Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker – History, Working & Drawbacks

In the early days, less 1910 or the early 20th century, most utilities used a bulk oil circuit breaker (BOCB) for high-voltage switching during that time. Earlier air circuit breakers served the purpose of switching high voltage and very high voltage current. But after the 19th century, engineers realized that mineral oil, or specially treated … Read more

SF6 Gas Properties – Advantages, Disadvantages of SF6 CBs

SF6 Gas Properties Before we begin the actual discussion on the SF6 circuit breaker, we need to recall some basic knowledge about SF6 gas. This is because SF6 gas is the key component of the SF6 circuit breaker. So, we call these circuit breakers SF6 circuit breakers. These belong to gas-insulated circuit breakers. Here, SF6 … Read more

Working Principle of Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Introduction In modern medium-voltage power systems, vacuum circuit breakers play a dominant role in safe and efficient current interruption. Engineers prefer these breakers for their robustness, low maintenance requirements, and high dielectric recovery strength. A vacuum circuit breaker, also known as VCB, uses the unique properties of a vacuum to quench electrical arcs. Unlike SF6 … Read more

Top Interview Questions and Answers on 33KV Circuit Breaker

What type of circuit breaker is generally used for the 36KV class? Ans: The 36KV class circuit breaker is normally an outdoor type Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB). Why is VCB Preferred in 33KV Outdoor Systems Over SF6 Circuit Breakers? Ans: VCBs are more economical for 33KV systems compared to SF6 circuit breakers due to simpler … Read more

Rated Transient Recovery Voltage of a Circuit Breaker

A high voltage circuit breaker plays a crucial role in power systems by protecting electrical equipment from damage due to electrical faults in the system. One of the key challenges in circuit breaker design is dealing with the transient recovery voltage (TRV), a phenomenon that occurs immediately after current interruption. When a fault current gets … Read more

Duty Cycle of a Circuit Breaker

A Circuit breaker is an essential component in electrical power system. It is designed to interrupt fault currents and hence protect equipment from damage. A crucial aspect of their performance is the duty cycle. The duty cycle defines the operational requirements and limitations of the breaker in terms of repeated opening and closing operations. Whenever … Read more

High Voltage Circuit Breaker – Air, Oil, SF6 & Vacuum Types

A High Voltage Circuit Breaker (HVCB) is a crucial component in power transmission and distribution networks. Its primary role is to protect electrical equipment by interrupting fault currents within the system. Beyond safeguarding equipment, HVCBs are vital for maintaining the integrity of the power grid. They isolate faults effectively, ensuring that adjacent systems remain unaffected … Read more