Which component is integrated within circuit breakers to detect issues?

The integration of trip units within circuit breakers is essential for detecting electrical faults and operational issues. Trip units serve as the brain of the circuit breaker, continuously monitoring the current flowing through the circuit. When they detect anomalies, such as an overload or a short circuit, the trip unit sends a signal to open the circuit breaker and disconnect the power supply. This protective function is critical for preventing damage to electrical systems and reducing the risk of fire or equipment failure.

Thermal sensors, while useful in certain applications, primarily monitor temperature rather than functionality or current levels within the breaker. Backup batteries and control panels play different roles in electrical systems—backup batteries provide power fail-safes, and control panels interface with users but do not perform the same protective monitoring function as trip units. Thus, trip units are specifically designed to fulfill the requirement of fault detection in circuit breakers.