Type
of breakers based on number of pole:
§
Based on the
number of poles, the breakers are classified as
1. SP – Single Pole
2. SPN – Single Pole and Neutral
3. DP – Double pole
4. TP – Triple Pole
5. TPN – Triple Pole and Neutral
6. 4P – Four Pole
1. SP (
Single Pole ) MCB:
§
In Single Pole
MCCB, switching & protection is affected in only one phase.
§
Application: Single Phase Supply to break the Phase only.
2. DP (
Double Pole ) MCB:
§
In Two Pole MCCB,
switching & protection is affected in phases and the neutral.
§
Application: Single Phase Supply to break the Phase and Neutral.
3. TP (
Triple Pole) MCB:
§
In Three Pole MCB,
switching & protection is affected in only three phases and the neutral is
not part of the MCB.
§
3pole MCCB
signifies for the connection of three wires for three phase system (R-Y-B
Phase).
§
Application: Three Phase Supply only (Without Neutral).
4. TPN (3P+N) MCB:
§
In TPN MCB,
Neutral is part of the MCB as a separate pole but without any protective given
in the neutral pole (i.e.) neutral is only switched but has no protective
element incorporated.
§
TPN for Y (or
star) the connection between ground and neutral is in many countries not
allowed. Therefore the N is also switches.
§
Application: Three Phase Supply with Neutral
5. 4 Pole MCB:
§
4pole MCCB for 4
wires connections, the one additional 4th pole for neutral wire
connection so that between neutral and any of the other three will supply.
§
In 4-Pole MCCBs
the neutral pole is also having protective release as in the phase poles.
§
Application: Three Phase Supply with Neutral
Difference
between TPN and 4P (or SPN and DP):
§
TPN means a 4 Pole
device with 4th Pole as Neutral. In TPN opening & closing will open &
close the Neutral.
§
For TPN,
protection applies to the current flows through only 3 poles (Three Phase)
only; there is no protection for the current flow through the neutral pole.
Neutral is just an isolating pole.
§
TP MCB is used in
3phase 4wire system. It is denoted as TP+N which will mean a three pole device
with external neutral link which can be isolated if required.
§
For the 4 pole
breakers, protection applies to current flow through all poles. However when
breaker trips or manually opened, all poles are disconnected.
§
Same type of
difference also applies for SPN and DP.
Where
to Use TP, TPN and 4P in Distribution panel:
§
For any
Distribution board, the protection system (MCB) must be used in the incomer.
For a three phase distribution panel either TP or TPN or 4P can be used as the
incoming protection.
§
TP MCB: It is most commonly used type in all ordinary three
phase supply.
§
TPN MCB: It is generally used where there are dual sources of
incomer to the panel (utility source and emergency generator source).
§
4P MCB: It is used where is the possibility of high neutral
current (due to unbalance loads and /or 3rd and multiple of 3rd harmonics
current etc) and Neutral / Earth Protection is
provided on Neutral.
Where to use 4 Pole or TPN MCB instead of 3 Pole (TP)
MCB.
§
Multiple Incoming
Power System:
§
When we have a
transformer or a stand-by generator feeding to a bus, it is mandatory that at
least either of the Incomers or the bus coupler must be TPN or 4-Pole Breaker
please refers IS 3043.
§
In multi incomer
power feeding systems, we cannot mix up the neutrals of incoming powers to
other Power Source so we can use TPN or 4P breakers or MCB instead of TP MCB to
isolate the Neutral of other power sources from the Neutral of incomer power in
use.
§
We can use 4 Pole
ACB instead of TP for safety reasons .If there is power failure and DG sets are
in running condition to feed the loads, if there is some unbalance in
loads(which is practically unavoidable in L.V. distribution system ), depending
of quantum of unbalance, there will be flow of current through Neutral. During
this time, if Power Supply Utility Technicians are working, and if they touch
the neutral conductors(which is earthed at their point ) they will likely to
get electric shock depending on the potential rise in common neutral due flow
of current through Neutral conductor as stated above. Even fatal accident may
occur due the above reason. As such, it is a mandatory practice to isolate the
two Neutrals.
