ea720%7 Home About us CGSL Safety & 40 much mone Yu avehre Hane fb | Noes ase Creu Breaker {MCCS} Bane Kove Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) Basic Knowledge MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER = Definition and Function = Operating Mechanism = Types by Application = Ratings: ™ Sizing = Testing ™@ Maintenance Molded case cireult breakers are a type of elecical protection device that is commonly used when load currents exceed the capabiltos of miniature czcult breakers. Thay are also used in applications of any current rating that roquie adjustable tip settings, which are not availabe in plug-in excut breakers and MBs, Molded Case Circult Breaker Definition and Function [Amolled case chout breaker, abbreviated MCB, isa type of electrical protection device that can be used for 8 wide range of votages, and frequencies of both 50 Hz and 69 Hz. The main distinctions between molsed-cage and minature circu breaker are that the MCCB can have current ratings of up to 2,500 amperes, and is trp settings are normally adjustable. An adeltionaldifrorce is that MCCBS tond to be much larger than MBS. As with most typos of sikout breakers, an MCC has tee main functions + Protection against overload — currents above the rated value that last longer than what is normal forthe apatiction, + Protection against electrical fauks ~ During a faut such as a short circuit or ne faul, there ‘are extremely high currents that must be interrupted immediately + Switehing @ cicult on and off ~ This i a lass common function of cicut breakers, but they can be used for that purpase if there isnt an adequate manual switch ‘The wide range of eurent ratings available from mokded-case circuit breakers allows them to be sod in a wide varity of applications, MCCBs are available wth current ratings that range from apihwunw miniatre-circuit- breaker. com/molded-case-crcul-breaker-mocb-basic-knawledgel Products Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) Basic Knowledge Services Contacts News Blog Language [googte-ranslator) Recent Posts stam Molded Case Circuit Breaker (CCB) Basic Knowledge Molded case circu breakers area type of lectrical protection davies thats commonly used when Description and Sizing 1 Phase Circult Breaker Definition A phase crcult breaker ie ype of electrical protection dev. ey "720 Maori Ce Breaker Theory Wats a Hydra fagrete Creu Breaker? The hydraulle magnetic crcut broakor is a spacaize, Popular Posts Allabout MCB (MCB rating, MCB types, ) Here is all you wanna know for MCB, Including miniature cicut br miniature circuit bre. er Wik ‘Some about ELCB (what is ELCB in lectrcal, ELCB working princip As one of he largest crcuit breaker manufacturers in China, we feel obigated to make explanation 48ea720%7 low values such as 15 amperes, to industrial ratings such as 2.500 amperes. This allows them tobe used in both low-power and high-power applications. Molded Case Circutt Breaker Operating Mechanism [ALS core, the protection mechanism employed by MCOBS i based on the same physical Principles used by all'ypes of thermal-manneticccul braakars + Overload protection is accomplished by means of a thormal mechanism. MCCBS have a bimetalic contact what expands ané contrac in response to changes in temperature, Under normal operating constions, the contact allows elecrc curent through the MCCB. However, 18 s00n a8 the current excoeds the adjusted trp vale, the contact wil slat 9 heat and ‘expand untl the circu is interupted. The thermal protection against overload is designed with @ tine delay lo allow short duration overcurrent, which is @ normal part of operation for mary devices. However, any overcurrent conaitions that last more than what fs normally fexpected raprasent an overload, and the MCCB is trigped to protect the equipment and personnel + On the other hand, fault protection is accompisned with electromagnetic induction, and the response 1 Inslanl. Faull currents should be inerrupted immediate, no matter if their ‘duration Is short or long. Whenever a faut occurs, the extremely high current induces @ ‘magnotic field in a solenoid coil lacaled inside the breaker - this magnetic induction trips a contact and curertisintertupted. As a complement to the magnate protection mechanism, MCCBs have internal arc cisipation measures to facia interruption ‘As with all ypes of cuit breakers, the MCCB includes disconnection switch which is used to trip the breaker manually It's used whenever the eectle supply must be disconnected to carry cut fal work such as maintenance or equipment upgrades. Types of MCCB Circuit Breaker by Application