Why Using MCCB Instead of Fuses
Why Using MCCB Instead of Fuses
Why Using MCCB Instead of Fuses
A B C Fault
A B C Fault
0 0 0 Motor
Figure 4. Single Phasing Example Circuit Motors are often oversized and in these cases, the load is not large enough to blow the other two fuses. Conductors and motors can eventually burn up due to the heating caused by only two phases turning the motor. This also creates a dangerous situation since the motor acts like a generator, back feeding the fault to approximately four times the full load amps of the motor on the phase which the fuse has blown. Circuit breakers and motor circuit protectors are designed to open all three phases at once, thus preventing the damaging effects of single phasing. Figure 5. Example of Tool Contacting Live Parts of a Panel Although personnel should never work on live equipment, faults are often caused by someone contacting a tool with a live uncovered part, such as a fusible switch, older design starter or bus bar. Circuit breakers are self-contained, dead front units that increase personnel safety by protecting from exposure to these live parts. Circuit breakers can also be remotely reset using the handle mechanism on the enclosure or using a motor operator that is remotely operated. This is a safety benet that keeps the operator out of the panel. Although you can turn a fusible switch on and off remotely, the operator must still go into the panel to change or check the fuses.
AP01200005E
Application Note
Effective: December 2007 Page 3
Accessorization
Circuit breakers offer the widest range of internal and external accessories. The safety benets of externally mounted handle mechanisms and motor operators have already been mentioned. Others include shunt trips, under voltage releases, auxiliary switches, alarm switches, terminal shields, lock offs, interlocking devices, etc. These accessories provide diagnostic information to the user and consume no additional panel space and are not available in fuses.
AP01200005E
Application Note
Page 4 Effective: December 2007
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Conclusion
The following is a summary of the top 10 reasons to use a circuit breaker as your circuit protection choice: 1. Resettable 2. Dead front, no exposed live parts 3. Prevents single phasing 4. Adjustable motor protection 5. Ability to protect during ground faults 6. Accessorization 7. Testable 8. Space savings 9. Prevents downtime 10. More cost-effective over the life of your equipment
Eaton Corporation Electrical Group 1000 Cherrington Parkway Moon Township, PA 15108 United States 877-ETN CARE (877-386-2273) Eaton.com
2007 Eaton Corporation All Rights Reserved Printed in USA Publication No. AP01200005E/CPG December 2007