The Importance of Trip-Free Operation and Its Characteristics

Trip-free circuit breakers

 

Anthony T. Ricciuti

One of the many often desirable characteristics in the specifications and marketing literature for medium voltage circuit breakers is “trip-free.” Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about this characteristic.
Definitions

For IEEET rated products, there are several related definitions of “trip-free”:

•    In the most general definition of “trip-free,” the contacts of the circuit breaker must return tothe open position and remain there when an opening operation follows a closing operation,regardless of whether the closing signal, force,or action is maintained.

•    A common variant is called “electrically trip-free.” For a medium voltage circuit breaker tobe considered electrically trip-free, the circuit breaker must be able to receive and respond to an electrical opening signal regardless of whether an electrical closing signal is energized.

•    “Mechanically trip-free” operations refer to a mechanical release mechanism that can open the medium voltage circuit breaker regardless of whether any closing release device operated by any means is activated or maintained.Medium voltage circuit breakers can also be hydraulically trip-free or pneumatically trip-free if they contain a hydraulic or pneumatic opening release device, respectively,that are capable of opening the circuit breaker regardless of whether any closing release device operated by any means is activated or maintained.

Any of these variants of trip-free operation may include a trip-free relay, in which its operation alters a closing release circuit, permitting an opening release to operate unimpeded by a closing release operation in any state. For IEC rated products, although the standard recommends that the suitability for trip-free operations should be provided to customers that are specifying medium voltage circuit breakers,no specific definition is provided for this function.

Physical requirements

For IEEE rated products, if a mechanical opening release operation is maintained on a medium voltage circuit breaker, then any closing release operation signal must not result in contact movement that reduces the open gap between the contacts by more than 10%. This characteristic is often confused with the definition of trip-free.However, if any opening release operation isinitiated simultaneously with any closing release operation signal, contact movement up to and including a momentary touching of the main circuit breaker contacts is acceptable before the circuit breaker completes the opening operation.

Additionally, because electrical opening release operation circuits typically employ auxiliary switch contacts internal to the circuit breaker, and therefore the electrical release operation circuit remains open until the main contacts of the circuit breaker have closed, when an electrical opening release operation circuit is maintained, the momentary touching of the main contacts is acceptable before the circuit breaker completes the opening operation.

Figure 1: Eaton medium voltage circuit breaker operation

Eaton Circuit breaker


Anthony T. Ricciuti is a Specialist Engineer at Eaton, a power management company with 2014 sales of US$22.6 billion. Anthony has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and more than 20 years of experience in the design, testing, and analysis of circuit breakers. This article first appeared as an Eaton white paper, www.eaton.com/Eaton/OurCompany/WhitePapers/FeaturedWhitePapers/index.htm.

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • More Heat Pump Rebates on the Way in BC

    More Heat Pump Rebates on the Way in BC

    July 21, 2025 More British Columbians will benefit from a heat pump this summer with the B.C. government’s launch of a new program for income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners. The Better Homes Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate will provide rebates up to $5,000 to support the purchase and installation of high-performance electric… Read More…

  • Noramco Announces Dallas Heal as Account Manager in Edmonton

    Noramco Announces Dallas Heal as Account Manager in Edmonton

    July 21, 2025 Noramco invites you to join in welcoming Dallas Heal as the company’s new Account Manager in Edmonton. Dallas brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in the electrical and construction industries, with a strong track record of leadership, technical expertise, and customer-focused service. He began his career as a Journeyman Electrician and… Read More…

  • Ontario Investing $7.5 Million to Help Businesses Go Digital

    Ontario Investing $7.5 Million to Help Businesses Go Digital

    July 21, 2025 The Ontario government is investing $7.5 million to protect small and medium-sized businesses across the province, helping them modernize and grow by adopting digital technologies. The Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) helps companies to transition and find made-in-Ontario digital solutions with expert guidance, training and up to $115,000 in targeted grants. “Small businesses are the backbone… Read More…

  • Ontario Building New Hospital in Brantford-Brant

    Ontario Building New Hospital in Brantford-Brant

    July 21, 2025 The Ontario government is investing an additional $12.5 million to support the planning and construction of a new Brant Community Healthcare System hospital, connecting more patients and families in Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River and surrounding communities to more convenient, high-quality care close to home. This funding builds on the… Read More…