Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety

Lab Subject Code : EEE1021

Name of School : SELECT

Exp. 2 - Study of Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) and

Earth leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB)

Aim: Study the applications, types and characteristics of various types of MCBs and ELCBs

MCBs or Miniature Circuit Breakers are electromechanical devices which protect an electric circuit
from an overcurrent. The overcurrent, in an electrical circuit, may result from short circuit, overload
or faulty design. 

An MCB is a better alternative to a fuse since it does not require replacement once an overload is
detected. Unlike fuse, an  MCB can be easily operated and thus offers improved operational safety
and greater convenience without incurring large operating cost. 

MCBs are popularly used for load break, protection and isolation of a sub-circuit including motor
sub-circuits, lighting circuits and control circuits. The main usage area of MCBs is low voltage (LV)
side, i.e., mainly in domestic, light-industrial or commercial applications.

These are manufactured in 1, 2, 3 & 4 pole versions of different current and voltage ratings. Similar
to the HRC fuses, these are used for performing two major functions such as over current protection
and short-circuit protection.

Miniature Circuit Breakers are used to protect lower current circuits and have the following
specifications 

 Current rating - Amperes  

 Short Circuit Rating - Kilo Amperes (kA)
 Operating Characteristics - B, C or D Curves
Miniature Circuit Breakers are usually available in the range of 0.5A to 100A. An MCB's short circuit
rating is given in kiloamps (kA), and this indicates the level of its ability to work. For example a
domestic MCB would normally have a 6kA fault level, whereas those used in an industrial
application may need a unit with a 10kA fault capability. 

Working Principle of MCB

The operation of the MCB includes two stages, i.e., thermal operation and short circuit operation.
The former operation based on the thermal effect of over current while the later operation is based
on the electromagnetic effect of over current.

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

All MCBs operate on the air-break principle where the arc between the contacts is forced into the
splitter plates through arc runners. This causes to spilt single arc into a series of arcs and then
extinguishes the arc by extracting the energy from the arc and by cooling it.

With the use of bimetallic strip, thermal operation is achieved in case overload conditions. When
overload current flows through the MCB, the bimetallic strip gets heated and causes to deflect. In
doing so, it moves the trip lever and releases the latch mechanism and hence the contacts open
under spring mechanism.

There are two arrangement of operation of an MCB. One due to thermal effect of over current and
other due to electromagnetic effect of over current. The thermal operation of MCB is achieved with
a bimetallic strip. 

Whenever continuous over electric current flows through MCB, the bimetallic strip is heated and
deflects by bending. This deflection of bimetallic strip releases mechanical latch. As this mechanical
latch is attached with operating mechanism, it causes to open the MCB contacts. 

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 Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

During the short circuit conditions, the large fault current energizes the solenoid and the magnetic
field of the solenoid attracts the plunger which in turn strikes the trip lever and hence the
immediate release of the latch mechanism.

The arc is produced during the separation of the contacts at overload as well as short circuit
conditions. This arc is moved into the arc-cute stack under the influence of a magnetic field. So the
arc broken down into partial arcs in arc chutes and they no longer exist due to the voltage drop of
the arcs.

Types of MCB

MCBs are of following types

1. Single Pole
2. 1 Pole (with N)
3. 2 Pole (DP)
4. 3 Pole (TP)
5. 3 Pole with N (TPN)
6. 4 Pole (4P)

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 Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

MCB Characteristic Curves

Characteristic curve is the curve between release current and tripping time.  MCB have 
Type B characteristic curves.

 Type C characteristic curves.

 Type D characteristic curves. 
The characteristics are depicted below,

MCB Characteristic Curves

The classification of Type B, C or D is based on fault current rating at which magnetic operation
occurs to provide short time protection (typically less than 100ms) against short circuits. It is
important that equipment having high inrush currents should not cause the circuit-breaker to trip
unnecessarily, and yet the device should trip in the event of a short-circuit current that could
damage the circuit cables. 

Fig: Types of MCB based on Charactersitic Curves

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

Type B:

These devices are generally suitable for domestic applications. They may also be used in light
commercial applications where switching surges are low or non-existent. Type B devices are
designed to trip at fault currents of 3-5 tomes rated current. For example a 10A device will trip at
30-50A. 

Type C:

Such devices are the normal choice for commercial and industrial applications where fluorescent
lighting, motors etc. are in use. Type C devices are designed to trip at 5-10 times I n (50-100A for a
10A device). 

Type D:

These have more limited applications, normally in Industrial use where high inrush currents may be
expected. Examples include large battery charging systems, winding motors, transformers, X-ray
machines and some types of discharge lighting. Type D devices are designed to trip at 10-20 times
(100-200A for a 10A device). 