Molded case cicut breakers can have very high current ratings, which allows them to be used in heavy duty applcatons. The folowing are some typical uses of an MCCB: + Main electric f lor protection - The elecrc feeder crcuits thal supply power to large Aistrbuton boards normaly have very high curents, of hundreds of amperes. n adation, if mare circus are added tothe system inthe future, it may be necessary to adjust the circuit breaker tp stings, Therefore, a molded-case crcl breaker is required. + Capacitor bank protection - Capactor barks are @ very important component of commercial and industial olectical sysioms, since they allow power factor correction — reducing tne currents and preventing fees from the electric uly company. Large capactor banks may draw high currents and vl require MCCB protection + Generator protection = Large electrical generators ay provide an output of hundreds of amperes. In addltion, gen-sets are normally very expensive. The high current ratings of ‘molded case circuit broakers allow tem to provide reliable protection in this appicaton, + Welding applications ~ Some welding machines may draw very high currents that exceed the capabities of miniature crcult breakers, requiring the use ofan MCE + Low current applications that require adjustable trip settings ~ MCCBs are not ony for high current applications, There are models rated below 100 amperes for when low current ‘equipment requires the adjustable trip solings provided by MCCBs. + Motor protection ~ The reliable protection capabities of MCCBS make them an adequate choice for motor protection, A molded casa crcut breaker can be adjusied to provide ‘overload protection without trpping curing the inrush curent of an electric motor, In summary, an MCCB offers adequate protecton whenever an application requires a high current rating, adjustable trp settings, or a combination of both factors apihwunw miniatre-circuit- breaker. com/molded-case-crcul-breaker-mocb-basic-knawledgel Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) Basic Knowledge How Does a Thermal Magnetic Cireult Breaker Work? ‘thermal magnetic cout breaker fs @ fundamental component of any electrical Installation, is,ea720%7 Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) Basic Knowledge MCCB Ratings Molded case circuit breaker manufacturers provide technical specications for every circuit breaker model, Its very important to understand these ratings in order to select the correct MCB for every application: Rated Frame Currant (Inm) isthe maximum currant value for which the MCB is designed, and it also dotermines the physical dimensions of the dovic. The rated frame curront dfnes the upper mit ofthe acjustable trip current range. + Rated Currant (In) the current value above which overload protection is trpped. For an MCCB, the rated curent is an adjustable range instead of a fixed vahe, The rated frame current defines the upper limit of the rated current range. Rated insulation Vottage (Ui) Is the maximum voltage thatthe MCCB can resist according to laboratory tests. his higher than the rated working voltage in order to provide a margin of safety during field operation Rated working voltage (Ue) is the continuous operation voltage for which the MCOB is designed, This value is ypically equivalent or close toa stancard system vollage + Operating short-circuit breaking capacity (les) isthe highest faut current thatthe MCCB can trip without being damaged permanently. The MCCB wil be reusable ster interrupting a fault, as long as it doosn' excoed this value Ulimate short-circuit breaking capacity (eu) is the maximum possble faut curent that the MCCB can clr. Ifthe feu currant exceeds this vale, the MCCE wil be unable to trip and another protection mechanism with a highor breaking capacity must operate. a fault ‘above the les but below the leu occurs, the MCB can interrupt it successfully but will most Ikely need a replacement due tothe damage sutfored The mechanlesl life of an CCB is the number of times the device can be operated rmarvally before fur, (On the other hand, the elaetteal if refers tothe amount of tines the MCCB can tip before ‘aire. ‘Adequate understanding ofthese terms allows salactian af an MGGB that can provide rotable protection accorsing to the volage and current ratings of the application, as well as the expected faut currents, MCCB Sizing Molded caso circut breakor sizing is always cartied out according to the expected operating current of the application, as wall as the possible fault currents. The main aspects to consider wen selecting an MCCB are the folowing + The rated working