Ansi C37 50-2012

ANSI C37.
50-2012

American National Standard
Switchgear

Low Voltage AC Power Circuit
Breakers Used in Enclosures
Test Procedures

Secretariat:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Approved February 2012
Published November 29, 2012

American National Standards Institute, Inc.
C37.50-2012
Page ii

Copyright 2012 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons
engaged in the development and approval of the document at the time it was developed. Consensus
does not necessarily mean that there is unanimous agreement among every person participating in the
development of this document.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and guideline publications, of which the
document contained herein is one, are developed through a voluntary consensus standards development
process. This process brings together volunteers and/or seeks out the views of persons who have an
interest in the topic covered by this publication. While NEMA administers the process and establishes
rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not write the document and it does not
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of any judgments contained in its standards and guideline publications.

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additional views or information not covered by this publication.

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of the statement.
C37.50-2012
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AMERICAN
NATIONAL
STANDARD
Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by
ANSI that the requirements for due process, consensus, and other
criteria for approval have been met by the standards developer.

Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of
Standards Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly
and materially affected interests. Substantial agreement means much
more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity. Consensus
requires that all views and objections be considered, and that a
concerted effort be made toward their resolution.

The use of American National Standards is completely voluntary; their
existence does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether he has
approved the standards or not, from manufacturing, marketing,
purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not conforming
to the standards.

The American National Standards Institute does not develop standards
and will in no circumstances give an interpretation of any American
National Standard. Moreover, no person shall have the right or authority
to issue an interpretation of an American National Standard in the name
of the American National Standards Institute. Requests for
interpretations should be addressed to the secretariat or sponsor whose
name appears on the title page of this standard.

Caution Notice: This American National Standard may be revised or
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Standards Institute require that action be taken periodically to reaffirm,
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Published by

1300 North 17th Street, Rosslyn, VA 22209

Copyright 2012 by National Electrical Manufacturers Association
All rights reserved including translation into other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright
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and Pan American Copyright Conventions.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America.
C37.50-2012
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C37.50-2012
Page v

Table of Contents

Page
1 SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................. 1

2 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. 1

3 GENERAL TEST CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ............................................................... 2

4 DESIGN TEST REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 2
4.1 General ................................................................................................................................ 2
4.2 Specific Test Requirements ................................................................................................. 2
4.3 Test Conditions .................................................................................................................... 3
4.4 Direct-Acting Overcurrent Trip Devices ............................................................................... 6
4.5 AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test .................................................................................. 8
4.6 Continuous-Current Test...................................................................................................... 9
4.7 Overload Switching Test .................................................................................................... 11
4.8 Endurance Tests ................................................................................................................ 12
4.9 Short-Circuit Current Tests ................................................................................................ 13
4.10 Short-Time Current Test .................................................................................................... 20

5 ACCESSORY DEVICES ................................................................................................................ 21
5.1 General .............................................................................................................................. 21
5.2 Alarm and Auxiliary Switches ............................................................................................. 21
5.3 Undervoltage Trip Devices ................................................................................................. 22
5.4 Mechanical Accessory Devices ......................................................................................... 24

6 TREATMENT OF FAILURES WITHIN TEST SEQUENCES ........................................................ 24

7 PRODUCTION TESTS .................................................................................................................. 24
7.1 General .............................................................................................................................. 24
7.2 Calibration .......................................................................................................................... 24
7.3 Control, Secondary Wiring, and Devices Check Test ........................................................ 25
7.4 AC Dielectric Withstand Test ............................................................................................. 25
7.5 No-Load Operation Test .................................................................................................... 25
7.6 Open-Fuse Trip Device ...................................................................................................... 25

8 PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PRODUCT RETEST REQUIREMENTS ............................. 26
8.1 General .............................................................................................................................. 26
8.2 Production Monitoring ........................................................................................................ 26
8.3 Product Retest Requirements ............................................................................................ 26

Tables
1 Test Sequences...5
2 Copper Conductors for Use in Continuous Current Tests..10
3 Fused Circuit Breaker Intermediate Short Circuit Tests..14
4 Short Circuit Tests.15
5 Overload Test Conditions.22
6 Endurance Test Conditions..23
7 Retest Series (Unfused Circuit Breakers)..27
C37.50-2012
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FOREWORD
(This Foreword is not part of American National Standard C37.50-2012.)

This standard was first published in 1973 as a replacement for section 9 (Test Requirements) of American
National Standard for Low-Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers (600-Volt Insulation Class),
ANSI C37.13-1969. In 1975, ANSI C37.50a-1975 American National Standard Test Procedures for
Low-Voltage AC Integrally Fused Power Circuit Breakers, then a supplement, was published as a
replacement for section 8 (Test Requirements) of ANSI C37.28-1969 Standard for Low-Voltage AC
Integrally Fused Power Circuit Breakers and section 8 of ANSI C37.13a-1975. The contents of ANSI
C37.50-1973 and C37.50a-1975 were combined for ANSI C37.50-1981 in accordance with the IEEE Low-
Voltage Switchgear Devices Subcommittee revision and combination of ANSI C37.13-1969 and ANSI
C37.13a-1975 into ANSI/IEEE C37.13-1981. The 1989 revision of the 1981 standard was developed to
clarify miscellaneous areas of interpretation within the document. The present revision includes changes
to coordinate with updated requirements in ANSI/IEEE C37.13 and with the rating structure in ANSI/IEEE
C37.16, as well as accepting the trip system design and production test requirements from ANSI/IEEE
C37.17.

This standard was originally written as a description of design test requirements and the performance
criteria outlined established the basis for certification of low voltage ac-power circuit breakers used in
enclosures for use in nonutility installations subject to regulation by public authorities and similar agencies
concerned with laws, ordinances, regulations, administrative orders, and similar instruments. It was
established as a separate document to facilitate its use by test laboratories and its timely revision based
on experience. This revision supports that original proposition.

Experience has also indicated that there have been misinterpretations regarding the testing requirements
for field design-change modifications. This has resulted in circuit breaker modifications without sufficient
testing to properly recertify the modified products. Any change to a basic design should be coordinated
with the original manufacturer. Otherwise, the original certification responsibility cannot be continued.
Conversions of circuit breakers are discussed in detail in ANSI/IEEE C37.59 Requirements for Conversion
of Power Switchgear Equipment.

This standard was prepared by a working group sponsored by the Power Switchgear Assemblies
Technical Committee of the Switchgear Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA 8SG-V). During the course of its preparation, coordination has been maintained with the
Switchgear Committee of the Power Engineering Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers.

Through this joint effort over many years, the switchgear assemblies standards have been of extreme
value to the industry and further suggestions for improvement gained in the use of this standard will be
welcomed.

Suggestions for improvement of this standard will be welcome. They should be sent to:

1300 North 17th Street
Rosslyn, VA 22209

C37.50-2012
Page vii

This standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by Accredited Standards Committee on
Power Switchgear C37. Committee approval of the standard does not necessarily imply that all committee
members voted for its approval. At the time of its approval, the ASC C37 Committee had the following
members:

T. W. Olsen, Chair
G. MacFadden, Secretary

Organizations Represented: Name of Representative:

Electric Light and Power Group D. E. Galicia
J. L. Koepfinger
D. Lemmerman
A. Morgan
R. Sauls

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers K. Flowers
J. Leach
A. Morgan
C. Reigart
R. Sauls
M. Wactor

National Electrical Manufacturers Association C. Ball
K. Flowers
R. W. Long
S. Meiners
D. Moser
T. W. Olsen
C. Schneider

International Electrical Testing Association A. Peterson

Testing Laboratory Group P. Barnhart

The following members composed the NEMA Power Switchgear Assemblies Technical Committee at the
time of publication of this standard:

C. Schneider, Chair
G. MacFadden, Secretary

C. Ball
J. Baskins
A. Bonner
E. Byron
K. Flowers
L. Grahor
R. W. Long
D. Moser
T. W. Olsen
C. Schneider
R. Yanniello

C37.50-2012
Page viii

The following members of the NEMA Power Switchgear Assemblies Technical Committee worked on this
standard prior to its publication:

K. Flowers, Chair

B. Long
T. W. Olsen
C. Schneider
R. Yanniello

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C37.50-2012
Page 1

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI C37.50-2012

Low Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used in EnclosuresTest Procedures

1 SCOPE

This standard covers the test procedures for enclosed low-voltage ac power circuit breakers as follows:

a) Stationary or drawout circuit breakers of two-or three- or four-pole construction, with one or more
rated maximum voltages of 635 V (600 for units incorporating fuses), 508 V, and 254 V for
application on systems having nominal voltages of 600, 480, and 240 V.
b) Unfused or fused type circuit breakers
c) Manually operated or power-operated circuit breakers with or without electromechanical or solid-
state trip devices.
d) Fused drawouts consisting of current-limiting fuses in a drawout assembly intended to be connected
in series with a low-voltage ac power circuit breaker to form a non-integrally fused circuit breaker.

