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MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers) – Types,

Working
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What is MCB?
Table of Contents 
1. What is MCB?
2. Working Principle of Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
3. Tripping Mechanism in Miniature Circuit Breaker
3.1. 1. Thermal Trip Unit
3.2. 2. Magnetic Trip Unit
4. Types of MCB based on Tripping Characteristics
4.1. 1. Type B MCB
4.2. 2. Type C MCB
4.3. 3. Type D MCB:
4.4. 4. Type K MCB
 4.5. 5. Type Z MCB:
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5.0.1. 1. Single Pole (SP) MCB
5.0.2. 2. Double Pole (DP) MCB
5.0.3. 3. Triple Pole (TP) MCB
5.0.4. 4. Three Pole with Neutral [TPN (3P+N) MCB]
5.0.5. 5. Four Pole (4P) MCB
6. Selection of Right MCB
7. MCB Characteristic/Trip Curves (Type B,C & D)
7.1. What are Trip Curves?
7.2. Why do we Need Different Trip Curves?
7.3. 1. Type B Curve
7.4. 2. Type C Curve
7.5. 3. Type D Curve
8. Sources of Surge currents
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9. Overcoming Unwanted Tripping of MCB
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9.1. Other Considerations
9.2. Related Articles

MCB
 or Miniature Circuit Breaker is an electromechanical device which protects an electric circuit from an
overcurrent. The overcurrent in an electrical circuit may result from short circuit, overload or faulty design. 


In short, MCB is a device for overload and short circuit protection. They are used in residential &

commercial areas. Just like we spend the time to make a thorough check before buying appliances like
washing machines or refrigerators, we must also research about Miniature Circuit Breakers.


An MCB is a better alternative to a Fuse since it does not require replacement once an overload is detected.

Unlike a fuse, an MCB can be easily operated and thus offers improved operational safety and greater
convenience without incurring a large operating cost. They are used to protect lower current circuits and
have the following specifications 

Current rating – Amperes

Short Circuit Rating – Kilo Amperes (kA) 
Operating Characteristics – B, C, D, Z or K Curves

Don’t confuse Miniature circuit breaker with MCCB (Moulded Case Circuit Breaker) or GFCI (Ground Fault
Circuit Breaker).

A Miniature Circuit Breaker is a switchgear which is usually available in the range of 0.5A to 100A. Its Short
circuit rating is given in Kiloamps (kA), and this indicates the level of its ability to work.
For example, a domestic MCB would normally have a 6kA fault level, whereas one used in an industrial
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Working Principle of Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

MCB’s are protective devices that are made to break the circuit in case of overload or short circuit.

The working of a miniature circuit breaker in case of overload and short circuit fault is,

For Overload protection, they have Bi-metallic strip which causes the circuit to open.
For short circuit, it has an electromagnetic kind of thing.

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
Construction of Miniature Circuit Breaker

There is two arrangement of operation of a miniature circuit breaker. 

1. Due to the thermal effect of over electric current 
2. Due to the electromagnetic effect of overcurrent. 

The thermal operation of the miniature circuit breaker is achieved with a bimetallic strip.  Whenever
continuous over electric current flows through MCB, the bimetallic strip is heated and deflects by bending.

This deflection of bimetallic strip releases the mechanical latch. As this mechanical latch is attached with
the operating mechanism, it causes to open the miniature circuit breaker contacts. 
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Inside Parts of a Miniature Circuit Breaker


But during short circuit condition, the sudden rising of electric current causes electromechanical

displacement of plunger associated with tripping coil or solenoid of MCB.


The plunger strikes the trip lever causing an immediate release of latch mechanism consequently open the
circuit breaker contacts. This was a simple explanation of a miniature circuit breaker working principle.


Tripping
 Mechanism in Miniature Circuit Breaker
As 
explained in the above section, an MCB has two types of tripping mechanism.

1. Thermal Tripping
2. Magnetic Tripping

These are explained in the next section.

1. Thermal Trip Unit

The thermal trip unit protects against overload currents. 

The thermal unit is based on a bimetal element located behind the circuit breaker trip bar and is part of the
breaker’s current-carrying path. 
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When there is an overload, the increased current flow heats the bimetal causing it to bend. As the bimetal
bends it pulls the trip bar which opens the breaker’s contacts.

