Electricity is very essential for our basic needs. We need electricity every day in our homes and offices. Besides its availability, the safe distribution of electrical energy is paramount. Any chance of a short circuit or current overload can lead to electrical damage and deadly fire hazards. Thus, we should take effective measures to ensure safe electricity in our buildings. You need efficient electrical devices like MCB and MCCB to free your electrical circuits from fire hazards.
Legrand has several products to help you incorporate safety into your homes and offices. MCB and MCCB are two such circuit breakers that are essential to keep you safe from fire hazards.
What is MCB?
MCB is an electromechanical device that ensures complete protection against current overload. It is a circuit breaker that acts like a fuse but is better than the latter in many ways. MCBs function automatically like a switch that opens in the event of an excessive current flow through the circuit.
What is MCCB?
MCCBs are circuit breakers that control excessive current flow, which may lead to short circuits or overload. The outer covering of MCCBs has a protective and sturdy case. The key functions of an MCCB are:
- Protect against overcurrent leading that may lead to short circuits.
- In case of a ground fault, MCCBs ensure that excessive current flows directly to the ground.
- MCCBs protect various electrical appliances from thermal overload.
Applications of MCBs and MCCBs:
MCBs are best suited for residential buildings where the circuits have low current flow. MCCBs are meant to handle high currents in commercial and industrial buildings. They are used widely in heavy-duty applications, like handling welding machines and protecting electric motors, generators and feeders.
MCBs used in our home:
MCBs are used extensively in every residential building. They are hugely effective in controlling the unusual distribution of electric power throughout various electrical circuits and appliances like lights, fans, heaters and electric cookers. The tolerance of MCBs used in lighting circuits ranges from 6A to 10A, whereas it is as high as 40A for electric cookers.
Differences between MCBs Vs MCCBs:
There are some striking differences between MCB and MCCB. They are listed below:
- Full form: MCB means miniature circuit breaker, whereas MCCB means moulded case circuit breaker.
- Purpose of use: MCBs effectively protect an electrical circuit from overloading, while MCCBs protect the circuits from short-circuit currents.
- Dimension: The dimensions of MCBs are much smaller than the dimensions of MCCB
- Tripping circuit: The tripping circuit for the MCB is fixed, whereas MCCBs have movable tripping circuits.
- Rated current: The rated current of MCB is only 125A, whereas MCCBs can have a current rating of 1600A.
- Interrupting current: The interrupting current of an MCB is very low compared to that of MCCB In the case of MCBs, it is only 10kA, while for MCCBs, it ranges from 10kA to 85kA.
- Current flow: MCBs are used for circuits with low current, whereas MCCBs are used for circuits with a higher range of current flow.
- Cost: MCBs are much more pocket-friendly than MCCB
- Areas of application: MCBs are mainly used in residential buildings. MCCBs are popularly used for commercial purposes.
- Mode of operation: Unlike MCBs, MCCBs can be operated remotely using shunt wires.
Legrand brings you an extensive collection of MCBs and MCCBs that can be used for domestic and industrial purposes. Our products excel in reliability, safety and simplicity, making us the leading player in electrical devices.