Reyrolle

Protection
Devices

7XG3130 – ReyArc30
Optical Arc Fault Sensor

Energy Management
7XG3130 - RA30 Description
Optical Arc Fault Sensor
The RA30(ReyArc30) is an optical sensor that responds to the
flash of light emitted during the incidence of an arcing fault.
Onset of the light flash & detection by the RA30 occurs in a
few ms.
Each arc fault sensor consists of one or two silicon PIN photo
diode light detectors mounted on a circuit board together
with the associated detection circuit (Figures 1 & 2). The
detector monitors a wide space angle. A broad spectral re-
sponse in the visible region is provided as depicted in figure
5.
Sensitivity of the arc sensor has been set to a low level to
reduce the possibility of mal operation under high ambient
lighting conditions. This is made possible due the high in-
tensity of light emitted under arc fault conditions. Additional
security can be incorporated by way of a current check
stage.
In standby mode the RA30 sensor presents a high resistance
to the 12V DC control signal provided by the Arc Fault Moni-
tor. This allows a small circulating current to flow for contin-
uous supervision of the RA30 connection circuit. When an
arc is detected, the resistance presented by the RA30 drops
to a level where the current flow increases to approximately
20mA. This increased current flow is instantaneously detect-
ed by the Arc Fault Monitor & its trip output contacts closed.
Features Refer to the RA20 Arc Fault Monitor Catalogue sheet for
further details.

• Compact rugged design Single detector package

• One or two optical detectors
• High speed arc detection Figure 1 depicts the RA30 with a single optical detector. Note
• Heavy duty 6m termination cable the window where the active part of the detector is posi-
• Optional 20m & screened cables tioned to. This permits convenient mounting on the outside
• Simple flush cable panel mounting outside or inside of the panel with the detector window protruding through a
switchgear compartment hole in the panel.
• Integrated sensor circuit supervision
• Very low sensitivity to ambient light levels to avoid
nuisance tripping even in direct sunlight
• Sealed module for harsh environments
• Metal reinforced mounting shield comes as
standard

Application

Arc fault protection is a technique employed for the fast clear- Figure 1:
ance of arcing faults on busbars & within metal clad switch-
gear & associated cable boxes. The arc is detected using an
optical sensor & the signal input to a protection device which
also monitors the load current on the system. A trip signal can
be achieved in less than 10ms using arc detection.
While the high intensity flash caused by an electrical arc will be
reflected within the metal clad switchgear, it is recommended
that one or more sensors be mounted in each enclosed
switchgear compartment.
For busbar protection applications multiple sensors are re-
quired to achieve adequate coverage along the length of the
bar. A sensor version with two optical detectors “looking” in
opposite directions is available for this purpose (Refer figure 3
for generic layout).

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 Detector Characteristics
Dual detector package
Optical sensitivity
Figure 2 depicts the RA30 with dual optical detectors. The
two optical detectors face in opposite directions to provide ~10,000 Lux* for white light at normal incidence to the
arc detection coverage in both directions. This version is detector window(s) as depicted in figure 4:
particularly useful when mounted in a bus chamber or barri-
er between adjacent switchgear chambers. The main bene-
Front Light
fits are reduced cost compared to two separate sensors &
Detector Source
use of only one input channel on the RA20 Arc Fault Monitor. Rear
Light RA30 [A]
Source Detector
RA30 [B]
Dual detectors
models only

Figure 4:
For the RA30 single detector version the front detector only
is fitted. In this configuration the RA30 will be insensitive to
white light incident on the rear surface of the case up to a
Figure 2: level of 200,000 Lux.
As the illuminace of diffuse ambient sunlight falls in the
range 5,000 to 10,000 Lux, this will not normally be suffi-
Detector range cient to trigger the RA30 sensor. The luminous intensity from
the sun at noon at the equator however is ~100,000 Lux
A detection range along the 100% relative sensitivity curve which will be sufficient to trigger the RA30 sensor so
shown in figure 3 is approximately 3m. Single detector ver- measures should be made to avoid this situation.
sions therefore need to be placed at a maximum spacing of Direct sunlight incident on the rear of the RA30 single sensor
5-6m. The dual detector versions may be placed at a maxi- model will not cause it to pick up. This attribute provides a
mum spacing of 8-10m to provide adequate detection over- significant safety margin to avoid nuisance tripping when
lap. In switchgear the light caused by the arc is reflected the option of mounting the sensor externally on switchgear
from the walls & therefore, the mounting of the sensor is not as depicted in figure 6 is employed.
critical.
While the high intensity flash caused by an electrical arc will be Detector directional characteristics
reflected within the metal clad switchgear, it is recommended
that one or more sensors be mounted in each enclosed
switchgear compartment. Detector sensitivity falls to ~40% of the nominal level at
inclination angles up to 70 degrees from the normal for
white light.

Detector spectral response

100%

90%
Relative Sensitivity

Figure 3: 80%

70%

60%

50%
600 700 800 900 1,000 1,100 1,200
Wavelength (nm)

Figure 5: Arc detector spectral response

* Due to the relatively high sensitivity of the detector to IR wave-

lengths the type of light source employed for sensitivity testing will
have a major effect on the results obtained.
Sensitivity testing should therefore be conducted using a 50-75W
halogen lamp with an integrated aluminum reflector.

