Circuit Breakers

Circuit Breakers and Safety Switches

Metropolitan Electrical Contractors is your local expert for circuit breakers, including repairs, installation and more. We’re able to assess your home’s wiring when something goes wrong or can just keep everything safe and secure.

Your home’s electrical system is undeniably important. Without electricity, well life is tough. From appliances to smart devices, security systems and more, we need power.

But we also need to be secure. This is where circuit breakers come in.

A circuit breaker is an automatic electrical switch that triggers when there is either excess current flow or a short circuit in the wiring. Its basic function is to quickly disrupt current flow as soon as a fault is detected. Circuit breakers help to avoid household damage when a circuit overload occurs. Ultimately, they help to protect people and reduce the risk of fire.

How Do Circuit Breakers and RCD Switches Differ?

Circuit breakers differ from RCD safety switches in that they are only designed to prevent electrical fires. Safety switches prevent electrocution and are focused on protection and avoiding human harm.

When a circuit breaker trips the solution is much more than just flicking it back on again. You want a licensed electrician to assess the situation so you know exactly what is causing the overloaded circuit or ground fault.

Metropolitan’s fully qualified and licensed electricians have the experience, equipment and training to do just this. They can isolate and repair the fault, upgrade your home’s wiring if necessary, and provide prompt switchboard maintenance.

Call us now for more information on how we can help you.

Understanding the Various Terms and Types of Circuit Breakers

There are many different terms and names to describe circuit breakers, so understanding the difference between them all can be particularly helpful.

Low voltage circuit breakers are designed for voltages up to 1000V. They’re arguably the most common form of circuit breaker found in Australian homes, and are typically used in electrical systems running at 230/240V.
Medium voltage circuit breakers run between 1000V and 36000V, but are typically more prevalent in industrial settings and substations.
A residual current circuit breaker is another name for a Residual Current Device (RCD), the term which is perhaps more commonly used in Australia. You might also hear the term “ground fault circuit interrupters” used as well.
Much like low voltage circuit breakers, a miniature circuit breaker is designed to protect against short circuiting and overloads in low-current circuits found in residential properties.
A molded case circuit breaker, similar to medium voltage circuit breakers, is most commonly used in commercial and industrial settings more so than in residential properties.
Air circuit breakers are also more commonly used to detect short circuits in medium to high-voltage commercial and industrial systems, but use air as their arc extinguishing medium.

Choosing the right circuit breaker will depend largely on the prospective short circuit current, which is influenced by factors such as the conductor size, and the proximity between the transformer and the location of the potential short circuit. The qualified team of Metropolitan Electrical Contractors will be able to assist you with the selection and installation of your circuit breakers to ensure you have the best possible protection in your home.

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Reliable Circuit Breaker Repairs

Our electrical contractors will ensure your home can handle any common – or even uncommon – electrical problems. And when you’re faced with a tripped circuit breaker we can get to the bottom of it, fast.

Our electrical repairs tackle all of your woes, including common faults such as:

Overloaded circuit – When too many appliances or devices are operating at the same time, drawing on too large an electrical load.
Short circuit – Wiring is to be blamed, when a hot wire touches a neutral one, or appliance wiring is damaged.
Arc fault – A reaction to power fluctuation caused by sparking, or arcing, between contact points.
Ground fault – When a hot wire makes contact with a ground wire or material that it should not, such as metal or a wet surface. This can lead to electric shock.

So, whether your wiring has a loose connection, ground faults or continues to short circuit on a regular basis, you want Metropolitan.

Repairs are more than just a simple replacement and we will take care of you and your family with a full house assessment. If there are any appliances, lighting or air conditioning causing concern, your worries will soon be over.

And if your current switchboard is outdated, or perhaps you have no circuit breakers or safety switches installed, let us lift your home so it meets all regulations and standards. There’s no reason to put up with old circuits and wires!

Finance Options** Electrical Services

All of our electricians are up to date with the latest electrical current fault-finding and testing techniques. We’ll know what is causing your breaker to trip, if there is a ground fault, or if there are any damaged outlets. We can also provide any advice or clear up any concerns you may have.

At Metropolitan Electrical Contractors, we’re aware that electrical issues can strike at inconvenient times. To make things a bit easier, we offer a range of finance options** for eligible customers.

Just choose a payment plan with one of our providers – Zip or HummLoan. You have the flexibility of weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. Your electrician can take you through the easy application process on-site, and approval usually takes only a few minutes.

And with reliable 24/7 emergency electrician operation, there is always a technician who can be at your door within an hour of your call*.

When you need reliable electrical repairs for a regularly tripping circuit breaker or even home rewiring, call Metropolitan Electrical Contractors.

FAQs – All You Need to Know About Circuit Breakers

Metropolitan Electrical Contractors answers your questions about circuit breakers.

What is a circuit breaker?

A circuit breaker is an automatic electrical switch that protects an electrical circuit from excess current or a short circuit. They prevent damage from power overloads and minimise the risk of fire. Their one function is to interrupt current flow as quickly as possible as soon as a fault is found.

How do miniature circuit breakers differ from standard circuit breakers?

Miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) and standard circuit breakers protect electrical circuits in Australian homes from overload or short circuits. The key difference is their size and application scope. MCBs are compact, designed for smaller, more specific current ratings, commonly used in modern domestic electrical distribution boards. They replace the older-style fuses and provide an easier reset mechanism when tripped, without the need to replace components. In contrast, standard circuit breakers are larger, and typically used for higher current applications, or where more advanced protection features are required.

How can you tell the difference between circuit breakers and RCD safety switches?

At a glance, safety switches and circuit breakers look the same. They’re a switch. The difference is that RCD safety switches also have a test button. The button may be square or round, but it always has a ‘t’ on it for ‘test’. So if you have a switch in your fuse box that is accompanied by a button with a ‘t’ on it, you have a safety switch and not a circuit breaker.