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MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) – Construction, Working, Types and Applications

What is MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)? Construction, Operation, Types and Applications

Introduction to Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

All fuses should be replaced with MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) for enhanced safety and control once they have fulfilled their purpose. Unlike a fuse, an MCB operates as an automatic switch that opens in the event of excessive current flowing through the circuit. Once the circuit returns to normal, it can be reclosed without the need for manual replacement.

MCBs are primarily used as alternatives to fuse switches in most circuits. Nowadays, a wide variety of MCBs with breaking capacities ranging from 10KA to 16KA are used in domestic, commercial, and industrial applications, serving as reliable means of protection.

What-is-MCB-Miniature-Circuit-Breaker-its-Construction-Working-Types-Applications

What is a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)? 

An MCB or Miniature Circuit Breaker is an electromagnetic device that is enclosed in molded insulating material. The main function of an MCB is to automatically open the connected circuit when the current exceeds its set value. It can also be manually operated to switched on and off the connected circuit, similar to a standard switch, if necessary.

Following is the generic symbol used for circuit breakers.

Circuit Breaker Symbols

MCBs are time-delay tripping devices in which the magnitude of overcurrent controls the operating time. This implies that they operate when overloads persist long enough to pose a danger to the protected circuit.

As a result, MCBs do not respond to transient loads, such as switch surges and motor starting currents. Generally, they are designed to operate in less than 2.5 milliseconds during short-circuit faults and in the range of 2 seconds to 2 minutes in the case of overloads, depending on the current level.

what is miniature circuit breaker (MCB)

The typical external appearance of an MCB is shown in the figure. MCBs are manufactured in various pole versions, including single, double, triple, and four-pole structures, each with different fault current levels.

Most commonly, MCBs are interconnected to create two and three-pole versions, ensuring that a fault in one line breaks the complete circuit, providing complete circuit isolation. This feature is particularly helpful in the case of single phasing in three-phase motor protection.

These devices are rated at 220V for DC supply and 240/415V for AC supply (single and three-phase) with different short circuit current capacities. Typically, single-phase devices have a load current range of up to 100A. Some MCBs have the facility to adjust their tripping current capacity, while others are fixed for specific load currents and short circuit ratings.

MCBs serve multiple functions, such as local control switches, isolating switches against faults, and overload protection devices for installations or specific equipment and appliances.

Construction of MCB

An MCB is encased in molded insulating material, providing a mechanically strong and insulated housing.

The switching system consists of a fixed and a moving contact to which incoming and outgoing wires are connected. The metal or current-carrying parts are made of electrolytic copper or silver alloy, depending on the rating of the circuit breaker.

Construction & Parts of MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker

The above fig shows the following parts and components inside an MCB (cross-sectional view)

  1. Operator (ON-OFF)
  2. Operating Mechanism
  3. Space for Identification mark
  4. Thermal Terminal (Incoming Supply)
  5. Thermal Bimetallic Protection
  6. Arc Chamber
  7. Electromagnetic Protection (Solenoid or Magnetic Coil)
  8. Fixed Contacts
  9. Moving Contacts
  10. Lower Terminal (Outgoing Load)
  11. DIN Rail Holder

As the contacts separate during an overload or short circuit situation, an electric arc is formed. All modern MCBs are designed to handle arc interruption processes, where arc energy extraction and cooling are provided by metallic arc splitter plates.

These plates are held in position by an insulating material. Additionally, an arc runner is provided to guide the arc produced between the main contacts.

The operating mechanism incorporates both magnetic tripping and thermal tripping arrangements.

The magnetic tripping arrangement essentially comprises a composite magnetic system with a spring-loaded dashpot containing a magnetic slug in a silicon fluid, along with a normal magnetic trip. A current-carrying coil in the trip arrangement moves the slug against the spring towards a fixed pole piece. The magnetic pull is developed on the trip lever when a sufficient magnetic field is produced by the coil.

In the case of short circuits or heavy overloads, the strong magnetic field produced by the coils (solenoid) is sufficient to attract the armature of the trip lever, irrespective of the position of the slug in the dashpot.

Construction-Parts-of-Electrical-MCB

The thermal tripping arrangement consists of a bimetallic strip around which a heater coil is wound to generate heat depending on the flow of current.

The heater design can be either direct, where current passes through a bimetal strip affecting part of the electric circuit, or indirect, where a coil of a current-carrying conductor is wound around the bimetallic strip. The deflection of the bimetallic strip activates the tripping mechanism in the case of certain overload conditions.

