EXPERIMENT NO.

02
NAME OF THE EXPEIMENT:-

Test MCB by performing the load test

OBJECTIVE:-

Test MCB by performing the load test

THEORY:-

MCB or Miniature Circuit Breaker is an electromechanical device that protects an electric

circuit from an overcurrent. The overcurrent in an electrical circuit may result from short circuit,
overload or faulty design.

In short, MCB is a device for overload and short circuit protection. They are used in residential
& commercial areas. Just like we spend the time to make a thorough check before buying
appliances like washing machines or refrigerators, we must also research about Miniature Circuit
Breakers.

An MCB is a better alternative to a Fuse since it does not require replacement once
an overload is detected. Unlike a fuse, an MCB can be easily operated and thus offers improved
operational safety and greater convenience without incurring a large operating cost. They are
used to protect lower current circuits and have the following specifications
 Current rating – Amperes
 Short Circuit Rating – Kilo Amperes (kA)
 Operating Characteristics – B, C, D, Z or K Curves

A Miniature Circuit Breaker is a switchgear which is usually available in the range of 0.5A to
100A. Its Short circuit rating is given in Kiloamps (kA), and this indicates the level of its
ability to work.

For example, a domestic MCB would normally have a 6kA fault level, whereas one used in an
industrial application may need a unit with a 10kA fault capability.

Working Principle of Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

MCB’s are protective devices that are made to break the circuit in case of overload or short
circuit.
The working of a miniature circuit breaker in case of overload and short circuit fault is,
 For Overload protection, they have a Bi-metallic strip which causes the circuit to open.
 For Short circuit protection, it has an electromagnetic kind of thing.
There is two arrangement of operation of a miniature circuit breaker.
1. Due to the thermal effect of over electric current
2. Due to the electromagnetic effect of overcurrent.

The thermal operation of the miniature circuit breaker is achieved with a bimetallic
strip. Whenever continuous over electric current flows through MCB, the bimetallic strip is
heated and deflects by bending.
This deflection of bimetallic strip releases the mechanical latch. As this mechanical latch is
attached with the operating mechanism, it causes to open the miniature circuit
breaker contacts.

But during short circuit condition, the sudden rising of electric current causes
electromechanical displacement of plunger associated with tripping coil or solenoid of MCB.
The plunger strikes the trip lever causing an immediate release of latch mechanism consequently
open the circuit breaker contacts. This was a simple explanation of a miniature circuit
breaker working principle.

Tripping Mechanism in Miniature Circuit Breaker

As explained in the above section, an MCB has two types of tripping mechanism.
1. Thermal Tripping
2. Magnetic Tripping

These are explained in the next section.

1. Thermal Trip Unit

The thermal trip unit protects against overload currents.
The thermal unit is based on a bimetal element located behind the circuit breaker trip bar and is
part of the breaker’s current-carrying path.
When there is an overload, the increased current flow heats the bimetal causing it to bend. As the
bimetal bends it pulls the trip bar which opens the breaker’s contacts.
The time required for the bimetal to bend and trip the breaker varies inversely with the current.
2. Magnetic Trip Unit
The magnetic trip unit protects against a short circuit. The magnetic trip unit is comprised of an
electromagnet and an armature.

When there is a short circuit, a high magnitude of current passes through the coils creating a
magnetic field that attracts the movable armature towards the fixed armature.
The hammer trip is pushed against the movable contact and the contacts are opened.

Types of MCB based on Tripping Characteristics

MCBs are classified into different types according to tripping over the range of fault current. The
important MCB types are as follows:

1. Type B MCB
This type of MCB trips between 3 and 5 times full load current. Type B devices are mainly used
in residential applications or light commercial applications where connected loads are primarily
lighting fixtures, domestic appliances with mainly resistive elements. Also used for computers
and electronic equipment with very low inrush loads (PLC wiring). The surge current levels in
such cases are relatively low.
Functions of Type B MCB are protection and control of the circuits against overloads and
short-circuits; protection for people and big length cables in TN and IT systems.
Applications: residential, commercial and industrial.

2. Type C MCB
This type of MCB trips between 5 and 10 times full load current. This is used in a commercial
or industrial type of applications where there could be chances of higher values of short circuit
currents in the circuit. The connected loads are mainly inductive in nature (e.g. induction motors)
or fluorescent lighting. Applications include small transformers, lighting, pilot devices, control
circuits, and coils.

Functions of Type C MCB is protection and control of the circuits against overloads and short-
circuits; protection for resistive and inductive loads with low inrush current.
Applications: residential, commercial and industrial.

PROCEDURE:-

 First of all make sure that the earthing of your laboratory is proper and connected to the
terminal provided on the back side of the panel.
 Make sure that the mains are Off and variac knob is at zero position.
 Make sure that the switch S1 is Off means the circuit is open.
 Insert rheostat between terminal 1 and 2, as shown in connection diagram.
 Make sure that the variable knob of rheostat is in centre, which helps to adjust the current.
 Connect the ammeter terminals 3 and 4 to terminals 7 and 8 respectively.
 Connect B type MCB between terminal 5 and 6 and select B type MCB with the help of
rotary, which help to shows corresponding reading on the measuring unit.
 Put the B type MCB knob upwards.
 Now switch On the mains.
 Switch On LCD switch S2.
 Switch On S1 switch.
 With the help of variac and rheostat adjust the current say 9A, it is not compulsory to
choose exact current reading it will vary due to short circuit so that choose close reading,
it may be 9.24A or 8.87A. Make sure that our circuit is short circuited at output terminal
means in small shift in variac cause huge change in current so be careful and slowly
move the variac. First reading should be take from 9A.If you select less current reading
than 9A then the tripping time will be more, so it‟s good to be choose current reading
from 9A or more than it.
 After adjusting the current switch Off S1.
 Now again On the switch S1 and measure the current reading, it will vary because of
direct short circuit so take approx value of current and wait until MCB trip and after
tripping of MCB note the current, time and temperature in observation table from LCD,
this is the tripping time require for B type MCB when given current flow through it.
 Now switch Off the switch S1 & then switch S2.
 After that switch Off mains and readjust the variac knob at zero position.
 Now again switch On the mains supply & as well as MCB.
  Switch On the switch S2 & then S1.
 With the help of variac and rheostat adjust 10A current.
 After adjusting the current, switch Off the S1.
 Now again On the switch S1 and measure the current reading, it will vary because of
direct short circuit so take approx value of current and wait until MCB trip and after
tripping of MCB measure the Current, Time and Temperature this tripping time require
for B type MCB when given current flow through it.
 Repeat the process and take 5-6 readings on the current rating like 11A, 12A, 13A, 14A
& take instant value of current (18A).
 Switch „Off‟ the mains supply.
 After taking 5 or 6 reading draw Current Vs Time and Temperature Vs Time graph which
shows 6A, B type MCB‟s characteristic.

OBSERVATION TABLE:-

Characteristic of miniature circuit breaker B type 6A

Characteristic of bimetal miniature circuit breaker C type 2A

GRAPH:-

Current-Time characteristics of B type and C type MCB

CONCLUSION:-

MCB is an automatic switch that opens when excessive current flows through the circuit. It can
be reclosed without any manual replacement. In the case of a fuse, once it has been operated, it
must be replaced or rewired, depending on the type of the MCB. Hence, fuse is known as one of
the sacrificial devices. This is the main reason why MCBs are used as an alternative to the fuse
in most of the circuits. Also, whenever there is a fault in the circuit, the switches in the MCB
automatically shut down and the fault of the device can be easily detected.

Handling MCB is relatively safe, and it quickly restores the supply. MCB – Miniature Circuit
Breaker can be reset quickly and does not demand more maintenance costs. MCB works on a bi-
metal respective principle that protects against overload current and solenoid short circuit
current.