Have you ever wondered what happens to household appliances like geysers, washing machines, ovens, refrigerators, etc., when there’s a short circuit? The spark may cause the devices to burn and lead to fire accidents if appropriate circuit breakers are not installed. Miniature Circuit Breaker is one such safety accessory with an electro-mechanical action mechanism that helps prevent this hazard. 

Miniature circuit breakers are electrical switches that operate automatically to prevent any electrical damage from excess current flow. MCB is designed to trip when it senses a short circuit or an electricity overload to protect against equipment failures and electrical faults.

MCBs are widely used as analytic elements in domestic, commercial, and industrial settings. They form a part of a broader family of additional powerful circuit-breaking components. 

How Does A MCB Work?

Mini circuit breakers are activated by excessive electrical current that surpasses a fixed current and uses a relatively robust mechanical mechanism designed to minimise failures and false alarms.

When the MCB is overloaded with current, its bimetallic strip bends, heats, and trips; during this process, a switch is released to move the electrical contact points apart so that the arc can be contained. A metal strip called an arc chute divides and cools the arc. After the MCBs have been reset and the fault has been fixed, the contacts close again.

The miniature circuit breaker is developed to protect against overloading and short-circuiting, and different processes detect them separately. During overloads, the bimetallic strip is used as a thermal protector, while in short-circuits, the tripping coil is used as an electro-magnetic protector.

As soon as the discharge reaches a high level, the MCB will trip (activate) very quickly – within a tenth of a second. In cases where the overcurrent overshoots the safety limits, the component will respond more slowly.

Different MCB Types Explained

There are various types of MCB available – types A, B, C, D, K, and Z. The three important types of MCBs are type B, type C, and type D. 

Different settings require a different response to variations in electrical surge strength. The variations are commonly referred to as tripping curves but can also be called overcurrent or tripping characteristics.

Other MCB Types

There are a few more MCB models available in the market that include:

Type K MCBs – These miniature circuit breakers will activate when the electric current reaches upto 8 to 12 times more than the recommended time. They are a suitable alternative for motors.

Z-type MCBs – These miniature circuit breakers can trip even if the load exceeds the rated amount by two to three times as they are very sensitive. They are used with devices that are more susceptible to short circuits, such as semiconductors.

IndoAsian has many types of MCB available, and you can always go through at the end whenever you want to purchase one.