Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB)

130070109001
prepared by:Savdas Ambaliya

Definition
Main functions

Protect cables against

overloads and short
circuits
Let the current flow
without overheating on
cables
Open and close a circuit
under rated current
Protect against insulation
faults (see earth leakage
protection module)

Symbol

Miniature circuit = switch + trip unit breaker (MCB)

Definition
A Multi 9 circuit breaker has:

A mechanical system to open and close the

circuit

A bimetal strip to act against overloads

A magnetic trip to act against short circuits

Miniature circuit = switch + trip unit breaker (MCB)

Definition
Main performances

It has standardized modular dimensions

125A
50 kA
440 V CA

Definition
The modular design meets 2 criteria:
mounting on a 35 mm
symmetrical rail
dimensions
- modules in widths of
17.5 mm + 0.5 - 0
- external part = 45 mm
- depth between 55 and
70 mm

44 maxi
21.3

81
45
maxi

width

symmetrical
rail

depth

external
part

10 maxi

35

60

The technology
Active parts
C60N

NC100 / NC125
terminal

terminal

bimetral strip

fixed contact

strip braid

moving
contact
strip braid

moving
contact
magnetic trip
load side
terminal

magnetic
trip
strip braid
bimetal strip
load side
terminal

Overload protection
A bimetal strip is used:
to protect the cable against overloads
symbol:
principle of the bimetal: in a Multi 9 circuit
breaker

NC45

NC100 / NC125

bimetal
tripping bar
tripping bar

bimetal
screw
calibration
strip
braid

Overload protection

Thermal tripping curve

the "thermal" part of the

tripping curve must be in
accordance with the
standard

t (s)
tripping

no
tripping

destruction
of bimetal
accuracy

Legend:
In = rated current
Ind = no tripping current
Id = tripping current

In

Ind Id

I/In

Overload protection

Temperature derating

our circuit breakers do not have temperature

compensation

if the calibration temperature is different from

the ambient temperature: derating is required

Short-circuit protection
Short-circuit current is given as RMS or peak
(Isc or sc)
RMS = Root Mean Square in symmetrical DC
(with PF = I)

Short-circuit protection must limit thermal stress in the

cable in order to prevent cable damage (which may reach
vaporization of the copper in some cases)

Comments slide 29

Short-circuit protection
The arc in Multi 9 circuit breakers
NC45

NC100 / NC125

arcing
horn

"By-pass" technique for the

protection of sensitive parts
of the circuit breaker DC
breaking is difficult

arcing
horn

"By-pass" technique for the protection of

sensitive parts of the circuit breaker (magnetic
trip)

Short-circuit protection
Magnetic tripping curve
t (s)

destruction
of the solenoid

tripping

no
tripping

Legend:
Ind = no tripping current
Id = tripping current

Ind Id

I/In

Our curves are instantaneous tripping curves

Marking
Front panel marking:

Side panel marking:

Circuit breaker marking is governed by strict

rules in accordance with the standards and
decisions made by the manufacturer

Choosing a circuit breaker

In conclusion

A Multi 9 circuit breaker is determined by:

Rating
breaking capacity
number of poles
Voltage
tripping curve
Standard
frequency
type of load

Auxiliaries: C60

SD: alarm switch

MX + OF: shunt trip
MN: under voltage release

4 types of auxiliaries for our

Multi 9 circuit breakers
OF: indication switch

SD

MX+OF

MN

C60

51/3

52/3

54/3

53/3

44/3

OF

54 mm maxi

The information is transmitted via a

mechanical link C60/NC100 and NC125
auxiliaries are not compatible

Auxiliaries: NC100 NC125

4 types of auxiliaries for our
Multi 9 circuit breakers
OF: indication switch

MN or MX+OF
or Vigi

27/3

35/3

NC100H

SD

34/3

33/3

OF

SD: alarm switch

MX + OF: shunt trip
MN: undervoltage release

36/3

The information is transmitted via a

mechanical link C60/NC100 and NC125
auxiliaries are not compatible

MCB : Videos

Thank You