CIRCUIT-BREAKERS

Miniature, conforming to BS 3871

C81-19

CIRCUIT-BREAKERS - Miniature, conforming to BS 3871

Contents
1.

Introduction

2.

Instantaneous tripping current (Type of circuit-breaker)

3.

Short-circuit capacity

4.

Suitability for use for isolation and switching

ANNEX
AA: Table 41B2 from BS 7671: 1992 (As amended) giving information on
circuit-breakers conforming to BS 3871.

1.

Introduction

BS 3871: Part 1 was withdrawn in 1994, and production of miniature circuit-breakers to that
standard ceased some years ago. Yet such circuit-breakers will be encountered for years
to come by electrical contractors carrying out alterations, additions and periodic inspection
and testing of existing installations.
This topic gives information on the more significant differences between the characteristics
of miniature circuit-breakers conforming to BS 3871: Part 1 and those of circuit-breakers
conforming to BS EN 60898, which supersedes BS 3871: Part 1.
General information on circuit-breakers conforming to BS EN 60898 is given in
Topic C81-13. Two other topics relating to circuit-breakers which may be of interest are:

C81-5 CIRCUIT-BREAKERS: Ambient temperature and grouping, implications of, and

C81-25 CIRCUIT-BREAKERS: Selection, to suit load characteristics.

2.

Instantaneous tripping current (Type of circuit-breaker)

It was not until 1981, sixteen years after BS 3871: Part 1 was first published, that it first
began to classify miniature circuit-breakers into 'Types', according to their instantaneous
tripping current. First came Types 1, 2, 3 and 4, introduced by the 1981 amendment of
BS 3871: Part 1. Then came Types B, C and D, introduced by the 1991 amendment,
having the same instantaneous tripping characteristics as Types B, C and D circuit-breakers
conforming to BS EN 60898.
BS 3871: Part 1 permits instantaneous tripping to begin to occur at a value of fault current
within a range of values, expressed as multiples of rated current (I n ) for each of the above
seven Types of miniature circuit-breaker. The standard ranges are shown in Table 1
although manufacturers were free to design miniature circuit-breakers to operate
instantaneously within smaller ranges of current, falling within the standard ranges.

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CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
Miniature, conforming to BS 3871

C81-19

Generally, in order to meet the requirements of BS 7671 for automatic disconnection to

occur within a prescribed time limit (such as 0.4 s or 5 s, as appropriate) under earth fault
conditions, the prospective earth fault current must be not less than the upper value of the
range of instantaneous tripping currents for the miniature circuit-breaker concerned.
For example, on the basis of the standard ranges of current referred to in Table 1, the earth
fault current for a 32 A Type 1 miniature circuit-breaker is required to be not less than 128 A
(that is, 4 I n ). Correspondingly, earth fault currents of not less than 224 A and 320 A,
respectively, are required for instantaneous tripping of 32 A Type 2 and Type 3 miniature
circuit-breakers. Type 4 miniature circuit-breakers should be treated as a special case, as
referred to later in this item.
Table 1

Circuit-breaker type

Standard range

above

2.7 I n

up to and including

4 In

above

4 In

up to and including

7 In

above

7 In

up to and including

10 I n

above

10 I n

up to and including

50 I n

above

3 In

up to and including

5 In

above

5 In

up to and including

10 I n

above

10 I n

up to and including

20 I n

The higher the prospective fault current required to cause instantaneous tripping, the lower
the limiting earth fault loop impedance (Z s ) needs to be. This can be seen from the
limiting values of earth fault loop impedance given in Table 41B2 of BS 7671: 1992 *, for
miniature circuit-breakers, reproduced in Annex AA of this topic, and in the other similar
tables of BS 7671: 1992* such as Tables 471A and 604B2.
Due to the particular time/current characteristics of a circuit-breaker, values of earth fault
loop impedance even marginally exceeding the limiting values given in the above tables
may result in greatly increased disconnection times which would not be acceptable for fault
protection (protective measure Automatic Disconnection of Supply (ADS)).
As it cannot be predicted where in the range a circuit-breaker will trip, the limiting values
of earth fault loop impedance in Table 41B2 and similar tables of BS 7671: 1992*, for
miniature circuit-breakers, are based on the upper range values of current indicated by
Table 1. The limiting values are derived by the method given in the introduction to
Appendix 3 of BS 7671:1992 (Time/current characteristics of overcurrent protective
devices). That method is discussed in Topic F18-9.
*

It has been necessary to make reference to BS 7671: 1992 (now superseded) because the tables of earth
fault loop impedance in BS 7671: 2008 do not include data for miniature circuit-breakers conforming to
BS 3871.

