The global AC circuit breaker market was valued at US$ 2.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 3.8 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2032.
An AC miniature circuit breaker (AC MCB) is an electrical protection device that automatically disconnects power in the event of an overload or short circuit. AC miniature circuit breakers are commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications to protect circuits and equipment from current overload. The working principle of an AC circuit breaker is to monitor the current flowing through a circuit and trip if the current exceeds a set limit. When a fault occurs, the AC circuit breaker quickly opens the circuit and interrupts the flow of current, preventing further damage.
AC circuit breakers are typically installed in distribution boards or household cabinets to protect a variety of electrical equipment, including lighting circuits, receptacles, air conditioner circuit breakers, and other electrical equipment. AC and DC modular circuit breakers are commonly used in residential buildings, commercial offices, retail spaces, and industrial plants.
AC circuit breakers are typically designed to protect single-phase or three-phase AC electrical systems. They consist of a switching mechanism connected in series with the circuit and a tripping mechanism that senses an overcurrent condition and trips, interrupting the flow of current. The switching mechanism typically consists of a bimetallic strip that heats up and flexes when current passes through it, actuating the tripping mechanism to open the circuit. AC circuit breakers are available with different current ratings and tripping curves, which determine the maximum current they can withstand and the time it takes to trip in the event of an overload or short circuit. The tripping curve describes the relationship between the tripping time and the magnitude of the overcurrent and can be used to select the appropriate AC circuit breaker for a particular application.
AC circuit breakers also typically have other features such as a test button for manual testing, an indicator light to show the status of the circuit breaker (i.e. on or off), and a mechanism to lock the circuit breaker in the off position for maintenance or repair. Additionally, some AC circuit breakers are designed to provide additional protection against electrical hazards such as arc faults and ground faults. These are called arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), respectively, and are commonly used in residential and commercial settings to improve electrical safety.
The AC circuit breaker market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period due to the sharp increase in electricity demand, growing need for reliable power supply, and growing infrastructural activities across the globe. In the power sector, AC circuit breakers and fuses provide power supply protection against excess power or overload. However, AC circuit breakers have several advantages over fuses, making them a more popular choice. For example, they respond faster than fuses and are more reliable in providing short-circuit and overcurrent protection.
Based on type, the AC circuit breaker market is segmented into type B, type C, and type D. In 2022, the D-type segment dominated the market in terms of revenue, whereas the C-type segment will exhibit the highest CAGR during 2023-2032.
Fuses can be replaced after one use, but AC miniature circuit breakers can be reused and repair is not necessary, which is one of the main advantages. These factors make it reliable in terms of power supply, thereby reducing the risk of short circuits. Thus, the increasing demand for electricity worldwide is driving the demand for low voltage circuit breakers for reliable power supply.
Based on voltage, the AC circuit breaker market is segmented into low voltage, medium voltage, and high voltage. According to the analysis, the medium voltage segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, and the low voltage segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during 2023–2032.
Similarly, investments in the power sector in developing countries like China, Brazil, and India are increasingly focusing on the security of these smart technologies, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity with miniature AC circuit breakers in smart grid systems. Moreover, increasing investments in the manufacturing of AC circuit breakers in manufacturing hubs like China and India presents important opportunities for the AC circuit breaker market to sustain the high demand for energy efficiency in the coming years. On the contrary, frequent outages are a restraining factor for the AC circuit breaker market growth during the forecast period.
By industry, the market is segmented into residential, commercial, industrial and utilities. The largest share in 2022 was in the utilities segment, and the residential segment is expected to grow at a significant average annual rate from 2023 to 2032.
In addition, increasing R&D investments to meet future safety requirements are expected to provide promising growth opportunities for the AC circuit breaker market during the forecast period. The recent development of smart grid infrastructure, driven by economic growth in countries across the world, has created opportunities in the AC circuit breaker market.
At the regional level, the AC MCB market trend analysis covers North America (US, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Rest of Asia Pacific), and LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa). Asia Pacific remains a key player in the AC MCB market.
By country, the US holds the major share in the North America AC Circuit Breaker market and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period 2023-2032.
