SWITCHGEAR AND PROTECTION

Lecture 5

LOW VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

Outline:
5a. Low Voltage Circuit Breakers: Overview.
5b. Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB).
5c. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB).
5d. Air Circuit Breaker (ACB).
5e. Residual Current Device (RCD).

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

 SWITCHGEAR AND PROTECTION

Lecture 5a

LOW VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

OVERVIEW

Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- The low-voltage network is a very important component of
power system.
- At this level, much of the power is distributed and utilized
by the end consumer.
- Essential loads such as lighting, heating, ventilation,
refrigeration, air-conditioning are generally fed at voltages
such as 230, 380, 400, 415, 480, 500, 525 V.
- It is thus essential to establish a protection system with a
high degree of accuracy and quality to protect both human
and equipment.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- In power distribution, we need circuit breakers at different
levels.
- Different types of circuit breakers are installed and used for
safety purposes in both residential as well as commercial
and industrial areas.
- Depending on the current carrying capacity, breaking
capacity and other functions, we select a suitable circuit
breaker according to our needs.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
- The hierarchy is clearly illustrated by the following SLD:

ACB

MCCB
MCB RCD

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- The hierarchy of the low voltage is as follows:
• ACBs are specified as incomers from the supply transformer.
• MCCB for all outgoing feeders.
• The downstream network generally consists of MCCBs of
varying current ratings and as the current levels drop, MCBs are
used for compactness and cost saving.
- In general, low voltage CBs have the ability of sensing the
current as well as tripping the circuit.
- In high voltage CB, CB operation is initiated by a relay in which
the relay senses the current and gives commands to the CB.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- The major three types of low voltage CBs are:
• Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB).
• Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB).
• Air Circuit Breaker (ACB).
- Rated currents for each of these CBs can be summarized as:

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- It is necessary to define what we mean by failure of a fuse or a
breaker.
- If a fuse melts or an breaker opens, interrupting the service, due
to an electrical fault in the controlled circuit, it is not a failure of
the fuse or of the breaker.
- It is a successful operation of the device.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- A fuse or a breaker can be considered to have failed only if one
of the following two things happen:
• The breaker or the fuse interrupts the circuit even when there is
no overload/short circuit in the system.
• The breaker/fuse fails to interrupt the current when there is a
overload/short circuit.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi