8536.20.00 - Automatic circuit breakers

This category, HTS code 8536.20.00, specifically covers automatic circuit breakers designed for switching or protecting electrical circuits. These devices are intended for voltages not exceeding 1,000 V. Automatic circuit breakers are characterized by their ability to interrupt electrical current automatically when fault conditions, such as overcurrent or short circuits, are detected, thereby preventing damage to electrical equipment and wiring. Unlike fuses (8536.10.00), which are designed for single use and must be replaced after activation, circuit breakers are resettable.

Distinguishing this category from other sibling categories, such as relays (8536.30), other apparatus for protecting electrical circuits, and various types of switches (8536.50), is crucial. While all fall under the broader heading for electrical switching and protection apparatus, automatic circuit breakers are specifically designed for the *automatic* interruption of current under fault conditions. Relays, for instance, are primarily used for controlling circuits with a low-power signal, and other switches are operated manually or by non-automatic means.

The subcategories within 8536.20.00 further refine the classification of automatic circuit breakers. The distinction between "Molded case" (8536.20.00.20) and "Other" (8536.20.00.40) typically refers to the construction and enclosure of the circuit breaker. Molded case circuit breakers are generally encased in a molded plastic housing, often used in industrial and commercial applications, while "other" encompasses different types of construction and applications not specifically defined as molded case.