What Is a Shunt Trip Breaker and How Does It Work?

Shunt trip breakers may not be a well-known part to those not working in the realm of electrical systems and circuit protection, but they often play a crucial role within such applications. In their most basic form, a shunt trip breaker is a specialized type of circuit breaker that ensures safety and control within electrical installations. In this blog, we will delve into the intricacies of what such a breaker does and how it operates, ensuring you have the knowledge necessary to make optimal purchasing decisions.

The primary function of a shunt trip breaker is to promptly disconnect electrical power to a circuit or equipment in response to a specific external signal, and it achieves this by introducing a separate trip circuit from the breaker's main operating mechanism. This makes them useful when there is a need for remote operation, and especially so in emergency scenarios. A typical shunt trip breaker is made up of two key components: the shunt trip device and the electromagnetic coil.

The shunt trip device is connected to an external control circuit, such as a manual switch, a fire alarm system, or any other device capable of generating the required signal. When this external control circuit is activated, it sends a signal to the shunt trip device. Upon receiving the signal, the shunt trip device energizes the electromagnetic coil within the breaker, allowing it to generate a magnetic field that interacts with the internal mechanism of the breaker. As a result, the breaker's contacts are forcefully pulled open, interrupting the flow of electrical current and effectively disconnecting the power supply to the associated circuit.

One notable advantage of shunt trip breakers lies in their versatility across various settings and industries. For instance, they are employed as part of fire safety systems in commercial buildings, where in the event of a fire alarm activation, the shunt trip mechanism ensures a rapid shutdown of power to prevent further electrical hazards. In industrial applications, shunt trip breakers find utility in scenarios where remote control or automatic shutdown is necessary for operational safety, ranging in use from emergencies to routine maintenance.

In conclusion, a shunt trip breaker is a specialized circuit protection device that offers an additional layer of safety and control in electrical systems. Through the integration of a shunt trip device and an electromagnetic coil, these breakers enable the prompt disconnection of power in response to external signals, making them valuable assets in ensuring the safety of electrical installations. If you require shunt trip breakers or other comparable items for your operations, Cosmos Industrials is your one-stop shop.

With over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find parts available across our database, we can meet a wide range of needs with ease, and customers can have full confidence in the quality of our offerings knowing that we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation. Explore our inventory using our curated catalogs or search engine and filters at your own pace, and when you come across any products that you are interested in purchasing, our online RFQ forms are there for you. Simply fill out a form with as much information as you can about your requirements and restrictions alike, and with our expert team working around the clock, you can expect to be provided with a custom quote for your comparisons within 15 minutes of us reviewing your submission. Keeping all this in mind, get in contact with us by RFQ form, phone, or email to see how Cosmos Industrials can serve as your dependable procurement partner.