The bimetal strips are made up of two different metals, usually brass and steel. These metals are riveted and welded along their length. They are designed in such a way that they will not heat the strip to the tripping point for normal currents. However, if the current exceeds the rated value, the strip is warmed, bent, and trips the latch. Bimetallic strips are chosen to provide specific time delays under certain overloads.

Working and Operation of MCB

Under normal working conditions, an MCB operates as a manual switch to turn the circuit ON or OFF. In the event of an overload or short circuit, it automatically trips to interrupt the current flow in the load circuit.

The visual indication of this trip can be observed by the automatic movement of the operating knob to the OFF position. This automatic operation in an MCB can be achieved in two ways, as we have seen in MCB construction: magnetic tripping and thermal tripping.

Working of MCB - Thermal tripping operation of MCB

Under overload conditions, the current passing through the bimetal causes its temperature to rise. The heat generated within the bimetal itself is sufficient to cause deflection due to the thermal expansion of metals. This deflection further releases the trip latch, leading to the separation of contacts.

In some MCBs, the magnetic field generated by the coil causes it to exert pull on the bimetals, resulting in deflection that activates the tripping mechanism.

Magneticl tripping operation of MCB

Under short circuit or heavy overload conditions, the magnetic tripping arrangement comes into play. During normal working conditions, the slug is held in position by a light spring because the magnetic field generated by the coil is not sufficient to attract the latch.

When a fault current flows, the magnetic field generated by the coil becomes strong enough to overcome the spring force holding the slug in position. Consequently, the slug moves and actuates the tripping mechanism.

Most miniature circuit breakers implement a combination of both magnetic and thermal tripping mechanisms. In both magnetic and thermal tripping operations, an arc is formed when the contacts start separating. This arc is then directed into arc splitter plates via an arc runner.

These arc splitter plates, also called arc chutes, transform the arc into a series of arcs while simultaneously extracting and cooling its energy. This arrangement ensures effective arc extinction.

Types of Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB’s)

There are many types of circuit breakers while MCBs are classified into the following major types according to their instantaneous tripping currents. They are as follows:

Type A MCB

Type A MCBs, characterized by their tripping curve, are designed to provide protection against low-level overcurrents, making them suitable for circuits with a high capacitive load, such as those powering fluorescent lighting.

With a tripping current range of 2-3 times their rated current, Type A MCBs respond to overcurrent conditions at a relatively low threshold. This sensitivity is particularly advantageous in applications where electronic devices and sensitive equipment are prevalent

Type B MCB

Type “B” MCB will trip instantly at a rate of three to five times its rated current. These are normally used for resistive or small inductive loads where switching surges are very small. Therefore, these are suitable for residential or light commercial installations.Types of MCB - B Type Electrical MCB

Type C MCB

Type “C” MCB will trip instantly at a rate of five to ten times its rated current. These are normally used for high inductive loads where switching surges are high such as small electric motors and fluorescent lighting.

In such cases, type C MCBs are preferred to handle higher values of short circuit currents. Therefore, these are suitable for highly inductive commercial and industrial installations.Type C MCB

Type D MCB

Type “D” miniature circuit breaker will trip instantly at a rate of ten to twenty five times its rated current. These are normally used for very high inductive loads where high inrush current is very frequent.

These are suitable for specific industrial and commercial applications. The common examples of such applications include x-ray machines, UPS systems, industrial welding equipment, large winding motors, etc.

Type D MCB

Type G MCB

Type “G” MCBs are capable of providing protection against both overcurrent and earth fault current, similar to AFCIs and RCDs. They are typically required in specific areas of residential and commercial buildings to enhance electrical safety.

According to the NEC, they are required to be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and circuits serving outlets and devices in certain other areas to detect and mitigate the risk of electrical fires caused by arcs in wiring.

Type H MCB

Type “H” MCBs are similar to Type G MCBs, designed to provide protection against both arc faults and overcurrents, especially in electrical systems powered by direct current (DC) supply.

Type K MCB

Type “K” MCBs are utilized to offer protection against overcurrents and short circuits in applications where the likelihood of faults is high, such as instances with high inrush currents in motors and inductive applications.

Type Z MCB

Type “Z” MCBs are designed for electronic circuits and sensitive equipment. They provide protection against low-level overcurrents and are suitable for circuits with semiconductor devices.

The above types of MCBs (based on tripping currents and curves) provide protection within one tenth of a sec. The minimum and maximum trip currents of these MCBs are given in a tabular form below, where “Ir” is the rated current of the MCB.

