WS2 Electrical Experiment 1

Experiment No: - 1
Aim: -
Introduction of protective equipment and safety for safe work practices.
Theory: -
Protection switchgears for house wiring are mainly divided in three parts
 Fuse
 M.C.B.
 E.L.C.B.
Fuse: -
A fuse is an electric / electronic or mechanical device, which is used to
protect circuits from over current, overload and make sure the protection of the
circuit. There are many types of fuses, but function of all these fuses is same. A
general Fuse consists of a low resistance metallic wire enclosed in a non-combustible
material. It is used to connect and install in series with a circuit and device which
needs to be protected from short circuit and over current, otherwise, electrical
appliance may be damaged in case of absence of the fuse and circuit breaker as they
are unable to handle the excessive current according to their rating limits The working
principle of a fuse is based on the “Heating effect of Current” i.e. Whenever a short
circuit, over current or mismatched load connection occurs, then the thin wire inside
the fuse melts because of the heat generated by the heavy current flowing through it.
Therefore, it disconnects the power supply from the connected system. In normal
operation of the circuit, fuse wire is just a very low resistance component and does
not affect the normal operation of the system connected to the power supply. While
selecting the proper fuse and its rated size for electrical appliances is based on
different factors and environments. but the following basic formula shows that how
to choose the right size of fuse?
Fuse Rating = (Power / Voltage) x 1.25
For example, you have to find a right size of fuse for 10A two pin socket.
(1000W / 230V) x 1.25 = 5.4A=6A
1kW - Power rating 230V -Main supply voltage
There are different Type of fuse as given bellow

 Cartridge Fuses
 HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) Fuse
 Automotive, Blade Type & Bolted Type Fuses
 SMD Fuses (Surface Mount Fuse)
 Rewireable Fuse
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB)

All fuses need to be replaced with MCB for better safety and control when they have
done their job in the past. Unlike a fuse, an MCB operates as automatic switch that opens
in the event of excessive current flowing through the circuit and once the circuit returns
to normal, it can be reclosed without any manual replacement. MCBs are used primarily
as an alternative to the fuse switch in most of the circuits. A wide variety of MCBs have
been in use nowadays with breaking capacity of 10KA to 16 KA, in all areas of domestic,
commercial and industrial applications as a reliable means of protection.
An MCB or miniature circuit breaker is an electromagnetic device that embodies
complete enclosure in a molded insulating material. The main function of an MCB is to
switch the circuit, i.e., to open the circuit (which has been connected to it) automatically
when the current passing through it (MCB) exceeds the value for which it is set. It can
be manually switched ON and OFF as similar to normal switch if necessary. MCBs are
of time delay tripping devices, to which the magnitude of overcurrent controls the
operating time. This means, these get operated whenever overload exist long enough to
create a danger to the circuit being protected. Generally, these are designed to operate at
less than 2.5 milliseconds during short circuit faults and 2 seconds to 2 minutes in case
of overloads (depending on the level of current). MCBs are manufactured in different
pole versions such as single, double, triple and four pole structures with different fault
current levels. These are rated at 220V for DC supply and 240/415 for AC supply (single
and three-phase) with different short circuit current capacity. Typically, single phase
devices have load current range of up to 100 A. Some MCBs have facility to adjust its
tripping current capacity while some devices are fixed for some load current and short
circuit rating.
Types of Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB’s)

