06FUSA

Courtesy of Steven Engineering, Inc.
230 Ryan Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080-6370 Main Office: (650) 588-9200 Outside Local Area: (800) 258-9200 www.stevenengineering.com
Engineering Dependable Protection For An Electrical Distribution System
Bussmann
Part 1 A Simple Approach To Short Circuit Calculations
Bulletin EDP-1 (2004-1)
Electrical Distribution System

Courtesy of Steven Engineering, Inc. 230 Ryan Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080-6370 Main Office: (650) 588-9200 Outside Local Area: (800) 258-9200 www.stevenengineering.com
Basic Considerations of Short-Circuit Calculations

Why Short-Circuit Calculations Several sections of the National Electrical Code relate to proper overcurrent protection. Safe and reliable application of overcurrent protective devices based on these sections mandate that a short circuit study and a selective coordination study be conducted. These sections include, among others: 110-9 Interrupting Rating 110-10 Component Protection 230-65 Service Entrance Equipment 240-1 Conductor Protection 250-95 Equipment Grounding Conductor Protection 517-17 Health Care Facilities - Selective Coordination Compliance with these code sections can best be accomplished by conducting a short circuit study and a selective coordination study. The protection for an electrical system should not only be safe under all service conditions but, to insure continuity of service, it should be selectively coordinated as well. A coordinated system is one where only the faulted circuit is isolated without disturbing any other part of the system. Overcurrent protection devices should also provide shortcircuit as well as overload protection for system components, such as bus, wire, motor controllers, etc. To obtain reliable, coordinated operation and assure that system components are protected from damage, it is necessary to first calculate the available fault current at various critical points in the electrical system. Once the short-circuit levels are determined, the engineer can specify proper interrupting rating requirements, selectively coordinate the system and provide component protection. General Comments on Short-Circuit Calculations Short Circuit Calculations should be done at all critical points in the system. These would include: - Service Entrance - Panel Boards - Motor Control Centers - Motor Starters - Transfer Switches - Load Centers Normally, short circuit studies involve calculating a bolted 3-phase fault condition. This can be characterized as all three phases bolted together to create a zero impedance connection. This establishes a worst case condition, that results in maximum thermal and mechanical stress in the system. From this calculation, other types of fault conditions can be obtained. Sources of short circuit current that are normally taken under consideration include: - Utility Generation - Local Generation - Synchronous Motors and - Induction Motors Capacitor discharge currents can normally be neglected due to their short time duration. Certain IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) publications detail how to calculate these currents if they are substantial. Asymmetrical Components Short circuit current normally takes on an asymmetrical characteristic during the first few cycles of duration. That is, it is offset about the zero axis, as indicated in Figure 1.
C U R R E N T
TIME
Figure 1 In Figure 2, note that the total short circuit current Ia is the summation of two components - the symmetrical RMS current IS, and the DC component, IDC. The DC component is a function of the stored energy within the system at the initiation of the short circuit. It decays to zero after a few cycles due to I2R losses in the system, at which point the short circuit current is symmetrical about the zero axis. The RMS value of the symmetrical component may be determined using Ohm`s Law. To determine the asymmetrical component, it is necessary to know the X/R ratio of the system. To obtain the X/R ratio, the total resistance and total reactance of the circuit to the point of fault must be determined. Maximum thermal and mechanical stress on the equipment occurs during these first few cycles. It is important to concentrate on what happens during the first half cycle after the initiation of the fault.

Basic Considerations of Short-Circuit Calculations

To accomplish this, study Figure 2, and refer to Table 8.
IP = 115,450A Ia = 66,500A Is = 50,000A C U R R E N T Ia IDC
TIME Is
Interrupting Rating, Interrupting Capacity and Short-Circuit Currents Interrupting Rating can be defined as the maximum short-circuit current that a protective device can safely clear, under specified test conditions. Interrupting Capacity can be defined as the actual short circuit current that a protective device has been tested to interrupt. The National Electrical Code requires adequate interrupting ratings in Sections 110-9 and 230-65. Section 110-9 Interrupting Rating. Equipment intended to break current at fault levels shall have an interrupting rating sufficient for the system voltage and the current which is available at the line terminals of the equipment. Section 230-65. Available Short-Circuit Current. Service Equipment shall be suitable for the short circuit current available at its supply terminals. Low voltage fuses have their interrupting rating expressed in terms of the symmetrical component of shortcircuit current, I S . They are given an RMS symmetrical interrupting rating at a specific power factor. This means that the fuse can interrupt any asymmetrical current associated with this rating. Thus only the symmetrical component of short-circuit current need be considered to determine the necessary interrupting rating of a low voltage fuse. For U.L. listed low voltage fuses, interrupting rating equals its interrupting capacity. Low voltage molded case circuit breakers also have their interrupting rating expressed in terms of RMS symmetrical amperes at a specific power factor. However, it is necessary to determine a molded case circuit breakers interrupting capacity in order to safely apply it. The reader is directed to Buss bulletin PMCB II for an understanding of this concept.
Ia - Asymmetrical RMS Current IDC - DC Component Is - Symmetrical RMS Component IP - Instantaneous Peak Current
Figure 2 Figure 2 illustrates a worst case waveform that 1 phase of the 3 phase system will assume during the first few cycles after the fault initiation. For this example, assume an RMS symmetrical short circuit value of 50,000 amperes, at a 15% short circuit power factor. Locate the 15% P.F. in Table 8. Said another way, the X/R short circuit ratio of this circuit is 6.5912. The key portions are: - Symmetrical RMS Short Circuit Current = Is - Instantaneous Peak Current = Ip - Asymmetrical RMS Short Circuit Current (worst case single phase) = Ia From Table 8, note the following relationships. Is = Symmetrical RMS Current Ip = Is x Mp (Column 3) Ia = Is x M m (Column 4) For this example, Figure 2, Is = 50,000 Amperes RMS Symmetrical Ip = 50,000 x 2.309 ( Column 3) = 115,450 Amperes Ia = 50,000 x 1.330 (Column 4) = 66,500 Amperes RMS Asymmetrical With this basic understanding, proceed in the systems analysis.
3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations

Procedures and Methods

3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations, Procedures and Methods To determine the fault current at any point in the system, first draw a one-line diagram showing all of the sources of short-circuit current feeding into the fault, as well as the impedances of the circuit components. To begin the study, the system components, including those of the utility system, are represented as impedances in the diagram. The impedance tables given in the Data Section include three phase and single phase transformers, current transformers, safety switches, circuit breakers, cable, and busway. These tables can be used if information from the manufacturers is not readily available. It must be understood that short circuit calculations are performed without current limiting devices in the system. Calculations are done as though these devices are replaced with copper bars, to determine the maximum available short circuit current. This is necessary to project how the system and the current limiting devices will perform. Also, current limiting devices do not operate in series to produce a compounding current limiting effect. The downstream, or load side, fuse will operate alone under a short circuit condition if properly coordinated. System A 3 Single Transformer System
Available Utility S.C. MVA 100,000 1500 KVA Transformer 480Y/277V, 3.5%Z, 3.45%X, .56%R If.l. = 1804A 2000A Switch
To begin the analysis, consider the following system, supplied by a 1500 KVA, three phase transformer having a full load current of 1804 amperes at 480 volts. (See System A, below) Also, System B, for a double transformation, will be studied. To start, obtain the available short-circuit KVA, MVA, or SCA from the local utility company. The utility estimates that System A can deliver a shortcircuit of 100,000 MVA at the primary of the transformer. System B can deliver a short-circuit of 500,000 KVA at the primary of the first transformer. Since the X/R ratio of the utility system is usually quite high, only the reactance need be considered. With this available short-circuit information, begin to make the necessary calculations to determine the fault current at any point in the electrical system. Four basic methods will be presented in this text to instruct the reader on short circuit calculations. These include : - the ohmic method - the per unit method - the TRON Computer Software method - the point to point method
System B 3 Double Transformer System

Available Utility S.C. KVA 500,000 1000 KVA Transformer, 480/277 Volts 3 3.45%X, .60%R If.l. = 1203A 1600A Switch
25 - 500kcmil 6 Per Phase Service Entrance Conductors in Steel Conduit
30 - 500 kcmil 4 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit
KRP-C-2000SP Fuse Main Swbd. Fault X1
KRP-C-1500SP Fuse Fault X1 1 400A Switch LPS-RK-400SP Fuse 50 - 500 kcmil Feeder Cable in Steel Conduit 400A Switch 20 - 2/0 2 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit 1 LPS-RK-350SP Fuse
Fault X2 MCC No. 1
225 KVA 208/120 Volts 3 .998%X, .666%R Fault X2
Motor 2 In this example, assume 0% motor load.
Note: The above 1500KVA transformer serves 100% motor load.
3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations Procedures and Methods

Ohmic Method
3 Short Circuit Calculations, Ohmic Method Most circuit component impedances are given in ohms except utility and transformer impedances which are found by the following formulae* (Note that the transformer and utility ohms are referred to the secondary KV by squaring the secondary voltage.) 1000 (KVsecondary)2 S.C. KVA u tility Step 9. The symmetrical motor contribution can be approximated by using an average multiplying factor associated with the motors in the system. This factor varies according to motor design and in this text may be chosen as 4 times motor full load current for approximate calculation purposes. To solve for the symmetrical motor contribution:
Step 1.
X utility
I sym motor contrib
= (4) x (Ifull load motor)
Step 2.
X trans =
(10)(%X**)(KVsecondary)2 KVA trans
Step 10. The total symmetrical short-circuit RMS current is calculated as:
Itotal S.C. sym RMS = (IS.C. sym RMS ) + (Isym motor contrib)
(10)(%R**)(KVsecondary)2 Rtrans = KVA trans Step 3. The impedance (in ohms) given for current transformers, large switches and large circuit breakers is essentially all X. Step 4. Xcable and bus . Rcable and bus .
Step 11. Determine X/R ratio of the system to the point of fault. X/Rratio = Xtotal Rtotal
Step 5. Total all X and all R in system to point of fault. Step 6. Determine impedance (in ohms) of the system by: ZT = (RT)2 + (XT)2 Step 7. Calculate short-circuit symmetrical RMS amperes at the point of fault. IS.C. sym RMS = Esecondary line-line
Step 12. The asymmetrical factor corresponding to the X/R ratio in Step 11 is found in Table 8, Column M m . This multiplier will provide the worst case asymmetry occurring in the first 1/2 cycle. When the average 3-phase multiplier is desired use column Ma. Step 13 . Calculate the asymmetrical RMS short-circuit current. IS.C. asym RMS = (IS.C. sym RMS) x (Asym Factor) Step 14. The short-circuit current that the motor load can contribute is an asymmetrical current usually approximated as being equal to the locked rotor current of the motor. As a close approximation with a margin of safety use:
Iasym motor contrib
3 (ZT)
Step 8. Determine the motor load. Add up the full load motor currents. The full load motor current in the system is generally a percentage of the transformer full load current, depending upon the types of loads. The generally accepted procedure assumes 50% motor load when both motor and lighting loads are considered, such as supplied by 4 wire, 208Y/120V and 480Y/277V volt 3-phase systems.)
Step 15. The total asymmetrical short-circuit RMS current is calculated as: Itotal S.C. asym RMS = (IS.C. asym RMS) + (Iasym motor contrib)
*For simplicity of calculations all ohmic values are single phase distance one way, later compensated for in the three phase short-circuit formula by the factor, (See Step 7.) **UL Listed transformers 25 KVA and larger have a 10% impedance tolerance. Short circuit amperes can be affected by this tolerance. Only X is considered in this procedure since utility X/R ratios are usually quite high. For more finite details obtain R of utility source. A more exact determination depends upon the sub-transient reactance of the motors in question and associated circuit impedances. A less conservative method would involve the total motor circuit impedance to a common bus (sometimes referred to as a zero reactance bus). Arithmetical addition results in conservative values of fault current. More finite values involve vectorial addition of the currents. Note: The ohms of the circuit components must be referred to the same voltage. If there is more than one voltage transformation in the system, the ohmic method becomes more complicated. It is recommended that the per-unit method be used for ease in calculation when more than one voltage transformation exists in the system.
3.

Ohmic Method To Fault X1 System A

One-Line Diagram Available Utility S.C. MVA 100,000 Impedance Diagram
R X= 1000(.48)2 = 0.0000023 100,000,000
X 0.0000023
1500 KVA Transformer, 480V, 3, 3.5%Z, 3.45%X , 0.56%R If.l. trans = 1804A
X= (Table 1.2) R=
(10) (3.45) (.48)2 = 0.0053 1500 (10) (.56) (.48)2 = 0.00086 1500
0.0053
0.00086
X=
25 - 500 kcmil 6 Per Phase Service Entrance Conductors in Steel Conduit
25' 0.0379 x = 0.000158 1000 6 25' 0.0244 x = 0.000102 1000 6
0.000158
(Table 5) R= 0.000102
2000A Switch KRP-C-2000SP Fuse
(Table 3) X = 0.000050
0.000050
Fault X1 Motor Contribution
Total R and X =
0.000962
0.00551
M Ztotal per = (0.000962)2 + (0.00551) 2 = 0.0056

phase
IS.C. sym RMS =
480
3 (.0056)
= 49,489A
Isym motor contrib = 4 x 1804 = 7216A

(100% motor load)
Itotal S.C. sym RMS = 49,489 + 7216 = 56,705A

(fault X1)
X/Rratio = .00551 = 5.73 .000962 Asym Factor = 1.294 (Table 8) IS.C. asym RMS = 1.294 x 49,489 = 64,039A Iasym motor contrib = 5 x 1804 = 9,020A
(100% motor load)
Itotal S.C. asym RMS = 64,039 + 9,020 = 73,059A

(fault X1)
Note: See Ohmic Method Procedure for Formulas.

Ohmic Method To Fault X2 System A

One-Line Diagram Adjusted Impedance to Fault X1 Impedance Diagram
R X = 0.00551 R = 0.000962 0.000962
X 0.00551
Fault X1 400A Switch LPS-RK-400SP Fuse
(Table 3) X = .00008
0.00008
X=
50 - 500 kcmil Feeder Cable in Steel Conduit
50 x .0379 = 0.00189 1000 50 x .0244 = 0.00122 1000
0.00189
(Table 5) R= 0.00122
Fault X2 Motor Contribution
Total R and X =
0.002182
0.00748
Ztotal per = (0.002182)2 + (0.00748)2 = 0.00778

phase
IS.C. sym RMS =
480 = 35,621A 3 (.00778)
Isym motor contrib = 4 x 1804 = 7216A

(100% motor load)
Itotal S.C. sym RMS = 35,621 + 7,216 = 42,837A

(fault X2)
X/Rratio =
.00748 = 3.43 .002182
Asym Factor = 1.149 (Table 8) IS.C. asym RMS = 1.149 x 35,621 = 40,929A Iasym motor contrib = 5 x 1804 = 9,020A
(100% motor load)

(fault X2)
Note: See Ohmic Method Procedure for Formulas. Actual motor contribution will be somewhat smaller than calculated due to the impedance of the feeder cable.

Ohmic Method To Fault X1 System B

To use the OHMIC Method through a second transformer, the following steps apply: Step 1a. Summarize X and R values of all components on primary side of transformer. Step 1b. Reflect X and R values of all components to secondary side of transformer Vs2 V2 (Xp) Rs = s 2 (Rp) Vp Vp2 and proceed with steps 2 thru 15 from page 6. Xs =
One-Line Diagram
Impedance Diagram
R
Available Utility 500,000 S.C. KVA
X .000461
X=
1000 (.48)2 = .000461 500,000
X=
1000KVA Transformer, 480V, 3, 3.45% X, .60% R
(10) (3.45) (.48)2 = .00795 1000 (10) (.60) (.48)2 = .00138 1000
.00795
(Table 1.2) R=
.00138
30' - 500 kcmil 4 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit
X= (Table 5) R=
30' .0303 = x .000227 1000 4 30' .0220 x = .000165 1000 4
.000227
.000165
(Table 3) X = .000050
.00005
Total R and X =
.001545
.008688
Ztotal per = (.001545)2 + (.008688)2 = .008824

phase
IS.C. sym RMS =
480 = 31,405A 3 (.008824)
X/Rratio =
.008688 = 5.62 .001545
Asym Factor = 1.285 (Table 8) IS.C. asym RMS = 31,405 x 1.285 = 40,355A

Ohmic Method To Fault X2 System B

One-Line Diagram Impedance Diagram
Adjusted Impedance to fault X1
X = .008688 R = .001545
.001545
.008688
400A Switch LPS-RK-350SP Fuse
X = .00008
.00008
X=
20' - 2/0 2 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit
20' x .0327 = .000327 1000 2 20' x .0812 = .000812 1000 2 Total R and X (480V) =
.000327 .009095
(Table 5) R=
.000812 .002357
To Reflect X and R to secondary: (208)2 x (.009095) = .001708 Xtotal = (480)2 (208V) Rtotal =
(208V)
.001708
(208)2 x (.002357) = .000442 (480)2
.000442
225KVA Transformer, 208/120V, .998%X, .666%R
X= (Table 1.2) R=
(10) (.998) (.208)2 = .00192 225 (10) (.666) (.208)2 = .00128 225 Total R and X (208V) =
.00192
.00128 .001722
.003628
Ztotal per = (.001722)2 + (.003628)2 = .004015

phase
IS.C. sym RMS =
208
3 (.004015)
= 29,911A
X/Rratio =
.003628 = 2.10 .001722
10

Per-Unit Method
3 Short Circuit Calculation Per-Unit Method* The per-unit method is generally used for calculating short-circuit currents when the electrical system is more complex. After establishing a one-line diagram of the system, proceed to the following calculations: ** Step 1.
PUX utility
Step 9. The symmetrical motor contribution can be approximated by using an average multiplying factor associated with the motors in the system. This factor varies according to motor design and in this text may be chosen as 4 times motor full load current for approximate calculation purposes. To solve for the symmetrical motor contribution:
***
KVAbase S.C. KVA utility (%X)(KVAbase ) (100)(KVAtrans) (%R)(KVAbase) (100)(KVAtrans)
Isym motor contrib = (4) x (Ifull load motor)
Step 10. The total symmetrical short-circuit rms current is calculated as: Step 2. PUX trans =
Itotal S.C.
sym RMS =
(IS.C. sym RMS) + (Isym motor contrib)
PUR trans =
Step 11. Determine X/R ratio of the system to the point of fault. X/Rratio = PUX total PURtotal
Step 3.
(X)(KVAbase) PUXcomponent (cable, = (1000)(KV) 2 switches, CT, bus) (R)( KVAbase) (1000)(KV) 2
Step 4.
PURcomponent (cable, =
switches, CT, bus)
Step 12. From Table 8, Column Mm, obtain the asymmetrical factor corresponding to the X/R ratio determined in Step 11. This multiplier will provide the worst case asymmetry occurring in the first 1/2 cycle. When the average 3-phase multiplier is desired use column Ma. Step 13. The asymmetrical RMS short-circuit current can be calculated as: IS.C. asym RMS = (IS.C. sym RMS) x (Asym Factor) Step 14. The short-circuit current that the motor load can contribute is an asymmetrical current usually approximated as being equal to the locked rotor current of the motor.*** As a close approximation with a margin of safety use:
***I asym motor contrib
Step 5. Next, total all per-unit X and all per-unit R in system to point of fault. Step 6. Determine the per-unit impedance of the system by: PUZ total = (PURtotal)2 + (PUX total)2 Step 7. Calculate the symmetrical RMS short-circuit current at the point of fault. IS.C. sym RMS = KVAbase
3 (KV)(PUZtotal)
Step 8. Determine the motor load. Add up the full load motor currents.(Whenever motor and lighting loads are considered, such as supplied by 4 wire, 208Y/120 and 480Y/277 volt 3 phase systems, the generally accepted procedure is to assume 50% motor load based on the full load current rating of the transformer.)
Step 15. The total asymmetrical short-circuit RMS current is calculated as:
ItotalS.C. asym RMS = (IS.C. asym RMS) + (Iasym motor contrib)
* The base KVA used throughout this text will be 10,000 KVA. ** As in the ohmic method procedure, all ohmic values are single-phase distance one way, later compensated for in the three phase short-circuit formula by the factor, 3. (See Step 7.) UL Listed transformers 25KVA and larger have a 10% impedance tolerance. Short circuit amperes can be affected by this tolerance. Only per-unit X is considered in this procedure since utility X/R ratio is usually quite high. For more finite details obtain per-unit R of utility source. *** A more exact determination depends upon the sub-transient reactance of the motors in question and associated circuit impedances. A less conservative method would involve the total motor circuit impedance to a common bus (sometimes referred to as a zero reactance bus). Arithmetical addition results in conservative values of fault current. More finite values involve vectorial addition of the currents.
11

Per-Unit Method To Fault X1 System A

10,000 KVA Base PUR PUX PUX = 10,000 = 0.0001 100,000,000
Available Utility S.C. MVA 100,000
0.0001
1500 KVA Transformer, 480V, 3, 3.5%Z, 3.45%X, .56%R If.l. trans = 1804A
PUX =
(3.45) (10,000) = 0.2300 (100) (1500) (.56) (10,000) = 0.0373 (100) (1500)
0.2300
PUR =
0.0373
25 - 500kcmil 6 Per Phase Service Entrance Conductors in Steel Conduit
(25') (.0379) x x (10,000) (1000) (6) = = 0.00685 PUX (1000) (.480)2 (25') (.0244) x x (10,000) (1000) (6) = 0.0044 = PUR (1000) (.480)2 (.00005) (10,000) = 0.00217 (1000) (.480)2
0.00685
0.0044
PUX =
0.00217
Total PUR and PUX = PUZtotal = (0.0417)2 + (0.2391)2 = .2430 IS.C. sym RMS = 10,000 = 49,489A 3 (.480)(.2430)
0.0417
0.2391
Isym motor contrib = 4 x 1804 = 7,216A Itotal S.C. sym RMS = 49,489 + 7,216 = 56,705A
(fault X1)
X/Rratio =
* Asym
.2391 = 5.73 .0417
Factor = 1.294 (Table 8)
IS.C. asym RMS = 49,489 x 1.294 = 64,039A Iasym motor contrib = 5 x 1804 = 9,020A
(100% motor load)

(fault X1)
Note: See Per Unit Method Procedure for Formulas. Actual motor contribution will be somewhat smaller than calculated due to impedance of the feeder cable.
12
3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations - Procedures and Methods

Per-Unit Method To Fault X2 System A

10,000 KVA Base PUR PUX
Adjusted Impedance to Fault X1
PUX = .2391 PUR = .0417
.0417
.2391
Fault X1 400A Switch LPS-RK400SP Fuse
PUX =
(.00008) (10,000) = .0034 (1000) (.480)2
.0034
50 x (.0379) x (10,000) 1000 = .0822 PUX = (1000) (.480)2

50 - 500kcmil Feeder Cable in Steel Conduit
.0822
50 x (.0244) x (10,000) 1000 = .0529 PUR = (1000) (.480)2
.0529
2 Motor Contribution
Total PUR and PUX = PUZtotal = (.0946)2 + (.3247)2 = 0.3380 IS.C. sym RMS = 10,000 = 35,621A 3 (.480)(.3380)
.0946
.3247
Isym motor contrib = 4 x 1804 = 7,216A Itotal S.C. sym RMS = 35,621 + 7,216 = 42,837A
(fault X2)
X/Rratio =
.32477 = 3.43 .09465
Asym Factor = 1.149 (Table 8) IS.C. asym RMS = 1.149 x 35,621 = 40,929A Iasym motor contrib = 5 x 1804 = 9,020A
(100%motor load)

(fault X2)
13

Per-Unit Method To Fault X1 System B

10,000KVA Base PUR PUX
Available Utility S.C. KVA 500,000
PUX =
10,000 = .02 500,000
.02
1000 KVA Transformer, 480V, 3 3.45%X, .60%R
PUX =
(3.45) (10,000) = .345 (100) (1000) (.6) (10,000) = .06 (100) (1000)
.345
PUR =
.06
30' - 500kcmil 4 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit
(30') (.0303) x (10,000) x (1000) (4) = .0099 PUX = (1000) (.48)2 (30') (.0220) x (10,000) x (1000) (4) = .0072 = PUR (1000) (.48)2
.0099
.0072
PUX =
(.00005) (10,000) = .0022 (1000) (.48)2
.0022
Total PUR and PUX =
.0672
.3771
PUZtotal = (.0672)2 + (.3771)2 = .383 IS.C. sym RMS = 10,000
3 (.48)(.383)
= 31,405A
X/Rratio = .3771 = 5.62 .0672 Asym Factor = 1.285 (Table 8) IS.C.asym RMS = 31,405 x 1.285 = 40,355A
14

Per-Unit Method To Fault X2 System B

10,000 KVA PUR PUX
Adjusted Impedance to Fault X1
X1 = .3771 R1 = .0672
.0672
.3771
1 400A Switch
PUX =
LPS-RK-350SP Fuse
(.00008) (10,000) = .0035 (1000) (.48)2
.0035
20 - 2/0 2 Per Phase Copper in PVC conduit
(20') (.0327) x x (10,000) (1000) (2) = .0142 PUX = (1000) (.48)2
.0142
(20') (.0812) x x (10,000) (1000) (2) = .0352 PUR = (1000) (.48)2
.0352
PUX =
225KVA Transformer, 208V, 3 .998%X, .666%R
(.998) (10,000) = .4435 (100) (225) (.666) (10,000) = .296 (100) (225) Total PUR and PUX
.4435
PUR =
2 2
.296 .3984
.8383
PUZtotal = (.3984)2 + (.8383)2 = .928 IS.C.sym RMS = 10,000
(3)(.208)(.928)
= 29,911A
X/Rratio =
.8383 = 2.10 .3984
15

