material in their sessions • Download the presentation file • Print the Notes pages and read them as you view the presentation in the “Slide Show” view. In this way you see the slides in large format and have animation (when available)
Current Limitation – NEC 240.2 • NEC 240.2 offers the following definition of a current-limiting overcurrent protective device: • “A device that, when interrupting currents in its current- limiting range, reduces 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.”
clears a fault current in less than one-half cycle. • Thermal energy is proportionate to the square of “RMS” current • Mechanical stresses are proportionate to the square of “peak” current. • The degree of current-limitation depends upon the type of current- limiting overcurrent protective device selected (circuit breaker or fuse).
Current Limiting Devices • Circuit Breaker • Can be labeled current limiting only if current limiting requirements of UL 489 are met • Requirement states – the circuit breaker must limit the asymmetrical I2t to a value below the equivalent symmetrical I2t and clear within ½ cycle. • Fuse • Current-limiting requirements are based upon the fuse type (Class) and corresponding I2t and Ipeak let-through requirements at various fault levels.
Current-Limiting Circuit Breakers • If the overcurrent protective device is a current-limiting circuit breaker • Per UL 489, the RMS asymmetrical current is required to be reduced to the equivalent RMS symmetrical current or less.
device is a current-limiting fuse • Per UL/CSA/ANCE 248, the fuse is required to limit the I2t let-through to a value equal to or less than the value indicated based upon the fuse type (Class), ampere, voltage rating and fault current level.
Current Limiting Overcurrent Devices (CB vs. Fuses) • C.L.C.B. • 50,000A Fault (15% Power Factor), 100A C.L.C.B. must clear the fault in ½ cycle and let-through 50,000A RMS symmetrical or less • I2t of CL CB per above = 50,0002 * 0.00833 = 20,750,000 A2 seconds or less • Class RK5 Fuse • From previous chart, at 50,000A fault, I2t let-through must equal 500,000 A2 seconds or less • Maximum permitted by standards requirements, based on I2t, the RK5 fuse is required to let through 41.5 times less “energy” than a current-limiting circuit breaker. • Class RK1, J, CC, & T Fuses • Have much less let through limits than RK5 Fuses
Current Limiting Overcurrent Devices • The degree of current-limitation can be determined from the standards or from let-through charts. • Let-through charts are • Plotted from actual test data. • Based upon fault current level. • Available from circuit breaker or fuse manufacturers.
current. • Start at the prospective short-circuit current, 86,000 amperes (point A) and proceed up to the 800 ampere fuse curve. • Follow left to the instantaneous peak let-through current (point D) • Read the peak let-through current - 49,000 amperes. • If a fuse had not been used, the peak current would have been 198,000 amperes (point C).
through current. • Start at the prospective short-circuit current, 86,000 amperes (point A) and proceed up to the 800 ampere fuse curve. • Follow left to the A-B Line. • Proceed down to equivalent RMS let- through current scale (point B). • Read the RMS let-through current as 21,000 amperes. • If a fuse had not been used, the RMS let- through current would be 86,000 amperes.