Miniature Circuit Breaker

1. Definition MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker), This component serves as the electrical installation protection system in the event of overload and short circuit current (short circuit or shorted). Malfunction of mcb, potential to create like unwanted things, such as the onset of flash over because of short circuit that could eventually result a fire. Basic principles of operation is for disconnecting switch caused by overload and short circuit current, using electromagnetic and bimetal relay. 2. Function

The symbol is a common symbol used in electrical drawings that explain the function of the electrical equipment. Number 1 and 2 show the number of terminals on MCB as a place power cord connections. At number 1 or the top generally connected the incoming cable and the number 2 or the bottom connectedwith outgoing cables.On the right picture is a blue toggle switch of MCB. The symbol "I" indicates that the MCB in white "ON" and the symbol "O" shows the "OFF" position. From that symbols, looks taht MCB has three kinds of functions: a. Current Breaker (symbol "x" with a slash to the left) MCB has a function as an electric circuit breaker to the load. And this circuit breaker can be done manually or automatically.

The manual way is to change the toggle switch in front of the MCB (usually blue or black) from "ON" to "OFF" and the mechanical parts in the MCB will cut off electric current. It is usually done if we want to turn off the power source at home due to the installation of electrical home improvement purposes. The term is commonly used MCB Switch Off. While the MCB will automatically "OFF" occurs when an overcurrent is detected, due to the burden of electricity consumption, or a short circuit occurs, by the part in the MCB and MCB ordered to "OFF" in order to power outages. The term is commonly used MCB Trip. b. Over Load Protection (overload) (symbols like a box with an open side on the left) This function will work when the MCB detect electrical currents in excess of its rating. For example, an amperage rating MCB have 4A but the actual electric current flowing through the MCB turns 5A, the MCB will trip with a specific time delay since the MCB overcurrent is detected. MCB part in running this task is a bimetallic strip. Electric current passing through the bimetal will make this part gets hot and expands or may be curved. The greater the electrical current and heat the bimetal will expand which will ultimately decide MCB ordered mechanical switches and toggle switch electrical currents will move to the "OFF" position. The length of time depends on the termination of the current amount of electric current. The greater would be the faster. Bimetallic strip function is called with Thermal Trip. When electric current is broken, then the bimetal cools and returns to normal. MCB can back flow of electric current by returning to the position. c. Short Circuit Protection (symbol: arch) This protection function will work in the event of a short circuit or electrical short circuit currents. Short circuit will cause a very large electrical currents flowing in the system and the electrical installations. MCB is the part that detects the magnetic part of the trip a solenoid (shaped like a coil), where the amount of electric current that flows will cause a magnetic attraction on the pull solenoid power breaker switch. The system works quickly, as it aims to avoid damage to the electrical equipment. Part bimetallic strip is actually also feel this short circuit, it's just slow to react less quickly than the solenoid.

3. MCB Parts

The interior of the MCB actually the more dominant function is mechanical with mechanical switches and connective contacts / electric circuit breaker. And then explanation from the number of picture above are: 1. Actuator Lever or toggle switch, used as a Switch On-Off of the MCB. Also shows the status of the MCB, whether ON or OFF. 2. Mechanical switch that makes electrical current contact work. 3. Electric current contact as a connector and electric circuit breaker. 4. Terminal where the power cord connections with MCB. 5. Bimetal, which serves as a thermal trip 6. Bolt for the calibration that allows the manufacturer to precisely regulate the flow of MCB trip after manufacturing (MCB sold in the market do not have this facility, because the aim is not to the public) 7. Solenoid. Coil or coil that serves as a magnetic trip and work in the event of a short circuit electric current. 8. Fire Arc extinguisher, in the event of spark, when disconecting or jetting back the electric current 4. Standard Current Ratings for Europe International Standard--- IEC 60898-1 and European Standard EN 60898-1 define the rated current In of a circuit breaker for low voltage distribution applications as the maximum current that the breaker is designed to carry continuously (at an ambient air temperature of 30 C). The commonly-available preferred values for the rated current are 6

A, 10 A, 13 A, 16 A, 20 A, 25 A, 32 A, 40 A, 50 A, 63 A, 80 A, 100 A,[5] and 125A (Renard series, slightly modified to include current limit of British BS 1363 sockets). The circuit breaker is labeled with the rated current in amperes, but without the unit symbol "A". Instead, the ampere figure is preceded by a letter "B", "C" or "D", which indicates the instantaneous tripping current that is, the minimum value of current that causes the circuit breaker to trip without intentional time delay (i.e., in less than 100 ms), expressed in terms of In:

For more details, look at these curve of MCB characteristics:

REFERENCE
http://dunialistrik1.blogspot.com/2009/08/artikel-mcb-miniature-circuit-breaker.html http://haogoarozr.blogspot.com/2012/06/mcb-miniature-circuit-breaker.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker http://www.instalasilistrikrumah.com/mcb-sebagai-proteksi-dan-pembatas-daya-listrik/ http://wimasfimkusuma.blogspot.com/2013/01/fungsi-miniatur-circuit-breaker-mcb.html