Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) are crucial for protecting electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits. Here are the common types of MCBs:
1. **Type B MCBs**: These trip at 3 to 5 times the rated current and are typically used for residential applications, where the loads are predominantly resistive (like lighting and heating).
2. **Type C MCBs**: These trip at 5 to 10 times the rated current and are suitable for circuits with moderate inrush currents, such as motors and transformers. Theyβre commonly used in commercial settings.
3. **Type D MCBs**: These trip at 10 to 20 times the rated current and are designed for high inrush current applications, such as heavy machinery and large transformers.
4. **Type K MCBs**: These provide a delayed trip and are used for circuits with a high inrush current but less than Type D, such as certain inductive loads.
5. **Type Z MCBs**: These are very sensitive, tripping at 1.5 to 3 times the rated current, making them suitable for protecting delicate electronic equipment.
Each type serves specific applications, so it's important to choose the right one based on the load characteristics and requirements.