Circuit Breaker

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.