„Device tripped. Lives saved.“

The magnetic assembly used in circuit breakers ensures that the current is interrupted in the event of a short-circuit. It consists of a coil, magnetic core, armature, magnetic yoke, fixed contact and terminal (box terminal). This unit can be manufactured as a complete assembly on a BZ 2-12 processing center at a speed of up to 125 finished parts per minute. However, Bihler technology also makes it possible to manufacture all the components as individual parts. For example, the magnetic yoke can be manufactured on a GRM 80E or a GRM 80P stamping and forming machine at up to 160 parts per minute. The stamped, bended box terminals can also be produced extremely efficiently as separate items – at up to 240 parts per minute on a GRM 80P stamping and forming machine or at up to 360 parts per minute on a BZ 2-7 processing center or a MC 120 Multicenter.

The positive trip mechanism is a key element of the circuit breaker. It ensures that the breaker trips immediately in an emergency, even if the switch is pressed or held in the “On” position. The trip mechanism can also be used to reset the circuit breaker manually after it has tripped or has been deliberately used to interrupt the current. This free-moving component can be manufactured, for example, on a BIMERIC BM 4500 servo production and assembly system, which includes the infeed of the individual parts and their combination into a subassembly. The individual parts themselves can be produced using progressive manufacturing techniques or on Bihler systems.

In circuit breakers, the arc extinguisher, which is also known as a deionization chamber, extinguishes the arcs that typically occur in the event of a short-circuit. Arc extinguishers consist of a set of metal plates that are electrically isolated from each other. The fully-machined components can be manufactured highly efficiently on a GRM 80E or GRM 80P stamping and forming machine, sometimes at speeds of up to 220 parts per minute.

The thermal assembly causes the electric circuit to be interrupted if the electric current intensity results in overheating. The circuit is broken by means of a bimetal strip that bends further in the presence of high temperatures and actuates mechanical elements that cause the moving contact to separate from the fixed contact. The thermal assembly also comprises a moving contact and a box terminal. The complete assembly can be manufactured as a finished unit on a BIMERIC BM 4500 servo production and assembly system at a maximum speed of 120 parts per minute. The manufacture of the required individual components can be integrated in the overall process and the parts can also be fed in preassembled.