§
We can use 4-pole
breakers or TPN Breakers when the system has two alternative sources and, in
the event of power failure from the mains, change-over to the standby generator
is done. In such a case, it is a good practice to isolate the neutral also.
§
4 pole circuit
breakers have advantages in the case when one of the poles of the device will
get damage, and it also provides isolation from neutral voltage.
§
Normally, Neutral
is not allowed to break in any conditions, (except special applications) for
human & equipment safety. So for single incomer power fed systems, 3P
breaker is used, where only phases are isolated during breaking operations.
§
Where We have dual
Power like in DG & other electricity supply sources ,it is required to
isolate neutral, where neutral needs to be isolated in internal network
TPN MCB or 4P MCB can be used.
Where
to use 4 Pole MCB instead of TPN MCB
§
Any Protection
Relay used on Neutral (Ground Fault Protection of Double ended System):
§
The use of four
poles or three poles CB will depend on system protection and system
configuration.
§
Normally in 3phase
with neutral we just use 3pole CB and Neutral is connected on common Neutral
Link but if application of 3pole will affect the operation of protective relay
then we must use 4pole CB.
§
System evaluation
has to be required to decide whether three-pole circuit breakers plus neutral
link can be used or four-pole breakers are required.
§
If unrestricted
ground fault protection is fitted to the transformer neutral, then the bus
section circuit breaker should have 4-poles and preferably incomer circuit
breakers should also have 4-poles because un cleared
ground fault located at the load side of a feeder have two return paths. As
shown in fig a ground fault on a feeder at the bus section “A” will have a
current return path in both the incomers, thus tripping both Bus. The
sensitivity of the unrestricted ground fault relay is reduced due to the split
current paths.
§
For System
Stability :
§
In an unbalanced
3phase system or a system with non-linear loads, the neutral gives the safety
to the unbalanced loads in the system and therefore It
must not be neglected. In perfectly balanced conditions the neutral functions
as a safety conductor in the unforeseen short-circuit and fault conditions.
Therefore by using 4-pole MCB will enhance the system stability.
§
4 Poles will be
decided after knowing the Earthing Systems (TT, TN-S,
TN-C, IT).
(1) IT (with distributed neutral) System:
§
The Neutral should
be switched on & off with phases.
§
Required MCB: TPN
or 4P MCB.
(2) IT (without distributed neutral) System:
§
There is no
neutral.
§
Required MCB: TP
MCB.
(3) TN-S System:
§
Required MCB: TP
MCB because even when neutral is cut off system remains connected with Ground.
(4) TN-C System:
§
Required MCB: TPN
or 4P only, because we cannot afford to cut neutral doing so will result in
system loosing contact with Ground.
(5) TN-C-S System:
§
Neutral and Ground
cable are separate
§
Required MCB:
TP MCB Because Neutral and Ground cable are separate.
(6) TT System:
§
Ground is provided
locally
§
Required MCB:
TP MCB because ground is provided locally.
§
Conclusion: Its compulsory to use TPN in TN-C system rest
everywhere you can use MCB.
Nomenclature
of Distribution Board:
§
Distribution Box
can be decided by “way” means how many how many single phase (single pole)
distribution. Circuit and Neutral are used.
1) SPN
Distribution Board (Incoming+ Outgoing)
§
4way (Row) SPN = 4
X 1SP= 4Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
§
6way (Row) SPN = 6
X 1SP= 6Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
§
8way (Row) SPN = 8
X 1SP= 8Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
§
10way (Row) SPN =
10 X 1SP= 10Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
§
12way (Row) SPN =
12 X 1SP= 12Nos (Module) of single pole MCB as outgoing feeders.
§
Normally single
phase distribution is mainly used for small single phase loads at house wiring
or industrial lighting wiring.
2) TPN
Distribution Board (Incoming, Outgoing)
§
4way (Row) TPN = 4
X TP= 4nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =12 No of single pole MCB.
§
6way (Row) TPN = 6
X TP= 6nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =18 No of single pole MCB.
§
8way (Row) TPN = 8
X TP= 8nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =24 No of single pole MCB.
§
10way (Row) TPN =
10 X TP= 10nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =30 No of single pole MCB.
§
12way (Row) TPN
=12 X TP= 12nos of 3pole MCB as outgoing feeders =36 No of single pole MCB