PUBLISHER: Verified Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1731730
PUBLISHER: Verified Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1731730
The increasing demand for reliable electrical infrastructure as a result of urbanization, industrialization, and expanding power distribution networks is driving the circuit breaker market. As cities and businesses expand, the need for electricity rises necessitating efficient and safe power management systems by enabling the market to surpass a revenue of USD 6.36 Billion valued in 2024 and reach a valuation of around USD 9.4 Billion by 2032.
The growing rise of residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects around the world is driving up the demand for circuit breakers. As more structures are built, there is a greater emphasis on guaranteeing electrical safety which circuit breakers provide by minimizing damage to electrical systems and lowering the risk of fire by enabling the market to grow at a CAGR of 5.00% from 2026 to 2032.
Circuit Breaker Market: Definition/ Overview
A circuit breaker is a critical electrical device that automatically interrupts the flow of electricity in a circuit when it senses an overload, short circuit, or any other fault condition that could damage the system or constitute a safety risk. Circuit breakers detect excessive current flow such as an excess in voltage or current, and promptly disconnect the circuit to avoid overheating, equipment damage, or fires.
They are commonly utilized in a variety of applications including residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Circuit breakers in residential dwellings protect electrical systems from fires and equipment damage caused by high currents.
The future of circuit breakers looks promising, thanks to technical improvements and rising demand for energy efficiency and smart grid solutions. The use of smart technology in circuit breakers is projected to improve their functionality by allowing remote monitoring, automatic fault identification, and predictive maintenance.
The global circuit breaker market is expanding rapidly driven primarily by rising electricity demand and the vital requirement for dependable power delivery systems. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), worldwide power demand increased by 5% in 2021 and is expected to rise by another 2.6% per year until 2024. The United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that global energy consumption will increase by over 50% between 2018 and 2050, with renewable energy sources accounting for nearly half of this increase, creating a greater demand for sophisticated circuit protection systems.
According to the World Bank, metropolitan populations will increase by 1.5 million people every week until 2045, necessitating significant electrical infrastructure expansion. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 70% of transmission lines and power transformers are more than 25 years old and need to be modernized with updated circuit protection devices. Furthermore, the industrial sector's rise is boosting demand the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) forecasts that global manufacturing value added (MVA) will reach USD 13.2 Trillion in 2021, marking a 7.2% increase from 2020.
Safety rules governing product quality for circuit breakers may present hurdles to the market, notably in terms of compliance costs and production procedures. Stricter restrictions force businesses to invest heavily in quality control, testing, and certification systems to ensure that their products exceed safety requirements. This can result in higher production costs that are then passed on to consumers, thus making circuit breakers less inexpensive. Smaller producers, in particular, may struggle to comply with these severe standards resulting in less competition in the market.
While safety standards provide hurdles, they also provide opportunities for market expansion by improving product quality and reliability. Stricter regulations are intended to ensure that circuit breakers work properly reducing the danger of electrical failures, fires, and other hazards. This emphasis on safety can boost consumer confidence in the goods available, promoting more use of innovative circuit breaker technologies such as smart circuit breakers with expanded functionality. Furthermore, as the industry advances, producers who effectively negotiate regulatory constraints may gain a competitive advantage, establishing themselves as leaders in safety and reliability.
In What Ways Are Investments in Electrical Transmission Networks Driving the Growth of the High Voltage Segment in the Circuit Breaker Market?
The high-voltage sector dominates the circuit breaker market due to significant investments in electrical transmission networks which drive demand for high-voltage circuit breakers. This increase in demand propels the high-voltage segment onward. Notably, the high-voltage sector market in Asia Pacific is predicted to expand at the fastest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the forecast period. This expansion is being pushed by various utilities investing in high-voltage circuit breakers to meet rising energy consumption in residential areas while also ensuring a steady power supply.
