SWITCHEAR & PROTECTION

MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER

GROUP NO:- 1

* GROUP MEMBERS *

SR. NO. NAME ROLL NO.

1. OMKAR JADHAV 214120023

2. PRATIK BODKE 214120010

3. AMAN CHAUHAN 214120001

4. KRISHNA BHARATI 214120008

5. SAHIL NIKAM 214120041

6. AYUSH KADAM 214120026

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 EXPERIMENT NO: 01

❖ AIM: To study the construction and working principle of MCB and MCCB

❖ THEORY:-

⮚ MCCB (MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER):-

Now we will see another electrical protection device, which is MCCB Molded Case Circuit
Breaker. It protects the circuit from overloading, short circuits, and current surges. the working &
construction of MCB and MCCB is similar, thus MCCB is an advanced form of MCB. In MCCB
rating selection knob is present and the rating of MCCB is higher than MCB from 100 amp to
1600 amp.

⮚ Construction:

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1. Contacts:
Contacts are the metallic conductors which are responsible for carrying current to the load.
There are two types of contacts i.e fixed and moving contact. The contacts are made of arc
resistance material having low resistivity and corrosion. The quality of the material decides
the lifetime of the circuit breaker.

2. Operating Mechanism:
It is the mechanism of MCCB responsible for opening and closing the current-carrying
contacts. it is connected with trip unit that triggers the operating mechanism. The trip unit
operates on a thermal and magnetic mechanism.

3. Terminal Connector:
The terminal connectors are used to connect the MCCB to the external circuit. The upper
terminals are connected to the output/load while the bottom terminals are connected to the
input/supply. Although they are bidirectional, the input and output designation is due to
their physical installation

4. Trip Unit:
It is the unit responsible to trigger the operating mechanism. The trip unit includes a thermal
mechanism for overload, magnetic tripping for short circuits and a test button for testing.

5. Thermal Trip Unit:

The thermal trip unit uses a thermal mechanism that is a bimetallic strip that bends (and
opens the contacts) when the temperature rises due to the overloading.

6. Magnetic Trip Unit:

The magnetic trip unit has a relay that generates a magnetic field when higher currents flow
through its solenoid due to the short circuit. it trips the circuit breaker. While the test button
is used to simulate the above-said mechanisms and test the response of the circuit breaker.

7. Handle / Trip-free Mechanism:

It is a handle used to open or close the breaker manually. It is also known as a trip-free
mechanism because it will trip even if the handle is held in ON position.
The handle could be in either three positions i.e. upward, middle or downward. If the handle
is in upward position, it is ON position. If it is in the middle position, the breaker has been
tripped while the downward position shows OFF status

8. Trip Button:
The trip button is used for testing the breaker. It is a red-colored button that trips the
operating mechanism when pushed.

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 9. Arc chutes:
Arc chutes is set of parallel metal plates which are insulated from each other they help in arc
extinction. This they are known as arc divider or arc separate. This are made up of
ferromagnetic-material.

 Working of MCCB:

A Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) works by automatically detecting and breaking an
electrical circuit in case of an overload or short circuit. The following are the main working points
of an MCCB:

1. Thermal Trip:
The MCCB has a thermal trip mechanism that is sensitive to increases in temperature caused by
excessive current flow. In case of an overload, the thermal trip mechanism trips the breaker,
disconnecting the circuit and preventing damage to the electrical system.

2. Magnetic Trip:
The MCCB also has a magnetic trip mechanism that operates in case of a short circuit. When a
short circuit occurs, the magnetic field generated by the current flow trips the breaker,
disconnecting the circuit and preventing damage to the electrical system.

3. Trip Settings:
The trip settings of the MCCB can be adjusted to match the specific needs of the electrical
system, such as the maximum current flow allowed and the time it takes for the breaker to trip.

4. Operation:
The MCCB operates by continuously monitoring the current flow in the circuit. When an overload
or short circuit is detected, the breaker trips, breaking the circuit and preventing damage to the
electrical system.

5. Resetting:
After the breaker trips, it can be reset by turning it off and then back on. This restores the circuit
and allows current to flow once again.