1. Type B MCB
2. Type C MCB
3. Type D MCB
Type B MCB
This type of MCB will trip instantly at a rate of 3to 5 times its rated current. These are
normally used for resistive or small inductive loads where switching surges are very
small.
Type C MCB
This type of MCB will trip instantly at a rate of five to ten times its rated current. These
are normally used for high inductive loads where switching surges are high.
Type D MCB
This type of MCB will trip instantly at a rate of ten to twenty-five times its rated current.
These are normally used for very high inductive loads where high inrush current is very
frequent. examples x-ray machines, UPS systems, industrial welding equipment etc.
How to Select Proper MCB for different loads?
Choosing a particular MCB for a specific application is a careful task to ensure reliable
protection against overloads and short circuits. If it is not selected according to the circuit
requirements, there will be chances to lead frequent unwanted tripping’s. If it is
undersized (MCB rating less than the nominal load current), MCB causes frequent
tripping and causes to interrupt the current to the load it is being connected, because the
MCB nominal current less than nominal current value of the load. Similarly, if it is
oversized (MCB rating more than the nominal load current), the load to it is connected
will not be protected efficiently. In such case, the MCB will not trip even though load is
drawing overcurrent. The following are the three factors to be considered for selecting
an MCB for specific application.
1. Nominal rating of the circuit breaker
This is the rated ampere current rating of MCB. This value must be lower than the
current carrying capacity of wiring system and higher than or equal to the maximum full
load current in the wiring system. Generally, this rating should be such that it can handle
125 percent of continuous load plus rating of noncontinuous load. Typically, this can be
expressed as
Maximum full load current in the system ≤ Current rating of MCB ≤ Cable rating
2. kA rating or breaking capacity
This rating refers to the capability of MCB that can trip or interrupt the circuit under
short circuit conditions. It is expressed in Kilo Amps (KA). This rating must not be less
than the prospective short-circuit current. The prospective short-circuit current the
maximum current that exist in the circuit during short-circuit conditions. In residential
installations 6KA MCB is sufficient while 10 KA or above rating MCB is needed for
commercial and light industrial applications.
ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker)
An Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) is a safety device used to directly detect
the leakage current to the Earth from an installation and cut the power supply.
Basically ELCB is used where the earth impedance is high. Because of high earth
impedance, the voltage difference between the Metallic part of the Installation and
Earth will be quite high and dangerous from human safety point of view.
In case of degradation of electrical insulation, the live conductor may get in touch
with the metallic part of the equipment and because of high earth impedance; the
potential difference between the body of equipment to the Earth will be high enough
to result in shock to the working personnel. Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)
detects the leakage current to the earth and trips the associated breaker to isolate the
supply.
There are two types of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB). One is Voltage Earth
Leakage Circuit Breaker, also called Voltage ELCB and another is Current Earth
Leakage Circuit Breaker, also known as Current ELCB.
Working Principle of Voltage ELCB:
Voltage ELCB is a voltage operated device. It has a coil and if the voltage across the
coil exceeds a predetermined value such as 50 V, the current through the coil will be
sufficient enough to trip the circuit. Voltage ELCB is connected in between the
metallic part of equipment and the Earth. If we take an example of insulation failure,
then the voltage across the coil of Voltage ELCB will drive enough current to cut
the power supply till the manually reset.
Working Principle of Current ELCB:
The working of Current ELCB is quite interesting but easy. Current operated ELCB
is also known as Residual Current Device, RCD. A Residual Current Device (RCD)
has a toroidal iron core over which phase and neutral windings are wound. A search
coil is also wound on the same iron core which in turn is connected to the trip coil.
Figure below shows the constructional detail of RCD or Current ELCB. Under
normal operating condition, the current through the phase winding and neutral
winding are same but both the windings are wound in such a manner to oppose the
mmfs of each other, therefore net mmf in the toroidal iron core will be zero. Let us
consider a condition where earth leakage current exists in the load side. In this case
the current through the phase and neutral will no longer be equal rather phase current
will be more than the neutral current. Thus mmf produced by phase winding will be
more than the mmf produced by neutral winding because of which a net mmf. Net
mmf in Coe = mmf by phase winding – mmf by neutral winding
This net mmf in the core will link with the Search Coil and as the mmf is changing
in nature (current is AC), an emf will be induced across the terminals of the Search
Coil. This emf will in turn drive a current through the Trip Coil which will pull
(because of current flow through the Trip Coil, it will behave as an electromagnet
and hence will pull the lever to open contact) the supply contacts to isolate the power
supply. Notice that Current ELCB works on Residual Current that is the reason it is
also called Residual Current Device. A RCD / Current ELCB is also provided with
test button to check the healthiness of the safety device. If you carefully observe the
figure, you will notice that, when we press the Test Button, Load and phase winding
are bypassed due to which only mmf because of neutral winding will exist in the
core (as there is no opposing mmf as was the case with both the windings in service)
which will cause RCD to trip to isolate the supply.
Electrical safety equipment

 Insulated gloves
 Insulated matting
 Insulated ladders
 Rescue rod
 Lifesaving kit
 Warning signs and taps
 Tester
 Clamp meter
 Multimeter

WS2 Electrical Experiment 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

WS2 Electrical Experiment 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

WS2 Electrical Experiment 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Experiment No: - 1

There are different Type of fuse as given bellow

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB)

Types of Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB’s)

Working Principle of Voltage ELCB:

Working Principle of Current ELCB:

Electrical safety equipment

You might also like