Aim:

To Study and use of moulded case circuit breaker(MCCB).

Apparatus:
1. Switchgear testing kit
2. Moulded case circuit breaker (100A, 415V, 50Hz)

Theory:
MCCB is a sub-type of air circuit breaker which works on the principle of high
resistance interruption for arc extinction.
The rapid increase in resistance of arc by lengthening, cooling, splitting results in
reduction in fault current. The voltage drop across the arc goes on increasing with
resistance and at current zero. When recovery voltage across the arc is less than arc
voltage, the arc gets extinguished as the energy in system inductance is zero at current
zero.
These are used for low voltage domestic, commercial and industrial applications.
Under normal operation, it is used as a switch and in case of overloads it trips
automatically. Tripping is achieved by means of magnetic and thermal sensing device
provided within MCB and MCCB.
These are assembled in moulded case and moulded out of thermosetting powder
which ensure high mechanical strength, high dielectric strength and no aging. The
current carrying parts are made up of electrolytic copper or silver alloy depending
upon rating of C.B. All other metal parts are non-ferrous, non-rusting type.

Function:
It automatically isolates the electric circuit under sustained over loads or short
circuits. A bimetallic element provides an increased time-current characteristics which
interruption on normal inrush current or temporary overload. An instantaneous
magnetic trip release protect the equipment against a very high current (short circuit
current).

Accessories for MCCB:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Under volt release

Shunt release
Auxiliary contact block
Earth fault
Trip alarm
Rotary opening handle

 Protection in MCCB:
1. Inbuilta. Overload protection
b. Short circuit protection
2. Optional- (available at external as add on)
a. Earth fault
b. Under voltage
Overload protection is given by bimetal strips while short circuit protection is
achieved by magnetic attraction (coil).

Applications of MCCB:
1. Distribution FeedersIdeally suited for incoming and outgoing feeder circuit on distribution boards.
2. TransformersProvide effective protection to distribution transformer as outgoing breakers on
the LT side.
3. DG SetsUsed for protection and control of diesel generating sets against overloads and
short circuits.
4. APFC SystemSuitable for protecting LT capacitors for power factor corrections.
5. DC LoadsMCCBs are suitable for both AC and DC applications. Hence find application in
protecting rectifier panels.
6. UPSUsed for UPS and electronic equipment protections.
7. MotorsSpecially designed MCCB for motor backup protection provide type-2 coordination in conjunction with suitably rated contactors and relays.
8. FurnacesSuitably for high frequency system upto 400Hz and hence can be used for control
of high frequency furnaces. Also used in induction furnace along with
semiconductor fuses.

Installation Care for MCCB:

MCCB should be mounted vertical with name plate readable. It can also be mounted
in horizontal position either side max 90o.
MCCB should never be mounted inverted i.e. upside down otherwise arc produced
cant escape. Hence it may lead to damage to MCCB or even flashover.

 Fuse as SCPD:
Fuses are used as S.C. protection device in motor stator feeder because of their low
initial cost and capability to interrupt fault current faster. Fuses have excellent current
limiting characteristics and can be applied on system having high fault loads. Using
fuses for S.C. protection is found to be easiest and most effective way of giving
protection to system.

MCCB as SCPD:
The initial cost of MCCB is high as compared to the cost of FSU. However with
MCCB as SCPD following are factors which are superior to fuse linka. Ease of maintenance
b. Reduced down time
c. Simplicity in operation

Features:
1. Operating mechanism is quick make and break & trip free. It is independent of
manual operation. Contacts cannot be teased into position nor can be breaker
held closed under fault condition.
2. Housing is made-up of heat resistant insulating material. All parts of C.B. are
enclosed in moulded housing. Terminals are accessible for external connections.
3. Operating handle gives a clear trip indication. It assumes a position mid-way
between ON&OFF on tripping. To reset trip mechanism, the handle is to be
moved to OFF position.
4. Magneto-thermal release has three bimetals which gives thermal overload
protection and electromagnets which offer S.C. protection. It is direct acting.
5. All release operate on a common trip bar so that all the phases are disconnected
even when fault occurs on single phase.
6. Silver alloy contact have longer electrical life. The mechanism is so designed that
there is no arcing on the current carrying part of current carrying contact. The
strong wipe action of the contact system keep contact surface clear of oxide
films.
7. Terminals have long dimensions to accept links at cable lungs. Terminal
configuration permits straight through cabling. Adjacent phase terminals are
spotted by insulated barrio with adequate clearance.
8. Arc chutes consist of profiled de-ion plates housed in a special grade vulcanised
fibre casing. Individual arc chutes envelope each contact trips. Thus quenching is
rapid.

 Advantages:
1. Safety- Live parts are enclosed in insulated housing. Arcing is totally contained
within the housing.
2. Protection- Single phasing is eliminated. A common trip bar ensures opening of
all phases even when a fault occurs on only one phase i.e. it avoids single phasing.
3. Compactness- 5 to 10 times smaller than conventional ACB.
4. Economy- No fuses need to be stocked, so reduced cost of inventory.
5. Can be used for dc system and current rating remains unchanged upto 250V dc.
6. It has breaking capacity higher than MCB but less than ACB.
7. Variable thermal release which makes breaker selection exact and meets future
changes in loads.
8. They give separate indication in case it trips on fault, ON position & reset
position.
9. Practically, no maintenance is required for MCCB.

Conclusion: