Table of Content
1. What is MCB
2. What is MCCB
3. Difference between MCB and MCCB
4. What is RCCB
5. What is ELCB
6. Difference between RCCB and ELCB
MCB, MCCB, RCCB, and ELCB are circuit breakers but all of them are designed for serving a specific purpose. Before knowing about the difference among all, let’s get to know about them a little bit.
What is MCB
MCB Stands for Miniature Circuit Breaker. It automatically switches OFF electrical circuit during any abnormal condition in the electrical network such as overload & short circuit conditions. However, fuse may sense these conditions but it has to be replaced though MCB can be reset. The MCB is an electromechanical device which guards the electric wires &electrical load from overcurrent so as to avoid any kind of fire or electrical hazards. Handling MCB is quite safer and it quickly restores the supply.
What is MCCB
MCCB is Molded Case Circuit Breaker. It is another type of electrical protection device which is used when load current exceeds the limit of a miniature circuit breaker. The MCCB provides protection against overload, short circuit faults and is also used for switching the circuits. It can be used for higher current rating and fault level even in domestic applications.
Difference between MCB and MCCB
| S.No | MCB | MCCB |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It stands for Miniature Circuit Breaker. | It stands for Molded Case Circuit Breaker. |
| 2 | Rated current not more than 125 Ampere. | Rated Current up to 1600A |
| 3 | Its interrupting current rating is under 10KA | Their interrupting current ranges from around 10KA -85KA |
| 4 | Judging from their power capacities, MCB is mainly used for low Breaking capacity requirement mainly domestic. | MCCB is mainly used for both low and high Breaking capacity requirements mainly industrial. |
| 5 | Its trip characteristics are normally not adjustable since they basically cater to low circuits. | Its trip current may be fixed as well as adjustable for overload and magnetic setting. |
What is RCCB
RCCB is Residual Current Circuit Breaker. This residual current device is basically an electrical wiring device that disconnects the circuit whenever there is leakage of current flow through the Human body or the current is not balanced between the phaseconductor. It is the safest device to detect and trip against electrical leakage currents, thus ensure protection against electric shock caused by direct contacts. RCCB is generally used in series with an MCB which protects them from over current and short circuit current.
What is ELCB
ELCB stands for Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker. They have the same function as RCCB but are voltage sensor devise. However, this is an old technology & is not in common use. RCCB being a current sensitive device have a better advantage over ELCB as under:
Difference between RCCB and ELCB
| S.No | RCCB | ELCB |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | RCCB refers to ear stands for Residual Current Circuit Breaker. | ELCB stands for Electric Leakage Circuit Breaker. |
| 2. | It is a new name and refers to current operated devices. | ELCB refers to voltage operated earth leakage device. |
| 3 | It ensures 100% detection of leakage current& is available to sense the AC as well as DC leakage current. | It is not preferable as it can only detect current that flow back through the main earth wire. |
| 4 | RCCB has no connection with the earth wire and that’s why it can trip when both currents (phase and neutral) are different and it withstands up to both the currents are same. | ELCB is working based on Earth leakage current. These devices measured the voltage on the earth conductor; if this voltage was not zero this indicated a current leakage to earth. |
