SlideShare a Scribd company logo
9
Most read
10
Most read
15
Most read
SWITCHES, FUSES, &
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
OVERVIEW
Switches
Fuses
Circuit Breakers
Switches
A switch is a device used to open and close
electrical paths, thereby either stopping the
current flow or allowing the current to flow in an
electrical circuit or through an electrical
component.
There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of
switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in
the arrangement of switch contacts.
Arm
Contact
A schematic representation of the
simplest, most common arrangement
of switch contacts.
(SPST)
Single-Pole, Single Throw Switch
(SPST) A single pole switch is a single
circuit switch– it closes or opens only
one circuit path. The single pole switch
has one moving arm and one stationary
contact. Example: ON/OFF Switch
Switches
There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of
switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in
the arrangement of switch contacts.
Arm
Contact 2
A schematic representation of the
simplest, most common arrangement
of switch contacts.
Single-Pole, Double Throw Switch
(SPDT) A single pole switch is a single
circuit switch– it closes or opens only
one circuit path. The single pole switch
has one moving arm and two stationary
contacts. Example: High/ Low beams in
your car.
(SPDT)
Contact 1
Switches
There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of
switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in
the arrangement of switch contacts.
A schematic representation of the
simplest, most common arrangement
of switch contacts.
Double-Pole, Single Throw Switch
(DPST) This double pole switch is a
single circuit switch– it closes or opens
only one circuit path. The double pole
switch has two moving arms and two
stationary contacts. The dotted line
indicates the two arms move
simultaneously and are part of the same
assembly. Example: Dual ON/OFF
switch.
Contact 1
(throw)
(DPST)
Arms
Contact 2
(throw)
Switches
There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of
switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in
the arrangement of switch contacts.
A schematic representation of the
simplest, most common arrangement
of switch contacts.
Double-Pole, Double Throw Switch
(DPDT) The multi-pole switch has two
moving arms and two sets of stationary
contacts. The dotted line indicates the
two arms move simultaneously and are
part of the same assembly. Example:
polarity reversal
Contacts 2
(throw)
(DPDT)
Arms
Contacts 1
(throw)
Switches
When looking at a schematic, switches are shown as normally
open (NO) or normally closed (NC) position.
Switches
There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches
are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push
button switches.
The toggle switch is
probably the most familiar
switch. Most of the wall
switches for the lights in our
home are toggle switches.
Switches
There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches
are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push
button switches.
The slide switch is another
very popular mechanical
device. Usually slide
switches are used on
instruments directly
mounted on printed circuit
boards where material
costs must be kept low.
Switches
There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches
are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push
button switches.
The rotary switch is primarily
used as a selector switch.
They are very popular in
electronics because they can
be designed in many different
ways, which lets the design
engineer choose many
options as how to perform
switching operation.
Switches
There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches
are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push
button switches.
The push button switch
comes in various
combinations of contacts, in
many shapes and sizes as
well as in ganged
configurations. These
switches are primarily used for
control applications on the
front panel of instruments or
other electronic equipment.
Switches
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Protection devices protect you and your equipment from electrical damage.
Most electrical equipment has built in protection that will sense an increase in
current. The protection device immediately shuts down the circuit.
There are two types of
protection devices used in the
electronics industry: Fuses
and Circuit Breakers. These
two types of devices are
different, but the principle of
their operation is the same,
and they produce the same
results.
Fuses
A fuse is the simplest and least expensive circuit protection device
available. A fuse is a metallic component which is placed within an
electrical circuit to monitor the current that passes through the
circuit.
Schematic symbol
A shorted circuit in an electrical system can cause excessive
current to flow through some of the components. These
components heat up and eventually burn up, perhaps
destroying the whole electrical system. Fortunately, having an
inexpensive built-in protection device, such as a fuse, to quickly
sense the short circuit condition and immediately shut the
electrical circuit will prevent equipment damage.
A fuse is the simplest and least expensive circuit protection device
available. A fuse is a metallic component which is placed within an
electrical circuit to monitor the current that passes through the
circuit.
If the current in a protected circuit becomes
excessive the metal part inside of the fuse
heats up and melts, opening the electrical
circuit the fuse is protecting.
Blown Fuses
Fuses
A fuse is the simplest and least expensive circuit protection device
available.
Fuses have ratings. The most
important rating is the current rating,
which is stated in amps. The
amperage value is marked on every
fuse. This value is the maximum
current level that the fuse can carry.
In addition to ratings, we have two
categories of fuses: fast-acting and slow-
blow. A fast-acting fuse blows within about
one second after it senses an overload
condition. A slow-blow fuse blows between
one and thirty seconds after it senses an
overload condition, depending on the
amount of the overload.
Fuses
Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker is really two things in one: a switch and an indestructible fuse. The function of the
circuit breaker is the same as a fuse.
Schematic symbol
There are two different kinds
of circuit breakers: Thermal
and magnetic
THERMAL Circuit Breakers work on the principle of temperature rise in the activators
sensing element. The sensor is usually a thermal bimetallic strip which heats up
when current flow is excessive. Thermal breakers are not as convenient as magnetic
breakers, because thermal breakers must cool down before they can be reset.
Input
A1 (NC)
B1 (NO)
HEATING
ELEMENT
Circuit Breakers
MAGNETIC Circuit Breakers work on the principle of magnetism. The current flows through a
coil in the circuit breaker housing. As the current flows, it develops a magnetic field. The
strength of the magnetic field depends on the amount of current that flows through the circuit
and the coil. If the current exceeds the rating of the breaker, the magnetic field becomes
strong enough to produce a force to trip the breaker. This force attracts the pole away from
the throw. They are very common in the electrical field, especially in house wiring circuits.
Circuit Breakers
Summary
Understanding switch, fuse, and circuit breaker operation and construction are
essential requirements for an electronics technician. Some of the key points of the
lesson are listed below:
 A switch is a mechanical device used to open and close electrical current paths.
 The wide variety of switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in the
arrangement of switch contacts. SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT, etc.
 The most common switches are toggle, slide, rotary and push button.
 There are two types of protection devices used in the electronics industry: Fuses and Circuit
Breakers.
 Fuses are low cost metallic protection devices, which heat up, melt and are destroyed
when the current rating is exceeded.
 Circuit Breakers are indestructible fuses which open or trip a circuit when they sense an
overload condition.

