How to check

the quality of
MCB Circuit
Breaker
 How To Check The Quality of MCB Circuit Breaker

The quality of the MCB circuit breaker is very important. This decides its
performance, life and even the safety of the users. Normally we would carry out
both a routine check and final confirmation check for miniature circuit breakers
before their delivery. 

However today we are not talking about checking by manufacturers, this article
is about helping you, the buyer, check the quality of the MCB electrical before
its delivery. This will be different from routine check and final confirmation check
and some manufacturers may be not keen to provide this information. 

The checking includes an appearance examination, external and internal

material inspection, mechanical operation and performance inspection. Now
let’s make the analysis of MCB circuit breaker SLB1-63 for the example. 

1. Appearance examination

a. Plastic parts should be clean and without damage and defects, such
as cracks or air bubbles on surface (check picture 1).

b. Anti-corrosion coating of the exposed metal parts should be glossy

and without obvious pinhole, dots, bubble, black, etc.

c. The content and colors of the printing should be complying with the
drawing if it has no obvious defects (check picture 2).

d. After circuit breaker base is covered, the juncture should be flat and
aligned, the rivet should be fixed tightly (check picture 3).

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 How To Check The Quality of MCB Circuit Breaker

2. External and internal main

material inspection

Our MCB breaker SLB1-63 is made of material nylon PA66. Check if

the factory used the material you appointed for the circuit breaker case
(check picture 4).

a. Nylon is the normal material for MCB circuit breakers, among which
PA66 and PA6 is used mostly. PA66 is better than PA6 regarding flame
resistance, color and working life, etc. Breaker case made of PA66 will
stop burning if away from fire; case of PA66 has brighter color and longer
using life. There is also a better Mitsubishi nylon for choice if required. 

b. Some manufacturers may use recycled material fully or partially in order

to reduce the cost. The miniature circuit breaker completely made of
new material is bright, glossy, without black spots, whereas the one
made of recycled material is darker and less glossy. Used PA6 is mostly
applied in the case production, by some manufacturers. 

c. Weigh the case and compare if the weight is same as the sample’s,
which is confirmed by both parties before production. 

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 How To Check The Quality of MCB Circuit Breaker

Coil and wire of SLB1-63 is made of red copper, with coils of 1.13mm*10
for 10A, and 2.4mm*5mm*2 for 63A. Different coils are applied for
different ratings. Check if the factory used the material and thickness
you want for them (check picture 5).

a. Some manufacturers use brass instead of red copper to reduce the

cost, they are different in colors. Some manufacturers even apply CCA
and iron for coil and wire, CCA can be judged through its section, iron
can be attracted by magnets. 

b. If the factory has already used the material you want for coil and wire,
now you have to check its thickness to confirm if it is thick enough for
your current rating. Some producers may reduce a wire’s thickness to
decrease its cost. You can completely measure its thickness to confirm
this. 

MCB electrical SLB1-63 uses red copper for its moving and fixed
contacts, terminals and iron for its big support. Some factories use
brass or iron instead, but iron does not weld well. 

Contact on bi-metal strip of mini circuit breaker SLB1-63 is made of

red copper for current less than 50A and compound silver contactor
for more than 50A. However, some manufacturers employ brass and
iron instead, as there is a big difference in costs. You can judge through
colors (check picture 6).

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 How To Check The Quality of MCB Circuit Breaker

3. Mechanical operation

5 cycling operations between switching on and off should be flexible and

reliable, without jammed and sliding phenomenon. 

4. Performance inspection

Actually all the miniature circuit breakers have been inspected by the factory
before their delivery, so you only need to randomly select some for the
performance inspection. 

Manufacturers generally carry out these tests strictly according to relative

standard, so we will not show you here in detail. Performance inspection
includes delay test, instantaneous test, power-frequency withstand voltage
test, etc. Here all the tests as below are referring to standard GB10963 and
IEC60898. 

Delay test-1.13In

Check if the breaker trips within 1 hour. If it tripped, or burned without

tripping, it will be judged as an unqualified item. 

Delay test-1.45In

The MCB breaker must trip within 30 minutes. If it didn’t trip, or damaged
with tripping, it will be judged as an unqualified item.

Delay test-2.55In

MCB circuit breakers of 1~32A should trip between 1s~60s, MCB

breakers of 40~63A should trip between 1s~120s. Each pole should be
energized if it is a multi-pole MCB (If just one pole for testing, upper limit
of tripping time should be 1.1 times upper ends above.)

If circuit breaker didn’t trip, or burned with tripping, it is judged as

unqualified item. 

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 How To Check The Quality of MCB Circuit Breaker

Instantaneous test

Characteristic  Input current Tripping time

C 5In >0.1s

C 10In <0.1s

D 10In >0.1s

D 20In <0.1s

MCB should trip within stipulated time. If MCB didn’t trip, or burned
with tripping, it will be judged as an unqualified item. 

Power-frequency withstand voltage test

There is no breakdown and flashover phenomenon under condition of

2000V, threshold value 100mA, 50Hz, 1 minute, at points as below:

– Between incoming and outgoing terminals of each poles, with breaker

switched off
– Between poles with breaker switched on
– Between poles and case, with breaker switched on

With a list of tests carried out above, you can decide if this batch of breakers
is qualified or not, if unqualified, inform the factory regarding the points which
should be improved. 

Manufacturers can’t hide anything from you once you know how to check the
quality of MCB circuit breaker. It is best to appoint the material for key parts in
the contract! And also remember: you always get what you pay for! 

Guangzhou Shilin Electrical Co., Ltd.

Ershe Industrial Zone, Daxiang Village, Renhe Town, Baiyun District,
Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
TEL: 0086-20-86033123  |  FAX: 0086-20-86033163  |  CELL: 0086-15818845922
Info@miniature-circuit-breaker.com | www.miniature-circuit-breaker.com
© 2015 Guangzhou Shilin Electrical Co., Ltd. All rights reserved
NOTICE – WE ARE NOT RESPOSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.

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