Circuit Breaker is a protecting device which acts as a switch. It opens and closes the contact of the circuit at the normal as well as when the faulty condition occurs in the system. It automatically disconnects the circuit when an overload current or short circuit takes place
The major difference between the isolator and the circuit breaker is that the isolator disconnects the circuit at offload condition whereas the circuit breaker disconnects the circuit at on load condition. The Difference Between Isolator and Circuit Breaker are explained in the comparison chart by considering the factors like the type of device and its action. The operation of the Isolator and Circuit breaker, their functions and the withstand capability
You can check: difference between ELCB and RCCB
| BASIC | ISOLATOR | CIRCUIT BREAKER |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Type of device | Isolator is an off load device | Circuit Breaker is an On load device. |
| Basic Operation | It is operated manually. | It is operated Automatically. |
| Basic Action of device | It is an Electronic device made by using MOSFET or BJT. | It is a Mechanical device which acts as a switch. |
| Basic Function | Isolator cut out a portion of a substation when a fault occurred. The other devices operate without any interruption. | The Circuit breaker is a device such as ACB or MCB, which trips the entire system if there is any fault. |
| Basic Withstand Capability | They have the low withstand capacity as compared to Circuit Breaker. | They have the high withstand capability at the on load condition. |
- An isolator r is an off load device, whereas Circuit Breaker is an On load device.
- Isolators are operated manually. Circuit Breakers are operated automatically.
- It is an Electronic device made by using MOSFET or BJT. Circuit Breaker is a Mechanical device which acts as a switch.
- Isolator cuts out a portion of a substation when a fault occurred. The other devices operate without any interruption. The Circuit breaker is a device known as an Automatic circuit breaker (ACB) or Miniature circuit breaker (MCB), which trips the entire system if any fault occurs and thus the whole system is affected.
- Isolators have the low withstand capacity as compared to that of Circuit Breaker.
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