Protection functions · 72

DC circuit breaker

Interrupts or switches a direct-current power circuit using a breaker selected for DC duty.

SLD / Schematic · 72DC circuit breaker: original educational illustration
Original educational illustrationNot to scale · See source and graphic notes

What it represents

Interrupts or switches a direct-current power circuit using a breaker selected for DC duty.

In a drafting package, connect this reference to the DC source, polarity and breaker poles. The associated drawing should trace the DC breaker operating circuits and downstream loads; the number identifies the role and does not specify the terminal arrangement, ratings or operating settings.

How to read it

  • Identify the DC source, polarity and breaker poles.
  • Trace the DC breaker operating circuits and downstream loads.

Information to show or reference

  • Label the DC source, polarity and breaker poles.
  • Cross-reference the DC breaker operating circuits and downstream loads.
  • Identify the device tag, manual revision and logic drawing that define this implementation.

A distinction that matters

Device 72 identifies a DC breaker; AC breaker 52 cannot be substituted without checking the equipment's DC ratings and duty.

Sources you can follow

These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.

ANSI device-number and suffix reference table

Public manufacturer number/name association. Drafting explanations are independently written.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories · Public reference checked 13 October 2026 · Link only

IEEE C37.2-2022: power-system device function numbers

Normative device-number publication; exact edition wording and compliance require the licensed standard.

IEEE · Public reference checked 13 October 2026 · Link only

About this graphic

This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.

SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.

Entry JSON · Entry Markdown · Last editorial update: 13 October 2026

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