TRON Computer Software Method
BUSSPOWER is a Computer Software Program which calculates three phase fault currents. It is a part of the TRON Software Package for Power Systems Analysis. The user inputs data which includes:
- Cable and Busway Lengths and Types - Transformer Rating and Impedence - Fault sources such as Utility Available and Motor
Contribution. Following the data input phase, the program is executed and an output report reviewed. The following is a partial output report of System A being studied. TRON Software Fault Calculation Program Three Phase Fault Report SYSTEM A
Bus Record Name X1 X2 Fault Study Summary Voltage Available RMS Duties L-L 3 Phase Momentary (Sym) (Asym) 480 58414 77308 480 44847 53111
The following is a par tial output repor t of the distribution System B. SYSTEM B
Bus Record Name X1 X2 Fault Study Summary Voltage Available RMS Duties L-L 3 Phase Momentary (Sym) (Asym) 480 31,363 40,141 208 29,980 31,425
A fur ther description of this program and its capabilities is on the back cover of this bulletin.
16

Point-to-Point Method
The application of the point-to-point method permits the determination of available short-circuit currents with a reasonable degree of accuracy at various points for either 3 or 1 electrical distribution systems. This method can assume unlimited primary short-circuit current (infinite bus). Basic Point-to-Point Calculation Procedure Step 1. Determine the transformer full load amperes from either the nameplate or the following formulas: x 3 Transformer If.l. = KVA 1000 EL-L x 1.732 1 Transformer If.l. = KVA x 1000 EL-L
At some distance from the terminals, depending upon wire size, the L-N fault current is lower than the L-L fault current. The 1.5 multiplier is an approximation and will theoretically vary from 1.33 to 1.67. These figures are based on change in turns ratio between primary and secondary, infinite source available, zero feet from terminals of transformer, and 1.2 x %X and 1.5 x %R for L-N vs. L-L resistance and reactance values. Begin L-N calculations at transformer secondary terminals, then proceed point-to-point.
Step 5. Calculate "M" (multiplier). M= 1 1+f Step 6. Calculate the available short-circuit symmetrical RMS current at the point of fault. IS.C. sym RMS = IS.C. x M Calculation of Short-Circuit Currents at Second Transformer in System Use the following procedure to calculate the level of fault current at the secondary of a second, downstream transformer in a system when the level of fault current at the transformer primary is known.
MAIN TRANSFORMER
Step 2. Find the transformer multiplier. Multiplier = 100 *%Z trans

* Note. Transformer impedance (Z) helps to determine what the short circuit current will be at the transformer secondary. Transformer impedance is determined as follows: The transformer secondary is short circuited. Voltage is applied to the primary which causes full load current to flow in the secondary. This applied voltage divided by the rated primary voltage is the impedance of the transformer. Example: For a 480 volt rated primary, if 9.6 volts causes secondary full load current to flow through the shorted secondary, the transformer impedance is 9.6/480 = .02 = 2%Z. In addition, UL listed transformer 25KVA and larger have a 10% impedance tolerance. Short circuit amperes can be affected by this tolerance.
Step 3. Determine the transformer let-thru short-circuit current**. IS.C. = If.l. x Multiplier
** Note. Motor short-circuit contribution, if significant, may be added to the transformer secondary short-circuit current value as determined in Step 3. Proceed with this adjusted figure through Steps 4, 5 and 6. A practical estimate of motor short-circuit contribution is to multiply the total motor current in amperes by 4.
IS.C. primary H.V. UTILITY CONNECTION
IS.C. secondary
IS.C. primary
IS.C. secondary
Procedure for Second Transformer in System Step 1. Calculate the "f" factor (IS.C. primary known) 3 Transformer (IS.C. primary and IS.C. secondary are 3 fault values) IS.C. primary x Vprimary x 1.73 (%Z) 100,000 x KVA trans
Step 4. Calculate the "f" factor. 3 Faults 1 Line-to-Line (L-L) Faults on 1 Center Tapped Transformer 1 Line-to-Neutral (L-N) Faults on 1 Center Tapped Transformer f = 1.732 x L x I C x EL-L x x f =2 L I C x EL-L x x f=2 L I C x EL-N
f=
1 Transformer (IS.C. primary and IS.C. primary x Vprimary x (%Z) IS.C. secondary are f= 100,000 x KVA trans 1 fault values: IS.C. secondary is L-L) Step 2. Calculate "M" (multiplier). M= 1 1+f
Where: L = length (feet) of circuit to the fault. C = constant from Table 6, page 27. For parallel runs, multiply C values by the number of conductors per phase. I = available short-circuit current in amperes at beginning of circuit.
Note . The L-N fault current is higher than the L-L fault current at the
Step 3. Calculate the short-circuit current at the secondary of the transformer. (See Note under Step 3 of "Basic Pointto-Point Calculation Procedure".) IS.C. secondary = Vprimary Vsecondary x M x IS.C. primary
secondary terminals of a single-phase center-tapped transformer. The short-circuit current available (I) for this case in Step 4 should be adjusted at the transformer terminals as follows: At L-N center tapped transformer terminals, I = 1.5 x L-L Short-Circuit Amperes at Transformer Terminals
17

Point-to-Point Method To Faults X1 & X2 System A

One-Line Diagram Available Utility S.C. MVA 100,000
Fault X1
Step 1. If.l. = 1500 x 1000 = 1804A 480 x 1.732
1500 KVA Transformer, 480V, 3, 3.5%Z, 3.45%X, 56%R If.l. =1804A 25' - 500kcmil 6 Per Phase Service Entrance Conductors in Steel Conduit
Step 2. Step 3. Step 4.
Multiplier = 100 = 28.57 3.5 IS.C.= 1804 x 28.57 = 51,540A f= 1.732 x 25 x 51,540 = 0.0349 6 x 22,185 x 480 1 = .9663 1 + .0349
2000A Switch
Step 5. Step 6.
1
M=
KRP-C-2000SP Fuse Fault X1 400A Switch LPS-RK-400SP Fuse
IS.C.sym RMS = 51,540 x .9663 = 49,803A IS.C.motor contrib = 4 x 1,804 = 7,216A ItotalS.C. sym RMS = 49,803 + 7,216 = 57,019A
( fault X1)
Fault X2
50' - 500 kcmil Feeder Cable in Steel Conduit
Step 4.
Use IS.C.sym RMS @ Fault X1 to calculate "f" f= 1.732 x 50 x 49,803 = .4050 22,185 x 480 1 = .7117 1 + .4050
Step 5.
Fault X2 Motor Contribution 2
M=
Step 6.
IS.C.sym RMS = 49,803 x .7117 = 35,445A Isym motor contrib = 4 x 1,804 = 7,216A Itotal S.C. sym RMS = 35,445 + 7,216 = 42,661A
(fault X2)
18

Point-to-Point Method To Faults X1 & X2 - System B

One-Line Diagram Available Utility 500,000 S.C KVA 1000 KVA Transformer, 480V, 3, 3.5%Z If.l.= 1203A
Fault X1
Step 1. If.l. = 1000 x 1000 = 1203A 480 x 1.732 Multiplier = 100 = 28.57 3.5
Step 2. Step 3. Step 4.
30 - 500 kcmil 4 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit
IS.C. = 1203 x 28.57 = 34,370A f= 1.732 x 30 x 34,370 = .0348 4 x 26,706 x 480 1 = .9664 1 + .0348
1600A Switch KRP-C-1500SP Fuse Fault X1 400A Switch LPS-RK-350SP Fuse 1
Step 5. Step 6.
M=
IS.C.sym RMS = 34,370 x .9664 = 33,215A
Fault X2
Step 4. f = 1.732 x 20 x 33,215 = .1049 2 x 11,423 x 480 M= 1 = .905 1 + .1049
20 - 2/0 2 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit
Step 5. Step 6.
225 KVA transformer, 208V, 3 1.2%Z
IS.C.sym RMS = 33,215 x .905 = 30,059A
Fault X2
2
f=
30,059 x 480 x 1.732 x 1.2 = 1.333 100,000 x 225 1 = .4286 1 + 1.333 480 x .4286 x 30,059 = 29,731A 208
M=
IS.C. sym RMS =
3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations RMS Amperes
Comparison of Results
System A
Ohmic Sym. Asym. X1 W/O Motor W/Motor X2 W/O Motor W/Motor 49,489 64,039 56,705 73,059 35,621 40,929 42,837 49,949 Per-Unit Sym. Asym. 49,489 64,039 56,705 73,059 35,621 40,929 42,837 49,949 TRON Sym. Asym. 49,992 64,430 58,414 77,308 36,126 41,349 44,847 53,111 PTP Sym. 49,803 57,019 35,445 42,661 X1 X2
System B
Ohmic Sym. Asym. 31,405 40,355 29,911 31,380 Per-Unit Sym. Asym. 31,405 40,355 29,911 31,380 TRON Sym. Asym. 31,363 40,145 29,980 31,425 PTP Sym. 33,215 29,731
Notes: 1. OHMIC and PER UNIT methods assume 100% motor contribution at X1, then at X2. 2. TRON modeled 100% motor contribution by assuming 1500 HP load, located at Point X2. 3. PTP method added symmetrical motor contribution at X1, then at X2.
19
1 Short-Circuit Current Calculations 1 Transformer System

Procedures and Methods

Short-circuit calculations on a single-phase center tapped transformer system require a slightly different procedure than 3 faults on 3 systems. 1. It is necessary that the proper impedance be used to represent the primary system. For 3 fault calculations, a single primary conductor impedance is only considered from the source to the transformer connection. This is compensated for in the 3 short-circuit formula by multiplying the single conductor or single-phase impedance by 1.73. However, for single-phase faults, a primary conductor impedance is considered from the source to the transformer and back to the source. This is compensated in the calculations by multiplying the 3 primary source impedance by two. 2. The impedance of the center-tapped transformer must be adjusted for the half-winding (generally line-to-neutral) fault condition. The diagram at the right illustrates that during line-toneutral faults, the full primary winding is involved but, only the half-winding on the secondary is involved. Therefore, the actual transformer reactance and resistance of the halfwinding condition is different than the actual transformer reactance and resistance of the full winding condition. Thus, adjustment to the %X and %R must be made when considering line-to-neutral faults. The adjustment multipliers generally used for this condition are as follows: 1.5 times full winding %R on full winding basis. 1.2 times full winding %X on full winding basis.
Note: %R and %X multipliers given in Table 1.3 may be used, however, calculatios must be adjusted to indicate transformer KVA/2. SHORT CIRCUIT A B C PRIMARY SECONDARY
PRIMARY SECONDARY SHORT CIRCUIT
L2
L1
3. The impedance of the cable and two-pole switches on the system must be considered "both-ways" since the current flows to the fault and then returns to the source. For instance, if a line-to-line fault occurs 50 feet from a transformer, then 100 feet of cable impedance must be included in the calculation. The calculations on the following pages illustrate 1 fault calculations on a single-phase transformer system. Both line-to-line and line-to-neutral faults are considered. Note in these examples: a. The multiplier of 2 for some electrical components to account for the single-phase fault current flow, b. The half-winding transformer %X and %R multipliers for the line-to-neutral fault situation,and c. The KVA and voltage bases used in the per-unit calculations
L1
SHORT CIRCUIT
L2 50 feet
20

Per-Unit Method Line-to-Line Fault @ 240V Fault X1

One-Line Diagram 100,000 KVA 3 Source Impedance Diagram
10,000KVA Base PUR PUX PUX(3) = 10,000 = .1 100,000 .2000
PUX(1) = 2 x .1 = .2000 (1.22) (10,000) = 1.6267 (100) (75) (.68) (10,000) = .9067 (100) (75)
PUX =
75KVA, 1 Transformer, 1.22%X, .68%R
1.6267
PUR =
Negligible Distance 400A Switch LPN-RK-400SP Fuse
.9067
PUX =
2(.00008) (10,000) = .0278 (1000) (.240)2
.0278
2x PUX =
25' - 500kcmil Magnetic Conduit
25' x .0379 x 10,000 1000 = .3289 (1000) (.240)2 25' x .0244 x 10,000 1000 = .2118 (1000) (.240)2 Total PUR and PUX =
.3289
2x PUR =
.2118 1.1185
2.1834
PUZtotal = (1.1185)2 + (2.1834)2 = 2.4532 IS.C. sym RMS =

L-L @ 240V
10,000 = 16,984A (.240) (2.4532)
Note: See "Data Section" for impedance data for the electrical components.
21

Per-Unit Method Line-to-Neutral Fault @ 120V Fault X1

One-Line Diagram 100,000 KVA 3 Source Impedance Diagram
10,000KVA Base PUR PUX PUX(3) = 10,000 = .1 100,000 .2000
PUX(1) = 2 x .1 = .2000 (1.2) (1.22) (10,000) = 1.952 (100) (75) (1.5) (.68) (10,000) = 1.3600 (100) (75)
PUX =
75KVA, 1 Transformer, 1.22%X, .68%R
1.952
PUR =
Negligible Distance 400A Switch LPN-RK-400SP Fuse
1.3600
PUX* =
(.00008) (10,000) = .0556 (1000) (.120)2
.0556
2x PUX** =
25' - 500kcmil Magnetic Conduit
25' x .0379 x 10,000 1000 = 1.316 (1000) (.120)2 25' x .0244 x 10,000 1000 = .8472 (1000) (.120)2 Total PUR and PUX =
1.316
2x PUR** =
1 1
.8472 2.2072
3.5236
PUZtotal = (2.2072)2 + (3.5236)2 = 4.158 IS.C. sym RMS =

L-N @ 120V
10,000 = 20,041A (.120) (4.158)
Note: See "Data Section" for impedance data for the electrical components. * The multiplier of two (2) is not applicable since on a line to neutral fault, only one switch pole is involved. ** Assumes the neutral conductor and the line conductor are the same size.
22

Point-to-Point Method Line-to-Line Fault @ 240V Fault X1

Fault X1
One-Line Diagram Available Utility S.C.KVA 100,000 3 Source
Step 1.
If.l. =
75 x 1000 = 312.5A 240 100 = 71.43 1.40
Step 2. Step 3.
75KVA, 1 Transformer, 1.22%X, .68%R 1.40%Z 120/240V Negligible Distance
Multiplier =
IS.C. = 312.5 x 71.43 = 22,322A x x f = 2 25 22,322 = .2096 22,185 x 240 M= 1 = .8267 1 + .2096
Step 4.
Step 5. Step 6.
IS.C. L-L (X1) = 22,322 x .8267 = 18,453A
400A Switch LPN-RK-400SP Fuse 25' - 500kcmil Magnetic Conduit
23

Point-to-Point Method Line-to-Neutral Fault @ 120V Fault X1

Fault X1
One-Line Diagram Available Utility S.C.KVA 100,000 3 Source
Step 1.
x If.l. = 75 1000 = 312.5A 240 Multiplier = 100 = 71.43 1.40
Step 2. Step 3.
75KVA, 1 Transformer, 1.22% X, .68%R, 1.40%Z 120/240V Negligible Distance
IS.C. (L-L) = 312.5 x 71.43 = 22,322A IS.C. (L-N) = 22,322 x 1.5 = 33,483A
Step 4.
f=
2* x 25 x 22,322 x 1.5 = .6288 22,185 x 120 1 = .6139 1 + .6288
Step 5.
400A Switch LPN-RK-400SP Fuse
M=
Step 6.
IS.C. L-N (X1) = 33,483 x .6139 = 20,555A
* Assumes the Neutral conductor and the line conductor are the same size. 25' - 500kcmil Magnetic Conduit 1
1 Short Circuit Calculations RMS Amperes
Comparison of Results
Per-Unit Method vs. Point-to-Point Method
Per-Unit Method X1 Line-Line Line-Neutral 16,984A 20,041A PTP Method 18,453A 20,555A
24
Data Section
Impedance and Reactance DataTransformers and Switches

Table 1.1. Transformer Impedance Data (X/R Ratio of Transformers Based on ANSI/IEEE C37.010-1979)
50
Table 1.4. Impedance Data for Single Phase and Three Phase Transformers-Supplement
Suggested %Z X/R Ratio for Calculation 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.1 75 1.11 1.5 150 1.07 1.5 225 1.12 1.5 300 1.11 1.5 333 1.9 4.7 500 2.1 5.5 These represent actual transformer nameplate ratings taken from field installations. Note: UL Listed transformers 25KVA and greater have a 10% tolerance on their impedance nameplate. 3 KVA 1 10 15
40 Typical X/R
30
20
10
0.5 1
5 10 20 50 100 200 Self-Cooled Transformer Rating in MVA
500
1000
Table 2. Current Transformer Reactance Data Approximate Reactance of Current Transformers*

Primary Current Ratings - Amperes 100 - 200 250 - 400 500 - 800 1000 - 4000 Note: Values given are facturers' data. Reactance in Ohms for Various Voltage Ratings 600-5000V 7500V 15,000V 0.0022 0.0040 0.0005 0.0008 0.0002 0.00019 0.00031 0.00007 0.00007 0.00007 0.00007 in ohms per phase. For actual values, refer to manu-
This table has been reprinted from IEEE Std 141-1986, IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants, Copyright 1986 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc with the permission of the IEEE Standards Department.
Table 1.2. Impedance Data for Three Phase Transformers

KVA %R %X %Z X/R 3.0 3.7600 1.0000 3.8907 0.265 6.0 2.7200 1.7200 3.2182 0.632 9.0 2.3100 1.1600 2.5849 0.502 15.0 2.1000 1.8200 2.7789 0.867 30.0 0.8876 1.3312 1.6000 1.5 45.0 0.9429 1.4145 1.7000 1.5 75.0 0.8876 1.3312 1.6000 1.5 112.5 0.5547 0.8321 1.0000 1.5 150.0 0.6657 0.9985 1.2000 1.5 225.0 0.6657 0.9985 1.2000 1.5 300.0 0.6657 0.9985 1.2000 1.5 500.0 0.7211 1.0816 1.3000 1.5 750.0 0.6317 3.4425 3.5000 5.45 1000.0 0.6048 3.4474 3.5000 5.70 1500.0 0.5617 3.4546 3.5000 6.15 2000.0 0.7457 4.9441 5.0000 6.63 2500.0 0.7457 4.9441 5.0000 6.63 Note: UL Listed transformers 25KVA and greater have a 10% tolerance on their nameplate impedance.
This table has been reprinted from IEEE Std 241-1990, IEEE Recommended Practice for Commercial Building Power Systems, Copyright 1990 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. with the permission of the IEEE Standards Department.
Table 3. Disconnecting Switch Reactance Data (Disconnecting-Switch Approximate Reactance Data, in Ohms*)
Switch Size
(Amperes)
Reactance
(Ohms)
Table 1.3. Impedance Data for Single Phase Transformers

Suggested Normal Range Impedance Multipliers** X/R Ratio of Percent For Line-to-Neutral kVA for Impedance (%Z)* Faults 1 Calculation for %X for%R 25.0 1.1 1.26.0 0.6 0.75 37.5 1.4 1.26.5 0.6 0.75 50.0 1.6 1.26.4 0.6 0.75 75.0 1.8 1.26.6 0.6 0.75 100.0 2.0 1.35.7 0.6 0.75 167.0 2.5 1.46.1 1.0 0.75 250.0 3.6 1.96.8 1.0 0.75 333.0 4.7 2.46.0 1.0 0.75 500.0 5.5 2.25.4 1.0 0.75 * National standards do not speciify %Z for single-phase transformers. Consult manufacturer for values to use in calculation. ** Based on rated current of the winding (onehalf nameplate kVA divided by secondary line-to-neutral voltage). Note: UL Listed transformers 25 KVA and greater have a 10% tolerance on their impedance nameplate. This table has been reprinted from IEEEStd 242-1986 (R1991), IEEE Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems, Copyright 1986 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. with the permission of the IEEE Standards Department.
200 400 600 800 1200 1600 2000 3000 4000
0.0001 0.00008 0.00008 0.00007 0.00007 0.00005 0.00005 0.00004 0.00004
1 Pole
Note: The reactance of disconnecting switches for low-voltage circuits (600V and below) is in the order of magnitude of 0.00008 - 0.00005 ohm/pole at 60 Hz for switches rated 400 - 4000 A, respectively. *For actual values, refer to manufacturers data. This table has been reprinted from IEEE Std 241-1990, IEEE Recommended Practice for Commercial Building Power Systems, Copyright 1990 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. with the permission of the IEEE Standards Department.
25
Data Section
Impedance & Reactance Data-Circuit Breakers and Conductors

Table 4. Circuit Breaker Reactance Data
(a) Reactance of Low-Voltage Power Circuit Breakers Circuit-Breaker Interrupting Circuit-Breaker Rating Rating Reactance (amperes) (amperes) (ohms) 15,000 15 - 35 0.04 and 50 - 100 0.004 25,000 125 - 225 0.001 250 - 600 0.0002 50,000 200 - 800 0.0002 1000 - 1600 0.00007 75,000 2000 - 3000 0.00008 100,000 4000 0.00008 (b)Typical Molded Case Circuit Breaker Impedances Molded-Case Circuit-Breaker Rating Resistance Reactance (amperes) (ohms) (ohms) 20 0.00700 Negligible 40 0.00240 Negligible 100 0.00200 0.00070 225 0.00035 0.00020 400 0.00031 0.00039 600 0.00007 0.00017 Notes: (1) Due to the method of rating low-voltage power circuit breakers, the reactance of the circuit breaker which is to interrupt the fault is not included in calculating fault current. (2) Above 600 amperes the reactance of molded case circuit breakers are similar to those given in (a) * For actual values, refer to manufacturers data. This table has been reprinted from IEEE Std 241-1990, IEEE Recommended Practice for Commercial Building Power Systems, copyright 1990 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. with the permission of the IEEE Standards Department.
Table 5. Impedance Data - Insulated Conductors (Ohms/1000 ft. each conductor - 60Hz)
Size AWG or kcM 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 300 350 400 500 600 750 1000 Resistance (25C) Copper Metal NonMet 2.5700 2.5700 1.6200 1.6200 1.0180 1.0180 .6404 .6404 .4100 .4100 .2590 .2590 .1640 .1620 .1303 .1290 .1040 .1020 .0835 .0812 .0668 .0643 .0534 .0511 .0457 .0433 .0385 .0362 .0333 .0311 .0297 .0273 .0244 .0220 .0209 .0185 .0174 .0185 .0140 .0115 Aluminum Metal Nonmet 4.2200 4.2200 2.6600 2.6600 1.6700 1.6700 1.0500 1.0500 .6740 .6740 .4240 .4240 .2660 .2660 .2110 .2110 .1680 .1680 .1330 .1330 .1060 .1050 .0844 .0838 .0722 .0709 .0602 .0592 .0520 .0507 .0460 .0444 .0375 .0356 .0319 .0298 .0264 .0240 .0211 .0182 Reactance - 600V - THHN Single Conductors 1 Multiconductor Mag. Nonmag. Mag Nonmag. .0493 .0394 .0351 .0305 .0468 .0374 .0333 .0290 .0463 .0371 .0337 .0293 .0475 .0380 .0351 .0305 .0437 .0349 .0324 .0282 .0441 .0353 .0328 .0235 .0420 .0336 .0313 .0273 .0427 .0342 .0319 .0277 .0417 .0334 .0312 .0272 .0409 .0327 .0306 .0266 .0400 .0320 .0300 .0261 .0393 .0314 .0295 .0257 .0399 .0319 .0299 .0261 .0393 .0314 .0295 .0257 .0383 .0311 .0290 .0254 .0385 .0308 .0286 .0252 .0379 .0303 .0279 .0249 .0382 .0305 .0278 .0250 .0376 .0301 .0271 .0247 .0370 .0296 .0260 .0243
Note: Increased resistance of conductors in magnetic raceway is due to the effect of hysteresis losses. The increased resistance of conductors in metal non-magnetic raceway is due to the effect of eddy current losses. The effect is essentially equal for steel and aluminum raceway. Resistance values are acceptable for 600 volt, 5KV and 15 KV insulated Conductors. Size AWG or kcM 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 300 350 400 500 600 750 1000 Reactance - 5KV Single Conductors Mag. Nonmag. .0733 .0586 .0681 .0545 .0633 .0507 .0591 .0472 .0571 .0457 .0537 .0430 .0539 .0431 .0521 .0417 .0505 .0404 .0490 .0392 .0478 .0383 .0469 .0375 .0461 .0369 .0461 .0369 .0439 .0351 .0434 .0347 .0421 .0337 1 Multiconductor Mag. Nonmag. .0479 .0417 .0447 .0389 .0418 .0364 .0393 .0364 .0382 .0332 .0360 .0313 .0350 .0305 .0341 .0297 .0333 .0290 .0323 .0282 .0317 .0277 .0312 .0274 .0308 .0270 .0308 .0270 .0296 .0261 .0284 .0260 .0272 .0255 Reactance - 15KV Single Conductors Mag. Nonmag. .0842 .0674 .0783 .0626 .0727 .0582 .0701 .0561 .0701 .0561 .0661 .0561 .0614 .0529 .0592 .0491 .0573 .0474 .0557 .0458 .0544 .0446 .0534 .0436 .0517 .0414 .0516 .0414 .0500 .0413 .0487 .0385 1 Multiconductor Mag. Nonmag. .0584 .0508 .0543 .0472 .0505 .0439 .0487 .0424 .0487 .0424 .0458 .0399 .0427 .0372 .0413 .0359 .0400 .0348 .0387 .0339 .0379 .0332 .0371 .0326 .0357 .0317 .0343 .0309 .0328 .0301 .0311 .0291
These are only representative figures. Reactance is affected by cable insulation type, shielding, conductor outside diameter, conductor spacing in 3 conductor cable, etc. In commercial buildings meduim voltage impedances normally do not affect the short circuit calculations significantly. This table has been reprinted from IEEE Std 241-1990, IEEE Recommended Practice for Commercial Building Power Systems, copyright 1990 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. with the permission of the IEEE Standards Department.
26
Data Section
"C" Values for Conductors and Busway