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CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
Miniature, conforming to BS 3871

C81-19

Example of circuit-breakers to BS 3871

1.13 1.45
120
60
40
20

6
4
2
1
40
20

BS 3871: Part1
240 volts
Type 2
M6 (6kA)
40C
0.75 to 25mm2

Seconds

NSB MCBs
British standards
Rated voltage (single pole)
Tripping characteristics
Short circuit rating
Reference calibration temperature
terminal capacity - outgoing cable

Minutes

Tripping time

10

10
6
4
2
1

Cat. No.
NSB06
NSB10
NSB16
NSB20
NSB32
NSB40

86

Rating Amps
6
10
16
20
32
40

0.6
0.4

ac

0.2
dc
0.1
0.06
0.04
0.02

48.8

13.5

56.5

18

0.01

1.5 2

3
3

4 5 6
8 10
7
5

15 20

30

Multiple of rated current

Illustration courtesy of Electrium Ltd.

Limiting values of earth fault loop impedance for Type 4 miniature circuit-breakers were not
given in the tables of earth fault loop impedance in BS 7671: 1992*. Normally, where such
a limiting value is required, this must either be obtained from the manufacturer of the
miniature circuit-breaker, or derived by the method given in Appendix 3 of BS 7671 using a
value of instantaneous tripping current obtained from the manufacturer. Although the
current necessary to cause instantaneous tripping of a Type 4 miniature circuit-breaker is
permitted to be as high as 50 I n (see Table 1), the actual fault current required may be
somewhat less than that value. This is because manufacturers may stipulate other upper
range values of instantaneous tripping current (such as 20 I n ).
Manufacturers of BS 3871 miniature circuit-breakers used to publish, in relation to their
own circuit-breakers only, limiting values of earth fault loop impedance which are higher
than the corresponding limiting values given in Table 41B2 of BS 7671: 1992*. This is
because, as indicated earlier in this item, manufacturers were free to design
circuit-breakers to operate instantaneously within ranges of current smaller than, but falling
within, the standard ranges given in Table 1.

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CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
Miniature, conforming to BS 3871

C81-19

Furthermore, for Type 4 and Type D miniature circuit-breakers, manufacturers used to

publish limiting values of earth fault loop impedance to facilitate tripping in a time of up to
5 s (that is in addition to limiting values of earth fault loop impedance based on
instantaneous tripping current). This is because the characteristics of a Type 4 and Type D
miniature circuit-breaker, unlike those of the other circuit-breaker types, can be such as to
allow tripping other than instantaneously without the risk of a greatly increased
disconnection time.
It is important to ensure that earth fault loop impedances meet the requirements of
BS 7671 and that this must not be overlooked when an existing overcurrent protective
device is replaced. This is particularly important where the Product Standard for the
device permits a manufacturers design to be within standard ranges (as is the case with
instantaneous tripping current in BS 3871). Whenever such a circuit-breaker is replaced
by other than an identical unit, even though the replacement has the same rated current, it
is necessary to verify that the earth fault loop impedance of the circuit is within the earth
fault loop impedance limit of the replacement circuit-breaker.
3.

Short-circuit capacity

Unlike a circuit-breaker conforming to BS EN 60898, which has two defined short-circuit

breaking capacities (ultimate and service), a miniature circuit-breaker conforming to
BS 3871: Part 1 has only one short-circuit capacity, designated as its category of
duty. This is marked on the device.
The preferred categories of duty according to BS 3871: Part 1 are listed in Table 2 below,
together with the corresponding maximum values of prospective fault current which apply
under specified conditions of type-test. BS 3871: Part 1 requires that after type-testing,
a miniature circuit-breaker will trip within three minutes at a current of twice its rated
current.
Table 2

Category of duty

Maximum prospective fault current

(A)

M1

1000

M1.5

1500

M2

2000

M3

3000

M4

4000

M6

6000

M9

9000

A miniature circuit-breaker must not be installed at a point where the prospective

short-circuit current or prospective earth fault current exceeds the appropriate value given
in Table 2, unless suitable back-up protection (such as an appropriately rated HBC fuse) is
provided in accordance with Regulation 434.5.1 of BS 7671.

