Miniature Circuit Board (MCB) is a safety device with significant commercial and residential applications. It is an electro-mechanically driven automatic circuit protection device. It’s an automatic safety mechanism that prevents damage to electrical circuits due to excess current flow. It uses for low-voltage electrical networks like lighting and small electrical appliances.
It operates automatically, meaning if a short circuit or overcurrent occurs, the MCB will automatically trip, disrupting the power supply and preventing any damage. However, these are sensitive to minimal current variations and detect minute levels that exceed safety limits. MCB uses to interrupt a circuit during overload & short circuits.
It can be used as a substitute for fuses for domestic applications. The benefit of MCB over-fuses is that they are reusable even after interruption of the circuit after an overload or short circuit.
An MCB or miniature circuit breaker uses an electromagnetic device with a full enclosure encapsulated in molded insulation. Its primary function is to switch the circuit, i.e., to open the circuit (connected to it) automatically when the current passing through it (MCB) exceeds its setting. It can be manually switched ON and OFF, similar to a normal switch.
An MCB operates according to the magnitude of the overcurrent, which controls how long it operates. This means these get operated whenever overloads exist long enough to create a danger to the circuit being protected.
Therefore, MCBs don’t respond to transient loads such as switch surges and motor starting currents. Generally, these are designed to operate at less than 2.5 milliseconds during short circuit faults and 2 seconds to 2 minutes in case of overloads (depending on the current level).
A typical external appearance of an MCB shows in the figure. MCBs are manufactured in different pole versions, such as single, double, triple, and four-pole structures with other fault current levels.
Mostly, MCBs are linked to give two- and three-pole versions such that a fault in one line will break the complete circuit; hence, complete circuit isolation is provided. This feature will be helpful in the case of single-phasing in three-phase motor protection.
These are rated at 220V for DC supply and 240/415 for AC supply (single and three-phase) with different short-circuit current capacities. Typically, single-phase devices have a current load range of up to 100 A. Some MCBs have the facility to adjust their tripping current capacity, while some devices are fixed for some load current and short circuit rating.
MCBs perform many functions, such as local control switches, isolating switches against faults, and overload protection devices for installations or specific equipment or appliances.
MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker)
These Miniature Circuit Boards are the most reliable solutions to ensure the safety of electrical equipment used in residential and many industries, including manufacturing, healthcare equipment, automotive electronics, consumer products, and agriculture. The primary reason for their effectiveness is their ability to perform in extreme operating environments and withstand higher temperatures, vibrations, humidity, and many other factors.
BCH has been instrumental in devising reliable Miniature Circuit Breakers that meet every safety standard. Our high-performing MCB conforms to all industry standards for effectual output and multiple commercial applications. MCB are favored more due to the ease of use and relatively simple mechanism that makes MCB the most reliable and safe alternative to traditional fuses. BCH ensures that all industrial and safety standards are followed while manufacturing these MCB. Some of the essential benefits of BCH MCB are:
MCB is a circuit protection device that can protect a circuit or a piece of equipment from damage due to faulty conditions such as overloads and short circuits. The meaning of using it in the circuit is not to stop overload or short circuits from happening but to protect the circuits from more significant damages caused by them.
BCH Electric Limited is committed to delivering products that meet the higher industry standards in terms of safety, dependability, and performance, along with the assurance of higher service life and convenience of application. We promise the guarantee of secured electrical systems in all industries and households with our trusted MCB.
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