Table 6. C Values for Conductors and Busway
Copper AWG Three Single Conductors Three-Conductor Cable or Conduit Conduit kcmil Steel Nonmagnetic Steel 600V 5KV 15KV 600V 5KV 15KV 600V 5KV 15KV 14 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 12 617 617 617 617 617 617 617 617 617 10 981 981 981 981 981 981 981 981 981 8 1557 1551 1557 1558 1555 1558 1559 1557 1559 6 2425 2406 2389 2430 2417 2406 2431 2424 2414 4 3806 3750 3695 3825 3789 3752 3830 3811 3778 3 4760 4760 4760 4802 4802 4802 4760 4790 4760 2 5906 5736 5574 6044 5926 5809 5989 5929 5827 1 7292 7029 6758 7493 7306 7108 7454 7364 7188 1/0 8924 8543 7973 9317 9033 8590 9209 9086 8707 2/0 10755 10061 9389 11423 10877 10318 11244 11045 10500 3/0 12843 11804 11021 13923 13048 12360 13656 13333 12613 4/0 15082 13605 12542 16673 15351 14347 16391 15890 14813 250 16483 14924 13643 18593 17120 15865 18310 17850 16465 300 18176 16292 14768 20867 18975 17408 20617 20051 18318 350 19703 17385 15678 22736 20526 18672 19557 21914 19821 400 20565 18235 16365 24296 21786 19731 24253 23371 21042 500 22185 19172 17492 26706 23277 21329 26980 25449 23125 600 22965 20567 47962 28033 25203 22097 28752 27974 24896 750 24136 21386 18888 28303 25430 22690 31050 30024 26932 1000 25278 22539 19923 31490 28083 24887 33864 32688 29320 Aluminum 14 236 236 236 236 236 236 236 236 236 12 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 10 598 598 598 598 598 598 598 598 598 8 951 950 951 951 950 951 951 951 951 6 1480 1476 1472 1481 1478 1476 1481 1480 1478 4 2345 2332 2319 2350 2341 2333 2351 2347 2339 3 2948 2948 2948 2958 2958 2958 2948 2956 2948 2 3713 3669 3626 3729 3701 3672 3733 3719 3693 1 4645 4574 4497 4678 4631 4580 4686 4663 4617 1/0 5777 5669 5493 5838 5766 5645 5852 5820 5717 2/0 7186 6968 6733 7301 7152 6986 7327 7271 7109 3/0 8826 8466 8163 9110 8851 8627 9077 8980 8750 4/0 10740 10167 9700 11174 10749 10386 11184 11021 10642 250 12122 11460 10848 12862 12343 11847 12796 12636 12115 300 13909 13009 12192 14922 14182 13491 14916 14698 13973 350 15484 14280 13288 16812 15857 14954 15413 16490 15540 400 16670 15355 14188 18505 17321 16233 18461 18063 16921 500 18755 16827 15657 21390 19503 18314 21394 20606 19314 600 20093 18427 16484 23451 21718 19635 23633 23195 21348 750 21766 19685 17686 23491 21769 19976 26431 25789 23750 1000 23477 21235 19005 28778 26109 23482 29864 29049 26608 Note: These values are equal to one over the impedance per foot for impedances found in Table 5, Page 26.
Nonmagnetic 600V 5KV 389 389 617 617 981 981 1559 1558 2433 2428 3837 3823 4802 4802 6087 6022 7579 7507 9472 9372 11703 11528 14410 14118 17482 17019 19779 19352 22524 21938 22736 24126 26915 26044 30028 28712 32236 31258 32404 31338 37197 35748 236 375 598 951 1482 2353 2958 3739 4699 5875 7372 9242 11408 13236 15494 16812 19587 22987 25750 25682 32938 236 375 598 951 1481 2349 2958 3724 4681 5851 7328 9164 11277 13105 15299 17351 19243 22381 25243 25141 31919
15KV 389 617 981 1559 2420 3798 4802 5957 7364 9052 11052 13461 16012 18001 20163 21982 23517 25916 27766 28303 31959 236 375 598 951 1479 2344 2958 3709 4646 5771 7201 8977 10968 12661 14658 16500 18154 20978 23294 23491 29135
Ampacity
225 400 600 800 1000 1200 1350 1600 2000 2500 3000 4000
Busway Plug-In Copper 28700 38900 41000 46100 69400 94300 119000 129900 142900 143800 144900
Feeder Aluminum 23000 34700 38300 57500 89300 97100 104200 120500 135100 156300 175400
Copper 18700 23900 36500 49300 62900 76900 90100 101000 134200 180500 204100 277800
High Impedance Aluminum Copper 12000 21300 31300 44100 56200 15600 69900 16100 84000 17500 90900 19200 125000 20400 166700 21700 188700 23800 256400
Note: These values are equal to one over the impedance per foot for impedances in Table 7, Page 28.
27
Data Section
Busway Impedance Data

Table 7. Busway Impedance Data (Ohms per 1000 Feet Line-to-Neutral, 60 Cycles)
Plug-In Busway Copper Bus Bars Ampere Rating Resistance 225 0.0262 400 0.0136 600 0.0113 800 0.0105 1000 0.0071 1200 0.0055 1350 0.0040 1600 0.0036 2000 0.0033 2500 0.0032 3000 0.0031 4000 0.0030 5000 0.0020 Low-Impedance Feeder Busway 225 0.0425 400 0.0291 600 0.0215 800 0.0178 1000 0.0136 1200 0.0110 1350 0.0090 1600 0.0083 2000 0.0067 2500 0.0045 3000 0.0041 4000 0.0030 5000 0.0023 Reactance 0.0229 0.0218 0.0216 0.0190 0.0126 0.0091 0.0072 0.0068 0.0062 0.0062 0.0062 0.0062 0.0039 0.0323 0.0301 0.0170 0.0099 0.0082 0.0070 0.0065 0.0053 0.0032 0.0032 0.0027 0.0020 0.0015 Impedance 0.0348 0.0257 0.0244 0.0217 0.0144 0.0106 0.0084 0.0077 0.0070 0.0070 0.0069 0.0069 0.0044 0.0534 0.0419 0.0274 0.0203 0.0159 0.0130 0.0111 0.0099 0.0074 0.0055 0.0049 0.0036 0.0027 Aluminum Bus Bars Resistance Reactance 0.0398 0.0173 0.0189 0.0216 0.0179 0.0190 0.0120 0.0126 0.0080 0.0080 0.0072 0.0074 0.0065 0.0070 0.0055 0.0062 0.0054 0.0049 0.0054 0.0034 0.0054 0.0018 0.0767 0.0378 0.0305 0.0212 0.0166 0.0133 0.0110 0.0105 0.0075 0.0055 0.0049 0.0036 0.0323 0.0280 0.0099 0.0081 0.0065 0.0053 0.0045 0.0034 0.0031 0.0023 0.0020 0.0015 Impedance 0.0434 0.0288 0.0261 0.0174 0.0112 0.0103 0.0096 0.0083 0.0074 0.0064 0.0057 0.0832 0.0470 0.0320 0.0227 0.0178 0.0143 0.0119 0.0110 0.0080 0.0060 0.0053 0.0039
The above data represents values which are a composite of those obtained by a survey of industry; values tend to be on the low side.
28
Data Section
Asymmetrical Factors
Table 8. Asymmetrical Factors
Ratio to Symmetrical RMS Amperes Short Circuit Short Maximum 1 phase Maximum 1 phase Average 3 phase Power Factor, Circuit Instantaneous RMS Amperes at RMS Amperes at 1/2 Cycle Mm 1/2 Cycle Ma* Percent* X/R Ratio Peak Amperes Mp (Asym.Factor)* 0 2.828 1.732 1.394 1 100.00 2.785 1.697 1.374 2 49.993 2.743 1.662 1.354 3 33.322 2.702 1.630 1.336 4 24.979 2.663 1.599 1.318 5 19.974 2.625 1.569 1.302 6 16.623 2.589 1.540 1.286 7 14.251 2.554 1.512 1.271 8 13.460 2.520 1.486 1.256 9 11.066 2.487 1.461 1.242 10 9.9301 2.455 1.437 1.229 11 9.0354 2.424 1.413 1.216 12 8.2733 2.394 1.391 1.204 13 7.6271 2.364 1.370 1.193 14 7.0721 2.336 1.350 1.182 15 6.5912 2.309 1.331 1.172 16 6.1695 2.282 1.312 1.162 17 5.7947 2.256 1.295 1.152 18 5.4649 2.231 1.278 1.144 19 5.16672 2.207 1.278 1.135 20 4.8990 2.183 1.247 1.127 21 4.6557 2.160 1.232 1.119 22 4.4341 2.138 1.219 1.112 23 4.2313 2.110 1.205 1.105 24 4.0450 2.095 1.193 1.099 25 3.8730 2.074 1.181 1.092 26 3.7138 2.054 1.170 1.087 27 3.5661 2.034 1.159 1.081 28 3.4286 2.015 1.149 1.076 29 3.3001 1.996 1.139 1.071 30 3.1798 1.978 1.130 1.064 31 3.0669 1.960 1.122 1.062 32 2.9608 1.943 1.113 1.057 33 2.8606 1.926 1.106 1.057 34 2.7660 1.910 1.098 1.050 35 2.6764 1.894 1.091 1.046 36 2.5916 1.878 1.085 1.043 37 2.5109 1.863 1.079 1.040 38 2.4341 1.848 1.073 1.037 39 2.3611 1.833 1.068 1.034 40 2.2913 1.819 1.062 1.031 41 2.2246 1.805 1.058 1.029 42 2.1608 1.791 1.053 1.027 43 2.0996 1.778 1.049 1.024 44 2.0409 1.765 1.045 1.023 45 1.9845 1.753 1.041 1.021 46 1.9303 1.740 1.038 1.019 47 1.8780 1.728 1.035 1.017 48 1.8277 1.716 1.032 1.016 49 1.7791 1.705 1.029 1.014 50 1.7321 1.694 1.026 1.013 55 1.5185 1.641 1.016 1.008 60 1.3333 1.594 1.009 1.004 65 1.1691 1.517 1.005 1.001 70 1.0202 1.517 1.002 1.001 75 0.8819 1.486 1.0008 1.0004 80 0.7500 1.460 1.0002 1.0001 85 0.6198 1.439 1.00004 1.00002 100 0.0000 1.414 1.00000 1.00000 *Reprinted by permission of National Electrical Manufacturer's Association from NEMA Publication AB-1, 1986, copyright 1986 by NEMA.
Selective Coordination (Blackout Prevention) Having determined the faults that must be interrupted, the next step is to specify Protective Devices that will provide a Selectively Coordinated System with proper Interrupting Ratings. Such a system assures safety and reliability under all service conditions and prevents needless interruption of service on circuits other than the one on which a fault occurs. The topic of Selectivity will be Discussed in the next Handbook, EDP II. Component Protection (Equipment Damage Prevention) Proper protection of electrical equipment requires that fault current levels be known. The characteristics and let-through values of the overcurrent device must be known, and compared to the equipment withstand ratings. This topic of Component Protection is discussed in the third Handbook, EDP III.
29
Bussmann
Part 2 Selective Coordination Of Overcurrent Protective Devices For Low Voltage Systems

Basic Considerations of Selective Coordination

Engineering Dependable Protection Part I has provided a simple method to calculate shortcircuit currents that occur in electrical systems. With this information, selective coordination studies of the systems can be performed in order to prevent blackouts. What Is Selective Coordination? Today, more than ever, one of the most important parts of any installation - whether it is an office building, an industrial plant, a theater, a high-rise apartment or a hospital - is the electrical distribution system. Nothing will stop all activity, paralyze production, inconvenience and disconcert people and possibly cause a panic more effectively than a major power failure. ISOLATION of a faulted circuit from the remainder of the installation is MANDATORY in today's modern electrical systems. Power BLACKOUTS CANNOT be tolerated. It is not enough to select protective devices based solely on their ability to carry the system load current and interrupt the maximum fault current at their respective levels. A properly engineered system will allow ONLY the protective device nearest the fault to open, leaving the remainder of the system undisturbed and preserving continuity of service. We may then define selective coordination as "THE ACT OF ISOLATING A FAULTED CIRCUIT FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THEREBY ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY POWER OUTAGES. THE FAULTED CIRCUIT IS ISOLATED BY THE SELECTIVE OPERATION OF ONLY THAT OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICE CLOSEST TO THE OVERCURRENT CONDITION." Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a non-selective system and a selectively coordinated system, respectively. Popular Methods of Performing a Selective Coordination Study Currently two methods are most often used to perform a coordination study: 1. Overlays of Time-Current Curves, which utilize a light table and manufacturers' published data, then hand plot on log-log paper. 2. Computer programs that utilize a PC and allow the designer to select time current curves published by manufacturers and transfer to a plotter or printer, following proper selections. This text will apply to both methods. It is also possible that non-selective OPENING could be due to overload conditions on the branch circuit. Selective Coordination A fault on a branch circuit opens protective device " D" only. Since A, B and C are not disturbed, the remainder of the electrical system is still energized.
Non-Selective Coordination Resulting in a Blackout A fault on a branch circuit opens protective devices "D", "C" and "B". The entire power supply to the building is completely shut down. This non-selective operation is normally due to a medium to high level short circuit. This fault may be L-L, L-G, or 3 phase bolted in nature.
Not Affected A De-energized Portion of System A
Not Affected
Also Opens B Also Opens C B
Not Affected
Not Affected C
Opens D Branch Circuit Fault D De-energized Portion of System. (This is the only part of the system affected). Fault Opens
Figure 1
3
Figure 2
Selective Coordination
Reading Time-Current Curves

100A
This infor mation is presented as an aid to understanding time-current characteristic curves of fuses and circuit breakers, and will discuss the major considerations in properly applying electrical protective devices. A thorough understanding of time-current characteristic curves of overcurrent protective devices is essential to provide a Selectively Coordinated System. It should be noted that the study of time-current curves indicates performance during overload and low level fault conditions. The performance of overcurrent devices that operate under medium to high level fault conditions are not reflected on standard curves. Other engineering methods must be utilized. Fuse Curves Figure 3 illustrates the time-current characteristic curves for two sizes of time-delay, dual-element fuses in series, as depicted in the one-line diagram in Figure 3a. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the RMS symmetrical current in amperes. The ver tical axis represents the time, in seconds, until the fault occurs . For example: Assume an available fault current level of 1000 amperes RMS symmetrical on the load side of the 100 ampere fuse. To determine the time it would take this fault current to open the two fuses, first find 1000 amperes on the horizontal axis (Point A), follow the dotted line vertically to the intersection of the total clear curve of the 100 ampere time-delay dual-element fuse (Point B) and the minimum melt curve of the 400 ampere time-delay dualelement fuse (Point C). Then, horizontally from both intersection points, follow the dotted lines to Points D and E. At 1.75 seconds, Point D represents the maximum time the 100 ampere time-delay dual-element fuse will take to open the 1000 ampere fault. At 88 seconds, Point E represents the minimum time at which the 400 ampere time-delay dual-element fuse could open this available fault current. Thus, selective operation is assured. The two fuse curves can be examined by the same procedure at various current levels along the horizontal axis (for example, see Points F and G at the 2000 ampere fault level). It can be deter mined that the two fuses are selectively coordinated, since the 100 ampere time-delay dual-element fuse will open before the 400 ampere timedelay dual-element fuse can melt.
600 400 300 200
400A
Overloads and Low Level Fault Currents
400A
100 80 60 40 30 20
Point E
Point C
100A
Available Fault Current Level 1000A
TIME IN SECONDS
10 8 6 4 3 2
Point G
Figure 3a.
Point D
1 .8 .6 .4 .3 .2
Point B
Point F
.1 .08 .06 .04 .03 .02
Minimum Melt Total Clearing
8000 10,000
Point A 1000A
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Figure 3
20,000
.01 100 200 300 400 600 800 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000

Circuit Breaker Curves Figure 4 illustrates a typical thermal magnetic molded case circuit breaker curve with an overload region and an instantaneous trip region (two instantaneous trip settings are shown). Circuit breaker time-current characteristic curves are read similar to fuse curves. The horizontal axis represents the current, and the vertical axis represents the time at which the breaker interrupts the circuit. When using molded case circuit breakers of this type, there are four basic curve considerations that must be understood. These are: 1.Overload Region 2.Instantaneous Region 3.Unlatching Time 4.Interrupting Rating 1. Overload Region - The opening of a molded case circuit breaker in the overload region (see Figure 4) is generally accomplished by a thermal element, while a magnetic coil is generally used on power breakers. Electronic sensing breakers will utilize CT's. As can be seen, the overload region has a wide tolerance band, which means the breaker should open within that area for a particular overload current. 2. Instantaneous Region - The instantaneous trip setting indicates the multiple of the full load rating at which the circuit breaker will open as quickly as possible. The instantaneous region is represented in Figure 4 and is shown to be adjustable from 5x to 10x the breaker rating. When the breaker coil senses an overcurrent in the instantaneous region, it releases the latch which holds the contacts closed. In Figure 4, the unlatching time is represented by the curve labeled "average unlatching time for instantaneous tripping". After unlatching, the overcurrent is not halted until the breaker contacts are mechanically separated and the arc is extinguished. Consequently, the final overcurrent termination can vary over a wide range of time, as is indicated by the wide band between the unlatching time curve and the maximum interrupting time curve in Figure 4. The instantaneous trip setting for larger molded case and power breakers can usually be adjusted by an external dial. Figure 4 shows two instantaneous trip settings for a 400 amp breaker. The instantaneous trip region, drawn with the solid line, represents an I.T. = 5x, or five times 400 amperes = 2000 amperes. At this setting, the circuit breaker will trip instantaneously on currents of approximately 2000 amperes or more. The 25% band represents the area in which it is uncertain whether the overload trip or the instantaneous trip will operate to clear the overcurrent. The dashed portion of Figure 4 represents the same 400 ampere breaker with an I.T. = 10x, or 10 times 400 amperes = 4000 amperes. At this setting the overload trip will operate up to approximately 4000 amperes (10%). Overcurrents greater than 4000 amperes (10%) would be cleared by the instantaneous trip. 3. Unlatching Times - As explained above, the unlatching time indicates the point at which the breaker senses an overcurrent in the instantaneous region and releases the latch holding the contacts. However, the fault current continues to flow through the breaker and the circuit to the point of fault until the contacts can physically separate and extinguish the arc. Once the unlatching mechanism has sensed an overcurrent and unlatched, the circuit breaker will open. The final interruption of the current represented on the breaker curve in the instantaneous region occurs after unlatching, but within the maximum interruption time. The relatively long delay between unlatching and the actual interruption of the overcurrent in the instantaneous region is the primary reason that molded case breakers are very difficult to coordinate. This is an inherent problem since the breaking of current is accomplished by mechanical means. 4. Interrupting Rating - The interrupting rating of a circuit breaker is a critical factor concerning protection and safety. The interrupting rating of a circuit breaker is the maximum fault current the breaker has been tested to interrupt in accordance with testing laboratory standards. Fault currents in excess of the interrupting rating can result in destruction of the breaker and equipment and possible injury to personnel. In other words, when the fault level exceeds the circuit breaker interrupting rating, the circuit breaker is no longer a protective device. Looking at Figure 10, the interrupting ratings at 480 volts are 14,000 amperes for the 90 ampere breaker and 30,000 amperes for the 400 ampere breaker. The interrupting ratings on circuit breakers vary according to breaker type and voltage level. When drawing circuit breaker time-current curves, deter mine the proper interrupting rating from the manufacturer's literature and represent this interrupting rating on the drawing by a vertical line at the right end of the curve.

1000 800 600 400
400 Ampere Circuit Breaker
d rloa Ove
300 200
ion Reg
Minimum Unlatching Time

100 80 60 40 30 20
Maximum Interrrupting Time
Average Unlatching Times Breaker Tripping Magnetically Current in RMS Amps 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 Time in Seconds .0045 .0029 .0024 .0020 .0017
10 8 6 4 3
Adjustable Magnetic Instantaneous Trip Set at 10 Times I.T. = 10X ( 10% Band)
TIME IN SECONDS
Interrupting Rating RMS Sym. 240V 480V 600V Amps 42,000 30,000 22,000
1 .8 .6 .4 .3 .2
Adjustable Instantaneous Trip Set at 5 Times I.T. = 5X ( 25% Band)
.1 .08 .06 .04 .03 .02
Maximum Interrupting Time
Instantanous Region
.01 .008 .006 .004 .003 .002
Interrupting Rating at 480 Volt Average Unlatching Times for Instantaneous Tripping
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Figure 4. Typical Circuit Breaker Time-Current Characteristic Curve

6
100,000
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
4000
6000
8000
.001

5. Short Time Delay And Instantaneous Override - Circuit breaker short-time-delay (STD) mechanisms allow an intentional delay to be installed on Low Voltage Power Circuit Breakers (Figure 5). Short-time-delays allow the fault current to flow for several cycles, which subjects the electrical equipment being protected to unnecessarily high mechanical and thermal stress. Most equipment ratings, such as short-circuit ratings for bus duct and switchboard bus, do not apply when short-time-delay settings are employed. The use of short-time-delay settings on circuit breakers requires the system equipment to be reinforced to withstand the available fault current for the duration of the short-time-delay. Ignoring equipment ratings in relation to the protective device opening time and let-thru characteristics can be disastrous. An Insulated Case Circuit Breaker (ICCB) may also be equipped with short-time-delay. However, ICCB's will have a built-in override mechanism (Figure 6). This is called the instantaneous override function, and will override the STD for medium to high level faults. This override may "kick in" for faults as low as 12x the breaker's ampere rating. This can result in non-selective tripping of the breaker and load side breakers where overlaps occur. This can be seen in the example given in Figure 7. As the overlap suggests, for any fault condition greater than 21,000 amperes, both devices will open, causing a blackout. Note: Choosing overcurrent protective devices strictly on the basis of voltage, current, and interrupting rating will not assure component protection from short-circuit currents. The interrupting rating of a protective device pertains only to that device and has absolutely no bearing on its ability to protect connected downstream components. High interrupting rated electro-mechanical overcurrent protective devices, such as circuit breakers, especially those that are not current-limiting, may not be capable of protecting wire, cable or other components within the higher short-circuit ranges. Quite often, the component is completely destroyed under shor t-circuit conditions while the protective device is opening the faulted circuit.
1000 800 600 400 300 200
LVPCB
100 80 60 40 30
TIME IN SECONDS
20
10 8 6 4 3 2
1 .8 .6 .4 .3 .2
STD = 21 Cycles
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Figure 5
100,000
.1
TIME IN SECONDS
1000 800 100 200 300 400 600 10 20 30 40 60 80 1 2 3 4 6 8 .1 .2 .3 .4 .6 .8
Figure 6
.02 .03 .04 .06 .08
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
4000
CURRENT IN AMPERES ICCB
6000
8000
10,000
.01
8
Instantaneous Override = 12X
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
TIME IN SECONDS
1000 100 200 300 400 600 800 10 20 30 40 60 80 1 2 3 4 6 8 .02 .03 .04 .06 .08 .1 .2 .3 .4 .6 .8
Figure 7
100A CB 2000A ICCB
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
4000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
6000
8000
10,000
.01
9
100A 2000A
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
BLACKOUT!
80,000
100,000
Current Limiting Fuses

Medium to High Level Fault Currents Figure 8 shows that the available short-circuit current will reach a peak value of I p during the first half cycle unless a protective device limits the peak fault current to a value less than Ip. A current-limiting fuse will reduce the available peak current to less than Ip, namely I'p, and will clear the fault in approximately one-half cycle or less. Note that tc is the total clearing time of the fuse, tm the melting time and ta the arcing time of the fuse. Where high values of fault current are available, the sub-cycle region becomes the most critical region for selective operation of currentlimiting fuses. The area under the current curves indicates the energy let-thru. If no protective device were present, or if mechanical type overcurrent devices with opening times of one-half cycle or longer were present, the full available short-circuit energy would be delivered to the system. The amount of energy delivered is directly proportionate to the square of the current. So we can see how important it is to have fuses which can limit the current being delivered to the system to a value less than the available current. The amount of energy being produced in the circuit while the fuse is clearing is called the total clearing energy and is equal to the melting energy plus the arcing energy. Selectivity between two fuses operating under shortcircuit conditions exists when the total clearing energy of the load side fuse is less than the melting energy of the line side fuse (See Figure 9).
Available Short-Circuit Current Ip
Current
I'p
Limited Current Results When Fuse Clears
tm tc Fault is Initiated Here
ta
Time
Figure 8 An engineering tool has been developed to aid in the proper selection of fuses for selective coordination. This Selectivity Ratio Guide (SRG) is shown below.
* Selectivity Ratio Guide (Line-Side to Load-Side) for Blackout Prevention