More Related Content

PPTX
Protective Devices.pptx
PPTX
MCB and Fuse (2) (3).pptx
PPTX
MCB and Fuse (11).pptx
PPTX
installing-electrical-protective-devices-for-distribution-power-lightning-pro...
PPTX
Electric drives and controls
PPTX
Lab # 03 Workshop Practice.pptx
PPTX
Electrical fundamental course
PPTX
TOPIC 5.6- Switchgear and Its Components.pptx
Protective Devices.pptx
MCB and Fuse (2) (3).pptx
MCB and Fuse (11).pptx
installing-electrical-protective-devices-for-distribution-power-lightning-pro...
Electric drives and controls
Lab # 03 Workshop Practice.pptx
Electrical fundamental course
TOPIC 5.6- Switchgear and Its Components.pptx

Similar to Electrical Switch Fuse Breaker Science.ppt (20)

PDF
MCC Design and understanding iec6139 standard
PPTX
In house practical training of electrical engineering.pptx
PDF
Switchgears and protection devices
DOCX
Circuit Breaker and its types
PDF
Psentation.pdf351685461065165156156156165156
PPTX
Types of Switches and Its Working
PPTX
switches-210802065050.pptx switches and types
PPSX
Electrical Basics-VBR
PDF
Circuits breakers for industrial automation and process controling
PPTX
chamelidevischoolofengineering-150723172241-lva1-app6892.pptx
PPTX
Components of LT Switchgear.pptx
PDF
PDF
Circuit breakers
PDF
Circuit Breakers
PPTX
PPT
Basic electrical comp upload1
PPTX
Industrial Control Devices.pptx
PPTX
MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER presentation for College Students
DOCX
Mcb Breaker
PDF
9) Switches
MCC Design and understanding iec6139 standard
In house practical training of electrical engineering.pptx
Switchgears and protection devices
Circuit Breaker and its types
Psentation.pdf351685461065165156156156165156
Types of Switches and Its Working
switches-210802065050.pptx switches and types
Electrical Basics-VBR
Circuits breakers for industrial automation and process controling
chamelidevischoolofengineering-150723172241-lva1-app6892.pptx
Components of LT Switchgear.pptx
Circuit breakers
Circuit Breakers
Basic electrical comp upload1
Industrial Control Devices.pptx
MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER presentation for College Students
Mcb Breaker
9) Switches
Ad

