What are Clamp-On Ammeters? Clamp-on ammeters are basically a device used to measure current. It has a jaw-type holder that can be opened or closed like a hand jaw to hold the conductor around. The jaw contains an internal current transformer. It measures current in a circuit by measuring the strength of the magnetic field around the conductor.

What is a Voltage Reference? Essentially voltage references are electronic components, devices or circuits that are designed to provide a constant DC (direct current) output value or constant voltage, regardless of variations in other external variables. These may include total device load, power supply variations, temperature, humidity, elapsed time, and a variety of other variables. And the types of voltage references are shunt voltage reference, series voltage reference, bandgap voltage reference.

What is a Neutral Wire? Basically you know that, in any electrical circuit, two potentials form the circuit and allow the current to flow - phase and neutral. Phase is the conducting wire which carries the current and neutral is the conducting wire which does not carry the current but completes the current path by redirecting it to the source point. So, the neutral wire is used to complete the current flow in the circuit. Without the neutral wire, current will not flow through the load. It is also known as the zero potential point. Basic load is connected to two points – phase (red line) and neutral (black line). The third point is connected to the earth. Practically, the neutral wire is connected to the ground. When the live wire carries the current to the load and the neutral wire receives the current returning from it, the neutral wire must be non-conducting, in which case it will be conductive. So, to make it non-conductive, the neutral wire is connected to the ground without a neu...

What is a SF6 circuit breaker? SF6 is basically known as sulfur hexafluoride circuit breaker. And sulfur hexafluoride circuit breaker is a type of medium voltage circuit breaker. When sulfur hexafluoride gas is used to extinguish the arc, it is called an SF6 circuit breaker. This gas is known to extinguish the arc rapidly, as it has a very high dielectric strength and acts as an insulating medium. A large amount of arcing occurs when the stationary and moving contacts move away from each other during a trip or off condition. In this circuit breaker, as gas arcs in the enclosure, the dielectric strength of the gas increases during arc formation. This automatically reduces or cancels the high current generated. SF6 circuit breakers have excellent insulating properties and high electro-negativity. It is used at voltages from 33KV to 800KV.

What is the VCB? Basically the VCB is a vacuum circuit breaker. And the vacuum circuit breaker is a type of medium voltage circuit breaker. Circuit breakers are all about extinguishing high-tripping currents or arcs that occur in power-off conditions. So, when the vacuum is used to extinguish the arc, it is called a vacuum circuit breaker. VCB is used at voltages from 11KV to 33KV. A large amount of arcing occurs when the stationary and moving contacts move away from each other in a tripped or off condition. In this circuit breaker, since the arcing takes place in a vacuum enclosure, the dielectric strength of the vacuum increases during arc formation. It automatically reduces or cancels the high currents that are generated. It has dielectric recovery character, excellent interruption and can interrupt high-frequency current caused by arc instability, superimposed on line frequency current.

What is MPCB? MPCB is basically known as motor protection circuit breaker. And motor protection circuit breaker is a kind of low-voltage circuit breaker. An MPCB works similar to an MCCB, but has electrical features designed in such a way that it efficiently protects the motors against various types of faults. Also, it has an on-off switch to turn on or off the power supply to the motor. It is worth noting that an MCCB can also be used to protect motors, but it has limited motor protection functions compared to MPCB. Some of the other faults that MPCB can protect the motor from are phase loss, current imbalance and under-voltage fault. The MPCB has a special feature of auto-resetting. This allows the motor to resume its function after a certain period of time after the motor has been tripped. The MPCB has adjustable bimetallic strip for overload protection. The strip for overload protection can be adjusted to any two set values. The MPCB can also provide protection against line-to-line...

What is the RCBO? RCBO is basically known as residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent. And residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent is a kind of low-voltage circuit breaker. RCBOs are used to protect against earth leakage fault currents with over currents. RCBO has extra protection against overload and over current. And it mainly uses a microcontroller and it can also be called as a combination of MCCB and RCCB. That is why; It is more useful than the RRCB; Because RCCB does not provide protection against overcurrent. Some RCBO have indicators to indicate any earth fault. This feature is very useful as it helps the engineer quickly in troubleshooting.

What is the RCCB? RCCB is basically known as residual current circuit breaker. Residual current circuit breakers are a type of low-voltage circuit breaker. RCCB is used to protect against earth leakage fault current. RCCB have small current ratings, typically up to 160A. RCCB provides protection against lightning shock. This is because the role of the RCCB is mainly to detect earth leakage and trip the circuit if detected. There is a test circuit operation to check if the RCCB is working.

What is MCCB? MCCB is basically known as Molded Case Circuit Breaker. And Molded Case Circuit Breaker is a type of low-voltage circuit breaker. MCCB are used for higher power requirements like industrial or large commercial applications. The MCCB can be used up to 2500 A. This makes it possible to use MCCB in large applications. Interruption rating of MCCB can go up to 200000 A. MCCB have various tripping functions such as continuous ampere, long time delay, short time pickup, short time delay, instantaneous pickup and ground fault pickup. These are adjustable trip functions, which means you can set trip parameters to suit your needs; Thus providing the user with more flexibility to design the circuit. MCCB is enclosed in a molding or housing of molded material and hence known as molded case circuit breaker.

What are MCBs? Basically MCB is known as miniature circuit breaker. And MCB is a type of low-voltage circuit breaker. MCBs are used for household purposes or for low power applications such as small electrical panels. MCB can be used up to 100 A only. The MCB has an interrupt rating of up to 18000 A. Class 3 MCBs are very popular these days due to their fast tripping capability and their minimal energy loss.

What are the types of circuit breakers? Basically a type of circuit breaker  MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker) RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker) RCBO (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent) MPCB (Motor Protection Circuit Breaker) VCB (Vacuum Circuit Breaker) SF6 (Sulphur Hexafluoride) Circuit Breaker Oil Circuit Breaker

What is Circuit Breaker? Basically, circuit breakers are an essential part of electrical circuits. It is a device that is used as a protective switch to pass the current that is checked for tripping condition. When it detects a trip condition, the circuit breaker opens its contact and isolates the input and output voltages from contact with each other. Hence, its basic function is to interrupt the current flow after the fault is detected. It stays open until the user resets the trip.

What is Transformer Bushing? Basically a transformer is a device which is used to step up or step down the voltage as per requirement. Transformers are required in power transmission and generation stages, they involve high voltages. Since the transformer works at very high voltage, it is also necessary to take care that it functions properly without any leakage or damage. Now, it is worth noting that there is one very important factor in helping the transformer to function properly; That is its bushing. Without a bushing, it is not possible to operate the transformer in any high-voltage condition (usually in KV). A bushing is an electrical insulator that allows safe passage of electrical current. It is similar to any insulator surrounding the conductor, which helps prevent any untoward incident from occurring. A transformer consists of two windings - primary and secondary (HV and LV). It makes connections to external wires to carry electricity. Even though the transformer also include...

What is Current Transformer? Basically a current transformer is a device that is surrounded by live phase wire in a three-phase system to measure the current flowing through it. As the name suggests, this is a type of transformer. A current transformer comes under the working analogy of a step-down transformer. A current transformer (CT) converts high voltage current flowing through its primary winding (phase wire) into low voltage current flowing through its secondary winding (internal ammeter). The meter will then automatically scale or calibrate internally to reflect the original value.

What is IGBT? IGBT is basically a type of transistor. And there are three main types in the transistor family – BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor), FET (Field Effect Transistor), and IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). The IGBT is a more advanced type of transistor. As a standard construction of a transistor, it too has three terminals – gate, collector and emitter. When a voltage is applied to the gate, it opens and allows a current to flow between the collector and emitter. When the voltage is removed from the gate, it closes and blocks the flow of current between the collector and the emitter. Thus, an IGBT behaves like a switch; It closes when the gate is open and current flows and when it is closed. IGBT is a combination of BJT and FET. It has the gate function of FET and low saturation voltage/output characteristics of BJT. That is why you can see it in its name too; This is a combination of both FET (IG) and BJT (BT). It is able to handle large collector-emitter currents wi...

What is a wiring schedule?  Basically the wiring schedule will specify the wire reference number, type, color, size and number of conductors, length and required amount of insulation stripping. And this is not a diagram but a reference to the conductors that were used for easy identification in the circuit. In complex devices, you'll also find a table of interconnections that gives the start and end reference points for each connection, as well as color, size, identification markings, and other important information.

What is a wiring diagram? Basically a wiring diagram is a drawing that shows all the wiring between parts such as control or signal functions, power supply and earth connections, and unused leads and termination contacts. Also, the wiring diagram shows the interconnections between terminal posts, blocks, plugs, sockets and lead-throughs. This wiring diagram will contain details such as terminal identification numbers that enable us to wire the unit together. The parts in the wiring diagram are shown only in blocks with no indication of the size or shape of the components. But it will only show the terminal number or connection number in the component.

What is a circuit diagram? Circuit diagrams basically show how electrical components are connected to each other and use symbols to represent electrical components. Lines represent the functional conductors or wires that connect them to each other. And the circuit diagram is derived from the block or functional diagram. It does not represent the exact size, shape or arrangement of the electrical components. Although you can wire up the assembly from the information in it. They usually show details of how electrical circuits work.

What is a voltmeter? Basically, voltmeters are standard items on switchboards and control panels. They are basically single-circuit elements so when three phases are to be indicated either three devices are used or one with a multipoint switch. A voltmeter is connected across the line and is high-impedance. The ranges of the voltmeter may be varied in series with high-value resistors; Such resistors are known as voltmeter multipliers. For high voltage, a potential transformer (PT) is connected to the main line called the primary and a voltmeter is connected to the secondary. Voltmeters are usually moving iron. Moving coil meters can also be used but in combination with rectifiers.

What is voltage?  Basically voltage is also known as potential difference, electromotive force (EMF) and pressure of an electrical circuit. And it is measured with the help of voltmeter.