Circuit Load-Side Fuse Current Rating Type 601-6000A TimeDelay LOW-PEAK (L) KRP-CSP 601-4000A TimeDelay LIMITRON (L) KLU 0-600A Dual-Element Time-Delay LOW-PEAK (RK1) (J)** LPN-RKSP LPJSP LPS-RKSP 2:1 2:1 601-6000A Fast-Acting 0-600A 0-1200A Fast-Acting 0-60A TimeDelay LIMITRON SC (J) (G) JKS SC 2:1 2:1 3:1 3:1 1.5:1 2:1 3:1 3:1 3:1 2:1 N/A N/A 4:1 4:1 1.5:1 N/A 4:1 4:1 4:1 2:1 0-600A
Trade Name & FUSETRON LIMITRON LIMITRON T-TRON Class (RK5) (L) (RK1) (T) Buss FRN-R KTU KTN-R JJN Symbol FRS-R KTS-R JJS 601 to Time- LOW-PEAK KRP-CSP 2:1 2.5:1 4:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 6000A Delay (L) 601 to Time- LIMITRON KLU 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 4:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 4000A Delay (L) LOW-PEAK LPN-RKSP 2:1 2:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 0 Dual (RK1) LPS-RKSP to Ele(J) LPJSP** 2:1 2:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 600A ment FUSETRON FRN-R 1.5:1 1.5:1 2:1 1.5:1 1.5:1 (RK5) FRS-R 601 to LIMITRON KTU 2:1 2.5:1 2:1 2:1 6:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 6000A (L) 0 to Fast- LIMITRON KTN-R 3:1 3:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 600A Acting (RK1) KTS-R 0 to T-TRON JJN 3:1 3:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 1200A (T) JJS 0 to LIMITRON JKS 2:1 2:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 600A (J) 0 to Time- SC SC 3:1 3:1 4:1 2:1 2:1 60A Delay (G) * Note: At some values of fault current, specified ratios may be lowered to permit closer fuse sizing. Plot fuse curves or consult with Bussmann. General Notes: Ratios given in this Table apply only to Buss fuses. When fuses are within the same case size, consult Bussmann. ** Consult Bussmann for latest LPJSP ratios. Line-Side Fuse
As an example, refer to Figure 9 and the SRG for Low Peak fuses. The SRG suggests that the minimum ratio between line side and load side fuse should be at least 2:1. The one-line illustrated in Figure 9 shows Low Peak fuses KRP-C1000SP feeding a LPS-RK200SP. The ratio of
10
ampere ratings is 5:1 (1000:200) which indicates coordination between these fuses. Continuing further into the system the LPS-RK-200SP feeds a LPJ60SP. This ratio of ampere ratings is 3.33:1 (200:60), which also indicates a selectively coordinated system.
Current Limiting Fuses

Available Short-Circuit Current
KRP-C-1000SP Amp Fuse Let-Thru Energy* 480/277 Volts
Line Side Load Side
LOW-PEAK Time-Delay Fuse KRP-C-1000SP
tm tc
LOW-PEAK LPS-RK-200SP Dual-Element Fuse
LPS-RK-200SP Amp Fuse Let-Thru Energy* tm Line Side Load Side tc
LOW-PEAK LPJ-60SP Dual-Element Fuse
Fault tc
LPJ-60SP Amp Fuse Let-Thru Energy*
Figure 9 Requirements for selectivityTotal clearing energy of load side fuse is less than melting energy of line side fuse.
*Area under the curves indicates let-thru energy.
11
Circuit Breakers
Medium to High Level Fault Currents Figure 10 illustrates a 400 ampere circuit breaker ahead of a 90 ampere breaker. Any fault above 1500 amperes on the load side of the 90 ampere breaker will open both breakers. The 90 ampere breaker will generally unlatch before the 400 ampere breaker. However, before the 90 ampere breaker can separate its contacts and clear the fault current, the 400 ampere breaker has unlatched and also will open. Assume a 4000 ampere short circuit exists on the load side of the 90 ampere circuit breaker. The sequence of events would be as follows: 1. The 90 ampere breaker will unlatch (Point A) and free the breaker mechanism to start the actual opening process. 2. The 400 ampere breaker will unlatch (Point B) and it, too, would begin the opening process. Once a breaker unlatches, it will open. At the unlatching point, the process is irreversible. 3. At Point C, the 90 ampere breaker will have completely interrupted the fault current. 4. At Point D, the 400 ampere breaker also will have completely opened the circuit. Consequently, this is a non-selective system, causing a complete blackout to the load protected by the 400 ampere breaker. As printed by one circuit breaker manufacturer, "One should not overlook the fact that when a high fault current occurs on a circuit having several circuit breakers in series, the instantaneous trip on all breakers may operate. Therefore, in cases where several breakers are in series, the larger upstream breaker may start to unlatch before the smaller downstream breaker has cleared the fault. This means that for faults in this range, a main breaker may open when it would be desirable for only the feeder breaker to open."
12
TIME IN SECONDS
1000 100 200 300 400 600 800 10 20 30 40 60 1 2 3 4 6 8 .02 .03 .04 .06 .08 80 .1 .2 .3 .4 .6 .8
.001
.002
.003
.004
.006
.008
.01
Circuit Breakers
Figure 10
90Amp Circuit Breaker
10
20
30
40
60
80
100
200
1,500A
300
400
600
800
1000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
13
2000
3000
A C D
4,000A
6000
8000
400Amp Circuit Breaker I.T. = 5X
10,000
14,000A I.R.
20,000 90A 4000A
30,000
400A
30,000A I.R.
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
Selective Coordination Study

Recommended Procedures
The following steps are recommended when conducting a selective coordination study. 1. One-Line Diagram Obtain the electrical system one-line diagram that identifies important system components, as given below. a. Transformers Obtain the following data for protection and coordination information of transformers: - KVA rating - Inrush points - Primary and secondary connections - Impedance - Damage curves - Primary and secondary voltages - Liquid or dry type b. Conductors - Check phase, neutral, and equipment grounding. The one-line diagram should include information such as: - Conductor size - Number of conductors per phase - Material (copper or aluminum) - Insulation - Conduit (magnetic or non-magnetic) From this information, short circuit withstand curves can be developed. This provides information on how overcurrent devices will protect conductors from overload and short circuit damage. c. Motors The system one-line diagram should include motor information such as: - Full load currents - Horsepower - Voltage - Type of starting characteristic (across the line, etc.) - Type of overload relay (Class 10, 20, 30) Overload protection of the motor and motor circuit can be determined from this data. d. Fuse Characteristics Fuse Types/Classes should be identified on the one-line diagram. e. Circuit Breaker Characteristics Circuit Breaker Types should be identified on the one-line diagram. f. Relay Characteristics Relay Types should be identified on the one-line diagram. 2. Short Circuit Study Perform a short circuit analysis, calculating maximum available short circuit currents at critical points in the distribution system (such as transformers, main switchgear, panelboards, motor control centers, load centers, and large motors and generators.) (Reference: Bussmann Bulletin, Engineering Dependable Protection - EDPI.) 3. Helpful Hints a. Determine the Ampere Scale Selection. It is most convenient to place the time current curves in the center of the log-log paper. This is accomplished by multiplying or dividing the ampere scale by a factor of 10. b. Determine the Reference (Base) Voltage. The best reference voltage is the voltage level at which most of the devices being studied fall. (On most low voltage industrial and commercial studies, the reference voltage will be 208, 240, or 480 volts). Devices at other voltage levels will be shifted by a multiplier based on the transformer turn ratio. The best reference voltage will require the least amount of manipulation. Modern computer programs will automatically make these adjustments when the voltage levels of devices are identified by the input data. c. Commencing the Analysis. The starting point can be determined by the designer. Typically, studies begin with the main circuit devices and work down through the feeders and branches. (Right to left on your log-log paper.) d. Multiple Branches. If many branches are taken off one feeder, and the branch loads are similar, the largest rated branch circuit should be checked for coordination with upstream devices. If the largest branch will coordinate, and the branch devices are similar, they generally will coordinate as well. (The designer may wish to verify other areas of protection on those branches, conductors, etc.) e. Don't Overcrowd the Study. Many computer generated studies will allow a maximum of ten device characteristics per page. f. One-Line Diagram. A one-line diagram of the study should be drawn for future reference.
14
Examples of Selective Coordination Studies

The following pages will analyze in detail the system shown in Figure 11. It is understood that a short circuit study has been completed, and all devices have adequate interrupting ratings. A Selective Coordination Analysis is the next step. This simple radial system will involve three separate time current curve studies, applicable to the three feeder/ branches shown.
13.8KV
Overcurrent Relay
IFLA=42A 1000KVA -Y 480/277V
JCN80E #6 XLP 5.75% Z
1600A Main Bus Fault X1 20,000A RMS Sym LOW-PEAK KRP-C-1600SP Main Switchboard
1
LOW PEAK LPS-RK-200SP 200A Feeder
LOW-PEAK LPS-RK-400SP 400A Feeder PDP 150KVA -Y 208/120V
LOW-PEAK LPS-RK-225SP
2% Z
#3/0 THW LOW-PEAK LPS-RK-100SP 20A Branch 20A CB 100A Motor Branch #12 THW #1 THW LOW-PEAK LPN-RK-500SP 250 kcmil 2/ THW
LP1
20A CB
Figure 11
M 77A FLA
60HP 3
15
Example
Time Current Curve #1 (TCC1)

Notes: 1. TCC1 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse, 200 ampere feeder fuse, and 20 ampere branch circuit breaker from LP1. 2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed down through the system. 3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily chosen since most of the devices are at this level. 4. Selective coordination between the feeder and branch circuit is not attainable for faults above 2500 amperes that occur on the 20 amp branch circuit, from LP1. Notice the overlap of the 200 ampere fuse and 20 ampere circuit breaker. 5. The required minimum ratio of 2:1 is easily met between the KRP-C-1600SP and the LPS-RK-200SP. Device ID 1 2 Description 1000KVA XFMR Inrush Point 1000KVA XFMR Damage Curves Comments 12 x FLA @ .1 Seconds 5.75%Z, liquid filled (Footnote 1) (Footnote 2) E-Rated Fuse Copper, XLP Insulation Needed for XFMR Primary Overload Protection Class L Fuse Class RK1 Fuse Copper THW Insulation Thermal Magnetic Circuit Breaker Copper THW Insulation
3 4 5
JCN 80E #6 Conductor Damage Curve Medium Voltage Relay KRP-C-1600SP LPS-RK-200SP 3/0 Conductor Damage Curve 20A CB #12 Conductor Damage Curve
6 11 12 13 14
Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged, thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions. Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary connections, and type, all will determine their damage characteristics. Footnote 2: A -Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right, of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase fault current.)
16
Example

1000 800 600 400 300 200
FLA 2 XFMR DAMAGE
100 80 60 40 30 20
11
JCN 80E 20A MCCB LPS-RK-200SP KRP-C-1600SP MV OLR
TIME IN SECONDS
10 8 6 4
#6 DAMAGE
3 2
3/0 DAMAGE #12 DAMAGE 14 12 4
13.8KV
1 .8
Overcurrent Relay JCN80E #6 XLP 1000KVA 5.75%Z -Y 480/277V
.6 .4 .3 .2
13
1
.1 .08 .06
TX INRUSH
KRP-C-1600SP
.04 .03 .02
LPS-RK-200SP 200A .01 Feeder
#3/0 THW
CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V 20A CB 20A CB #12 THW
17
10,000
10
20
30
40
60
80
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
4000
6000
8000
Example

Notes: 1. TCC2 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse, 400 ampere feeder fuse, 100 ampere motor branch fuse, 77 ampere motor and overload relaying. 2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed down through the system. 3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily chosen since most of the devices are at this level. Device ID 1 2 Description 1000KVA XFMR Inrush Point 1000KVA XFMR Damage Curves Comment 12 x FLA @ .1 seconds 5.75%Z, liquid filled (Footnote 1) (Footnote 2) E-Rated Fuse Copper, XLP Insulation Needed for XFMR Primary Overload Protection Class L Fuse Class RK1 Fuse Across the Line Start Class 10 Part of a Motor Damage Curve Copper THW Insulation
3 4 5
JCN 80E #6 Conductor Damage Curve Medium Voltage Relay KRP-C-1600SP LPS-RK-100SP Motor Starting Curve Motor Overload Relay Motor Stall Point #1 Conductor Damage Curve
6 21 22 23 24 25
Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged, thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions. Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary connections, and type, all will determine their damage characteristics. Footnote 2: A -Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right, of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase fault current.)
18
Example

1000 800 600 400 300 200
2 FLA 2 XFMR DAMAGE MTR OLR MS 24 23 JCN80E MTR START LPS-RK-100SP MV OLR KRP-C-1600SP 3
100 80
13.8KV
60 40
Overcurrent Relay
30 20
TIME IN SECONDS
JCN 80E #6 XLP 1000KVA 5.75%Z -Y 480/277V
10 8 6 4
#6 DAMAGE
3 2
22 KRP-C-1600SP
1 .8 .6 .4
25 4
#1 DAMAGE
LPS-RK-400SP 400A Feeder
21
.3 .2
TX INRUSH LPS-RK-100SP #1 THW

.1 .08 .06 .04 .03 .02
CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V
19
10,000
10
20
30
40
60
80
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
4000
6000
8000
60HP
.01
Example

Notes: 1. TCC3 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse, 225 ampere feeder/transformer primary and secondary fuses. 2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed down through the system. 3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily chosen since most of the devices are at this level. 4. Relative to the 225 ampere feeder, coordination between primary and secondary fuses is not attainable, noted by overlap of curves. 5. Overload and short circuit protection for the 150 KVA transformer is afforded by the LPS-RK-225SP fuse. Device ID 1 2 Description 1000KVA XFMR Inrush Point 1000KVA XFMR Damage Curves Comment 12 x FLA @ .1 seconds 5.75%Z, liquid filled (Footnote 1) (Footnote 2) E-Rated Fuse Copper, XLP Insulation Needed for XFMR Primary Overload Protection Class L Fuse Class RK1 Fuse 12 x FLA @.1 Seconds 2.00% Dry Type (Footnote 3) Class RK1 Fuse
3 4 5
JCN 80E #6 Conductor Damage Curve Medium Voltage Relay KRP-C-1600SP LPS-RK-225SP 150 KVA XFMR Inrush Point 150 KVA XFMR Damage Curves LPN-RK-500SP
6 31 32 33 34 35
2-250kcmil Conductors Copper THW Damage Curve Insulation
Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged, thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions. Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary connections, and type, all will determine their damage characteristics. Footnote 2: A -Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right, of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase fault current.) Footnote 3: Damage curves for a small KVA (<500KVA) transformer, illustrate thermal damage characteristics for -Y connected. From right to left, these reflect damage characteristics, for a line-line fault, 3 fault, and L-G fault condition.
20
Example

1000 800 600 400 300 200
2 FLA FLA 2 XFMR DAMAGE
100 80 60
JCN80E LPS-RK-225SP 5
13.8KV
40 30
Overcurrent Relay TIME IN SECONDS
LPN-RK-500SP MV OLR 20 KRP-C1600SP 31

10 8 6 4
34 2-250 DAMAGE 35 #6 DAMAGE
JCN 80E
3 2
#6 XLP 1000KVA 5.75%Z -Y 480/277V
XFMR DAMAGE
33
1 .8 .6 .4
KRP-C-1600SP
.3 .2
TX INRUSH LPS-RK-225SP 150KVA 2.0%Z -Y 208/120V

.1 .08 .06 .04
TX INRUSH 1
32
6
.03 .02
LPN-RK-500SP 250 kcmil 2/ THW
CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V
21
10,000
.01 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 20 30 40 60 80 100 200 300 400 600 800 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000 8000
Conclusions
Unnecessar y power OUTAGES, such as the BLACKOUTS we so often experience, can be stopped by isolating a faulted circuit from the remainder of the system through the proper selection of MODERN CURRENTLIMITING FUSES. Time-Delay type current-limiting fuses can be sized close to the load current and still hold motor-starting currents or other har mless transients, thereby ELIMINATING nuisance OUTAGES. The SELECTIVITY GUIDE on page 10 may be used for an easy check on fuse selectivity regardless of the shortcircuit current levels involved. Where medium and high voltage primary fuses are involved, the time-current characteristic curves of the fuses in question should be plotted on standard NEMA log-log graph paper for proper study. The time saved by using the SELECTIVITY GUIDE will allow the electrical systems designer to pursue other areas for improved systems design.
22

Engineering Dependable Protection

Engineering Dependable Protection - Part III "Component Protection for Electrical Systems"
Table of Contents Page Basic Considerations of Component Protection 3 - The National Electrical Code and Component Protection 3 - Calculating Short-Circuit Currents 3 Current-Limitation 4 - Analysis of Current-Limiting Fuse Let-Thru Charts 5 Let-Thru Data Pertinent to Equipment Withstand 6 - How to Use the Let-Thru Charts 6 A Practical Approach - Protecting System Components 7 - A. Wire and Cable Protection 7 - B. Bus Short-Circuit Rating and Bracing Requirements 15 - C. Low Voltage Motor Controllers 18 - D. Molded Case Circuit Breakers 19 - E. Transformers21 - F. Ballasts 22 - G.Transfer Switches 23 - H. HVAC Equipment24 Data Section - BUSS Fuse Let-Thru Charts 1. LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class L Time-Delay Fuses KRP-C_SP 25 2 LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class J Dual-Element T-D Fuses LPJ_SP 26 3. LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class RK1 Dual-Element T-D Fuses LPN-RK_SP, LPS-RK_SP 27 4. FUSETRON Class RK5 Dual-Element T-D Fuses FRN-R, FRS-R 28 5. TRON Class T Fast-Acting Fuses JJN, JJS 29 6. LIMITRON Class RK1 Fast-Acting Fuses KTN-R, KTS-R 30 7. LIMITRON Class J Fast-Acting Fuses JKS 31 Buss Fuse Selection Chart ..32
Bussmann
Part 3 Component Protection for Electrical Systems


Basic Considerations of Component Protection

Engineering Dependable Protection Part I provided the tools necessary to examine electrical distribution systems from the standpoint of reliability, to insure proper interrupting ratings of protective devices. Part II dealt with selective coordination in order to prevent blackouts. This handbook is Part III, "Component Short Circuit Protection". It will help the engineer understand the withstand rating of various system components, thus enabling him or her to explore the protection of the components that make up the system. Introduction This issue analyzes the protection of electrical system components from fault currents. It gives the specifier the necessary information regarding the withstand rating of electrical circuit components, such as wire, bus, motor starters, etc. Proper protection of circuits will improve reliability and reduce the possibility of injury. Electrical systems can be destroyed if the overcurrent devices do not limit the short-circuit current to within the withstand rating of the systems components. Merely matching the ampere rating of a component with the ampere rating of a protective device will not assure component protection under short-circuit conditions. In the past several years, there have been numerous reports in newspapers, magazines and insurance company files about destroyed electrical systems. Recognizing this as a serious problem to safety of life and property, much more emphasis has been placed on COMPLIANCE with THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE. The National Electrical Code covers COMPONENT PROTECTION in several sections. The first section to note is Section 110-10. Component Protection and the National Electrical Code Section 110-10. Circuit Impedance and Other Characteristics. The overcurrent protective devices, the total impedance, the component short-circuit withstand ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be so selected and coordinated as to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault without the occurrence of extensive damage to the electrical components of the circuit. This fault shall be assumed to be either between two or more of the circuit conductors, or between any circuit conductor and the grounding conductor or enclosing metal raceway. This requires that overcurrent protective devices, such as fuses and circuit breakers be selected in such a manner that the short-circuit withstand ratings of the system components will not be exceeded should a short-circuit occur. The short-circuit withstand rating is the maximum short-circuit current that a component can safely withstand. Failure to provide adequate protection may result in component destruction under short-circuit conditions. Calculating Short-Circuit Currents Before proceeding with a systems analysis of wire, cable and other component protection requirements, it will be necessary to establish the short-circuit current levels available at various points in the electrical system. This can be accomplished by using Engineering Dependable Protection - Part I (BUSS Bulletin EDP-I). After calculating the fault levels throughout the electrical system, the next step is to check the withstand rating of wire and cable, bus, circuit breakers, transfer switches, starters, etc., not only under overload conditions but also under short-circuit conditions. Note: The let-thru energy of the protective device must be equal to or less than the short-circuit withstand rating of the component being protected. CAUTION: Choosing overcurrent protective devices strictly on the basis of voltage, current, and interrupting rating alone will not assure component protection from short-circuit currents. High interrupting capacity electro-mechanical overcurrent protective devices, especially those that are not current-limiting, may not be capable of protecting wire, cable or other components within high short-circuit ranges. The interrupting rating of a protective device pertains only to that device and has absolutely no bearing on its ability to protect connected downstream components. Quite often, an improperly protected component is completely destroyed under short-circuit conditions while the protective device is opening the faulted circuit. Before proceeding with the study of component withstandability, the technology concerning CurrentLimitation will be reviewed.

Current-Limitation
A Definition of Current-Limitation Today, most electrical distribution systems are capable of delivering very high short-circuit currents, some in excess of 200,000 amperes. If the components are not capable of handling these short-circuit currents, they could easily be damaged or destroyed. The current-limiting ability of todays modern fuses allows components with low shortcircuit withstand ratings to be specified in spite of high available fault currents. Section 240-11 of the NEC offers the following definition of a current limiting device: A current-limiting overcurrent protective device is a device which, when interrupting currents in its currentlimiting range, will reduce the current flowing in the faulted circuit to a magnitude substantially less than that obtainable in the same circuit if the device were replaced with a solid conductor having comparable impedance. The concept of current-limitation is pointed out in Figure 1, where the prospective available fault current is shown in conjunction with the limited current resulting when a current-limiting fuse clears. The area under the current curve indicates the amount of short-circuit energy being dissipated in the circuit. Since both magnetic forces and thermal energy are directly proportional to the square of the current, it is important to limit the short-circuit current to as small a value as possible. Magnetic forces vary as the square of the PEAK current and thermal energy varies as the square of the RMS current.
100,000
Prospective available short-circuit current that would flow when a Fuse is not used.
Current
10,000 0
Peak Let-Thru Current of Fuse
tc Total Clearing Time of Fuse
Time
Figure 1. Current Limiting Effect of Fuses Thus, the current-limiting fuse in this example would limit the let-thru energy to a fraction of the value which is available from the system. In the first major loop of fault current, standard non-current limiting, electro-mechanical protective devices would let-through approximately 100 times* as much destructive energy as the fuse would letthrough. *
(100,000 10,000 )

Current-Limitation
Analysis of Current-Limiting Fuse Let-Thru Charts The degree of current-limitation of a given size and type of fuse depends, in general, upon the available shortcircuit current which can be delivered by the electrical system. Current-limitation of fuses is best described in the form of a let-thru chart which, when applied from a practical point of view, is useful to determine the let-thru currents when a fuse opens. Fuse let-thru charts are similar to the one shown in Figure 2 and are plotted from actual test data. The test circuit that establishes line A-B corresponds to a shortcircuit power factor of 15%, which is associated with an X/R ratio of 6.6. The fuse curves represent the cutoff value of the prospective available short-circuit current under the given circuit conditions. Each type or class of fuse has its own family of let-thru curves. The let-thru data has been generated by actual short circuit tests of current-limiting fuses. It is important to understand
B I
how the curves are generated, and what circuit parameters affect the let-thru curve data. Typically, there are three circuit parameters that can affect fuse let-thru performance for a given available short circuit current. These are: 1. Short circuit power factor 2. Short circuit closing angle 3. Applied voltage Current-limiting fuse let-thru curves are generated under worst case conditions, based on these three variable parameters. The benefit to the user is a conservative resultant let-thru current (both Ip and IRMS). Under actual field conditions, changing any one or a combination of these will result in lower let-thru currents. This provides for an additional degree of reliability when applying fuses for equipment protection. See charts and tables on pages 25 thru 31 for Bussmann fuse let-thru current data.
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT IN AMPS
400,000 300,000 200,000
Available Peak ShortCircuit Current = 198,000A Available RMS ShortCircuit Current = 86,000A
100,000 80,000 60,000 30,000 20,000
800A
Peak Let-Thru Current of Fuse= 49,000A RMS Let-Thru Current of Fuse = 21,000A tm ta tc tm = Fuse Melt Time ta = Fuse Arc Time tc = Fuse Clearing Time TIME
10,000 8000 6000
A
2000 1000 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000
8000 10,000
20,000
30,000 40,000
60,000 80,000
100,000
PROSPECTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT SYMMETRICAL RMS AMPS
Figure 2. Analysis of a Current-LImiting Fuse
200,000
AMPERE RATING
4000 3000

Let-Thru Data Pertinent to Equipment Withstand

Prior to using the Fuse Let-Thru Charts, it must be determined what let-thru data is pertinent to equipment withstand ratings. Equipment withstand ratings can be described as: How Much Fault Current can the equipment handle, and for How Long? Based on standards presently available, the most important data which can be obtained from the Fuse Let-Thru Charts and their physical effects are the following: A. Peak let-thru current - mechanical forces B. Apparent prospective RMS symmetrical let-thru current - heating effect Figure 3 is a typical example showing the short-circuit current available to an 800 ampere circuit, an 800 ampere LOW-PEAK current-limiting time-delay fuse, and the letthru data of interest.
86,000 Amps RMS Sym Available KRP-C800SP Ampere Fuse Short-Circuit
B. Determine the APPARENT PROSPECTIVE RMS SYMMETRICAL LET-THRU CURRENT. Step 1. Enter the chart on the Prospective Short-Circuit current scale at 86,000 amperes and proceed vertically until the 800 ampere fuse curve is intersected. Step 2. Follow horizontally until line A-B is intersected. Step 3. Proceed vertically down to the Prospective ShortCircuit Current. Step 4. Read the APPARENT PROSPECTIVE RMS SYMMETRICAL LET-THRU CURRENT as 21,000 amperes. (The RMS SYMMETRICAL LET-THRU CURRENT would be 86,000 amperes if there were no fuse in the circuit.)
400,000 300,000 200,000
C
100,000 80,000 60,000
A. Peak Let-Thru Current B. Apparent Prospective RMS Sym Let-Thru Current
800A
D
30,000 20,000 10,000 8000 6000
Figure 3. 800 Ampere LOW-PEAK Current-Limiting Time-Delay Fuse and Associated Let-Thru Data How to Use the Let-Thru Charts Using the example given in Figure 3, one can determine the pertinent let-thru data for the KRP-C800SP ampere LOW-PEAK fuse. The Let-Thru Chart pertaining to the 800 ampere LOW-PEAK fuse is illustrated in Figure 4. A. Determine the PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT. Step 1. Enter the chart on the Prospective Short-Circuit current scale at 86,000 amperes and proceed vertically until the 800 ampere fuse curve is intersected. Step 2. Follow horizontally until the Instantaneous Peak LetThru Current scale is intersected. Step 3. Read the PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT as 49,000 amperes. (If a fuse had not been used, the peak current would have been 198,000 amperes.)
A
2000 1000 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000
B
8000 10,000 30,000 40,000 60,000 20,000
A
80,000 100,000 200,000
PROSPECTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT SYMMETRICAL RMS AMPS A IRMS Available = 86,000 Amps B IRMS Let-Thru = 21,000 Amps C Ip Available = 198,000 Amps D Ip Let-Thru = 49,000 Amps
Figure 4. Current-Limitation Curves Bussmann LOW-PEAK Time-Delay Fuse KRP-C800SP
AMPERE RATING
4000 3000