Recently uploaded (20)

PPT
Project quality management in manufacturing
PDF
Unit I ESSENTIAL OF DIGITAL MARKETING.pdf
PDF
The CXO Playbook 2025 – Future-Ready Strategies for C-Suite Leaders Cerebrai...
PDF
TFEC-4-2020-Design-Guide-for-Timber-Roof-Trusses.pdf
PDF
composite construction of structures.pdf
PDF
July 2025 - Top 10 Read Articles in International Journal of Software Enginee...
PPTX
Artificial Intelligence
PPTX
UNIT-1 - COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS
PDF
Well-logging-methods_new................
PPTX
UNIT 4 Total Quality Management .pptx
PPTX
FINAL REVIEW FOR COPD DIANOSIS FOR PULMONARY DISEASE.pptx
PPTX
Sustainable Sites - Green Building Construction
PDF
Automation-in-Manufacturing-Chapter-Introduction.pdf
PDF
keyrequirementskkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
PPTX
web development for engineering and engineering
DOCX
ASol_English-Language-Literature-Set-1-27-02-2023-converted.docx
PPT
introduction to datamining and warehousing
PPTX
CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOINFORMATION VISUALIZATION chapter1 NPTE (2).pptx
PPTX
Foundation to blockchain - A guide to Blockchain Tech
PPTX
Geodesy 1.pptx...............................................
Project quality management in manufacturing
Unit I ESSENTIAL OF DIGITAL MARKETING.pdf
The CXO Playbook 2025 – Future-Ready Strategies for C-Suite Leaders Cerebrai...
TFEC-4-2020-Design-Guide-for-Timber-Roof-Trusses.pdf
composite construction of structures.pdf
July 2025 - Top 10 Read Articles in International Journal of Software Enginee...
Artificial Intelligence
UNIT-1 - COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS
Well-logging-methods_new................
UNIT 4 Total Quality Management .pptx
FINAL REVIEW FOR COPD DIANOSIS FOR PULMONARY DISEASE.pptx
Sustainable Sites - Green Building Construction
Automation-in-Manufacturing-Chapter-Introduction.pdf
keyrequirementskkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
web development for engineering and engineering
ASol_English-Language-Literature-Set-1-27-02-2023-converted.docx
introduction to datamining and warehousing
CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOINFORMATION VISUALIZATION chapter1 NPTE (2).pptx
Foundation to blockchain - A guide to Blockchain Tech
Geodesy 1.pptx...............................................
Ad