Note: In this standard the term circuit breaker shall mean enclosed low-voltage ac power circuit breaker,
either fused or unfused. The term unfused circuit breaker shall mean a circuit breaker without either
integrally or non-integrally mounted fuses, and the term fused circuit breaker shall mean a circuit breaker
incorporating either integrally or non-integrally mounted current limiting fuses.

This document applies to both integrally and nonintegrally fused circuit breakers.

2 REFERENCES

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments or corrigenda) applies.

ANSI/IEEE 4 Standard Techniques for High-Voltage Testing

ANSI/IEEE C37.09-1999 Standard Test Procedure for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a
Symmetrical Current Basis

ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008 Standard for Low-Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used in Enclosures

ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009 Standard for Preferred Ratings, Related Requirements, and Application
Recommendations for Low-Voltage AC (635V and below) and DC (3200V and below) Power Circuit
Breakers

ANSI/IEEE C37.17 Standard for Standard for Direct-Acting Trip Systems for Low-Voltage (1000 V and
below) AC and General Purpose Low Voltage (1500 V and below) DC Power Circuit Breakers

ANSI/IEEE C37.26 Guide for Methods of Power-Factor Measurement for Low-Voltage Inductive Test Circuits

ANSI/IEEE C37.90.1 Standard for Surge Withstand Capability (SWC) Tests for Relays and Relay Systems
Associated with Electric Power Apparatus

ANSI/IEEE C37.90.2 Standard for Withstand Capability of Relay Systems to Radiated Electromagnetic
Interference from Transceivers

UL 248-8 Low-Voltage FusesPart 8: Class J Fuses

UL 248-10Low-Voltage FusesPart 10: Class L Fuses
C37.50-2012
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3 GENERAL TEST CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The conditions prevailing at the test site during tests on circuit breakers shall be as stated in Clause 4 of
ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008, except that continuous-current tests and trip-device calibration check tests shall be
conducted at an ambient air temperature between 10 C (50 F) and 40 C (104 F).

4 DESIGN TEST REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General

Design tests are performed on representative circuit breakers to demonstrate the capability of a particular
frame size of a circuit breaker to meet its assigned ratings and to operate under service conditions given in
Clause 4 of ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008.

Although the tests described in this standard cover the performance of complete low-voltage power circuit
breakers, it should be recognized that they may not cover some of the component parts of circuit breakers
such as wire, insulation materials, and those similar. Additional evaluation in accordance with applicable
standards covering these components may be necessary.

When major design changes (such as contact structure) are made, a complete sequence retest shall be
made. Minor design changes that affect only a specific area shall be retested within the applicable sequence
(for example, an electrical operator change needs only an endurance test, or an arc chute change needs
only an interrupting test).

4.2 Specific Test Requirements

4.2.1 Test Requirements for Unfused Circuit Breakers

Each circuit breaker frame size, including functional components as listed in table 1 of
ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008 and accessory devices as given in section 5 of this standard, with which it is
equipped, shall successfully complete all of the following tests, utilizing the applicable sequences as outlined
in Table 1 of this standard:

1) Trip-Device Calibration Check Test (see 4.4.1)
2) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (see 4.5)
3) Continuous-Current Test (see 4.6)
4) Overload Switching Test (see 4.7)
5) Endurance Tests (see 4.8)
6) Short-Circuit Current Tests (see 4.9)
7) Short-Time Current Test (see 4.10)

Note: Where there is close similarity between frame size designs or where duplicate ratings (such as short-
circuit current) exist, certain tests may be combined in order to avoid duplicate testing.

4.2.2 Test Requirements for Fused Circuit Breakers

The circuit breaker element of the fused circuit breaker shall have met the test requirements of 4.2.1 for
unfused circuit breakers. Each fused circuit breaker frame size shall be equipped with direct-acting trip
devices with long-time-delay and instantaneous elements. The trip device may be either electromechanical
or solid-state as required by the circuit breaker design except that when the circuit breaker design will accept
either type, the solid-state type shall be used. When power and manually operated fused circuit breakers
have stored-energy closing mechanisms that differ only in the means of supplying the energy to be stored,
the sequence of tests shall be performed as outlined on the power-operated fused circuit breaker only.

When a manually operated fused circuit breaker is not essentially the same as the power-operated fused
circuit breaker or does not have any power-operated equivalent, all test sequences shall also be performed
on the manually operated fused circuit breaker.

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The fused circuit breaker shall be equipped with the functional components listed in table 1 of
ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008 and shall complete all of the tests in sequence V of Table 1 of this standard.

4.2.3 Test Requirements for Solid State Trip Devices

Each solid state trip device shall have met the test requirements of 4.4.2.

Note: Where there is close similarity between circuit breaker frame size designs or where duplicate ratings
(such as short-circuit current) exist, certain tests may be combined in order to avoid duplicate testing.

4.3 Test Conditions

4.3.1 Test Enclosure

All tests listed in 4.2 with the exception of the trip-device calibration check test, shall be made with a drawout
circuit breaker in its test enclosure.

The test enclosure for circuit breakers of a particular frame size shall be the minimum-dimension single-unit
enclosure with the smallest electrical spacings recommended by the manufacturer and with enclosure
terminals exposed to the ambient air. The manufacturers test enclosure description shall include minimum
clearance to ground, location of ventilation openings and their effective area, total enclosure dimensions, and
configuration of connections for the enclosure terminals. The test sample shall be equipped with the
maximum number of mechanism-operated contacts (MOC) and truck-operated contacts (TOC). The circuit
breaker and fuse drawout combination shall be tested together for simultaneous qualification of both devices
in accordance with ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008 clause 5.6.5.2.

4.3.2 Circuit Breakers Using Only One Type of Trip Device

Circuit breakers that are designed to be equipped only with solid-state, direct-acting trip devices (or only
electromechanical devices), shall be completely tested in accordance with the test sequences given in
Table 1; that is, test sequences I-IV for unfused circuit breakers and the additional test sequence V for fused
circuit breakers.

4.3.3 Circuit Breakers Using More than One Type of Trip Device

Circuit breakers that are designed to be equipped with more than one type of direct-acting trip device either
electromechanical or solid-state shall be tested in accordance with the requirements given in 4.3.3.1, 4.3.3.2,
and 4.3.3.3.

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4.3.3.1 Electromechanical Trip Devices

Each circuit breaker frame size, with the electromechanical trip device installed shall be tested for all
applicable tests in accordance with the test sequences I, II, III, and IV of Table 1.

Note: Contingent upon review of construction differences between circuit breakers using alternate tripping
devices, test 3 of sequence II(c) may be omitted for the alternate configurations based on successful testing
of one of the configurations.

4.3.3.2 Solid-State Trip Devices for use with Unfused Circuit Breakers

Each circuit breaker frame size with the solid-state trip device installed shall be tested in accordance with
test sequence II given in Table 1, except under (c), only short circuit current test 3 need be performed.

When the basic design of the solid-state trip device does not vary substantially between frame sizes, the
required tests just mentioned need be performed only on the 1600- and 3000/3200-ampere frame sizes.

4.3.3.3 Solid-State Trip Devices for use with Fused Circuit Breakers

Each fused circuit breaker frame size shall be equipped with a solid-state trip device and shall be tested in
accordance with sequence V of Table 1.
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Table 1
Test Sequences

Sequence I (Power-Operated Circuit Breaker with Selective (LS) Trip Device):

(a) Trip-Device Calibration Check Test (4.4.1)
(b) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (4.5)
(c) Continuous-Current Test (4.6)
(d) Overload Switching Test (4.7)
(e) Short-Circuit Current Tests (table 4, test 8)
(f) Trip-Device Calibration Check Test (4.4.1)
(g) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (4.5)

Sequence II (Power-Operated Circuit Breaker with Dual (LI) Trip Device):

(c) Short-Circuit Current Tests (Table , test s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6)
(d) Trip-Device Calibration Check Test (4.4.1)
(e) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (4.5)

Sequence III (Power-Operated Circuit Breaker with Dual (LI) Trip Device):

(c) Endurance Tests (4.8)
(d) Short-Circuit Current Tests (Table , test 7)
(e) Trip-Device Calibration Check Test (4.4.1)
(f) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (4.5)

Sequence IV (Manually Operated Circuit Breaker without Direct-Acting Trip
Device, with Shunt Trip):

(a) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (4.5)
(b) Short-Time Current Test (4.10)
(c) Short-Circuit Current Tests (Table , test 8)
(d) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (4.5)

Sequence V (Power-Operated Fused Circuit Breaker with Dual (LI) Trip Device):

(c) Continuous-Current Test (4.6)
(d) Short-Circuit Current Tests (Table , tests 9, 10, 11, and 12)
(e) Trip-Device Calibration Check Test (4.4.1)
(f) AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test (4.5)