For example, Siemens launched the SDV-R non-arc-resistant and SDV-R-AR arc-resistant medium-voltage outdoor distribution circuit breakers in September 2021, with an emphasis on renewable energy applications such as wind power generation. These revolutionary circuit breakers are intended to solve the unique difficulties associated with renewable energy sources, such as power production variability and the requirement for additional safety features. Siemens' new offerings reflect the industry's shift toward bringing more renewable energy into the grid, highlighting the importance of upgraded high-voltage circuit breakers in facilitating this transition.
The outdoor segment is dominant due to the majority of newly released circuit breakers are designed for outdoor use, indicating a better market value than indoor breakers. Outdoor circuit breakers are commonly used to install switchgear in utility-scale applications that demand robust and dependable operation. These breakers are essential for managing high-voltage applications in large electrical networks which are prevalent in the power generation, transmission, and distribution industries. Many modern indoor appliances and equipment do not require external circuit breakers due to their greater durability and ability to withstand environmental changes.
These improvements need the usage of dependable outdoor circuit breakers to handle the increasing load and fluctuation that comes with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Furthermore, the proliferation of utility-scale renewable energy projects, particularly in regions that spend extensively on sustainable energy infrastructure is driving the growth of the outdoor circuit breaker market.
Asia Pacific dominates the Asia Pacific circuit breaker market owing to its vast power infrastructure development and strong renewable energy aspirations. The country's considerable power grid renovation activities combined with rising electricity demand, have provided significant prospects for circuit breaker makers. China's fast urbanization and industrial growth have resulted in an unparalleled expansion of power transmission and distribution infrastructure. According to the National Energy Administration of China, the country's power generation capacity will reach 2,474 GW in 2021, representing a 7.9% annual growth rate. Furthermore, China's drive to renewable energy integration has increased the demand for advanced circuit breakers.
According to the State Grid Corporation, China intends to construct 7 UHV AC and 13 UHV DC lines by 2025, necessitating high-performance circuit breakers for secure power transmission. The country's emphasis on smart grid development has also accelerated market growth, with the National Development and Reform Commission reporting USD 77 Billion in smart grid investments between 2021 and 2025. Furthermore, China's industrial sector expansion has boosted demand for medium and low-voltage circuit breakers. The National Bureau of Statistics revealed that industrial electricity usage increased by 10.3% in 2021, reaching 5,170 TWh, necessitating the use of robust circuit protection systems.
North America's circuit breaker market is expanding rapidly with the United States leading the way due to extensive power infrastructure upgrading programs. The region's emphasis on ensuring high reliability in electrical supply is generating significant market growth, notably through smart grid installations and renewable energy integration. The growing demand for dependable electricity supply is demonstrated by U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, which shows that the average American electricity customer experienced 7.8 hours of power outages in 2020, up from 3.2 hours in 2019, highlighting the critical need for improved circuit protection systems.
Stringent regulatory criteria and the necessity to replace old infrastructure add to the pressure for high reliability. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, 70% of transmission and distribution lines in the United States are more than 25 years old and require urgent renovations with contemporary circuit protection technology. Furthermore, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) indicated that grid disturbances increased by 36% between 2019 and 2020, underlining the importance of effective circuit protection systems.
The Circuit Breaker Market is a dynamic and competitive space, characterized by a diverse range of players vying for market share. These players are on the run for solidifying their presence through the adoption of strategic plans such as collaborations, mergers, acquisitions, and political support. The organizations are focusing on innovating their product line to serve the vast population in diverse regions.
Some of the prominent players operating in the circuit breaker market include:
ABB Group
Schneider Electric, Inc.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Eaton Corporation Plc
Siemens AG
Alstom
Furukawa Group
Kirloskar Electric Co. Ltd.
Powell Industries
Toshiba Corporation.
In May 2024, ABB's unique Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) celebrates its 100th year of electrical circuit protection and is evolving to meet future sustainability standards. MCBs have transformed daily life by ensuring the security of residential and commercial facilities and lowering the likelihood of unexpected incidents.
In March 2024, Siemens developed the first electronic switching-based solid-state high-power circuit protection device. When an error occurs, the Sentron ECPD (Electronic Circuit Protection Device) electronically shuts down the circuit and, if necessary, trips the downstream mechanical isolating contact. To date, electromechanical components have primarily been used for disconnection.