Pictures from Google Image Search

circuit breaker

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

circuit breaker electric device that, like a fuse , interrupts an electric current in a circuit when the current becomes too high. The advantage of a circuit breaker is that it can be reset after it has been tripped; a fuse must be replaced after it has been used once. When a current supplies enough energy to operate a trigger device in a breaker, a pair of contacts conducting the current are separated by preloaded springs or some similar mechanism. Generally, a circuit breaker registers the current either by the current's heating effect or by the magnetism it creates in passing through a small coil. Because it is usual for an electric arc to form between the contacts when a breaker opens, some means must be provided for preventing rapid erosion of the contacts. Normally this is done by opening the contacts fast enough to make the arc of short duration.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"circuit breaker." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 8 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"circuit breaker." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (November 8, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-circuitb.html

"circuit breaker." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved November 08, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-circuitb.html

Learn more about citation styles

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

United States: Housing and Urban Development finds flaws in Redevelopment Plan.
News Wire article from: TendersInfo; 6/5/2008; 700+ words ; ...Byline: shiv03 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in response to a complaint...Clarksville Center Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan voted into law...Johnny Piper. Housing and Urban Development authorities could...
United States: Housing and Urban Development issues new mortgage rules.
News Wire article from: TendersInfo; 11/13/2008; 445 words ; Byline: shiv03 The Department of Housing and Urban Development said Wednesday that it has issued new mortgage rules that would require lenders to provide borrowers with Good Faith Estimates...
In Brief: HUD Holds Roundtable on RESPA Reform.(United States. Housing and Urban Development)(Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act)(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: American Banker; 8/11/2005; ; 700+ words ; The Department of Housing and Urban Development and Small Business Administration are scheduled to receive input todayfrom small-business owners in Texas on improving the mortgage...
HUD names new manager in Tuscon. (United States. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Jeanne Staley)
PR Newswire; 1/31/1990; 587 words ; ...Staley was housing director for...Government Development Director for...HUD's four state western region...the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development...CO: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development...
United States : Indianapolis Housing Agency Secures HUD Funding.
News Wire article from: TendersInfo; 11/2/2009; 452 words ; ...manish03 The Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) has been awarded...16 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds will be used to...improve and expand affordable housing in Marion County. The organization...
HUD stalls letting retirement homes refinance loans with FAH backing. (United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development)(United States. Federal Housing Administration)
Magazine article from: The Bond Buyer; 8/19/1991; ; 700+ words ; ...months is expected before the Department of Housing and Urban Development implements a law allowing...market participants said. The department has not moved ahead because...Banking Committee housing and urban affairs subcommittee, sent...
HUD issues 'Deconcentration' policy and warns against non-compliance.(United States Department of Housing and Urban Development)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Magazine article from: Real Estate Weekly; 4/5/2000; 700+ words ; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo recently...break down concentrations of public housing residents by race and income and...economic integration in public housing developments where 1.3 million families live...
HUD is up for reauthorization, so industry hopes for year of action.(United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Magazine article from: The Bond Buyer; 12/26/1995; ; 700+ words ; ...1995, but housing industry...future of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and of...required the department to subsidize...force and the department continues...Council of State Housing Agencies...ensuring the states' financial...
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp to speak at National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials National Legislative Conference and the National Association of Counties Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. (NEWS ADVISORY)
PR Newswire; 3/16/1990; 658 words ; ...SPEAK AT CONFERENCES IN WASHINGTON U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp will speak in Washington...Affairs, 202-755-6685. CO: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ST: District of Columbia IN...
Mayor George V. Voinovich meets with HUD Secretary Jack Kemp. (United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
PR Newswire; 2/7/1989; 700+ words ; ...Secretary Jack Kemp on new housing initiatives for cities...restore the nearly defunct Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG...recommendations of the Cleveland Housing Partnership, a public...produce low-income housing. Since 1986, the group...

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

Housing and Urban Development, Department of
Dictionary entry from: Dictionary of American History HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT...Housing and Urban Development...throughout the United States, assists...relationship with states and cities on...in his 1961 State of the Union...
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), established 1965...community development. The department assists in finding solutions...problems of housing and urban development through state, local, or private action...
Urban Renewal
Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History ...Enhancement of urban life was a...the U.S. Housing Authority...hospitals, and urban parks. Economic...characterized the United States after World...including urban freeway systems...approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development before ...
SIC 9532 Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development
Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of American Industries ...AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT This category...development of urban and rural...redevelopment, urban renewal...engaged in urban planning...understood that the United States is first...federal, state, and local...devoted to housing and community...and cabinet ...
SIC 9531 Administration of Housing Programs
Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of American Industries ...3 million housing units. The Federal Housing Administration...Background and Development Since the...century the Department of Agriculture...later, the United States had largely...predominantly urban economy and...urban and housing problems...

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: