One of the major difference between the MCB (Miniature circuit breaker) and MCCB (Moulded case circuit breaker) is that the interrupt rating of the MCB is up to 1800 amps whereas the interrupt rating of the MCCB is between 10k – 200k amps. The other differences between them are explained below in details.
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
The miniature circuit breaker is an electromechanical device which, automatically, switches off the circuit whenever the abnormal condition occurs. It easily senses the overcurrent caused by the short circuit. The working principle of the miniature circuit is very simple. Their main function is to protect the equipment from overcurrent. It has two contacts one is movable, and the other one is fixed. When the current increases from the predefined limit, their movable contacts are disconnected from the fixed contacts which make the circuit open and disconnects them from the main supply.
Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)
The MCCB stands for a molded case circuit breaker. It is a protection device which protects the circuit from overloading. It is mainly used in a place where adjustable tripping requires. The current rating of MCCB is up to 2500 amps. It is mainly used for high current applications. The MCCB has a manually operated switch for tripping the circuit. The MCCB has two arrangements. One for the oven temperature and the other for the overcurrent. It consists of bimetallic contact which expands and contracts when the temperature of the MCCB changes. During the normal operating conditions, the contact allows the current to flow through the circuit. But as the current rises beyond the predefined value, then their contacts will warm and expand until the contacts are open. Thus, disconnected the circuit from the main supply and protects the equipment from damage.
| MCB | MCCB | |
| Definition | Types of the switch which protects the system from | Protects the equipment from over |
| overload current | temperature and fault current | |
| Abbreviation | Miniature circuit breaker | Moulded case circuit breaker |
| Tripping circuit | Fixed | Movable |
| Pole | Available in single, two and three versions | Available in single, two three & four version |
| Interrupting Rating | 1800 A | 10k – 200k |
| Remote on/off | Not possible | Possible |
| Rating current | up to 100 amps | up to 1000 amps |
| Applications | In lightning circuit and for low | In heavy current circuit |
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