MCBs

What are MCBs?

MCBs, which stands for miniature circuit breakers, are a kind of switch installed in an electrical circuit to switch off automatically during unfavorable conditions. Primarily, these are tiny wires being used to control or prevent the system from major damage, so they are frequently replaced with fuses in the low-voltage circuit since they are robust, efficient, secure, and more sensitive. They are typically designed to secure electrical circuits from overvoltage or heating. Commonly used in consumer units and distribution boards in a variety of industrial, commercial, and home applications, it is placed on DIN Rail.

Miniature Circuit Breakers from top manufacturers like ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Eaton, Rockwell Automation, and Lovato is available from Enrgtech in a wide range of high-quality models.

How does a Miniature Circuit Breaker Function?

Overcurrent that flows for a long time through a miniature circuit breaker, then the bimetallic strip causes heat, which in turn bends it. This bending of the bimetallic strip expands a robotic handle, opening the interfaces and switching off the MCB; by doing so, it pauses the voltage to pass through the circuit. 

The MCB must be manually turned on to resume the flow of electricity. This device is designed to stop unintentional overloading of the cable in a no-fault scenario and safeguard the MCB from faults caused by overload or overcurrent. The degree of the overload will affect how quickly the MCB trips. Typically, a thermal device in the MCB is used to do this.

What are the Various Types of Circuit Breakers?

The three most commonly used types of circuit breaker protection being used in applications today are households, commercials, and industrials. The use is characterized by a curve structure, which finds out the falling features of the MCB: 

Curve B - trips between 3 and 5 times the Load Current

At rated current, type B would fail immediately at a pace of three to five times. They are configured to be used against inductive loads when turning surges are too limited. so that the household and commercial light configurations are compatible in such a scenario.

Curve C - trips between 5 and 10 times the full Load Current

Type C instantaneously trips at a rate of five to ten times its rated current. These are typically employed in situations with high inductive loads and high switching surges, such as in fluorescent lighting and tiny motors. Type C MCBs are preferred in these situations to manage larger amounts of short-circuit current.

Curve D - trips between 10 and 20 times the full Load Current

Type D - at a rate of between ten and twenty-five times its rated current, it will trip immediately. These are frequently used for extremely high inductive loads with strong inrush currents. Applications include big winding motors, industrial welding equipment, UPS systems, x-ray machines, etc.