Normal cable ratings relate to continuous service under specified installation conditions. Cables will,
of course, carry higher currents for a short time without suffering permanent damage. Type B and C
circuit breakers can generally be selected to achieve tripping times that will protect the circuit
conductors against normal surge currents in accordance with BS 7671. This is more difficult to
achieve with Type D devices, which may require a lower earth loop impedance (Zs) to achieve tile
operating times required by Regulation 413-02-08. 

Surge currents

Surge currents in domestic installations are generally low, so that a Type B device is adequate. For
example Inrush currents associated with one or two fluorescent fittings or the compressor motor in
a refrigerator/freezer are unlikely to cause unwanted tripping. Fluorescent and other discharge
lamps produce surge currents and while one or two fluorescent are unlikely to cause a problem, the
block switching of a number of fluorescent lamps. 

A shop, office or factory can produce substantial inrush currents. For this reason Type C devices are
recommended for these applications. 

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

The magnitude of the surge current will depend on the lamp rating, starting system and type of
control gear used in the luminaires. Reputable MCB manufacturers produce tables listing the
number of fittings of a particular make and type that can be used with their devices. 

Unwanted Tripping

Sometimes failure of tungsten filament lamps can trip Type B circuit breakers in domestic and retail
environments. This is caused by high arcing currents occurring at the time of failure and is generally
associated with inferior quality lamps. If possible the user should be encouraged to use better
quality lamps.

A Type C device may be substituted for a Type B device where unwanted tripping persists, especially
in commercial applications. Alternatively it may be possible to use a higher rating Type B MCB, say
10A rather than 6A. Whichever solution is adopted, the installation must be in accordance with BS
7671. 

A change from Type C to Type D devices should only be taken after careful consideration of
the installation conditions, in particular the operating times required by Regulation. 

Other Considerations:

Some imported products, claiming to have a 6kA short-circuit capacity, had failed dramatically under
test. In contrast the test procedures followed in British ASCTA (Association of Short Circuit Testing
Authorities) laboratories are among the most suitable in the world. 

Type B devices should only be used in domestic situations where high inrush currents are unlikely
and Type C devices should be used in all other situations. 

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Workshop
Lab Subject Code : EEE1003
Name of School : SELECT
Table: Operating time ranges and current multiples for MCBs over fixed current section of
characteristic

Type B MCB

 This type of MCB will trip instantly at a rate of three to five times its rated current.
 These are normally used for resistive or small inductive loads where switching surges are very
small
 Therefore, these are suitable for residential or light commercial installations
 Lighting circuits (non-inductive/ small inductive loads)

Type C MCB
 This type of MCB will trip instantly at a rate of five to ten times its rated current.
 These are normally used for high inductive loads where switching surges are high such as
small motors and florescent lighting. In such cases, type C MCBs are preferred to handle
higher value of short circuit currents.
 Therefore, these are suitable for highly inductive commercial and industrial installations.
 Air conditioners
 Residential / Commercial Pumps
 Fans
 Lighting which uses ballasts with an inductive component

Type D MCB
 This type of MCB will trip instantly at a rate of ten to twenty five times its rated current.
These are normally used for very high inductive loads where high inrush current are very
frequent. These are suitable for specific industrial and commercial applications.
 The common examples of such applications include x-ray machines, UPS systems,
industrial welding equipment, large winding motors, etc.

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

Table: Typical applications based on types of MCB

Fig: Time/current characteristics of a typical MCB-Type C

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

Study of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)

An ECLB is a kind of safety device used for installing an electrical device with high earth impedance
to avoid shock. These devices identify small stray voltages of the electrical device on the metal
enclosures and intrude the circuit if a dangerous voltage is identified. The main purpose of Earth
leakage circuit breaker (ECLB) is to stop damage to humans & animals due to electric shock.

Early earth leakage circuit breakers were voltage detecting devices, which are now getting switched
over with current sensing devices (RCD/RCCB). Generally, the current sensing devices termed as
RCCB and voltage detecting devices named as Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB). Forty years ago,
the first current ECLBs were introduced and about sixty years ago the first voltage ECLB was
introduced. For several years, both the voltage and current operated ELCBs were both referred to as
ELCBs due to its simple name to remember. But the applications of these two devices gave growth
to the significant mix-up in the electrical industry.

An ELCB is a specific type of latching relay that has a structure’s incoming mains power associated
through its switching contacts so that the circuit breaker detaches the power in an unsafe condition.
The ELCB notices fault currents of human or animal to the earth wire in the connection it guards. If
ample voltage seems across the ELCB’s sense coil, it will turn off the power and remain off until
manually rearrange.

Types of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)

There are two types of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)

 Voltage Operated ELCB

 Current Operated ELCB

Voltage Operated ELCB

The working principle of voltage ELCB is quite simple. One terminal of the relay coil is connected to
the metal body of the equipment to be protected against earth leakage and other terminal is
connected to the earth directly.

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 Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

If any insulation failure occurs or live phase wire touches the metal body, of the equipment, there
must be a voltage difference appears across the terminal of the coil connected to the equipment
body and earth. This voltage difference produces a current to flow the relay coil.

