A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and, by interrupting continuity, to immediately discontinue electrical flow. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then has to be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation. Circuit breakers are made in varying sizes, from small devices that protect an individual household appliance up to large switchgear designed to protect high voltage circuits feeding an entire city. All circuit breakers have common features in their operation, although details vary substantially depending on the voltage class, current rating and type of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker must detect a fault condition; in low-voltage circuit breakers this is usually done within the breaker enclosure. Circuit breakers for large currents or high voltages are usually arranged with pilot devices to sense a fault current and to operate the trip opening mechanism. The trip solenoid that releases the latch is usually energized by a separate battery, although some high-voltage circuit breakers are self-contained with current transformers, protection relays, and an internal control power source. (Bartkowiak 2009)
The Info point & Switchboard office provides general information about ICTP's offices, services, activities, schedules, conferences, lecture halls and their locations on the campus, telephone numbers, shuttles, guided tours, etc.
The Info point staff offers general information about the city of Trieste and its surroundings and handles enquiries about transportation, museums, cultural activities, sightseeing, and weekend activities downtown.
The switchboard services provide information on internal extension numbers listed in ICTP's telephone directory and responses to queries about making local or international calls. There are two phone booths in the Main Hall of the Leonardo Building. The switchboard handles requests for placing international calls and the billing. Faxes can be sent and received from the switchboard office. The cost to send a fax is 10 eurocents/page for Italy and 50 eurocents/page for international faxes. (Bachl 2008)
Distribution switchboards (types SB1, SB2 & SB3) meet the market need for power distribution for a wide range of applications. SB1 switchboards have been specifically designed for the shortest lead times and for applications where floor space is at a premium. SB2 switchboards have been designed to be able to incorporate additional features over an SB1. SB3 switchboards are designed for custom options to provide a solution for nearly any electrical distribution requirement .
Commercial multi-metering switchboards (types SMM & MMS) provide a reduced footprint and installation time for projects requiring commercial metering. These switchboards provide utility metering for multiple tenants. They are the ideal solution for shopping centers, office buildings or any other commercial metering application. Completely engineered and assembled, Siemens commercial multi metering switchboards require minimal time and cost for installation. These switchboards are specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of any local utility. (Anderson 2009)
Simply stated, a circuit breaker must be able to be switched open ...