Circuit breakers are crucial protection devices in today's electrical world, and one of the most important safety mechanisms in your house. Without them, house-hold electricity would be impractical because of the possibility of fires and damage resulting from simple wiring issues and equipment malfunctions. Simply speaking, a circuit breaker is a mechanical device designed to monitor electrical current within a conductor (wire) for potentially unsafe overloads or short circuits. Circuit breakers monitor the electrical voltage, current and resistance within the circuit and cutting off power to the circuit when current levels get excessive, fluctuate unexpectedly or short circuit - preventing potential disastrous situations.
To help understand circuit breakers, it is important to know how household electricity works. Electricity is defined by three key elements: Voltage, Current and Resistance. Voltage is the "pressure" that makes an electric charge move. Current is the charge's "flow", or the rate that the charge moves through the conductor (wire). The conductor offers resistance to this flow, which varies depending on the type of conductor, its composition and size. Voltage, current and resistance are all interrelated - you can't change one without changing another. Current is equal to voltage divided by resistance (I = v / r). Increasing pressure on an electric charge or decreasing resistance means more charge will flow.
Voltage is the "pressure" that makes an electric charge move. Current is the charge's "flow", or the rate that the charge moves through the conductor (wire). The conductor offers a certain amount of resistance to this flow, which varies depending on the type of conductor, its composition and size. Voltage, current and resistance are all interrelated - you can't change one without changing another. Current is equal to voltage divided by resistance (I = v / r). Increasing pressure on an electric charge or decreasing resistance means more charge will flow.
Residential electricity travels through a utility metering system into a main circuit breaker and is then distributed to two copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al) metal bus bars located inside the panel. When the main breaker is switched on, electricity passes through the main breaker, into these bus bars and is distributed to each branch circuit breaker connected to them. These "branch" breakers then allow for electricity to flow into individual wires running throughout the house connected to wall outlets, lights and various appliances.
When electrical power is delivered to a residence it travels through a utility metering system (electric meter) into a main circuit breaker and is then distributed to two copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al) metal bus bars located inside the panel. When the main breaker is switched on, electricity flows through the main breaker, into these bus bars and is distributed to each branch circuit breaker connected to them. A typical central panel includes about a dozen circuit breaker switches leading to various circuits in the house. One circuit might include all of the outlets in the living room, and another might include all of the downstairs lighting. Larger appliances, such as a central air conditioning system or a refrigerator, are typically on their own circuit.
Every so often circuit breaker companies will go out of business, making it difficult to obtain replacements when a breaker goes out. A number of vendors these days (like Bay Breakers, Lonestar Breaker & Control, Circuit Breaker Service, etc) serve the industry, focusing on surplus new and obsolete circuit breakers. This approach could easily save considerable time and money, as in certain instances, the entire electrical panel would probably otherwise have to be replaced in case the replacement breaker wasn't available.
Beware of Counterfeits
Similar to many markets, circuit breaker clones are floating around out there. The "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act", which was recently enacted, reemphasizes the point that trafficking of phony labels, packaging, or products is a criminal offense. Stiff penalties may apply to all parties in the supply chain, including suppliers and distributors. A circuit breaker that isn't genuine can lead to substantial property damage, injury and perhaps death.
In the circuit breaker industry, it's very common to replace a bad breaker with a reconditioned unit. Don't think of it as cutting corners to save a few bucks. Quality reconditioning is a safe alternative. The process typically includes complete disassembly of the breaker, component-specific cleaning and analysis, potential replacement of worn or faulty components, reassembly, and a final inspection and testing. Theoretically, if the breaker was reconditioned correctly, then yes, it will be just as safe and reliable as new hardware. And the cost savings can be significant for items that are still obtainable new. In the case of manufacturers whose products can no longer be purchased new, like Zinsco, reconditioned units are the only option. Rest assured, it's a perfectly good option.
To help understand circuit breakers, it is important to know how household electricity works. Electricity is defined by three key elements: Voltage, Current and Resistance. Voltage is the "pressure" that makes an electric charge move. Current is the charge's "flow", or the rate that the charge moves through the conductor (wire). The conductor offers resistance to this flow, which varies depending on the type of conductor, its composition and size. Voltage, current and resistance are all interrelated - you can't change one without changing another. Current is equal to voltage divided by resistance (I = v / r). Increasing pressure on an electric charge or decreasing resistance means more charge will flow.
Voltage is the "pressure" that makes an electric charge move. Current is the charge's "flow", or the rate that the charge moves through the conductor (wire). The conductor offers a certain amount of resistance to this flow, which varies depending on the type of conductor, its composition and size. Voltage, current and resistance are all interrelated - you can't change one without changing another. Current is equal to voltage divided by resistance (I = v / r). Increasing pressure on an electric charge or decreasing resistance means more charge will flow.
Residential electricity travels through a utility metering system into a main circuit breaker and is then distributed to two copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al) metal bus bars located inside the panel. When the main breaker is switched on, electricity passes through the main breaker, into these bus bars and is distributed to each branch circuit breaker connected to them. These "branch" breakers then allow for electricity to flow into individual wires running throughout the house connected to wall outlets, lights and various appliances.
When electrical power is delivered to a residence it travels through a utility metering system (electric meter) into a main circuit breaker and is then distributed to two copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al) metal bus bars located inside the panel. When the main breaker is switched on, electricity flows through the main breaker, into these bus bars and is distributed to each branch circuit breaker connected to them. A typical central panel includes about a dozen circuit breaker switches leading to various circuits in the house. One circuit might include all of the outlets in the living room, and another might include all of the downstairs lighting. Larger appliances, such as a central air conditioning system or a refrigerator, are typically on their own circuit.
Every so often circuit breaker companies will go out of business, making it difficult to obtain replacements when a breaker goes out. A number of vendors these days (like Bay Breakers, Lonestar Breaker & Control, Circuit Breaker Service, etc) serve the industry, focusing on surplus new and obsolete circuit breakers. This approach could easily save considerable time and money, as in certain instances, the entire electrical panel would probably otherwise have to be replaced in case the replacement breaker wasn't available.
Beware of Counterfeits
Similar to many markets, circuit breaker clones are floating around out there. The "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act", which was recently enacted, reemphasizes the point that trafficking of phony labels, packaging, or products is a criminal offense. Stiff penalties may apply to all parties in the supply chain, including suppliers and distributors. A circuit breaker that isn't genuine can lead to substantial property damage, injury and perhaps death.
In the circuit breaker industry, it's very common to replace a bad breaker with a reconditioned unit. Don't think of it as cutting corners to save a few bucks. Quality reconditioning is a safe alternative. The process typically includes complete disassembly of the breaker, component-specific cleaning and analysis, potential replacement of worn or faulty components, reassembly, and a final inspection and testing. Theoretically, if the breaker was reconditioned correctly, then yes, it will be just as safe and reliable as new hardware. And the cost savings can be significant for items that are still obtainable new. In the case of manufacturers whose products can no longer be purchased new, like Zinsco, reconditioned units are the only option. Rest assured, it's a perfectly good option.
About the Author:
Visit BreakerConnection.com to get more information about obsolete and hard-to-find electrical hardware like Zinsco Breakers and Obsolete Circuit Breakers.
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