If we observe the electrical installations at home, we will find a long -standing box with the ON and off switch in the middle. This device is called MCB.
MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) or in Indonesian that is a miniature circuit breaker is a device used to limit electric current and the number when there is more load.
MCB works automatically cut off electric current when the current passing through it exceeds the nominal current in the MCB. There are a variety of nominal currents in MCB, including 1A, 2A, 4A, 6A, 10A, 20A, 25A, 32 and others.
The nominal current is determined by the amount of current that can be delivered by the MCB. Basically the termination of electricity carried out by MCB comes from two principles, namely the principle of heat and the principle of electromagnetic.
The principle of heat is used when the MCB decides the current due to more load. While the electromagnetic principle is used when the MCB detects a short circuit.
MCB Working Principle
To find out more, the following explanation of the working principle of MCB. Under normal conditions, MCB functions as a manual switch that can connect (on) and decide (off) electric current.
At the time of overload or short circuit (short circuit), MCB will operate automatically by deciding the electric current that passes through it.
MCB function
From the explanation above it can be concluded that the MCB function is:
- As a breaker
- As a safety of short circuits or short circuits
- As the main switch
- As an excessive load safety
Types of MCB
The following types of MCB based on the characteristics of the trip (cut off current):
MCB type B
MCB will trip when the load current is greater 3 to 5 times the nominal current MCB
MCB type C
MCB will trip when the load current is greater 5 to 10 times the nominal current of the MCB
MCB type C
MCB will trip when the load current is 8 to 12 times the nominal current MCB
