What Is A Shunt Trip Breaker & How Does It Work? Detailed Guide

Hello readers welcome to the new post. In this post, we will learn What Is A Shunt Trip Breaker & How Does It Work. The shunt trip breaker is a combination of a shunt trip accessory and a main circuit breaker. it connects to the main breaker for the protection of the electrical system. it also added security to the system since it manually or automatically cut the supply in the circuit. In this post, we will discuss the all details shunt trip breaker and other parameters. So let’s get started What is a shunt trip

What is a Shunt Trip Breaker?

If the circuit breaker trips it finds faults condition and automatically shuts off the current flow to prevent the circuit from overheating.  The shunt trip breaker is an optional device for a circuit breaker that helps to trip the breaker remotely in any instant or automatically in case of surge saving any damage and instrument damage.

There are 2 main types of shunt trip breakers first one is manual and the second one is automatic.

Manual witches help to off the breaker externally with the use of the remote button. Automatic switch off power when detecting surges from the external power supply.

 How Does a Shunt Trip Breaker Work?

Normally the current passes through the circuit breaker. But if these currents become high surges, the larger surge of power changes the electromagnet below the breaker switch, tripping the cutting power and switch.

The shunt trip breaker offers extra techniques to charge the electromagnet and trip switch, helping remote or automatic power shutoff. Some hunt trips are connected to an external power supply.  When power surges get that source, signal flow from shunt trip to the breaker, mechanical cutting power.

The shunt trip can make a connection with the remote switch outside the building. Pushing the button on the switch sends a surge through shunt trip wiring and off the power.

 Components of  Shunt Trip Breaker

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A shunt trip breaker comes with differnt components:

Frame:

• The frame of the shunt trip circuit breaker works as an external protective housing and covers all inner components. it is made with the use of durable materials like metallic that help to avoid damage to sensitive inner circuits.

Contacts:

• Contacts are the main part of the circuit breaker that carries electric current. in a shunt trip circuit breaker, there are two types of contacts, main contacts, and auxiliary contacts. The main contact is used for normal power transmission, and auxiliary contacts are used for connecting the external control system

Operating Mechanism:

• The working phenomena in shunt trip circuit breakers help to open and close contacts. it comes with latch releases and trip units. The latch releases are used for maintaining contacts in the closed position until the trip mechanism works. The trip unit detects abnormal electrical conditions and starts the tripping process.

Electromagnet:

• At the core of the shunt trip circuit breaker electromagnet exists, which is important for working. If the external signal gets, the electromagnet activates and produces a magnetic field. This field work on latch releases resulted to open circuit breaker contacts.

Trip Coil:

• It is the main part of the shunt trip breaker that operates uniformly with an electromagnet. its working is to get an external signal and convert into electrical energy. this energy is used to producing the field needed for tripping breaker.

Why Are Shunt Trip Breakers Important?

irrespective optional nature of the shunt trip breaker, it can be an important safety instrument in a power system. As a result, many engineers use this breaker as a layer of security since they save damage during power surges.

This breaker is good for many fonts but it’s commonly used during fire. By turning off power if a fire breaks out, the electrical hazard is no main risk. Some connections shunt trip to smoke alarm in homes, for power automatically off when detector trigger alarm. It not be good option, since in some conditions smoke alarm gets off due to steam from the shower of smoke from the kitchen

 Applications of Shunt Trip Breakers

1. In commercial buildings like offices, and shopping malls, shunt trip circuit breakers are connected to ensure sure safety of many components and protect them from electrical faults. It also connected with a building management system to help remote operations
2. Industrial facilities mostly work with high-power machines, so electrical safety is needed. Shunt trip breakers are used in such facilities for protection from faults and to reduce the chances of electrical accidents.
3. Laboratories and research facilities also use these breakers since they are equipped with sensitive devices.
4. There is a need for a regular power supply for critical patient care. Shunt trip breakers help to make sure emergency power is constant without any interruption.
5. Data centers come with computing devices and sensitive data. Shunt trip breakers are used to protect these facilities from electrical hazards.

 Advantages of Shunt Trip Breakers

• The main benefit of a shunt breaker is that it can remotely shut off in case of any fault. It quickly works and disconnects power in fire which helps to avoid damage in the home and protects people.
• These devices also increase safety levels and security by automating off power to the circuit if there is any fault. it helps to save electrical fires and any other damage.
• The shunt breaker is easily connected and confined with a power system, so it is easy to install the device in the building.
• The shunt breaker is a less cost solution for safety measures in buildings and industries. it is less costly to buy and connect and helps to save homes and buildings in the result of high fault.
• Shunt breakers support many electrical systems and devices so it is versatile devices that are used for the protection of circuits.

