Where To Use Single Pole, Double Pole Breakers

Where to use SP, TP, TPN
and 4P Circuit Breaker

Based on the number of poles, the breakers are classified as - SP –Single Pole, SPN – Single
Pole and Neutral DP – Double pole, TP – Triple Pole, TPN – Triple Pole and Neutral, 4P –
Four Pole.
- Jignesh Parmar
B ased on the number of poles, the breakers are classified as-
 SP – Single Pole
 SPN – Single Pole and Neutral
 DP – Double pole
 TP – Triple Pole
 TPN – Triple Pole and Neutral
 4P – Four Pole
SP (Single Pole) MCB: In Single Pole MCCB, switching & protection is affected in only one
phase.
Application: Single Phase Supply to break the Phase only.
DP (Double Pole) MCB: In Two Pole MCCB, switching & protection is affected in phases and
the neutral.
Application: Single Phase Supply to break the Phase and Neutral.
TP (Triple Pole) MCB: In Three Pole MCB, switching & protection is affected in only three
phases and the neutral is not part of the MCB.
3 pole MCCB signifies for the connection of three wires for three phase system (R-Y-B Phase).
Application: Three Phase Supply only (Without Neutral).
TPN (3P+N) MCB: In TPN MCB, Neutral is part of the MCB as a separate pole but without
any protective given in the neutral pole (i.e.) neutral is only switched but has no protective
element incorporated. TPN for Y (or star) the connection between ground and neutral is in many
countries not allowed. Therefore the N is also switches.
Application: Three Phase Supply with Neutral.
4 Pole MCB: 4pole MCCB for 4 wires connections, the one additional 4th pole for neutral wire
connection so that between neutral and any of the other three will supply.
In 4-Pole MCCBs the neutral pole is also having protective release as in the phase poles.
Application: Three Phase Supply with Neutral.
Difference between TPN and 4P (or SPN and DP)
TPN means a 4 Pole device with 4th Pole as Neutral. In TPN opening & closing will open &
close the Neutral. For TPN, protection applies to the current flows through only 3 poles (Three
Phase) only; there is no protection for the current flow through the neutral pole. Neutral is just an
isolating pole. TP MCB is used in 3phase 4wire system. It is denoted as TP+N which will mean a
three pole device with external neutral link which can be isolated if required. For the 4 pole
breakers, protection applies to current flow through all poles. However when breaker trips or
manually opened, all poles are disconnected. Same type of difference also applies for SPN and
DP.
Where to Use TP, TPN and 4P in Distribution panel
For any Distribution board, the protection system (MCB) must be used in the incomer. For a
three phase distribution panel either TP or TPN or 4P can be used as the incoming protection.
TP MCB: It is most commonly used type in all ordinary three phase supply.
TPN MCB: It is generally used where there are dual sources of incomer to the panel (utility
source and emergency generator source).
4P MCB: It is used where is the possibility of high neutral current (due to unbalance loads
and /or 3rd and multiple of 3rd harmonics current etc) and Neutral / Earth Protection is provided
on Neutral.
Where to use 4 Pole or TPN MCB instead of 3 Pole (TP) MCB
Multiple Incoming Power System:
When we have a transformer or a stand-by generator feeding to a bus, it is mandatory that at

