What type of breaker is designed with a setpoint that can be altered?

The adjustable trip circuit breaker is specifically designed to allow the operator to modify the trip setting according to the requirements of the electrical system it protects. This flexibility helps accommodate varying load conditions and fault scenarios, ensuring that the breaker can operate effectively in preventing equipment damage or system failures.

By being able to adjust the trip setting, users can tailor the response of the circuit breaker to the characteristics of the motor or system being protected. This is particularly useful in applications where startup currents are significantly higher than normal operating currents, enabling the breaker to avoid nuisance tripping while still providing adequate protection during fault conditions.

In contrast, the instantaneous trip circuit breaker has a fixed trip setting that responds immediately to overcurrent situations, providing no flexibility for adjustment. The non-adjustable trip circuit breaker is designed with a predetermined trip point and cannot be modified. Finally, a bimetal circuit breaker relies on temperature changes to trip the circuit and typically does not offer the adjustability that the adjustable trip circuit breaker provides.