Difference Between The MCB, MCCB, & ACB

 

Circuit Breakers are now an essential element in the electrical network. It is used to protect the circuit from being destroyed or exploded by Breaking the circuit (Turning Switch OFF) automatically in case of faultless or abnormality in the electrical circuit, like overloading and overheating. Because of this ability of the Circuit Breaker, it has much importance in residential, industrial, or commercial fields as a protector. There are different types of circuit breakers present according to the various applications. Let's discuss the difference between three types of circuit breakers MCB, MCCB, & ACB.

What is MCB, MCCB, & ACB?

MCB stands for the Miniature Circuit Breaker, MCCB stands for the Molded case circuit breaker, and ACB stands for the Air Circuit Breaker. They all are used to turning off the switch in case of trouble. But they do have the difference in their installation and construction. 

Differences

MCB is a small size circuit breaker, as its name suggests, like a miniature circuit breaker. They come in different Poles configurations like 1 P, 2P, 3P, & 4P. The current rating of the MCB is usually 2A, and the maximum current limit for the MCB is less than 100 A, which is much lower compared to the MCCB and ACB. Also, the MCB does not have the option to manually set or change the maximum current limit. The application or the use of MCB can be found for the safety of home electrical appliances and the protection of LCC (light control Centre).

Like MCB, MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker) also has the same functionality of automatically turning off the switch in a circuit (but bigger than MCB). MCCB founds it uses in high load applications, as it has more maximum current rating than the MCB. It has a current rating of upto 2000 A. MCCB also has the option of selecting the specific limit of maximum current in a circuit (this option is not available for the MCB). MCCB also has an option for the remote switching of the circuit by using the shunt resistor. MCCB also comes in 2P, 3P, and 4P (1P is used not for the MCCB). MCCB finds its application in heavy load devices, so mainly used in industrial applications or a 3-Phase system.

While Air circuit breaker (ACB) also has the same functionality as MCB and MCCB. But its name suggests that it uses air for the function in the electrical network. It utilizes the air to reduce the arcing of an arc when turned ON. The maximum current rating for the ACB is much more than the MCB and MCCB. It has a maximum current limit of up to 6000 A. it also has the function of changing the set current limit like MCCB. ACB is available only for two types of pole configuration that is 3P and 4P. But the braking capability of ACB is lower than the MCCB. ACB is not used at the load end because of its low operating frequency. ACB is used in industrial fields where many current devices are running.