DB (DISTRIBUTION BOARD)

DB – Distribution board is set of MCBs, ELCBs/RCCBs which are installed in a metal box
& is used to distribute electrical power to different loads.

Classification of DB  –1) according to usage, 2) according to supply,

1)Classification of DB according to usage –

 LDB (Lighting DB) – It is used to distribute power to lighting circuits, 6A
power points, exhaust fans etc. It is used for maximum 6A/10A current loads.
 PDB (Power DB) – It is used to distribute electrical power /supply to power
loads such as Geyser, Fridge, AC etc. All these items draw high current. MCBs of
current rating 16A,20A,25A are used.
 L&P DB – When DB is use for both lighting & power loads.
 NDB (Normal DB) – It is used for normal AC supply where load is to be fed
from normal power.
 UPS DB – It is used for UPS supply where load is to be fed from UPS power.
 Classification of DB according to supply –
1. 3- phase DB –

A 3 Phase DB consists of one no. three phase incoming MCB and a set of single phase
outgoing MCBs. A 3 phase DB can be used for Lighting & Power load.  It can be arranged
in two ways –

1. Incomer – One TPN /4P MCB/ISOLATOR along with equal rating of

ELCB /RCCB is used and outgoing– single phase MCBs – 4 nos/6 nos/8 nos/10
nos/12 nosper phase are used .  Such arrangements are called 4Way TPN
DB/6Way TPN DB/8Way TPN DB/10Way TPN DB/12Way TPN DB. One no.
neutral bar per phase & one no. earth linkper phase are fitted in the DB for
neutral &earthing wire connections of each circuit.
2. Incomer – One no. TPN /4P MCB/ ISOLATOR and outgoing single phase
MCBs 4 nos/6 nos/8 nos/10 nos/12 nos SP MCBs per phase alongwith SP/DP
ELCB per phase are used.  Such arrangements are called 4Way TPN DB/6Way
TPN DB/8Way TPN DB/10Way TPN DB/12Way TPN DB. One neutral bar per
phase & one earth ling per phase are fitted in the DB.
1. Single phase DB –

A Single phase DB consists of one incoming and a set of outgoing MCBs. These can be
arranged following way –
Incomer – One DP MCB and outgoing–  4nos/6 nos/8 nos/10 nos/12 nos  SP MCBs along
with SP/DP ELCB are used.
IMPRTANT TERMS –
 SP – Single Pole (only one point isolation contact where one phase is
connected).Application – Switching & protection is done in one phase only.
 SPN – Single Phase with Neutral. Application – same as above.
 DP – Double Pole (Two point isolation contacts where Phase & Neutral are
connected). Application – Switching & protection is done in one phase & neutral
only.
 TP – Triple Pole (Three point isolation contacts where R,Y,B phase are
connected). Application – Switching & protection is done in all 3 phases only.
 TPN – Triple Pole with Neutral (Four point isolation contacts). R,Y,B phase
& Neutral are connectedbut protection is given for 3 phases only, not for neutral.
 4P – Four Pole (Four point isolation contacts. R,Y,B & Neutral are isolated &
protection is given for 3 phases & neutral)
 4/6/8.. Way TPN DB – In this, each phase has 4/6/8/.. MCBs that is why 4
Way TPN DB has 12 outgoing MCBs while 6 Way TPN has 18 MCBs & so on.
 Phase– Live wire (from where current flows),
 Neutral – where current returns
 Earth/Ground – Point which is connected with earthling.
 Insulator – Material which does not allow current to flow. It is used as a
support in DB.
Type of breakers based on number of pole:
 Based on the number of poles, the breakers are classified as
1. SP – Single Pole
2. SPN – Single Pole and Neutral
3. DP – Double pole
4. TP – Triple Pole
5. TPN – Triple Pole and Neutral
6. 4P – Four Pole
1.     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.
2.     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.
3.     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.
 3pole MCCB signifies for the connection of three wires for three phase system (R-Y-B Phase).
 Application: Three Phase Supply only (Without Neutral).
4.     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
5.     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 3phase with neutral we just use 3pole CB and Neutral is connected on common Neutral
Link but if application of 3pole will affect the operation of protective relay then we must use 4pole
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 3phase 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).
(1) IT (with distributed neutral) System:
 The Neutral should be switched on & off with phases.
 Required MCB: TPN or 4P MCB.
(2) IT (without distributed neutral) System:
 There is no neutral.
 Required MCB: TP MCB.
(3) TN-S System:
 Required MCB: TP MCB because even when neutral is cut off system remains connected with
Ground.
(4) 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.
(5) TN-C-S System:
 Neutral and Ground cable are separate
 Required MCB:  TP MCB Because Neutral and Ground cable are separate.
(6) 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.
Nomenclature of Distribution Board:
 Distribution Box can be decided by “way” means how many how many single phase (single pole)
distribution. Circuit and Neutral are used.
1)     SPN Distribution Board (Incoming+ Outgoing)
 4way (Row) SPN = 4 X 1SP= 4Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
 6way (Row) SPN = 6 X 1SP= 6Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
  8way (Row) SPN = 8 X 1SP= 8Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
 10way (Row) SPN = 10 X 1SP= 10Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
 12way (Row) SPN = 12 X 1SP= 12Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
 Normally single phase distribution is mainly used for small single phase loads at house wiring or
industrial lighting wiring.
2)     TPN Distribution Board (Incoming, Outgoing)
 4way (Row) TPN = 4 X TP= 4nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =12 No of single pole MCB.
 6way (Row) TPN = 6 X TP= 6nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =18 No of single pole MCB.
 8way (Row) TPN = 8 X TP= 8nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =24 No of single pole MCB.
 10way (Row) TPN = 10 X TP= 10nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =30 No of single pole MCB.
 12way (Row) TPN =12 X TP= 12nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =36 No of single pole MCB