AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BANGLADESH

Faculty of Engineering
Laboratory Report Cover Sheet

Students must complete all details except the faculty use part.

Please submit all reports to your subject supervisor or the office of the concerned faculty.

Laboratory Title: Determination of Time Current Characteristics (TCC) curve of a MCB.

Experiment Number: 03 Due Date: 14-2-2021 Semester: Spring 20-21
Subject Code: EEE_____ Subject Name: Power system protection lab Section: A
Course Instructor: SUSMITA GHOSH Degree Program: BSc. Engg. (EEE)

Declaration and Statement of Authorship:

1. I/we hold a copy of this report, which can be produced if the original is lost/ damaged.
2. This report is my/our original work and no part of it has been copied from any other student’s work or from any other source except where due
acknowledgement is made.
3. No part of this report has been written for me/us by any other person except where such collaboration has been authorized by the lecturer/teacher
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I/we understand that
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Group Number (if applicable): 7 Individual Submission Group Submission

No. Student Name Student Number Student Signature Date

Submitted by:

1 Md. Nafim Mahmud Bhuiyan 18-36352-1 14-2-21

Group Members:

2 Goutam Biswas 18-36356-2 14-2-21

3 Ariful Islam 18-36322-1 14-2-21

4 Md. Riazul Islam 18-37164-1 14-2-21

For faculty use only: Total Marks: _______

Faculty comments_________________________ Marks Obtained: _______

________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
 Title: Determination of Time Current Characteristics (TCC) curve of a MCB.

Abstract: MCBs are commonly used in LV domestic, commercial and industrial applications. It has some
good features over normal fuse. The main objectives of this experiment were –
1) To familiarize with MCBs.
2) To observe the current rating over time.
3) To draw the TCC (time current characteristics) curve .

Theory :
For normal operation it is used as switch. During overloads or faults, it automatically trips off. The tripping
mechanism is actuated by magnetic and thermal sensing devices provided within the MCB. Over current
is sensed by over current release which helps to open the contact of the MCB. On the other hand short
circuit is sensed by magnetic release which provides the means of opening the contact of MCB.

Tripping mechanism and the terminal contacts are assembled in a moulded case, moulded out of thermo
setting powders. They ensure high mechanical strength, high dielectric strength and virtually no ageing.
The current carrying parts are made of electrolytic copper or silver alloy depending upon the rating of the
breaker. All other metal parts are of non ferrous, non rusting type. Sufficient cross section for the current
carrying parts is provided to ensure low temperature rise even under high ambient temperature
environment. The arc chute has a special construction which increases the length of the arc by the
magnetic field created by the arc itself and arc chute is so placed in the breaker that the hot gases may not
come in contact with any of the important parts of the breaker.

Apparatus:
1) Current Injector.
2) Clamp on meter.
3) MCB (10A)
4) Connecting Wire.

Circuit Diagram:
S

Current Injector

M
2

Fig 1: Experimental setup for TCC with MCB

Experimental Procedure: At first, the current injector was connected with 230v supply line. From two
output current terminal 0-20A and 0-200A,0-200A output terminal was used and it was shorted by
thick wire. Then the current injector was switched off and 0-200A terminal was connected with the
MCB.An amount of current was set and observed the MCB and record the tripping time. As the
increased current flows through the MCB, the tripping time of the MCB was reduced. Then the
different currents rating and their corresponding tripping time of the MCB were measured and
recorded.
 Experimental Data:

Sl. No Current (A) Tripping time of MCB

(S)
1 40A 4
2 50A 3
3 60A 2

Table -1

Questions Answer for report writing:

1) Draw the TCC curve on a graph paper using the data of the Table –1 Use current inthe x-axis
and time in Y-axis.
Answer:

TCC Curve Of a MCC

9

6
Time (SEC)

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
CUrrent (AMP)

Fig 2: TCC (time current characteristics) of MCB

2) Discussion the special feature for selecting rating of MCB for the protection of the motor.
Answer:
The special feature of the MCB is that operates within 3 seconds and its long lasting with
resealable cost. To check the rated current of motor, choose the MCB which have a current
rating (maximum allowable current) nearest to motor current rating (MCB current rating must
not be lower than that of motor's) and also check the MCB operating time, it should have
operating time more than 2 seconds.
Discussion :

The main objectives of the experiment were to familiar with MCB and determine the TCC curve of MCB.
Current rating and tripped time of MCB were observed and recorded. Then, TCC curve was drawn with
those data. During experiment, current injector’s stop watch and ammeter gave some wrong values.
Those values were corrected by using manual stop watch and Ampere meter at before the MCB. Form
this experiment , we have learn that, how an electrical component can be secured during short circuit by
MCB , and how a MCB can be select properly.

As we doing this lab in online that’s why our honorable faculty shows us everything in a video formet .
Which become so much effective to us. If we can do this lab in physically it will be more effective to us.

References:

1. AIUB Lab Manual

2. “Electric Power Systems: A Conceptual Introduction” by Alexandra Von Meier
3. “Switchgear Protection and Power Systems” by Sunil S Rao
4. https://www.allumiax.com/blog/time-current-characteristic-curves-for-selective-coordination