Circuit breakers last 30 to 40 years, but if you are looking to save money on your electrical system, you can find a great deal by buying used or refurbished circuit breakers. The key is finding a trustworthy supplier who will thoroughly test their products and offer warranty coverage. Have surplus breaker parts you don’t need? Sell them to BCS for fair compensation.
Used Circuit Breakers
If you need to add a new circuit breaker to your load center and don’t want to wait for delivery of a brand-new one, used or refurbished breakers are an option. However, they carry more risks than new ones, and should be carefully inspected for proper us age before purchase.
The most common reason for a breaker to trip is overuse, especially if you plug in energy-demanding devices like space heaters, microwaves and electric coffee pots. They can put too much current on the wires and overheat the contacts. The breaker senses the excessive heat, trips and breaks the circuit. This prevents damage to the equipment and saves you a power outage.
It’s a good idea to replace your old breakers with new ones when they begin to trip too frequently. But if you have a limited budget or are on a tight schedule, used or refurbished breakers may be the best option for you. Just be sure to find a reputable supplier and thoroughly inspect them for safety, quality and adherence to industry standards. Reconditioned breakers are a safer alternative to new ones because they have been disassembled, cleaned and tested. They also have a lower cost than new breakers and often come with a warranty. However, reconditioned breakers often use lacquer to make them look like new, which can interfere with electrical operation and may even emit volatile chemicals during arc interruption.
Molded Breakers
Molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) interrupt current flows in the event of a fault to protect devices and equipment from electrical damage. Their current-carrying parts, mechanisms and trip devices are completely contained within a molded case of insulating material. They are used in alternative energy, commercial, industrial, mining and military applications to protect conductors against overloads and short circuits. MCCBs are found in panelboards, switchboards, motor control centers, combination starters and individual enclosures.
Shop Eaton’s broad portfolio of molded case breakers for sale ranging in interrupt ratings from 10 to 400A. They feature strong glass-polyester or thermoset composite resin insulated cases that are available in black, gray or brown and provide basic thermal magnetic protection for residential, commercial and industrial use. They are used in panelboards, switchboards, control panels and combination starters and offer a variety of operating mechanisms including over toggle and two step stored energy types. Missouri needs to strengthen the indigent abatement and circuit breaker homeowner’s credit programs by expanding income eligibility, indexing credits and credit amounts to inflation. This would help older Missourians and people with disabilities stay in their homes and communities and continue to live independently.
Vacuum Circuit Breakers
Vacuum circuit breakers are a good choice for applications that require high to very high switching sequences. They can handle up to 100 switching sequences per day – and have a long service life. They also require very little maintenance. In fact, they do not need any oil or gas filling. This makes them more efficient, less bulky, and more affordable than other breakers.
They are also very simple in construction and separate into three parts: fixed contacts, moving contacts, and an arc shield located inside the arc interrupting chamber. They are very effective and can interrupt arcs within seconds of opening. This is due to the ionization of metal vapors and electrons that form during an arc and condense quickly, causing the arc to extinguish.
These breaker types have higher insulating strength than other breakers. The vacuum between the breaker’s moving and fixed contacts prevents electricity from flowing through. This means that the breaker can interrupt currents at very low voltage. vacuum circuit breakers also have a longer service life than other breakers and need almost no maintenance.
They are used in industrial networks and medium voltage switchgears. They are mainly found in mining organizations, power plants, and substations to control and protect electrical equipment. They are also found in center cabinets, double-layer cabinets, and fixed cabinets for frequent operation areas.
Air Circuit Breakers
Air circuit breakers (ACB) are electrical switching devices that protect power systems against overcurrent and short circuits by using air as an arc extinguishing medium under atmospheric pressure. They are generally used in low voltage applications and consist of a steel frame with parts installed inside.
The ACB industry faces a variety of challenges that require innovative solutions, including tightening environmental regulations, the integration of renewable energy sources, and aging infrastructure. These factors create an escalating demand for robust and reliable power distribution networks that require robust circuit breaker technologies to manage power fluctuations and ensure grid stability.
Bay Power offers a broad selection of new and used air breaker equipment from some of the most trusted names in the business. Whether you need medium or low voltage air breakers, we have a solution that is right for your application. Circuit breaker for sale at surplusrecord.
We carry a wide range of ACBs from top manufacturers, such as Cutler Hammer, Square D, Eaton, GE, Schneider, ABB, and more. We offer both fixed and drawer-type air breakers, with amperage capacities from 630B to 10,000A. In addition, our reconditioned air breakers are available at discounted prices to help you save money. If you are interested in learning more about our products, contact us today. Our expert team is ready to help. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and provide a custom quote for your project.
