What is Electrical Circuit Breaker?
The circuit breaker is a protective device that is widely used in electrical power systems. The circuit breaker can break the circuit automatically whenever a fault occurs and can make a circuit either manually. It is a very reliable protective device that is widely used for protection purposes. It is used in both low-voltage and high-voltage protection systems. Now we will discuss about the best circuit breaker for low voltage that is the most popular and useable for residential and official purposes.
Basically, the working principle of the circuit breaker is the same it means moving contact and fixed contact. One portion of the conductor is fixed and another portion of the conductor is moveable. Whenever faults occur the moving contact is pulled apart from the fixed contact and stops the current flow and safe the circuit or device.
What is the Function of Circuit Breakers?
The main function of the circuit breaker is to protect the circuit from overvoltage and over-current. Basically, the circuit breaker consists of two parts fixed contact and moving contact. Under normal conditions, the contacts remain closed. Whenever a fault occurs then the contact becomes open and stops the current flow to the circuit.
It is noted that whenever contact is separated then the arc is stuck between them. Circuit breakers need to remove the arc as soon as possible. Basically, this arc process is seen for the high-voltage circuit breakers. Alright, now we will discuss here some best low-voltage circuit breakers that are widely used for low-voltage protection purposes.
Siemens Q2020 Single Pole 120-Volt Circuit Breakers
Siemens Q2020 single pole 120-volt circuit breakers are low voltage circuit breakers that use for household protection purposes. It provides protection against overcurrents and other surges. These single-pole circuit breakers can virtually control standard lighting at your house. Whenever single pole circuit breakers for low voltage trip the circuit due to over current then light and other appliances become dark and quiet. In this case, you need to supervise.
All the single pole circuit breakers are single or double-through. Basically, single pole circuit breakers mean that it can operate one circuit and trough means how many positions can be activated. Siemens Q2020 single pole 120-volt circuit breakers have some attractive features like two 20 Amp single poles, a twin 1/2 inch frame, and it is also a space-saving protective device. It has a better protection system and easily safe your device from overcurrent or surge voltage.
Specification
Product name: Single pole circuit breaker
Rated current: 20 Amp
Voltage range: 120 volts
Product dimension: 3 x 1 x 3 inches
Product color: Black
Convenience
- This circuit breaker saves space
- It is a thermal-magnetic circuit breaker that can successfully resist the electrical short circuit current and provide overload protection.
- It can successfully mitigate the electrical fire risk and provide better protection against overvoltage due to surge spikes.
- It offers better protection for homes, offices, and industries low voltage appliances.
- Please, check the wiring diagram before you purchase.
Inconvenience
- This circuit breaker can only be installed in the circuit breaker panel but it is not useable out of the breaker panel.
Siemens Q120 20-Amp Single Pole QP Circuit Breaker
Siemens Q120 20-Amp Single Pole QP Circuit Breaker is a single pole double through the circuit breaker. Basically, single pole circuit breakers are connected to the incoming power line so that they can resist lightning surges or can provide overcurrent protection to safe the device. Basically, single-pole breakers provide 120 volts and a current of 15 to 29 Amp. It means that a single-pole breaker is relatively used for a low voltage system.
There are some essential features of single-pole breakers, such as having a 10,000 AIC interrupting rating, 20 Amp, and it is compatibility with low voltage (120 volts). This circuit breaker offers a very simple and easy connection system. You can connect one switch to it, and it is connected to the hot wire and neutral wire. This type of circuit breaker offers a very fast tripping system to safe devices from unexpected hazards.
Specification
Product name: Single pole circuit breaker
Product current rating: 20 Amp
Operating voltage: 120 Volts
Product dimension: 3 x 3 x 2 inches
Product color: Black
Convenience
- The single-pole circuit breaker is specially designed for low voltage device protection.
- It has a 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating.
- This single-pole circuit breaker withstands short circuit current and provides a better protection system for electrical or electronic devices.
- It has an easy plug-in connection system.
- It can be used for single-phase or three-phase load centers to resist the short circuit current.
Inconvenience
- It can only be used for such devices those rating is up to 20 Amp.
Siemens Q115 15-Amp Single Pole QP Circuit Breaker
Siemens Q115 15-Amp Single Pole Type QP Circuit Breaker is a thermal-magnetic circuit breaker that sufficiently resists short circuits and overload. This single-pole type QP circuit breaker provides a better protection system against severe electric short circuits due to internal faults or damaging surges and voltage spikes. All the circuit breakers or other protective devices are designed for a higher rating than the rated ratings of the wires.
