What Are The Top Brands of Circuit Breakers

How to Choose the Right Circuit Breaker

Circuit breakers are a very important part of electrical safety. They control the amount of electricity that flows through a building’s electrical wiring system. If your home suffers an electric overload or a short circuit, a properly functioning circuit breaker will detect the issue and cut off the electrical supply. This will protect your wiring and appliances until you take care of the problem and restart the electricity. However, in order for a circuit breaker to do its job properly, you have to match the right circuit breaker with your exact needs. Read the following simple explanations and you’ll be ready to choose the appropriate circuit breaker for your home.

Capacities of Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are available in 3 different voltage capacities. Each is made to accommodate a specific amount of electricity.

Low-voltage thermal magnetic circuit breakers are best suited for most single-family homes. They allow for electrical currents that measure only up to 1000 amps.

Medium voltage circuit breakers are used in larger buildings, such as apartment complexes and businesses, that use up to 72,000 volts on a regular basis

High-voltage circuit breakers are used alongside power lines and in other places that use more than 72,000 volts regularly.

Selecting the right circuit breaker for your application

Most designers have a pretty good idea of what a circuit breaker is and what it does; if you need a refresher, here’s a quick definition:

A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. It detects a fault condition and interrupts current flow

Specifying the right breaker early in the design process can lead to a more robust design, avoid redesigns, decrease development costs, and add value to the end product. Seems pretty simple, right? But selecting the best circuit breaker for your application is a multi-step process. The basic functional parameters—voltage, current, and number of poles—are just the beginning. To refine your selection, you then have to consider mechanical and environmental factors, regulatory and safety issues, size and cost constraints, and more

Circuit Breakers 101

Let’s begin with a review of key circuit breaker parameters. A number of technology options are available to accomplish the circuit breaker function, each with slightly different performance characteristics. Table 1 gives an overview of five; depending on your precise requirements, several types may be suitable for your application. Circuit breakers using different technologies will exhibit subtly different performance characteristics under overload conditions. Figure 1 shows these variations. The horizontal axis (current) shows multiples of the continuous current rating for the breaker; the vertical axis (time) shows how long it will take the circuit breaker to trip at the given current. The widths of the curves indicate typical tolerances. It’s recommended that you consult a data sheet for more information.

Derating Factors

The specifications of a circuit breaker are only valid under the conditions quoted in the data sheet; a frequency of 60 Hz in an open-air environment at 40ºC ambient, for example. If the real-world conditions differ from those under which the specifications were derived, derating factors must be applied

Typical temperature-derating table

Similarly, operation at higher or lower frequencies than specified may also require modification of the specification. On the one hand, eddy currents and iron losses at the higher frequency cause greater heating within the thermal-trip components, requiring the breaker to be derated. At the low end, even DC operation can cause issues with extinguishing the arc that occurs when the contacts are separated in high-current applications.

Selecting the Right Circuit Breaker

A circuit breaker, to most design engineers, is thought of as a low-cost commodity component that usually doesn’t get much attention when designing a new piece of equipment or system. In fact, on many occasions I have heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter; I just need a circuit breaker.” Yet a circuit breaker is an extremely important system component, and should not be handled in such a cavalier fashion. They are used to protect valuable equipment or devices from damage or more importantly they are used to prevent a life-threatening system disaster such as fire. It is important to take the time and make sure that the circuit breaker you are selecting is not only the right type for your application but it is also of high quality.

Today, there are many circuit breaker choices to fit virtually any industrial DIN rail application. However, even with so many choices available, selecting the proper circuit breaker can be an easy task

DIN rail circuit breakers are available in different package configurations ranging from a high-density space-saving size of 13mm per pole to 26mm per pole for a high-current type. Over the last few years, the price of a high quality circuit breaker has dropped below $10.00 per pole. This transition has allowed many more DIN rail mount circuit breakers to be used in place of fuses and fuse holders. In addition to being a cost savings, the circuit breaker is much more convenient; when a fuse blows, it has to be replaced by a new one; when a circuit breaker trips, it simply has to be reset.

