Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) are essential components in electrical systems, designed to protect circuits from overloads and short circuits. However, frequent tripping can be frustrating and may indicate underlying issues that need attention. Here are 4 important reasons why your MCB keeps tripping and how you can troubleshoot it.
When you try to use a more appliances at one time, Circuit breaker draw more current than it’s setting. Circuit breaker keeps tripping because of an overloaded circuit. Every appliance uses a certain amount of amps, which are the base units of electrical current. Similarly, every devise has a circuit that has an amp capacity. When the capacity is overloaded with an amp input that exceeds the limit, the circuit breaker trips.
Due to Ground faults
This fault occurs when you are attempting to ground your wiring. The fault is same as to short-circuiting but not same. Short-circuiting is where two “hot wires” come in contact with each other whereas a ground fault happens when a hot wire meets with the ground wire causing the safe “grounding” of the devise to become invalid and hazardous.
We will understand by one example.
When any devise hot wire touches metal box,this sets off a chain reaction that pushes more electricity through the circuit than it’s supposed to hold, which repeatedly trips the breaker. Due to repeatedly ground fault it may be damage the devise.
Call the electrician to recognize the fault and solve it immediately.
Due to Short circuit
Short circuit is common to ground fault, but potentially dangerous. This is when a “hot wire” touches each other in an electrical devise, which causes an overload of current to flow through the circuit, creating heat. The circuit breaker automatically shuts off in cases like these to prevent an electrical fire.
Short circuit may happen in electrical circuit or may be in any device. short circuit is a serious problem that should be fixed only by a electrician. Contact a professional electrician to solve the problem.
Due to defective Circuit breaker
If the above reasons are not causing circuit breaker tripping, then may be your circuit breaker is faulty. When the circuit breaker is old and cannot produce electricity anymore, it’s time to replace it. Moreover, it is bound to wear out if not maintained.
If your breaker has gone bad, you may experience a burnt smell, frequent tripping, unable to reset ,physical damage, electric shocks, electrical failure.
Step for Troubleshooting fault
- Switch off all the home appliances and unplugged from the electric circuit.
- Then open circuit breaker control box and switch on the circuit breaker.
- If circuit breaker cannot trip, then your electrical home wiring have a no any type of fault.
- You plug in the electrical device step by step and measure the circuit breaker condition. When the circuit breaker keep tripping than your fault at that time which electrical device plugging.
- After that isolate that electrical device and you will switch on your home electrical circuit breaker
- Then call professional electrician and troubleshoot your that electrical device fault.
Use Multiple different rating MCB
This is the best solution of minimize fault and also prevent electrical appliance from fault.In this method, you will use different rating MCB as per your home requirement.
First, you will calculate nos of electrical devise and their power rating. Based on that, calculate how many MCB require for best electrical wiring.
Put personal MCB for heavy power consumption electrical devise, like Air conditioner, Refrigerator, Washing machine and etc.
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ)
- Why MCB trip when AC is on?
Check the MCB rating and it’s setting, it is proper as per AC rating. Also check physical condition of MCB and AC. Check short circuit and ground fault occurred or not.
- How can I identify if my circuit is overloaded?
You can identify an overloaded circuit by checking if too many electrical appliances are connected to it, drawing more current than the MCB can handle.
- How can I determine if a faulty appliance is causing my MCB to trip?
Disconnect all appliances from the circuit and reconnect them one by one, checking if the MCB trips each time. If the MCB trips when a specific appliance is connected, that appliance may be faulty and should be repaired or replaced.
- What is Ampere range of MCB.
The maximum normal current rating of an MCB can typically range up to just 125A, whereas the maximum normal current rating of an MCCB is usually much higher, ranging from 16A to as high as a whopping 1600A.
- How can I troubleshoot a short circuit that is causing my MCB to trip?
To troubleshoot a short circuit, inspect the wiring for any signs of damage or loose connections, and replace or repair the damaged wiring.
- Which type of MCB used in Home?
The most popular MCB types are A, B, C, D, K and Z. Of these, the most commonly used are B, C and D. These categories are often based on their trip curve or tripping capacities. Type B – These are often used in residential properties or industrial units with small scale of operations.
- Can I reset my MCB after it trips?
Yes, you can reset your MCB after it trips by switching it back to the on position. However, it is important to identify and resolve the underlying issue before resetting to prevent further tripping.
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