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 Dual detector version
Mounting Options
The dual detector version can be panel mounted to monitor
two adjacent switchgear compartments simultaneously. This
Flush panel mounting feature can be used to reduce the total cost for sensors or to
increase the monitoring coverage for each RA20 Arc Fault
The RA30 is suitable for flush panel mounting in a number of Monitor unit.
configurations.
Flush mount
reinforcing
plate Optical detector
window facing away
Optical detector from compartment
2 x M4 protruding through divider
self threading compartment divider
mounting screws into adjacent
(Supplied) switchgear chamber

Internal partition
between switchgear
compartments

Figure 6:
RA30 shown mounted on the outside of a switchgear panel
Detector oriented to ‘look’ through a hole into the switch-
gear
Figure 9: RA30 shown mounted on the inside of a switchgear
panel. This configuration combines the functions described
in Figures 6 & 7 with the application of a single
dual detector arc fault sensor
Optical detector 2 x M4
protruding through self threading
hole in panel mounting screws
(Supplied)

Switchgear Sealed cable

panel stress relief

Figure 7: RA30 shown mounted on the inside of a switchgear

panel Detector oriented to ‘look’ out into the switchgear
compartment

Flush mounting reinforcing plate

When mounting the RA30 on the outside of a switchgear

cubicle as depicted in figure 6, the hole required in the panel
may degrade the short circuit rating. If this is considered to
be an issue then a reinforcing plate may be fitted over the
RA30 as depicted below. The Reinforcing plate comes as
standard with the RA30.

Optical detector 2 x M4
facing away self threading
from panel mounting screws
(Supplied)

Figure 8: Flush mount reinforcing plate

1.2mm zinc plated mild steel

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Panel mount cut out detail

Hole in panel
to allow detector
to ‘look’ into
switchgear
chamber

CRO trace showing nominal operation time of the trip contacts at

7ms. First contact touch at 6.25ms and fully closed by 7.25ms.
Figure 10: Flush mounting detail Operation in <10ms is considered acceptable as current check relay
operate time is ~25ms.

Minimum Arc duration

Right angle mounting off a surface
The minimum arc “flash” duration required to guarantee operation
A right angle mounting bracket may be fabricated using the panel of the Arc Fault Monitors output contacts is 1.25ms.
cut out detail in figure 10. Single & dual detector models may be
mounted in this manner as depicted below. Auxiliary supply
Single Dual
optical detector optical detector Voltage from RA20 Arc Fault Monitor: 12V DC
Power consumption: <2.5mA
Optical detector
window facing away Casing
from right angle
mounting bracket
Rugged moulded construction to IP51.

Temperature range

Operating: -5 to +55oC
Right angle
Storage: -25 to +75oC
mounting
bracket Sensor Connections

The RA30 is supplied with a 6m two core connection cable as

standard. Two core multi strand wire (2x16/0.2mm), is sup-
plied stripped & pre tinned at the RA20 connection end. The
Figure 11: Right angle mounting off a surface mount off standard 6m cable may be cut down to the desired length &
floor or walls within switchgear / busbar chamber crimp ring lugs fitted for termination.
The RA30 connections are not polarity sensitive. Reversal of
the wires on the arc monitor terminals has no effect on the
performance of the RA30 or arc detection system.
Technical Data The cable is factory fitted to the RA30 Arc Fault Sensor using
a stress relief molding to provide a sealed & durable connec-
tion interface. The cable employs thick inner & outer insula-
Arc fault protection scheme tion layers to avoid damage during installation.
For connection over longer distances shielded cable is rec-
Refer to the ReyArc20/23/24 Technical Catelogue sheets for ommended. For distances over 20m, 24/0.2 mm cable
further details. should be employed.

Arc protection scheme operate time Additional RA30 cable length

Arc fault trip contacts guaranteed to pick up in less than 10ms

Screened arc sensor cables may be increased by wiring addi-
including bounce. Typical operate time is 7ms.
tional series twisted pair SCREENED cable provided it does
not exceed 5 ohms and 30nF loop impedance.

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 Dimensions

Order Code
Serial No.

Optional second
optical detector
‘looks’ forward
through front
label window

Figure 16: RA30 Arc fault Sensor dimensions

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 Ordering Information

Product description Variants Order No.

7 X G 3 1 3 0 -
▲ ▲ ▲ ▲
□▲ □▲ □▲ 0 0 - 0 A A 0

Reyarc – Arc ||| | | | |

Fault Protection Category ||| | | | |
Components Arc Protection 3 1 | | | | |
| | | | |
Device | | | | |
RA30 Arc Sensor 3 0 | | |
| | |
Arc Detectors | | |
Single detector (Through Hole) 1 | |
Dual detector 2 | B
| |
Cabling | |
6m unshielded A |
6m shielded B |
20m shielded C |
|
Reinforcing plate (single sensors only) |
Required A
Not Required B

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 Published by and copyright © 2016:
Siemens Protection Devices Limited
P.O. Box 8
North Farm Road
Hebburn
Tyne & Wear
NE31 1TZ
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)191 401 7901
Fax: +44 (0)191 401 5575
E-mail: [email protected]

EMEA-C10068-00-76GB

March 2016

For enquires please contact our Customer Support Center

Phone: +49 180/524 8437 (24hrs)
Fax: +49 180/524 24 71
E-mail: [email protected]
www.siemens.com/protection

Subject to change without notice, Printed in the UK.

www. siemens.com/energy

Siemens Protection Devices Limited 8