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Topic MCB

An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) is a mechanical switching device that protects individual household appliances from overloads and short circuits. It detects fault conditions and interrupts current flow, unlike a fuse which must be replaced. An MCB can be reset to resume normal operation. It automatically switches off circuits during abnormal network conditions like overloads or faults. MCBs are more sensitive to overcurrent than fuses and have a rated current of no more than 100 amps with typically non-adjustable trip characteristics.

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Eyad A. Feilat
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358 views6 pages

Topic MCB

An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) is a mechanical switching device that protects individual household appliances from overloads and short circuits. It detects fault conditions and interrupts current flow, unlike a fuse which must be replaced. An MCB can be reset to resume normal operation. It automatically switches off circuits during abnormal network conditions like overloads or faults. MCBs are more sensitive to overcurrent than fuses and have a rated current of no more than 100 amps with typically non-adjustable trip characteristics.

Uploaded by

Eyad A. Feilat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

1
What is MCB?
MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers)

 The MCB is a mechanical switching device which is capable


of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit
conditions and also making, carrying for a specified time and
automatically breaking currents under specified abnormal
circuit conditions such as those of short circuit.
 The MCB is a device for overload and short circuit
protection.
 The MCB protects an individual household appliance.
 It is a manually or automatically operated electrical switch
designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused
by overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a
fault condition and interrupt current flow.
2
What is MCB?
 Its purpose is to protect lighting circuit wiring from accidental
short-circuits and overloads.
 Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and interrupt current
flow.
 Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then must be replaced, a
circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to
resume normal operation.
 It automatically switches off the electrical circuit during abnormal
condition of the network i.e. under overload condition as well as
faulty condition.
 MCB is much more sensitive to over current than fuse.
 An early form of circuit breaker was described by Thomas Edison
in an 1879 patent application, although his commercial power
distribution system used fuses.
3
Characteristics of MCB
 Rated current not more than 100 A.
 Trip characteristics normally not adjustable.
 Thermal or thermal-magnetic operation.
Thermal tripping:
 In this type of tripping mechanism the current is passed through a
bimetal strip connected in series with a magnetic coil.
Magnetic tripping:
 When a short circuit occurs, t he heavy current in the magnetic coil
produces a strong magnetic field which instantly opens the breaker
Arc Extinction:
 Facilitated by guiding the arc (via self-induced magnetic fields) on
splitter plates.
 The V-shaped metal splitter plates increase the length of the arc,
splits it up, cools it and d-ionises it.

4
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB’s)

MCB Overcurrent detection:


 Thermal Tripping
 Magnetic Tripping

5
MCB

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