Differences between MCB, MCCB, ELCB, and RCCB
Differences between MCB, MCCB, ELCB, and RCCB
To help you distinguish MCB, MCCB, ELCB, and RCCB, Electgo will give you some key differences that may help you clearly understand 4 of these Circuit Breakers.
What are Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) & Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) automatically puts off an electrical circuit whenever any abnormality occurs in the electrical network such as short circuit and or overload conditions. The MCB is an electromechanical device that protects electric wires, devices, appliances etc. from overcurrent so as to prevent any kind of damage, fire, or electrical hazards. MCBs are quite easy and much safer to handle; they also quickly restore the supply of currents.
The Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) is another type of electrical protection device that is used when the load current exceeds the limit of an MCB. The molded case circuit breaker also provides protection against short circuit faults and overloads and it can also be used for switching circuits. It is also used for higher current rating and fault levels in domestic and small commercial applications. However the large current ratings and high breaking capacity of the MCCB are much more useful in industrial applications.
What are the Similarities between MCB and MCCB?
MCBs and MCCBs share some similarities and some of the most common ones are as follows
- Both are protective devices designed to interrupt the flow of current in cases of overload or short-circuiting
- They provide a vital safety feature by preventing damage to the electrical system and minimizing the risk of electrical fires
- Both mainly find application in low-voltage or low-tension settings
- Both MCBs and MCCBs are available in the market with different current ratings
- Both types of devices can be manually operated, i.e., switched on or off for purposes of maintenance
What are the Differences between MCBs and MCCBs?
Despite their similarities, MCBs and MCCBs have some clear differences as well, especially in terms of construction, application, and performance characteristics. Some of the most prominent differences between MCBs and MCCBs are as follows -
- Current rating refers to the maximum current that MCBs and MCCBs can draw without getting damaged. While an MCB has a current rating of 100A, the current rating for an MCCB circuit breaker is between 10-200A.
- Their interrupt rating is also a major area of difference between these two protective devices. Interrupt rating refers to the maximum current that a self-operating electrical switch can block without getting damaged. MCBs usually have an interrupt rating of up to 1800A while MCCBs come with a much higher interrupt rating ranging from 10KA-200KA. This makes MCCBs highly suited for industrial purposes including heavy-duty machinery and equipment. MCBs, on the other hand, are best suited for smaller appliances and limited electrical loads.
- One of the most crucial components of self-operating switches is the tripping circuit. A tripping circuit leads to the breakage of the circuit in cases of abnormal current flow. While an MCB has a fixed tripping circuit, MCCBs come equipped with movable tripping circuits.
- While an MCB can have up to 3 poles, MCCBs often have up to 4 poles. ‘Poles’ refers to the number of safety and switching phases the MCB or MCCB circuit breaker has to maximize safety.
- In case of abnormal electrical conditions such as extremely high voltages or power surges, MCBs turn off automatically. This happens due to its operational mechanism wherein extremely high voltage conditions lead to disconnection in the circuit and stop the flow of electricity. Short circuits can also be expertly detected by this mechanism and in such cases too, the circuit is broken. This prevents damage to appliances and electrical equipment by safeguarding them from the potential hazards of voltage surges. The role of MCCBs, on the other hand, is to avert electrical overload and consequent overheating of the electrical circuit. It has bimetallic components which expand and contract when they detect an overload in the circuit. An open flow of electricity is allowed by the MCCB under normal circumstances. However, the MCCB gets heated up when the circuit is overloaded. This results in the prevention of electricity flow by the bimetallic components leading to the cooling down of the MCCB.
- MCCBs allow for remote operation via shunt wires. This feature is not available for MCBs.
| Characteristic | MCB | MCCB |
| Full Form | Miniature Circuit Breaker | Moulded Case Circuit Breaker |
| Tripping Circuit | Fixed | Movable |
| Poles | Available in single, two, and three versions | Available in single, two, three, and four versions |
| Uses | For domestic purposes like home wiring | For commercial and industrial use |
| Rating current | 100 amps | 10-200 amps |
| Remote on/off | Not possible | Possible |
Have a Question?
