Major difference between isolator and circuit breaker is that isolator is an off-load device, whereas circuit breaker is an on-load

de vice. (An isolator switch is part of an electrical circuit and is most often found in industrial applications. The switch does exactly what its name suggests in that it electrically isolates the circuit or circuits that are connected to i t. Such a switch is not used normally as an instrument to turn on/off the circuit i n the way that a light switch does. Either the switch isolates circuits that are continually powered or is a key element which enables an electrical engineer to safely work on the protected circuit. Isolator switches may be fitted with the ability for the switch to padlock such that inadvertent operation is not possible. In some designs the isolator switch has the additional ability to earth the isolated circuit thereby providing addi tional safety. Such an arrangement would apply to circuits which inter-connect power distribution systems where both end of the circuit need to be isolated. An isolator is a switch connected after a circuit breaker. When a circuit or a busbar is taken out of service by tripping the circuit breaker, the isolator is then open circuited and the isolated line is earthed through earth switch so that the trapped line charges are safely conducted to gr ound. A circuit breaker is a complex circuit -breaking device with the following dutie s: Make or break both normal and abnormal currents, Appropriately manage the high-energy arc associated with current interruption. The problem has become more acute due to interconnection of power stations resulting in very high fault levels,Effect current interruption only wh en it is called upon to do so by the relay circuits. In fact they are required to t rip for a minimum of the internal fault current and remain inoperative for a maximum of through fault current,Rapid and successive automatic breaking and making to aid stable system operation,3-pole and single pole auto-relosing arrangement. In addition to these making and breaking capabilities, a circuit breaker is required to do so under the following typical conditions: Short-circuit interruption Interruption of small inductive currents Capacitor switching, Interruption of short-line fault, Asynchronous switching. 2) An isolator (UK terminology) or disconnector (US terminology) is a switch used to isolate a section of a circuit from any energised conductors, by presenting a visible break in the circuit. Isolators are not designed to brea k load currents (unless fitted with optional arc-breaking feature) or to break fa ult currents. In high-voltage systems, isolators are used in conjunction with circui t breakers -with the isolators opened after a circuit breaker has opened the circu it,

and closed before the circuit breaker closes the circuit. For example, before on e can perform maintenance work on, say, a high-voltage circuit breaker, the follo wing sequence must be followed: the circuit breaker is opened, breaking the circuit. isolators located on either side of the circuit breaker are opened, presenting a visible break between the isolator and energised lines. temporary earth (ground) connections are applied to each side of the circuit bre aker. barriers and warning signs are erected around the circuit breaker to define the permitted work area. a permit to work card, listing the work to be performed, and any potential hazar ds, is issued to the personnel who are to maintain the circuit breaker. 3) Isolators They are the disconnecting switches, which are used to disconnect the circuits u nder no load conditions. Isolators are very important for maintenance purpose because it provides safety as no live part is connected to the part of circuit under maintenance.