Experiment No.

9:
Experiment:To plot the characteristics of a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
Theory:
decade which is most popular
Miniature circuit breaker is the recent development in the last
for low power domestíc and
now-a-days as a replacement for re-wirable switch-fuse units
triple pole and four pole
industrial applications These are available in single pole, double pole,
are available from 0.5 to 63
current ratings
versions with neutral poles if required. The normal
symmetrical short circuit rupturing capacities of 3-10 kA, at a voltage level of
A, with the
230/440V. rupturing capacities up to 25 kA.
Recently some manufactures have developed MCBS with
The motor duty
characteristics of MCBS are available for lighting and motor duties.
Separate
current for instantaneous (magnetic) release to account for the
MCBs have a higher pickup times-the normal rated currents
currents of motors, which can be 2 to 6
initial starting
depending on the type of starter. of fixed and moving contacts with arc
runners.The
consists of a set Release and
Each pole of the MCB releases: a) Thermal (Bimetallic)
by two types of
tripping mechanism is controlled magnetic release. The thermal release has
inverse
instantaneous current rating of
b) Solenoid operated current exceeds a certain multiple of normal
characteristics. If the short circuit very short
the thermal release and trips the MCB within
rides over (external as
MCB, the magnetic release The multi-pole MCBS
have a common trip bar
simultaneous
than 0.1 sec. the
time duration of less associated with one of the poles operate,
if a release
well as internal), so that compactness,
tripping of all the poles
occur.
re-wirable switch fuse unit include
MCBs over conventional circuit current
The advantages of and maintenance, higher short
installation complicated
more accurate
protection, easy
ease in change of rating etc. No protection,
replacement, for motor
interrupting capacity, ease of is required. For three pole MCBs
of fuse
procedure like replacement common trip bar.
avoided due to phase relays/MCBs. It can give
single phasing is equipment to test single different
test set is an 100 A. Description of its
Single phase relay up to 230 V and
current up to
variable output voltage
is as under:
terminals on the board voltage. control and current
AC output current coarse
Pi andP2+ P3: Variable
output up to 100 A
(according to selected
A1 and A2: Current
range selector position).
is set ON.
T2: 230 V fixed output. when voitage or current output
TËand
Potential free NO contact. It closes
when Voltage or current output is set ON.
Ta:
T3 and condition and 230 Voutput
NO: 0 Voutput in off
 Apparatus:
A.
Interval Meter, Miniature circuit breaker 6
Single phase relay test set, Time
Circuit Diagram:

P P'I
A1

MCB

Single Phase P;
1 ph,
50 Hz, Relay Test
230 V Set
Supply
Az
To P, P'?

230 V AC
T3 T
START TIM

Sel
Procedure: therated
connection as shown in the figure. Switeh- O the MEB-and pass twice
1. Make the relay test set. bimetallieelement to
50-Amptap on single-phase will allow the
2. Seleet MCB for few minutes. This OFFthe MCB.
Current through ormal temperature.
Switch
attendapproximatetythe observation
time interval meter. through MCB as shown in
3. Give supply to the current
ON the MCB and adjust interval meter. Note down
4. Switch MCB & reset the time trip after some time.
OFF the will
table.Switch MCB. The MCB
current again through consecutive
5. Pass this time interval meter. minutes gap between
thetripping time from currents. Allow 2-3
& (5) for higher values of
b. Repeat (4)
readings.
Observation Table:

Sr.No. Current Selectors Current (A) Operating Time (sec)

1 Cur. Coarse Control: 1 14 5A

Cur. Range Selector: 20 A 1 124
w2
Cur. Coarse Control: 2 8 20A
Cur. Range Selector: 50A Zo 22A
4

5 25 A

6 28-A
30 A
7
> 36 A
8

Graph:
Draw the graph of operating time v/s current.
Result and Conclusion:
characteristic.
Write the conclusion youdraw from the
Discussion:
application of HRC fuse and MCB?
1. How willyou differentiate the differentiated?
How the tripping regions ofHRC fuse and MCB are
2.
MCB with thermal overload relays.
3. Compare the characteristic of
Precautions:
position.
keep dimmerstat at zero output
1.At the start of the experiment consecutive readings.
between
2. Allow 2-3 minutes gap