Everything You Need to Know About MCB Distribution Boards

More often than not, we hear about fire hazards in establishments like restaurants, hotels, malls, and more. Residential spaces such as your home and commercial ones, including your office, are all at risk. Although there could be multiple reasons for such catastrophic events, one of the most consequential is electrical faults. This makes it crucial for you to understand its prevention.

We are not talking just about refraining from playing with electrical components like wires and switches; we are emphasising the importance of installing an MCB distribution board which is designed to help prevent unwanted electrical disasters effectively. If you are unaware of the role of an MCB distribution board in your home or office, this is the blog for you! Consider this a GM Modular guide to learn about these essential components of your home’s electrical system.

Understanding the Basics of an MCB Distribution Board

An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) distribution board is an essential component of the electrical system that enables the distribution of the power supply into various circuits while also providing a circuit breaker for each circuit in a common enclosure. The MCB refers to an automatically operated electrical switch that trips during an overload or even short circuit, protecting against damage, equipment failure and electrical faults. The distribution board location is often in out-of-the-way areas or hidden spots, such as under the stairs orin the basement.

Discover Different Types of Distribution Boards

Now that you are familiar with the basics, it is time to explore the different types of distribution boards and MCB switches you can find in your space.

Distribution boards are available in various types, such as:

●      Surface mounted

●      Flush mounted

●      Single door

●      Double door

●      Horizontal layout

●      Vertical layout

●      Covered with a door

●      Covered with see-through plastic covers

These boards are often equipped with different types of MCBs, including:

●      Type A: These are designed to protect against overcurrent.

●      Type B: They protect against overcurrent and short circuits.

●      Type C: These are designed to safeguard your system against both overcurrent and earth fault currents.

●      Type D: They have a higher tripping threshold than Type C MCBs and are known to protect against overcurrent and earth fault currents.

●      Type G: These MCBs protect against overcurrent and earth fault currents in residual current devices of an electrical system.

●      Type H: They are designed to safeguard DC-powered electrical systems against overcurrent and earth fault currents.

●      Type K: These are made to protect electrical systems with high fault levels against overcurrent and short circuits.

●      Type Z: They are highly sensitive MCBs that trip when current exceeds rate load by only 2 to 3 times and are perfect for devices susceptible to short circuits.

Learn How MCB Distribution Board Works

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) respond to overcurrent when the electrical flow exceeds the designated safe levels. They feature a robust mechanism that helps minimise failures and false alarms. When excess current flows, it heats the bimetallic strip inside the MCB, causing it to bend and trip. This action separates electrical contacts to control the arc (electrical discharge), which is then cooled by an insulated metal strip called the arc chute. The MCB resets once the fault is resolved. MCBs protect against both overloads and short-circuits. Overload protection is managed by the bimetallic strip’s thermal response, while short circuit protection relies on the tripping coil's electromagnetic response. The MCB reacts quickly to high discharges, tripping within a tenth of a second, and more slowly for lower currents.

To summarise, the uses of distribution boards include protection of the electrical distribution system against damage that could occur due to short circuits, overload, earth leakage, etc. They are a must-have in your home, office and any other space you own to ensure optimum safety against dangerous situations. You can explore our collection of home protection products to make the right choice.