What’s The Difference Between RCCB, ELCB, MCB, and MCCB Circuit Breaker?

Safety and efficiency are two of the major things needed in electrical distribution. Otherwise, it can cause electrical accidents that can harm both people and sensitive equipment.

As a distributor, you want to find the right manufacturer of crucial safety and efficiency components such as Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB), Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCB), Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB), and Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB). If not, you’ll end up distributing subpar breakers that won’t be able to do their job which could ruin your reputation.

The first step is to know the products you’re distributing. In this post, we explain what MCCB, RCCB, ELCB, and MCB are and their differences.

MCCB Circuit Breaker

MCCB circuit breakers (Moulded Case Circuit Breakers) are designed to protect against overloads and short circuits. They are suitable for higher current applications (their current rating ranges from 10 amperes to several hundred amperes). They are also known for their large and robust construction due to their higher current-carrying capacity.

Because of this, MCCBs are commonly used in industrial and commercial settings where the demand for electrical power is substantial,  such as in distribution boards and electrical panels in factories.

They offer adjustable trip settings allowing for customization based on specific application requirements. This adjustability makes them a perfect choice for a wide variety of applications. An example is in industrial settings where diverse loads and equipment may have varying protection needs.

They are often modular and can be mounted on DIN rails or in switchgear assemblies. They are generally also more expensive than other breakers. 

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

Like MCCBs, Miniature Circuit Breakers or MCBs are devices designed to protect against overcurrents and short circuits. Unlike MCCBs, MCBs have a compact build and are generally more cost-effective than MCCBs.

MCBs are known for their quick response time, ensuring that faults are isolated promptly. They come in various current ratings.

Their small build, however, means they also have lower current ratings which typically range from 1 ampere to 125 amperes. This is why they are mainly used for protecting smaller circuits (they are commonly found in distribution boards within homes and buildings) in residential, commercial, and light industrial installations.

While MCBs have sufficient breaking capacity for most residential and light commercial applications, they may not be suitable for interrupting very high fault currents encountered in heavy industrial environments.

RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker

RCCBs are specialized devices designed to detect the difference in current between the live (hot) and neutral conductors. They respond to imbalances in the currents, such as those caused by leakage to the ground or through a person.

There are 3 common types of RCCB: AC, A, and A+AC type. 

AC type is suitable for detecting and protecting against AC residual currents. A type is more sensitive and can detect both AC and pulsating DC residual currents. A+AC type RCCBs combine features of both AC and A types, making them versatile for various applications.

RCCBs are essential for enhancing electrical safety in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. They quickly disconnect the power supply when they detect a mismatch in the currents flowing through the live and neutral conductors. They are suitable for a broad range of fault detection, including earth leakage and other residual currents.

They are also available in different sensitivity ratings, typically ranging from 10 mA to 300 mA. You can choose the appropriate sensitivity based on the specific application and level of protection required. However, they can’t specifically distinguish between earth leakage and other types of leakage.

Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)

Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) are similar to RCCBs in the sense that they both protect against earth faults. However, ELBs are particularly effective in safeguarding against leakage currents to the ground, preventing potential electric shock hazards. 

ELCBs are commonly used in residential installations and are available in two types: voltage-operated and current-operated.

Voltage-operated ELCBs are older and less common. They trip when a voltage is induced in the earth wire due to leakage. They have been largely replaced by RCCBs in many applications.

Current-operated ELCBs are more common today and are still used in some specific scenarios. They respond to the current difference between the live conductor and the ground. 

Most ELBs have fixed sensitivity, often in the range of 30 mA to 300 mA. However, a few modern ELCBs allow adjustable sensitivity for increased flexibility.

The terms RCCB and ELCB are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to recognize that RCCB is a more modern and versatile device that encompasses the functionality of traditional ELCBs. 

Reliable MCCB Manufacturer

When it comes to selecting reliable manufacturers for these critical components, one name stands out: iAllway.

We manufacture high-quality MCCB circuit breakers that undergo rigorous quality assurance processes so that they not only meet but exceed international standards. 

With a global presence, iAllway has established itself as a trusted brand in the electrical industry. Distributors can rely on our products to provide top-notch performance and safety.

Contact us today for a quote!