Supplementary Protection

Supplementary circuit breakers, often referred to as UL1077 circuit breakers, are protectors that are typically used to provide protection to a device. Usually a branch UL489 circuit breaker is already installed up stream of the supplementary circuit breakers to protect the circuit wiring. Most supplementary circuit breakers are available in one, two and three poles with the option of short (B), medium (C) and long (D) trip curves. They typically can handle a minimum rating of 1A and a maximum amp rating of 63A. For convenience and ease of use the circuit breakers selected should have a reliable wire connection and have an on/off indicator to minimize troubleshooting time.

DC Protection

The DC circuit breakers are used in applications to provide protection where direct current or DC voltage is used. DC circuit breakers are available in both UL1077 and UL489 versions. Generally the DC circuit breakers are available in one or two poles with the short (B) or medium (C) trip curves. They are available with current ratings ranging from 1 to 63 Amps

Circuit Breaker Selection Tips

Circuit breakers are used in the following:

In power plants and substations, they protect the main equipment from overloading, short circuit and thus, partial or total damage which costs very much.

In branch circuits, they protect mainly the cables from overloading and breakdown also they protect the load from overloading in some cases.

They protect you from leakage current in case of earth leakage circuit breakers. As in case you touched a live wire, the breaker senses the leakage current though your body to ground and then disconnects the circuit.

There are many types of CBs, here are some of them:

Miniature Circuit Breaker: for low power applications and low short circuit level.

Molded Case Circuit Breaker: can bear higher power up to 630 A and also can reach 100 kA as short circuit level.

Air Circuit Breakers: used in many application in low voltage systems and is called Air as the insulating medium is Air.

Vacuum Circuit Breaker: can bear higher voltages than the Air as it implements vacuum as the insulating medium and is used in medium voltage systems.

Oil Circuit Breaker: used in medium and high voltage as oil is very robust insulating medium and has good capabilities in arc quenching.

SF6 Circuit Breaker: the most common type and used in medium and high voltage due to the high dielectric strength of SF6, thermal stability and thermal conductivity.

As we briefly showed the common types of circuit breakers and where they are being used, now we will discuss how to select a circuit breaker on the scope of medium and low voltage. But to properly do such a thing you need to be aware of some aspects which are shown below.

Load Classification:

1. Dynamic Load: the unique aspect regarding this type is the electro-magnetic field to operate. So obviously we are talking about motors and transformers which draw higher current than rated at starting.

2. Static Load: normally it draws the rated current when operating at full power and never draws more than it. It’s mainly the resistive load, such as heaters.

How to Determine Amperage of Circuit Breaker

Each circuit breaker has a specific rated amperage, or amount of current. When that amperage is exceeded, the circuit breaker shuts down the flow of current in that circuit to prevent damage to the wiring and appliances. Learn how to calculate the actual amperage of devices on the circuit and compare it to the rated amperage, so you can avoid unnecessary power interruptions and fire hazards.

Examine the electric panel. Each circuit breaker should have its amperage marked on the handle. This is the maximum amperage that the circuit can take before the circuit breaker trips.

Multiply the amperage by 0.8. For everyday use, it’s a good idea to expose the breaker to a maximum of 80% of the rated amperage. It’s fine to exceed this for short periods of time, but continuous current above this amount could cause enough heat to trip the breaker

Understand double-pole breakers. Some high-voltage devices may be wired to a double-pole circuit breaker — two standard circuit breakers sharing a handle. Do not add together the amperage of the two breakers. Both circuits will be tripped simultaneously by the amperage displayed on one circuit breaker handle

Compare this to the current on the circuit. Now you know how much amperage your wiring and circuit breaker can handle. To find out whether your circuit exceeds this amperage, continue to the next method.

Enriching Your Snakes Life

Ways to Keep Snakes Away from Your Home and Yard

Snakes are fearsome and frightening creatures. They’re so frightening, that science claims that Ophidiophobia – or the fear of snakes – is one of the most common phobias around. While one might think they’re safe from snakes because they live in urban areas, there are still some instances of snake sightings in Indonesia. Some have even recorded incidents of large snakes slithering inside housing units or coming out from the toilet bowls!

Keep the rodents away

Rats are one of the major food sources for snakes, so make sure you don’t have any in your home garden. Thanks to the snake’s hinged jaws, they are natural predators of mice, rats and other kinds of rodents. Snakes use their tongue to “sniff” out and track prey, so catching the scent of a rodent inside your home might lead them there.

Keep grass short and trimmed

If you have an outdoor or garden area, always make sure to keep the grass short as this will discourage snakes from crawling about near your house. Snakes often use tall grass to avoid being seen by predators like large birds and stray cats or dogs. And since snakes are cold-blooded, they use the shade from shrubs as a resting place to stay cool when the sun is out, which is a good reason to avoid letting grass grow tall enough to be used as snake cover.

Seal up cracks

Cracks and crevices are also an opportunity for snakes to enter homes. Since snakes have flexible bodies, they can easily fit themselves through even the flattest crevice without anyone noticing and might even use these cracks as their entry point.

Place fitting fences or walls around your residential as a deterrent

If your house is located near forest areas, then you are more at risk when it comes to snakes, since snakes love forested environment and most of the time make their nest there.

Best Snake Repellents To Buy Now

What Is Snake Repellent?

Snakes frequently wind up around homes because they provide ample food and shelter. Many of them catch pesky pests like slugs, mice, and other rodents.

They can be beneficial creatures, but sometimes they might pose dangers and risks if they bite humans or start to terrorize pets. To combat them, manufacturers developed snake repellents.

What Is in It?

Many snake repellents include or are based around Naphthalene. Naphthalene comes from black walnut trees and is a strong chemical which can cause nerve and retinal damage. The ingredient smells of mothballs and is supposed to be unpleasant for serpents to cross.

Chemicals vs. Sound

As mentioned earlier, chemicals have distinct scents designed to be unpleasant for snakes. While serpents have nostrils and a typical nose, they don’t use it often. If they find something interesting, they will sniff it and then flick their tongues.

What Are the Risks of Snake Repellent?

Some repellents are toxic to animals and cause serious problems or death. Ingredients such as naphthalene damage the nervous system. It is also considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be a carcinogen for humans

HOW TO HELP PREVENT SNAKES ON YOUR PROPERTY

In general, snakes get a bad rap. These slithering reptiles are an important part of their ecosystems, as they help keep other pests at bay. In addition, snakes don’t start their mornings thinking, “It sure would be fun to creep out some humans today.” In fact, they’re often likely to hide if they sense you coming

Keep your yard clear of clutter.

Snakes like clutter for a couple of reasons. First, it gives them a good spot to hide from predators. Second, snakes are reptiles, which means they need warmth to survive. Clutter like compost piles or stacks of wood can make a nice, cozy den that protects snakes from the elements. Look for alternatives that are less attractive to snakes

Cut Your Grass

You’ve heard the expression “a snake in the grass?” Well, there’s a reason that came about. Snakes like tall grass. It’s where their prey lives. It provides the perfect cover for hunting, and also keeps them protected from predators. Keep your grass trimmed, and snakes will be more likely to look for areas in which they’re not as exposed.

Learn about the snakes in your neck of the woods

Reading up on the snakes that are local to your region gives you a better idea of what their habitat is. Once you understand what conditions create the ideal environment for different snake species, you can purge your yard of the elements that make it a snake haven.

Secure the perimeter of your home

One of the main issues with having snakes in your yard is that they can find their way into your house. Nobody wants that.

Snakes are natural pest control

As a top-end predator, snakes are essential balancing agents in your garden, yard or farm. Rather than killing them, we should deliberately create habitat. Rock, stick and log piles create good places for these vermin destroyers.

I can hear some of you now: NO! Creating snake habitat is… SCARY! I mean, what about rattlesnakes??? C’mon, don’t be a wuss. Seriously. Unless you have rattlesnakes around your property, you’re probably going to be fine. Their favorite place to live is generally gopher tortoise burrows.

What you want is to leave space for good guys like rat snakes, black racers, garter snakes, ring necks, king snakes, etc. They’ll manage your pest control, plus add some slithery beauty to your homestead. I recommend you get familiar with the good guys and start letting the natural pest control happen shovel-free

SNAKE MANAGEMENT

Snakes range from being an unsightly irritant to deadly pests that can plague commercial spaces, warm storage units and factories. Ensuring the removal and prevention of snake infestation is vital for safety.

