miniatuurschakelaartjes

Miniatuurschakelaartjes, often referred to as miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) in English, are essential electrical safety devices. Their primary function is to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by overcurrents, whether they are caused by overloads or short circuits. This protection is crucial for preventing fires and damage to electrical equipment.

A miniatuurschakelaartje typically consists of a bimetallic strip and an electromagnet. When an overcurrent occurs, the bimetallic strip heats up and bends, triggering a mechanism to open the circuit. In the case of a short circuit, the high current passing through the electromagnet creates a strong magnetic field, which also activates the tripping mechanism, quickly interrupting the flow of electricity.

These devices are designed to be resettable. Once the fault that caused the overcurrent has been identified and rectified, the switch can be manually reset to restore power. They are widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, commonly found in electrical distribution panels. Compared to older fuse systems, miniatuurschakelaartjes offer greater convenience and safety as they do not need to be replaced after each activation. Their compact size and reliable operation make them a standard component in modern electrical installations.