Our Range of MCB and MCCB products
Schneider's MCBs
-
In StockA9F75216 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60N, 2P, 16 A, D Curve, 6000 A (IEC 60898-1), 10 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F75216
Model: A9F75216
SGD $32.48 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9K02120 - Acti 9 K60N 1P - 20 A - C Curve 6000 A (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9K02120
Model: A9K02120
SGD $5.41 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F74120 - IC60N - Miniature Circuit Breaker - 1P - 20A - C Curve (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F74120
Model: A9F74120
SGD $5.43 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F75210 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60N, 2P, 10 A, D Curve, 6000 A (IEC 60898-1), 10 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F75210
Model: A9F75210
SGD $32.48 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F74210 - IC60N - Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - 10A - C CurveSchneider
SKU: SE_A9F74210
Model: A9F74210
SGD $23.83 All prices inclusive of GST -
In StockA9F84463 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60H, 4P, 63 A, C Curve, 10000 A (IEC 60898-1), 15 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F84463
Model: A9F84463
SGD $129.10 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F74206 - IC60N - Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - 6A - C Curve (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F74206
Model: A9F74206
SGD $23.83 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F74216 - IC60N - Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - 16A - C CurveSchneider
SKU: SE_A9F74216
Model: A9F74216
SGD $23.83 All prices inclusive of GST -
In StockA9F73216 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60N, 2P, 16 A, B Curve, 6000 A (IEC 60898-1), 10 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F73216
Model: A9F73216
SGD $23.83 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F84116 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60H, 1P, 16 A, C Curve, 10000 A (IEC 60898-1), 15 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F84116
Model: A9F84116
SGD $8.31 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F73120 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60N, 1P, 20 A, B Curve, 6000 A (IEC 60898-1), 10 KA (IEC 60947-2)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F73120
Model: A9F73120
SGD $5.43 All prices inclusive of GST -
In StockA9F83206 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60H, 2P, 6 A, B Curve, 10000 A (IEC 60898-1), 15 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F83206
Model: A9F83206
SGD $25.95 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F74204 - IC60N - Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - 4A - C CurveSchneider
SKU: SE_A9F74204
Model: A9F74204
SGD $51.92 All prices inclusive of GST -
In StockA9F75206 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60N, 2P, 6 A, D Curve, 6000 A (IEC 60898-1), 10 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F75206
Model: A9F75206
SGD $32.48 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F74106 - IC60N - Miniature Circuit Breaker - 1P - 6A - C Curve (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F74106
Model: A9F74106
SGD $5.43 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F84210 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60H, 2P, 10 A, C Curve, 10000 A (IEC 60898-1), 15 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F84210
Model: A9F84210
SGD $25.95 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9A26970 - Padlocking Device - 18 Mm (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9A26970
Model: A9A26970
SGD $26.72 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected MCBs
Learn more here -
In StockA9F73210 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60N, 2P, 10 A, B Curve, 6000 A (IEC 60898-1), 10 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F73210
Model: A9F73210
SGD $23.83 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here - In StockA9K02132 - Acti 9 K60N 1P - 32 A - C Curve 6000 A (MCB Bundle Deal)
Schneider
SKU: SE_A9K02132
Model: A9K02132
SGD $5.41 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here -
In StockA9F84420 - Miniature Circuit-breaker, Acti9 IC60H, 4P, 20 A, C Curve, 10000 A (IEC 60898-1), 15 KA (IEC 60947-2) (MCB Bundle Deal)Schneider
SKU: SE_A9F84420
Model: A9F84420
SGD $97.37 All prices inclusive of GSTUp to $150 off with minimum spend
when purchase with selected RCCBs, MCB accessories, or fuse holders
Learn more here
ABB's MCBs
-
In Stock2CDS252001R0164 - S202-C16 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - C - 16 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS252001R0164
Model: S202-C16
SGD $18.52 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS272001R0064 - S202M-C6 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - C - 6 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS272001R0064
Model: S202M-C6
SGD $20.15 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS273001R0164 - S203M-C16 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 3P - C - 16 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS273001R0164
Model: S203M-C16
SGD $32.70 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS252001R0104 - S202-C10 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - C - 10 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS252001R0104
Model: S202-C10
SGD $18.52 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS271001R0064 - S201M-C6 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 1P - C - 6 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS271001R0064
Model: S201M-C6
SGD $7.03 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS272001R0205 - S202M-B20 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - B - 20 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS272001R0205
Model: S202M-B20
SGD $20.15 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS252001R0325 - S202-B32 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - B - 32 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS252001R0325
Model: S202-B32
SGD $19.22 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS273001R0105 - S203M-B10 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 3P - B - 10 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS273001R0105
Model: S203M-B10
SGD $32.70 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS271001R0404 - S201M-C40 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 1P - C - 40 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS271001R0404
Model: S201M-C40
SGD $6.91 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS252001R0165 - S202-B16 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - B - 16 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS252001R0165
Model: S202-B16
SGD $18.52 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS252001R0255 - S202-B25 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - B - 25 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS252001R0255
Model: S202-B25
SGD $19.22 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS273001R0064 - S203M-C6 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 3P - C - 6 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS273001R0064
Model: S203M-C6
SGD $32.70 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS252001R0634 - S202-C63 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - C - 63 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS252001R0634
Model: S202-C63
SGD $26.73 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS272001R0104 - S202M-C10 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - C - 10 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS272001R0104
Model: S202M-C10
SGD $20.15 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS272001R0165 - S202M-B16 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - B - 16 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS272001R0165
Model: S202M-B16
SGD $20.15 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS254001R0404 - S204-C40 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 4P - C - 40 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS254001R0404
Model: S204-C40
SGD $48.41 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS253001R0324 - S203-C32 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 3P - C - 32 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS253001R0324
Model: S203-C32
SGD $28.24 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS253001R0164 - S203-C16 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 3P - C - 16 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS253001R0164
Model: S203-C16
SGD $28.24 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS253001R0104 - S203-C10 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 3P - C - 10 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS253001R0104
Model: S203-C10
SGD $28.24 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100 -
In Stock2CDS272001R0634 - S202M-C63 Miniature Circuit Breaker - 2P - C - 63 AABB
SKU: AB_2CDS272001R0634
Model: S202M-C63
SGD $29.42 All prices inclusive of GSTGet 10% OFF, apply code: ABB10OFF
Min. spend $100
What is a Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB)?
Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) is basically an electrical wiring device whose function is to disconnect the circuit whenever there is leakage of current flow from the human body, or the current flow is not balanced between the phases conductors. It is the best device for detecting and taking care of electrical leakage currents, so it gives protection against electric shock or electrocution caused by direct contact. RCCB is usually used in series with an MCB. The MCB protects the RCCB from over-current and short-circuits current. Both neutral and phase wires are connected through an RCCB. The combination of these two devices provides a very effective form of protection from electric shock, and it is widely used for protection against a leakage current of about 30,100 and 200mA.
What is an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)?
Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) has the same function as the residual current circuit breaker, but they are voltage sensor devices. However, the ELCB is old technology, and it’s no more in common use. The RCCB has taken center stage since it a currently sensitive device, and it has a better advantage over ELCB.
References:
Schneider Electric: https://eshop.se.com/in/blog/post/what-is-the-difference-between-mcb-mccb-rcb-rcd-rccb-and-rcbo.html
Share this article on social media