If the voltage difference crosses, a predetermined limit, the current through the relay becomes
sufficient to actuate the relay for tripping the associated circuit breaker to disconnect the power
supply to the equipment.

Fig: Generic scheme for operation of voltage operated ELCB

Limitations of Voltage Operated ELCB:

 Typically these devices can detect and protect only that equipment or installation with which it is
attached. It cannot detect any leakage of insulation in other parts of the system.

Current ELCB or Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB):

In this CB, one CT (Current Transformer) core is energized from both phase wire and neutral wire.
The polarity of the phase winding and neutral winding on the core is so chosen that, in normal
condition mmf of one winding opposes that of another. As it is assumed that, in normal operating
conditions the current goes through the phase wire will be returned via neutral wire if there’s no
leakage in between. As both currents are same, the resultant mmf produced by these two currents is
also zero-ideally.
Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

Fig: General Scheme for single phase current operated ELCB (or) RCCB

The relay coil is connected with another third winding wound on the CT core as secondary. The
terminals of this winding are connected to a relay system. In normal operating condition there would
not be any current circulating in the third winding as here is no flux in the core due to equal phase
and neutral current. When any earth leakage occurs in the equipment, there may be part of phase
current passes to the earth, through the leakage path instead of returning via mental wire. Hence
the magnitude of the neutral current passing through the RCCB is not equal to phase current passing
through it.

In the scheme depicted in figure below, a three winding transformer which comprises two
primary windings and one secondary winding is utilized. Neutral & line wires work as the
two main windings. A wire wound coil is the minor winding. The flow of current through the
minor winding is “0” in the stable condition. In this condition, the flux owed to the current
over the phase wire will be deactivated by the current through the neutral wire, meanwhile
the current, which flows from the phase will be refunded to the neutral.

When an error occurs, a slight current will run into the ground also. This creates confusion
between line and neutral current and that makes an unstable magnetic field. This
encourages a current flow through the minor winding, which is associated with that of the
sensing circuit. This will detect the outflow and direct signal to tripping system.

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Workshop
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

Fig: Typical wiring layout of Current operated ELCB

In a three phase Residual Current Circuit Breaker or Current ELCB, when this difference crosses a
predetermined value, the current in the third secondary winding of the core becomes sufficiently
high to actuate the electromagnetic relay attached to it.

Fig: General Scheme for three phase current operated ELCB (or) RCCB

This relay causes tripping of the associated circuit breaker to disconnect the power supply to the
equipment under protection. Residual current circuit breaker is sometimes also referred as residual
current device (RCD) when we consider the device by disassociating the circuit breaker attached to
RCCB. That means, the entire parts of RCCB except circuit breaker are referred as RCD.

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Name of Laboratory : Electrical Safety
Lab Subject Code : EEE1021
Name of School : SELECT

Advantages of Voltage Operated ELCB:

 ELCBs are less sensitive to fault conditions and have few nuisance trips.
 While current and voltage on the ground line generally fault current from a live wire, this is not
continuously the case, therefore there are conditions in which an ELCB can annoyance trip.
 When an installation of the electrical instrument has two contacts to earth, a near high current
lightning attack will root a voltage gradient in the earth, offering the ELCB sense coil with sufficient
voltage to source it to a trip.
 These ELCBs are the necessity for a second connection and the opportunity that any extra
connection to ground on the threatened system can inactivate the detector.
Disadvantages of Voltage Operated ELCB:

 They do not sense errors that don’t permit current through the CPC to the ground rod.
 They do not permit an only building system to be simply divided into many sections with
independent error protection because earthing systems are typically used mutual earth, Rod.
 They may be skipped by outside voltages from something associated with the earthing system
like as metal pipes, a TN-C-S or a TN-S earth mutual neutral and earth.
 As electrical leaky utilizations like washing machines, some water heaters and cookers might
source the ELCB to trip.
 ELCBs present an extra resistance & an extra point of failure in the earthing system.

References:

[1] IEC 60269-Parts 1 to 5: 2011, “Low Voltage Fuses”

[2] NFPA 70:2014, “National Electric Code”

[3] British Electrical Manufacturers Association Guide (BEAMA), “Guide to Low Voltage Switch and Fuse-
gear Devices”

[4] BS 7671:2001 (2004), "On-Site Guide- Wiring Regulations", 16th Edition, IEE, 2004

[5] Brian Scaddan, "IEE Wiring Regulations- Explained and Illustrated", 6th Edition, Newnes, 2002

[6] IS 9926; 1981, “Fuse wires used in re-wirable type electric fuses up to 650 volts”
[7] Weblink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cstu2F03P_Q – “Miniature Circuit Breaker- How does
it work?”

[8] Weblink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH3gsVOtw2c – “Working of ELCB (How Earth

Leakage Circuit Breaker work) and Working of RCCB

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