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What is a Shunt Trip Breaker and How Does It Work?

Written by  Edwin Jones  / Fact checked by  Andrew Wright

What is a shunt trip breaker? Does it add protection to your electrical system?

The shunt trip breaker is a combination of the shunt trip accessory and the main circuit breaker. This installs on the main breaker to add protection to your electrical system. This adds security to your electrical system as it manually or automatically cuts the electric supply in your circuit.

This accessory can help prevent short circuits and avoid electrical damage should a disaster occur in your home.

Let me tell you more about the shunt trip breaker to help you decide if you need additional protection for your electrical system.

Table of Contents

What is Shunt Trip Breaker and How Does It Work

Where are shunt trip breakers most used, how to install a shunt trip accessory to the breaker.

You should know that shunt trip breakers are different from GFCI circuit breakers.

The GFCI circuit breaker contains one big white tail wire for neutral connections only. It cannot be connected to any control package because the GFCI circuit breaker is solely designed to detect a sudden electrical surge. It has no other purpose but to cut power in case of a short.

Meanwhile, the shunt trip breaker wiring comprises two wires. One connected to the ground, and another to a control system. The control system can be connected to a sensor or to a manual switch. When activated, the shunt trip accessory will cause the main breaker to trip.

For example, if you install a shunt trip with a smoke detector, it will activate and cut off the power should the smoke sensor trigger. It can also be installed with a remote switch , allowing you to trip your breaker manually.

It is crucial to know the difference between a regular circuit breaker and a circuit breaker installed with shunt trip accessories.

The shunt trip definition means that it is a way to cut off electrical power through other sensors, not just via thermal activation. Since this is an optional accessory for a circuit breaker, it is not required for a home electrical system.

However, it is recommended for added safety. This is especially true if you’re working with industrial machinery. Furthermore, you can use it as a manual emergency switch to shut down your main breaker.

Before installing a shunt trip, consider its cost and your existing system. You may need to change the breaker panel  and circuit breakers, especially if it is not compatible with shunt trips. You may also need a new line to connect the remote emergency switch to your breaker box.

Generally, most commercial kitchens, elevators, and offices have this shunt trip breaker because it is required. Commercial kitchens use this device in compliance with ANSI/ASME CSD-1, while elevators and escalators comply with ASME A17.1. These codes refer to the controls and safety standards provided by ASME’s.

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Mostly, installing a shunt trip relay requires that the breaker and the shunt be from the same maker. Also, not all breaker models are compatible with this accessory.

Once you’re sure that your system can take a shunt trip accessory, installation is pretty much straightforward. You can watch this video by Aaron CBIONE for some tutorials.

Note: Every circuit breaker comes with different instructions. It would depend on the brand and model of the breaker .

However, the critical part of every installation is that you need to connect the shunt to your sensor. You may need a shunt trip breaker diagram as a reference to ensure correct installation.

Also, check the brand and model of your breaker before proceeding with the installation. Some makers only allow a factory install of the shunt trip and other accessories. DIY installation may void the warranty of your breakers. It’s best to read up on the manual or consult an electrical professional before making any changes.

What is a shunt trip breaker? The shunt trip is an optional accessory for a circuit breaker for added protection to your system. It is designed to connect to a secondary sensor. It will trip the breaker automatically if the sensor is triggered. It can also be activated via a remote switch that you can install.

Do you think that a circuit breaker is enough to protect your investment? Or do you want an additional layer of protection for your electrical circuit? If you’re not decided yet, reach out to me in the comments section below, and I will be happy to help you.

I am Andrew Wright. With 8 years of experience designing, installing, and maintaining electrical power systems. I love my job, and I have always wanted to offer others the necessary help so they can take care of their houses.

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Shunt Trip Electrical Breaker

18 November, 2022

When it comes to quality shunt trip breakers, Electrical Supply Distribution stands out from the rest. With over ten years in the electrical industry, they are known to be a trustworthy option, offering great pricing on a huge inventory that contains the highest quality products.

Shunt Trip Breaker

A shunt trip breaker is an optional accessory for one’s circuit breaker that allows individuals to trip the breaker remotely at any time or automatically during a surge, which prevents injuries and equipment damage during emergencies.

They are used in industrial, commercial, and residential environments. When it comes to a residential space, one can use a shunt trip breaker within their home to create an additional way to shut off their house’s electrical current during an emergency.

Shunt Trip Breaker Types

There are two main types of shunt trip breakers, known as automatic and manual.

Manual switches allow one to turn off the breaker outside the building using a remote button, while automatic shunt breaker switches to shut off the power as soon as they detect a surge from an external power source.

Where Are Shunt Trip Breakers Used?

In essence, a shunt breaker is a way to cut off electrical power through other sensors and not only through thermal activation. It is seen as an optional accessory for a circuit breaker, meaning that it is not required for a home electrical system, but it is highly recommended for added safety. 

