Chapter 3.
Electrical Protective Device
1. What is the function of a fuse? State its types.
 A fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to
provide overcurrent protection to an electrical
circuit.
 Its essential component is a metal wire or strip that
melts when too much current flows through it,
thereby interrupting the current.
Types are:
1) Kit-Kat type 4) HRC fuser
2) Dropout type 5) Striker fuse
3) Expulsion fuse 6) Switch fuse
2. Explain with neat diagram operation of MCB.
 Once a fault is detected, the circuit breaker contacts
must open to interrupt the circuit.
 This is commonly done using mechanically stored
energy contained within the breaker, such as a spring
or compressed air to separate the contacts.
3. Explain the operation of Fuse.
A fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to
provide overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit. Its
essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when
too much current flows through it, thereby interrupting the
current.
4. Explain the operation of ELCB.
 An Earth-leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) is a
safety device used in electrical installations to
prevent shock.
 The ELCB detects fault currents from live to the
Earth (ground) wire. If sufficient voltage appears
across the ELCB's sense coil, it will switch off
the power, and remain off until manually reset.
5. Write two applications each of 1) ELCB 2) MCCB 3)
MCB and 4) Fuse
1) ELCB: Low voltage domestic, commercial and
industrial applications.
2) MCCB: Distribution feeder, distribution
transformer, diesel generating set.
3) MCB: Lightening circuit, distribution feeder,
switching of motors, capacitor.
4) Fuse: Domestics and, industrial installations, low
voltage distribution system
6. Explain the importance of Earthing. What are the
types of Earthing
Ans: Importance of earthing
1) Earthing or grounding is done for
safety of equipment by providing a low
resistance path to leakage current.
2) For safety of the person handling an electrical
appliance from getting electrical shockor
electrocution.
Types of earthing :
1) Pipe earthing 2) Plate earthing
7. Write any four factors effecting earthing.
Ans. Factors effecting earthing are:
1) Material used for earth electrode and earth wire.
2) Size of earth electrode and earth wire.
3) Depth of earth electrode in the soil.
4) Quality of all connections made
5) Contact resistance between earth electrode and
earth wire.
6) Soil resistivity
8. What are the IE rules of reducing earth resistance?
Ans: Methods of reducing earth resistance are:
1) Using several Earth electrodes and connecting
them in parallel.
2) Using larger size of earth electrode.
3) Increasing the depth of earth electrode in the soil.
4) Increasing the pit area and filling extra charcoal
soaked in salt solution.
5) Chemical treatment of soil surrounding earth
electrode.
9. Draw neat diagram of Pipe Earthing and Plate Earthing 10. Draw neat diagram of Plate Earthing