least either of the Incomers or the bus coupler must be TPN or 4-Pole Breaker please refers IS
3043.
In multi incomer power feeding systems, we cannot mix up the neutrals of incoming powers to
other Power Source so we can use TPN or 4P breakers or MCB instead of TP MCB to isolate the
Neutral of other power sources from the Neutral of incomer power in use. We can use 4 Pole
ACB instead of TP for safety reasons. If there is power failure and DG sets are in running
condition to feed the loads, if there is some unbalance in loads (which is practically unavoidable
in L.V. distribution system), depending of quantum of unbalance, there will be flow of current
through Neutral. During this time, if Power Supply Utility Technicians are working, and if they
touch the neutral conductors (which is earthed at their point) they will likely to get electric shock
depending on the potential rise in common neutral due flow of current through Neutral conductor
as stated above. Even fatal accident may occur due the above reason. As such, it is a mandatory
practice to isolate the two Neutrals.
We can use 4-pole breakers or TPN Breakers when the system has two alternative sources and,
in the event of power failure from the mains, change-over to the standby generator is done. In
such a case, it is a good practice to isolate the neutral also.
4 pole circuit breakers have advantages in the case when one of the poles of the device will get
damage, and it also provides isolation from neutral voltage.
Normally, Neutral is not allowed to break in any conditions, (except special applications) for
human & equipment safety. So for single incomer power fed systems, 3P breaker is used, where
only phases are isolated during breaking operations.
Where We have dual Power like in DG & other electricity supply sources, it is required to
isolate neutral, where neutral needs to be isolated in internal network TPN MCB or 4P MCB can
be used.
Where to use 4 Pole MCB instead of TPN MCB
Any Protection Relay used on Neutral (Ground Fault Protection of Double ended System):
The use of four poles or three poles CB will depend on system protection and system
configuration.
Normally in 3 phase with neutral we just use 3 pole CB and Neutral is connected on common
Neutral Link but if application of 3 pole will affect the operation of protective relay then we
must use 4 pole CB.
System evaluation has to be required to decide whether three-pole circuit breakers plus neutral
link can be used or four-pole breakers are required. If unrestricted ground fault protection is
fitted to the transformer neutral, then the bus section circuit breaker should have 4-poles and
preferably incomer circuit breakers should also have 4-poles because un cleared ground fault
located at the load side of a feeder have two return paths. As shown in fig a ground fault on a
feeder at the bus section "A" will have a current return path in both the incomers, thus tripping
both Bus. The sensitivity of the unrestricted ground fault relay is reduced due to the split current
paths.
For System Stability
In an unbalanced 3 phase system or a system with non-linear loads, the neutral gives the safety
to the unbalanced loads in the system and therefore It must not be neglected. In perfectly
balanced conditions the neutral functions as a safety conductor in the unforeseen short-circuit
and fault conditions. Therefore by using 4-pole MCB will enhance the system stability.
4 Poles will be decided after knowing the Earthing Systems (TT, TN-S, TN-C, IT).
 IT (with distributed neutral) System: The Neutral should be switched on & off with
phases. Required MCB: TPN or 4P MCB.
 IT (without distributed neutral) System: There is no neutral. Required MCB: TP MCB.
 TN-S System: Required MCB: TP MCB because even when neutral is cut off system
remains connected with Ground.
 TN-C System: Required MCB: TPN or 4P only, because we cannot afford to cut neutral
doing so will result in system loosing contact with Ground.
 TN-C-S System: Neutral and Ground cable are separate. Required MCB: TP MCB
Because Neutral and Ground cable are separate.
 TT System: Ground is provided locally. Required MCB: TP MCB because ground is
provided locally.
Conclusion
Its compulsory to use TPN in TN-C system rest everywhere you can use MCB.
Author is an Electrical Engineer and has more than a decade experience in Power
Transmission, Power Distribution (T&D Loss control, Electrical energy theft
detection),electrical Maintenance and Projects.

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Where to use SP, TP, TPN

and 4P Circuit Breaker

Application: Single Phase Supply to break the Phase only.

Application: Single Phase Supply to break the Phase and Neutral.

Application: Three Phase Supply only (Without Neutral).

Application: Three Phase Supply with Neutral.

Application: Three Phase Supply with Neutral.

Difference between TPN and 4P (or SPN and DP)

Where to Use TP, TPN and 4P in Distribution panel

Where to use 4 Pole or TPN MCB instead of 3 Pole (TP) MCB

Multiple Incoming Power System:

When we have a transformer or a stand-by generator feeding to a bus, it is mandatory that at

Where to use 4 Pole MCB instead of TPN MCB

For System Stability

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