voltage ofthe MCCB must match the systom vetage ofthe application, + The MCGB must be adjustable tothe adequate trip value, calculated according to the currant drawn by the toad. + The opersting breaking capacty of the MCCB must be higher than the expected fault currents in the system. These are the thvee man condttons that must be met to ensure adequate selection of an MCCB, tis recommendable to hire the services of a qualfed professional inorder to know the ‘xact lip sollings and breaking capacity thal the MCC3 must have. An adequale selection process must never be overlooked, especially in the case of moléed-case cicult breakers due th high operating currents that are commonly involved Molded Case Circuit Breaker Testing ‘The tres main tests that are carried out as part of MCCB maintenance are descrised below: Insulation Resistance apihwunw miniatre-circuit- breaker. com/molded-case-crcul-breaker-mocb-basic-knawledgelea720%7 Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) Basic Knowledge ‘This test invoes disconnecting the MCCE and testing the insulation between phases and across the supply and load terminals, If insulation resistance has dropped bulow the values recommenced by cult breaker manufacturer, the MCCB will ot be able to provide retable protection Insulation resistance varies according to the MCCB model, but fora unit in good conditions willbe in he magohms range (rilions of ohms). Contact Resistance This test consists on testing the resistance of the electrical contact. A in insulation testing, the measured values must be compared wih manufacturer provided values. Under normal conditions, contact cesisance isa very low value since the MCCB must alow eperating curront through with @ minimal votage drop. Tripping Test This test consists on simulating overcurrent and fault conditions, and observing the response of the MCCB. Since his test involves high curent and the MCCB wil heal, it ust be carred out last — otherwise the insulton and contact resistance measurements will be aliered by tamporatures. Normally, this test consists of two parts: Thermal protection is tested by submiting the MCCB toa large curren, for example 300% of the rated value. the breaker doesn't tip correctly, thermal protection i aling + Magnotic protection is tested with short pulses of very high current that simulate a fault. Short, pulses are used due tothe fact that an elect ful Is extremely dangerous, However, since ‘magnetic protection i instant, short pulses can be used for testing purposes. Molded Case Circult Breaker Maintenance Since mokied case circult breakers protec Important loads that typically draw high currents, Petiodic maintenance and testing are fundamental in order to guarantee reliable operation Normally, maintenance procedures for MCCBS include: + Visual Inspection + Lubrication + Cleaning + Testing -as above Visual inspection As its name implies, visual inspection involves locking for signs of éamage te the MCCB. Some spocif signs to look out fr include: + Deformed contacts or cracks in the casing and insulation, which is a sign of overheating + Burs in the contacts or casing, which isa sign of electric arcing tis important to nots that some MCCB models can be opened, while others are factory sealed the model is openable, ts recommended to cary out a visual Inspection of the internal components as well Lubrication Since this procedure requires opening the MCCS, its only possible for models that allow it ‘Adequate lubrialion enufes that the manual disconnection switch and the inlernal moving parts wil operate smoothly. Ths s very important during a fault, where the intemal mechanism ‘must operate wihin a shor imetrams. Cleaning aipihwunw miniatre-circuit- breaker. com/molded-case-crcuil-breaker-mocb-basic-knowledgelea720%7 Molded Case Cicut Breaker (MCCB) Basic Knowledge Dirt can cause a deterioration of MCCB components over time. If dit includes a conducting materal, there is also the risk of ereating a path for current and causing an internal faut, Normally, @ vacuum cleaner is used to remove dit from an MCB, ‘Adequate claring helps with visual inspection, since damage signs may nol be so obvious i the molded case cuit breaker is dirty Conclusion Molded case circuit breakers are a fundamental component of electrical protucton for high= current applications, or whenever adjustable trip setings are required, Adequate sing and maintenance of an MCCB are key elamants in order to quarantea safe and reliable operation in the long tem. Motel Ca Courter Usinnance, ed Case Cre Baer Opersing Meo. 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