7 guidelines to select correctly rated circuit breaker

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Selection of rated circuit breaker //

The general procedure for the selection of correctly rated circuit breaker follows the following scheme of seven
major questions you should answer:

1. What is the task of the branch circuit or feeder?

2. Which rated current / setting range?
3. Breaking/making capacities / rated operational voltage?
4. Any special requirements?
5. Which type of co-ordination?
6. What is the mode of mounting?
7. Cross-section of the connecting wire/cable?

1. What is the task of the branch circuit or feeder?

Will it be used for the protection of connecting leads, protection of installation, group-protection or motor protection?

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Select the appropriate circuit breaker type, with or without the thermal overload protection. Decide which type of
protective characteristic (cable or motor protection).

7 Tips To Select Correctly Rated Circuit Breaker (on photo: Low voltage molded case circuit breaker
type COMPACT NSX 100H; credit: Edvard Csanyi)

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2. Which rated current / setting range?

Do the setting ranges of the thermal and the magnetic release cover the requirements of the particular application
(protection of transformer or generator)?

The setting ranges of the various sizes of circuit breakers are overlapping. The same current settings
may be partly covered by more than one size of circuit breakers (as for example 80 A setting can
be covered by two or more CB sizes, 100A or 125A).

The following features depend on the size of the circuit breakers:

Accessories (as for example types and numbers of auxiliary contacts),

Mode of operation (toggle or rotating handle),
Mode of mounting (snap-on or screw mounting) or
The electrical characteristics (breaking capacity, selectivity etc.).

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3. Breaking / making capacities / rated operational voltage?

Where is the point of installation of the circuit breaker?

What is the expected magnitude of the prospective short-circuit current at that location?
Is a lower making/breaking capacity acceptable (appreciable reduction of the short-circuit current due to long
connecting leads or due to other short circuit protective devices connected upstream)?
Is the breaking capacity reduced due to higher rated operational voltage ( as for example >400 V )?
Does it indicate a selection on the basis of Icu (rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity, reduced
functional capability after the interruption of a short-circuit) or on the basis of Ics (rated service short-circuit
breaking capacity, full functional capability after the interruption of the short-circuit)?
With the help of an efficient group-protection, can smaller and less expensive circuit breakers be utilised?

Not sure what are the breaking and making capacity? Learn here

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4. Any special requirements?

Must reduction factors for the rated current be taken into account due to: ambient air temperature ( >4060 ),
altitude of the site of installation (>2000 m above m.s.l), higher supply frequency (>400 Hz)?

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5. Which type of co-ordination?

Selection of the downstream contactor in accordance with the type of co-ordination type 1 or type 2?

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6. What is the mode of mounting?

Deciding factor for the supporting/adapter plates of the modular mounting system (suitability for the selected type of
circuit breaker).

Compact NSX circuit breakers installed on mounting plate (photo credit: Edvard Csanyi)

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7. Cross-section of the connecting wire/cable?

The cross-section of the connecting leads to the motors are to be selected on the basis of the current setting of the
thermal overload release of the circuit breaker. Eventually, the maximum permissible length of the connection is to
be considered (shock hazard due to touch potential in the case of a short-circuit).

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Circuit breaker rating plate //

Standardized characteristics indicated on the rating plate of Compact NSX circuit breaker:

1. Type of device frame size and breaking capacity class

2. Ui rated insulation voltage.
3. Uimp rated impulse withstand voltage.
4. Ics service breaking capacity.
5. Icu ultimate breaking capacity for various values of the rated
operational voltage Ue
6. Ue operational voltage.
7. Colour label indicating the breaking capacity class.
8. Circuit breaker-disconnector symbol.
9. Reference standard.
10. Main standards with which the device complies.

Note //

When the circuit breaker is equipped with an extended rotary

handle, the door must be opened to access the rating plate.

Go back to CB Selection Tips Compact NSX rating plate

Reference // Basics of Circuit Breakers For Electrical Engineers

(additional info for practical usage)- Rockwell

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