A circuit breaker trips due to an issue in the circuit such as overloading, sparking, overheating and a fault with an electrical appliance.
A circuit breaker breaks the power supply to an electrical appliance when it senses a rise in the electrical charge to potentially unsafe levels. They increase the safety since a safety switch installed on the switchboard might fail. A circuit breaker can cut off the power supply within 0.03 seconds when the current rises to unusual levels.
Ideally, each electrical appliance has its circuit breaker installed in the circuit. It is highly advisable to install a separate breaker for each appliance. Heavy electrical appliances such as an air conditioner should have a circuit breaker to avoid damage due to sudden high current.Circuit breakers have electromagnets installed in them. The alternating current (AC) supplied from the mainboard passes through them to reach the electrical appliance. Electricity voltage ranges from 220- 240v in Australia and most electrical appliances can resist voltage up to 240v or even more. Voltage higher than 240v triggers the electromagnet to forcefully shut when passed through it, leading to disrupted electricity supply. The idea is to automatically break down the electricity flow when the high electrical current passes through the circuit breaker. Once the breaker flips, the user can turn it on like a regular switch to resume the power supply. In the case of another high voltage supply, the circuit breaker will automatically cut off the power.
A circuit breaker protects the site from electrical damage in the following ways:
It monitors the electric current running in the electrical circuit. The moment circuit experiences a high electricity load, it will trip down automatically, keeping electrical appliance safe from damage through high power. The disrupted power flow also protects wires from overheating that can lead to potential fire hazards.
Circuit breakers protect circuit by giving a warning. A regularly tripping circuit breaker indicates the excessive load on the circuit, which is perhaps due to several appliances drawing power from the same wires causing an overload. A homeowner must ensure reducing the burden on a circuit if the breaker is tripping too frequently.
Fuses are replaceable with a circuit breaker since a fuse is meant for a single-use. Circuit breakers can be reset if tripped, while fuses have a strand of wire that breaks down to cut off the power supply. Circuit breakers are economical due to their reusability features.
Circuit breakers prevent loose connections or malfunctioning appliances from drawing power as they have the potential to start a fire. Moreover, a regular power switch incapable of handling high power can cause fire hazards.Someone has to personally switch it off/on to cut off or resume the power supply. A mains switch is the first electric device through which the power is distributed to the entire house.
Mains switch, also called a safety switch, provides a convenient way to turn off electricity before starting any electrical work in the house. It is mandatory to be installed in every household according to Australian laws.
Circuit breakers are found at several places in the home (usually on a circuit breaker panel) installed in the sub-circuit. There can be multiple circuit breakers tripping automatically to shut down the power. Users need to flip it on manually to resume the power supply. They trip due to issue in the circuit including overloading, sparking, overheating and fault with the wire and or electrical appliance. A circuit breaker is meant to prevent fire hazards, unlike a mains switch. Users need to turn it off manually when replacing or adding an appliance in a sub-circuit without the need to turn off the mains switch.
The prices of a circuit breaker ranges from $50 to $300 where the type of breaker, ampere capacity, and the number of circuits play a vital role in deciding the final price. A 15- 30 Amp circuit breaker will cost $120, while 200+ Amp breakers will cost $300+. A skilled electrician will take an hour for installation and charge between $60 to $220 per hour excluding service charges. Several types of circuit breakers are sold in the market.
These are the cheapest in the market, ranging from between $20 to $100.
Higher capacity circuit breakers cost between $50 to $350.
The prices of a vacuum circuit breaker totally depend on the amp and voltage ratings. Still, expect to pay $100+ for a single piece.
Prices highly fluctuate due to varying amp and voltage ratings. These are high capacity circuit breakers capable of handling voltage levels from 400v to 16kV. Prices start from $350 and reach up to more than $1,000. Electricians will take around one hour to install 1 or 2 circuit breakers, including minor rewiring work. The expected cost to replace a switchboard is $400 to $2,500 (excluding the electrician's fee).
It is a legal requirement in Australia for a licensed electrician to install circuit breakers. The reason is that circuit breaker installation requires handling naked wires that pose a massive danger of electrocution. An unauthorised person installing a circuit breaker by themselves will face problems.
Circuit breaker and or mains switch installation is not a DIY job and must be handled by a qualified electrician. Not all electricians might be qualified for this job, so ensure checking their license before proceeding.Carrying out the installation process will void insurance. Always hire a licensed electrician.