- A circuit breaker is an electrical device that automatically shuts off the flow of electricity in the event of short circuits or overloads. Circuit breakers detect these fault conditions differently, depending on the voltage levels. Low-voltage circuit breakers typically detect the faults within the breaker, while high-voltage circuit breakers have pilot devices that trip the circuit breaker when an overload or short circuit is detected.
- When the circuit breaker has found that there is a problem, it will shut off the electricity immediately. Shutting off the electricity prevents circuit from being damaged. Circuit breakers can be reset, unlike fuses, which burn out and have to be replaced. Once the overload or short circuit has been fixed, resetting the circuit breaker turns the electricity back on. Some circuit breakers turn the circuit back on automatically when the problem has been resolved, but others need to be manually reset by flipping a switch.
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Tandem circuit breakers are a special type of circuit breaker. These circuit breakers place two circuit breakers into one breaker opening, effectively doubling the capacity of your circuit breaker panel.
Circuit breaker panels have a finite number of openings. When all of the available openings have been utilized, it is necessary to use a tandem circuit breaker, to avoid overloading other circuits. A tandem circuit breaker is the same size as a regular circuit breaker, but has two small, but fully functional, circuit breakers inside. Each of the small circuit breakers operates just like a regular sized breaker. - Tandem circuit breakers use one opening, but need two poles. These circuit breakers can only be installed in circuit breaker panels that can accommodate them. Installation of tandem circuit breakers is fairly simple, and involves little more than shutting off the electricity, snapping the circuit breaker into place, and connecting a few wires.
