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The circuit breaker is a critical safety component and has the basic function of interrupting current when a fault is detected. Designed to prevent overcurrent or overload or short circuit, their role in technology is very important. However, the grease used in traditional circuit breakers will decompose over time, resulting in the need for repeated maintenance.
Image Credit: Grigvovan/Shutterstock.com
The Circuit Breaker Pioneer Project aims to develop a grease-free circuit breaker using graphene with self-lubricating properties. Graphene solutions can solve this common problem faced by all companies and reduce the total cost of maintenance-free circuit breakers. This article will explore the working principle of this revolutionary graphene solution led by the Circuitbreakers Spearhead project.
Graphene Flagship and its European industrial partners, including ABB Corporate Research, Nanesa and Graphmatech AB, have pioneered new research to develop graphene technology to disrupt the traditional circuit breaker industry. These companies join forces to develop and optimize potentially effective innovations to replace traditional security components.
ABB Corporate Research in Sweden assisted this research by defining specifications for material requirements. At the same time, Chalmers University of Technology, another European partner, benchmarked various graphene materials to create raw materials. Nanesa, headquartered in Italy, participated in the evaluation of various electroplating process conditions and the study of graphene morphology to achieve the metal graphene coating required for the new circuit breaker.
When examining the importance of various treatment processes, the University of Rome Tor Vergata is in a leading position, while Graphmatech AB is involved in the preparation of metal-graphene composites using specific metal powders and using its ArosGraphene® material. Industry leaders actively participate in circuit breaker projects, aiming to develop smart and sustainable solutions to innovate the circuit breaker market.
Traditional circuit breakers, also known as low voltage circuit breakers (LVCB), are mainly used in household and industrial applications. LVCB's reliance on its grease-lubricated steel-steel mechanical joints is the main limitation of these safety components. Reliance on grease can also cause other problems, including hardening over time, narrowing the temperature window, and moving away from contact points during operation.
Lubricants used in the manufacturing process dry out over time, which is an important and common problem found by service technicians who will then relubricate the components. Lack of grease between services will result in more metal-to-metal contact, which can lead to wear.
Anna Andersson, Head of the Circuit Breaker Pioneer Project and Chief Scientist of ABB's Corporate Research Department, explained:
These next-generation circuit breakers will implement powerful electrical systems to ensure the continuous operation of critical facilities such as renewable energy, hospitals and data centers.
Anna Andersson, Chief Scientist of ABB Corporate Research
Andersson continued, emphasizing the importance of having a year-round effective circuit breaker that will not succumb to power outages, noting that, “Although the circuit breaker is designed and thoroughly verified for the application, it is due to the risk of any unexpected power outage in the electrical system. Failures cannot be taken lightly."
The use of reliable technology (such as maintenance-free circuit breakers) will reduce the maintenance of these overall safety components, thereby reducing the possibility of accidental outages. This graphene solution may revolutionize the electrical industry nationally and globally because it will provide reliable and responsible safety components that can solve many safety issues.
This flagship graphene project aims to use a multifunctional metal-GRM composite coating that is made through a cost-competitive electroplating process. The novelty of these graphene composites is their self-lubricating properties, which will give birth to a new generation of robust, maintenance-free circuit breakers.
The research team has successfully used copper in the GRM coating to meet the required proper friction properties; this will make it a competitive alternative to lubricated contacts in traditional circuit breakers. In addition, compared with pure copper, the new coating has been proven to have less wear and good adhesion, as well as higher oxidation resistance.
The Circuit Breaker Pioneer Project estimates that this new technology will be ready for industrial use and applications in about three years. At that time, a fully functional prototype will be tried and tested.
Due to its multifunctional properties, graphene is regarded as a "dream material" by many materials scientists. By reinforcing copper with graphene, the mechanical and functional properties of copper are increased, so fewer materials are required for the same purpose (for example, for electrification).
Due to the high reflectivity, 3D printing of these materials is very complicated. However, through the expertise of the industrial partners involved (such as Graphmatech), these obstacles were overcome and a novel coating technology was produced.
As a market leader, the mission of the Graphene Flagship is to bring successful innovative technologies to the market and subvert the current traditional technologies that may need to be improved. Due to ISO certification and meticulous quality control, especially in terms of graphene standards, the graphene flagship is part of the Swedish Standards Institute (SIS) Nanotechnology Committee. This partnership allows them to influence the global future standards and grow to be the market leader in graphene solutions.
Graphene-flagship.eu. (2021) Graphene-based circuit breakers can protect the grid | Graphene Flagship. [Online] Available at: https://graphene-flagship.eu/graphene/news/circuitbreakers-based-on-graphene-could-safeguard-the-electrical-grid/ [accessed August 30, 2021].
Graphene-flagship.eu. (2021) Graphene flagship circuit breaker maintenance-free | Graphene flagship. [Online] Available at: https://graphene-flagship.eu/innovation/spearheads/c3-sh03-circuitbreakers/ [accessed August 30, 2021].
Graphene-flagship.eu. (2021) Metals and Graphene: A New Direction for Innovation | Graphene Flagship. [Online] Available at: https://graphene-flagship.eu/graphene/news/metals-and-graphene-a-new-direction-for-innovation/ [accessed August 30, 2021].
Passive component blog. (2021) Graphene makes maintenance-free circuit breakers possible. [Online] Available at: https://passive-components.eu/graphene-enables-maintenance-free-circuit-breakers/ [accessed August 30, 2021].
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author in a personal capacity, and do not necessarily represent the views of the owner and operator of this website AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork. This disclaimer forms part of the terms and conditions of use of this website.
Marzia Khan is a fan of scientific research and innovation. She immersed herself in literature and novel therapies through her position on the Royal Free Ethics Review Board. Marzia holds a master's degree in nanotechnology and regenerative medicine and a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences. She currently works in the NHS and participates in a scientific innovation program.
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