Vacation Break for Electrical Machines

Are you overloaded? Have you become a part of the highly stressed modern working environment? You may need a break - a vacation, a change in environment, a change of pace...

Similarly, machines can be overloaded too. Those that were designed for a particular system are often pushed to their limits when new requirements emerge.

Just like the final straw that breaks the camel's back, electrical machines too, can reach their breaking point. If there is no vacation for them, they will burn.

Fuses and circuit breakers are designed to stop the current in a circuit before any damage can occur - create a vacation or a break for them.

A circuit breaker is one of the ways to prevent motors (or other electrical machines) from burning due to overloading. All electrical motors produce heat when running. At the time of a fault, this heat builds up at a much higher rate than it can be dissipated. This can result in damaged equipment, fire or even explosion.

The electrical protective device like the circuit breaker is designed to de-energize the circuit before this heat level becomes dangerous.

There are basically 2 means of activating a break - thermally (heat) or magnetically.

Thermal circuit breakers make use of bimetallic strips that will bend due to the different expansion rates of each of the metals in the strip. The bending of the strip will move a tripping mechanism latch that will then open up the contacts of the circuit breaker.

Because bimetallic strips take time to heat up and bend, this type of tripping device is used for tripping prolonged overloaded situations. The setting for breaking the circuit at a particular overload value can be adjusted.

Magnetic circuit breakers make use of the field strength of magnetic coils to trip a latch that will then open up the contacts of the circuit breaker. This method is used for high current faults, like in a short circuit. This method is designed to trip instantly.

A thermal-magnetic circuit breaker incorporates both a thermal strip and a magnetic coil. This type of circuit breaker is able to protect against momentary overloads as well as high or short circuit current faults.

What happens if the circuit breaker is placed in a high temperature environment? The thermal bimetallic strip bends on high temperature. In this case, the current is not causing the high temperature in the bimetallic strip, but the ambient air is! The current may still be below the safe operating rated value for the motor.

In this case, a compensating bimetallic strip may be incorporated into the circuit breaker to eliminate this type of error. These circuit breakers are often used in hot areas like furnace, oven, and boiler rooms.

Circuit breakers can be reset very quickly, once they have tripped. Can your break or vacation be reset very quickly too? Don't reset. Take a long break!

Until next time...

Are You Stumped by Complicated Electrical Calculations? Learn Electro-Technology Calculations for 1st Class Marine Engineers Competency License Exams at Electro-Technology Questions & Answers e-book. Applicable for all electrical installations both on ships and at shore.

Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities, Construction has given the author material for writing e-books and articles related to engineering, and management. Subscribe to facworld ezine. More information at Marine Engineer and M & E Engineer

---

Interior Design For Babies

Babies, babies, babies-yes the topic of this article is based... Read More

Chairs, Rocking Chairs and Other Comfortable Places To Park It!

A chair is one of the best inventions ever made.... Read More

What to Know Before Signing a Home Improvement Contract

It is important to be a very careful consumer when... Read More

Professional Asphalt Paving Contractors In California

Choosing an asphalt paving contractor can be a major event... Read More

Hiring a Waterproofing Contractor

According to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair... Read More

Unadulterated Truth About Black Mold: What You Don?t Know Is Destroying Your Home And Your Health

With today's new building procedures, our homes are more dangerous... Read More

Building Your Own Home

Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge... Read More

Adjustable Bed - Start Each Day on the Right Note

Your daily beauty sleep will not be complete if any... Read More

The Great American Dream

Are you ready to starting building your dream home. House... Read More

How About a Jungle Mural to Put Some Swing Into Your Child?s Room?

If your child loves all different types of animals, a... Read More

Log Homes - Finding the Perfect Log Home Plan

One of the first steps in building a log home... Read More

Hand Hooked Rugs

Hand hooked rugs are a great way to add splendor... Read More

The Wireless Home

It was only a few years ago that Real Estate... Read More

Heat Up the Hot Tub from 20,000 Feet

Homeowners are getting high-tech when it comes to controlling the... Read More

Installing Vinyl Replacement Sliding Glass Doors

Last week I told you how to remove your old... Read More

Laminate Flooring Basics

Laminate flooring resembles the look of hardwoods but offers easier... Read More

Maintaining Your Hot Tub

Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one... Read More

Color Help: Color Theory and Design Psychology

Color theory is an entire science unto itself, and to... Read More

Rodent Proofing Your Home

It's that time of year where rats and mice are... Read More

The Importance of Bedroom Design in a Home Decoration Project.

A home is a place where we live, spend most... Read More

Trading in Corporate Office for Home Office

Six years ago, I had not yet turned on a... Read More

What Does It Take To Be An Interior Designer?

When trying to decide if Interior Design is right for... Read More

Remodeling Your Kitchen Cabinets

While remodeling your kitchen, install only the essential cabinets, so... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Garage Conversions - What Value Do They Add?

Most conversion works to an existing structure is often more... Read More

Beautiful, Elegant Bathtubs that Spruce Up any Bathroom

Bathtubs have become an important necessity of our daily life... Read More

Replacing Steel Casement Windows (Part 2)

Last week, I explained how to remove your old steel... Read More

Which Water Purification Systems Are Best? - A Comparison of the Three Most Common Technologies

Fresh water is essential to our health and comfort. Not... Read More

Outdoor Ceiling Fans Complement the House

Fans extending from the ceiling have been around for centuries... Read More

Hardwood Floors - 7 Tips For Selecting Perfect Flooring

DESIGN STYLESWith thousands of colors and styles to select from... Read More

Electrical Savings System; Save up to 40% on Your Electric Bill Every Month

Once a month there's an electric bill coming in the... Read More

Wall Oven - A Necessity For The Disabled

Wall ovens, available in electric and gas forms, are best... Read More

Lakeside Patios ? The Water Makes Decisions For You

If you are putting in a new patio on a... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Loft Conversions in UK Properties - Do They Add Value?

We get a great many requests to view the potential... Read More