Note 1: Power-Operated and Manually Operated Circuit Breakers when power-operated and
manually-operated circuit breakers have stored-energy closing mechanisms that differ only in the means of
supplying the energy to be stored, the sequence of tests shall be performed as outlined on the power-
operated circuit breaker only. When a manually operated circuit breaker is not essentially the same as the
power-operated circuit breaker or does not have any power-operated equivalent, all test sequences shall
also be performed on the manually operated circuit breaker.
Note 2: Number of Samples use one circuit breaker per frame size either new or rebuilt to complete each
test sequence: I, III, and IV.
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Note 3: Sequence II. Use one new or rebuilt circuit breaker per frame size to perform as many short-circuit
duty cycles per set of contacts as the manufacturer chooses. Contacts and arc chutes may be dressed or
cleaned between short-circuit tests (c), provided that test (e) is performed before arc chutes are dressed and
cleaned. The manufacturer may rebuild or provide a new circuit breaker after any short-circuit test provided
that tests (d) and (e) are performed prior to rebuilding or replacing the circuit breaker. All trip-device
calibration check tests and dielectric withstand tests shall be performed on each new or rebuilt circuit
breaker.
Note 4: Sequence III. Use one new or rebuilt circuit breaker per frame size for entire sequence. This
sequence shall be used to qualify a four-pole circuit breaker where the neutral pole is of the same current
path construction as on a previously qualified three-pole circuit breaker.
Note 5: Sequence IV. The direct-acting trip device is to be made inoperative or removed if this is the
construction used when the circuit breaker is supplied without a direct-acting trip device. For test (c), the
shunt trip circuit is to be energized at the same instant ( 3 ms) as fault-current inception. If the total clearing
time is 83 ms or less, short-circuit current test 1 in sequence II (c) may be omitted. In the event that an
independent manually operated circuit breaker is not manufactured in a particular frame size this test
sequence is to be performed on a power-operated circuit breaker.
Note 6: Sequence V. Use one new or rebuilt circuit breaker per frame size to perform as many short-circuit
duty cycles per set of contacts as the manufacturer chooses. Contacts and arc chutes may be dressed or
cleaned between short-circuit tests (d) provided that test (f) is performed before arc chutes are dressed and
cleaned. The manufacturer may rebuild or provide a new circuit breaker after any short-circuit test provided
that tests (e) and (f) are performed prior to rebuilding or replacing the circuit breaker. All trip-device
calibration check tests and dielectric withstand tests shall be performed on each new or rebuilt circuit
breaker.
Note 7: When a rating is to be changed subsequent to completing sequences in Table 1 only those tests
needed to demonstrate the changed rating need to be performed. For example:

Increased 635 V instantaneous short-circuit rating can be demonstrated by performing Sequence II
of Table 1 with short-circuit current tests 1 and 4 of Table at the increased rating.

Increased short-circuit current ratings with selective (LS) trip devices can be demonstrated by
performing sequence I at the increased rating.

Increased short-time or non-automatic short-circuit current ratings (both ratings shall be of equal value) can
be demonstrated by performing sequence IV at the different current and voltage rating.

4.4 Direct-Acting Overcurrent Trip Devices

4.4.1 Trip-Device Calibration Check Test

Calibration check tests shall be made on direct-acting overcurrent trip devices, both before and after
applicable test sequences as given in Table 1 to demonstrate the stability of the trip devices. Tests shall be
conducted on the trip devices using a 50 Hz or 60 Hz current supply of sinusoidal wave shape at any
appropriate voltage. Tests on trip devices may be conducted with the trip device(s) removed from the circuit
breaker.

Solid-state trip devices may be tested as described in 4.4.1.1, 4.4.1.2, and 4.4.1.3, or, alternatively, by
applying directly to the solid-state trip devices current or voltage values equal to the output of the overcurrent
sensing device for the specified value of primary test current. The trip device shall function to open the circuit
breaker within the specified time limits. When the alternate method is employed, the overcurrent sensing
device(s) shall be checked separately to verify that its output is within the manufacturers standards.

The tripping times shall be in accordance with the requirements of ANSI/IEEE C37.17. The appropriate table
depending upon whether the device is of electromechanical or solid-state design, as well as with the
manufacturers time-current characteristic curve for the particular device.

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4.4.1.1 Long-Time-Delay Trip Elements

The long-time-delay trip element of the direct-acting trip device shall be set at the 100% long-time pickup
setting and at the marked minimum time setting (band). The element shall be tested once to determine the
time of operation by applying a test current equal to 150%-300% of the 100% setting for electromechanical
devices, and 200% of the 100% setting for solid-state devices. The test current shall be initiated at the test
value or shall be increased from a lower value to the test value as quickly as possible, but not longer than 5
seconds, and shall be maintained at the test value.

4.4.1.2 Instantaneous Trip Elements

The instantaneous trip element of the direct-acting trip device shall be set at any marked pickup setting and
shall be tested once to determine that the element operates within the allowable tolerance. Compliance with
this requirement may be determined by initiating the test current at approximately 70% of the instantaneous
trip setting and quickly raising the current at a uniform rate and as rapidly as consistent with an accurate
determination of the trip value, or by using a symmetrical current pulse of such magnitude and duration at
both limits of the allowable tolerance that operation of the trip element only within the allowable tolerance can
be determined.

4.4.1.3 Short-Time-Delay Trip Elements

The short-time-delay trip element of the direct-acting trip device shall be set at any marked short-time-delay
pickup setting and at the marked maximum time setting (band) and shall be tested once to determine the
time of operation when a test current equal to 250% of that setting is applied to the trip device. The test
current shall be initiated and maintained at the test value for the time necessary to establish performance
criteria.

In addition, each short-time-delay trip element is to be tested to determine that it will not trip the circuit
breaker when a current less than the pickup setting (minus the allowable tolerance) is applied. This current
should not be maintained for longer than 1 second.

4.4.1.4 Ground Trip Elements

The ground trip element of the direct-acting trip device shall be set at any marked short-time-delay pickup
setting and at the marked maximum time setting (band) and shall be tested once to determine the time of
operation when a test current equal to 250% of that setting is applied to the trip device. The test current shall
be initiated and maintained at the test value for the time necessary to establish performance criteria.

4.4.1.5 Alternate Test Method

If the calibrating test currents specified in 4.4.1.1 and 4.4.1.3 are not readily available, test currents as low as
150% of the pickup setting may be used.

4.4.2 Electromagnetic Compatibility Tests

The design tests specified in 4.4.2.1 and 4.4.2.2 are required to be conducted on solid state trip devices
mounted on each frame size, and within its associated enclosure, as described in 4.3.1.

4.4.2.1 Surge Withstand

Surge withstand capability tests, performed in accordance with ANSI/IEEE C37.90.1.

4.4.2.2 Radiated Electromagnetic Interference

Withstand capability to radiated electromagnetic interference performed in accordance with
ANSI/IEEE C37.90.2.

C37.50-2012
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4.5 AC Dielectric Withstand-Voltage Test

4.5.1 General

Dielectric withstand tests shall be conducted on completely assembled circuit breakers, including secondary
control wiring at voltages and under the conditions given in 4.5.2 and 4.5.3.

All voltages shall be measured in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 4. The potential shall be increased gradually
from zero so as to reach the required test value in 5 to 10 seconds, and shall be held at that value for 1
minute, except 4.5.2(4), which is to be a momentary voltage test to verify the solid-state control devices
integral surge-protection features.

The test voltages shall be essentially sinusoidal and applied with a minimum crest value equal to 1.414 times
the specified values. The frequency of the test voltage shall be within 20% of the rated frequency of the
circuit breaker being tested. If a test transformer of less than 500 VA is used, a suitable voltmeter shall be
provided to measure the applied output potential directly.

4.5.2 Test Voltages

The dielectric withstand test voltage shall be not less than the following:

1) 2200 V for the primary circuit of a new, completely assembled circuit breaker.
2) 1500 V for secondary control wiring and control devices including current sensors and magnetic
latch except (3), (4), and (5).
3) 1000 V for new motors.
4) 500 V momentary for control devices and circuitry operating at 80 V ac rms (110 V dc) or less that
are not connected directly to the primary circuit or external secondary control circuits.
5) Twice rated voltage plus 1000 V for undervoltage trip devices operating at a voltage above 250 V ac.
6) 60% of the values given in (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) after completion of any of the test sequences in
Table 1.

4.5.3 Points of Application of Test Voltage

4.5.3.1 Primary Circuits Circuit Breaker Open

With the circuit breaker in the open position, apply the primary-circuit test potential between:

1) The primary circuit including both upper and lower terminals and metal parts that are normally
grounded.
2) The primary circuit and the secondary control wiring.
3) The upper terminals and lower terminals of the primary circuit.

For convenience, tests (1) and (2) above may be combined by connecting secondary terminals to metal
parts that are normally grounded.

4.5.3.2 Primary Circuits Circuit Breaker Closed

With the circuit breaker in the closed position, apply the primary-circuit test potential between:

1) The primary circuit and metal parts that are normally grounded.
2) The primary circuit and secondary control wiring.
3) Primary terminals of different phases.

For convenience, tests (1) and (2) above may be combined by connecting secondary terminals to metal
parts that are normally grounded.

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4.5.3.3 Secondary Circuits

With the circuit breaker in either the open or closed position, apply the secondary control wiring test potential
between the secondary control wiring terminals and metal parts that are normally grounded.