6. Protection:
The MCCB provides protection against overloading and short-circuits, ensuring the safety of the
electrical system and reducing the risk of electrical fires.

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⮚ Types of MCCB:
The following are the main types of MCCB:

1. Thermal-Magnetic MCCB:
This is the most common type of MCCB and provides both thermal and magnetic protection
against overloading and short-circuits.

2. Electronic MCCB:
This type of MCCB uses electronic circuitry to detect and trip in case of an overload or short
circuit. It offers a higher level of precision and protection compared to thermal-magnetic
MCCBs.

3. Thermal Overload Relay:

This type of MCCB is designed to provide protection against overloading. It does not provide
protection against short-circuits.

4. Magnetic Only MCCB:

This type of MCCB is designed to provide protection against short-circuits. It does not provide
protection against overloading.

5. High Interrupting Capacity (HIC) MCCB:

This type of MCCB is designed for high-power applications and is capable of interrupting high
levels of current flow in case of a short circuit.

⮚ Rating of MCCB:-
Ratings of MCCB are 100A,125A, 150A, 200A,250A, 400A, 630A,
800A, 1000A, 1250A, 1600A.

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⮚ ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:-

 Advantages of MCCB:

1) MCCBs can handle much higher current ratings than MCBs, typically up to 2500A,
making them ideal for protecting large electrical systems.
2) MCCBs are often more flexible and can be used in a wider range of applications and
electrical systems, including high-power systems.
3) MCCBs can be coordinated with other protection devices, such as fuses or relays, to
provide selective tripping and prevent unnecessary interruptions to electrical systems.
4) MCCBs are often more durable and resistant to environmental factors such as dust,
moisture, and temperature changes, making them suitable for use in harsh industrial
environments.
5) MCCBs can be customized for specific applications, such as motor protection or high-
frequency circuits, to provide more precise protection.
6) Many MCCBs have trip indication features, such as LEDs or alarms, which can make it
easier to diagnose and troubleshoot electrical faults.
7) MCCBs have a high breaking capacity, which means they can safely interrupt high fault
currents without damaging the electrical system.
8) MCCBs have a long service life and can last for many years with minimal maintenance,
making them a reliable protection solution for high-power electrical systems.

 Disadvantages of MCCB:

1) MCCBs are larger than MCBs, which may take up more space in electrical panels and
make them more difficult to install.
2) MCCBs are generally more expensive than MCBs, especially for high-current ratings,
which can make them less cost-effective for some applications
3) MCCBs have a high minimum current rating, which means they may not be suitable for
protecting low-power circuits or equipment.
4) While MCCBs have adjustable trip settings, they are often limited in their range of
adjustability, which may not be suitable for more complex electrical systems.
5) MCCBs are available in a limited range of current ratings and may not be suitable for all
types of electrical circuits or equipment.
6) MCCBs can be sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity,
which may affect their performance.
7) MCCBs are typically fixed in place and cannot be easily moved or reconfigured for
different applications.
8) In the event of a fault, an MCCB may need to be replaced entirely, which can be costly and
time-consuming.

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 ⮚ APPLICATIONS:

 MCCB Applications:

1) Industrial and commercial buildings: MCCBs are commonly used to protect electrical
circuits in large industrial and commercial buildings, such as factories and data centers.
2) Large machinery: MCCBs are often used to protect large machinery such as motors,
pumps, and compressors.
3) Power distribution systems: MCCBs are commonly used in power distribution systems,
such as those used in hospitals, airports, and data centers.
4) Mining and construction equipment: MCCBs are often used to protect electrical circuits in
mining and construction equipment, such as excavators and bulldozers.
5) Renewable energy systems: MCCBs are used in renewable energy systems, such as wind
turbines and solar power plants, to protect the electrical system and equipment.

 CONCLUSION:

MCCBs and MCBs are both electrical circuit protection devices that are commonly used in
electrical systems. MCCBs are generally more expensive and require more space and installation
effort compared to MCBs. The choice between an MCCB and an MCB depends on the specific
requirements of the electrical system, including power requirements, installation space, and cost.
Both MCCBs and MCBs play a critical role in protecting electrical systems from overloading and
short-circuits, ensuring the safety of the electrical system and reducing the risk of electrical fires.

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