A Practical Approach Protecting System Components

Most electrical equipment has a withstand rating that is defined in terms of an RMS Symmetrical-Short Circuit Current, and in some cases, Peak Let-Thru Current. These values have been established through short-circuit testing of that equipment according to an accepted industry standard. Or, as is the case with conductors, the withstand rating is based on a mathematical calculation and is also expressed in an RMS short circuit current. If both the let-thru currents (IRMS and I p ) of the current limiting fuse and the time it takes to clear the fault are less than the withstand rating of the electrical component, then that component will be protected from short-circuit damage. The following components will be analyzed by establishing the short-circuit withstand data of each component and then selecting the proper current limiting fuses for protection: A. Wire and Cable B. Bus (Busway, Switchboards, Motor Control Centers and Panelboards) C. Low-Voltage Motor Controllers D. Circuit Breakers E. Low-Voltage Transformers F. Ballasts G. Transfer Switches H. HVAC Equipment
Protecting System Components
A. Wire and Cable

The circuit shown in Figure 5 originates at a distribution panel where 40,000 amperes RMS symmetrical is available. To determine the proper fuse, first establish the short-circuit withstand data for the #10 THW copper cable shown in the diagram.
40,000 Amps RMS Sym Available Distribution Panel LOW-PEAK Dual-Element Fuse LPS-RK30SP Short-Circuit To Load #10 THW Copper
Figure 5. Example Showing Short-Circuit Protection of Wire and Cable. Figures 6 thru 11 show the short-circuit withstand of copper and aluminum wire and cable based on Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA) formulae. The short-circuit withstand of the #10 THW copper conductor, from Figure 7 is 4,300 amperes for one cycle (.0167 seconds). Short-circuit protection of this conductor requires the selection of an overcurrent device which will limit the 40,000 amperes RMS symmetrical available to a value less than 4,300 amperes, and clear the fault in one cycle or less. The LOW-PEAK dual-element fuse let-thru chart (page 27) shows that the LPS-RK30SP LOW-PEAK dual-element fuse will let-through an apparent prospective RMS current of less than 1,800 amperes, when 40,000 amperes is available (and would clear the fault in less than 1/2 cycle). Short-Circuit Currents for Insulated Cables* The recent increase in KVA capacity of power distribution systems has resulted in possible short-circuit currents of extremely high magnitude. Conductor insulation may be seriously damaged by fault induced, high conductor temperatures. As a guide in preventing such serious damage, maximum allowable short-circuit temperatures, which damage the insulation to a slight extent only, have
been established for various insulation as follows: Paper, rubber and varnished cloth 200C. Thermoplastic 150C. The following charts show the currents which, after flowing for the times indicated, will produce these maximum temperatures for each conductor size. Figures 6, 7 and 8 give data for copper conductors, and Figures 9, 10 and 11 for aluminum conductors. The system short-circuit capacity, the conductor cross-sectional area and the overcurrent protective device opening time should be such that these maximum allowable short-circuit currents are not exceeded. Thus, if the protective device requires one cycle to open (such as a circuit breaker) then 1/0 THW copper cables must be specified for the 30 ampere circuit in Figure 5 in order to prevent damaging temperature rise to the insulation. (Refer to Figure 6 for 1/0 withstand data.) Using the formula shown on each ICEA protection table will allow the engineer to calculate withstand ratings of cable not shown on these pages. It may be advantageous to calculate withstand ratings below one cycle, when the opening time of the current-limiting device is known. An example of additional withstand ratings for 75C copper wire is shown in Table 1. Table 1. Copper, 75 Thermoplastic Insulated Cable Damage Table (Based on 60 HZ)
Copper Wire Size 75C Thermoplastic #14 #12 #10 *#8 #6 #4 Maximum Short-Circuit Withstand Current in Amperes For For For 1/2 Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycles 2,400 1,700 1,200 3,800 2,700 1,900 6,020 4,300 3,000 9,600 6,800 4,800 15,200 10,800 7,600 24,200 17,100 12,100 For 3 Cycles 1,000 1,550 2,450 3,900 6,200 9,900
Permission has been given by ICEA to reprint these charts. These charts have been reproduced on pages 8 thru 13.

A. Wire and Cable

Allowable Short-Circuit Currents for Insulated Copper Conductors*
100 80 60 50 40 30 20
SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT - THOUSANDS OF AMPERES
C 4
8 6 5 4 3
YC 8
10
1 .8 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2
.1 10
01 0. 67 YC LE 03 SE C 0 3 S L .0 60 YC 3 C ES 6 S O 67 C 0. LE 10 E N Y 13 C 0 D S S C 0 O 3 E C . L 2 N 3 C ES YC 66 S 0. D O 50 E 7 LE N D 00 SE CO 1. S 00 SE CO ND 00 1. N C 66 67 SEC ON D D SE O N C D O N D 30 C YC S
CONDUCTOR: COPPER INSULATION: PAPER, RUBBER, VARNISHED CLOTH CURVES BASED ON FORMULA:
LE YC C 1 C YC
16
LE
LE
0.
I 2t = .0297 log T2 + 234 A T1 + 234

WHERE: I = SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT - AMPERES
A = CONDUCTOR AREA - CIRCULAR MILS t = TIME OF SHORT-CIRCUIT - SECONDS
T1 = MAXIMUM OPERATING TEMPERATURE 75C T2 = MAXIMUM SHORT-CIRCUIT TEMPERATURE 200C
1 1/0
CONDUCTOR SIZE
2/0 3/0 4/0 AWG 250 MCM
500
1000
Figure 6. Short-Circuit Current Withstand Chart for Copper Cables with Paper, Rubber, or Varnished Cloth Insulation
*Copyright 1969 (reaffirmed March, 1992) by the Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA). Permission has been given by ICEA to reprint this chart.

A. Wire and Cable

100 80 60 50 40 30 20
1
8 6 5 4 3
10
1 .8 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2
.1 10
YC YC LE C LE 8 YC 0 S 16 CY LE .01 S C 6 C 0. 30 YC LE 03 7 S C 0 S 3 L . 60 YC 3 EC ES 06 SE O 6 0 LE 10 CY .1 7 C ND 0 S S C 3 0. O 33 EC C L 2 N YC ES 66 0. D S O 50 EC N 7 LE SE D 00 1. S O 0 N C SE D O 1. 000 N C 66 D S O 67 EC N D SE O N C O D N D 2 4 C
CONDUCTOR: COPPER INSULATION: THERMOPLASTIC CURVES BASED ON FORMULA:
I 2t = .0297 log T2 + 234 A T1 + 234

1 1/0
CONDUCTOR SIZE
2/0 3/0 4/0 AWG 250 MCM
500
1000
Figure 7. Short-Circuit Current Withstand Chart for Copper Cables with Thermoplastic Insulation

A. Wire and Cable

100 80 60 50 40 30 20
8
8 6 5 4 3
C
2 1 .8 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2
30
16
YC
10
.1 10
01 S 0. 67 YC LE 03 SE C 0 3 S .0 60 YC LE 3 C 6 S O 6 7 SE C 10 N YC LES 0.13 C 0 D S 0 O 33 E C . L 2 N C YC ES 6 0. D O 50 67 SE LE N C S D 0 1 S E O 0 .0 SE CO ND 1. 000 N C 66 67 SEC ON D D SE O C ND O N D

CONDUCTOR: COPPER INSULATION: CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE & ETHYLENE PROPYLENE RUBBER CURVES BASED ON FORMULA:
LE YC C 1 C 2 4 YC C
YC
LE
LE
0.
I 2t = .0297 log T2 + 234 A T1 + 234

T1 = MAXIMUM OPERATING TEMPERATURE - 90C T2 = MAXIMUM SHORT-CIRCUIT TEMPERATURE 250C
1 1/0
CONDUCTOR SIZE
2/0 3/0 4/0 AWG 250 MCM
500
1000
Figure 8. Short-Circuit Current Withstand Chart for Copper Cables with Crosslinked Polyethylene & Ethylene Propylene Rubber Insulation
10

A. Wire and Cable

Allowable Short-Circuit Currents for Insulated Aluminum Conductors*
100 80 60 50 40 30 20
10
6 5 4 3
1 .8 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2
.1 10
YC YC LE C LE 8 YC 0 S 16 CY LE .01 S C 6 C 0. 30 YC LE 03 7 S C 0 S 3 L . 60 YC 3 EC ES 06 SE O 6 0 LE 10 CY .1 7 C ND 0 S S C 3 0. O 33 EC C L 2 N YC ES 66 0. D S O 50 EC N 7 LE SE D 00 1. S O 0 N C SE D O 1. 000 N C 66 D S O 67 EC N D SE O N C O D N D 2 4 C
CONDUCTOR: ALUMINUM INSULATION: PAPER, RUBBER, VARNISHED CLOTH CURVES BASED ON FORMULA:
I 2t = .0125 log T2 + 228 A T1 + 228

1 1/0
CONDUCTOR SIZE
2/0 3/0 4/0 AWG 250 MCM
500
1000
Figure 9. Short-Circuit Current Withstand Chart for Aluminum Cables with Paper, Rubber, or Varnished Cloth Insulation
11

A. Wire and Cable

100 80 60 50 40 30 20
03 0. 0. S LE YC C C 60 30 LE
LE
LE
YC
LE
YC
10
2
CONDUCTOR: ALUMINUM INSULATION: THERMOPLASTIC
0
CURVES BASED ON FORMULA:
1 .8 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2
C
2
YC
16
YC
LE
6 5
YC
0.
I t
0.
13
YC
06
67
SE
10
.1 10
N D O 26 33 N C YC LES 0. D 67 SE ON 50 LE SE CO D 00 1. S 00 N C S D O 00 EC 1. N 66 D S O 67 EC N D SE O N C O D N D C
67 01 0.
SE 33
SE
I 2t = .0125 log T2 + 228 A T1 + 228

WHERE: = SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT - AMPERES
A = CONDUCTOR AREA - CIRCULAR MILS = TIME OF SHORT-CIRCUIT - SECONDS
1 1/0
CONDUCTOR SIZE
2/0 3/0 4/0 AWG 250 MCM
500
1000
Figure 10. Short-Circuit Current Withstand Chart for Aluminum Cable with Thermoplastic Insulation
12

A. Wire and Cable

100 80 60 50 40 30 20
YC
LE
YC
S LE YC C 30 C 8 16 LE
YC
3
CONDUCTOR: ALUMINUM
1 .8 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2
10
INSULATION: CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE & ETHYLENE PROPYLENE RUBBER CURVES BASED ON FORMULA:
60
8 6 4
C
I t
6 5
YC
YC
LE
0.
06
10
.1 10
SE CO S 0. 67 LE N Y 1 C 0 D 0. 33 SE O C CLE S 26 3 N C YC 0. D S S O 67 5 E LE SE CO ND 1. 000 S 0 N C SE D O 1. 000 N C 66 D 67 SEC ON SE O D C ND O N D
01 0. LE S 0.
67
03
33
SE
I 2t = .0125 log T2 + 228 A T1 + 228

WHERE: = SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT - AMPERES
A = CONDUCTOR AREA - CIRCULAR MILS = TIME OF SHORT-CIRCUIT - SECONDS
T1 = MAXIMUM OPERATING TEMPERATURE - 90C T2 = MAXIMUM SHORT-CIRCUIT TEMPERATURE 250C
1 1/0
CONDUCTOR SIZE
2/0 3/0 4/0 AWG 250 MCM
500
1000
Figure 11. Short-Circuit Current Withstand Chart for Aluminum Cables with Crosslinked Polyethylene & Ethylene Propylene Rubber Insulation
13

A. Wire and Cable

Protecting Equipment Grounding Conductors Safety issues arise when the analysis of equipment grounding conductors is discussed. Table 250-95 of the NEC offers minimum sizing for equipment grounding conductors. The problem of protecting equipment grounding conductors was recognized more than 30 years ago when Eustace Soares, wrote his famous grounding book Grounding Electrical Distribution Systems for Safety". In his book he states that the validity rating corresponds to the amount of energy required to cause the copper to become loose under a lug after the conductor has had a chance to cool back down. This validity rating is based upon raising the copper temperature from 75C to 250C. In addition to this and the ICEA charts, a third method promoted by Onderdonk allows the calculation of the energy necessary to cause the conductor to melt (75C to 1,083C). Table 2 offers a summary of these values associated with various size copper conductors. It becomes obvious that the word Minimum in the heading of table 250-95 means just that - the values in the table are a minimum - they may have to be increased due to the available short-circuit current and the current-limiting, or non-current-limiting ability of the overcurrent protective device. Good engineering practice requires the calculation of the available short-circuit currents (3-phase and phase-toground values) wherever equipment grounding conductors are used. Overcurrent protective device (fuse or circuit breaker) manufacturers literature must be consulted. Letthru energies for these devices should be compared with the short-circuit ratings of the equipment grounding conductors. Wherever let-thru energies exceed the minimum equipment grounding conductor withstand ratings, the equipment grounding conductor size must be increased until the withstand ratings are not exceeded.
Table 2. Comparison of Equipment Grounding Conductor Short-Circuit Withstand Ratings

5 Sec. Rating (Amps) ICEA Soares P32-382 1 Amp/30 cm Insulation Validity Damage 150C 250C 97 137 155 218 246 346 391 550 621 875 988 1,391 1,246 1,754 1,571 2,212 1,981 2,790 2,500 3,520 3,150 4,437 3,972 5,593 5,009 7,053 5,918 8,333 7,101 10,000 8,285 11,667 9,468 13,333 11,835 16,667 14,202 20,000 16,569 23,333 17,753 25,000 18,936 26,667 21,303 30,000 23,670 33,333 Onderdonk Melting Point 1,083C 253 401 638 1,015 1,613 2,565 3,234 4,078 5,144 6,490 8,180 10,313 13,005 15,365 18,438 21,511 24,584 30,730 36,876 43,022 46,095 49,168 55,314 61,460 I2 t Rating x106 (Ampere Squared Seconds) ICEA Soares Onderdonk P32-382 1 Amp/30 cm Melting Insulation Validity Point Damage 150C 250C 1,083C .047 .094 .320 .120 .238 .804 .303 .599 2.03 .764 1.51 5.15 1.93 3.83 13.0 4.88 9.67 32.9 7.76 15.4 52.3 12.3 24.5 83.1 19.6 38.9 132.0 31.2 61.9 210.0 49.6 98.4 331.0 78.9 156.0 532.0 125.0 248.0 845.0 175.0 347.0 1,180.0 252.0 500.0 1,700.0 343.0 680.0 2,314.0 448.0 889.0 3,022.0 700.0 1,389.0 4,721.0 1,008.0 2,000.0 6,799.0 1,372.0 2,722.0 9,254.0 1,576.0 3,125.0 10,623.0 1,793.0 3,556.0 12,087.0 2,269.0 4,500.0 15,298.0 2,801.0 5,555.0 18,867.0
Conductor Size 14 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 250 300 350 400 500 600 700 750 800 900 1,000
14

B. Bus Short-Circuit Rating and Bracing Requirements

Bus Short-Circuit Rating Requirements When Protected by Current-Limiting Fuses NEMA Standards require that busways have a symmetrical short-circuit withstand rating at least as great as the average available symmetrical short-circuit current.* Since the shor t-circuit ratings of busways are established on the basis of minimum three-cycle duration tests, these ratings will not apply unless the protective device used will remove the fault within three cycles or less.* BUSWAYS MAY BE USED ON CIRCUITS HAVING AVAILABLE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENTS GREATER THAN THE BUSWAY RATING WHEN PROPERLY COORDINATED, AND RATED WITH CURRENT-LIMITING DEVICES.* If a busway has been listed or labeled for a maximum short-circuit current with a specific overcurrent device, it cannot be used where greater fault currents are available without violating the listing or labeling. If a busway has been listed or labeled for a maximum short-circuit current without a specific overcurrent device (i.e., for three cycles), current-limiting fuses can be used to reduce the available short-circuit current to within the withstand rating of the busway. Refer to Figure 12 for an analysis of the short-circuit rating requirements for the 800 ampere plug-in bus.
KRP-C800SP Amp LOW-PEAK Time-Delay Fuses Short-Circuit
65,000 Amps RMS Sym Available
800 Amp Switch Bracing Required?
800 Amp Plug-in Bus
Figure 12. Determining the Short-Circuit Ratings of Busway The 800 ampere plug-in bus in Figure 12 could be subjected to 65,000 amperes at its line side; however, the KRP-C800SP ampere LOW-PEAK time-delay fuse would limit this available current. Upon checking the Data Section, page 25, when protected by KRP-C800SP ampere LOWPEAK time-delay fuses, the 800 ampere bus need only be braced for 19,000 amperes RMS symmetrical. This would allow a standard 22,000 ampere RMS symmetrical (3cycle) rated bus to be specified, whereas, if a non-currentlimiting type protective device were specified, the bracing requirements would have been 65,000 amperes for three cycles. CURRENT-LIMITING FUSES GENERALLY REDUCE BUS BRACING REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW A STANDARD SHORT-CIRCUIT RATED BUSWAY TO BE SPECIFIED. When applying air frame circuit breakers with short time-delay (STD), the engineer must specify additional short-circuit bracing based on the STD time setting. For example, an 800 ampere air frame circuit breaker may have an intentional 18 cycle STD to selectively coordinate with downstream breakers. It is imperative that the 800 ampere busway also be braced for this 18 cycles to avoid damage or destruction.
*NEMA Pub. No. BU1-1988.
The busway short-circuit short time rating has a mechanical limit. Exceeding this limit invites mechanical damage due to the high magnetic forces associated with the peak current of the fault. The mechanical limit typically applies for high faults near and below the busway shortcircuit rating. Allowable durations of short-circuit current, longer than the 3-cycles at 60 Hz (0.05 seconds) required at the maximum short-circuit rating, are obtained from a constant I2t mechanical damage limit curve. Typically, for currents below one-half of the short-circuit current rating, where mechanical stresses are reduced to one-quar ter of those at the maximum rating, the mechanical capabilities become less important than the thermal capability. The lower limit duration at one-half the busway rating is determined by the busway thermal (I2t) capabilities. The following examples compare busway short-circuit overcurrent protection by low voltage circuit breakers and current-limiting fuses. This study looks at the development of the busway mechanical withstand curves and the timecurrent curves of the breakers and fuses. In this example, the 800 ampere plug-in busway has a 65 kA short-circuit rating. A plot of the busway mechanical limit characteristic on log-log paper (Figure 13) passes through the short-circuit rating at (65 kA, 0.05 seconds) and is a constant I2t down to 32.5 kA (one-half the short-circuit rating of 65 kA). Assume the available short-circuit current at the busways is equal to the 65 kA rating. The overcurrent devices are assumed to have the proper interrupting capacity. In order to coordinate selectively with circuit breakers that are instantaneously tripped, the power circuit breaker protecting the busway does not have an instantaneous trip. There is a problem with the protection of this busway. The short time-delay needed to achieve coordination results in a lack of protection of the 800 ampere busway. A short-circuit on this busway can result in damage. As noted on the curve, a 65,000 ampere fault will intersect the mechanical damage curve before the breaker trips. This busway would have to be braced to withstand 65,000 amperes of short-circuit current for a minimum of 12 cycles. A plot of the same system utilizing LOW-PEAK Class L and Class RK1 fuses is given in Figure 14. Current limitation by the KRP-C800SP will offer short-circuit protection for the busway, as it lets through 19,000 amperes. Note: The Busway is protected by the fast speed of response in the high short-circuit region. Protection is achieved, as is selective coordination, with the downstream LPS-RK400SP fuse.
15


Table 3. NEMA (Standard Short-Circuit Ratings of Busway*)
Continuous Current Rating of Busway (Amperes) 100 225 400 600 800 1000 1200 1350 1600 2000 2500 3000 4000 5000 Short-Circuit Current Ratings (Symmetrical Amperes) Plug-In Duct Feeder Duct 10,000 14,000 22,000 22,000 42,000 22,000 42,000 42,000 75,000 42,000 75,000 42,000 75,000 65,000 100,000 65,000 100,000 65,000 150,000 85,000 150,000 85,000 200,000 200,000
1,000 800 600 400 300 200
800A AFCB 400A MCCB

100 80 60 40 30 20
TIME IN SECONDS
Table 3 pertains to feeder and plug-in busway. For switchboard and panelboard standard ratings refer to manufacturer. U.L. Standard 891 details short-circuit durations for busway within switchboards for a minimum of three cycles, unless the main overcurrent device clears the short in less than three cycles.
*Reprinted with permission of NEMA, Pub. No. BU1-1988.
10 8 6 4 3 2
800A AFCB
400A CB
1 .8 .6 .4 .3 .2
800A Plug-in Busway
.1 .08 .06 .04 .03 .02
Short Time Delay - 6 Cycles
Busway Mechanical Capability
CURRENT IN AMPERES
65,000A Short-Circuit
Figure 13.
16
80,000 100,000
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
.01 100 200 300 400 600 800
TIME IN SECONDS
100 200 300 400 600 800 10 20 30 40 60 80 1 2 3 4 6 8 1,000 .01 .1 .2 .3 .4 .6 .8 100 .02 .03 .04 .06 .08
Figure 14.
KRP-C800SP LPS-RK400SP
200 300 400 600 800
KRP-C800SP
LPS-RK400SP
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
6,000
8,000
10,000
17
Busway Mechanical Capability
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
65,000A Short-Circuit
80,000 100,000

C. Low Voltage Motor Controllers

The diagram in Figure 15 shows a Size 2, combination motor controller supplying a 460 volt, 3, 20HP motor. The short-circuit withstand of this and other motor controllers are established so that they may be properly protected from short-circuit damage.
40,000 RMS Symmetrical Available 3, 460V Low-Peak Dual Element Time Delay Fuse 20HP
M 3, 460V
27 F.L.A. Typical Size 2 Controller
Figure 15. Short-Circuit Protection of Motor Controller There are several independent organizations engaged in regular testing of motor controllers under short-circuit conditions. One of these, Underwriters Laboratories, tests controllers rated one horsepower or less and 300 volts or less with 1000 amperes short-circuit current available to the controller test circuit. Controllers rated 50HP or less are tested with 5000 amperes available and controllers rated above 50HP to 200HP are tested with 10,000 amperes available. See Table 4 for these values.* Table 4.
Motor Controller HP Rating 1HP or less and 300V or less 50HP or less Greater than 50HP to 200HP 201HP to 400HP 401HP to 600HP 601HP to 900HP 901HP to 1600HP Test Short Circuit Current Available 1,000A 5,000A 10,000A 18,000A 30,000A 42,000A 85,000A
It should be noted that these are basic short-circuit requirements. Higher, combination ratings are attainable if tested to an applicable standard. However, damage is usually allowed. Type 1 vs. Type 2 Protection UL has developed a short-circuit test procedure designed to verify that motor controllers will not be a safety hazard and will not cause a fire. Compliance to the standard allows deformation of the enclosure, but the door must not be blown open and it must be possible to open the door after the test. In the standard short-circuit tests, the contacts must not disintegrate, but welding of the contacts is considered acceptable. When testing with fuses, damage to the overload relay is not allowed, and it must perform in accordance with the calibration requirements. Tests with circuit breakers allow the overload relay to be damaged with burnout of the current element completely acceptable. For short-circuit ratings in excess of the standard levels listed in UL508, the damage allowed is even more severe. Welding or complete disintegration of contacts is acceptable and complete burnout of the overload relay is allowed. Therefore, a user cannot be certain that the motor starter will not be damaged just because it has been U.L. Listed for use with a specific branch circuit protective device. U.L. tests are for safety, but do allow a significant amount of damage as long as it is contained within the enclosure.
*From Industrial Control Equipment, U.L. #508.
In order to properly select a branch circuit protective device that not only provides motor branch circuit protection, but also protects the circuit components from damage, the designer must look beyond mere safety standards. Coordination of the branch circuit protective device and the motor starter is necessary to insure that there will be no damage or danger to either the starter or the surrounding equipment. There is an IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Standard that offers guidance in evaluating the level of damage likely to occur during a short-circuit with various branch circuit protective devices. IEC Publication 947, Low Voltage Switchgear and Control, Par t 4-1: Contactors and Motor Star ters", addresses the coordination between the branch circuit protective device and the motor starter. It also provides a method to measure the performance of these devices should a short-circuit occur. IEC defines two levels of protection (coordination) for the motor starter: Type 1. Considerable damage to the contactor and overload relay is acceptable. Replacement of components or a completely new starter may be needed. There must be no discharge of parts beyond the enclosure. Type 2. No damage is allowed to either the contactor or overload relay. Light contact welding is allowed, but must be easily separable. Where Type 2 protection is desired, the controller manufacturer must verify that Type 2 protection can be achieved by using a specified protective device. U.S. manufacturers have recently begun having both their NEMA and IEC motor controllers verified to meet the Type 2 requirements outlined in IEC 947-4. As of this writing only current-limiting fuses have been able to provide the current-limitation necessary to provide verified Type 2 protection. In many cases, Class J, Class RK1, or Class CC fuses are required, because Class RK5 fuses and circuit breakers arent fast enough under short-circuit conditions to provide Type 2 protection. Section 430-52 of the National Electrical Code allows Dual Element Time-Delay fuses and other overcurrent protective devices to be sized for branch circuit protection (short-circuit protection only). Controller manufacturers often affix labels to the inside of the motor starter cover which recommend the maximum size fuse for each overload relay size. A paragraph in Section 430-52 states: Where maximum branch circuit protective device ratings are shown in the manufacturers overload relay table for use with a motor controller or are otherwise marked on the equipment, they shall not be exceeded even if higher values are allowed as shown above.** This paragraph means that the branch circuit overcurrent protection for overload relays in motor controllers must be no greater than the maximum size as shown in the manufacturers overload relay table. These maximum branch circuit sizes must be observed even though other portions of Section 430-52 allow larger sizing of branch circuit overcurrent protection. The reason for this maximum overcurrent device size is to provide short-circuit protection for the overload relays and motor controller.
**Above refers to other portions of Section 430-52 not shown here.
18

