Electrical Plan Review
Electrical Plan Review
Electrical Plan Review
Table of Contents
Part I: Overcurrent Protection and Devices PAGE
Objectives 3
Data Log In Letter 4
Important NECR Requirements 5
Overcurrent Protective Device Ratings:
Voltage and Ampere Ratings 6
Interrupting Rating NECR 110.9 7
Short-Circuit Currents and Interrupting Rating 8
Selective Coordination 28
Selective Coordination Circuit Breakers 29
Selective Coordination Fuses 30
Objectives
By reviewing this brochure, the Electrical Inspector,
Electrical Contractor, Plan Examiner, Consulting
Engineer and others will be able to . . .
Understand and discuss the critical National Electrical
CodeR requirements regarding overcurrent protection.
Understand short-circuit currents and the importance
of overcurrent protection.
Understand the three ratings (voltage, ampere, and
interrupting) of overcurrent protective devices.
Understand that the major sources of short-circuit
currents are motors and generators.
Understand that transformers are NOT a source of
short-circuit current.
Calculate short-circuit currents using the simple
POINT-TO-POINT method and related charts.
Realize that whenever overcurrent protection is
discussed, the two most important issues are:
Free Training
at www.cooperbussmann.com
(100 GALLONS
PER MINUTE)
OVERCURRENT
PROTECTIVE
DEVICE
AVAILABLE FAULT
CURRENT (e.g., 50,000 AMPS)
FLOOD GATES ARE
DESTROYED BECAUSE
OF INADEQUATE
INTERRUPTING RATING
DAM BREAKS AND RESERVOIR
RELEASES SHORT CIRCUIT
CURRENT OF 50,000 GALLONS
PER MINUTE
OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICE
WITHINADEQUATE INTERRUPTING
RATING. IN VIOLATION OF NEC 110.9.
OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICE
IS DESTROYED.
AVAILABLE FAULT
CURRENT (e.g., 50,000 AMPS)
FLOOD GATES HAVE
ADEQUATE INTERRUPTING
RATING. FAULT CURRENT
SAFELY INTERRUPTED
OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICE
WITH ADEQUATE INTERRUPTING RATING
IN COMPLIANCE WITH NEC 110.9 IS
UNDAMAGED
SHORT CIRCUIT
CURRENT SAFELY
CLEARED
AVAILABLE FAULT
CURRENT (e.g., 50,000 AMPS)
current
(RMS symmetrical)
See Note 1, Note 2, and Note 5
3o transf. IFLA =
ISCA = Transf.FLA x multiplier
ISCA (L-L-L) =
1.732 x 20 x 46,273
22,185 x 2 x 208
f = 1.732 x 20 x 39,425
5,907 x 1 x 208
2 x L x lL-L
C x n x EL-L
100
Transf.
1o transf. IFLA =
Multiplier =
100
.9x Transf. %Z
KVA x 1000 Multiplier =
EL-L
f=
1
ISCA = ISCA x M
1+f
M=
1
1+f
1
M = 1 + .174
2 x L x lL-N*
C x n x EL-N
f=
1o line-to-line
(L-L) faults
See Note 5
1o line-to-neutral
(L-N) faults
See Note 2 and
Note 5
L = length (feet) of conduit to the fault.
C = conductor constant. See Tables 1, 2.
n = number of conductors per phase
(Adjusts C value for parallel runs)
I = available short-circuit current in
amperes at beginning of circuit.
Formula FAULT #1
at
fault
at
beginning of circuit.