If the circuit breaker control circuit includes a motor, the motor may be disconnected during the dielectric
withstand test on the control circuit and subsequently tested at the potentials specified in 4.5.2(3).

Undervoltage trip devices operating at a potential above 250 V shall be tested separately as specified in
4.5.2(5).

If a self-powered trip system is not connected to any other electrical circuit(s), then the trip system wiring is
to be grounded during all dielectric tests. Dielectric test voltages shall not be applied to the electronic trip
device.

4.6 Continuous-Current Test

4.6.1 General

The continuous-current test is performed to ensure that circuit breakers can carry 100% of their rated
continuous current at rated frequency within a test enclosure without exceeding the allowable temperature
limits specified in table 3 of ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008. Circuit breakers with rated power frequency of 60 Hz
or 50/60 Hz shall be required to meet the allowable temperature rise limits when tested at 60 Hz. Circuit
breakers with rated power frequency of 50 Hz only may be tested at either 50 Hz or 60 Hz and shall be
required to meet the allowable temperature rise limits. Circuit breakers shall be equipped with overcurrent
trip devices having a continuous current rating equal to the continuous current rating of the circuit breaker
frame size. The overcurrent trip device shall be prevented from opening the circuit breaker.

See section 5 for information concerning accessory devices.

Three-pole circuit breakers may be tested using either a three-phase circuit or single-phase circuit (all poles
in series) at the option of the manufacturer.

The fused circuit breaker shall be equipped with the minimum-rating fuse recommended by the
manufacturer for use with an overcurrent trip device having a continuous-current rating equal to the fused
circuit breaker frame size.

4.6.2 Duration of Test

The continuous-current test shall be performed for such a period of time that the temperature rise of the
terminals of the test enclosure will not have increased by more than 1.0 C over a one-hour period, with
readings taken at intervals not longer than 30 minutes. If the temperature rise at the end of the one hour
period is equal to the established limits, and if the temperature rise has increased since the previous reading,
the test shall be continued.

4.6.3 Method of Measuring Temperature of the Air Surrounding the Enclosure (Ambient)

The temperature of the air surrounding the enclosure (ambient) shall be determined by one thermometer or
thermocouple having a heat sink attached and placed approximately 305 mm (12 inches) from the side
surface of the enclosure and midway between the top and bottom of the enclosure.

4.6.4 Copper Conductors for Use in Continuous-Current Tests

Specifications for copper bus bars are given in Table .

Configurations shall be vertical unless the design of the test enclosure requires them to be horizontal.

The conductors connected to the enclosure terminals shall be a minimum of 1.2 m (4 feet) long.

C37.50-2012
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If the test enclosure terminal configuration is not compatible with the number of bars listed in table 2, then
the test bus size and number may be changed to match the enclosure terminals, provided that the cross-
sectional area is not increased and a 1/4-inch minimum thickness is used.

If continuous current ratings other than those listed in table 2 are tested, determine the test bus size by
interpolation using the nearest standard bus bar sizes. For example, the size for a 2500-A breaker rating is
found as follows:

2000 A: 2 x 1/4 x 4 = 2 in
2

3000 A: 3 x 1/4 x 5 = 3.75 in
2

2500 A: 2 + (3.75 2) = 2.875 in
2

2
Table 2
Copper Conductors for Use in
Continuous Current Tests

Circuit Breaker
Frame Size
(amperes)
Bus Bars* per Terminal

Quantity
Size
inches (mm)

600 1 1/4 X 2 (6.35 X 50.8 mm)
800 1 1/4 X 3 (6.35 X 76.2 mm)
1600 2 1/4 X 3 (6.35 X 76.2 mm)
2000 2 1/4 X 4 (6.35 X 101.6 mm)
3000/3200 3 1/4 X 5 (6.35 X 127.0 mm)
4000 4 1/4 X 5 (6.35 X 127.0 mm)
5000 5 1/4 X 6 (6.35 X 152.4 mm)
5000 6 1/4 X 5 (6.35 X 127.0 mm)
6000 6 1/4 X 6 (6.35 X 152.4 mm)

* Where multiple bus bars are used, they are to be spaced 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) apart. The 4000-ampere
group may be two sets of two bars with not more than 4 inches (101.6 mm) between pair centers. When
testing ratings above 4000 amperes, the bus bar groups and sizes should be adapted to the particular
terminal designs, and so may not necessarily have 1/4-inch spacings and may vary from 4 inches maximum
between sets.

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4.6.5 Method of Measuring Device Temperatures

Thermocouples shall be used to measure the temperatures on the circuit breaker.

Thermocouples used for measuring the temperature of insulation shall be located on the current-carrying
member or other metal part at a point as close as practical to the accessible junction of the insulation and
the current-carrying member or other metal part.

Thermocouples used for measuring the temperature of the test enclosure terminal connections and other
conducting joints shall be located approximately 13 mm (1/2 inch) from the terminal or other conducting
joints on the current- carrying member.

Thermocouples may be used to determine the air temperature of the areas within the circuit breaker where
accessory devices are mounted as a means of establishing the required ambient temperature for separate
accessory device testing.

Thermocouples shall be held in intimate contact with the conductor surface by such methods as welding,
drilling and peening, or cementing.

4.6.6 Performance

Circuit breakers shall be considered to have passed this test if the limits of observable temperature rise
specified in Table 3 of ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008 are not exceeded.

4.7 Overload Switching Test

4.7.1 General

The overload switching test shall be performed at not less than the rated maximum voltage, any rated control
voltage, and at a current level no less than 600% of rated continuous current of the circuit breaker frame
size.

4.7.2 Test Circuit

The three-phase test circuit shall have a maximum power factor of 50% lagging with X and R in series
connection. The frequency of the test circuit shall be 60 Hz 20%. The power factor shall be determined in
accordance with ANSI/IEEE C37.26.

The open-circuit voltage of the supply circuit shall be not less than 100% or more than 105% of the rated
maximum voltage of the circuit breaker, except that a higher voltage may be employed at the option of the
manufacturer. The maximum fault current available at the circuit breaker terminals shall not exceed the rated
short-circuit current of the circuit breaker.

The closed-circuit voltage as measured at the test terminals to which the supply side of the circuit breaker is
connected, shall be not less than 65% of the rated maximum voltage for which the circuit breaker is being
tested.

The enclosure and the frame of the circuit breaker shall be insulated from ground and shall be connected
through a 30-ampere fuse of adequate interrupting rating to the supply side of the phase judged least likely
to strike to the enclosure. As an alternate configuration at the manufacturers option, the 30-ampere fuse
may be replaced by a minimum No. 10 AWG copper wire. The configuration may be changed at any time
during the test. Metallic contact between the circuit breaker frame and the enclosure shall be considered a
connection.

4.7.3 Rate of Operation

Rate of operation shall be not less than one operation every minute for a group of five operations. Groups of
operations may be separated by intervals of up to 15 minutes maximum.

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Page 12

4.7.4 Opening of Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker shall be opened by a separately energized shunt trip device.

4.7.5 Duration of Current

The circuit breaker shall carry the current for not less than one cycle before opening for each operation.

4.7.6 Number of Operations

Circuit breakers in each frame size shall make and break the circuit not less than the number of times given
in table 3 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009. For frame sizes not listed in table 3, the tests shall be conducted
based on the values specified for the next-lower preferred frame-size rating.

4.7.7 Performance

At the conclusion of this test, the circuit breaker shall be in a condition to continue the applicable test
sequence without repair or replacement of parts, and the grounding means (either wire or fuse) mentioned in
4.7.2 shall not have opened.

4.8 Endurance Tests

4.8.1 General

All endurance tests shall be performed on the same circuit breaker to determine compliance with specified
mechanical and electrical requirements as given in Table 4 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009. Servicing shall be
permitted at the intervals given in the table.

For frame sizes not listed in table 4 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009, the tests shall be conducted based on the
values specified for the next-lower preferred frame-size rating.

4.8.1.1 Power-Operated Circuit Breakers

Power-operated circuit breakers shall be subjected to all endurance tests.

4.8.1.2 Manually Operated Circuit Breakers (With Equivalent Power-Operated Versions)

Manually operated circuit breakers having stored-energy mechanisms that differ from the power-operated
equivalent only in the means of supplying the energy to be stored need not be subjected to endurance tests.

4.8.1.3 Manually Operated Circuit Breakers (Without Equivalent Power-Operated Versions)

Manually operated circuit breakers, not essentially the same as power-operated circuit breakers or not
having any power-operated equivalent, shall be subjected to all endurance tests except that the number of
mechanical endurance operations performed shall be 50% of the number specified in table 4 of ANSI/IEEE
C37.16-2009.

4.8.2 Rate of Operation

The rate of operation shall be one operation every 2 minutes. At the option of the manufacturer, the rate
may be increased. During each operation, the circuit breaker shall remain closed for no less than 1/6
second.

Due to the large total number of operations required, both electrical and mechanical endurance tests may be
conducted in groups at the option of the manufacturer. However, at least one group shall consist of not less
than 120 electrical endurance operations.

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4.8.3 Electrical Endurance Test

The electrical endurance test shall be performed with not less than rated continuous current, at not less than
rated maximum voltage, and at any rated control voltage.

4.8.3.1 Test Circuit

The test circuit shall have a maximum power factor of 85% lagging with the X and R in series connection.
The frequency of the test circuit shall be 60 Hz 20%. The power factor shall be determined in accordance
with ANSI/IEEE C37.26.

The open-circuit voltage of the supply circuit shall be not less than 100% or more than 105% of the rated
maximum voltage of the circuit breaker, except that a higher voltage may be employed at the option of the
manufacturer. The maximum fault current available at the circuit breaker terminals shall not exceed the rated
short-circuit current of the circuit breaker.

The closed-circuit voltage as measured at the test terminals to which the supply side of the circuit breaker is
connected shall be not less than 80% of the rated maximum voltage for which the circuit breaker is being
tested.

The enclosure and the frame of circuit breakers for which the overload switching test is not required shall be
insulated from ground and connected through a 30-ampere fuse of adequate interrupting rating to the supply
side of the phase judged least likely to strike to the enclosure. As an alternate configuration at the
manufacturers option, the 30-ampere fuse may be replaced by a minimum No. 10 AWG copper wire. The
configuration may be changed at any time during the test. Metallic contact between the circuit breaker frame
and enclosure shall be considered a connection.

For circuit breakers for which the overload switching test is required, the 30-ampere fuse or alternate ground
connection may be omitted.

4.8.4 Mechanical Endurance Test

The mechanical endurance test shall be performed at no load and at any rated control voltage.

4.8.5 Performance

At the conclusion of these tests, the circuit breakers shall be in a condition to continue the applicable test
sequence without repair or replacement of parts that affect short-circuit performance, charging of the
mechanism, opening of the breaker, or closing of the breaker, and the grounding means (either wire or fuse)
mentioned in 4.8.3.1 shall not have opened.

4.9 Short-Circuit Current Tests

4.9.1 General

Short-circuit current tests as described in 4.9.2 and given in Table 4 shall be performed on circuit breakers to
determine their ability to close, carry, and interrupt currents within their ratings, and to demonstrate that
fused breakers with maximum-rated fuses will provide short-circuit interruption at their short-circuit current
rating. Short-circuit current ratings are given in ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009, tables 1 and 2 for unfused
breakers, and clause 3.6.2 for fused breakers. For frame sizes not listed, the ratings shall be based on the
next-higher preferred frame-size rating or the maximum-preferred frame-size rating, whichever is less.

4.9.2 Types of Tests

Types of short-circuit current tests are described in 4.9.2.1 through 4.9.2.4.

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Page 14

4.9.2.1 Single-Phase, Single-Pole Tests

Single-phase tests with a line-to-line voltage not less than each rated maximum voltage applied across any
pole and with the available rms symmetrical current not less than 87% of the applicable rated three-phase
short-circuit current. See Table 4, tests 4, 5, and, 6 for unfused circuit breakers and test 9 for fused circuit
breakers.

4.9.2.2 Three-Phase, Three-Pole Tests

Three-phase tests with a line-to-line voltage not less than each rated maximum voltage and the average of
the available rms symmetrical components of the available three-phase currents not less than the applicable
rated short-circuit current. See Table 4, tests 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 for unfused circuit breakers and test 10 for
fused circuit breakers.

4.9.2.3 Fused Circuit Breaker Intermediate Short Circuit Test A

For fused circuit breakers, a three-phase test with a line-to-line voltage not less than rated maximum voltage
and the average of the available rms symmetrical components of the available three-phase currents between
90% and 100% of the short-circuit current values given in Table 3. See test 11 of Table 4 of this standard.

4.9.2.4 Fused Circuit Breaker Intermediate Short Circuit Test B

For fused circuit breakers, a three-phase test with a line-to-line voltage not less than rated maximum voltage
and the average of the available rms symmetrical components of the available three-phase currents between
90% and 110% of the short-circuit current values given in Table 3 . See test 12 of Table 4 of this standard.

Table 3
Fused Circuit Breaker Intermediate Short Circuit Tests

Frame Rating
(ampere) Voltage
Intermediate
Test A
(amperes)
Intermediate
Test B
(amperes)
600 600 22 000 44 000
800 600 22 000 44 000
1600 600 42 000 84 000
2000 600 42 000 84 000
3000 600 65 000 130 000
3200 600 65 000 130 000
4000 600 85 000 170 000
5000 600 85 000 170 000
6000 600 85 000 170 000

C37.50-2012
Page 15


Table 4
Short Circuit Tests

Test

Duty Cycle

Type of Test
(No. of Phases)
Rated
Maximum
Voltage

Current
1 O 15 s C-O 3 635 I
1

2 O 15 s C-O 3 508 I
2

3 O 15 s C-O 3 254 I
3

4 O 15 s C-O 1 635 0.87I
1

5 O 15 s C-O 1 508 0.87I
2

6 O 15 s C-O 1 254 0.87I
3

7 O 3 635 I
1

8 O 15 s C-O 3 635 I
8

9 O 1 600 174 000
10 O + t + C-O 3 600 200 000
11 O 3 600 See 4.9.2.3
12 O 3 600 See 4.9.2.4

Note 1: O = Opening operation; C-O=Close-Open; t = Time necessary for the test procedures, including
replacement of fuses and resetting of the open-fuse trip device; I
1
= Rated short-circuit current at rated
maximum voltage of 635 V; I
2
= Rated short-circuit current at rated maximum voltage of 508 V;I
3
= Rated
short-circuit current at rated maximum voltage of 254 V (selected from table 1 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009; I
8

= Rated short-circuit current at rated maximum voltage of 635 V (selected from table 2 of ANSI/IEEE
C37.16-2009).
Note 2: Tests 1 and 2 are to be performed with opposite terminals energized. (For example, if upper
terminals are used for test 1, then lower terminals are used for test 2, and vice versa.)
Note 3: Test 2 is to be performed in sequence II given in Table 1, using a circuit breaker equipped with the
minimum-rated continuous- current electromechanical overcurrent trip device for the circuit breaker frame
size being tested.
Note 4: Tests 4, 5, and 6 may be performed on the same circuit breaker, one test per pole.
Note 5: For tests 9 and 10 the current is in rms symmetrical amperes.
Note 6: For tests 11 and 12 see the referenced sections of this standard.
Note 7: At the option of the manufacturer, test 11 may be omitted if the total clearing time of the maximum
fuse is equal to or less than the minimum total clearing time of the circuit breaker element, at the short-circuit
test current value. If the circuit breakers time-current characteristic data are for the maximum clearing time,
subtract 0.016 second to obtain a value for the minimum total clearing time of the circuit breaker element.

4.9.3 Test Circuit Conditions

4.9.3.1 RMS Symmetrical Current

The rms symmetrical current that verifies the short-time or the short-circuit rating shall be determined by
calibrating the test circuit with the circuit breaker short-circuited or omitted and shall be measured one-half
cycle after inception of the current flow in the test circuit. This current shall be determined in accordance with
ANSI/IEEE C37.09-1999, clause 7.1.

For three-phase circuits the symmetrical-current value shall be the average of the phase currents.

4.9.3.2 Power Factor

The power factor of the test circuit for unfused circuit breakers shall be 15% lagging or less (X/R ratio of 6.6
or greater) with X and R in series connection. Any reactor used in the test circuit shall be an air-core reactor.
The power factor for fused circuit breakers shall be 20% lagging or less (X/R ratio of 4.9 or greater) with X
and R in series connection. The power factor shall be determined in accordance with ANSI/IEEE C37.26.

C37.50-2012
Page 16

4.9.3.3 Transient Current Characteristics

Transient current characteristics of the test circuit shall be as given in 4.9.3.3.1 through 4.9.3.3.4.

4.9.3.3.1 Unfused Circuit Breakers With Instantaneous

For circuit breakers with instantaneous trip elements the rms value of the alternating component of the
current at the end of three cycles shall be not less than 90% of the value measured at one-half cycle after
initiation of the current.

4.9.3.3.2 Unfused Circuit Breakers Without Instantaneous

For unfused circuit breakers without instantaneous trip elements the rms value of the alternating
components of the current at the end of 1/2 second shall be not less than 80% of the value measured at
one-half cycle after initiation of the current.

4.9.3.3.3 Peak Current (Unfused Circuit Breakers)

For the first opening operation (unfused circuit breakers) on each duty cycle, the current shall be initiated in
the test circuit in such a manner as to ensure that the peak current available would be not less than 2.3
times the single-phase rms symmetrical value for the single-phase test and 2.3 times the three-phase rms
symmetrical value in one phase for three-phase tests.

4.9.3.3.4 Peak Current (Fused Circuit Breakers)

For the first opening operation (fused circuit breakers) on each duty cycle, the current shall be initiated in the
test circuit in such a manner as to ensure that the peak current available would be not less than 2.16 times
the single-phase rms symmetrical value for the single-phase test and 2.16 times the three-phase rms
symmetrical value in one phase for three-phase tests.