Basically, this process is done to protect your home appliances and switching system. Q115 15-Amp Single Pole Type QP Circuit Breaker has some crucial features that prove that it is enough to protect your essential electronic devices. It has a 10,000 AIC interrupting rating. You can freely use it for overload and overcurrent protection purposes. It is noted that such breaker operation is very quick and fast. On the other hand, the electrical fuse can be used but the fuse cannot return back to its present position alone.
Specification
Brand name: Single pole circuit breaker
Rated current: 15 Amp
Rated voltage: 120 Volts
Product dimension: 3 x 1 x 3 inches
Product color: Black
Convenience
- This single-pole circuit breaker is easy to set up and has an easy plug-in connection system.
- This single-pole circuit breaker has a 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating.
- It has a very quick circuit-breaking capacity and it can resist the device from surge power.
- You can successfully use it for overload protection purposes.
- This single-pole circuit breaker can be used for single-phase or three-phase load centers to resist the short circuit current.
Inconvenience
- It can only be used for 15 Amp but it is not useable for high Amp ratings.
AC/DC Single Pole low voltage toggle Circuit Breaker
The circuit breaker is a protective device that can resist a high current or high voltage than the rated power. The AC/single-pole low voltage toggle circuit breaker is one of the most popular circuit breakers due to its higher breaking capacity. Single pole low voltage toggle circuit breakers combine switching and protection, and it is designed for short circuit protection purposes. You will be glad to hear that without tripping the breaker, these types of breakers are able to handle short start-up surges in electric motors or other electronic home appliances.
To ensure extra security, a trip-free feature is very useful for preventing the toggle from being kept in position if an electrical fault is detected. These single-pole breakers are available in white, black, or red toggle colors and range from 5A to 50A. There are some other features for it. Suppose it is compatible with DC and AC, with different ampere, etc.
Specification
Product name: Single pole toggle circuit breaker
Compatible: DC and AC circuit
The rated voltage: 240 Volt AC
The rated voltage: 65 Volt DC
Current: 5A to 50A AC
Rated current: 5A to 50A DC
Toggle color: Black, White, and Reed
Convenience
- This AC/DC single-pole magnetic circuit breaker is able to resist surge power successfully.
- It has a 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating.
- It has circuit protection and switching combinations in a single device.
- This single-pole CB has a quick circuit-breaking capacity and it can resist the device from surge power.
- You can successfully use a single-pole circuit breaker for overload protection purposes.
Inconvenience
- It has a limited warranty and is designed for low-voltage devices.
Q22030CT 30 Double Two 20-Amp Single Pole low voltage Circuit Breaker
The circuit breaker is the main component to protect the overvoltage and overcurrent. Basically, there are different categories of circuit breakers (CB). These are used based on the voltage. If we think about high voltage systems then we will get many high voltage circuit breakers such as oil, air blast, vacuum circuit breakers, etc. But if we think about the low voltage system then we get a single pole and double pole circuit breaker. Q22030CT 30 double two 20-Amp single pole low voltage circuit breaker is one of the most reputed circuit breakers.
There are some comprehensive features of it, such as it can protect the device from heavy short circuit currents, offer proper safety, a longer life span, and others. It is noted that Q22030CT 30 double two 20-Amp single poles low voltage circuit breaker offers one 20 Amp common trip double pole and two 30 Amp single pole. This single-pole low voltage circuit breaker is rated for small distribution voltage usually (120/240 volts).
Specification
Product name: Single pole low voltage circuit breaker
Rated current: 20 Amp
Operating voltage: 240 Volts
Product dimension: 1 x 33 x 3 inches
Circuit breaker type: Standard
Convenience
- This circuit breaker is space-saving and offers an easy plug-in system.
- The single-pole circuit breaker has a 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating.
- It has a quick circuit-breaking capacity and it can resist the device from surge power.
- This triplex circuit breaker offers one double pole and two single pole circuit breakers in half of the space.
- It is specially designed for overload protection purposes.
Inconvenience
It is designed for global use but you may require an adapter. For this reason, check compatibility before buying.
QO QO115PDF Plug-In Mount 15 Amp Single-Pole Dual Function Circuit Breaker
QO QO115PDF plug-in mount 15 Amp single-pole dual function circuit breaker for low voltage provides protection against ground fault and arc fault. It is a more useable circuit breaker due to its crucial features. Most dual-function circuit breakers have a quick-open (QP) tripping system. Such kinds of breakers are widely used for industrial protection purposes. This single pole dual function circuit breaker has a self-test process.
It means that before installing it, you can test it manually. This Quick Open (QO) circuit breaker is compatible with Quick Open circuit breaker boxes and CSEDs. Each of them is ANSI-certified and UL-listed. It has a beautiful connection system that allows you to connect it with the hotline or mainline. In this case whenever overvoltage or overcurrent occurs then the breaker trips the circuit or disconnects from the supply line and safe the device.
