Disconnects

Disconnects or safety switches are designed to remove power from a system in a fast, safe and reliable manner. They are utilized in many commercial and industrial settings to provide a safe disconnect of equipment for maintenance, repairs and testing. They are also critical in an emergency situation where equipment must be stopped immediately.

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards state that disconnect switches must include an indication of its on/off function. When the switch is in the “off” position, it must disconnect all connected conductors. It should also integrate with a padlock that enables operators to lock the power off. Disconnect switches must max out at 600 volts AC power (VAC) and 1000 volts DC power (VDC).

Circuit breakers vs Disconnect switches It is crucial to understand the difference between circuit breakers and disconnect switches. Circuit breakers are designed to remove the current from a circuit when it exceeds a set limit to prevent damage to connected devices. It does this automatically and immediately. A disconnect switch controls the flow of current to a circuit. It manually starts and stops power from an electrical supply by opening or closing an air insulation gap between two conduction points. A disconnect switch usually turns power on and off to a particular device or control panel, whereas a circuit breaker can protect a circuit that contains many switches or devices. Disconnect switches can perform a high number of on and off operations while circuit breakers are not rated for nearly the same amount. In conclusion, a disconnect switch is designed to switch power on and off and a circuit breaker stops the current in an overload condition.