D. Molded Case Circuit Breakers

Until recently, molded case circuit breakers were protected the same way as other electrical equipment. Quicker acting circuit breakers, as well as test circuits that cause short-circuit test parameters to change, have required additional considerations in recommended protection procedures. As has been discussed previously, the two parameters IRMS and Ip, must be compared to the equipment withstand rating. The rule is simple: if the RMS and peak let-thru value of the fuse are less than the equipment withstand rating, the equipment will be protected. This philosophy holds true for various static components, such as wire and cable, busway, and motor star ters. This basic protection requirement is mandated in NEC Section 110-10. It will also be true for non-current-limiting circuit breakers when their opening time is greater than one-half cycle. In the past, as long as the fuse let-thru values were less than the breakers interrupting rating, the system was considered sound. THIS METHOD HAS A SOLID HISTORY OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS. However, due to changes in circuit breaker design, the method may not always work with todays circuit breakers. Selecting a current-limiting fuse to protect a downstream molded case circuit breaker has now become an increasingly more complex problem. Quicker Operating Circuit Breakers Simply put, if the total clearing energy of a quicker acting molded case circuit breaker is less than the melting energy of a larger upstream fuse, the molded case circuit breaker will interrupt the full value of the system fault without the benefit of the fuses current-limiting effect. This situation can have catastrophic effects on the circuit breaker as it tries to interrupt faults beyond its interrupting capacity. Currently, there is no available engineering method to predict protection of these faster breakers. Molded Case Circuit Breakers - Agency Test Procedures Some agency standards allow a unique test set-up for testing circuit breaker interrupting ratings. Figure 16 illustrates a typical calibrated test circuit waveform for a 20A, 240-volt, two-pole molded case circuit breaker, with a marked interrupting rating of 22,000 amperes RMS symmetrical. Figure 17 also illustrates the calibration required by the standard, and the maximum peak current available at a 20% power factor. However, agency standards allow for a random close during the short-circuit test, so the peak available current may be as low as 1.414 times the RMS current for one- and two-pole circuit breakers. For three-pole circuit breakers, one pole may see a peak of only 1.414 x RMS. The conservative approach would therefore assume a 1.414 multiplier also for threepole breakers.
Ip = 48,026A
IRMS = 22,000A Amps P.F. = 20% IRMS = 22,000 Amp
Time
Figure 16
S.C.P.F. = 20% S.C. Avail. = 22,000A
RLINE RS XS XLINE
20A
RCB XCB RLOAD XLOAD
SOURCE:
4' Rated Wire (#12 Cu)
10" Rated Wire (#12 Cu)
Note: For calculations, R CB and X CB are assumed negligible.
Figure 17 Standard interrupting rating tests will allow for a maximum 4-foot rated wire on the line side, and a 10-inch rated wire on the load side of the circuit breaker. Performing a short-circuit analysis of this test circuit results in the following short-circuit parameters, as seen by the circuit breaker. Actual short-circuit RMS current = 9,900 amperes RMS symmetrical Actual short-circuit power factor = 88% Actual short-circuit peak current = 14,001 amperes A graphic analysis of this actual short-circuit follows (Figure 18).
Ip = 14,001A P.F. = 88% IRMS = 9,900 Amp Amps IRMS = 9,900A
Time
Figure 18 Agency standards allow for a random close during the short-circuit test, so the peak available current may be as low as 1.414 times the RMS symmetrical current. Thus, the circuit breaker is actually tested to interrupt 9,900 amperes at 88% power factor, not 22,000 amperes at 20% power factor.
19

D. Molded Case Circuit Breakers

Figure 19 shows the waveforms superimposed for comparison. Henceforth, this RMS test value will be identified as the circuit breaker interrupting capacity. (Dont confuse this with the circuit breaker marked interrupting rating.)
Ip = 48,026A
Following is a partial table showing the actual Ip and IRMS values to which a circuit breaker may be tested. Table 5. 240V - 2-Pole CB Interrupting Capacities (KA)
CB Rating 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 10kA Ip 7.2 8.9 10.7 10.7 11.7 11.7 12.5 13.0 13.0 13.2 13.2 IRMS 5.1 6.3 7.5 7.5 8.3 8.3 8.8 9.2 9.2 9.3 9.3 14kA Ip 8.7 11.4 14.2 14.2 16.0 16.0 17.3 18.1 18.1 18.3 18.3 IRMS 6.1 8.1 10.1 10.1 11.3 11.3 12.2 12.8 12.8 12.9 12.9 18kA Ip 9.3 12.6 16.5 16.5 19.2 19.2 21.3 22.6 22.6 23.0 23.0 IRMS 6.6 8.9 11.7 11.7 13.6 13.6 15.1 16.0 16.0 16.3 16.3
IRMS = 22,000A Ip = 14,001A P.F. = 88% IRMS = 9,900 Amp Amps IRMS = 9,900A
Time
After reviewing the values to which the circuit breaker can be tested (its interrupting capacity) it becomes obvious that a circuit breakers interrupting rating cannot be considered its short-circuit withstand rating (especially for breakers with higher interrupting ratings). Fully Rated System: A fully rated system is a combination of overcurrent devices that have an interrupting rating equal to or greater than the available short-circuit current. Series Rated System: Although there is no official definition, a series rated system can be described as a combination of circuit breakers or fuses and breakers that can be applied at available fault levels above the interrupting rating of the load side circuit breakers, but not above that of the main or line side device (formerly known as a Cascaded System). Bussmanns recommendation is to use fully rated overcurrent devices. But, when recently produced lighting and receptacle circuit breakers are utilized at values beyond their interrupting rating, the recommended alternative is to use listed systems which utilize tested and recognized combinations of main fuses and load side circuit breakers.
Figure 19 The following definitions should be noted: Interrupting Rating (CB): The marked rating shown on the Circuit Breaker. It has been established by testing.* Interrupting Capacity (CB): Actual test Ip and IRMS the circuit breaker sees during the tests for standard circuit breaker applications.* Equally important, the short-circuit power factor is greatly affected due to the high R values of the small, rated wire. This results in a lower peak value that the circuit breaker must tolerate during the first one-half cycle.
* These definitions paraphrase those given in the IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronic Terms, page 462, 1984 edition.
20

E. Transformers
1. Overload Protection The National Electrical Code has developed separate sections and sizing recommendations for fuses with primary voltages above and below 600 volts, nominal. The following three paragraphs cover the basic requirements. See NEC Sections 450-3 and 430-72 for the most common exceptions. Section 450-3a covers transformer protection when the primar y voltage is greater than 600 volts. For low impedance transformers, fuse protection on the primary can be sized as high as 300% of primary current. Secondary protection must be offered at 250% or 125% for secondary voltages greater than 600 volts, or 600 volts or less, respectively. See Figures 20 and 21. Table 6. 450-3(a)(1) Transformers Over 600 Volts
Maximum Rating or Setting for Overcurrent Device Primary Secondary Over 600 Volts Over 600 Volts Transformer Rated Impedance Not more than 6% More than 6% and not more than 10% Circuit Breaker Setting 600% Circuit Breaker Setting 300% 600 Volts or Below Circuit Breaker Setting or Fuse Rating 125%
Section 450-3b covers transformer protection when the primary voltage is 600 volts or less. Primary fusing at 125% of primary current will not require secondary protection. Note: Secondary conductor and panelboard protection are most often required by Articles 240 and 384 respectively. Primary and secondary protection are required when the primary fuse is greater than 125%. The primary fuse may be sized no larger than 250% of primary current. The secondary fuse should then be sized no larger than 125% of the secondary current. 2. Magnetizing Inrush Currents Primary fuses must be capable of handling the inrush currents associated with the transformer during start-up. A rule of thumb is that the fuse handle 12x full load current for 0.1 seconds, and 25x full load current for 0.01 seconds. Dual-element time-delay fuses are best suited to meet the sizing criteria of Article 450 and pass these initial surge characteristics. Refer to Bussmann Bulletin EDP II for a discussion of these inrush points. 3. Short-Circuit Protection - Thermal and Magnetic Withstand curves for distribution transformers define how much current a transformer can withstand, and for how long. As with any electrical component, if these curves are exceeded the transformer may be damaged or destroyed. These curves relate to both thermal and mechanical damage, and are defined by different fault conditions. Typically, three curves exist for a 3-phase transformer, defined by phase-phase, phase-phase-phase, and phaseground fault conditions. It is the designers goal to find a fuse time-current curve that falls to the left of the damage curves and to the right of the transformer inrush points. Refer to Bussmann Bulletin EDP II for a discussion of how to analyze these curves and protection levels.
Fuse Rating 300%
Fuse Rating 250%
400%
300%
250%
225%
125%
Z = 6% (or less) PRI. SEC. over 600V 600V or less
Unsupervised Location
Fuse at 300% of F.L.A. of primary
Fuse at 125% of F.L.A. of secondary
Figure 20
PRIMARY PROTECTION ONLY PRI. & SEC. 600V or less
Fuse must not be larger than 125% of F.L.A. of primary
No secondary protection
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PROTECTION ONLY PRI. & SEC. 600V or less
Fuse no larger than 250% of F.L.A. of primary when secondary fuses are provided at 125%
125% of F.L.A. of secondary (except as noted above)
Figure 21
21

F. Ballasts
The National Electrical Code requires integral thermal protection for ballasts in Section 410-73(e). Testing agencies list ballasts for general use in lighting fixtures which pass specific thermal and short-circuit tests. The ballast must incorporate a thermal protector to sense certain over-temperature conditions and must also be able to withstand 200 amperes of short-circuit current when tested with a 20 ampere fuse. See Figure 22 for a typical test for ballasts. Most systems today will deliver more than 200 amperes of short-circuit current to a row of fixtures. (See Figure 23.) The fixtures should, therefore, be specified to incorporate individual ballast fusing within the fixture and external to the ballast. Fusing each fixture, as shown in Figure 23, will also provide isolation of the faulted ballast and reduce costly and dangerous blackouts. When a ballast does fail, only the fuse protecting that individual fixture opens - the remaining fixtures continue in normal operation. Without this individual ballast protection, a faulted ballast could cause the branch circuit protective device to open, thereby shutting off all the lights. With individual fusing, the maintenance electrician can trouble shoot the problem much more quickly because only one fixture is out. And this trouble shooting can be performed as part of a scheduled maintenance procedure. It doesnt have to become an emergency because employees are left in the dark. Note: Refer to fixture manufacturer for recommended fuse size.
Thermal Protector 200A 0.9-1.0 P .F. Ballast Winding Short Ballast
20 Amp Fuse
Figure 22. Underwriters Laboratories Short-Circuit Test for Ballast Protectors.

20' #10 THW Wire 277 Volt Lighting Panel 2,000 Amperes Available Row of Lighting Fixtures
Fuse Opens
Fixture Faulted Ballast
Ballasts
Figure 23. Fusing Fixture Ballasts to Provide Short-Circuit Protection and Isolation of Faulted Ballast. Good Ballasts Remain on the Line.
22

G. Transfer Switches
Transfer switches are designed to transfer power sources under load in order to feed a system, typically an emergency system, on critical loads. These devices are tested to meet basic short-circuit testing requirements. Transfer switches are often tested per U.L. Standard 1008. Transfer switches should always be evaluated on the basis of the maximum available short-circuit currents. The automatic transfer switch must withstand: a) the magnetic stresses imposed by the instantaneous peak current available at the point of application, and b) the thermal stresses imposed by the available RMS short-circuit current. The short-circuit current withstand rating of the transfer switch must be equal to or greater than the available short-circuit current at the point of application. When properly coordinated with current-limiting devices, automatic transfer switches can be used on circuits having available short-circuit currents greater than their unprotected withstand short-circuit current rating. Modern current-limiting fuses, when properly sized, limit the short-circuit current to within the withstand rating of a transfer switch. Transfer switches must withstand minimum short-circuit currents at specified power factors, as listed in U.L. Standard 1008, until the overcurrent protective devices open. See Table 7. Table 7. U.L. 1008 Minimum Withstand Test Requirement
Automatic Transfer Switch Rating 100 Amps or less 101-400 Amps 401 Amps and greater U.L. Minimum Current Amps 5,000 10,000 20 times rating but not less than 10,000 Amps U.L. Test Current Power Factor 40% to 50% 40% to 50% 40% to 50% for current of 10,000 Amps. OR 25% to 30% for currents of 20,000 Amps or less. OR 20% or less for current greater than 20,000 Amps.
Transfer switch manufacturers generally publish the withstand rating data for their products. When the available short-circuit current exceeds the withstand rating of the transfer switch, current-limitation is required. Properly sized modern current-limiting fuses ahead of the transfer switch limit the available short-circuit current to within the withstand rating of a transfer switch, thereby protecting the transfer switch. The transfer switch manufacturer will mark the equipment with the fuse class and rating required to achieve these higher short-circuit ratings.
23

H. HVAC Equipment
Heating and cooling equipment must meet short-circuit test requirements in U.L. Standard 1995 and CSA-C22.2 No. 236-M90. Short-circuit tests are conducted at various levels, up to a maximum of only 5000 amperes, depending on the rated current and voltage of the equipment. Where available fault currents exceed the values given in Table 55.1 of U.L. 1995 (Table 8 at right) it is necessary to specify a current limiting device to reduce the available current down to within the withstand capabilities of the equipment. Class J and Class RK1 dual-element current-limiting fuses will offer the best component short-circuit protection and current-limiting characteristics for this type of equipment. Table 8. Short-Circuit Test Currents*
Product Ratings, A Single-Phase 110-120V 200-208V 220-240V 9.8 or less 5.4 or less 4.9 or less 9.9-16.0 5.5-8.8 5.0-8.0 16.1-34.0 8.9-18.6 8.1-17.0 34.1-80.0 18.7-44.0 17.1-40.0 Over 80.0 Over 44.0 Over 40.0 3-Phase 200-208V 220-240V 440-480V 2.12 or less 2.0 or less 2.13-3.7 2.1-3.5 1.8 or less 3.8-9.5 3.6-9.0 9.6-23.3 9.1-22.0 Over 23.3 Over 22.0 Over 1.8 *Table 55.1 of U.L. Standard 1995. 254-277V 6.65 or less Over 6.65 550-600V 1.4 or less Over 1.4 Circuit Capacity, A 200 1000 2000 3500 5000 Circuit Capacity, A 200 1000 2000 3500 5000
24
Buss Fuse Current- Limiting Let-Thru Charts

Low-Peak Yellow T M KRP-C_SP Fuses

Data Section Index Page 1. LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class L Time-Delay Fuses KRP-C_SP 25 2. LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class J Dual-Element, Time-Delay Fuses LPJ_SP 26 3. LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class RK1 Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses LPN-RK_SP, LPS-RK_SP 27 4. FUSETRON Class RK5 Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses FRN-R, FRS-R 28 5. TRON Class T Fast-Acting Fuses JJN, JJS 29 6. LIMITRON Class RK1 Fast-Acting Fuses KTN-R, KTS-R 30 7. LIMITRON Class J Fast-Acting Fuses JKS 31
LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class L Time-Delay Fuses KRP-C_SP

400,000 300,000
200,000
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000
6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,600 1,200 800 601 AMPERE RATING
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 80,000 100,000
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000
A
2,000
PROSPECTIVE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENTSYMMETRICAL RMS AMPS
KRP-C_SP Fuse RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

Prosp. Short C.C. 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 Fuse Size 601 IRMS Ip 5 7 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 17 18 21 23 12 17 20 23 24 26 28 29 32 34 36 37 39 40 48 52 800 IRMS 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 28 Ip 12 22 25 28 30 33 35 36 39 41 44 46 49 50 58 64 1200 IRMS 5 10 14 15 17 18 18 19 22 24 25 27 28 29 34 37 Ip 12 23 32 35 38 41 42 43 50 55 58 61 64 66 78 86 1600 IRMS 5 10 15 20 22 24 25 26 28 30 31 32 34 35 39 43 Ip 12 23 35 46 51 55 58 60 64 69 71 74 78 80 90 100 2000 IRMS 5 10 15 20 25 26 28 29 31 33 35 37 38 39 46 50 Ip 12 23 35 46 57 60 64 66 72 76 80 84 88 90 105 115 2500 IRMS 5 10 15 20 25 29 30 32 35 38 41 43 46 48 57 65 Ip 12 23 35 46 57 66 70 74 81 88 94 100 105 110 130 150 3000 IRMS 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 38 43 46 48 52 54 57 70 78 Ip 12 23 35 46 57 69 81 88 98 105 110 120 125 130 160 180 4000 IRMS 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 48 52 56 59 63 65 83 96 Ip 12 23 35 46 57 69 81 92 110 120 128 135 145 150 190 220 5000 IRMS 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 60 65 70 74 78 96 109 Ip 12 23 35 46 57 69 81 92 115 138 150 160 170 180 220 250 6000 IRMS Ip 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 60 70 80 85 89 113 130 12 23 35 46 57 69 81 92 115 138 161 184 195 205 260 300
Note: For Ip and IRMS values at 300,000 amperes, consult Factory.
200,000
1,000
25

Low-Peak Yellow T M LPJ_SP Fuses

LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class J, Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses LPJ_SP
100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 800 600 400 300 200 100
100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 800 600 400 300
10 7 6 3 1 AMPERE RATING
600 400 200 100 60 50 40 30 20 15 AMPERE RATING

600 800 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000
200 100
60,000 80,000 100,000
200,000
LPJ_SP RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

Prosp. Short C.C. 1,000 3,000 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 Fuse Size 15 IRMS Ip 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 30 IRMS 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 Ip 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 60 IRMS 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 Ip 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 9 10 100 IRMS 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 Ip 2 4 4 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 11 12 12 14 16 200 IRMS 1 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 8 9 10 Ip 2 5 6 8 9 10 12 12 12 13 14 15 17 18 21 23 400 IRMS 1 3 4 6 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 11 12 14 16 Ip 2 7 10 13 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26 28 33 36 600 IRMS 1 3 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 19 21 Ip 2 7 12 18 21 23 26 27 29 31 32 35 37 40 44 47
26
200,000
100
200
600 800 1,000
2,000
3,000 4,000
6,000 8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000 40,000
100
200
300 400
300 400

Low-Peak YellowT M LPN-RK_SP, LPS-RK_SP Fuses

LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class RK1 Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses LPN-RK_SP
400,000 300,000
LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class RK1 Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses LPS-RK_SP

400,000 300,000
B INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT IN AMPS
200,000
200,000
AMPERE RATING
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000
600 400 200 100 60 30
600 400 200 100 60
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000
30
A
2,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000 5,000 6,000
8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000 50,000 60,000
80,000 100,000
80,000 100,000
200,000
PROSPECTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT-CURRENTSYMMETRICAL RMS AMPS
LPN-RK_SP RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

Prosp. Short C.C. 1,000 2,000 3,000 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 Fuse Size 30 IRMS Ip 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 2 3 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 6 3 6 60 IRMS 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 Ip 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 11 100 IRMS 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 Ip 2 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 13 14 200 IRMS 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 Ip 2 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 16 16 17 18 19 21 400 IRMS 1 2 3 5 7 7 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 12 12 13 13 16 18 Ip 2 5 7 12 15 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 36 42 600 IRMS 1 2 3 5 9 10 11 12 13 13 13 14 15 16 17 17 17 20 22 Ip 2 5 7 12 21 23 25 27 29 30 31 33 35 36 38 39 40 46 50
LPS-RK_SP RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

Prosp. Short C.C. 1,000 2,000 3,000 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 Fuse Size 30 IRMS Ip 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 6 3 6 3 7 60 IRMS 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 Ip 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 11 12 100 IRMS 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 7 Ip 2 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 14 15 200 IRMS 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 10 Ip 2 4 6 7 9 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 21 23 400 IRMS 1 2 3 5 7 8 8 9 10 10 10 11 12 13 13 13 14 16 17 Ip 2 4 7 12 16 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 28 29 30 31 32 36 40 600 IRMS 1 2 3 5 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 22 23 Ip 2 4 7 12 21 24 26 28 30 31 32 35 37 39 40 42 44 50 54
27
200,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000 5,000 6,000
8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000 50,000 60,000
1,000
1,000
AMPERE RATING
Data Section
Buss Fuse Let-Thru Charts

FUSETRON Class RK5 Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses FRN-R
B
400,000 300,000
FRN-R, FRS-R
FUSETRON Class RK5 Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses FRS-R

B
400,000 300,000
AMPERE RATING
200,000
200,000
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000
600 400 200 100 60
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000
600 400 200 100 60 30
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000
30
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000
A
2,000
A
2,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000 5,000 6,000
8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000 50,000 60,000
80,000 100,000
80,000 100,000
200,000
FRN-R RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

Prosp. Short C.C. 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 Fuse Size 30 IRMS Ip 1 2 1 3 1 3 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 5 2 5 2 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 7 3 8 4 8 60 IRMS 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 Ip 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 18 20 100 IRMS 3 5 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 12 Ip 8 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 24 26 27 200 IRMS 5 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 16 17 Ip 11 15 18 20 21 23 25 25 27 28 30 31 32 33 37 40 400 IRMS 5 9 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 23 24 Ip 12 21 25 28 30 32 34 35 37 40 41 43 44 46 52 56 600 IRMS 5 10 14 16 17 19 20 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 30 32 Ip 12 23 33 37 40 43 45 47 50 54 56 58 60 62 70 74
FRS-R RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

28
200,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000 5,000 6,000
8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000 50,000 60,000
1,000
1,000
AMPERE RATING
Data Section

TRON Class T Fast-Acting Fuses JJN
400,000 300,000
JJN, JJS
TRON Class T Fast-Acting Fuses JJS

B
400,000 300,000
B AMPERE RATING 800 600 400 200 100 60 30 15

600 800 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000
AMPERE RATING
200,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 800 600 400 300 200
200,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 800 600 400 300 200
1200 800 600 400 200 100 60 30 15
A
600 800 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 200,000 100 200 300 400
A
200,000 100 200 300 400
JJN RMS & Peak Let-Thru Current (kA)

Prosp. Short C.C. 500 1,000 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 Prosp. Short C.C. 500 1,000 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 Fuse Size 15 IRMS Ip 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 2 4 Fuse Size 15 IRMS Ip 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 2 4 2 4 2 4 30 IRMS 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 Ip 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 60 IRMS 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 Ip 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 100 IRMS 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 Ip 1 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 10 200 IRMS 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 Ip 1 2 4 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 13 13 14 14 15 400 IRMS 1 1 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 Ip 1 2 7 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 600 IRMS 1 1 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 15 Ip 1 2 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 30 34 800 IRMS 1 1 5 7 9 10 10 11 11 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 19 Ip 1 2 12 17 20 22 23 25 25 26 28 30 32 34 35 36 40 44 1200 IRMS 1 1 5 9 10 11 12 13 13 13 15 16 17 17 18 19 22 23 Ip 1 2 12 20 23 25 27 29 30 31 34 36 38 40 42 44 50 54
JJS RMS & Peak Let Thru Current (kA)

30 IRMS 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 Ip 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 7 60 IRMS 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 Ip 1 1 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 9 100 IRMS 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 Ip 1 2 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 11 13 14 200 IRMS 1 1 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 9 Ip 1 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 20 400 IRMS 1 1 4 6 7 7 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 14 16 Ip 1 2 10 13 15 17 17 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 32 36 600 IRMS 1 1 5 8 10 10 11 12 13 13 14 16 17 17 18 19 22 24 Ip 1 2 12 19 22 24 26 28 30 31 33 36 39 40 42 44 50 56 800 IRMS 1 1 5 9 11 12 13 14 15 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 28 Ip 1 2 12 21 25 27 30 32 34 35 38 41 44 46 48 50 58 64
29
Data Section

LIMITRON Class RK1 Fast-Acting Fuses KTN-R
B
KTN-R, KTS-R
LIMITRON Class RK1 Fast-Acting Fuses KTS-R
400,000 300,000
400,000 300,000
200,000
200,000
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000
AMPERE RATING
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000
600 400 200 100
600 400 200
20,000
100
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000
60 30
60 30
A
2,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000 5,000 6,000
8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000 50,000 60,000
80,000 100,000
200,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000 5,000 6,000
8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000 50,000 60,000
80,000 100,000
KTN-R RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

KTS-R RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

30
200,000
1,000
1,000
AMPERE RATING
Data Section
Buss Fuse Let-Thru Charts JKS

LIMITRON Class J Fast Acting Fuses JKS
400,000 300,000
200,000
100,000 80,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000
600 400 200 100 60 30
10,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000 5,000 6,000
8,000 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000 50,000 60,000
80,000 100,000
JKS RMS & Peak Let-Thru Currents (kA)

200,000
1,000
AMPERE RATING
31
Buss Fuse Selection Chart (600 Volts or Less).