4.9.3.4 Voltage

The test-circuit voltage prior to the inception of current flow shall be not less than the rated maximum voltage
for the short-circuit current rating being verified.

4.9.3.5 Frequency of the Test Circuit

4.9.3.5.1 Circuit Breakers Rated 50 Hz

The power frequency of the test circuit for a circuit breaker with a rated power frequency of 50 Hz shall be 50
Hz 5%.

4.9.3.5.2 Circuit Breakers Rated 60 Hz

The power frequency of the test circuit for a circuit breaker with a rated power frequency of 60 Hz shall be 60
Hz 5%.

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4.9.3.5.3 Circuit breakers rated 50/60 Hz

For a circuit breaker with a rated power frequency of 50/60 Hz:

1) When the published tolerance bands of the time-current curves of the circuit breaker direct-
acting trip systems at 50 Hz do not fall entirely within the published tolerance bands of the time-
current curves at 60 Hz, the circuit breaker shall be tested at both power frequencies of 50
Hz +/- 5% and 60 Hz +/- 5%.

2) When the published tolerance bands of the time-current curves of the circuit breaker direct-
acting trip systems at 50 Hz fall entirely within the published tolerance bands of the time-current
curves at 60 Hz:
a) The circuit breaker shall be tested at both 50 Hz +/- 5% and 60 Hz +/- 5% for an unfused
circuit breaker with clearing time of less than one power frequency cycle
1
.
b) The circuit breaker shall be tested at either 50 Hz +/- 5% or 60 Hz +/- 5% for an unfused
circuit breaker with clearing time of one power frequency cycle
1
or more.
c) The circuit breaker shall be tested at both 50 Hz +/- 5% and 60 Hz +/- 5% for a fused circuit
breaker, if the clearing time of the circuit breaker element (without fuses) is less than one
power frequency cycle
1
.
d) The circuit breaker shall be tested at either 50 Hz +/- 5% or 60 Hz +/- 5% for a fused circuit
breaker, if the clearing time of the circuit breaker element (without fuses) is one power
frequency cycle
1
or more.

4.9.3.6 Primary Circuit Grounding

On three-phase tests, either the power source or fault connections shall be grounded, but not both.

4.9.3.7 Power-Frequency Recovery Voltage

The power-frequency recovery voltage shall be not less than 95% of the rated maximum voltage of the circuit
breaker when testing with instantaneous trip elements. When testing circuit breakers without instantaneous
trip elements, the recovery voltage shall be not less than 80% of the rated maximum voltage of the circuit
breaker.

The peak value of the power-frequency recovery voltage within the first full half-cycle after clearing and for
the next five successive peaks shall be not less than 1.343 (2 x 0.95) times the rated maximum voltage of
the circuit breaker for tests conducted with instantaneous trip elements; and not less than 1.131 (2 x 0.800)
times the rated maximum voltage of the circuit breaker for tests conducted without instantaneous trip
elements. Each of the peaks shall be displaced not more than 10 electrical degrees from the peaks of the
open-circuit voltage wave prior to current flow. When making this comparison, it will be necessary to
compensate for any frequency change that may occur during the test. This may be done by comparing the
positions of the zero crossing points of the voltage wave when referred to a timing wave, before and after the
test. The average of the instantaneous value of the recovery voltage of each of the first six half-cycles
measured at the 45-degree and 135-degree points on the wave shall be not less than 85% of the rms value
of the recovery voltage. The instantaneous value of the recovery voltage measured at the 45-degree and
135-degree points of each of the first six half-cycles shall be not less than 75% of the rms value of the
recovery voltage.

If in a test circuit that employs secondary closing, there is no attenuation of phase displacement of the first
full cycle of the recovery-voltage wave when compared with the open-circuit secondary-voltage wave before
current flows, the detailed measurement of the recovery-voltage characteristics indicated in the preceding
paragraphs is not required.

1
The term one power frequency cycle, for circuit breaker operating at 50 Hz rated power frequency, the
one power frequency cycle equates to 20 ms and for circuit breakers operating at 60 Hz rated power
frequency, the one power frequency cycle equates to 16.7 ms.
C37.50-2012
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4.9.3.8 Enclosure Grounding for Three-Phase Tests

For three-phase testing, the enclosure and the frame of the circuit breaker shall be insulated from ground
and shall be connected through a 30-ampere fuse of adequate interrupting rating to the line side of the
phase judged least likely to strike to the enclosure. As an alternate configuration, at the manufacturers
option, the 30-ampere fuse may be replaced by a minimum No. 10 AWG copper wire. The configuration may
be changed at any time during the test. Metallic contact between the circuit breaker frame and the enclosure
shall be considered a connection. During the opening test of a duty cycle the maximum current offset shall
not exist in the phase to which the fuse is connected.

4.9.3.9 Enclosure Grounding for Single-Phase Tests

For single-phase testing, the test enclosure and circuit breaker frame shall be insulated from ground and
shall be connected through a 30-ampere fuse of adequate interrupting rating to the unused phase of the
three-phase source. As an alternate configuration, at the manufacturers option, the 30-ampere fuse may be
replaced by a minimum No. 10 AWG copper wire. The configuration may be changed at any time during the
test.

4.9.4 Circuit Breaker Direct-Acting Trip-Device Settings

4.9.4.1 General

Ratings and settings of unfused circuit breaker direct-acting trip devices that shall be used for all test
sequences except sequence II(c), test 2, are specified in 4.9.4.1.1 and 4.9.4.1.2.

4.9.4.1.1 LI Trip Devices and Settings

For test sequences II and III, circuit breakers shall be equipped with direct-acting trip devices with long-time-
delay and instantaneous elements. The continuous-current rating of the trip device shall be equal to the
circuit breaker frame size being tested. The long-time-delay elements pickup and time setting may be set as
desired by the manufacturer, but the instantaneous setting shall be set at the marked maximum setting.

4.9.4.1.2 LS Trip Devices and Settings

For test sequence I, circuit breakers shall be equipped with direct-acting trip devices with long-time-delay
and short- time-delay trip elements. The continuous-current rating of the trip devices shall be equal to the
circuit breaker frame size being tested. The long-time-delay elements pickup and time setting may be set as
desired by the manufacturer, but the short-time-delay element shall be set at the marked maximum pickup
setting and maximum time setting.

4.9.4.2 Minimum-Rated Trip Devices

Ratings and setting of unfused circuit breaker direct-acting trip devices that shall be used for test sequence
II(c), test 2, to demonstrate withstand-ability of the minimum-rated trip devices are specified in 4.9.4.2.1 and
4.9.4.2.2.

4.9.4.2.1 LI Trip Devices and Settings

The circuit breakers shall be equipped with direct-acting trip devices with long-time-delay and instantaneous
trip elements. The continuous rating of the trip device shall be the minimum continuous-current rating at 480
V for the circuit breaker frame size being tested. The long-time-delay elements pickup and time setting may
be set as desired by the manufacturer, but the instantaneous element shall be set at the marked maximum
pickup setting.

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4.9.4.2.2 Additional Considerations

Where no change of the integral series conductor is involved, only the maximum rating of the frame size
need be checked as stated in 4.9.4.1.1. However, for solid-state trip devices the lowest-ratio current-
transformer (sensor) shall be used.

4.9.4.3 Maximum Energy Test

For solid-state trip devices an additional interrupting test (not required to be part of Sequence I) shall be
conducted as indicated in Table 4, test 8, with the lowest-ratio current-transformer (sensor) short time-delay
element set at maximum pickup and maximum time-delay to demonstrate the thermal capability of the solid-
state trip-device system with the maximum energy input during Table 4, test 8. If the actual energy input to
the trip device at another voltage rating is greater than 635 volts the test shall be conducted at that rating.
This test is required for solid-state trip device qualification and is in addition to Table 1. After this test, the trip
device shall be in a condition to continue any test without repair or replacement of parts.

4.9.4.4 LI Trip Devices and Settings for Fused Circuit Breakers

Fused circuit breakers shall be equipped with direct-acting trip devices with long-time-delay and
instantaneous elements. The long-time-delay elements pickup and time setting may be set as desired by the
manufacturer, but the instantaneous setting shall be set at the marked maximum setting. The continuous-
current rating of the trip device shall be equal to the fused circuit breaker frame size being tested. The fuses
shall be the maximum current rating supplied by the manufacturer for the circuit breaker frame size.

4.9.4.5 Qualification of Additional Solid-State Trip Devices

When a solid-state trip device of new design is added to existing qualified circuit breakers the following tests
shall be conducted:

1) Sequence I(e) with 1600- and 3000/3200-ampere frame sizes
2) Sequence II(c), Table 4, test 2, with 1600- and 3000/3200-ampere frame sizes
3) Maximum energy input as indicated in 4.9.4.3. Each test may be conducted on a separate trip
device.

After these tests the trip devices shall be in a condition to continue any test sequence without repairs or
replacement of parts.