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CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
Miniature, conforming to BS 3871

C81-19

Selection of a device for back-up protection should be made in consultation with the
manufacturer of the miniature circuit-breaker. On request, a manufacturer should be able
to state the type and characteristics of fuses to be used in conjunction with a miniature
circuit-breaker, and the maximum short-circuit current for which the combination is suitable
at the stated rated operational voltage.
4.

Suitability for use for isolation and switching

A miniature circuit-breaker conforming to BS 3871: Part 1 may not be suitable for selection
as a device for isolation or for switching off for mechanical maintenance. This is because
BS 3871: Part 1 does not require such a device to have externally visible contact gaps or
equivalent means of reliably establishing whether or not its contacts are in the open
position, as is required by Regulations 537.2.2.2 and 537.3.2.2 of BS 7671.
An installation designer intending to select a miniature circuit-breaker conforming to
BS 3871: Part 1 for isolation or for switching off for mechanical maintenance should consult
the manufacturer to determine whether the device will meet the requirements of
Regulations 537.2.2.2 and 537.3.2.2.

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CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
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C81-19

ANNEX AA: Maximum earth fault loop impedance (Z S ) for

circuit-breakers to BS 3871 with U 0 of 230 V, for instantaneous
operation giving compliance with disconnection times of 0.2 s, 0.4 s
and 5 s.
(e) Type 1 miniature circuit-breakers to BS 3871
Rating
(amperes)

Z s (ohms)

11.5

10

15

5.75
9.58

16

20

3.59
3.83

25

30

2.3
2.88

32

40

1.80
1.92

45

50

1.28
1.44

In

63
0.91

57.5/I n

1.15

(f) Type 2 miniature circuit-breakers to BS 3871

Rating
(amperes)

Z s (ohms)

6.57

10

15

3.29

16

20

2.05

25

30

1.31

32

40

1.03

45

50

0.73

In

63
0.52

32.86/I
n

5.48

2.19

1.64

1.10

0.82

0.66

(g) Type B circuit-breakers to BS EN 60898

Rating
(amperes)

Z s (ohms)

10

16

4.60

2.87

7.67

20

25

32

1.84

1.44

2.30

40

45

50

1.02
1.15

In

63
0.73

46/I n

0.92

(h) Type 3 miniature circuit-breakers to BS 3871 and Type C circuit-breakers to BS EN 60898

Rating
(amperes)

Z s (ohms)

4.60

10

15

2.30
3.83

16

20

1.44

25

30

0.92

1.53

1.15

32

40

0.72
0.77

45

50

0.51
0.57

In

63
0.36

23/I n

0.46

(i) Type D circuit-breakers to BS EN 60898

Rating
(amperes)

Z s (ohms)

2.30

10

15

1.15
1.92

16

20

0.72
0.77

25

30

0.46
0.57

32

40

0.36
0.38

45

50

0.26
0.29

In

63
0.18

11.5/I n

0.23

Note:The circuit loop impedances given in the table should not be exceeded when the conductors are at their
normal operating temperature.

If the conductors are at a different temperature when tested, the reading

should be adjusted accordingly.

Note:The protective conductor impedances given in the table should not be exceeded when the conductors are
at their normal operating temperature.

If the conductors are at a different temperature when tested, the

reading should be adjusted accordingly.

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CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
Miniature, conforming to BS 3871

C81-19

Topics referred to in this text:

C81-5
C81-13
C81-25
F18-9

CIRCUIT-BREAKERS: Ambient temperature and grouping, implications of

CIRCUIT-BREAKERS: For household and similar installations (BS EN 60898)
CIRCUIT-BREAKERS: Selection, to suit load characteristics
FAULT PROTECTION: Earth fault loop impedance, maximum values of

Topics not referred to in this text, which are related and may be of interest:
D61-1
F18-13

DISCRIMINATION: General
FAULT PROTECTION: Protective devices for

BS 7671 (Requirements for electrical installations)

Some of the most important requirements are found in:
Protection, isolation, switching, control and monitoring

Chapter 53

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