Name a common type of circuit breaker used in distribution equipment.

The Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) is a widely used circuit breaker in distribution equipment due to its compact size and capability to provide reliable protection against overloads and short circuits. MCBs operate automatically to disconnect the circuit when they detect abnormal current flow, helping to safeguard electrical systems from potential damage, fire hazards, and electrical faults. They are particularly suited for applications in residential and light commercial installations where space is a limitation and protection is necessary.

While other options like the Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) and Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) focus on detecting earth faults and protecting against earth leakage current, they do not offer the same level of overload protection found in MCBs. The Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB), meanwhile, is utilized in higher current applications and is larger in size, making MCB a more common choice for standard distribution circuits. This distinction makes MCBs particularly relevant and useful for a majority of general-purpose applications in electrical distribution systems.