Protective Relays And Circuit Breakers Global Market Report 2025

The protective relays and circuit breakers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $15.02 billion in 2024 to $16.26 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising investments in the transmission and distribution networks, rising demand for power, rising need for reliable and secure power supply, increasing demand for renewable power generation, and boosting demand for protective relay and circuit breakers.

The protective relays and circuit breakers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $23.05 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising electricity demand, growing demand from the evolving power grid industry, increasing demand from the global power substation construction, a growing worldwide focus on renewable energy integration, and increasing investment in the industrial sector. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in technology, advancements in the circuit-breaker technology, advancements in protection technology, adoption of breaker protection systems, and advanced power generation and distribution.

The forecast of 9.1% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.5% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through shortages of arc-quenching materials and precision current sensors, largely sourced from Germany and France, increasing costs for electrical grid protection equipment. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The increasing demand for electricity is expected to accelerate the growth of the protective relays and circuit breakers market. Electricity, which is the flow of electric charge through a conductor, is typically generated from fossil fuels, nuclear power, or renewable energy sources and is used to power devices, machinery, and infrastructure. The rise in electricity demand is largely due to the growing adoption of digital technologies, with industries, businesses, and households becoming increasingly dependent on data centers, smart devices, and automation. This shift leads to higher energy consumption, driven by the need for continuous connectivity and operational efficiency. Protective relays and circuit breakers are critical in electrical systems to prevent equipment damage and power outages by detecting faults such as short circuits or overloads and quickly disconnecting affected sections to maintain system stability and safety. For example, in December 2024, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), a UK-based government body, reported that renewable electricity generation hit a record high of 32.2 TWh in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 6.5% increase from the same period in 2023. Therefore, the rising electricity demand is propelling the growth of the protective relays and circuit breakers market.

Leading companies in the protective relays and circuit breakers market are focusing on the development of innovative products such as advanced metallic enclosures to enhance protection, improve installation efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and provide additional functionality for sophisticated electrical control and safety systems. A metallic enclosure is a sturdy, self-supporting housing designed to safeguard DC circuit breakers while also allowing for the integration of other electrical components, thus improving both safety and efficiency. For example, in August 2023, Sécheron SA, a Switzerland-based electrical equipment manufacturer, introduced the UR10 & UR15 DC circuit breakers. These breakers feature a new metallic enclosure that enables versatile integration beyond traditional polyester enclosures. Unlike conventional models, which only house circuit breakers, this new design incorporates high-precision voltage and current sensors (class 0.5 R or better) and other vital components. This integrated solution enhances electrical protection, optimizes space utilization, simplifies installation, and reduces maintenance costs, making it a highly efficient and cost-effective choice for vehicle control and protection systems.

In July 2022, Eaton Corporation plc, an Ireland-based power management company, acquired Jiangsu Huineng Electric Co. Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition enhances Eaton's presence in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, grid modernization, commercial buildings, and industry, leveraging Jiangsu's circuit breaker technology and market reach in China. Jiangsu Huineng Electric Co. Ltd., a China-based manufacturer of low-voltage circuit breakers, bolsters Eaton’s capabilities in the sector.

Protective relays and circuit breakers are essential components in electrical systems, designed to detect faults and prevent equipment damage. Protective relays continuously monitor electrical parameters such as current, voltage, and frequency to identify irregularities and isolate affected sections, helping to prevent system failures. Circuit breakers automatically interrupt the flow of electricity in the event of faults such as overloads or short circuits. Together, these devices enhance system reliability, minimize downtime, and safeguard infrastructure and personnel from electrical hazards.

The primary types include protective relays and circuit breakers. Protective relays function by detecting electrical faults through the monitoring of key parameters. These components are available for various voltage levels, including low voltage (up to 1kV), medium voltage (1kV-69kV), and high voltage (above 69kV). They are used for multiple protection applications such as feeder protection, motor protection, transformer protection, generator protection, and busbar protection. End-user industries include power generation, transmission and distribution, industrial facilities, commercial and residential buildings, and the transportation sector.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp escalation of U.S. tariffs and resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the electrical and electronics sector. Key components such as semiconductors, display panels, and rare-earth metals crucial for batteries and motors are now facing heavy duties. Consumer electronics companies are seeing profit margins shrink, as fierce competition makes it difficult to pass on rising costs to consumers. At the same time, industrial electronics firms are experiencing project delays due to shortages of tariff-impacted parts like printed circuit boards. In response, businesses are shifting assembly operations to tariff-exempt nations, building up inventory reserves, and redesigning products to reduce reliance on restricted materials.

The protective relays and circuit breakers market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides protective relays and circuit breakers market statistics, including protective relays and circuit breakers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a protective relays and circuit breakers market share, detailed protective relays and circuit breakers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the protective relays and circuit breakers industry. This protective relays and circuit breakers market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Major players in the protective relays and circuit breakers market are Advanced Microtech, Siemens AG, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Schneider Electric, ABB Group, Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Fuji Electric, OMRON Corporation, Littelfuse Inc., Havells India Ltd., Legrand S.A., CG Power & Industrial Solutions Ltd., C&S Electric Ltd., Hager Electro Pvt. Ltd., Noark Electric, Ashida Electronics Pvt. Ltd., GIC India, GK Expertise, Ecosmart Systems, Electro Control Systems India Private Limited, Savio Electric Works, Automac Engineers, MRM Procom, Ponovo Power Co. Ltd, Darshil Enterprises.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the protective relays and circuit breakers market in 2024. The regions covered in protective relays and circuit breakers report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the protective relays and circuit breakers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The protective relays and circuit breakers market consists of sales of overcurrent relays, distance relays, directional relays, oil circuit breakers (OCB), vacuum circuit breakers (VCB), and air circuit breakers (ACB). Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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