MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER

(MCB)

by
S. Santhosh Kumar
14125A0231
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 Objective

To understand the components, working principle of

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), and its
advantages over traditional fuse.
 Content
•
s
Introduction: history and its use
• Function
• Construction of MCB
• Working Principle
• Advantages
• Application
• Comparison : Fuse Vs MCB
• Conclusion
 Introduction
• Thomas Edison developed the idea for a
circuit breaker in 1879.
• Granville Woods improved upon the design
and invented the automatic circuit breaker in
1900.
• Cutter Manufacturing Company manufactured
the first circuit breakers in Philadelphia in
1904.
 Functions

• Switching Function: On/Off

• Protection Function: Overloads/Short Circuits

CONSTRUCTION
OF
MINIATURE
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
Cross-Sectional View
 Main Parts of MCB
THERMAL UNIT MAGNETIC UNIT
 Parts of MCB
ARC-CHUTES KNOB
 Parts of MCB
INCOMING AND OUT GOING
TERMINAL INSIDE OF MAGNETIC UNIT
WORKING PRINCIPLE
OF
MINIATURE CIRCUIT
BREAKER
On/Off Positions
Arc Formation

Arc-Chute
 Comparison: MCB Vs fuse
MCB
(Miniature Circuit Breakers)
1 MCB trips off in case of
excessive load.
2 MCB is to be just put-on after
correcting the fault in wiring.
3 Since we do not change the
MCB, there is no risk of putting
on the MCB/switch even if the
fault is not correctly repaired.
4 Compact, small equipment.
5 Works on Bi-metal expansion or
induced magnetism.
6 Relatively costlier than fuse.
FUSE
Fuse melts/fuses in case of
excessive load.
Fuse needs to be replaced with a
new one.
There is a risk of putting on the
switch in case; due to ignorance
higher capacity fuse-wire is
positioned.
Porcelain base and top. Not
attractive.
Works on melting/fusing due to
high temperature.
Relatively cheaper than MCB.
 Advantages over fuse
• Easily identify the faulty zone of electrical
circuit
• Simple to resume supply
• Better Interface: knob
• Electrically safer
• More sensitive to current than fuse
• Reusable
• Less maintenance and replacement cost.
 Applications
• Home Electrical Panels
• Ground Fault Trip Mechanism
• Lights
• Industrial Applications
• Heaters
 Conclusion

Miniature Circuit Breakers are more effective

than traditional fuse.
Thank You