Introduction to Automatic Recloser

In electrical distribution systems, an ACR is a circuit breaker equipped with an IED controller that can automatically reclose the circuit breaker after it has opened to clear a fault on the feeder.

ACR’s are effective on overhead distribution systems since many faults on these systems are momentary short circuits rather than permanent faults. If the fault clears before the circuit breaker recloses, power will be restored to the section of line where the momentary fault occurred.

A lightning strike would be an example of the type of event that could cause a momentary fault.