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Medium-voltage circuit breakers are critical to maintaining electrical safety and reliability. One circuit breaker that is commonly used is the SF6 circuit breaker. But what makes an SF6 circuit breaker special?
SF6 circuit breakers employ sulfur hexafluloride gas to quench the electric arc when the circuit breaker is opened. This gas is very good at quenching electricity flow and safeguarding the electrical system. The SF6 gas remains inside the circuit breaker and is released only when it must interrupt the flow of electricity.
A Study of the Vacuum-Insulated Circuit Breaker
A second type of medium-voltage circuit breaker uses vacuum as the interrupting medium. These breakers utilize a vacuum to quench the arc when opening the circuit. Vacuum-insulated circuit breakers are quite durable over time, and they are as widely used at intermediate voltage levels as at higher one.
Oil-Filled Circuit Breakers Explained
For medium-voltage (up to 52 kV for which there are very few solutions in this category) oil-insulated or gas-insulated types are used. These breakers employ oil to extinguish the arc when the circuit is opened. They are not as frequently employed as SF6 or vacuum-insulated air circuit breaker, however they play well and serve certain applications.
SF6 vs. Vacuum vs. Oil shifters
When considering the 3 types of breakers that are SF6, vacuum, and oil-insulated, they are what’s best for reliability, efficiency, and how much they hate maintenance. SF6 circuit breakers are highly reliable and very efficient, but they do require regular maintenance and service to work effectively. Vacuum-insulated circuit breakers are also dependable and efficient but require less maintenance. Oil-insulated mini circuit breaker are also clean, reliable, but require more attention.
What is the Purpose of the Circuit Breaker?
Medium-voltage circuit breakers are designed to help protect against damage or injury from electrical system hazards by stopping the electricity flow if a problem is detected. If a problem is detected, the circuit breaker opens to cut off the electricity, which safeguards the system. SF6 circuit breaker breaker apply a gas, vacuum-insulated circuit breakers use a vacuum, and oil-insulated circuit breakers apply an oil, to halt the flow of power.