What is a load break switch? Advantages and differences.
What is a load break switch?
A load break switch is a switch that has been designed to provide making or breaking of specified currents.
This is accomplished by addition of equipment that increases the operating speed of the disconnect switch blade and the addition of some type of equipment to alter the arcing phenomena and allow the safe interruption of the arc resulting when switching load currents.
Disconnect switches can be supplied with equipment to provide a limited load switching capability. Arcing horns, whips, and spring actuators are typical at lower voltages.
These switches are used to de-energize or energize a circuit that possesses some limited amount of magnetic or, such as transformer exciting current or line charging currents.
An air switch can be modified to include a series interrupter (typically) for higher voltage and current interrupting levels.
These interrupters increase the load break capability of the disconnect switch and can be applied for switching load or fault currents of the associated equipment.
Advantages of Load break switch
1.Cheaper as compare to 2 pole structure
2.Safer
3.Protection provided for transformer (HRC fuses are provided for protection purpose)
4.Very easy to switch On & Off the supply
Load break switch, generally comes with the spring mechanism for switching ON & OFF the supply, however, option with vacuum circuit breaker is also available. Of course, option with Vacuum circuit breaker is costlier. Choice between these two totally depends on the customer. Load break switch with vacuum circuit breaker is more reliable option.
Load break switch with spring mechanism are generally provided with Fuse protection. And hence, every time a fault occurs, fuse needs to be replaced. On the other hand, if you are using Load break switch with vacuum circuit breaker, we only need to Turn On the breaker.
Load break switch are also provided with the Earth Switch, which helps in grounding the charges, which can be present even after the switch is turned off.
What is the difference between Load Break Switch and Circuit Breaker
There are two important different parameters as far as the disconnection/connection of Electrical utilities is concerned.
- Breaking capacity.
- Making Capacity.
Making capacity is higher since it is considering the initial starting current, inrush and faults that might occur at switching on moment.
Accordingly, the Circuit breakers have both while the Isolator or LBS has only breaking capacity. Isolator therefore used to isolate/disconnect/break load. To be switched on only under no load.
Basically and LBS is only designed to make and break load currents. It can be closed onto a fault (has a making rating) and cannot break a fault current. A CB is designed to make and break fault currents and off course load currents. Need to be careful with switching long cables and long lines with LBS, due to its limitation with switching cable/line charging (highly capacitive) currents. Similar precaution with needed with switching reactive loads like large transformers. Normally a CB is recommended for the 2 latter cases. Check the manufacturer test specs.
In simple way the Load Break Switch used to cut off healthy circuits or to break / disconnect the load. As a precaution, normally the LBS / Isolator are to be switched on under no load, the connected load to be utilized after switching on the Isolator. This why it has no making capacity. Circuit Breakers are intended to operate under unnormal conditions in order to clear the fault & to isolate the defective circuits protecting its associated electrical equipment, therefore breaking and making capacities are considered as the most important criteria as far Circuit breaker are concerned.
Professional load break switch supplier and manufacturer
Zhejiang JGGY Electrical Co.,Ltd (jggyelectrical.com), JGGY Electrical was established in 2007, specializing in the manufacture, sales and service of high-voltage electrical products. JGGY Electrical mainly specializes for 6~42kV medium voltage electric (outdoor and indoor): load break switch, disconnector, cutout fuse, surge arrester, vacuum circuit breaker.
Our technical expertise, comprehensive product portfolio and long-term rich experience are helping many customers in need to solve their power problems. We're happy to help at any time. Whether you need application product advice or technical assistance, our global service team is committed to providing you with the right support. For more technical information about load break switch, feel free to contact us, send an email to sales@jggyelectrical.com.