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

PCI uses a non-lethal chemical which acts as a repellent when applied on surfaces and the periphery of structures, creating a barrier to entry.

ADVANTAGES

Designed to act as a preventive measure, stops snakes from entering the premises thereby stopping the problem at its source.

What Is The Role Of An Exterminator

Selecting a Pest Control Company

Pest problems arise from time to time that may require you to seek help controlling the pest from a professional. It can be daunting to choose a pest control company. Don’t rush into a decision. Consider talking with several companies before deciding on one. Even if your pest problem is urgent, take time to look for a reputable and knowledgeable company that meets your standards

Qualifications

Do technicians have current licenses? Is the license the correct classification for the job? You can verify licensing by calling your state pesticide regulatory office.

How does the company keep their staff informed of changes in regulations, products, techniques and safety?

Do they use Integrated Pest Management techniques?

Do they have a certified entomologist on staff?

Experience

How many years has the company been in business?

Do newly hired applicators train with more experienced employees?

How much experience does the company have with treating pest problems like yours?

Reputation

Ask family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors for a recommendation.

Avoid relying on advertising for information about the company’s reputation.

Consider contacting the Better Business Bureau or the state pesticide regulatory office for information on recent violations, complaints, or unresolved issues.

Ask the company for customer references.

Value

Can the company offer an estimate for services in writing? Many offer free estimates.

Get estimates from more than one company and compare their rates and services.

Does the company require you to sign up for a long-term contract? If so, what are the long-term costs?

Is the company able to provide a guarantee for their work? What are the terms?

Tips For Choosing the Right Exterminator Service

It takes a combination of proper sanitation, preventive measures and good home maintenance practices for tenants, homeowners and landlords to keep household pests from their properties. Although you can keep most of these pests from your home, you might need the services of a pest control professional if a certain pest is hard to control or if you are experiencing extensive pest infestation.

Look for value and quality when selecting a pest control company just as you would with any other professional service. Find a competent company with reasonably-priced services, not to mention proper use of pesticides to prevent damages on your property and negative effects on your health.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A COMPETENT PEST CONTROL COMPANY

A List of References

The pest control company should provide you with a list of references. Its previous customers will let you know about their experience working with the given company. Request your prospective pest control service provider for at least three references.

Experience in the Industry

How long has the pest control company been offering the exterminator services in the local industry? Consider a company with at least two years working experience in offering pest fumigation services. Does the company have any pending complaints? Check with the States Office of the Attorney General, the States Agriculture Department, EPA or Better Business Bureau to find out.

Pesticide Labels Used and Application Rate

A good pest control company should be willing to share with you its business credentials such as labels of pesticides used to show application rates, processes, and any other important precautions.

Certified and Licensed Pesticide Professionals

Pest control service companies must be licensed and certified to offer the exterminator pest control services. Certified application professionals are tasked with direct supervision of licensed technicians and certified pest control applicators.

OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER

If your home is often infested by a certain pest and non-chemical bug exterminator services have proven ineffective, you need to opt for routine pesticide applications. However, you do not need such services if the converse is true. Some pest control service providers offer service contracts to routinely treat infested structures for a specific bug.

Owners of warehouses that often receive cockroach-infested crates may find such contracts a necessity. Ideal pest control service contracts for residential homes only include pesticide application if there is actually a pest infestation but other control techniques have failed to work. Look out for local exterminator services that include periodic inspections for re-infestations.

Pest Professionals FAQ

What should a homeowner look for when selecting a pest professional, commonly called an exterminator?

A qualified and licensed pest management company that is a member of national, state or local pest management associations.

Ask friends and neighbors to recommend companies they have used successfully.

Buy value, not price.

Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the pest, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem.

Find out if the company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.

If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing prevention and management are necessary.

If you hire a pest control professional, are you guaranteed a pest-free home?

