Whether fixed or draw-out, all air circuit breakers serve the critical function of protecting electrical systems through fast fault interruption. However, these two main types of air circuit breakers have different frameworks that result in different maintenance practices. This guide highlights key information about them to help you make an informed decision when choosing.
Fixed Air Circuit Breakers: Pros and Cons
Fixed air circuit breakers mount the breaker in a fixed position within the switchgear enclosure.
Pros
- Space-Efficient: Fixed air circuit breakers take up less space compared to draw-out type.
- Low Cost: Generally cheaper to purchase than draw-out type.
- Simple Design: Have a simpler mechanical design than draw-out breakers.
Cons
- Challenges in Troubleshooting: Faulty breakers cannot be easily removed for testing or repair.
- Downtown for Maintenance: Switchgear needs to be de-energized for breaker maintenance or replacement.
- Limited Maintenance Access: Have restricted access for routine maintenance tasks like inspection or component replacement.
- Entire Replacement Needed: The entire breaker has to be replaced if repairs are needed.
Draw-Out Air Circuit Breakers: Pros and Cons
Draw-out circuit breakers can be disconnected from live busbars for isolation and moved out of the switchgear enclosure for testing, maintenance, or replacement without de-energizing the whole switchgear.
Pros
- Ease of Maintenance: Breakers can be easily drawn out while energized.
- Reduced Downtown: Only the individual breaker needs downtime, not the whole switchgear.
- Flexibility for Replacement or Upgrades: Old types of air circuit breakers can be easily replaced without affecting others.
- Safe Maintenance: Maintenance tasks can be performed safely on de-energized breakers away from live parts.
Cons
- Space Requirements: Take up more space than fixed types of air circuit breakers.
- Higher Costs: Draw-out breakers and switchgear are more expensive.
- Complex Design: Have a more complex mechanical and electrical design than fixed breakers.
- Higher Failure Rate: Some parts of air circuit breakers, like interlocks, are additional points of failure.
- Special Skills Required: Proper maintenance requires more specialized skills than fixed breakers.
How to Choose the Right Air Circuit Breaker
The selection of suitable types of air circuit breakers depends on factors like the application, load profile, maintenance requirements, and environment. Fixed breakers generally suit indoor spaces with regular loads and limited maintenance needs due to their lower cost. However, draw-out breakers offer advantages for applications that experience fluctuating loads, need frequent breaker changes, or are located in remote areas.
Other considerations when choosing suitable types of air circuit breakers include downtime tolerance, budget, and lifecycle costs. Draw-out enables safe maintenance without power shut-downs but costs more initially. Consultation with an electrical contractor can help evaluate options based on your unique site needs to identify the most suitable short and long-term solution.
Product Highlight: MGW6 Air Circuit Breaker by Maxge
The reputed electrical equipment manufacturer Maxge has over a decade of industry experience. With a strong R&D team and modern manufacturing facilities, the company offers many types of air circuit breaker solutions, switchgear, and other products. Committed to innovation and customer satisfaction, Maxge has gained a solid reputation worldwide for its dependable, innovative products.
The MGW6 series from the brand has 4000 Amp, 1600 Amp, and 2000 Amp circuit breaker varieties. The product series is widely used in various commercial and industrial applications. These types of air circuit breakers integrate high breaking capacity, arc-extinguishing performance, and intelligent protection functions. Some of their key features include:
- Multiple intelligent controller panels
- Opening and closing buttons/indicators
- Energy storage/release indicator
- Horizontal and vertical connection options
- Remote communication capability
- Available in 1600A, 2000A, 4000A and more ratings
Conclusion
In summary, both fixed and draw-out types of air circuit breakers have their advantages depending on the specific project requirements and constraints. Draw-out breakers are generally more suitable for applications that require easy maintenance with low downtime, whereas fixed-type breakers work better in space and cost-sensitive projects. An informed selection of the right circuit breaker type can help you optimize the safety, efficiency, and long-term performance of your power distribution system. For quality products and reliable solutions, Maxge is the recommended choice. Visit Maxge’s website for more information about its MGW6 series air circuit breakers.