4.9.5 Short-Circuit Current Duty Cycle

Each duty cycle shall consist of an opening operation followed by an interval as specified in Table 4 followed
by a close-open operation. When short-time-delay tripping devices are used, the tripping on each opening
shall be delayed by these tripping devices, except when equipped with instantaneous tripping elements
effective only during closing.

4.9.6 Test Procedure

The circuit breaker shall be inserted into the test circuit and the designated short-circuit current tests
performed (see Table 1 and 4).

4.9.7 Emission Indicators for Short-Circuit Current Tests

An indicator consisting of three layers of cheesecloth shall be employed to detect any excessive emission of
flame, hot gases, or molten particles during the short-circuit current test. The cheesecloth shall be loosely
stretched on a frame at least as large as the front of the circuit breaker enclosure and shall be located
25 mm (1 inch) from and parallel to the front door of the circuit breaker enclosure. The cheesecloth may be
displaced as necessary to accommodate projections such as handles.

C37.50-2012
Page 20

4.9.8 Performance

4.9.8.1 Acceptance Criteria for Unfused Circuit Breakers

The unfused circuit breaker at the conclusion of each test shall be in a condition to continue the applicable
test sequence without repair or replacement of parts, except as permitted in Note 3 of Table 1, and the
emission indicators shall not have ignited. Scorching of the cheesecloth shall not be considered as ignition.
The grounding means (either wire or fuse) mentioned in 4.9.3.8 and 4.9.3.9 shall not have opened.

4.9.8.2 Acceptance Criteria for Fused Circuit Breakers

The fused circuit breaker at the conclusion of each test shall be in a condition to complete the test sequence
(tests (e) and (f) of sequence V, Table 1) without repairs or replacement of parts other than the primary
fuses and open-fuse trip-device trigger fuses if applicable, except as stated in Note 5 of Table 1. The
emission indicator shall not have ignited. Scorching of the cheesecloth shall not be considered as ignition.
The grounding means (either wire or fuse) mentioned in 4.9.3.8 and 4.9.3.9 shall not have opened.

The open-fuse trip device shall have functioned to open the fused circuit breaker. The fuses shall show no
evidence of arcing on their exterior or that molten metal was expelled. They shall not be cracked or charred
and shall not have damaged the supporting means.

4.9.9 Making Current

A circuit breakers making-current capability is demonstrated by its ability to pass the three-phase
short-circuit current duty cycle test described in 4.9.5.

4.9.10 Latching Current

Latching-current capability (for a circuit breaker not equipped with an instantaneous phase trip element) is
demonstrated by the ability of the circuit breaker to pass the three-phase short-circuit current duty-cycle test
described in 4.9.5.

4.10 Short-Time Current Test

4.10.1 General

The short-time current test shall be performed to verify the ability of the circuit breaker to perform a
short-time current duty cycle at its rated available short-time current and any rated maximum voltage when
applied without direct-acting trip devices (as described in Table 1, note 4), see Table 2 of ANSI/IEEE
C37.16-2009. For frame sizes not listed in ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009, the ratings shall be based on the next-
lower preferred frame-size rating.

4.10.2 Test Circuit

The test circuit shall conform to the requirements given in 4.9.3. A three-pole circuit breaker shall be tested
using a three-phase circuit.

4.10.3 Test Procedure

The circuit breaker shall be inserted in the test circuit, placed in the closed position, and tested in
accordance with test (b) of sequence IV, Table 1.

4.10.4 Short-Time Current Duty Cycle

The duty cycle shall consist of two periods of 1/2 second each with a 15-second interval of zero current
between the 1/2-second periods.

C37.50-2012
Page 21

4.10.5 Performance

After a short-time current duty cycle, the circuit breaker shall be in a condition to continue the test sequence
without repairs or replacement of parts.

5 ACCESSORY DEVICES

5.1 General

Accessory devices as contrasted with functional components are those devices that are not basically
required for proper operation of a circuit breaker, but perform a secondary or minor function as an adjunct or
refinement to the primary function of the circuit breaker.

Functional components are parts of the circuit breaker required during sequential testing as outlined in 4.3.2,
and successful operation of those components throughout all the test sequences shall constitute sufficient
proof of their design and that no further testing of them is necessary.

Available electrical accessory devices, including alarm and auxiliary switches and undervoltage trip devices
shall be operationally tested. An accessory device shall be mounted in its normal place on the circuit
breaker during the applicable testing sequence when its installation or operation may affect the performance
of the circuit breaker or if the circuit breaker may affect the operation of the accessory. Servicing of
functional components and accessory devices by cleaning, adjusting, or repositioning the contacts shall be
permitted at the intervals specified in Table 4 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009, and in accordance with the
manufacturers established maintenance procedures.

5.2 Alarm and Auxiliary Switches

5.2.1 Temperature Test

An alarm or auxiliary switch shall be subjected to a temperature test. With the circuit breaker and one alarm
or auxiliary switch carrying not less than rated continuous current, the switch shall not attain temperatures
higher than those permitted for the materials involved, in accordance with table 3 of
ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008. As an alternative test procedure at the manufacturers option, temperature tests
may be conducted on alarm and auxiliary switches separately mounted in an equivalent ambient temperature
determined as described in 4.6.5. When more than one alarm or auxiliary switch can be installed on a circuit
breaker, the temperature test shall be performed with:

1) The maximum number of switches that can be installed.
2) Those switches that control external circuits and are normally closed when the circuit breaker is
closed carrying 50% of their rated continuous current.
3) Those switches used in the internal control of a circuit breaker energized and carrying normal
continuous control currents.

Rated continuous current of a switch rated only in inductive amperes is the highest rated inductive current
listed.

5.2.2 Overload Test

Alarm and auxiliary switches shall be subjected to an overload test of 50 operations. The rate of operation
shall be in accordance with 4.7.3. For an alarm switch, this test shall also be proof of the endurance
capability of the switch. The appropriate test(s) shall be selected from Table 55.

C37.50-2012
Page 22

5.2.2.1 Performance

At the conclusion of the overload test, an alarm switch shall be capable of making and breaking the test
circuit without repairs or replacement of parts and shall withstand the dielectric test.

An auxiliary switch shall be in a condition to continue with the endurance test.

5.2.3 Endurance TestAuxiliary Switch

An auxiliary switch that has completed the overload test shall be subjected to the number of electrical and
mechanical operations specified in 4.8.1 and at the rate of operation given in 4.8.2. The endurance test on
the auxiliary switch may be performed in conjunction with the endurance test performed on the circuit
breaker. When the design of an auxiliary switch is common to more than one frame size of circuit breaker,
the test may be made only in conjunction with the endurance test of the smallest frame size, at the option of
the manufacturer. The appropriate test(s) shall be selected from table 6.

5.2.3.1 Performance

At the conclusion of the electrical and mechanical endurance test, the switch shall be capable of making and
breaking the test circuit without repairs or replacement of parts and shall withstand the dielectric test.

5.3 Undervoltage Trip Devices

5.3.1 General

An undervoltage trip device shall operate to open the circuit breaker at 30% or less of the voltage ratings of
its trip coil. It shall not operate to open the circuit breaker at values above 60% of the voltage ratings of its
trip coil. However, an undervoltage trip device may operate to open the circuit breaker when the voltage
across the trip coil is greater than 30% but is 60% or less of the voltage rating of its trip coil.

An electrically reset undervoltage trip device shall pick up, and a mechanically reset undervoltage trip device
shall seal in at 85% of rated voltage. They may also pick up and seal in at any lower voltage greater than
30% of the voltage rating of its trip coil.

Table 5
Overload Test Conditions

Type of Assigned
Contact-
Interrupting
Rating
Test Conditions

Voltage Current Power Factor
(ac)
Type of Load
(dc)

None assigned

Maximum of
applicable
range*
150%
continuous
rating
75%-80%
lagging
Resistance

Noninductive

Maximum of
applicable
range*
100% assigned
rating
75%-80%
lagging
Resistance

Inductive

Maximum of
applicable
range*
100% assigned
rating
30%-35%
lagging
Electromagnet

* See Table 14 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009
At the option of the manufacturer, the power factor may be lower

C37.50-2012
Page 23


Table 6
Endurance Test Conditions

Type of Assigned
Contact-
Interrupting
Rating
Test Conditions

Voltage Current Power Factor
(ac)
Type of Load
(dc)

None assigned

Rated*
150%
continuous
rating
75%-80%
lagging
Resistance

Noninductive

Rated*
100% assigned
rating
75%-80%
lagging
Resistance

Inductive

Rated*
100% assigned
rating
45%-50%
lagging
Electromagnet

* See Table 14 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009
At the option of the manufacturer, the power factor may be lower

5.3.2 Temperature Test

With the undervoltage trip-device coil energized at the maximum voltage of the applicable range given in
table 14 of ANSI/IEEE C37.16-2009, the maximum temperature rise of an undervoltage trip coil shall not be
higher than that permitted in table 3 of ANSI/IEEE C37.13-2008 for the materials involved. As an alternate
test procedure at the manufacturers option, temperature tests may be conducted on undervoltage trip
devices separately mounted in an equivalent ambient temperature determined as described in 4.6.5.

