Benefits & Features of MCBs & MCCBs

A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) is the most commonly used electrical protection unit in residential, commercial and industrial settings. You can find it in different ratings so that you can choose the right MCB for your building. There is the MCB and then there is the MCCB (molded case circuit breaker). Both have the same functions, but have many differences. This guide explains the benefits of an MCB and further explores the difference between the MCB and the MCCB.

Benefits of MCBs

The miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) are commonly used in low-voltage circuits in place of the fuse. They are mostly valued for the advantages they offer over the conventional fuse.

Automatic Operation

The MCB will automatically switch off the electrical circuit if there is an abnormal load condition or a fault in the circuit. This system is much more reliable and sensitive than the fuse. You will not have to worry whether the fuse or an electrical appliance will burn first in case of an electrical fault.

Simpler Operation

The circuit breaker is operated using a series of knobs. If there is a fault in a room or zone, the respective knob for that room/zone will switch off. You can easily identify the room where the issue has arisen, fix it and switch on the respective knob to resume the circuit. There is no such system of zone identification with the fuse wire.

Molded Case Circuit Breakers

A molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) provides electrical protection through the combination of temperature sensitive system and current sensitive electromagnetic system. It is commonly used in large residential and commercial settings, and even in industrial buildings. The system provides highly reliable protection against short circuits and overload. It can be applied in a wide range of units including:

• Panel-boards
• Control panels
• Switchboards
• Motor control centers
• Combination starters

Difference Between MCB & MCCB

The choice between the miniature circuit breaker and molded case circuit breaker can be made based on the electrical power that needs to be handled. The MCCB should be chosen for buildings where higher energy needs to be handled. An MCB is usually the right choice for a home, but if you need a circuit breaker to handle hundreds of amps of current, you should choose an MCCB. It can handle electric current capacities of up to 2,500 amps.

Some of the key differences between the two systems are as following:

• An circuit breaker is suited for electrical circuits with capacity of not more than 100 amps. An MCCB can be used for circuits with capacities up to 2,500 amps.
• MCB breaker has an interrupting rating of 18,000 amps. The rating for an MCCB is 200,000 amps.
• An MCB is usually found in residential settings. You will almost always find miniature circuit breakers being used in homes. The systems found in commercial and industrial settings are mostly MCCBs due to their higher capacities.
• Both these circuit breakers are low-voltage units. Even the MCCB is not meant to be used for high-voltage commercial or industrial settings.

MCCB systems can also be made for remote control signal purposes. So when looking for the right circuit breaker for your building, you should consider the different factors and determine whether you need a circuit breaker or an MCCB.