How to use Piezoelectric in Circuit Breakers

Piezoelectric in Circuit
Breakers

It was found that adverse gas flow effects can impede the arc
root motion, and that optimization of the arc
chamber design could permit the use of
lower contact opening velocities. Recent
investigations [10] have shown that detailed
study of the arc-root phenomena can yield
improvements in arc chamber performance
thus permitting operation at reduced contact
opening velocity.

This now opens the possibility of refinement
of the mechanism using smart materials
actuation. Piezoelectric ceramic actuators
have been used as the trip element in
commercial circuit breakers [5] to provide
low power electronic actuation.

Reference:

Piezoelectrics in Circuit Breakers: Design and Test