Abstract

Abstract : Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs) are typically used to provide over current protection for electrical safety caused by short circuit faults and overloads in indoor low voltage power systems. The MCCB automatically connects and disconnects loads from the electrical source when the current reaches a value and duration that will cause an excessive. However, the MCCB sometimes is not interrupted due to a malfunction, nuisance tripping, or in a fire. Ensuring electrical safety is very important in a indoor low voltage power system. This paper presents the operating characteristics of MCCBs according to a temperature rise from room temperature to 160 degrees Celsius delivered by a radiant panel heater. The ABS 54c(rated current: 30A) of the hydraulic magnetic trip type was us ed in the experiments. The signals of temperature, voltage, and current were measured using the high accuracy Signal Conditioning Extensi ons for Instrumentation (SCXI) measurement system with the LabVIEW program manufactured by National Instruments. The operating characteristics were measured as functions of current amplitude and ramp-up rate. The MCCB tripping time decreased as a result of increasing current amplitude and ramp-up rate under a temperature rise condition, because the temperature and level of the current are directly proportional to the tripping time. Additionally, an instantaneous operation was observed after 8 times of the rated cu rrent, and the MCCB began to melt a surface temperature of ar ound 300 degrees Celsius of. The experimental results coincided well with the operating curve.

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