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MCB or MCCB Difference in IEC Standards (IEC 60898-1 & IEC
60947-2)
Circuit breakers are installed and used for safety purposes in both residential as well as
commercial and industrial areas. In power distribution, we need circuit breakers at different
levels. Depending on the current carrying capacity, breaking capacity and other functions,
we select a suitable circuit breaker according to our needs i.e. VCB,ACB (Air Circuit
Breaker), MCCB and then MCB , this is common hierarchy being followed in power
distribution system.
Also read: Difference between ELCB, RCB and RCD Circuit Breakers
What is MCB?
MCB:
Suitable for low current circuits (low energy requirement), i.e. home wiring.
Generally, used where normal current is less than 100 Amps.
What is MCCB?
MCCB:
Thermal operated for overload and & Magnetic operation for instant trip in SC (Short
circuit conditions)
Suitable for high power rating and high energy i.e. commercial and industrial use.
It defines behavior of circuit breaker having rated operational voltage not exceeding
than 440V (between Phases), Rated current not exceeding than 125A (We have
range 0.5A-125A) and rated short circuit capacity not exceeding than 25KA ( Usually
it is 10KAin MCB). This is designed for unskilled user (or say uninstructed user) and
for devices not being maintained consequently. Also pollution degree covered is zero
pollution to maximum pollution (degree 2). These are the circuit breakers we find in
residential homes, shops, school & offices electrical distribution switchboards.
IEC60947-2 :
This standard applies to circuit-breakers, the main contacts of which are intended to
be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1000 V a.c. or
1500 V d.c.; it also contains additional requirements for integrally fused circuitbreakers. It covers very high range of standard current carrying capacity (We have
range of 6A-6300A) and meant for skilled user. The device is also supposed to be
maintained properly. Also pollution degree is to be 3 or more. These circuit breakers
are industrial applications and protect the power distribution of up to 1000 volts AC.
and 1500 volts DC. (For MCBs, MCCBs & ACBs)
So it is clear that these items are different in their fundamentals. An MCB designed
for indoor, pollution-free conditions and would not be suitable for harsh, outdoor
applications that require pollution degree 3.
Typically, IEC 60898-1 certified Circuit Breakers meet minimally required
performance to proof proper protection of household installations: Pollution degree 2,
impulse voltage 4kV, isolation voltage is the same as nominal voltage 440V. That is
the reason why usually we meet limited number of technical information printed on
Circuit Breakers.
It is not necessary that Circuit breakers certified with IEC 60898-1 cant be certified
with IEC 60947-2, but for sure any manufacturer need to obtain certification. Rating
of same MCB can be different for different standards, so, it is highly recommended to
check the data properly printed on it.
So, the application and needs will decide that which device is to be used or selected.
IEC 60898-1
IEC 60947-2
6 125A
0.5 160A
SC Breaking Capacity
<25kA
<50kA
Rated Voltage: Ue
400V
4kV
6kV 8kV
Rated Current: In
Curves
B,C,D
B,C,D,K,Z,MA
Application Current
AC
AC or DC
Electrical Auxiliaries
No
Monitoring Control
ICS as a % from ICU. (See Difference between ICS & ICU in term of Circuit Breakers)
Maximum Operating Voltage
Insulation voltage
by the way, it depends on your needs and requirement for what you want to install.
Many other different factors affect the situation, So you will have to read the next
article below as we have added some simple calculation and formulas for MCB
installation & selection for Electrical Wiring.
Applications
Standards to be followed
Residential Buildings
IEC 60898-1
Commercial Buildings
Industries
IEC 60947-2
Anyhow, You will have to read the next article about the proper selection of MCB 0r
MCCB according to your needs.