 Comparison with Other Circuit Protection Devices

Shunt trip breakers vs. standard circuit breakers

Shunt trip breakers vs. ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)

GFCI monitors equality between L1 and L2, if there is more than predefined difference in trips. The shunt breaker is a combination type device that combines in regular breaker with its regular function trip it has a remote control to trip breaker.

Ground fault breakers monitor current on neutral wire flowing back to the neutral bar, the four to six-milliampere different trip breakers, and shunt trip breakers can tripled remotely from other switches or points. In industrial uses, it is used to shut off in emergency condtion, when access to an electrical panel is difficult.

Shunt trip breakers vs. arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs)

Shunt Trip Breaker

• It used for overloading and short protection
• its working principle is based on thermal magnetic trip
• Its detection range is 10 to 1000A
• its response time is 10 to 20 milliseconds

AFC

• It used for arc fault protections
• It works based on a microprocessor for detecting arcing
• The detection range is 5 to 6000 A
• Response time is 10 to 40 milliseconds

What Are 3 Types Of Shunt Trip Breakers?

• Standard breakers
•  (GFCIs)
• Arc fault circuit interrupter circuit breakers

Shunt trip breaker wiring

Follow these steps for shunt trip breaker wiring.

• First of all, see the diagram shown below.
• Arrange requried tools and materials like wire strippers, nuts, and voltage tester.
• Remove the power and wire that shunt the breaker according to instructions.
• Again connect power to the circuit and test breaker to check that working well

Diagram of Shunt Trip Breaker Wiring Diagram

WHICH TYPE OF SHUNT TRIP BREAKER TO USE?

The manual breaker is best to use for small buildings or conditions where any technical staff is available to reset the breaker,. The automatic breaker can be best for larger-size buildings or conditions where there is no option for staff for breaker resetting.

it is also preferred for trigger shunt trip breakers at a distance or remotely. These relays are connected to fire alarm systems and can send a signal to the breaker for tripping if there is any fault.

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FAQS

How does a shunt trip breaker work?

The shunt trip is a device in the circuit breaker that mechanically trips the breaker when power is given to shunt trip terminals. Power for shunt trip does not come in breakers, so it provided from an external source

How is a shunt trip breaker wiring?

Make the connection of accurate voltage (120V to 240V for the -1021 suffix) with 2 terminals on the shunt trip. Land with a leg from source contact on one terminal and a neutral wire. (L2 , X2 ) to the other terminal

What is the purpose of a shunt with a relay?

Shunt relays are used to bypass normal controls like switches, dimmers, or panel-mounted relays when employed on an emergency circuit.

What is shunt trip and under voltage?

The shunt trip coil is connected to the breaker to offer a remote trip of the breaker but Undervoltage or no voltae coil is connected to offer automatic tripping when power losses occur or when there is a major voltage dip.

Where is shunt trip used?

The shunt trip helps to remotely and fastly turn off the breaker when needed especially in conditions where safety and speed is important, like during a fire or when there is needed to isolate certain areas of the electrical system without physically going to the breaker

What is the difference between shunt and resistance?

The shunt is an electrical device that produces a low resistance path for current. It helps current to flow to another point in cirucit. Shunts are also referred to as ammeter shunts or current shunt resistors.

What is the purpose of a shunt breaker?

its main purpose is to remotely and fastly turn off  circuit breaker when necessary

Is the shunt resistor AC or DC?

Shunt provdies DC mV signal for driving moving coil ammeter, overlading protection, and control units for high amper range.

Where are shunt trip breakers required?

These breakers are used in commercial and industrial buildings, also for facilities where safety is a top priority

Why is it called a shunt resistor?

In older circuits, resistors connected in parallel to the ammeter as shunts for expanding the current measuring range called shunt resistors. but now resist used for detection circuit current  collectively referred to as shunt resistors

Why is low resistance called shunt?

When a resistor is connected with another resistor of low value, then the equivalent resistance is less the lowest resistor, that is shunt resistors.

What is another name for a shunt resistor?

Shunts also called ammeter shunts or current shunt resistors.

What is a unit of shunt resistance?

The unit of shunt resistance is ohm (Ω).

What is shunt resistance formula?

The shunt resistance formula is:

Rs = V/I

• Rs is the shunt resistance
• V is the voltage of the shunt resistor
• I is the current passing through the shunt resistor

What is shunt release in a circuit breaker?

The shunt releases is opening coil plus release. Thermal trips and electromagnetic trips also use trip units. use a certain voltage to shunt trip the coil, and the breaker will trip and open.