A device for making and breaking a circuit. Operated by hand or automatically. Can be used to isolate part of a circuits. More accurate protection compared to semi-enclosed or fully-enclosed fuse.
Things to consider when choosing a circuit breaker:
- the normal current it will have to carry
- the amount of current it will have to interrupt
Protection
Earth leakage current
Can be used to detect electrical faults to earth in electrical. There are 2 types of circuit breakers to detect electrical faults to earth.
- Voltage operated protection - Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker
- Current operated protection - Residual Current Circuit Breaker or Residual Current Device
The earth leakage protection device is called as trip switch.