5.3.3 Operation Test

To determine compliance with the requirements stated in 5.3.1 tests shall be conducted as follows, starting
with the circuit breaker in the tripped position.

1) Energize the undervoltage trip device to 85% of the rated voltage of the coil.
2) Close the circuit breaker.
3) Reduce the voltage to 60% of the rated voltage of the coil. The circuit breaker shall not open above
this voltage.
4) Reduce voltage to 30% of the rated voltage of the coil. The circuit breaker shall open.

5.3.4 Endurance Test

An undervoltage trip device shall cause the circuit breaker to trip for 10% of the electrical endurance
operations and at the frequency of operation given in 4.8.2. The tests may be performed as part of the
endurance test on the circuit breaker. When so tested, the number of tripping operations to be performed by
the shunt trip device shall be reduced to 90%.

At the conclusion of the endurance test, the undervoltage trip device shall be capable of meeting the
requirements given in 5.3.1.

With the electrical accessory device(s) installed on the circuit breaker, the accessory device(s) shall
meet the requirements for ac dielectric withstand voltage set forth in 4.5.

C37.50-2012
Page 24

5.4 Mechanical Accessory Devices

When accessory devices are mechanical only such as key interlocks, mechanical interlocks, etc., which are
operated relatively infrequently, normal production tests will be the criteria for proving the operational
characteristics of these devices.

6 TREATMENT OF FAILURES WITHIN TEST SEQUENCES

Should failures occur during performance testing, they should be evaluated and corrections should be made
before retesting is carried out.

A design change made to correct a test failure shall be evaluated for its effect on any preceding test in the
sequence, and retesting shall be performed as necessary.

7 PRODUCTION TESTS

7.1 General

All applicable production tests shall be performed by the manufacturer on each circuit breaker at the factory
after final assembly, except that calibration may be performed on the individual direct-acting trip-device
subassembly prior to final assembly on the circuit breaker. When the latter is carried out, the effect of the
operating time of the circuit breaker shall be recognized, and the complete assembly shall be tested to
ensure that the device will mechanically trip the circuit breaker.

Production tests shall include the following:

1) Calibration
2) Control and secondary wiring and device check test
3) Dielectric withstand test
4) No-load operation test

7.2 Calibration

7.2.1 General

Calibration shall include the procedures given in 7.2.2 and 7.2.3, where applicable.

7.2.2 Direct-Acting Trip Devices

Direct-acting trip devices shall be subjected to the following calibration where applicable, for conformance to
published time-current characteristic curves. Sinusoidal-wave-shape single-phase 60 Hz current at a
convenient voltage shall be used. The calibration may be performed in any order deemed appropriate by the
manufacturer:

1) Long-time-delay-element pickup
2) Short-time-delay-element pickup
3) Instantaneous-element pickup
4) Time delay of long-time-delay element
5) Time delay of short-time-delay element
6) Ground-element pickup
7) Time delay of the ground element

C37.50-2012
Page 25

7.2.3 Undervoltage Trip Devices

Each undervoltage trip device shall be calibrated to ensure that it trips the circuit breaker when the voltage
drops to a value that falls within the range of 30% to 60% of rated voltage. A test shall be performed to
determine that with 85% of rated voltage applied the undervoltage trip device will permit the circuit breaker to
be closed.

For an undervoltage trip device equipped with time delay, the time delay shall also be checked to see that it
falls within the manufacturers specified limits and that the device resets if voltage recovers in the delay
period.

7.3 Control, Secondary Wiring, and Devices Check Test

Control, secondary wiring, and devices shall be checked to make sure that all connections have been made
correctly. Devices and relays, if used, shall be checked by actual operation where feasible. Those circuits for
which operation is not feasible shall be checked for continuity.

7.4 AC Dielectric Withstand Test

The test shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements given in 4.5. The duration of the test may
be reduced to 1 second if a voltage 20% greater than that specified in 4.5.2 is used. It is recognized that
other suitable test terminal combinations than those stated in 4.5.3 may be used. These shall be permitted to
be used if all of the conditions represented by 4.5.3 have been tested.

7.5 No-Load Operation Test

7.5.1 Power-Operated Circuit Breakers

Power-operated circuit breakers shall be given the following no-load operation tests:

1) Five closing and five opening operations at minimum control voltage.
2) Five closing, five opening, and five trip-free operations at maximum control voltage.
3) Two operations to check anti-pumping, which shall be performed in the following manner:
a) Apply uninterrupted control power to the closing circuit of the open circuit breaker as the
closing signal.
b) Trip the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker shall remain open until closing circuit power has
been interrupted and then restored.

If other devices, electrical or mechanical, are applicable, they shall be checked for proper functioning. Such
devices shall include key interlocks, mechanical interlocks, electrical interlocks, padlocking, racking
mechanisms, etc.

7.5.2 Manually Operated Circuit Breakers

Manually operated circuit breakers shall be given the following no-load operation tests:

1) Five closing and five opening operations.
2) When a shunt trip is included, a minimum of five openings using the shunt trip at the minimum
control voltage specified for the coil.
3) Five trip-free operations.

If other devices, electrical or mechanical are applicable, they shall be checked for proper functioning. Such
devices shall include key interlocks, padlocking, racking mechanisms, etc.

7.6 Open-Fuse Trip Device

The trip device shall be tested mechanically or by application of proper voltage to the device to establish
positive tripping of the fused circuit breaker.
C37.50-2012
Page 26


8 PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PRODUCT RETEST REQUIREMENTS

8.1 General

Subsequent to certification of a circuit breaker in accordance with this standard, retest intervals shall be
determined either by the total number of circuit breakers produced to this standard or by the elapsed time
since completion of the immediately previous test schedule, whichever occurs sooner.

8.1.1 General (Fused Circuit Breakers)

Subsequent to certification of a fused circuit breaker in accordance with this standard, production units shall
be monitored and retesting shall be carried out when design changes are made.

8.2 Production Monitoring

Monitoring of production units shall be done quarterly or at shorter intervals at the discretion of the certifying
agency to verify that production tests are in accordance with the requirements given in section 7 and that the
product conforms to the design that was certified.

8.3 Product Retest Requirements

Retesting shall be initiated at the end of specified periods measured from time of certification. The periods
are defined by elapsed time intervals or by the number of units certified, whichever comes first. However, not
more than one test sequence shall be required to be started on the same frame size in the same 12-month
period. Not all possible tests are required at the end of a period. The test sequences to be performed at the
end of each period are specified by number in Table 7 described in Table 1 and the subsections to which it
refers.

8.3.1 Product Retest Requirements (Fused Circuit Breakers)

When fused circuit breakers covered in this standard are composed of a circuit breaker element that is
periodically retested in accordance with this standard and fuses that are periodically retested and are
separately listed in accordance with UL 248-8 or UL 248-10 (as applicable), no periodic retesting is required
for the combination.

Where the fuses are not separately listed in accordance with UL248-8 or UL 248-10 (as applicable), the test
described in 4.2.2 of this standard shall be repeated at 5-year intervals.

When major design changes (such as contact structure) are made, a complete sequence retest shall be
performed. Minor design changes that do not affect the performance of the combination and are
demonstrated by separate tests of the circuit breaker element or fuse shall not require retest of the
combination.
C37.50-2012
Page 27


Table 7
Retest Series (Unfused Circuit Breakers)

Frame Size

(A)
(B)
Total
Units
or
Years

Test
Sequence

(A)
(B)
Total
Units
or
Years

Test
Sequence

(A)
(B)
Total
Units
or
Years

Test
Sequence

600 & 800
(A)
(B)
8 800
5
I
(A)
(B)
17 600
10
II*
(A)
(B)
26 400
15
III & IV
1600 & 2000
(A)
(B)
8 500
5
I
(A)
(B)
17 000
10
II*
(A)
(B)
25 500
15
III & IV
3000/3200
(A)
(B)
2 100
7
I
(A)
(B)
3 600
12
II*
(A)
(B)
5 100
17
III & IV
4000
5000
6000
(A)
(B)
830
8
I
(A)
(B)
1 350
13
II*
(A)
(B)
1 870
18
III & IV

Note 1: After completion of test sequence III and IV, the series shall be repeated.
Note 2: When major design changes (such as contact structure) are made, a complete sequence retest shall
be made. Minor design changes that affect only a specific area shall be retested within the applicable
sequence (for example, electrical operator change needs only an endurance test, or arc chute change needs
only an interrupting test).
Note 3: For frame sizes not listed in Table 7, the tests shall be conducted based on the values specified for
the next-lower preferred frame size rating.

* Under sequence II(c), Table 1, conduct test 2 only.
For retest sequence III the short-circuit opening test (d) is to be omitted if the condition of the circuit
breaker prior to the test is considered to be equivalent to that of the circuit breaker that successfully met the
original certification requirements. It is important that adequate documentation be made originally of the
condition of the contacts and arc chutes by description, photographs, and measurements or by retention of
representative parts so that meaningful comparisons can be made.

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