In Europe, Germany dominated the AC circuit breaker market by revenue in 2022 and is expected to maintain this trend during the AC circuit breaker market forecast period. However, France is expected to be the fastest growing country in Europe in terms of AC MCBs, with a CAGR of 6.71%.
In the Asia Pacific region, China is expected to become a significant market for the AC miniature circuit breaker industry, driven by rising investment in renewable energy for rural and urban electrification in the region, leading to significant investment increases by major players.
In terms of regions, Latin America has a significant market share in 2022. The AC circuit breaker market in the LAMEA region is improving due to the increasing R&D interest of companies and expansion of circuit breaker manufacturing capacity in the region. In addition, the Middle East economy is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.25% from 2023 to 2032.
The report provides competitive analysis and profiles of the major players in the global AC Circuit Breakers market, including ABB, Altech Corporation, Eaton Corporation, Fuji Electric, General Electric, Legrand, Mitsubishi Electric, Schneider Electric, Sentai, and Siemens.
The AC Circuit Breaker market analysis is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period owing to the sharp rise in electricity demand, increasing need for reliable power supply, and rising infrastructural activities across the globe. Furthermore, during the forecast period, the AC Circuit Breaker market is expected to benefit from increased investment in research and development to meet future safety requirements. On the other hand, the growth of the AC Circuit Breaker market is expected to be constrained by frequent outages.
The global AC circuit breaker market is highly competitive due to the strong presence of existing suppliers. Suppliers in the AC circuit breaker market with significant technical and financial resources are expected to gain a competitive advantage as they will be able to meet the market demands. The competitive environment in this market is expected to intensify as technological innovation increases, product ranges expand, and key suppliers adopt different strategies.
ABB, Altech Corporation, Eaton Corporation, Fuji Electric, General Electric, Legrand, Mitsubishi Electric, Schneider Electric, Sentai, and Siemens are the leading companies holding major stakes, providing growth opportunities for the AC circuit breaker market. The leading market players are adopting various strategies such as product development, acquisitions, innovation, collaboration, and others to expand their position in the AC circuit breaker market.
General Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Siemens, Fuji Electric, Schneider Electric, Zhejiang Sentai Electric Factory, Eaton Corporation, ABB Ltd., Altech Corporation, Legrand
According to the CEO of a leading company in the AC circuit breaker market, the AC circuit breaker market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Several factors are driving the growth of the AC circuit breaker market, including the rising demand for electricity and the increasing need for reliable power supply, expanding infrastructure activities across the globe, and increasing R&D investment to meet future safety requirements.
In addition, the growing adoption of AC circuit breakers in various applications such as residential buildings is expected to further boost the AC circuit breaker market in the coming years. Modular AC circuit breakers are commonly used in commercial office buildings to protect circuits and equipment. They are typically installed in electrical panels or panels to protect lighting circuits, electrical outlets, air conditioners, and other electrical equipment. AC circuit breakers are increasingly being used in renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind farms. They are used to protect inverters that convert direct current from PV panels or wind turbines into alternating current for use in gas-fired systems.
As the population grows and urbanization accelerates, the demand for electricity also increases, especially in developing countries. This creates the need for reliable and efficient energy infrastructure, including protective devices such as AC miniature circuit breakers. The global construction industry is experiencing significant growth due to the increase in the construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. This creates the demand for AC miniature circuit breakers as they are a vital component of the electrical safety system of these buildings. In addition, people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of electrical safety, especially in residential and commercial buildings. This has led to the introduction of AC miniature circuit breakers as they are an effective way to protect against electrical shock and prevent electrical fires. Governments around the world are implementing codes and standards to ensure electrical safety in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. This creates the demand for AC miniature circuit breakers as they are a key component to comply with these codes.
The primary application of AC circuit breakers (MCBs) is in electrical distribution systems for residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
ABB, Altech Corporation, Eaton Corporation, Fuji Electric, General Electric, Legrand, Mitsubishi Electric, Schneider Electric, Sentai и Siemens.
Post time: Mar-19-2025