SLIDE 1

HISTORY
An early form of circuit breaker was described by Thomas Edison in an 1879 patent
application, although his commercial power distribution system used fuses.[1] Its purpose was
to protect lighting circuit wiring from accidental short circuits and overloads. A modern
miniature circuit breaker similar to the ones now in use was patented by Brown, Boveri &
Cie in 1924. Hugo Stotz, an engineer who had sold his company to BBC, was credited as the
inventor on DRP (Deutsches Reichspatent) 458392.[2] Stotz's invention was the forerunner
of the modern thermal-magnetic breaker commonly used in household load centers to this
day.

Slide 2
A miniature circuit breaker basically is an electromagnetic device that automatically operates
(or breaks) the circuit, if the current in the circuit reaches to a predetermined value. It can
replace conventional rewirable fuse in distribution board and are designed to operate
accurately under both overloading and short circuit conditions.

Slide 3

An MCB functions by interrupting the continuity of electrical flow through the circuit once a
fault is detected. In simple terms MCB is a switch which automatically turns off when the
current flowing through it passes the maximum allowable limit. Generally MCB are designed
to protect against over current and over temperature faults (over heating).

 Under overload condition, the current through the bimetal causes to raise the
temperature of it. The heat generated within the bimetal itself enough to cause
deflection due to thermal expansion of metals. This deflection further releases the trip
latch and hence contacts get separated. In some MCBs, magnetic field generated by
the coil causes develop pull on bimetal such that it deflection activates the tripping
mechanism.

 Under short circuit or heavy overload conditions, magnetic tripping arrangement

comes into the picture. Under normal working condition, the slug is held in a position
by light spring because magnetic field generated by the coil is not sufficient to attract
the latch. When a fault current flows, the magnetic field generated by the coil is
sufficient to overcome the spring force holding slug in position. And hence slug
moves and then actuate the tripping mechanism
Slide 4

Basic components

Thermal / Magnetic Trip Units:

Typically, MCBs use an electromechanical (Thermal / Magnetic) trip unit to open the breaker
contacts during an overcurrent event as shown in figure below. The thermal trip unit is temperature
sensitive and the magnetic trip unit is current sensitive. Both units act independently and
mechanically with the breaker’s trip mechanism to open the breaker’s contacts.

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.
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. Because of this, the tripping
time becomes quicker as current increases in magnitude. Overload protection is applicable to any
installation, conductor, or component which can be subjected to low-magnitude but long- time over-
currents. Low-magnitude, long-time over-currents can be dangerous because they reduce the life of
the electrical installation, conductor, and components and if left unchecked could result in fire.

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.

Arc Chamber:

The arch chamber, by the action of the arc runners and arc chute, limits and dissipate the arc energy
during the interruption of an overload or short circuit event.

Operating Mechanism:

It is the set of springs, levers and other internal elements that enable the opening of the contacts as
well as to perform their independent closing. It is a trip-free mechanism. This means that the
tripping action works independently of the handle position for safety purposes.