Performance of microkernel vs monolithic kernel. As is always the answer (or at least the preface) to performance-related questions: know your problem domain, run comparative benchmarks, and remember what premature optimization is.
A summary of the difference between contactors, motor starters, relays and circuit breakers. Switches, circuit breakers, and contactors are used to control what parts of an electrical system are energized or de-energized. Fuses are used to protect the electrical system when something goes wrong, and can isolate the faulted parts from the normal parts.
circuit breaker. n. 1. (Electronics) a device that under abnormal conditions, such as a short circuit, interrupts the flow of current in an electrical circuit.. An automatic switch that stops the flow of electric current in a suddenly overloaded or otherwise abnormally stressed electric circuit. 2. An automatic halt or suspension in the trading on a stock exchange that takes effect in response to a specified amount of loss.