Specification
Product name: Single pole dual function circuit breaker
Rated voltage: 120 Volts
Rated current: 15 Amp
Product dimension: 3 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches
Product certification: ANSI-certified and UL listed
Convenience
- It is a single-pole GFCI and CFCI function plug-in mount circuit breaker.
- It has a comprehensive neutral connection system and an easy and faster installation process.
- It has no pigtails which free up gutter space.
- You are able to connect this circuit breaker directly to your neutral bar.
- It has a 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating.
Inconvenience
- It can only be used for 15 Amp but it is not useable for high Amp ratings.
20 Amp Pushmatic Replacement Tandem Single Pole Circuit Breaker
We know well, that the circuit breaker is the protective device that is used for overvoltage and overcurrent protection purposes. 20 Amp prismatic replacement tandem single pole circuit breaker is a more useable circuit breaker. This breaker has two similar tripping mechanisms with one body. It means you can connect two circuits with one body. A Tandem single-pole circuit breaker is the same size as any other standard.
Basically, tandem single pole circuit breakers are designed to allow the two volts circuit to fit into one slot in the breaker box. Such circuit breaker for low voltage is installed whereas there are no more places to install more circuit breakers. This type of circuit breaker is widely used for industrial applications to protect the device.
Specification
Product name: Tandem single pole circuit breaker
Number of slots: 2 slots
Operating voltage: 120 volts for each slot.
Product category: Standard
Operating voltage: 240 volts
Rated current: 20 Amp
Product dimension: 3 x 1.7 x 1.1 inches
Convenience
- This circuit breaker has Circuit total limitation (CTL) listed panels.
- This single-pole circuit breaker has a 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating.
- It consists of plastic materials. For this reason, there is no chance to become a short circuit, and easy to carry.
- This single-pole Pushmatic circuit breaker has a quick circuit-breaking capacity and it can resist the device from surge power.
- This Pushmatic circuit breaker allows two circuits in one space.
- It can be successfully used for such devices with a power rating of up to 2200 watts.
Inconvenience
- This Pushmatic circuit breaker is designed for global use but you may require an adapter. For this reason, check compatibility before purchase.
QF130A SIEQF130A Single Pole Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
The ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a circuit breaker for low voltage that is used to interrupt the ground fault or earth fault. We have been told before that the circuit breaker is a protective device used to protect the device from surge voltage. Basically, QF130A SIEQF130A single pole ground fault circuit interrupter offers better protection for the ground fault and is designed to shut off the flow of current whenever a fault occurs.
But it can interrupt within very little time 1/40 seconds or less. There are some comprehensive features of the single pole ground fault circuit interrupter or circuit breaker. It is compatible to use in your home and office, garages, and any indoor and outdoor applications. The ground fault interrupter circuit breaker is more popular due to its comprehensive features. This ground-fault current interrupting device is easy to install and offers a longer life span.
Specification
Product name: Single pole ground fault circuit interrupter
Included components: One Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Cit breaker type: GFCI
Rated voltage: 120 volts
Rated current: 30 Amp
Interrupter time: 1/40 seconds or less
Product color: Black
Product dimension: 1 x 3 x 3.1 inches
Convenience
- It has a 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating.
- The single-pole circuit breakers can be successfully used for a variety of construction applications, such as hot tubs, bathrooms, kitchens, and other applications.
- It allows a class GFCI protection for electronic appliances.
- This circuit breaker has a quick circuit-breaking capacity and can resist the device from undesired surge power.
Inconvenience
It is only used for low voltage applications.
How to Install a Single Pole Circuit Breaker?
A single pole circuit breaker is a device that is used to protect low voltage devices in homes, offices, and some other indoor and outdoor applications and it is standard for 110 volts outlets. However, we are going to share with you how to install a single-pole circuit breaker.
- Remove the old wire from the box.
- Cut off the end of the wire that goes into the box.
- Strip about 1/4 inch of insulation from both ends of the wire.
- Twist the bare copper wires together.
- Wrap the twisted pair around the screw terminal.
- Screw the terminal down tightly.
Final Word
The circuit breaker can be used for low voltage and extra-high voltage based on the voltage and protection requirements. The low-voltage circuit breaker is used for household applications. It can also be used for offices, factories, and other places where low voltage is available. Basically, low voltage is considered for up to 600 volts. We have referred to some popular and best circuit breakers for low voltage. We have found them based on their smart operation. You can successfully use such devices for low-voltage applications wherever you need them.