5 Differences between MCB and MCCB

When working with electric circuits, it is essential to follow protocol and install appropriate safety measures. One such safety measure is using self-operating electrical switches. They are quite effective in protecting appliances from sudden electrical surges, thus preventing accidents.

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) and Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs) are such switches that are widely used across the globe. While their workings are very similar, they do have several differences.

In this article, we shall discuss five major differences between MCB and MCCB.

Difference between MCB and MCCB

• The maximum current that the MCB and the MCCB can draw without facing a disruption also differs. The current rating of an MCB is 100 amperes, while an MCCB has a current rating of between 10 to 200 amperes.

• They have a major difference when it comes to their interrupt rating - the maximum current that a self-operating electrical switch can block without malfunctioning.

• An MCCB comes with an interrupt rating between 10k to 200k amperes, whereas the interrupt rating of an MCB is up to 1800 amperes. Therefore, the MCCB is commonly used for industrial purposes like heavy-duty appliances and machinery, while the MCB is best for lower electrical loads and smaller appliances.

• If you want to know a 100a MCCB price Schneider Electric is the place to look.

• The tripping circuit is one of the most vital components of self-operating switches. It causes the circuit to break during abnormal operating conditions. An MCB contains a fixed tripping circuit, whereas an MCCB has a movable tripping circuit.

• The pole in circuit breakers refers to the number of switching and safety phases it contains to maximize protection. An MCB usually has 1, 2, or 3 poles, while the MCCB can have up to 4 poles. Schneider Electric offers attractive deals on MCCB 100 amp 3 pole price and MCCB 63 amp 4 pole price.

• MCB automatically turns off during abnormal conditions, like electrical surges and extremely high voltage conditions. When the amount of electricity flowing through the live circuit is high, it disconnects the circuit to stop the flow of electricity. It can also detect short circuits and breaks the circuit, thereby stopping an electrical surge to appliances and prevents electrocutions.

• MCCBs, on the other hand, prevent overloading and overheating of the electrical circuit. It contains bimetallic components which expand and contract as a response to overloading within a circuit. Under normal conditions, the MCCB allows an open flow of electricity, but an overload in the circuit heats the MCCB. This causes the bimetallic components to prevent the flow of electricity until the overload subsides, allowing the MCCB to cool down.

• Unlike MCBs, MCCBs can be remotely operated by shunt wires.

Conclusion

Both MCB and MCCB are great when it comes to protecting your electrical appliances and you from accidents. Hopefully, the differences listed above will help you to understand which one is best for your requirements. But make sure you always buy from authentic places like Schneider Electric. Browse through our Schneider Electric eShop for the complete range of products.

Read More: - 5 Things To Know About MCCB Switchgears

FAQs

1. What is the maximum normal current rating of MCB and MCCB?

   The maximum normal current ratings for an MCB or Miniature Circuit Breaker and an MCCB or Moulded Case Circuit Breaker are different as they each serve to protect different kinds of circuits. The maximum normal current rating of an MCB can typically range up to just 125A, whereas the maximum normal current rating of an MCCB is usually much higher, ranging from 16A to as high as a whopping 1600A.

2. What is the maximum short circuit capacity of MCB and MCCB?

   The maximum short circuit capacity or the kA rating is the maximum amount of current that the MCB or the MCCB can safely stop in case there is a short circuit. Also known as the breaking capacity or withstanding capacity of a circuit breaker, MCBs generally have a maximum short circuit capacity of up to 15kA, while MCCBs offer higher short circuit current capacity, ranging from 15kA to 100kA.

3. How is a circuit breaker different from a switch?

   A circuit breaker is designed to protect electrical circuits from faults, overloads, and short circuits, automatically interrupting the current flow when a short circuit is detected. In contrast, a switch is a simple device that manually opens or closes a circuit to control the flow of current. Circuit breakers provide more advanced protection and are crucial for the safety of electrical systems, whereas switches are primarily used for basic on/off control.