The time required for the bimetal to bend and trip the breaker varies inversely with the current. 

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
Magnetic and Thermal Trip Unit of MCB


2. Magnetic Trip Unit
Themagnetic trip unit protects against a short circuit. The magnetic trip unit is comprised of an
electromagnet and an armature.


When there is a short circuit, a high magnitude of current passes through the coils creating a magnetic field
that attracts the movable armature towards the fixed armature.

The hammer trip is pushed against the movable contact and the contacts are opened. 
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Magnetic trip unit



Types
 of MCB based on Tripping Characteristics
MCBs are classified into different types according to tripping over the range of fault current. The important

MCB types are as follows:

1. Type B MCB
2. Type C MCB

3. Type D MCB
4. Type K MCB
5. Type Z MCB

 The tripping current and operating time of each of the above MCB types are given in the table below.

Type Tripping Current Operating Time

Type B   3 To 5 times the full load current 0.04 To 13 Sec

Type C   5 To 10 times the full load current 0.04 To 5 Sec

Type D   10 To 20 times the full load current 0.04 To 3 Sec

Type K   8 To 12 times the full load current <0.1 Sec
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Type Z   2 To 3 times the full load current <0.1 Sec

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
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An Infographics on Different Types of Miniature Circuit Breakers

1. Type B MCB
This type of MCB trips between 3 and 5 times full load current. 

Type B devices are mainly used in residential applications or light commercial applications where
connected
323 loads are primarily lighting fixtures, domestic appliances with mainly resistive elements.
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Also used for computers and electronic equipment with very low inrush loads (PLC wiring). The surge

current levels in such cases are relatively low.

Functions of Type B MCB are protection and control of the circuits against overloads and short-circuits;
protection
 for people and big length cables in TN and IT systems. 


Applications: residential, commercial and industrial. 

2.Type C MCB
type of MCB trips between 5 and 10 times full load current. 
This
This is used in a commercial or industrial type of applications where there could be chances of higher
values of short circuit currents in the circuit. 

The connected loads are mainly inductive in nature (e.g. induction motors) or fluorescent
lighting. Applications include small transformers, lighting, pilot devices, control circuits, and coils. 

Functions of Type C MCB are protection and control of the circuits against overloads and short-circuits;
protection for resistive and inductive loads with low inrush current. 

Applications: residential, commercial and industrial. 

3. Type D MCB:
These type of MCBs are highly sensitive to short circuit and are used for the protection of highly sensitive
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Functions of Type Z MCB are protection and control of the electronic circuits against weak and long
duration overloads and short-circuits. 

Applications: Commercial and industrial uses.

All the above types of MCBs provide tripping protection within one-tenth of a second.

Types of MCB based on Number of Poles

Another practical way of distinguishing MCBs is by way of the number of poles supported by the circuit
323 Based on that, the following types exist:
breaker.
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1. 
Single Pole (SP) MCB

Single Pole MCB

A single-pole MCB provides switching and protection only for one single phase of a circuit.

2. Double Pole (DP) MCB

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Double Pole MCB

A two Pole MCB provides switching and protection both for a phase and the neutral.

3.323
Triple Pole (TP) MCB
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Triple Pole MCB



A triple/three phase miniature circuit breaker provides switching and protection only to three phases of the

circuit and not to the neutral.

4. Three Pole with Neutral [TPN (3P+N) MCB]

A TPN MCB has switching and protection to all three phases of the circuit and additionally Neutral is also
part of the MCB as a separate pole. 

However, Neutral pole is without any protection and can only be switched.

5. Four Pole (4P) MCB

A 4 pole MCB is similar to TPN but additionally, it also has a protective release for the neutral pole. 
This MCB should be used in cases where there is a possibility of high neutral current flow through the
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circuit as in cases of an unbalanced circuit.

Selection of Right MCB

The decision to use Type B, C or D miniature circuit breakers for final circuit protection in residential,
commercial, industrial or public buildings can be based on a few simple rules. 
However, an understanding of the differences between these types of devices can help the installer
overcome problems of unwanted tripping or make a suitable selection where lines of demarcation are less
clearly defined.

It should be stressed that the primary purpose of circuit protection devices such as miniature circuit
breakers and fuses is to protect the cable downstream of the device.
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Theessential distinction between Type B, C or D devices is based on their ability to handle surge currents
without tripping. These are, typically, inrush currents associated with fluorescent and other forms of

discharge lighting, induction motors, battery charging equipment, etc.


Type B, C, and D are used for overcurrent protection of cables in accordance with IEC/EN 60898-1
Type K for the protecting motors and transformers and simultaneous overcurrent protection of

cables with overload tripping based on IEC/EN 60947-2
Type Z for control circuits with high impedances, voltage converter circuits, and semi cable

protection and simultaneous overcurrent protection of cables with overload tripping based on IEC/EN
 60947-2.

MCB Characteristic/Trip Curves (Type B,C & D)

What are Trip Curves?
The Characteristic Curve / Trip Curve is the graphical representation of the expected behavior of the circuit
protection device. 

Circuit protection devices come in many forms, including fuses, miniature circuit breakers, molded case
circuit breakers, supplementary protectors, motor protection circuit breakers, overload relays, electronic
fuses, and air circuit breakers.
Trip Curve is normally plotted between the release current and tripping time (Time – Current Curve). They
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are provided by the manufacturers of circuit protection devices to assist users with selecting devices that
provide proper equipment protection and performance while avoiding nuisance tripping.

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Typical Characteristic Curve of an MCB



The circuit breaker’s trip curves consist of two parts:



1. Tripping of overload protection (thermal tripping device): The higher the current, the shorter the

tripping time
2. Tripping of short-circuit protection (magnetic tripping device): If the current exceeds the threshold of

this protection device, the breaking time is less than 10 milliseconds.

The first sloping region of the curve is a graphical representation of the tripping characteristics of the
thermal trip unit. This portion of the curve is sloped due to the nature of the thermal trip unit. 

The second region is the response time of the magnetic trip which differentiates each characteristic and for
which an identifying letter (Type B, C, D, K, Z) is assigned. 

The classification of Type B, C or D is based on fault current rating at which magnetic operation occurs to
provide short-time protection (typically less than 100ms) against short circuits.

The most important MCB characteristics are

Type B characteristic curves.

Type C characteristic curves.
 Type D characteristic curves. 
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1. Type B Curve 2. Type C Curve 3. Type D Curve

There are some specialized trip curves such as

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Type S Curve

Type Z Curve
Type K Curve


Why
 do we Need Different Trip Curves?

At this point, one question comes into your mind “What is the need for different types of Trip Curves” or

“Why do we need different Trip Curves”.


The role of a circuit breaker is to trip quickly enough to avoid equipment or wiring failure, but not so fast as
to give
 false, or nuisance trips.

It is important that equipment having high inrush currents should not cause the circuit breaker to trip
unnecessarily, and yet the device should trip in the event of a short-circuit current that could damage the
circuit cables. 

We need different trip curves in order to balance the right amount of overcurrent protection against optimal
machine operation. Choosing a circuit breaker with a trip curve that trips too soon can result in nuisance
tripping. Choosing a circuit breaker that trips too late can result in catastrophic damage to machine and
cables.

Now we will look into each of the three important trip curves mentioned above.
1. Type B Curve
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Type B devices are generally suitable for domestic applications. They may also be used in light commercial
applications where switching surges are low or non-existent. 

They are designed to trip at fault currents of 3-5 times rated current. For example, a 10A device will trip at
30-50A.

2. Type C Curve
Type C devices are the normal choice for commercial and industrial applications where fluorescent
lighting, motors etc. are in use.

These devices are designed to trip at 5-10 times rated current (50-100A for a 10A device). 
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3.Type D Curve
The Type D devices have more limited applications, normally in industrial use where high inrush currents

may be expected. 


Examples include large battery charging systems, winding motors, transformers, X-ray machines and some
types of discharge lighting. Type D devices are designed to trip at 10-20 times (100-200A for a 10A device). 