Electrical Switch Fuse Breaker Science.ppt

  • 3. Switches A switch is a device used to open and close electrical paths, thereby either stopping the current flow or allowing the current to flow in an electrical circuit or through an electrical component.
  • 4. There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in the arrangement of switch contacts. Arm Contact A schematic representation of the simplest, most common arrangement of switch contacts. (SPST) Single-Pole, Single Throw Switch (SPST) A single pole switch is a single circuit switch– it closes or opens only one circuit path. The single pole switch has one moving arm and one stationary contact. Example: ON/OFF Switch Switches
  • 5. There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in the arrangement of switch contacts. Arm Contact 2 A schematic representation of the simplest, most common arrangement of switch contacts. Single-Pole, Double Throw Switch (SPDT) A single pole switch is a single circuit switch– it closes or opens only one circuit path. The single pole switch has one moving arm and two stationary contacts. Example: High/ Low beams in your car. (SPDT) Contact 1 Switches
  • 6. There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in the arrangement of switch contacts. A schematic representation of the simplest, most common arrangement of switch contacts. Double-Pole, Single Throw Switch (DPST) This double pole switch is a single circuit switch– it closes or opens only one circuit path. The double pole switch has two moving arms and two stationary contacts. The dotted line indicates the two arms move simultaneously and are part of the same assembly. Example: Dual ON/OFF switch. Contact 1 (throw) (DPST) Arms Contact 2 (throw) Switches
  • 7. There are a wide variety of switches. The wide variety of switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in the arrangement of switch contacts. A schematic representation of the simplest, most common arrangement of switch contacts. Double-Pole, Double Throw Switch (DPDT) The multi-pole switch has two moving arms and two sets of stationary contacts. The dotted line indicates the two arms move simultaneously and are part of the same assembly. Example: polarity reversal Contacts 2 (throw) (DPDT) Arms Contacts 1 (throw) Switches
  • 8. When looking at a schematic, switches are shown as normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) position. Switches
  • 9. There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push button switches. The toggle switch is probably the most familiar switch. Most of the wall switches for the lights in our home are toggle switches. Switches
  • 10. There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push button switches. The slide switch is another very popular mechanical device. Usually slide switches are used on instruments directly mounted on printed circuit boards where material costs must be kept low. Switches
  • 11. There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push button switches. The rotary switch is primarily used as a selector switch. They are very popular in electronics because they can be designed in many different ways, which lets the design engineer choose many options as how to perform switching operation. Switches
  • 12. There is a large variety of switches. The most common switches are toggle switches, slide switches, rotary switches and push button switches. The push button switch comes in various combinations of contacts, in many shapes and sizes as well as in ganged configurations. These switches are primarily used for control applications on the front panel of instruments or other electronic equipment. Switches
  • 13. Fuses and Circuit Breakers Protection devices protect you and your equipment from electrical damage. Most electrical equipment has built in protection that will sense an increase in current. The protection device immediately shuts down the circuit. There are two types of protection devices used in the electronics industry: Fuses and Circuit Breakers. These two types of devices are different, but the principle of their operation is the same, and they produce the same results.
  • 14. Fuses A fuse is the simplest and least expensive circuit protection device available. A fuse is a metallic component which is placed within an electrical circuit to monitor the current that passes through the circuit. Schematic symbol A shorted circuit in an electrical system can cause excessive current to flow through some of the components. These components heat up and eventually burn up, perhaps destroying the whole electrical system. Fortunately, having an inexpensive built-in protection device, such as a fuse, to quickly sense the short circuit condition and immediately shut the electrical circuit will prevent equipment damage.
  • 15. A fuse is the simplest and least expensive circuit protection device available. A fuse is a metallic component which is placed within an electrical circuit to monitor the current that passes through the circuit. If the current in a protected circuit becomes excessive the metal part inside of the fuse heats up and melts, opening the electrical circuit the fuse is protecting. Blown Fuses Fuses
  • 16. A fuse is the simplest and least expensive circuit protection device available. Fuses have ratings. The most important rating is the current rating, which is stated in amps. The amperage value is marked on every fuse. This value is the maximum current level that the fuse can carry. In addition to ratings, we have two categories of fuses: fast-acting and slow- blow. A fast-acting fuse blows within about one second after it senses an overload condition. A slow-blow fuse blows between one and thirty seconds after it senses an overload condition, depending on the amount of the overload. Fuses
  • 17. Circuit Breakers A circuit breaker is really two things in one: a switch and an indestructible fuse. The function of the circuit breaker is the same as a fuse. Schematic symbol There are two different kinds of circuit breakers: Thermal and magnetic
  • 18. THERMAL Circuit Breakers work on the principle of temperature rise in the activators sensing element. The sensor is usually a thermal bimetallic strip which heats up when current flow is excessive. Thermal breakers are not as convenient as magnetic breakers, because thermal breakers must cool down before they can be reset. Input A1 (NC) B1 (NO) HEATING ELEMENT Circuit Breakers
  • 19. MAGNETIC Circuit Breakers work on the principle of magnetism. The current flows through a coil in the circuit breaker housing. As the current flows, it develops a magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field depends on the amount of current that flows through the circuit and the coil. If the current exceeds the rating of the breaker, the magnetic field becomes strong enough to produce a force to trip the breaker. This force attracts the pole away from the throw. They are very common in the electrical field, especially in house wiring circuits. Circuit Breakers
  • 20. Summary Understanding switch, fuse, and circuit breaker operation and construction are essential requirements for an electronics technician. Some of the key points of the lesson are listed below:  A switch is a mechanical device used to open and close electrical current paths.  The wide variety of switches available differ mechanically, electrically, and in the arrangement of switch contacts. SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT, etc.  The most common switches are toggle, slide, rotary and push button.  There are two types of protection devices used in the electronics industry: Fuses and Circuit Breakers.  Fuses are low cost metallic protection devices, which heat up, melt and are destroyed when the current rating is exceeded.  Circuit Breakers are indestructible fuses which open or trip a circuit when they sense an overload condition.