Understanding the Elements of a Quality Circuit Breaker
Choosing a circuit breaker might seem simple—especially if cost is your only concern. A quick online search can yield several manufacturers, and with a few positive reviews about timely delivery and functionality, it’s tempting to make a purchase. But is that really enough?
A circuit breaker is a critical safety device, designed to protect people and equipment from overcurrent hazards, while allowing the maximum demand of the protected circuit. When a breaker fails to perform properly, the consequences can be severe—overheating, melted wires, and burned-out motors, to name a few.
When sourcing a circuit breaker, it’s essential to look beyond the price tag. Below are several key elements to consider:
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1. Base Material
At Mechanical Products (MP), we use high-temperature thermoplastics that resist cracking and are recyclable. In contrast, some manufacturers use thermoset materials, which are more prone to cracking and are not recyclable.
2. Contact Attachment
MP employs a permanent resistance welding process to bond the lifter and contact to the bimetal. This ensures a secure, long-lasting connection. Many other manufacturers use loose rivet contacts, which can weaken over time and reduce the circuit's protective performance.
3. Bimetal Source
We exclusively use validated U.S.-sourced bimetal, trusted for decades in both military and industrial applications. In contrast, bimetal sourced from China often lacks long-term performance validation.
4. Bimetal Staking
MP secures the bimetal to the stud/terminal through a permanent staking process, which minimizes resistance. Other manufacturers may use a threaded stud and nut design that can loosen over time, increasing heat and resistance, and thereby compromising protection.
5. Bimetal Contacts
MP products feature large, welded contacts that offer a greater contact area and more silver content, which helps prevent tarnishing. On the other hand, some imported breakers use rivet-style contacts with less silver, making them more susceptible to tarnish and reduced conductivity.
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MP engineers are experienced in testing to a wide range of standards, including UL, CSA, IEC, CCC, ABYC, SAE, and Mil-Spec, ensuring comprehensive circuit protection and environmental compliance.
We are committed to quality—and, more importantly, to your safety. A circuit breaker should not only meet the specifications provided by the manufacturer but also comply with applicable industry standards.
Reach out to your local distributor or MP sales representative today and discover the MP difference.
email: helpme@mechprod.com
About Mechanical Products
As a leading developer and manufacturer of high quality circuit protection devices, Mechanical Products is well known for providing vehicle manufacturers across the globe with solutions that protect against the hazards of electrical overcurrent, especially in harsh environments. Count on it.
MP has been a leading supplier of thermal circuit protection since 1943. MP circuit breakers are used in thousands of critical & commercial applications ranging from construction & electrical generation, marine, medical, military vehicles, power management & battery backup, recreation vehicles, residential & appliance, specialty vehicles and battery chargers. MP has been management owned since 1998 and maintains manufacturing capabilities in the US and overseas with US facilities in Jackson, Michigan and Lombard, Illinois.