Normal
 cable ratings relate to continuous service under specified installation conditions. Cables will, of
course, carry higher currents for a short time without suffering permanent damage. 

Type B and C circuit breakers can generally be selected to achieve tripping times that will protect the circuit
conductors against normal surge currents in accordance with BS 7671. This is more difficult to achieve with
Type D devices, which may require a lower earth loop impedance (Zs) to achieve tile operating times
required by Regulation 413-02-08. 
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323 Different Type of Trip Curves in MCB

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Sources
 of Surge currents
Surge
 currents in domestic installations are generally low so that a Type B device is adequate. 

Forexample, inrush currents associated with one or two fluorescent fittings or the compressor motor in a
refrigerator/freezer are unlikely to cause unwanted tripping. Fluorescent and other discharge lamps

produce surge currents and while one or two fluorescent lamps are unlikely to cause a problem, the block
switching of a number of fluorescent lamps. 


In a shop, office or factory can produce substantial inrush currents. For this reason, Type C devices are

recommended for these applications. 

The magnitude of the surge current will depend on the lamp rating, starting system, and type of control gear
used in the luminaires.

Reputable Miniature Circuit Breaker manufacturers produce tables listing the number of fittings of a
particular make and type that can be used with their devices. 

Overcoming Unwanted Tripping of MCB

Sometimes the failure of tungsten filament lamps can trip Type B circuit breakers in domestic and retail
environments. 
This is caused by high arcing currents occurring at the time of failure and is generally associated with
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inferior quality lamps. If possible the user should be encouraged to use better quality lamps. If the problem
persists then one of the measurements listed below should be considered. 

A Type C device may be substituted for a Type B device where unwanted tripping persists, especially in
commercial applications. 

Alternatively, it may be possible to use a higher rating Type B MCB, say 10A rather than 6A. 

Whichever solution is adopted, the installation must be in accordance with BS 7671. 

A change from Type C to Type D devices should only be taken after careful consideration of the installation
conditions, in particular, the operating times required by regulation. 
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Other Considerations

The importance of selecting circuit-breakers from reputable manufacturers cannot be
overemphasized. 
 Some imported products, claiming to have a 6kA short-circuit capacity, had failed
dramatically under test. 


In contrast, the test procedures followed in British ASCTA (Association of Short Circuit Testing Authorities)

laboratories are among the most suitable in the world. 


Type B devices should only be used in domestic situations where high inrush currents are unlikely and
Type C devices should be used in all other situations. 


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Comments



Charles Simon says
 February 2, 2019 at 4:27 pm

Excellent Article. Cant find anything better than this.

Thank you for sharing this.

Reply

Suvarna says
May 22, 2019 at 12:23 am

Nice article, brief detailing of switchgear is provided.

Reply
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Dharmesh Rana says

February 8, 2019 at 1:28 pm

this is great info,i cant find on other .Excellent.

Reply

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Erahan Natarajan says
 March 16, 2019 at 3:06 am


Comprehensive details of MCB great job,


Reply

Kevin says

March 30, 2019 at 6:16 am

Wow. You have done a great job.

Excellent article.
Covered literally everything related to Miniature Circuit Breakers.
Thankyou.

Reply

Melvin Mentas says

April 5, 2019 at 4:36 pm
 HOME MACHINES POWER SYSTEM ELECTRONICS ABOUT CONTACT US

Very nice, thank u for this article

Reply

Smiley says
May 14, 2019 at 10:30 pm

What mcb would you recommend for use with and EV car charger?
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Reply


 Kay says
June 12, 2019 at 7:07 pm

Circuit Breaker type Automatic Transfer Switches are designed to transfer electrical loads from
normal power source to emergency power source.


Reply

tommy the clown says

June 21, 2019 at 4:26 am

Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just nice and i can
assume
you are an expert on this subject.

Reply
 HOME MACHINES POWER SYSTEM ELECTRONICS ABOUT CONTACT US
EllToopay says
August 22, 2019 at 12:16 am

Miniature Circuit Breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect the
electrical appliances.

Reply

Pawan says
323 August 25, 2019 at 6:03 pm
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Thanks

Very Nice description

Please tell me that ,why type B is mainly used for resistive Load.

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