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Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Oil Circuit Breakers

In days gone by, oil circuit breakers were commonplace in all electrical circuits. Today, oil circuit breakers are used less often in residential applications; however, they are still commonplace in industrial applications. If you have oil circuit breakers in your home or business or if you are an electrician who installs and repairs these types of circuit breakers, purchasing quality products and maintaining existing ones is vital to minimize costs.

Many oil circuit breakers have a rating higher than 600 volts to ensure that heavy-duty machinery can receive the power necessary without tripping the breaker. While this works for most industrial applications, other applications, such as small appliances require a smaller rating. Because it is unsafe to use a breaker with a too-high rating, you must ensure that you have the appropriate breaker for your equipment.

Periodic testing of oil circuit breakers is necessary to keep you and your business safe; however, these checks also ensure that the breakers last as long as possible. When hiring someone to maintain your breakers, be sure they check the alignment, contact surfaces and oil level. Any problems should be attended to immediately or a new breaker must be installed.

Business.com offers information and resources to help you choose the best oil circuit breakers for your needs.

Oil Circuit Breakers

Opt to use oil circuit breakers (OCB) to protect your business' outages

Oil circuit breakers are circuit breakers that stop the flow of electricity by means of oil. When there is an excessive electrical overload or a voltage failure, a triggering mechanism in the oil circuit breaker pulls the electrical contacts apart and immerses the contacts in oil, thus preventing any more current from flowing. This process allows oil power circuit breakers to be fast-acting and easily reset.

Early on in electrical system development, most high voltage circuit breakers were oil circuit breakers. New technology has moved the residential market away from oil circuit breakers, but the industrial market continues to use them in many applications. Oil insulation circuit breakers offer industrial operations several advantages such as:

1. Oil circuit breakers have fewer operating mechanisms than other types of circuit breakers resulting in less maintenance and fewer repairs.

2. The electrical contacts in OCBs seal, protecting against dirt and the elements.

3. Oil's superior cooling properties make it an excellent medium to use in circuit breakers.

Purchase high voltage oil circuit breakers

Companies that operate power stations or high voltage machinery require oil power circuit breakers with voltage ratings higher than 600 volts. High voltage oil circuit breakers are available is several styles.

Consider a used oil circuit breaker to cut costs

When price is an issue, consider buying a used oil circuit breaker. Several companies specialize in used and rebuilt oil fuse circuit breakers and fully guarantee their products.

Maintain your existing oil circuit breaker

Routine testing to evaluate the condition of a circuit breaker, oil power circuit breaker or oil insulation circuit breaker is key. In addition, oil circuit breakers can lose performance from wear, poor contact surfaces, misalignment and improper timing of contact movement. Maintenance kits are available online that can help you keep your oil circuit breaker in good running condition.
  • The majority of accidents involving electrical personnel occur when any type of circuit breaker, including an oil circuit breaker, is inadvertently left closed or accidentally closes.
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