Note 1. Motor short-circuit contribution, if significant, should be added at all fault locations
throughout the system. A practical estimate of motor short-circuit
contribution is to multiply the total motor full-load current in amperes by 4. Values
of 4 to 6 are commonly accepted
Note 2. For single-phase center-tapped transformers, the L-N fault current is higher than
the L-L fault current at the secondary terminals. The short-circuit current available
(I) for this case in Step 4 should be adjusted at the transformer
terminals as follows:
At L-N center tapped transformer terminals
IL-N = 1.5 x IL-L at Transformer Terminals
At some distance from the terminals, depending upon wire size, the L-N fault current
is lower than the L-L fault current. The 1.5 multiplier is an approximation and will
theoretically vary from 1.33 to 1.67. These figures are based on change in turns ratio
between primary and secondary, infinite source available, zero feet from terminals of
transformer, and 1.2 x %X and 1.5 x %R for L-N vs. L-L resistance and reactance values.
Begin L-N calculations at transformer secondary terminals, then proceed point-to-point.
*
300 KVA, 2%Z, 3
120/208V Secondary
Infinite
Primary
Available
Fault #2
Fault #1
MAIN SERVICE
PANEL
BRANCH CIRCUIT PANEL
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
=
=
=
= .174
= 1.11
= .852 (See Table 4)
1
1+f
1
M = = 1 + 1.11 = .474 (See Table 4)
= 55.55
3-Phase Short-Circuit Current at Transformer Secondary
3-Phase Short Circuit Current at Fault #1
ISCA (L-L-L) =
FAULT #2
**The motor contribution and voltage variance should be accounted for at this
Practice for Electric Power Systems in Commerical Buildings & IEEE Std 242-1986 (Buff Book), IEEE Recommended Practice for
Protection and Coordination of Industrial and
10 c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
Voltage
(Line-to-Transformer KVA Rating
Line) 45 75 112.5 150 225 300 500 750 1000 1500 2000
208 125 208 312 416 625 833 1388 2082 2776 4164 5552
220 118 197 295 394 590 787 1312 1968 2624 3937 5249
240 108 180 271 361 541 722 1203 1804 2406 3609 4811
440 59 98 148 197 295 394 656 984 1312 1968 2624
460 56 94 141 188 282 377 628 941 1255 1883 2510
480 54 90 135 180 271 361 601 902 1203 1804 2406
600 43 72 108 144 217 289 481 722 962 1443 1925
f=
100,000 x KVA
ISCA(P) x VP x 1.732 (%Z)
ISCA(S) =
VP x M x ISCA(P)
f=
100,000 x KVA
ISCA(P) x VP x (%Z)
M=
1+f
1
VS
Table 3A. Three-Phase TransformerFull-Load
Current Rating (In Amperes)
Table 1. C Values for Busway
Table 3B. Single-Phase TransformerFull-Load
Current Rating (In Amperes)
MAIN TRANSFORMER
H.V. UTILITY
CONNECTION
KNOWN
FAULT
CURRENT
KNOWN
FAULT
CURRENT
ISCA(P) ISCA(S)
ISCA(P) ISCA(S)
2/0 7187 6968 6733 7301 7153 6986 7327 7271 7109 7373 7329 7202
3/0 8826 8467 8163 9110 8851 8627 9077 8981 8751 9243 9164 8977
4/0 10741 10167 9700 11174 10749 10387 11185 11022 10642 11409 11277 10969
250 12122 11460 10849 12862 12343 11847 12797 12636 12115 13236 13106 12661
300 13910 13009 12193 14923 14183 13492 14917 14698 13973 15495 15300 14659
350 15484 14280 13288 16813 15858 14955 16795 16490 15541 17635 17352 16501
400 16671 15355 14188 18506 17321 16234 18462 18064 16921 19588 19244 18154
500 18756 16828 15657 21391 19503 18315 21395 20607 19314 23018 22381 20978
600 20093 18428 16484 23451 21718 19635 23633 23196 21349 25708 25244 23295
750 21766 19685 17686 25976 23702 21437 26432 25790 23750 29036 28262 25976
1,000 23478 21235 19006 28779 26109 23482 29865 29049 26608 32938 31920 29135
*
fMfM
0.01 0.99
0.02 0.98
0.03 0.97
0.04 0.96
0.05 0.95
0.06 0.94
0.07 0.93
0.08 0.93
0.09 0.92
0.10 0.91
0.15 0.87
0.20 0.83
0.25 0.80
0.30 0.77
0.35 0.74
0.40 0.71
0.50 0.67
0.60 0.63
0.70 0.59
0.80 0.55
0.90 0.53
1.00 0.50
1.20 0.45
1.50 0.40
1.75 0.36
2.00 0.33
2.50 0.29
3.00 0.25
3.50 0.22
4.00 0.20
5.00 0.17
6.00 0.14
7.00 0.13
8.00 0.11
9.00 0.10
10.00 0.09
15.00 0.06
20.00 0.05
30.00 0.03
40.00 0.02
50.00 0.02
60.00 0.02
70.00 0.01
80.00 0.01
90.00 0.01
100.00 0.01
Table 4. M (Multiplier)*
1
1+f
M=
Table 5 Notes:
Single phase values are L-N values at transformer terminals. These figures
are based on change in turns ratio between primary and secondary, 100,000
KVA primary, zero feet from terminals of transformer, 1.2 (%X) and 1.5
(%R) multipliers for L-N vs. L-L reactance and resistance values and
transformer X/R ratio = 3.
Three-phase short-circuit currents based on infinite primary.
UL listed transformers 25 KVA or greater have a }10% impedance tolerance.
Transformers constructed to ANSI standards have a } 7.5% impedance
tolerance (two-winding construction). Short-circuit amps reflect a worst
case condition (-10%).
Fluctuations in system voltage will affect the available short-circuit current.
For example, a 10% increase in system voltage will result in a 10% increase
in the available short-circuit currents shown in the table.
Commercial Power Systems. Where resistance and reactance values differ or are not available, the Buff Book values have been
used. The values for reactance in determining the C
Value at 5 KV & 15 KV are from the Gray Book only (Values for 14-10 AWG at 5 kV and 14-8 AWG at 15 kV are not available and
values for 3 AWG have been approximated).
12 c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc. 13
Combination
Motor
Controller
1/2" C. - 30'
7-1/2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Note: Assume steel conduit.
* Note: Calculate additional motor short-circuit contribution. Assume 50% (400A) of the total load is
from all motors. Multiply
total motor FLA by 4 (400 x 4 = 1,600A). In theory, the additional motor short-circuit contribution
should be calculated at all
points in the system, and may vary depending upon the location.
The most important data which can be obtained from the Let-Through
Charts and their physical effects are the following:
A. Peak let-through current the square of which relates to
maximum mechanical forces
B. Apparent prospective RMS symmetrical let-through current the
square of which relates to the thermal energy
How to Use the Let-Through Charts
This is a typical example showing the short-circuit current available
(86,000 amperes) to an 800 ampere circuit, an 800 ampere
BussmannR LOW-PEAKR current-limiting, time-delay fuse, and the
let-through data of interest.
Using the example given, one can determine the pertinent let-through
data for the BussmannR KRP-C800SP ampere LOW-PEAKR fuse.
A. Determine the peak let-through current.
Step 1. Enter the chart on the prospective short-circuit current scale at
86,000 amperes (point A) and proceed vertically until the 800 ampere
fuse curve is intersected.
Step 2. Follow horizontally until the instantaneous peak let-through
current scale is intersected (point D).
Step 3. Read the peak let-through current as 49,000 amperes. (If a
fuse had not been used, the peak current would have been 198,000
amperes (point C).)
B. Determine the apparent prospective RMS symmetrical
let-through current.
Step 1. Enter the chart on the prospective short-circuit current scale at
86,000 amperes (point A) and proceed vertically until the 800 ampere
fuse curve is intersected.
Step 2. Follow horizontally until line A-B is intersected.
Step 3. Proceed vertically down to the prospective short-circuit current
(point B).
Step 4. Read the apparent prospective RMS symmetrical let-through
current as 21,000 amperes. (the RMS symmetrical let-through current
would be 86,000 amperes if there were no fuse in the circuit.)
Most electrical equipment has a withstand rating that is defined in
terms of an RMS symmetrical-short-circuit current, and in some
cases, peak let-through current. These values have been established
through short-circuit testing of that equipment according to an accepted
industry standard. Or, as is the case with conductors, the withstand
rating is based on a physics formula and is also expressed in an RMS
short-circuit current. If both the let-through currents (I RMS and Ip) of
the current-limiting overcurrent protective device and the time it takes
to clear the fault are less than the withstand rating of the electrical
component, then that component will be protected from short-circuit
damage.
Let-Through Charts
Let-Through Charts
c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc. 19
400000
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
300000
200000
100000
5000
4000
4000
90000
3000
2000
1000
3000
70000
80000
70000
60000
50000
60000
200000
20000
2000
40000
100000
50000
10000
5000
1000
30000
90000
80000
40000
9000
8000
30000
20000
10000
300000
800000
500000
600000
700000
900000
1000000
B
A
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET THRU CURRENT IN AMPERES
PROSPECTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT - SYMMETRICAL RMS AMPERES
601A
800A
1200A
1600A
2000A
2500A
3000A
4000A
6000A
5000A
AMPERE
RATING
5,000 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
10,000 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
15,000 9 12 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
20,000 10 13 17 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
25,000 11 14 19 22 25 25 25 25 25 25
30,000 11 14 20 24 27 30 30 30 30 30
35,000 12 15 21 25 29 35 35 35 35 35
40,000 13 16 22 26 30 35 40 40 40 40
50,000 14 17 23 28 32 37 50 50 50 50
60,000 15 18 25 30 34 40 49 60 60 60
70,000 15 19 26 32 36 42 52 62 70 70
80,000 16 20 27 33 38 44 54 65 76 80
90,000 17 21 29 34 39 45 56 67 79 90
100,000 17 22 30 36 41 47 58 70 81 100
150,000 20 25 34 41 47 54 67 80 93 104
200,000 22 27 37 45 51 59 73 87 102 114
250,000 24 29 40 49 55 64 79 94 110 123
300,000 25 31 43 52 59 68 84 100 117 30
Note: For IRMS value at 300,000 amperes, consult Factory.
15A
30A
60A
100A
200A
400A
600A
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
100000
5000
4000
4000
90000
3000
2000
1000
3000
70000
80000
70000
60000
50000
60000
200000
20000
2000
40000
100000
50000
10000
5000
1000
30000
90000
80000
40000
9000
8000
30000
20000
10000
300000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
100
400
200
300
700
500
600
900
800
1,000 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
3,000 1 1 1 2 2 3 3
5,000 1 1 1 2 3 5 5
10,000 1 1 2 2 4 6 8
15,000 1 1 2 3 4 7 9
20,000 1 1 2 3 4 7 10
25,000 1 1 2 3 5 8 10
30,000 1 1 2 3 5 8 11
35,000 1 1 2 4 5 9 12
40,000 1 2 3 4 6 9 12
50,000 1 2 3 4 6 10 13
60,000 1 2 3 4 6 11 14
80,000 1 2 3 5 7 12 15
100,000 1 2 4 5 8 12 17
150,000 1 2 4 6 9 14 19
200,000 2 3 4 6 9 16 21
250,000 2 3 5 7 10 17 23
300,000 2 3 5 7 11 18 24
Note: For IRMS value at 300,000 amperes, consult Factory.
20
Let-Through Charts
LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class RK1 Dual-Element Time-Delay
Fuses LPN-RK_SP
B
600A
400A
200A
100A
60A
30A
AMPERE
RATING
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THROUGH CURRENT IN AMPERES
1,000 1 1 1 1 1 1
2,000 1 1 2 2 2 2
3,000 1 1 2 3 3 3
5,000 1 2 2 3 5 5
10,000 1 2 3 4 7 9
15,000 1 2 3 5 8 11
20,000 1 3 3 5 8 11
25,000 1 3 3 5 9 12
30,000 2 3 4 6 9 12
35,000 2 3 4 6 10 13
40,000 2 3 4 6 10 13
50,000 2 3 4 7 11 14
60,000 2 3 4 7 11 16
70,000 2 3 4 7 12 16
80,000 2 4 5 8 12 16
90,000 2 4 5 7 13 17
100,000 2 4 5 8 13 17
150,000 2 4 6 9 15 19
200,000 3 5 6 11 16 20
250,000 3 5 7 11 17 21
300,000 3 6 7 12 18 22
LOW-PEAK YELLOW Class RK1 Dual-Element Time-Delay
Fuses LPS-RK_SP
60A
30A
600A
400A
200A
AMPERE
RATING
100A
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THROUGH CURRENT IN AMPERES
1,000 1 1 1 1 1 1
2,000 1 1 2 2 2 2
3,000 1 1 2 3 3 3
5,000 1 2 2 3 5 5
10,000 1 2 3 4 7 10
15,000 1 2 3 5 8 11
20,000 2 3 3 5 9 12
25,000 2 3 4 6 9 12
30,000 2 3 4 6 10 13
35,000 2 3 4 6 10 13
40,000 2 3 4 6 10 14
50,000 2 3 5 7 11 15
60,000 2 4 5 7 12 15
70,000 2 4 5 8 13 16
80,000 2 4 5 8 13 16
90,000 2 4 5 8 13 17
100,000 2 4 6 9 14 17
150,000 3 5 6 10 15 19
200,000 3 5 7 11 16 21
250,000 3 6 7 12 17 22
300,000 3 6 7 12 18 23
c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
Let-Through Charts
21
400000
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
300000
200000
100000
5000
4000
4000
90000
3000
2000
1000
3000
70000
80000
70000
60000
B
A
50000
60000
200000
20000
2000
40000
100000
50000
10000
5000
1000
30000
90000
80000
40000
9000
8000
30000
20000
10000
600A
400A
200A
100A
30A
60A
AMPERE
RATING
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THROUGH CURRENT IN AMPERES
B
A
50000
60000
200000
20000
2000
40000
100000
50000
10000
5000
1000
30000
90000
80000
40000
9000
8000
30000
20000
10000
600A
400A
200A
100A
30A
60A
AMPERE
RATING
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THROUGH CURRENT IN AMPERES
5,000 1 2 3 5 5 5
10,000 2 3 4 7 10 10
15,000 2 3 5 8 11 15
20,000 2 4 5 8 12 16
25,000 2 4 6 9 13 17
30,000 2 4 6 10 14 18
35,000 2 4 6 10 15 19
40,000 2 5 7 11 15 20
50,000 3 5 7 11 17 21
60,000 3 5 8 12 18 22
70,000 3 6 8 13 19 23
80,000 3 6 8 13 19 24
90,000 3 6 9 14 20 25
100,000 3 6 9 14 21 26
150,000 4 7 10 16 24 29
200,000 4 8 11 18 26 32
FRS-R RMS Let-Through Currents (kA)
Prosp.
Fuse Size
Short 30 60 100 200 400 600
C.C. IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS
5,000 1 1 3 4 5 5
10,000 1 2 4 5 9 10
15,000 1 2 4 6 10 14
20,000 2 2 5 7 11 15
25,000 2 2 5 7 12 17
30,000 2 3 5 8 13 18
35,000 2 3 5 8 13 18
40,000 2 3 6 9 14 19
50,000 2 3 6 9 14 20
60,000 2 3 6 10 15 22
70,000 3 4 7 11 17 23
80,000 3 4 7 12 17 23
90,000 3 4 7 12 17 24
100,000 3 4 8 13 18 25
150,000 3 5 9 14 21 27
200,000 4 6 9 16 23 32
c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
Let-Through Charts
22 c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
TRON Class T Fast-Acting Fuses
JJN
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
800
600
400
300
200
100
200
300
400
600
800
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
200,000
200,000
400,000
300,000
600
400
200
100
60
30
15
AMPERE
RATING
800
1200
B
A
PROSPECTIVE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENTSYMMETRICAL RMS AMPS
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THROUGH CURRENT IN AMPS
600
400
200
100
60
30
AMPERE
RATING
800
15
B
A
PROSPECTIVE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENTSYMMETRICAL RMS AMPS
INSTANTANEOUS PEAK LET-THROUGH CURRENT IN AMPS
500 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1,000 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
5,000 1 1 1 1 2 3 5 5 5
10,000 1 1 1 2 2 4 6 7 9
15,000 1 1 1 2 3 4 6 9 10
20,000 1 1 1 2 3 5 7 10 11
25,000 1 1 2 2 3 5 7 10 12
30,000 1 1 2 2 3 5 8 11 13
35,000 1 1 2 3 4 6 8 11 13
40,000 1 1 2 3 4 6 9 11 13
50,000 1 1 2 3 4 7 9 12 15
60,000 1 1 2 3 4 7 10 13 16
70,000 1 1 2 3 5 7 10 14 17
80,000 1 2 2 3 5 8 11 15 17
90,000 1 2 2 3 6 8 11 15 18
100,000 1 2 2 4 6 8 12 16 19
150,000 1 2 3 4 6 9 13 17 22
200,000 2 2 3 4 7 9 15 19 23
JJS RMS Let-Through Current (kA)
Prosp.
Fuse Size
Short 15 30 60 100 200 400 600 800
C.C. IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS IRMS
500 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1,000 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
5,000 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 5
10,000 1 1 1 2 3 6 8 9
15,000 1 1 2 3 4 7 10 11
20,000 1 1 2 3 4 7 10 12
25,000 1 1 2 3 5 7 11 13
30,000 1 1 2 3 5 8 12 14
35,000 1 1 2 3 5 9 13 15
40,000 1 2 2 4 5 9 13 15
50,000 1 2 2 4 6 10 14 17
60,000 1 2 3 4 6 10 16 18
70,000 1 2 3 4 7 11 17 19
80,000 1 2 3 4 7 11 17 20
90,000 1 2 3 4 7 12 18 21
100,000 2 2 3 5 7 12 19 22
150,000 2 3 4 6 8 14 22 25
200,000 2 3 4 6 9 16 24 28
Conductor Protection
The increase in KVA capacity of power distribution systems
has resulted in available short-circuit currents of extremely high
magnitude. Fault induced, high conductor temperatures may
seriously damage conductor insulation.
As a guide in preventing such serious damage, maximum allowable
short-circuit temperatures, which begin to damage the insulation,
have been established for various types of insulation. For example,
75C thermoplastic insulation begins to be damaged at 150C.
The Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA) withstand chart,
to the right, shows the currents, which, after flowing for the times
indicated, will produce these maximum temperatures for each
conductor size. The system available short-circuit current, conductor
cross-sectional area, and the overcurrent protective device
[ I ]2
[
t = .0297 log
T2 + 234
A T1 + 234
WHERE:
I = SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT - AMPERES
A = CONDUCTOR AREA - CIRCULAR MILS
t = TIME OF SHORT-CIRCUIT - SECONDS
T1 = MAXIMUM OPERATING TEMPERATURE 75C
T2 = MAXIMUM SHORT-CIRCUIT TEMPERATURE 150C
230
230
37
60
207
--
60
60
140
UL
TYPE NO.
Series Ratings
Most electrical distribution systems are fully rated as required by
NECR 110.9. A fully rated system is a system where every
overcurrent protective device has an interrupting rating equal to or
greater than the available fault. Fully rated systems are typically
preferred and recommended, but electrical distribution systems are
permitted to incorporate series ratings, provided all the requirements
of NECR 240.86 and 110.22 are met. However, the actual application
of series ratings is typically limited.
Series rating is a combination of circuit breakers, or fuses and circuit
breakers, that can be applied at available short-circuit levels above
the interrupting rating of the load side circuit breakers, but not above
that of the main or line-side device. Series ratings can consist of
fuses protecting circuit breakers, or circuit breakers protecting
circuit breakers.
Series Rating Circuit Breakers. In the example below, the 20A, 10,000A
interrupting rating circuit breaker has been tested, for a series
combination interrupting rating of 65,000A when protected by the
upstream 200A, 65,000A interrupting rating circuit breaker. The circuit
breaker types for this series combination rating would have to be
verified by the evidence of the panelboard or switchboard marking
as required by NECR 240.86(A).
Series Rating Fuse and Circuit Breakers. In the example below, a 20A,
10,000A interrupting rating circuit breaker has been tested, for a
series combination interrupting rating of 200,000A when protected by
the upstream Class J fuse. The fuse and circuit breaker types for this
series combination rating would have to be verified by the evidence of
the panelboard or switchboard marking as required by NEC R
240.86(A).
While there is only one advantage to utilizing a series combination
ratinglower installed cost, several special requirements or
limitations exist and are discussed below.
Special Requirements
For Applying a Series Combination Rating
Special requirements and limitations must be considered for the
application of a series combination rating, which include:
- Motor contribution limitation
- Manufacturer labeling requirements
- Field labeling requirements
- Lack of coordination limitation
- Proper selection of series combination ratings
Motor Contribution Limitation
The first critical requirement limits the application of a series
combination rating where motors are connected between the line-side
(protecting) device and the load-side (protected) circuit breaker.
NECR 240.86(B) requires that series ratings shall not be used where
the sum of motor full load currents exceeds 1% of the interrupting
rating of the load-side (protected) circuit breaker.
The example to the right shows a violation of 240.86(B) due to motor
contributions. Since the motor load exceeds 1% of the load-side
circuit breaker (10,000 X 0.01 = 100A), this series rated combination
cannot be applied.
26 c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
Series Ratings
Selective Coordination
device and the low voltage power circuit breaker, the electrical equipment
can be
subjected to unnecessarily high mechanical and thermal stress.
c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc. 29
80
TIME IN SECONDS
CURRENT IN AMPERES
1,500A
A
C
D
B
30,000A
I.R.
14,000A
I.R.
90Amp
Circuit Breaker
400Amp Circuit Breaker
I.T. = 5X
400A
90A
4000A
4,000A
1000
600
400
300
200
100
60
40
30
20
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
.8
.6
.4
.3
.2
.1
.08
.04
.06
.03
.02
.01
800
.008
.004
.006
.003
.002
.001
30
10
20
40
60
80
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
6000
8000
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
TIME IN SECONDS
100A
400A
Minimum Melt
Total Clearing
Point G
Available
Fault
Current
Level
1000A
400A
100A
Figure 3a.
Point E Point C
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
4000
6000
8000
10,000
20,000
YELLOW
0 Dual- (RK1) LPS-RKSP
to Ele- (J) LPJ-SP 2:1 2:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 3:1 4:1
600A ment FUSETRONR FRN-R 1.5:1 1.5:1 2:1 1.5:1 1.5:1 1.5:1 1.5:1
(RK5) FRS-R
601 to LIMITRON KTU 2:1 2.5:1 2:1 2:1 6:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 N/A
6000A (L)
0 to Fast- LIMITRON KTN-R 3:1 3:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 3:1 4:1
600A Acting (RK1) KTS-R
0 to T-TRON R JJN 3:1 3:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 3:1 4:1
1200A (T) JJS
0 to LIMITRON JKS 2:1 2:1 8:1 3:1 3:1 3:1 4:1
600A (J)
0 to Time- SC SC 3:1 3:1 4:1 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:1
60A Delay (G)
Note: At some values of fault current, specified ratios may be lowered to permit closer fuse sizing. Plot fuse curves or consult with
BussmannR. General Notes: Ratios
given in this Table apply only to BussR fuses. When fuses are within the same case size, consult Bussmann R.
Line-Side Fuse
*
*
30 c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
NEUTRAL
800/800
KRP-C
1. Short-Circuit Currents
Is the interrupting rating of the line side fuse or circuit breaker greater than the
available short-circuit current (X1) at its lineside (110.9)
Is the series combination interrupting rating greater than the available short-circuit
current (X2) at the load side circuit breaker (permitted per 240.86)?
2. Manufacturers Label
Are both devices in use for the series rated combination marked on the end use
equipment in which the load side circuit breaker is installed (or contained in a
booklet affixed to the equipment) as required in 240.86(A)?
3. Field Installed Label
Are field labels, as required by 110.22, that indicate CAUTION Series Rated
Combination, along with the required replacement parts, panel designations, and
series combination interrupting rating, installed on all end use equipment that
contain the series combination rating devices?
4. Motor Contribution
If motors are connected between the series rated devices, is the combined full load
current from these motors less than 1% of the downstream circuit breakers
interrupting rating (individual or stand alone interrupting rating) per 240.86(B)?
5. Selective Coordination
Is this series rated combination being installed in something other than a health care
facility (see NECR 517.17)?
Elevator circuits only: Is this series rated combination being installed on an elevator
circuit with only one elevator in the building (see NEC R 620.62)?
q YES q NO
q YES q NO
q YES q NO
q YES q NO
q YES q NO
q YES q NO
q YES q NO
Line Side Panel Designation (If applicable)
Line Side Overcurrent Protective Device Part Number
Line Side Overcurrent Protective Device Interrupting Rating
X1 Available Short Circuit Current at Line side OCP Device
Load Side Panel Designation
Load Side Circuit Breaker Part Number
Load Side Circuit Breaker Individual Interrupting Rating
Series Combination Interrupting Rating
X2 Available Short Circuit Current at Load side Circuit Breaker
AN ANSWER OF NO TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS MAY INDICATE A LACK OF COMPLIANCE.
LACK OF SUBMITTAL IS CONSIDERED AS EVIDENCE OF LACK OF COMPLIANCE.
ISSUED BY:
This form provides documentation to assure compliance with the following National Electrical
CodeR, NFPA 70, sections
on the use of Series Rated Combinations: 110.9, 110.22 & 240.86
Compliance Checklist
(For further information see discussion on reverse side for each item)
JOB #
NAME:
LOCATION:
CONTRACTOR:
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:
34 c 2005 Cooper Bussman, Inc.
AT TRANSFORMER
SECONDARY TERMINALS
AT LINE SIDE OF MAIN
DISTRIBUTION PANEL
AT PANEL LPA
AT PANEL LPC
AT PANEL LPB
AT DISCONNECT AC-1
AT DISCONNECT AC-2
AT EMERGENCY PANEL
AT FLUOR. FIXTURE
AT COMBINATION MOTOR CONT.
Ampere
Rating
Interrupting
Rating (IR)
Short-Circuit
Current Rating
(SCCR)
If SCCR is below
short-circuit
current, must prove
protection
ShortCircuit
Current
Overcurrent Device Equipment Rating (If Required)
Use back of form or attach separate sheet for data on additional panels.
Use back of form or attach separate sheet to show one-line diagram of service, feeders, and all related panels.
Attach series rated charts for protection of circuit breakers and let-through charts for protection of passive
components.
All current values in RMS unless otherwise noted.
The undersigned accepts full responsibility for the values given herein.
SIGNED DATE
PHONE WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED
Page 2 of 2
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Online Resources
Visit www.cooperbussmann.com for the following
services:
Product cross reference
Arc-flash calculator
SCCR calculator
Training modules
Your Authorized Cooper Bussmann Distributor is:
c2005 Cooper Bussmann St. Louis, MO 63178
636-394-2877 www.cooperbussmann.com
Printed in USA Reorder #3015 1-06-70M