Difference between C Curve and B Curve MCB
Electricity is undoubtedly a major component of our life without which it is difficult to lead our modern
age lives. The benefits of electricity are many but it has to be constrained or managed in such a way
that it causes more benefit than harm to your appliances. Overloading and fluctuation in electric
supply can be dangerous to humans as well as to your electrical appliances. To mitigate these risks,
installation of miniature circuit breakers or MCB’s as they are commonly called, is necessary. Finolex
MCB’s designed with International standards could provide higher breaking points offering protection
against overload and short circuit.
One major function of MCB is to protect the electrical circuit from excessive current flow, and short
circuits, by tripping. Trip curves of MCB educate us concerning the trip current rating of Miniature
Circuit Breakers. In other words, it is the current range at which a miniature circuit breaker trips
instantaneously which largely depends on the highest current required or expected during normal
operations.
During a short circuit, sudden ascending of electric current, causes electro-mechanical relocation of
the plunger related with stumbling loop or solenoid of the MCB. The plunger strikes the trip lever
causing it to release the lock instrument, subsequently opening the electrical switch contacts.
Image Source : www.finolex.com
Based on tripping, MCB can be characterised into two major curve types:
1. B-Curve MCB
‘B’ Curve MCB is used for the protection of circuits with equipment that does not cause surge current,
like lighting and distribution circuits. So they are, the best fit for residential applications and domestic
appliances with mainly Resistive Load.
2. C-Curve MCB
‘C’ Curve MCB is used for the protection of circuits with equipment that cause surge current i.e. low-
HP motors used for air-conditioners, small mono block and submersible pumps with mainly Inductive
Load.
The importance of selecting a MCB from reputed manufacturers is vital as it comes with International
standards, protecting your domestic circuits from any mishap. Both C-curve and B-curve MCB’s are a
primary priority for residential circuits making it an important aspect to be taken care of for the
protection of your family. Finolex’s B and C Curve MCB’s are a safe and trusted brand for those
looking for the best electrical solutions.
Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB)
New article from Manish, one of the members of the EEC! In his last article he
told you about Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs). Today he will take a look at
another important type of circuit breaker called Residual Current Circuit
Breaker (RCCB).
Introduction
A Residual Current Circuit Breakers is another different class of Circuit Breakers. A
Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) is essentially a current sensing device used to
protect a low voltage circuit in case of a fault. It contains a switch device that switches
off whenever a fault occurs in the connected circuit.
Purpose of RCCB
Residual Current Circuit Breakers are aimed at protecting an individual from the risks of
electrical shocks, electrocution and fires that are caused due to faulty wiring or earth
faults.
RCCB is particularly useful in situations where there is a sudden earth fault occurring in
the circuit.
e.g. A person accidentally comes in contact with an open live wire in the circuit.
In such situation, in absence of an RCCB in the circuit, an earth fault may occur and the
person is at the risk of receiving an electrical shock.
However, if the same circuit is protected with RCCB, it will trip the circuit in fraction of a
second thus preventing the person from receiving an electrical shock. Therefore, it is a
good and safe practice to install RCCB in your electrical circuit.
How does it Protect?
As explained above, RCCB is meant for protection from earth faults and associated risk
to human life such as electrical shocks.
The underlying fundamental principle behind operation of RCCB is that in ideal situations
the current flowing in to the circuit through live (hot) wire should be same as the
returning current from the neutral.
In case of an earth fault, the current finds a passage to earth through accidental means
(such as accidental contact with an open wire etc.). As a result the returning current
from neutral is reduced. This differential in the current is also known as “Residual
Current”.
RCCB is designed such way that it continuously senses and compares for difference
(residual current value) in current values between the live and neutral wires. Any small
change in the current value on account of such event would trigger the RCCB to trip off
the circuit.
Types of RCCBs
2 Pole RCCB: It is used in case of a single phase supply that involves only a live and
neutral wire. It is as displayed in image below. It contains two ends where the live and
neutral wires are connected. A Rotary switch is used to switch the RCCB back to ON or
OFF positions. A test button helps to periodically test the RCCB functionality.
4 Pole RCCB: It is used in cases of a three phase supply connection involving three
phase wires and a neutral. It is as displayed in image below. It consists of two ends
where the three phases and neutral wire is connected. Besides this it is similar in
construction and operation as 2 Pole RCCB.
RCCBs come in different ratings like: 30 mA, 100 mA, 300 mA
Protection from Earth Leakage:
In order to achieve protection from earth leakage, 2 kinds of protection devices are used,
based on 2 different concepts:
1. Voltage sensing ELCBs
2. Current sensing RCCBs
Current sensing based Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB):
What is an RCCB? ‘Residual Current Circuit Breaker’ or ‘RCCB’ is a current sensing
based protection device which offers protection against earth leakage. RCCB works on
‘Kirchhoff’s Current Law’ which states that ‘The amount of current entering the circuit
must be equal to the amount of current leaving the circuit’ i.e. the sum of the total
(incoming + outgoing) current should be 0. To ensure this, inside RCCB there is a CBCT
(Core Balance Current Transformer) which senses the magnitude of current entering the
circuit & leaving the circuit. Whenever a current leakage is sensed, the relay associated
with CBCT gets energized and trips the RCCB.
Advantages of RCCB
1. Trips the circuit breaker even if the Earth continuity is not available.
2. Accurate
3. No individual earthing of devices is required
4. Simplified wiring
Voltage Sensing based Earth Leakage Circuit
Breaker:
ELCB or Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker works on the principle of Voltage Sensing. ELCB is
connected to the system such that one terminal is connected to the equipment for which
the protection is required & the other terminal is connected to the earth. The voltage is
measured between these 2 terminals which are observed as ‘0’ in an ideal case.
However, in case of earth leakage, a voltage difference is created between these 2
terminals energizing the coil in the circuit breaker which in response trips the ELCB in
case of earth leakage.
Disadvantages of an ELCB:
1. Continuity of Earth is a must for ELCB to operate.
2. For separate devices separate earthing shall be required otherwise the ELCB would not be
able to sense the leakage.
3. Diversion of protection can be there in case a proper earthing arrangement is not
maintained by the user with ELCB.
4. Mandatory wiring arrangement of the earth conductor from equipment to ELCB for its
operation.
