

One advantage that MCCBs have is that their contacts are small, light, and can interrupt an arc quickly, such as in 1-1/2 to 2 cycles. Large-frame circuit breakers have separate arcing contacts and main contacts. The contacts on small MCCBs, such as branch circuit breakers used in panelboards, carry the load current and also act as arcing contacts. The contact assemblies open and close circuits. Interchangeable trip circuit breakers labeled circuit diagram MCCB Contact Assemblies The OCPD can be replaced with an element that can be sized up to the frame rating of ICCBs and up to 80% of the frame rating of MCCBs. OEMs can provide certain parts so that they can be renewed. Interchangeable trip circuit breakers have cases that can be opened to be serviced and maintained. Large-frame MCCBs and most ICCBs have replaceable OCPDs and are also known as interchangeable trip circuit breakers. Opening sealed-case circuit breakers invalidate their UL listing, which can cause issues if there is a fire or other accident involving those circuit breakers. Sealed-case circuit breakers can be identified in several ways: by a tarlike substance, riveted cases, or paper seals over the case screws. Sealed-case circuit breakers cannot be opened or serviced, except for testing, inspection, and cleaning of the outside. The frame on an MCCB is an enclosed unit that surrounds and supports the other components while providing insulation. MCCB Labeled Circuit Diagram MCCB Frames and Cases

MCCBs have the following primary components:Īn insulated-case circuit breaker (ICCB) is a circuit breaker that is similar in construction to an MCCB but typically uses an electronic or digital OCPD and has much higher interrupting ratings.įigure 1. MCCBs often have a thermal overcurrent trip element to provide protection against overloads, such as what is caused when a coupling is misaligned on an electric motor or an electrical device draws too much current.Īn instantaneous overcurrent element is also provided to protect against short circuits, such as what is caused when two wires touch or when insulation fails. The most common type of MCCB is the thermal-magnetic general-purpose circuit breaker.
