Safety is the first concern when choosing electrical appliances or devices. When the power fluctuates or excess current flows, it causes damage resulting in an overload or short circuit. Hence, it is essential to incorporate a device as a safety element to provide overcurrent protection to the electrical devices/circuits. Fuse is one of the most common devices used in the early days to protect the circuit. A fuse contains a metal wire or strip that melts when an overflow of current occurs by stopping or interrupting the current.
In recent days the fuse has been replaced by a much more efficient and small electronic device known as MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker.
This article lets us know more about MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker in detail.
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What Is A Miniature Circuit Breaker?
Have you ever imagined what happens to your household devices, fan, washing machine, oven, fridge, and many more when a short circuit or overflow of current happens? These devices get burnt and lead to fire accidents if proper circuit breakers are not installed in the devices. Miniature Circuit Breaker is a safety accessory with an electro-mechanical mechanism of action.
MCB is an automatic switch that opens when excessive current flows through the circuit. It can be reclosed without any manual replacement. In the case of a fuse, once it has been operated, it must be replaced or rewired, depending on the type of the MCB. Hence, fuse is known as one of the sacrificial devices. This is the main reason why MCBs are used as an alternative to the fuse in most of the circuits. Also, whenever there is a fault in the circuit, the switches in the MCB automatically shut down and the fault of the device can be easily detected.
Handling MCB is relatively safe, and it quickly restores the supply. MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker can be reset quickly and does not demand more maintenance costs. MCB works on a bi-metal respective principle that protects against overload current and solenoid short circuit current.
The picture of MCB is shown below.
Read More: Difference Between MCB and MCCB
Types of Miniature Circuit Breaker
MCB trip curve decides the type of MCB that must be used for different appliances or devices. There are 6 types of MCBs, they are:
- A Type
- B Type
- C Type
- D Type
- K Type
- Z Type
A Type MCB trips off the circuit when the current exceeds 2-3 times the actual current rating. A type MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker is highly sensitive to the short circuit, and hence we can find its application in the manufacturing of semiconductors.
B Type MCB trips off the circuit when the current exceeds 3-5 times the current flow and finds its application in cable protection.
C Type MCB trips off the circuit when the current exceeds 5-10 times the actual current flow and finds its application in domestic as well as commercial appliances like transformers, fluorescent lighting circuits, and IT equipment like personal computers, servers, and printers.
D Type MCB trips off the circuit when the current exceeds 10-20 times the current flow and offers high resistance. It finds its application in motors.
K Type MCB can withstand up to 8-12 times the current flow and finds its application in heavy-duty load devices like compressors, winding motors, and X-ray machines.
Working Principle of MCB
The typical working real-time MCB is shown in the picture below.
The components of the MCB are listed below:
1. Latch
2. Solenoid
3. Switch
4. Plunger
5. Incoming Terminal
6. Arc Chutes Holder
7. Arc Chutes
8. Dynamic Contact
9. Fixed Contact
10. Din Rail Holder
11. Outgoing Terminal
12. Bi-metallic Strip Carrier
13. Bi-metallic Strip
When the current overflow occurs through MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker, the bimetallic strip gets heated and deflects by bending. The deflection of the bi-metallic strip releases a latch. The latch causes the MCB to turn off by stopping the current flow in the circuit. This process helps safeguard the appliances or devices from the hazards of overload or overcurrent. To restart the current flow, MCB must be turned ON manually.
In the case of short circuit conditions, the current rises suddenly in an unpredictable way, leading to the electromechanical displacement of the plunger associated with a solenoid. The plunger hits the trip lever, which causes the automatic release of the latch mechanism by opening the circuit breaker contacts.
An MCB is a simple, easily operable device and is maintenance-free too. MCB can be easily replaced. The trip unit is the key part of the MCB – Miniature Circuit Breaker on which the unit operates. The bi-metal present in the MCB circuit protects against overload current, and the electromagnet in the circuit protects against short-circuit current.
Uses of MCB
MCB is the key component for the safety and efficient functioning of electric machines and is used in most electrical appliances that are used for industrial or domestic purposes. In domestic usage, appliances like lights, heaters, and fans require MCB to constantly check and protect the connection.
Related links
| Related links | |
| Units of measurement | Bar magnet |
| Law of conservation of mass | Plane mirror |
Frequently Asked Questions on Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
1. List the types of MCB
A type, B type, C type, D type, K type and Z type
2. Which component is more efficient: MCB or Fuse?
MCB
3. MCB works on which mechanism?
Electro-mechanical mechanism.
4. Can trip characteristics be adjusted in MCB?
No
5. What is the interrupting rating of MCB?
Interrupting rating of the MCB is under 18000 amps.
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