MCBs can also be classified based on the number of poles such as single pole, double pole, triple pole and four pole MCBs.Types of MCBs

How to Select a Proper MCB for Different Loads?

Selecting the appropriate MCB for a specific application is a meticulous task essential for ensuring reliable protection against overloads and short circuits. Failure to choose an MCB in accordance with the circuit requirements may result in frequent and unwanted tripping.

Before delving into the details, it’s crucial to understand the differences between MCBs, MCCBs, ELCBs, RCBs, RCDs, or RCCBs circuit breakers, and to learn how to read the data printed on the MCB nameplate.

If the MCB is undersized (with a rating lower than the nominal load current), it can lead to frequent tripping, interrupting the current to the connected load, as the MCB’s nominal current is less than the load’s nominal current.

Conversely, if the MCB is oversized (with a rating higher than the nominal load current), the connected load may not be efficiently protected. In such cases, the MCB might not trip even when the load draws excessive current.

Three critical factors must be considered when selecting the proper MCB for a specific application.

Related Posts:

1. Nominal Rating of the Circuit Breaker

This is the rated ampere current rating of MCB. This value must be lower than the current carrying capacity of wiring system and higher than or equal to the maximum full load current in the wiring system. Generally, this rating should be such that it can handle 125 percent of continuous load plus rating of non-continuous load. Typically this can be expressed as

Maximum full load current in the system Current rating of MCB Cable rating

2. kA rating or breaking capacity

This rating refers to the capability of MCB that can trip or interrupt the circuit under short circuit conditions. Its rating is expressed in Kilo Amps (KA). This rating must not be less than the prospective short-circuit current.

The prospective short-circuit current is the maximum current that exists in the circuit during short-circuit conditions. In residential installations 6KA MCB is sufficient while 10 KA or above rating MCB is needed for commercial and light industrial applications. Read more about Why Circuit Breaker Capacity Was Rated in MVA and Now in kA and kV?

3. Type of MCB

The type of MCB needed for a specific application is decided by operating characteristics such that various current ratings are required to operate the loads instantaneously. We have already mentioned various types of MCBs for different applications above.

Applications of an MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)

As the main functions and applications have already been described in the above statements, the fundamental purpose of an MCB is to protect a circuit (wiring used in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical panels, connected load, equipment, etc.) in the case of:

  1. Short Circuit
  2. Overcurrent
  3. Overload

Related Posts:

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17 Comments

  1. send information for other componants

  2. Malamin Fafanding Cassama says:

    I am impressed about your state of art construction of the MCB, working modes, types and applications especially the ones for PID modulations.

  3. Carter Jones says:

    Why is this article written in broken English and poor grammar? I’m not impressed, and it takes away from the website and the subject matter. The last thing I would want around electrical technology is someone who doesn’t have a clear grasp of the language, and is ignorant due to partial understanding of engineering safety considerations.

    1. Is the language or the grammar is the most important thing her? Maybe not everyone in this world not a native english speaker?! Maybe he’s doing his best to transfer knowledge the best he can,
      So why not focusing on the content rather than side useless details.
      The content is very interesting and informative.
      Let’s focus more on positive side! :)

  4. Sunil Bhalara says:

    Excellent details for MCB …Very easy to understand.

  5. arangi.ramya says:

    Please send latest informations in electrical & electronics engineering

  6. PrimeMale Test Booster says:

    I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out more details.

  7. The content shared by you was really informative and helpful for me. I am really thankful to the blog owner for helping us by giving valuable study materials.

    1. vivek kanade says:

      what is mcb Archamber use ?

  8. vivek kanade says:

    what is mcb Archamber use

  9. T Vijayan says:

    interested MCB and change over switch

  10. Jayanth kailas moro says:

    The MCB n rccbs will bring due to some reasons we are not used MCB n rccb for an year or more after few years that same mcbs n rccbs can have proper function or any falt will come due to not using these for sereval years pls answer soon I need in my work place. Hope might give proper answer for my drought’s. Tanks. Jayanth k Moro Bangalore. Mob 9916028907

  11. sagar shimpi says:

    This information is very use full for student and professional person

  12. there are missing type of C/B such as type K etc…please confirmed and resubmit if possible thanks love.

  13. Simit kumar says:

    What is mccb? Write about it working principle and all about it soon.

  14. Prasad Dhumal says:

    This is a very informative piece of content on Miniature Circuit Breakers and MCBs types

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