For those working with industrial machinery, the need for a shunt breaker is even more important, and it can be used as a manual emergency switch to shut down the main breaker.

Environments where electrical shunts are required can be seen as most commercial kitchens, elevators, offices, and businesses that use industrial machinery or expensive electrical systems that could experience damage during a power surge.

How Does A Shunt Trip Breaker Work?

When electrical currents travel through a circuit breaker surge too high, the extra power surge charges an electromagnet beneath the main breaker switch, tripping the switch and cutting power. A shunt trip breaker provides an additional method to charge the electromagnet and trip the switch. These additional methods include a remote or automatic power shut-off. 

Some shunt trips may connect to an external power source, meaning that anytime a power surge reaches this source, a signal travels from the shunt trip to the breaker, which mechanically cuts the power off.

A shunt trip can also connect to a remote switch outside a building. Pressing a button on this switch sends an electrical surge through the shunt trip wiring, causing the power to shut off. 

Shunt Trip Breaker Brands

When visiting Electrical Supply Distribution for a shunt trip breaker, one will find the following:

• Cutler Hammer/Eaton BR220ST
• 120/240 Volt AT 10K AIC Plug-on

Shunt Trip Breakers From ESD

Shunt trip breakers provide additional safety within any environment, therefore, making them a truly valuable one’s electrical space. 

Call us today at Electrical Supply Distribution LLC for a free quote, or contact us via our convenient online form, where our team can answer all your questions regarding our shunt trips and what makes them stand out from the rest.

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Product Description

• SHUNT TRIP BREAKER
• THERMAL MAGNETIC TYPE
• 8 TO 1/0 AWG (ALUMINUM/COPPER, LOAD) WIRE SIZE
• UL 489, CSA APPROVAL
• 240 VAC VOLTAGE RATING
• BOLT ON MOUNTING
• 10000 AMPERE INTERRUPTING RATING
• 60 AMPERE AT 40 DEG C CURRENT RATING
• EXTENDED TANG LINE TERMINAL, BOX LUG LOAD TERMINAL TERMINAL TYPE
• QUICKLAG[R] BRAND
• WITH 120/208/240 VAC SHUNT TRIP

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BAB2050S - Eaton - 50 Amp Shunt Trip Breaker

Bolt-on - 50 amp - 2 pole - 240 volt.

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BAB2050S - Cutler-Hammer Shunt Trip Breaker

This Eaton Cutler-Hammer Shunt Trip Breaker is a compact BAB-type double-pole thermomagnetic circuit breaker rated at 50 amps at 40 degrees and 240 Vac with a tripping current of 10,000 kiloamps. 240 Vac 5,000 Amps 24 to 48 Vdc 3,800 Amps 62.5 Vdc 120/208/240 Vac with Shunt Switch.

Specifications:

• Product Name: Quicklag Industrial Thermal-Magnetic Circuit Breaker
• Product Length: 12.5 in
• Product Height: 5 in
• Product Width: 7.5 in
• Product Weight: .1 lb
• Certifications: UL Listed , CSA Certified
• Catalog Notes: HACR rated
• Mounting: Bolt-on
• Special Features: 120V, 208V, 240V shunt trip
• Interrupt Rating: 10 kAIC
• Type: Quicklag
• Circuit Breaker Type: BAB
• Quantity: Q7
• Voltage Rating: 120/240V
• Amperage Rating: 50A
• Trip Type: Non-Interchangeable
• Number Of Poles: Two-pole
• Authentic Eaton/Cutler-Hammer Product
• Dimensions (H x W x L): 5" x 7.5" x 12.5"

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Product Description

Eaton / Cutler Hammer 3-Pole Circuit breaker is ideal for residential commercial and industrial applications. It can be plug-on mounted and includes 120 VAC shunt trip circuit. It measures 3.5 Inch x 3.5 Inch x 4.8 Inch. CH-type circuit breaker can accommodate copper/aluminum wires of size 14 - 4 AWG. It is voltage rated at 240 VAC and current rated at 30 Amps. Circuit breaker has thermal magnetic circuit applications and has plug-on line/plug-on clip load terminal. Circuit breaker is UL listed

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GFCI Shunt trip Breaker

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Does anyone know if they make a shunt trip GFCI breaker. They want them for gas stoves in a kitchen.  

Yeah, but you normally dump the main to a little subpanel for all the stuff under the hood.  

I just noticed that the Square D catalog says that the shunt trip option isn't available with molded case GFCI and equipment protector breakers. Didn't know that. I know I've gotten them with the bell alarm contact option, so I just assumed that shunt trip would be available. Guess not. That leaves you with the option of installing a contactor for your under-hood stuff, or dumping the main for an under-hood subpanel. That's normally what I do, since there's more electric stuff under the hood than just the gas pilots.  

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