Plug Circuit Breaker

What Is A Plug Circuit Breaker? A Comprehensive Guide About Plug Circuit Breaker

by Abdul Rehman

Last Updated on November 14, 2022 by

The plugin circuit breaker is a sort of miniature circuit breaker distinguished by its ease of installation through a unique form of the electric panel. Plug-in MCBs are typically available at voltages less than 600 V and 50 and 60 Hz frequencies. Because this sort of circuit breaker’s current rating is often less than 100 amperes, it’s only utilized in low-power applications. Other breakers, such as molded case circuit breakers, are required for more significant current ratings.

Plug-in tiny circuit breakers employ a thermal-magnetic protection mechanism:

  • When there is an overload condition, the thermal protection trips, and the excessive current warms up a bimetallic contact, which expands until the current is halted. The thermal response is slow enough to allow for short-term overcurrent circumstances, which are common in equipment like electric motors during starting.
  • Magnetic protection trips in reaction to large currents present during electrical faults. The current creates a strong magnetic field, which is utilized to open contact and break the circuit, thanks to induction. To reduce the detrimental impacts of electrical faults, the response is immediate.

Plug Circuit Breaker

The fundamental advantage of plugin circuit breakers is that they feature a specific base that securely connects to the electric panel, eliminating the requirement for a DIN rail, as with standard MCBs. Furthermore, the electric panel contains electrified bars that allow quick connection between the circuit breaker and the electric supply; all that is required is to connect the particular circuit to the associated breaker terminal. To secure the connection, the circuit breaker has a screw.

Compared to other breakers, plugin MCBs have a design that allows for significantly speedier installation. Furthermore, because all plugin circuit breakers in a panel share an electric supply, there is no need to connect the electric supply of each circuit breaker separately. A lot of cables are saved.

Plug breakers used in circuit breaker applications

Plug-in tiny circuit breakers are utilized in low-current applications with currents less than 100 amperes, which includes the majority of circuits in residential and commercial settings. Fuse boxes with plugin MCBs are pretty popular in households and office buildings. Lower-current electrical systems, such as lighting and administrative office equipment, are also employed in industrial environments. The following are some of the most popular uses for MCBs:

  • All lighting circuits, including LED, fluorescent, metal halide, etc.,120 volt, and 240-volt general-purpose electrical outlet circuits.
  • Refrigerators, electric ovens, microwave ovens, coffee machines, televisions, and other household items.ms
  • Heat pumps and splits air conditioners.
  • Small motor devices such as ceiling fans and residential water pumps.
  • Water heaters.
  • Protection of smaller secondary electric panels generated from a primary panel.
  • Circuits for office equipment such as PCs and printers. It is typical in commercial and industrial applications to derive a panel for lesser loads such as lights.

When employing a plugin micro circuit breaker, the voltage of the circuit, the current rating, and the number of poles are the most important considerations. Another advantage of plugin breakers is that they provide a lot of flexibility for electrical system alterations and extensions. Panels for plugin breakers often come in various sizes based on the number of slots available; for example, a panel with 60 slots will be substantially more significant than a panel with 12 slots.

Circuit breakers will fill the spaces as an electrical installation expands. If a panel is about to be complete, a two-pole or three-pole circuit breaker on the main panel can be used to create a smaller panel.

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Plug Circuit Breakers from CGSL

CGSL offers plugin circuit breakers for a variety of voltage and current requirements. The following are the two primary product lines:

MCB QTL Plug:

  • One-pole, two-pole, and three-pole models are available.
  • Type B, C, and D
  • Rated currents of 6, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 63, and 100 amperes are available.
  • Available rated voltages: 110/277 volts AC and 220/415 volts AC
  • Rated breaking capacity: 3000, 4500, and 6000 amperes
  • Frequency: 50 Hz and 60 Hz
  • Electrical life of 6000 cycles, mechanical life of 20000 cycles

MCB THQP Plug:

  • One-pole, two-pole, and three-pole models are available.
  • Type B, C, and D
  • Rated currents available: 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 amperes
  • Rated voltages available: 120/240 Volts AC
  • Rated breaking capacity: 10,000 amperes
  • Frequency: 50 Hz and 60 Hz
  • 6000 cycles of electrical life, 20000 cycles of mechanical life

MCB Plug Specifications

The following recommendations might assist you in selecting the most appropriate kind of plugin MCB for your application:

  • The number of poles in a plugin MCB should correspond to the number of electric conductors in the circuit to be protected.
  • Single-phase electric circuits, such as those that supply 120-volt lights and general electrical outlets, employ 1-pole breakers.
  • Circuits containing two live conductors, such as those used in 220-volt air conditioning systems and heat pumps, require 2-pole breakers.
  • Three-phase circuits, which may contain secondary electric panels and some types of electric motors in applications such as pumping and ventilation, are protected by 3-pole breakers.

The sort of plugin circuit breaker to use depends on the application:

  • Type B trips when the current is 3 to 5 times the rated current.
  • Type C trips when the current is 5 to 10 times the rated current.
  • Type D trips when the current is 10 to 20 times the rated current.

The plugin MCB’s rated current should be chosen based on the current drawn by the electric circuit. Ideally, the rated current should be more significant to enable continuous operation without tripping. Wiring and circuit breakers are typically sized for the current drawn by the application plus a 25% margin. The kind of electric supply determines the rated voltage and frequency; some nations use 50 Hz, while others use 60 Hz. The voltage varies depending on the installation.

The circuit breaker’s breaking capability is the most significant current it can interrupt. When fault currents above the breaking capacity are predicted, plugin MCBs should not be utilized. Although plugin circuit breakers can be used for switching, separate switching devices are usually recommended since repeated manual switching might degrade the service life of a plugin MCB. Of course, using the services of a skilled expert before purchasing and installing plugin circuit breakers is the best option. It is the most effective technique to ensure that dependable and safe protection is provided.

Which 2 categories of circuit breakers are there?

Single-pole and the double pole circuit breakers are the two types of common electrical devices. These are less complex breakers that track the frequency of energy as it flows through an enclosed environment. It maintains track of the electricity flowing through outlets, equipment, as well as electrical connections.

Conclusion

Plugin micro circuit breakers benefit from being simple to install, reducing installation time, and making maintenance easier. They come in various voltage and current levels, allowing them to be utilized in many household and commercial applications. With their plugin construction, Miniature circuit breakers make it very simple to modify or extend electrical installations.

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