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Study of Protective Devices

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Neofito Victor Rodrigues
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31 views6 pages

Study of Protective Devices

Uploaded by

Neofito Victor Rodrigues
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LAB EXERCISE NO: DATE:

STUDY OF MCB and RCCB

Objectives:
To identify, sketch, label and list out the functions of the following protective
devices:

1.Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

2.Residual Current Circuit Breakers(RCCBs)

Theory:

1.Miniature Circuit Breakers(MCBs)


A miniature circuit breaker basically is an electromagnetic device that
automatically operates (or breaks) the circuit, if the current in the circuit reaches to
a predetermined value. It can replace conventional rewirable fuses in distribution
boards. The main usage area of MCBs is LV side, i.e., mainly in domestic, light-
industrial or commercial applications.

These are manufactured in 1, 2, 3, and 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.

MCBs can be reset quickly by an operator after its operation (tripping) thereby the
circuit reclosesThe tripping of MCB can easily be identified under overload or
short circuit condition as its operating knob moves from ON to OFF position.

These are rated up to 100 Amperes, however, the trip current is normally not
adjustable. Generally, MCBs are rated for 230 V AC for single phase, 415V AC
for three-phase or 220V for DC supply.

The short circuit breaking capacity of MCBs ranges from 1 KA to 10 KA with 1-


pole, 2-pole, 3-pole or 4-pole configurations.
Three-pole MCBs are used for three phase supply and in such cases neutral is
directly connected. Alternatively, we can use four-pole MCBs for three phases and
a neutral connection.

The advantage of MCBs include, much faster operation than fuses, does not need
any servicing or rewiring, easy to handle and more reliable. The operating time of
the MCB is less than 1ms.

Generally, MCBs are designed to trip less than 2.5 milliseconds when a short
circuit occurs or over current fault arises. In case of overheating or overload
condition, MCB may take 2 seconds to 2 minutes for tripping based on the level of
the overload.

Most MCB designs are of single pole construction for use in single-phase circuits.
The complete system is housed within a plastic moulding and it is made of flame-
retardant high strength plastic.

The operating mechanism consists of both magnetic tripping and thermal tripping
arrangements.

MCBs are classified into three major types according to their instantaneous
tripping currents. They are

1. Type B MCB
Type B MCBs are mainly used where switching surges are small or non-exist
and are generally suitable for domestic applications and light commercial
applications. These are designed to trip at fault currents in the range of 3 to 5
times the rated current. Suppose if the rated current is 10 A, then the MCB trips
at 30-50 A.

2. Type C MCB
Type C MCBs are designed for high inductive circuits where surge currents are
expected. These are generally used for commercial and industrial applications
where a number of fluorescent lamps being turned ON or starting of small
motors may give high surge currents. Type C MCBs are designed to operate or
trip at the fault currents of 5-10 times that of rated current. For 10 A type C
MCB, the operating current range is 50-100 A.
3. Type D MCB
Type D MCBs are designed for heavy industrial applications where normal surge
currents are very high. These are ideal for electric welders and site transformers
where frequent high surge currents are expected. The most common applications of
type D MCBs include motors, UPS systems, X-ray machines, transformers and
battery charging systems. These are designed to trip at 10-20 times the rated
current. For 10 A type D MCB, the operating current range is 100-200 A.

2. Earth-leakage circuit breaker (ELCB)


An Earth-leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) is a safety device used in electrical
installations with high Earth impedance to prevent shock. It detects small stray
voltages on the metal enclosures of electrical equipment, and interrupts the circuit
if a dangerous voltage is detected. Once widely used, more recent installations
instead use residual current circuit breakers which instead detect leakage current
directly.

Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs)

RCCB is the commonly used ELCB. An RCCB consists of a 3-winding


transformer, which has 2 primary windings and 1 secondary winding.

Neutral and line wires act as the two primary windings. A wire wound coil is the
secondary winding. The current through the secondary winding is zero at the
balanced condition. In balance condition, the flux due to the current through the
phase wire will be neutralized by the current through the neutral wire, since the
current, which flows from the phase will be returned to the neutral.

When a fault occurs, a small current will flow to the ground also. This makes an
unbalance between line and netural currents and that creates an unbalanced
magnetic field. This induces a current through the secondary winding, which is
connected to the sensing circuit. This will sense the leakage and send signal to
tripping system.

CONCLUSION:
Operation of MCBs and ELCBs was studied

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