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A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) is a deliberate weak link in an electrical circuit - Junior Cycle Home Economics - Question 17 - 2017
Question 17
A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) is a deliberate weak link in an electrical circuit. Give two reasons why the MCB switch can trip. (i) (ii)
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) is a deliberate weak link in an electrical circuit - Junior Cycle Home Economics - Question 17 - 2017
Step 1
(i)
Answer
One reason the MCB switch can trip is due to a faulty appliance. If there's an issue with the appliance, it may draw excessive current, leading the MCB to trip as a safety measure. Additionally, the appliance may overheat, triggering the MCB to interrupt the circuit to prevent potential hazards such as fires.
Step 2
(ii)
Answer
Another reason for the MCB to trip is overloading of sockets, which occurs when too many devices are plugged into a single outlet, exceeding the safe current limit. Furthermore, faulty wiring can cause short circuits, especially if live and neutral wires touch, resulting in an immediate trip of the MCB to ensure the safety of the circuit.