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Electrical Notes & Articles

Sharing Abstracts,Notes on various Electrical Engineering Topics.

What is Correct Method of MCB Connections

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 6 COMMENTS (HTTPS://ELECTRICALNOTES.WORDPRESS.COM/2018/09

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3 Votes

Introduction:

MCB is a mechanical switching device which can carry and break currents under normal circuit
conditions and also under specified abnormal conditions, such as overload and short circuit.
The MCB can provide protection until and unless we have install input power (LINE) connection and
Output (LOAD) connections in proper Terminals of MCB.
Electrical engineers seem to be confused to indentify where is the Line and Load terminal of an MCB
(on the top or on the boĴom).

Terminal Marking of MCB:

There are two type of MCB available in market.

MCB having terminal marking (LINE / LOAD Marking) (Polarized MCB)
MCB having No terminal marking (No any Marking) (Non Polarized MCB)
Some manufacture clearly indicates where to apply Input Power and where to connect Load on MCB
while some manufacture does not indicate such Terminal Marking.

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The constructions of both MCB are almost same even though we need to understand difference
between them.

(1) LINE / LOAD Terminal Marking on MCB (Polarized MCB)

For AC Circuit:
If manufactures indicate Input (LINE) making on MCB then we have to give Supply at “LINE”
Terminal and Load at “LOAD” Terminal for perfect operation of MCB.
If we do wrong connection than MCB may or may not give proper protection in fault Condition.
As Per UL 489 Paragraph 9.1.1.13: It is clearly indicate that “Circuit breakers shall be marked “Line”
and “Load” unless the construction and test results are acceptable with the line and load
connections reversed. This marking requirement specifies that UL MCB shall be marked with the
word “Line” on one end of the circuit breaker and the word “Load” on the other end”, as shown in
Figure

If MCB is not live (ON) from long time (in Cold state) than there is possibility of MCB to not operate
in fault conditions.
In MCB ,The fixed contact is encompassed by the arc chute, and the arc products are de ionized,
cooled and ejected uneventfully when the incoming power is on “Line” Terminal (when the fixed
contact is ‘live’ or ‘hot’).There is less chance to re strike arc again.
If the power is applied to moving contact ,”Load” Terminal, the flexible connector, the trip system,
everything is live/hot after the arc is quenched. Chances of restrike/flashover are much higher.
For DC Circuit:
The polarized DC MCB have a marking of ‘+’ and ‘–‘ symbol
If Polarized DC MCB are wired incorrectly, they are a possibility of hazard and When we turned off
under load, the MCB might not be able to extinguish the arc and the circuit breaker will burn out.
Polarized DC MCB use a small magnet to direct the arc away from the contacts and up into the arc
shoot and arc disrupter cage. If the direction of current flow through the unit is reversed, then the
magnet directs the arc away from the arc shoot and into the mechanism of the unit thus destroying it.

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(2) No Terminal Marking on MCB (Non Polarized MCB)

For AC Circuit:
If manufacture has not indicated any Terminal Marking than we are free to connect line or load atany
side as we wish.
If construction / Operating principle of both MCB are same then what are the different betweenthem.
Without Terminal Marking MCB has following additional features.
(1) By Design improvement (Manufacture has provided some more provision for quenching of arc
(So it cannot reproduce it again).
(2) By doing some more extra test as per IEC 60947-2 and UL 489

The performance of single-break circuit breakers is slightly different when the “LINE” and “LOAD”
feed either from the boĴom or Top hence IEC 60947-2 specifies that one additional SC test be carried
out with connections required when the terminals are not specifically marked ‘Line’ and/or ‘Load’

Table 10- Number of samples for test (IS / IEC 60947-2)

Terminal Marking (Line / Load) No of Sample

Sample For *
Test Sequences for Testing
NO
YES

√ √
In 1 1

Ics (Ratedservice √ 2 1

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√ 3 2

3
short-circuit
breaking 1
capacity) √ √
(Ics=25%Icu) 3 2
3
1

√ √ 2
4
3
4

√ 1
2
2

√ 3 2

Icu (Rated 3
ultimate short-
circuit breaking 1
capacity) √ √
3 2
3
1

√ √ 2
4
3
4
* Sample For Indications
1 In of a given frame size.
This sample is omiĴed in the following cases:
A circuit-breaker having a single non-adjustable current seĴing for a given
2 frame size;
A circuit-breaker provided only with a shunt release (i.e. without an
integral over current release);

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A circuit-breaker with electronic over current protection, of a given frame

size, having an adjustable current rating by electronic means only (i.e.
without change of current sensors).
3 Connections reversed.
4 Connections reversed, if terminals unmarked.
As Per UL 489, Paragraph 7.1.1.18: “if a circuit breaker is not marked “Line” and “Load,” one
sample of each set tested, or one additional sample, shall be connected with the line and load
connections reversed during the overload, endurance and interrupting tests”.
This UL test requirement specifies that for MCC to be UL Listed for reverse-feed applications,
samples shall be tested with the line and load terminals reverse-fed, as shown in Figure, and that the
test results shall be the same as those of “normally” fed circuit breakers. Depending on the design
configuration and construction, the circuit breaker may or may not be affected by the application of
power in a reverse-feed connection during these tests.

If Line / Load are not marked, we can connect Line or Load either on Top or boĴom of MCB.
However, it is a good practice to keep the fixed contact side connected to the bus bar.
For DC Circuit:
The Non polarized DC MCB have a No marking as ‘+’ and ‘–‘ symbol
Non polarized DC MCB operate safely as load breaking isolators and for fault current protection
regardless of the direction of current flow through them.

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Conclusion:

When a MCB are marked “Line” and “Load,” the power supply conductors must be connected to the
marked “Line.” These MCB cannot be reverse-fed.
If “Line” and “Load” are not marked on MCB, the power supply conductors may be connected to
either end. These devices are suitable for reverse-feed applications.

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Pirating of Technical Works-2

SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 11 COMMENTS (HTTPS://ELECTRICALNOTES.WORDPRESS.COM/2018/09

/09/PIRATING-OF-TECHNICAL-WORKS-2/#COMMENTS)

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2 Votes

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Lots of time has been spent to read Books,Manuals,Handbooks and combined it with practical
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