the current indicator, the faster the speed of the machine. The score goes for a split second.
The scope of use of circuit breakers is very extensive and extends from installing them in the input electrical panels to the distribution panels of apartments or houses. For the use of circuit breakers, special switchboards are issued with already installed DIN rails for the required number of machines. The buyer only needs to choose the one that meets his wishes and install a shield in the apartment or in the house.
Despite the apparent simplicity of using circuit breakers, it is better to entrust the connection to a 16 amp automatic machine to a specialist.
According to the rated current, circuit breakers differ both in amperage (rating from 1A to 6300A), and in the load on the circuit (220V, 380 and 400V). In addition, circuit breakers are usually distinguished by the speed of operation.