Circuit Load Ampere Fuse Rating Symbol Type Voltage Rating (AC) 250V* 600V* Class Interrupting Rating (KA) 300 Remarks
Conventional DimensionsClass RK1, RK5 (1/10-600A), L (601-6000A) All type loads resistive or inductive (optimum overcurrent protection).
1
/10 to 600A
LOW-PEAK YELLOW (dual-element, time-delay) LOW-PEAK YELLOW (time-delay) FUSETRON (dual-element, time-delay) LIMITRON (time-delay)
LPN-RK_SP LPS-RK_SP
RK1
601 to 6000A
1
KRP-C_SP
600V
300
All-purpose fuses. Unequaled for combined short-circuit and overload protection. (Specification grade product)
Main, Feeder and Branch
Motors, welders, transformers, capacitor banks (circuits with heavy inrush currents). Non-motor loads (circuits with no heavy inrush currents). LIMITRON fuses suited for circuit breaker protection. All type loads (optimum overcurrent protection). Non-motor loads (circuits with no heavy inrush currents). Control transformer circuits and lighting ballasts, etc.
/10 to 600A
FRN-R FRS-R KLU
250V* 600V* 600V
RK5
200
601 to 4000A
200
Moderate degree of current limitation. Time-delay passes surge currents. General purpose fuse. Time-delay passes surge-currents. Same short-circuit protection as LOW-PEAK fuses, but must be sized larger for circuits with surge currents, i.e., up to 300%. A fast-acting, highperformance fuse. All-purpose fuses. Unequaled for combined short-circuit and overload protection. (Specification grade product). Very similar to KTS-R LIMITRON, but smaller. The space saver (1/3 the size of KTN-R/KTS-R). Very compact (13/32" x 11/2"); rejection feature. Excellent for control transformer protection .
1 to 600A 601 to 6000A
KTN-R KTS-R LIMITRON (fast-acting) KTU
250V 600V
RK1
200
600V
200
Reduced Dimensions For Installation in Restricted SpaceClass J(1-600A), T(1-1200A), CC(1/10-30A), G(1/2-60A) LOW-PEAK YELLOW (dual-element, time-delay) LIMITRON (quick-acting) T-TRON LIMITRON (fast-acting) CC-TRON (time-delay) LOW-PEAK YELLOW (time-delay) SC LPJ_SP 600V* J 300
1 to 600A 1 to 1200A
1
JKS JJN JJS KTK-R FNQ-R LP-CC
600V 300V 600V 600V
J T CC
200 200 200
/10 to 30A /4 to 10A
Branch All type loads especially small HP motors General purpose, i.e., lighting panelboards. Miscellaneous.
1
/2 to 30A
/2 to 60A
SC
300V
100
13/32"
Current-limiting; dia. x varying lengths per ampere rating.
/8 to
600A
ONE-TIME SUPER-LAG RENEWABLE FUSTAT (dual-element, time-delay) FUSETRON (dual-element, time-delay) Buss Type W
NON NOS REN RES S
250V 600V 250V 600V 125V
H or K5 H S
10 10 10
Forerunners of the modern cartridge fuse. Base threads of Type S differ with ampere ratings. T and W have Edison-base. T & S fuses recommended for motor circuits. W not recommended for circuits with motor loads.
General Purpose (noncurrentlimiting fuses)
Plug fuses can be used for branch circuits and small component protection.
/4 to 30A
125V
**
10
125V
**
10
* LPN-RK_SP, 125VDC; LPS-RK_SP, 300VDC. FRN-R, 125VDC; FRS-R, 300VDC; LPJ_SP, 300VDC. ** Listed as Edison-Base Plug Fuse. Some ampere ratings are available as Class K5 with a 50,000A interrupting rating. RK1 and RK5 fuses fit standard switches, fuseblocks and holders; however, the rejection feature of Class R switches and fuseblocks designed specifically for rejection type fuses (RK1 and RK5) prevent the insertion of the non-rejection fuses (K1, K5 and H).
Bussmann
Cooper Industries, Inc. Bussmann Division, P.O. Box 14460, St. Louis, MO 63178-4460 Sales Offices: U.S.A. 314-527-3877 United Kingdom 44-1509-880737 Denmark 45-44850910 Germany 49-6105-76968 Singapore 65-227-5346 Australia 61-2-743-8333 Mexico 525-352-0088 India 91-80-225-1133
Bussmann
Table of Contents
Fuse Technology
Fuseology Fuse Diagnostic Chart Time-Current & Current Limitation Curves Glossary of Terms 199-204 205-207 208-218 219-220
Now you can get current information about Bussmann products at anytime, using BIF (Bussmann Information FAX) or visit us on the World Wide Web. BIF is a simple to use automated fax response system. All you need is a touch-tone telephone and a fax machine to get complete product specifications when you want it. BIF document numbers are located throughout this catalog. To get a detailed data sheet on the product of your choice, simply dial 314-527-1450 and request the document number listed. In a matter of minutes a data sheet will be faxed to you. Its that simple. BIF documents can also be downloaded from the Internet. The Bussmann web site is continuously updated with our newest products and latest data on circuit protection solutions. Visit us often at http://www.bussmann.com
1997 Cooper Industries, Inc., Bussmann Division Printed in U.S.A.
Bussmann Information Fax ~ 314.527.1450

Bussmann Worldwide Web ~
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Fuse Technology
Bussmann
Circuit Protection Electrical distribution systems are often quite complicated. They cannot be absolutely fail-safe. Circuits are subject to destructive overcurrents. Harsh environments, general deterioration, accidental damage, damage from natural causes, excessive expansion, and/or overloading of the electrical distribution system are factors which contribute to the occurrence of such overcurrents. Reliable protective devices prevent or minimize costly damage to transformers, conductors, motors, and the other many components and loads that make up the complete distribution system. Reliable circuit protection is essential to avoid the severe monetary losses which can result from power blackouts and prolonged downtime of facilities. It is the need for reliable protection, safety, and freedom from fire hazards that has made the fuse a widely used protective device. Overcurrents An overcurrent is either an overload current or a short-circuit current. The overload current is an excessive current relative to normal operating current, but one which is confined to the normal conductive paths provided by the conductors and other components and loads of the distribution system. As the name implies, a short-circuit current is one which flows outside the normal conducting paths. Overloads Overloads are most often between one and six times the normal current level. Usually, they are caused by harmless temporary surge currents that occur when motors are started-up or transformers are energized. Such overload currents, or transients, are normal occurrences. Since they are of brief duration, any temperature rise is trivial and has no harmful effect on the circuit components. (It is important that protective devices do not react to them.) Continuous overloads can result from defective motors (such as worn motor bearings), overloaded equipment, or too many loads on one circuit. Such sustained overloads are destructive and must be cut off by protective devices before they damage the distribution system or system loads. However, since they are of relatively low magnitude compared to short-circuit currents, removal of the overload current within minutes will generally prevent equipment damage. A sustained overload current results in overheating of conductors and other components and will cause deterioration of insulation, which may eventually result in severe damage and short-circuits if not interrupted. Short-Circuits Whereas overload currents occur at rather modest levels, the short-circuit or fault current can be many hundred times larger than the normal operating current. A high level fault may be 50,000 amperes (or larger). If not cut off within a matter of a few thousandths of a second, damage and destruction can become
rampantthere can be severe insulation damage, melting of conductors, vaporization of metal, ionization of gases, arcing, and fires. Simultaneously, high level short-circuit currents can develop huge magnetic-field stresses. The magnetic forces between bus bars and other conductors can be many hundreds of pounds per linear foot; even heavy bracing may not be adequate to keep them from being warped or distorted beyond repair. Fuses The fuse is a reliable overcurrent protective device. A fusible link or links encapsulated in a tube and connected to contact terminals comprise the fundamental elements of the basic fuse. Electrical resistance of the link is so low that it simply acts as a conductor. However, when destructive currents occur, the link very quickly melts and opens the circuit to protect conductors and other circuit components and loads. Fuse characteristics are stable. Fuses do not require periodic maintenance or testing. Fuses have three unique performance characteristics: 1. Modern fuses have an extremely high interrupting ratingcan withstand very high fault currents without rupturing. 2. Properly applied, fuses prevent blackouts. Only the fuse nearest a fault opens without upstream fuses (feeders or mains) being affectedfuses thus provide selective coordination. (These terms are precisely defined in subsequent pages.) 3. Fuses provide optimum component protection by keeping fault currents to a low valueThey are said to be current limiting. Voltage Rating The voltage rating of a fuse must be at least equal to or greater than the circuit voltage. It can be higher but never lower. For instance, a 600 volt fuse can be used in a 208 volt circuit. The voltage rating of a fuse is a function of its capability to open a circuit under an overcurrent condition. Specifically, the voltage rating determines the ability of the fuse to suppress the internal arcing that occurs after a fuse link melts and an arc is produced. If a fuse is used with a voltage rating lower than the circuit voltage, arc suppression will be impaired and, under some fault current conditions, the fuse may not clear the overcurrent safely. Special consideration is necessary for semiconductor fuse and medium voltage fuse applications, where a fuse of a certain voltage rating is used on a lower voltage circuit. Ampere Rating Every fuse has a specific ampere rating. In selecting the ampere rating of a fuse, consideration must be given to the type of load and code requirements. The ampere rating of a fuse normally should not exceed the current carrying capacity of the circuit. For
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instance, if a conductor is rated to carry 20 amperes, a 20 ampere fuse is the largest that should be used. However, there are some specific circumstances in which the ampere rating is permitted to be greater than the current carrying capacity of the circuit. A typical example is the motor circuit; dual-element fuses generally are permitted to be sized up to 175% and non-timedelay fuses up to 300% of the motor full-load amperes. As a rule, the ampere rating of a fuse and switch combination should be selected at 125% of the continuous load current (this usually corresponds to the circuit capacity, which is also selected at 125% of the load current). There are exceptions, such as when the fuse-switch combination is approved for continuous operation at 100% of its rating. Interrupting Rating A protective device must be able to withstand the destructive energy of short-circuit currents. If a fault current exceeds the capability of the protective device, the device may actually rupture, causing additional damage. Thus, it is important when applying a fuse or circuit breaker to use one which can sustain the largest potential short-circuit currents. The rating which defines the capacity of a protective device to maintain its integrity when reacting to fault currents is termed its interrupting rating. The interrupting rating of most branch-circuit, molded case, circuit breakers typically used in residential service entrance panels is 10,000 amperes. (Please note that a molded case circuit breakers interrupting capacity will typically be lower than its interrupting rating.) Larger, more expensive circuit breakers may have interrupting ratings of 14,000 amperes or higher. In contrast, most modern, current-limiting fuses have an interrupting rating of 200,000 or 300,000 amperes and are commonly used to protect the lower rated circuit breakers. The National Electrical Code, Section 110-9, requires equipment intended to break current at fault levels to have an interrupting rating sufficient for the current that must be interrupted. Selective Coordination Prevention of Blackouts The coordination of protective devices prevents system power outages or blackouts caused by overcurrent conditions. When only the protective device nearest a faulted circuit opens and larger upstream fuses remain closed, the protective devices are selectively coordinated (they discriminate). The word selective is used to denote total coordinationisolation of a faulted circuit by the opening of only the localized protective device.
LPS-RK 200SP
Unlike electro-mechanical inertial devices (circuit breakers), it is a simple matter to selectively coordinate fuses of modern design. By maintaining a minimum ratio of fuse-ampere ratings between an upstream and downstream fuse, selective coordination is assured. Current Limitation Component Protection
Areas within waveform loops represent destructive energy impressed upon circuit components
Normal load current Circuit breaker trips and opens short-circuit in about 1 cycle
Initiation of short-circuit current
A non-current-limiting protective device, by permitting a shortcircuit current to build up to its full value, can let an immense amount of destructive short-circuit heat energy through before opening the circuit.
Fuse opens and clears short-circuit in less than cycle
A current-limiting fuse has such a high speed of response that it cuts off a short-circuit long before it can build up to its full peak value.
KRP-C 1200SP
LPS-RK 600SP
2:1 (or more) 2:1 (or more) This diagram shows the minimum ratios of ampere ratings of LOW-PEAK YELLOW fuses that are required to provide selective coordination (discrimination) of upstream and downstream fuses.
If a protective device cuts off a short-circuit current in less than one-quarter cycle, before it reaches its total available (and highly destructive) value, the device is a current-limiting device. Most modern fuses are current-limiting. They restrict fault currents to such low values that a high degree of protection is given to circuit components against even very high short-circuit currents. They permit breakers with lower interrupting ratings to be used. They can reduce bracing of bus structures. They minimize the need of other components to have high short-circuit current withstand ratings. If not limited, short-circuit currents can reach levels of 30,000 or 40,000 amperes or higher in the first half cycle (.008 seconds, 60 hz) after the start of a short-circuit. The heat that can be produced in circuit components by the immense energy of short-circuit currents can cause severe insulation damage or even explosion. At the same time, huge magnetic forces developed between conductors can crack insulators and distort and destroy bracing structures. Thus, it is important that a protective device limit fault currents before they reach their full potential level.
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Operating Principles of Bussmann Fuses The principles of operation of the modern, current-limiting Buss fuses are covered in the following paragraphs. Non-Time-Delay Fuses The basic component of a fuse is the link. Depending upon the ampere rating of the fuse, the single-element fuse may have one or more links. They are electrically connected to the end blades (or ferrules) (see Figure 1) and enclosed in a tube or cartridge surrounded by an arc quenching filler material. BUSS LIMITRON and T-TRON fuses are both single-element fuses. Under normal operation, when the fuse is operating at or near its ampere rating, it simply functions as a conductor. However, as illustrated in Figure 2, if an overload current occurs and persists for more than a short interval of time, the temperature of the link eventually reaches a level which causes a restricted segment of the link to melt. As a result, a gap is formed and an electric arc established. However, as the arc causes the link metal to burn back, the gap becomes progressively larger. Electrical resistance of the arc eventually reaches such a high level that the arc cannot be sustained and is extinguished. The fuse will have then completely cut off all current flow in the circuit. Suppression or quenching of the arc is accelerated by the filler material. (See Figure 3.) Single-element fuses of present day design have a very high speed of response to overcurrents. They provide excellent shortcircuit component protection. However, temporary, harmless overloads or surge currents may cause nuisance openings unless these fuses are oversized. They are best used, therefore, in circuits not subject to heavy transient surge currents and the temporary over-load of circuits with inductive loads such as motors, transformers, solenoids, etc. Because single-element, fast-acting fuses such as LIMITRON and T-TRON fuses have a high speed of response to short-circuit currents, they are particularly suited for the protection of circuit breakers with low interrupting ratings. Whereas an overload current normally falls between one and six times normal current, short-circuit currents are quite high. The fuse may be subjected to short-circuit currents of 30,000 or 40,000 amperes or higher. Response of current limiting fuses to such currents is extremely fast. The restricted sections of the fuse link will simultaneously melt (within a matter of two or threethousandths of a second in the event of a high-level fault current). The high total resistance of the multiple arcs, together with the quenching effects of the filler particles, results in rapid arc suppression and clearing of the circuit. (Refer to Figures 4 & 5) Shortcircuit current is cut off in less than a half-cycle, long before the short-circuit current can reach its full value (fuse operating in its current limiting range).
Figure 1. Cutaway view of typical single-element fuse.
Figure 2. Under sustained overload, a section of the link melts and an arc is established.
Figure 3. The open single-element fuse after opening a circuit overload.
Figure 4. When subjected to a short-circuit current, several sections of the fuse link melt almost instantly.
Figure 5. The open single-element fuse after opening a short circuit.
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Dual-Element, Time-Delay Fuses as Manufactured by Bussmann Unlike single-element fuses, the dual-element, time-delay fuse can be applied in circuits subject to temporary motor overloads and surge currents to provide both high performance shortcircuit and overload protection. Oversizing in order to prevent nuisance openings is not necessary. The dual-element, timedelay fuse contains two distinctly separate types of elements (Figure 6). Electrically, the two elements are series connected. The fuse links similar to those used in the non-time-delay fuse perform the short-circuit protection function; the overload element provides protection against low-level overcurrents or overloads and will hold an overload which is five times greater than the ampere rating of the fuse for a minimum time of 10 seconds. As shown in Figure 6, the overload section consists of a copper heat absorber and a spring operated trigger assembly. The heat absorber bar is permanently connected to the heat absorber extension (left end of illustration) and to the short-circuit link on the opposite end of the fuse by the S-shaped connector of the trigger assembly. The connector electrically joins the short-circuit link to the heat absorber in the overload section of the fuse. These elements are joined by a calibrated fusing alloy. As depicted in Figure 7, an overload current causes heating of the short-circuit link connected to the trigger assembly. Transfer of heat from the short-circuit link to the heat absorbing bar in the mid-section of the fuse begins to raise the temperature of the heat absorber. If the overload is sustained, the temperature of the heat absorber eventually reaches a level which permits the trigger spring to fracture the calibrated fusing alloy and pull the connector free of the short-circuit link and the heat absorber. As a result, the short-circuit link is electrically disconnected from the heat absorber, the conducting path through the fuse is opened, and overload current is interrupted (See Figure 8.). A critical aspect of the fusing alloy is that it retains its original characteristic after repeated temporary overloads without degradation. When subjected to a short circuit current, the restricted sections of the short-circuit link will simultaneously melt (within a matter of two or three-thousandths of a second in the event of a high-level fault current). The high total resistance of the multiple arcs, together with the quenching effects of the filler particles, results in rapid arc suppression and clearing of the circuit. (Refer to Figures 9 & 10.) BUSS dual-element fuses, typically LOW-PEAK YELLOW and FUSETRON fuses, utilize the spring-loaded design in the overload element.
Overload Element
Short-Circuit Element
Trigger Assembly Spring
Heat Absorber
Short-Circuit Link Calibrated Fusing Alloy and S Connector
Figure 6. The true dual-element fuse has distinct and separate overload and short-circuit elements.
Figure 7. Under sustained overload conditions, the trigger spring fractures the calibrated fusing alloy and releases the connector.
Figure 8. The open dual-element fuse after opening under an overload condition.
Figure 9. Like the single element fuse, a short-circuit current causes the restricted portions of the short-circuit elements to melt. Arcing to burn back the resulting gaps occurs until the arcs are suppressed by the arc quenching material and the increased arc resistance.
Figure 10. The open dual-element fuse after opening under a shortcircuit condition.
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Fuse Time-Current Curves When a low level overcurrent occurs, a long interval of time will be required for a fuse to open (melt) and clear the fault. On the other hand, if the overcurrent is large, the fuse will open very quickly. The opening time is a function of the magnitude of the level of overcurrent. Overcurrent levels and the corresponding intervals of opening times are logarithmically plotted in graph form as shown to the right. Levels of overcurrent are scaled on the horizontal axis; time intervals on the vertical axis. The curve is thus called a time-current curve. This particular plot reflects the characteristics of a 200 ampere, 250 volt, LOW-PEAK YELLOW dual-element fuse. Note that at the 1,000 ampere overload level, the time interval which is required for the fuse to open is 10 seconds. Yet, at approximately the 2,200 ampere overcurrent level, the opening (melt) time of a fuse is only 0.01 seconds. It is apparent that the time intervals become shorter as the overcurrent levels become larger. This relationship is termed an inverse time-to-current characteristic. Time-current curves are published or are available on most commonly used fuses showing minimum melt, average melt and/or total clear characteristics. Although upstream and downstream fuses are easily coordinated by adhering to simple ampere ratios, these time-current curves permit close or critical analysis of coordination. Better Motor Protection in Elevated Ambients The derating of dual-element fuses based on increased ambient temperatures closely parallels the derating curve of motors in elevated ambient. This unique feature allows for optimum protection of motors, even in high temperatures.
150 140 130 PERCENT OF RATING OR OPENING TIME 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50
400 300 200 100 80 60 40 30 20 10 8 6 TIME IN SECONDS 4 3 2 1 .8 .6 .4 .3 .2 LOW-PEAK YELLOW LPN-RK200 SP (RK1)
Affect on Carrying Capacity Rating
.1 .08 .06 .04 .03 .02 .01
Affect on Opening Time
30
76F 40F 4F (60C) (40C) (20C) 32F (0C) 68F (32C) 104F (40C) 140F (60C) 176F (80C) 212F (100C)
AMBIENT
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Affect of ambient temperature on operating characteristics of FUSETRON and LOW-PEAK YELLOW Dual-Element Fuses.
6,000 8,000 10,000
100
200
300 400
600 800 1,000
2,000
3,000 4,000
40
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Better Protection Against Motor Single Phasing When secondary single-phasing occurs, the current in the remaining phases increases to approximately 200% rated full load current. (Theoretically 173%, but change in efficiency and power factor make it about 200%.) When primary single-phasing occurs, unbalanced voltages occur on the motor circuit causing currents to rise to 115%, and 230% of normal running currents in delta-wye systems. Dual-element fuses sized for motor running overload protection will help to protect motors against the possible damages of single-phasing. Classes of Fuses Safety is the industry mandate. However, proper selection, overall functional performance and reliability of a product are factors which are not within the basic scope of listing agency activities. In order to develop its safety test procedures, listing agencies develop basic performance and physical specifications or standards for a product. In the case of fuses, these standards have culminated in the establishment of distinct classes of low-voltage (600 volts or less) fuses; classes RK1, RK5, G, L, T, J, H and CC being the more important. The fact that a particular type of fuse has, for instance, a classification of RK1, does not signify that it has the identical function or performance characteristics as other RK1 fuses. In fact, the LIMITRON non-time-delay fuse and the LOW-PEAK YELLOW dual-element, time-delay fuse are both classified as RK1. Substantial differences in these two RK1 fuses usually requires considerable difference in sizing. Dimensional specifications of each class of fuse does serve as a uniform standard. Class R Fuses Class R (R for rejection) fuses are high performance, to 600 ampere units, 250 volt and 600 volt, having a high degree of current limitation and a short-circuit interrupting rating of up to 300,000 amperes (rms symmetrical). BUSS Class R's include Classes RK1 LOW-PEAK YELLOW and LIMITRON fuses, and RK5 FUSETRON fuses. They have replaced BUSS K1 LOWPEAK and LIMITRON fuses and K5 FUSETRON fuses. These fuses are identical, with the exception of a modification in the mounting configuration called a rejection feature. This feature permits Class R fuses to be mounted in rejection type fuseclips. R type fuseclips prevent older type Class H, ONE-TIME and RENEWABLE fuses from being installed. The use of Class R fuseholders is thus an important safeguard. The application of Class R fuses in such equipment as disconnect switches permits the equipment to have a high interrupting rating. NEC Articles 110-9 and 230-65 require that protective devices have adequate capacity to interrupt short-circuit currents. Article 240-60(b) requires fuseholders for current-limiting fuses to reject non-current-limiting type fuses. In the above illustration, a grooved ring in one ferrule provides the rejection feature of the Class R fuse in contrast to the lower interrupting rating, non-rejection type. Branch-Circuit Listed Fuses Branch-circuit listed fuses are designed to prevent the installation of fuses that cannot provide a comparable level of protection to equipment. The characteristics of Branch-circuit fuses are: 1. They must have a minimum interrupting rating of 10,000 amps. 2. They must have a minimum voltage rating of 125 volts. 3. They must be size rejecting such that a fuse of a lower voltage rating cannot be installed in the circuit. 4. They must be size rejecting such that a fuse with a current rating higher than the fuseholder rating cannot be installed.
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Steven Engineering, Inc. 230 Ryan Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080-6370 Main Office: (650) 588-9200 Outside Local Area: (800) 258-9200 www.stevenengine
Previous
Primary Protection Only Supervised Installations Primary and Secondary Protection Over 600V Nominal
Primary at code max. of 250% or next standard size if 250% does not correspond to a standard rating. Transformer Impedance Less Than or Equal to 6%. Transformer Impedance Greater Than 6% But Less Than 10%. Primary at code max. of 300%
Fuse Diagnostic Chart
(Note: Components on the secondary still need overcurrent protection.) Secondary at code max. of 250%. Secondary at code max. of 250%. Secondary at code max. of 225%. Secondary at code max. of 250%. Secondary at code max. of 250% or next standard size if 250% does not correspond to a standard rating. Secondary at code max. of 125% or next standard size if 125% does not correspond to a standard rating. Secondary at code max. of 225% or next standard size if 225% does not correspond to a standard rating. Secondary at code max. of 125% or next standard size if 125% does not correspond to a standard rating. Fuse 250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R 600V LPS-RK_SP, LPJ_SP, KRP-C_SP, FNQ-R, FRS-R 2475V JCD 2750V JCX 2750/5500V JCW 5500V JCE, JCQ, JCY, JCU, 5.5 ABWNA, 5.5 AMWNA, 5.5 FFN 7200V 7.2 ABWNA, 7.2 SDLSJ, 7.2 SFLSJ 8300V JCZ, JDZ, 8.25 FFN 15500V JCN, JDN, JDM, 15.5 CAVH 17500V 17.5 CAV, 17.5 SDM 24000V 24 SDM, 24 SFM, 24 FFM 36000V 36 CAV, 36 SDQ, 36 SFQ 38000V 38 CAV
Secondary Over 600V Secondary 600V or Below Secondary Over 600V Secondary 600V or Below
Primary at code max. of 300%
Secondary Over 600V Un-Supervised Installations Transformer Impedance Less Than or Equal to 6%. Primary at code max. of 300% or next standard size if 300% does not correspond to a standard rating.
Secondary 600V or Below
Secondary Over 600V Transformer Impedance Greater Than 6% But Less Than 10%. Primary at code max. of 300% or next standard size if 300% does not correspond to a standard rating.
Transformers (N.E.C. 450-3)
Secondary 600V or Below
OPTIMUM PROTECTION Rated primary current less than 2 amps. Rated primary current greater than or equal to 2 amps but less than 9 amps. Rated primary current greater than or equal to 9 amps. 600V Nominal or Less Without Thermal Overload Protection Primary and Secondary Protection With Thermal Overload Protection Transformer Impedance of 6% or Less Rated secondary current less than 9 amps. Rated secondary current 9 amps or greater. Rated secondary current less than 9 amps. Rated secondary current 9 amps or greater. Rated secondary current less than 9 amps. Rated secondary current 9 amps or greater. A B C D E F Primary and secondary fuses at 125% of primary and secondary F.L.A. or next size larger.
(LPN-RK_SP, LPS-RK_SP, FRN-R, FRS-R)
N.E.C. MAXIMUMS (All Fuse Types Shown) Max. 300% or next size smaller. (See N.E.C. 430-72(c) for control circuit transformer maximum of 500%. Max. 167% or next size smaller. Max. of 125% or next larger*. A B C D E F Maximum Fuse Size % of Primary % of Secondary F.L.A. (Or next F.L.A. size smaller.) A B C D E F 250% 250% 600% 600% 400% 400% 167% or next size smaller. 125% or next size larger.* 167% or next size smaller. 125% or next size larger.* 167% or next size smaller. 125% or next size larger.* Fuse 250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R 600V KRP-C_SP, LPJ_SP, LPS-RK_SP, FNQ-R, FRS-R
Primary Protection Only
(Note: Components on the secondary still need overcurrent protection.)
125% or next size larger 125% or next size larger 125% or next size larger
Bussmann
Transformer Impedance of More Than 6% But Less Than 10%

