100 years of MCBs

Electrifying homes in the 1920s was a major technological breakthrough – but ensuring that everyone could use it safely was another innovation in itself.

That’s when Hugo Stotz patented the world’s first resettable Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) that revolutionized electrical safety all around the world back in 1924 – a major milestone in ABB’s history.

Faster than the blink of an eye

By combining a thermal and magnetic trip unit in a single device, Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) can protect electrical circuits from overload and short-circuits by switching off high currents in just 10 milliseconds – faster than the blink of an eye. Thanks to Hugo Stotz, devices no longer need to be frequently replaced by professionals, and anyone can simply flip the switch back on. To this day, this technology continues to keep electrical installations safe in various settings, including homes, industrial buildings, hotels, offices, hospitals, and data centers.

Small but mighty – a hidden guardian of electrical safety

The ubiquitous, convenient electricity that powers the lights, refrigerators, and other household appliances we so often take for granted would not be possible without this hidden guardian. It disconnects the circuit almost instantaneously in the event of a short circuit or overload, protecting occupants and their belongings from fire, electric shock, and other damage.

Today, complete protection, including MCBs, Residual Current Devices (RCDs), Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) and Surge Protective Devices (SPDs), is providing increasingly higher performance, lower carbon footprint, and greater connectivity to make buildings around the world safe, smart, and sustainable.

Get more insights from our experts:

Small wonders are the ‘hidden heroes’ of the global energy transition

The Evolution of Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) – A Century of Technological Advancements

A Century of Innovation: Making Protection Devices Smart

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100 years of MCBs

Electrifying homes in the 1920s was a major technological breakthrough – but ensuring that everyone could use it safely was another innovation in itself.

That’s when Hugo Stotz patented the world’s first resettable Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) that revolutionized electrical safety all around the world back in 1924 – a major milestone in ABB’s history.

Faster than the blink of an eye

Small but mighty – a hidden guardian of electrical safety

Get more insights from our experts:

Feeling inspired?

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