Circuit breakers

[Petesreef]

Probably overthinking this but thought I would ask: is a thermal vs a hydraulic circuit breaker better for aquarium equipment? Thanks!

 

[Biglew11]

probably not necessary, unless your electrical box is located in a harsh environment that affects regular circuit breakers.

https://thegrid.rexel.com/en-us/kno...aulic-magnetic-circuit-breakers-and-operation

Hydraulic-Magnetic Circuit Breakers and Operation
This type of circuit breaker is used whenever site conditions would interfere with the normal operation of thermal overload protection, including cases such as:

• Low temperatures, which might prevent thermal protection from tripping.
• High temperatures, which may trip thermal protection without an overload.
• Environment moisture, which may absorb heat and affect the operation of thermal protection mechanisms.

Hydraulic-magnetic circuit breakers, whose overload protection is independent on temperature, offer a suitable solution for applications such as marine environments, transportation, generator rooms, and any industrial location with temperature or moisture extremes.
Hydraulic-Magnetic Circuit Breaker Operation
As mentioned before, thermal-magnetic circuit breakers accomplish their protection function through a combination of two elements: an expanding contact for overload protection and an induction coil for fault protection. Hydraulic-magnetic circuit breakers, on the other hand, accomplish both types of protection with an induction coil whose mechanical actuator is dampened by a fluid-filled cylinder.

• If there is an overload, which only exceeds the rated current slightly, the induced magnetic field will be weak and the circuit breaker's trip will be delayed due to the dampened cylinder.
• If there is a high-current fault, the induced magnetic field is very strong and the dampening effect is overcome instantly- providing an immediate trip.

 

[Petesreef]

I guess what I’m really asking is one more or less likely to “trip”?

 

[Biglew11]

probably not necessary, unless your electrical box is located in a harsh environment that affects regular circuit breakers.

https://thegrid.rexel.com/en-us/kno...aulic-magnetic-circuit-breakers-and-operation

Hydraulic-Magnetic Circuit Breakers and Operation
This type of circuit breaker is used whenever site conditions would interfere with the normal operation of thermal overload protection, including cases such as:

• Low temperatures, which might prevent thermal protection from tripping.
• High temperatures, which may trip thermal protection without an overload.
• Environment moisture, which may absorb heat and affect the operation of thermal protection mechanisms.

Hydraulic-magnetic circuit breakers, whose overload protection is independent on temperature, offer a suitable solution for applications such as marine environments, transportation, generator rooms, and any industrial location with temperature or moisture extremes.
Hydraulic-Magnetic Circuit Breaker Operation
As mentioned before, thermal-magnetic circuit breakers accomplish their protection function through a combination of two elements: an expanding contact for overload protection and an induction coil for fault protection. Hydraulic-magnetic circuit breakers, on the other hand, accomplish both types of protection with an induction coil whose mechanical actuator is dampened by a fluid-filled cylinder.

• If there is an overload, which only exceeds the rated current slightly, the induced magnetic field will be weak and the circuit breaker's trip will be delayed due to the dampened cylinder.
• If there is a high-current fault, the induced magnetic field is very strong and the dampening effect is overcome instantly- providing an immediate trip.

looking at this information the only thing that affects the tripping characteristics, is the environment it is located in.
both breakers should trip at about the same amount of overload current.

if your breaker box location gets really hot then the standard break will trip sooner.
if your breaker box location gets really cold the the standard breaker will trip later.

is your breaker box located in a very harsh environment? if not both breakers are likely to trip at the same time.