Based on 1996 N.E.C.
*When 125% of F.L.A. corresponds to a standard rating, the next larger size is not permitted.
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Motor Loads (N.E.C. 430) Mains Feeders Branches Solenoids (Coils)
Above 600V FUSE SIZED FOR: Protected by Time-Delay Fuses Backup Overload w/ Motor Starter & Short-Circuit Protection Short-Circuit Only Protected by NonTime-Delay Fuses & all Class CC Fuses Short-Circuit Only
Compare the min. melting time-current characteristics of the fuses with the time-current characteristics of the overload relay curve. The size fuse which is selected should be such that short-circuit protection is provided by the fuse and overload protection is provided by the controller overload relays.
Fuse 2400V JCK, JCK-A, JCH 4800V JCL, JCL-A, JCG 7200V JCR, 7.2 WKMSJ
125% of motor F.L.A. or next size larger. 175%* of motor F.L.A. or next size larger. If this will not allow motor to start, due to higher than normal inrush currents or longer than normal acceleration times (5 sec. or greater), fuse may be sized up to 225% or next size smaller. Max. of 300%* of motor F.L.A. or next size larger. If this will not allow motor to start due to higher than normal inrush currents or longer than normal acceleration times (5 sec. or greater), fuses through 600 amps may be sized up to 400% or next size smaller. *150% for wound rotor and all DC motors.
0-250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R 251-600V LPS-RK_SP, FRS-R 0-250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R 251-600V LPS-RK_SP, FRS-R 0-600V LPJ_SP 0-250V KTN-R, NON 0-300V JJN 251-600V KTS-R, NOS 301-600V JJS 0-600V LP-CC, LPT, JKS, KTK-R
600V & Less
No Motor Load Feeder Circuits (600 Amps & Less) Combination Motor Loads and other Loads Motor Loads
100% of non-continuous load plus 125% of continuous load. 150%* of the F.L.A. of largest motor (if there are two or more motors of same size, one is considered to be the largest) plus the sum of all the F.L.A. for all other motors plus 100% of non-continuous, non-motor load plus 125% of continuous, non-motor load. 150%* of the F.L.A. of largest motor (if there are two or more motors of same size, one is considered to be the largest) plus the sum of all the F.L.A. for all other motors. *A max. of 175% (or the next standard size if 175% does not correspond to a standard size) is allowed for all but wound rotor and all D.C. motors.
0-250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R 0-300V JJN 251-600V LPS-RK_SP, FRS-R 301-600V JJS 0-600V JKS, LPJ_SP, KTK-R, LP-CC, LPT 0-250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R 251-600V LPS-RK_SP, FRS-R 0-600V LPJ_ SP, LP-CC
Main, Branch & Feeder Circuits (601-6000 Amps) Short-Circuit Protection Only
150% to 225% of full load current of largest motor plus 100% of full load current of all other motors plus 125% of continuous non-motor load plus 100% of non-continuous non-motor load.
0-600V KRP-C_SP 0-130V FWA 0-250V FWX 0-500V FWH 0-600V FWC, KAC, KBC 0-700V FWP, 170M Series, SPP 0-1000V FWJ, 170M Series, SPJ
Solid State Devices (Diodes, SCR-s, Triacs, Transistors)
F, S, K & 170M Series fuses sized up to several sizes larger than full load RMS or DC rating of device.
Branch Circuit Fuses
0-250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R Size at 125% or next size smaller. 251-600V LPS-RK_SP, FRS-R 0-600V LPJ_SP, LP-CC 0-32V MDL 9-30, FNM 20-30 0-125V MDA 25-30, FNM 12-15
Bussmann
Supplementary Fuses Based on 1996 N.E.C.
0-250V MDL -8, MDA -20, FNM -10, FNW 12-30, MDQ -7 Size at 125% or next size larger. 0-500 FNQ -30
Electric Space Heating
Size at 125% or next size larger but in no case larger than 60 amperes for each subdivided load.
Electric Heat (N.E.C. 424)
Electric Boilers with Resistance Type Immersion Heating Elements in an ASME Rated and Stamped Vessel.
Size at 125% or next size larger but in no case larger than 150 amperes for each subdivided load. Fuse Fluorescent Consult fixture manufacturer for size and type. GLR GMF GRF BAF BAN KTK FNM FNQ FNW BAF BAN KTK FNM FNQ FNW Holder Fuse GLQ GMQ KTK-R FNQ-R LP-CC KTQ BBS Holder
Fuse 0-250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R, NON 0-300V JJN 0-480V SC 251-600V LPS-RK_SP, FRS-R, NOS 301-600V JJS 0-600V LPJ_SP, LP-CC, FNQ-R, JKS, KTK-R Fuse Holder
HLR
HLQ
Indoor All Other (Mercury, Sodium, etc.) Consult fixture manufacturer for size and type.
Ballasts
HPF HPS
HPS-RR HPF-RR HPS-L HPF-L
HPF-EE HPS-EE HPF-JJ SC 20 HPS-JJ HPF-FF SC 25-30 HPS-FF SC -0-15
Outdoor
Mercury, Sodium, etc.
Consult fixture manufacturer for size and type.
HEB HEX HPC-D
KTK-R FNQ-R LP-CC
HEY
On load side of motor running overcurrent device
Protection recommended as shown below, but not required
Capacitors (N.E.C. 460)
Protected by Time-Delay Fuses Protected by Non-Time Delay Fuses
150% to 175% of full load current
Fuse 0-250V LPN-RK_SP, FRN-R 251-600V LPS-RK_SP, FRS-R 0-600V FNQ-R, LPJ_SP, LP-CC 0-250V KTN-R, NON 0-300V JJN 251-600V KTS-R, NOS 0-600V JKS, KTK-R 301-600V JJS
250% to 300% of full load current
Bussmann
Based on 1996 N.E.C.
207
208
TIME IN SECONDS 100 300 10 .1 1 1,000 800A 1200A 1600A 2000A 2500A 3000A 10,000 4000A 5000A 6000A CURRENT IN AMPERES AMPERE RATING 100,000 200,000
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT IN AMPS 100,000 400,000 10,000 1,000 A 1,000 10,000
KRP-C Time-Current Characteristic Curves Average Melt
.01
Time-Current & Current Limitation Curves
KRP-C, Class L Fuses

KRP-C Current Limitation Curves
PROSPECTIVE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT SYMMETRICAL RMS AMPERES

100,000 200,000
Bussmann
6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,600 1,200 800 601 AMPERE RATING
Bussmann
LPN-RK (250V) Class RK1 Fuses

Time-Current Characteristic CurvesAverage Melt Time-Current Characteristic CurvesAverage Melt
Time-Current Characteristic Curves - Average Melt 15A 20A 30A 60A 100A 200A 400A 600A
1/10
300
AMPERE RATING
15/100 2/10 3/10 4/10 1/2 8/10 6/10 1 1-1/4 1-6/10 2 2-1/2 3-2/10 4 5 6-1/4 8 10 12
LPN-RK_SP (250V)
300
AMPERE RATING LPN-RK_SP (250V)
100
10
10 TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
.1
.1
10
100
.1
CURRENT IN AMPERES
.01 20 100 1,000 10,000
RMS SYMMETRICAL CURRENT IN AMPHERES
Current Limitation Curves

400,000 B
LPN-RK_SP (250V) AMPERE RATING

600 400 200 100 60
100,000
10,000
1,000
30 100,000 200,000
.01
1,000
RMS SYMMETRICAL CURRENTS IN AMPERES AB=ASYMMETRICAL AVAILABLE PEAK (2.3 X SYMM RMS AMPS)
10,000
1,000
209
210
TIME IN SECONDS 100 300 10 .1 1 20A 30A 100 100A 200A 400A 1,000 600A CURRENT IN AMPERES LPS-RK (600V) AMPERE RATING 10,000 20,000 60A .01 30
Time-Current Characteristic CurvesAverage Melt
100
300
10
.1
.01
TIME IN SECONDS .1 1
100,000
400,000
10,000
LPS-RK (600V) Class RK1 Fuses
1,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
10,000
LPS-RK (600V)
100,000 B
200,000 60 400 200 100 600 AMPERE RATING
1,000
LPS-RK (600V)
1 10 100
1/10 15/100 2/10 3/10 4/10 1/2 6/10 8/10 1 1-1/4 1-6/10 2 2-1/2 3-2/10 4 5 6-1/4 8 10 12
Bussmann
AMPERE RATING
30
1,000
TIME IN SECONDS 10 100 300 1 .1 15A 30A
20
100 100A 200A
10
100
300
FRN-R (250V) Class RK5 Fuses
.1
.01
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT AMPERES
CURRENT IN AMPERES 400A 1,000 600A FRN-R (250V) AMPERE RATING 10,000 20,000
.01 60A
TIME IN SECONDS 1 .1
10,000
100,000
400,000
1/10
1,000
10,000
PROSPECTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT SYMMETRICAL RMS AMPERES
100,000 B
200,000 60 100 200 600 400 AMPERE RATING
1,000 FRN-R (250V)
CURRENT IN AMPERES 10 100
15/100 2/10 3/10 4/10 1/2 8/10 6/10 1 1-1/4 1-6/10 2 2-1/2 3-2/10 4 5 6-1/4 8 10 12
FRN-R (250V)
AMPERE RATING
Bussmann
30
1,000
211
212
TIME IN SECONDS 100 300 10 .1 1 15A 30A 100 100A 200A 400A 1,000 600A CURRENT IN AMPERES 10,000 FRS-R 600V AMPERE RATING 30,000 60A 20 .01
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET THRU CURRENT AMPERES
TIME IN SECONDS .1 1
100
300
10
FRS-R (600V) Class RK5 Fuses
.1
.01
100,000
400,000
10,000
1,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
10,000
PROSPECTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT SYMMETRICAL RMS AMPERES
FRS-R (600V)
100,000 B
Bussmann
AMPERE RATING
200,000 30 60 100 200 600 400
1,000 AMPERE RATING FRS-R (600V)
10
1/10 15/100 2/10 3/10 4/10 1/2 6/10 8/10 1 1-1/4 1-6/10 2 2-1/2 3-2/10 4 5 6-1/4 8 10 12
100
1,000
Bussmann
KTN-R (250V) Class RK1 Fuses

Time-Current Characteristic CurvesAverage Melt Current Limitation Curves
100A
200A
400A
600A
AMPERE RATING
30A
60A
400,000 INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT IN AMPS
300
100
100,000
10,000
10
TIME IN SECONDS
1,000
10,000
100,000
.1
.01 40 100 1,000 10,000
RMS SYMMETRICAL CURRENT IN AMPERES
200,000
1,000
213
AMPERE RATING 600 400 200 100 60 30
KTN-R (250V)
KTN-R (250V)
Bussmann
KTS-R (600V) Class RK1 Fuses

Time-Current Characteristic CurvesAverage Melt Current Limitation Curves
100A
200A
400A
600A
AMPERE RATING
30A
60A
400,000
300
KTS-R (600V)
100
100,000
10,000
10
TIME IN SECONDS
1,000
10,000
100,000
.1
.01 40 100 1,000 10,000
214
200,000
1,000
AMPERE RATING 600 400 200 100 60 30
KTS-R (600V)
TIME IN SECONDS 100 300 10 .1 1 1A 3A
10
Time-Current Characteristic Curves Average Melt
100
LPJ (600V), Class J Fuses
RMS SYMMETRICAL CURRENT IN AMPERES 5A 10A 15A 20A 30A 40A 50A 60A 100A 125A 200A 225A 400A 600A AMPERE RATING 1,000
10,000
.01
100,000 10,000 1,000 100 100 1,000 10,000
LPJ
LPJ
B
PROSPECTIVE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT SYMMETRICAL RMS AMPS
100,000 200,000
Bussmann
600A 400A 200A 100A 60A 50A 40A 30A 20A 15A AMPERE RATING
215
Bussmann
JJN & JJS, Class T Fuses

100A 200A 400A 600A 15A 30A 60A AMPERE RATING

100A 200A 400A 500A 800A 1,000
AMPERE RATING
10A
15A 30A
300
300
JJN (300V)
60A
1A
3A
5A
100
JJS (600V)
100
10 TIME IN SECONDS
10
TIME IN SECONDS
.1
1
10
100
CURRENT IN AMPERES
.1
20
100

INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THRU CURRENT IN AMPS 400,000 B AMPERE RATING
10,000
1,000
.01

JJN (300V)
100,000
JJS (600V)
100,000
1200 800 600 400 200 100 60 30 15
1200 800 600 400 10,000 200 100 60 30
10,000
1,000
1,000
100
1,000
10,000
100,000
100,000
200,000
RMS SYMMETRICAL CURRENTS IN AMPERES A-B = ASYMMETRICAL AVAILABLE PEAK (2.3 x SYMM RMS AMPS)
216
200,000
100
1,000
10,000
A 200
A 200
AMPERE RATING
400,000
10,000
.01
TIME IN SECONDS
100 200
.4 1
1/2 6/10 8/10 1 1-1/4
LP-CC & FNQ-R Class CC Fuses
CURRENT IN AMPERES
10
100
LP-CC
1000
10
RMS SYMMETRICAL CURRENT IN AMPERES 1 100 200
.01 10 .1
TIME IN SECONDS 10 .1 1
1 3 3-1/2 4 4-1/2 6 8 10 12 15 20 25 30 AMPERE RATING
100
.4 1/2 1
.01
3 5 7-1/2
FNQ-R
Bussmann
AMPERE RATING
217
TIME IN SECONDS 100 300 10 .1 1
.01
218
1 1A 2A 3A 5A 10 8A 10A 15A 20A 30A
KTK-R, Class CC Fuses
RMS SYMMETRICAL CURRENT IN AMPERES 100
KTK-R
AMPERE RATING
400
Bussmann
Glossary of Terms
Bussmann
Ampere The measurement of intensity of rate of flow of electrons in an electric circuit. An ampere is the amount of current that will flow through a resistance of one ohm under a pressure of one volt. Ampere Rating The current-carrying capacity of a fuse. When a fuse is subjected to a current above its ampere rating, it will open the circuit after a predetermined period of time. Ampere Squared Seconds, l2t The measure of heat energy developed within a circuit during the fuses clearing. It can be expressed as melting l2t, arcing l2t or the sum of them as Clearing l2t. l stands for effective let-through current (RMS), which is squared, and t stands for time of opening, in seconds. Arcing Time The amount of time from the instant the fuse link has melted until the overcurrent is interrupted, or cleared. Breaking Capacity (See Interrupting Rating) Cartridge Fuse A fuse consisting of a current responsive element inside a fuse tube with terminals on both ends. Class CC Fuses 600V, 200,000 ampere interrupting rating, branch circuit fuses with overall dimensions of 1. Their design incorporates a rejection feature that allows them to be inserted into rejection fuse holders and fuse blocks that reject all lower voltage, lower interrupting rating 1 fuses. They are available from amp through 30 amps. Class G Fuses 480V, 100,000 ampere interrupting rating branch circuit fuses that are size rejecting to eliminate overfusing. The fuse diameter is while the length varies from 1 to 2. These are available in ratings from 1 amp through 60 amps. Class H Fuses 250V and 600V, 10,000 ampere interrupting rating branch circuit fuses that may be renewable or non-renewable. These are available in ampere ratings of 1 amp through 600 amps. Class J Fuses These fuses are rated to interrupt a minimum of 200,000 amperes AC. They are labelled as Current-Limiting, are rated for 600 volts AC, and are not interchangeable with other classes.
Class K Fuses These are fuses listed as K-1, K-5, or K-9 fuses. Each subclass has designated I2t and lp maximums. These are dimensionally the same as Class H fuses, and they can have interrupting ratings of 50,000, 100,000, or 200,000 amps. These fuses are current-limiting. However, they are not marked current-limiting on their label since they do not have a rejection feature. Class L Fuses These fuses are rated for 601 through 6000 amperes, and are rated to interrupt a minimum of 200,000 amperes AC. They are labelled Current-Limiting and are rated for 600 volts AC. They are intended to be bolted into their mountings and are not normally used in clips. Some Class L fuses have designed in time-delay features for all purpose use. Class R Fuses These are high performance fuses rated 600 amps in 250 volt and 600 volt ratings. All are marked Current Limiting on their label and all have a minimum of 200,000 amp interrupting rating. They have identical outline dimensions with the Class H fuses but have a rejection feature which prevents the user from mounting a fuse of lesser capabilities (lower interrupting capacity) when used with special Class R Clips. Class R fuses will fit into either rejection or non-rejection clips. Class T Fuses An industry class of fuses in 300 volt and 600 volt ratings from 1 amp through 1200 amps. They are physically very small and can be applied where space is at a premium. They are fast acting and time-lag fuses, with an interrupting rating of 200,000 amps RMS. Classes of Fuses The industry has developed basic physical specifications and electrical performance requirements for fuses with voltage ratings of 600 volts or less. These are known as standards. If a type of fuse meets the requirements of a standard, it can fall into that class. Typical classes are K, RK1, RK5, G, L, H, T, CC, and J. Clearing Time The total time between the beginning of the overcurrent and the final opening of the circuit at rated voltage by an overcurrent protective device. Clearing time is the total of the melting time and the arcing time. Current Limitation A fuse operation relating to short circuits only. When a fuse operates in its current-limiting range, it will clear a short circuit in less than cycle. Also, it will limit the instantaneous peak let-through current to a value substantially less than that obtainable in the same circuit if that fuse were replaced with a solid conductor of equal impedance.
Dual Element Fuse Fuse with a special design that utilizes two individual elements in series inside the fuse tube. One element, the spring actuated trigger assembly, operates on overloads up to 5-6 times the fuse current rating. The other element, the short circuit section, operates on short circuits up to their interrupting rating. Electrical Load That part of the electrical system which actually uses the energy or does the work required. Fast Acting Fuse A fuse which opens on overload and short circuits very quickly. This type of fuse is not designed to withstand temporary overload currents associated with some electrical loads. Fuse An overcurrent protective device with a fusible link that operates and opens the circuit on an overcurrent condition. High Speed Fuses Fuses with no intentional time-delay in the overload range and designed to open as quickly as possible in the short-circuit range. These fuses are often used to protect solidstate devices. Inductive Load An electrical load which pulls a large amount of currentan inrush currentwhen first energized. After a few cycles or seconds the current settles down to the full-load running current. Interrupting Capacity See Interrupting Rating Interrupting Rating (Breaking Capacity) The rating which defines a fuses ability to safely interrupt and clear short circuits. This rating is much greater than the ampere rating of a fuse. The NEC defines Interrupting Rating as The highest current at rated voltage that an overcurrent protective device is intended to interrupt under standard test conditions. Melting Time The amount of time required to melt the fuse link during a specified overcurrent. (See Arcing Time and Clearing Time.) NEC Dimensions These are dimensions once referenced in the National Electrical Code. They are common to Class H and K fuses and provide interchangeability between manufacturers for fuses and fusible equipment of given ampere and voltage ratings. Ohm The unit of measure for electric resistance. An ohm is the amount of resistance that will allow one ampere to flow under a pressure of one volt.
219
Glossary of Terms
Bussmann
Ohms Law The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance, expressed by the equation E = IR, where E is the voltage in volts, I is the current in amperes, and R is the resistance in ohms. One Time Fuses Generic term used to describe a Class H nonrenewable cartridge fuse, with a single element. Overcurrent A condition which exists on an electrical circuit when the normal load current is exceeded. Overcurrents take on two separate characteristicsoverloads and short circuits. Overload Can be classified as an overcurrent which exceeds the normal full load current of a circuit. Also characteristic of this type of overcurrent is that it does not leave the normal current carrying path of the circuitthat is, it flows from the source, through the conductors, through the load, back through the conductors, to the source again. Peak Let-Through Current, lp The instantaneous value of peak current letthrough by a current-limiting fuse, when it operates in its current-limiting range. Renewable Fuse (600V & below) A fuse in which the element, typically a zinc link, may be replaced after the fuse has opened, and then reused. Renewable fuses are made to Class H standards. Resistive Load An electrical load which is characteristic of not having any significant inrush current. When a resistive load is energized, the current rises instantly to its steady-state value, without first rising to a higher value.
R.M.S. Current The R.M.S. (root-mean-square) value of any periodic current is equal to the value of the direct current which, flowing through a resistance, produces the same heating effect in the resistance as the periodic current does. Semiconductor Fuses Fuses used to protect solid-state devices. See High Speed Fuses. Short Circuit Can be classified as an overcurrent which exceeds the normal full load current of a circuit by a factor many times (tens, hundreds or thousands greater). Also characteristic of this type of overcurrent is that it leaves the normal current carrying path of the circuitit takes a short cut around the load and back to the source. Short-Circuit Rating The maximum short-circuit current an electrical component can sustain without the occurrence of excessive damage when protected with an overcurrent protective device. Short-Circuit Withstand Rating Same definition as short-circuit rating. Single Phasing That condition which occurs when one phase of a three phase system opens, either in a low voltage (secondary) or high voltage (primary) distribution system. Primary or secondary single phasing can be caused by any number of events. This condition results in unbalanced currents in polyphase motors and unless protective measures are taken, causes overheating and failure.
Threshold Current The symmetrical RMS available current at the threshold of the current-limiting range, where the fuse becomes current-limiting when tested to the industry standard. This value can be read off of a peak let-through chart where the fuse curve intersects the A-B line. A threshold ratio is the relationship of the threshold current to the fuses continuous current rating. Time-Delay Fuse A fuse with a built-in delay that allows temporary and harmless inrush currents to pass without opening, but is so designed to open on sustained overloads and short circuits. Voltage Rating The maximum open circuit voltage in which a fuse can be used, yet safely interrupt an overcurrent. Exceeding the voltage rating of a fuse impairs its ability to clear an overload or short circuit safely. Withstand Rating The maximum current that an unprotected electrical component can sustain for a specified period of time without the occurrence of extensive damage.
220

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Courtesy of Steven Engineering, Inc.

Engineering Dependable Protection For An Electrical Distribution System

Part 1 A Simple Approach To Short Circuit Calculations

Bulletin EDP-1 (2004-1)

Electrical Distribution System

Basic Considerations of Short-Circuit Calculations

Electrical Distribution System

Basic Considerations of Short-Circuit Calculations

3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations

Procedures and Methods

System B 3 Double Transformer System

25 - 500kcmil 6 Per Phase Service Entrance Conductors in Steel Conduit

30 - 500 kcmil 4 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit

KRP-C-2000SP Fuse Main Swbd. Fault X1

Fault X2 MCC No. 1

225 KVA 208/120 Volts 3 .998%X, .666%R Fault X2

Motor 2 In this example, assume 0% motor load.

Note: The above 1500KVA transformer serves 100% motor load.

3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations Procedures and Methods

I sym motor contrib

= (4) x (Ifull load motor)

(10)(%X**)(KVsecondary)2 KVA trans

= (5) x (Ifull load motor)

3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations Procedures and Methods

Ohmic Method To Fault X1 System A

R X= 1000(.48)2 = 0.0000023 100,000,000

25' 0.0379 x = 0.000158 1000 6 25' 0.0244 x = 0.000102 1000 6

2000A Switch KRP-C-2000SP Fuse

Fault X1 Motor Contribution

M Ztotal per = (0.000962)2 + (0.00551) 2 = 0.0056

IS.C. sym RMS =

Isym motor contrib = 4 x 1804 = 7216A

Itotal S.C. sym RMS = 49,489 + 7216 = 56,705A

Itotal S.C. asym RMS = 64,039 + 9,020 = 73,059A

Note: See Ohmic Method Procedure for Formulas.

3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations Procedures and Methods

Ohmic Method To Fault X2 System A

R X = 0.00551 R = 0.000962 0.000962

Fault X1 400A Switch LPS-RK-400SP Fuse

50 x .0379 = 0.00189 1000 50 x .0244 = 0.00122 1000

Fault X2 Motor Contribution

Ztotal per = (0.002182)2 + (0.00748)2 = 0.00778

IS.C. sym RMS =

480 = 35,621A 3 (.00778)

Isym motor contrib = 4 x 1804 = 7216A

Itotal S.C. sym RMS = 35,621 + 7,216 = 42,837A

.00748 = 3.43 .002182

Itotal S.C. asym RMS = 40,929 + 9,020 = 49,949A

3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations Procedures and Methods

Ohmic Method To Fault X1 System B

1000 (.48)2 = .000461 500,000

30' - 500 kcmil 4 Per Phase Copper in PVC Conduit

30' .0303 = x .000227 1000 4 30' .0220 x = .000165 1000 4

1600A Switch KRP-C-1500SP Fuse

Ztotal per = (.001545)2 + (.008688)2 = .008824

IS.C. sym RMS =

480 = 31,405A 3 (.008824)

.008688 = 5.62 .001545

3 Short-Circuit Current Calculations Procedures and Methods

Ohmic Method To Fault X2 System B

Adjusted Impedance to fault X1

400A Switch LPS-RK-350SP Fuse

(208)2 x (.002357) = .000442 (480)2

225KVA Transformer, 208/120V, .998%X, .666%R