Pest control companies differ in their guarantees. If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing prevention and management are necessary. It is important that homeowners remain active participants before, during and after all pest control treatments. This type of vigilance helps the homeowner better understand their contract and possible guarantee, and helps the pest professional understand the homeowner’s expectations

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD PEST CONTROL COMPANY

Summertime in Arizona is definitely pest season. If you don’t want to be outside during this sweltering summer season, neither do the pests that try to infiltrate your home. More households call pest control companies during this time of year than any other season. However, not all pest control operations are created equal. It is important to do your research and window shop before going with just any pest control company in Mesa that is cheap. Finding an pest control exterminator in Mesa that is top notch, offers quality services, and isn’t greatly overpriced is very important. A poor pest control job could lead to more infestations and more money spent in the future.

Do they offer power spray?

Many pest control companies treat homes with something called a backpack sprayer. This small, somewhat wimpy pest control method is usually not enough to effectively prevent a deep infestation. A pest control company that offers power spraying may be the company you should go with. Power spraying the foundation of the home is the most effective way of treating it for pests. The intense pressure behind the power spraying hose penetrates rocks and soil around the home to effectively get all of the exterminating product as close to where pests may be burrowing as possible.

Do they offer granulate?

Power spraying is usually a preventative step- it does not necessarily kill the pests within a nest or colony. To get to the source of your pest problem, which is usually around the trunks of trees and roots of foliage, a reputable pest control company will use something called granulate. Granulate is a material that is applied to areas around trees, plants, gardens, and other spots where pests may initially get their source of food and water and where they might be breeding. A pest control company that offers granule treatment is usually a good choice.

Do they have good reviews?

Always trust verified reviews. If a customer is deeply unsatisfied with a company’s pest control services, the Internet will likely hear about it. Check the pest control business’ website for reviews, as well as review sites like Yelp, Better Business Bureau, or Google. Family Owned Pest Control is another good source for pest control company reviews

Do they offer wall treatments?

A complete and thorough prevention and exterminating pest control treatment will include in-wall treatments. Pests can infest the walls and roofing of your home fairly easily. Avoiding a wall treatment could make way for a massive and hard to control infestation. Look for a pest control company that offers in-wall treatments in which they dust a pest control product inside your walls via outlets from the outside. This will effectively kill any remaining pests trying to infest your home, and should be mandatory instead of optional.

Do they have the qualifications, reputation, and experience to perform a thorough extermination?

Look up information about the company or call them and ask. Do the pest control technicians all have current licenses? Are these licenses the correct license for the job they are performing? Does the company keep their staff informed of new and changed regulations and safety measures, as well as new products and techniques? Do they use IPM (integrated pest management) techniques on the job? Does the business have a certified entomologist on staff? Some of these question aren’t super important, but it can help in making a final decision between companies.

What to Consider in Hiring a Pest Control Professional

Sometimes it is better to hire a pest control professional than to try to do it yourself. This is particularly true if the pest problem is ongoing, if the infestation has become large, or if the products needed for control are only authorized for use by certified professionals

The Technician

Before allowing the pest control provider to enter your home, ask to see their identification, license, and certification, and check to ensure it is current. Almost every state requires that technicians be certified​ and that they participate in annual training to keep the license current. ​

The Company

Is the company bonded and insured? This can be important to both protect your property and protect against liability. Visit the company’s website. Does it appear professional? Is it knowledgeable? Do its values correspond with your own?

Knowledge

The technician, or sales representative, should be knowledgeable enough to answer your pest control questions. There may be a question or two that he does not know off-hand, and, if so, he should be willing to say he will find out and let you know. It is better to hear an honest “I don’t know, but I’ll find out,” than to be given wrong or made-up answers.

Professional Appearance

When the technician comes to your door, their uniform and overall appearance should be clean and professional. The truck, equipment, and chemicals should also provide you with a secure feeling of professionalism.

References

Before calling a pest control company, ask friends and neighbors for referrals. Check with your state pest control association, or visit the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) website for a state-by-state list of providers. It is always wise to check any company with the Better Business Bureau. If you did not receive any personal recommendations, you may want to ask the provider for references—and follow up with calls to the customers provided.

Price

The lowest price is not always the best deal. If a company says it will solve your problem in one service for $X, and your problem still exists after you’ve paid for that service, you haven’t saved any money. Instead, you will most likely need to start over with another service provider and end up paying a great deal more than if you had chosen quality over price the first time.