Oil circuit breakers (OCBs) are high-voltage circuit breakers whose contacts are immersed in transformer oil, and are widely used in high-voltage electricity transmission/distribution systems. All circuit breakers, regardless of type, are overcurrent protection devices, designed to disconnect a circuit/load in the event of a persistent overload current (caused by too heavy a load) or a short-circuit fault current.
There are various designs of OCB but what they all have in common is that they use a jet of oil to extinguish the high-temperature arc created between the circuit-breaker's contacts as they part in the event of a fault. In most cases, the jet of oil is caused by the expanding gas released as the arc is formed, which then forces a jet of oil between the contacts. To accurately direct the oil jet between the contacts, various devices, such as 'turbulator pots' are used.
The operation of these circuit breakers is usually by a spring-press mechanism, although some use other methods may also be used.
OCBs have a relatively small 'footprint' (i.e. the amount of space they occupy) because the insulating properties of the oil allow components at different potentials to be much closer together than they would be in, say, air. Operation of high-voltage circuit breakers is initiated by protection relays which are usually located inside the substation building.
Standard residenetila and some smaller industrial type breaker don;t use any oil in them,,,they use a silicon grease as a lubricant and contact protectant.
circuit breakers ...fuses
A circuit breaker is a safety device that is put in an electrical circuit. When something fails, or shorts out, the circuit breaker "senses" the excessive current and automatically opens (or breaks) the circuit. They are used in homes, as well as some electrical devices. They are different than a fuse in that a circuit breaker can be reset. A fuse on the other hand, has to be replaced once it opens up. I hope this helps you. for more info, here is a web page about circuit breakers: <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-circuit-breaker.htm">Ciruit breakers</a>
For 220v circuits
Air has less quenching effects when a breaker breaks on load or on a fault. Air circuit breakers are not suggested for very high rating current and high voltage application. It is ok for Low voltage application. Oil is cumbersome to use and maintain. But Hv or EHV application oil is used for breaker quenching application. These days SF6 or vacuum circuit breakers are more popular for HV, EHV application.
The purpose of the SEC's circuit breakers rule is to:
Circuit breakers do not have circuit diagrams. The breakers have an input where the distribution voltage is applied and an output where the load is applied. If you want to know what is inside a breaker, the electrical terminology to use is "shop drawings" of the specific breaker that you need information on.
Square D circuit breakers can be purchased from various homeware and DIY stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. Websites that specialise in circuit breakers such as Circuit Breaker Service or All Breakers do sell them as well.
No. A relay is an electric switch and a circuit breaker is an overcurrent device.
Most automotive circuit breakers reset themselves after they cool off. Some bigger trucks use circuit breakers that are reset manually. They have a button you push in to reset the breaker after it has cooled off.
For a home owner, yes they are.
For a home owner, yes they are.