kaitselüliti

Kaitselüliti is an Estonian term that translates to "circuit breaker" in English. It is an electrical safety device designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overcurrent or short circuit. Its primary function is to interrupt the current flow automatically when a fault is detected, thereby preventing potential fires, equipment damage, and electric shock hazards.

A kaitselüliti consists of a switch mechanism that can be manually operated to open or close the circuit. However, its most critical feature is its automatic tripping mechanism. This mechanism typically utilizes either a thermal or magnetic element, or a combination of both, to sense excessive current. The thermal element responds to sustained overcurrents by heating up and bending a bimetallic strip, which then triggers the switch. The magnetic element, on the other hand, reacts instantly to sudden surges in current, such as those caused by a short circuit, by generating a magnetic field that operates a lever to trip the switch.

When a fault occurs and the kaitselüliti trips, it disconnects the power supply to the affected circuit. This prevents the flow of damaging current. Once the fault has been identified and rectified, the kaitselüliti can be manually reset to restore power. Kaitselülitid are essential components in all electrical installations, from residential homes to industrial facilities, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of electrical systems. They are commonly found in fuse boxes or electrical panels.