ABB Circuit Breaker Selectivity

1 Technical Application Papers
May 2007
Low voltage selectivity

1SDC007100G0203 with ABB circuit-breakers
Technical Application Papers
Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

Index
A theoretical outline of
selectivity MCCB-MCCB Selectivity
Current selectivity .................................................. 16
Time selectivity ...................................................... 17
Introduction ............................................................. 2
Energy selectivity................................................... 18
Zone selectivity (T4L-T5L-T6L).............................. 19
Main definitions
Selectivity ................................................................ 3
Total selectivity - Partial selectivity .......................... 3
ACB-MCCB Selectivity
Traditional solution ................................................ 25
Overload zone – Short-circuit zone ......................... 4
Zone selectivity between Emax and Tmax ............ 26
Real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers ...... 5
Selectivity techniques
Time-current selectivity ........................................... 7 ACB-ACB Selectivity
Current selectivity .................................................... 8 Time selectivity ...................................................... 28
Time selectivity ........................................................ 9 Zone selectivity between Emax............................. 29
Energy selectivity................................................... 10 Directional time selectivity ..................................... 32
Zone selectivity ..................................................... 11 Directional zone selectivity .................................... 34
Appendix A:
How to obtain selectivity with MV/LV selectivity ................................................... 40
ABB circuit-breakers Appendix B:

General considerations regarding residual current
Types of ABB circuit-breakers ............................... 12 selectivity ............................................................... 43
Appendix C:
MCB Miniature Circuit-Breakers Example of LV/LV selectivity study ........................ 45
Supply-side S200 / Load-side S200 ..................... 13 Appendix D:
Supply-side S290D-S800D / Load-side S200 ...... 13 Further considerations regarding the real currents
circulating in the circuit-breakers .......................... 48
MCCB-MCB Selectivity Glossary ............................................................... 52
Supply-side T1-T2-T3-T4 / Load-side MCB ......... 14
Supply-side T5-T6-T7 / Load-side MCB ............... 15
1
A theoretical outline of selectivity

Problems and requirements for the For example, in the case where it is more important to
coordination of the protections prevent unwanted trips, an indirect protection system is
generally preferred, based on interlocks and data trans-
Selection of the protection system of the electrical instal- mission between different devices which locally measure
lation is fundamental both to guarantee correct economi- the electrical values, whereas speeds and limitation of
cal and functional service of the whole installation and the destructive effects of the short-circuit require direct
to reduce the problems caused by abnormal service action systems with with protection releases integrated
conditions or actual faults to a minimum. directly in the devices. In low voltage systems for primary
and secondary distribution, the latter solution is normally
Within the sphere of this analysis, the coordination be- preferred.
tween the various devices dedicated to protection of
sections of installation or specific components is studied With regard to the Italian Standard CEI 64-8 “Electrical
in order to: user installations with rated voltage below 1000 V in alter-
– guarantee safety of the installation and of people in all nating current and 1500 V in direct current” regarding low
cases; voltage installations, under Part 5 “Selection and installa-
– rapidly identify and exclude just the area involved in tion of the electrical components” this states that:
the problem, without indiscriminate trips which reduce
the availability of energy in areas not involved in the “Selectivity between protection devices against
fault; overcurrents (536.1)
– reduce the effects of the fault on other integral parts When several protection devices are placed in series and
of the installation (reduction in the voltage value, and when the service needs justify it, their operating charac-
loss of stability in rotating machines); teristics must be selected so as to disconnect only the
– reduce the stress on components and damage to the part of the installation where the fault is.”
area involved; Moreover, in the comments, the following is added:
– guarantee service continuity with good quality power “The operating situations which require selectivity are
supply voltage; defined by the customer or by the designer of the in-
– guarantee adequate support in the case of malfunction stallation.”
of the protection delegated to opening;
– provide the personnel in charge of maintenance and The Standard therefore states that the operating charac-
the management system with the information needed teristics must be selected so as to have selectivity, when
to restore service to the rest of the network as rapidly the service needs justify this.
as possible and with the least interference;
– achieve a good compromise between reliability, sim- In general, designing a selective installation not only
plicity and cost-effectiveness. means realising a “state-of-the-art” project, but also
designing a good installation which does, in fact, respond
In detail, a good protection system must be able to: to the customer’s requirements, not simply to the aspects
– perceive what has happened and where, discriminating of the Standards.
between abnormal but tolerable situations and fault
situations within its zone of competence, avoiding
unwanted trips which cause unjustified stoppage of a
sound part of the installation;
– act as rapidly as possible to limit the damage (destruc-
tion, accelerated ageing, etc.), safeguarding power
supply continuity and stability.
The solutions come from a compromise between these

two antithetic requirements – precise identification of the
fault and rapid tripping - and are defined according to
which requirement is privileged.
2 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

Main definitions
Selectivity making the other device trip.”
“Partial selectivity (2.17.3)

The definition of selectivity is given by the IEC 60947-1 Overcurrent selectivity where, in the presence of two
Standard “Low voltage equipment - Part 1: General rules protection devices against overcurrent in series, the
for low voltage equipment” load-side protection device carries out the protection
“Trip selectivity (for overcurrent) (441-17-15) up to a given level of overcurrent, without making the
Coordination between the operating characteristics of other device trip.”
two or more overcurrent protection devices, so that when
an overcurrent within established limits occurs, the device One can speak of total selectivity when there is selectiv-
destined to operate within those limits trips whereas the ity for any overcurrent value possible in the installation.
others do not trip” Between a pair of circuit-breakers, one speaks of total
where by overcurrent a current of a higher value than the selectivity when there is selectivity up to the lesser of the
rated current is intended, due to any cause (overload, Icu values of the two circuit-breakers, since the maximum
short-circuit, etc.). prospective short-circuit current of the installation will in
any case be less or equal to the smallest of the Icu values
There is therefore selectivity between two circuit-break- of the two circuit-breakers.
ers in series when, for an overcurrent which passes
through both, the load-side circuit-breaker opens thereby One talks about partial selectivity when there is only
protecting the circuit, whereas the supply-side one re- selectivity up to a certain Is current value (ultimate
mains closed guaranteeing power supply to the rest of selectivity value). If the current exceeds this value, se-
the installation. lectivity between the two circuit-breakers will no longer
be guaranteed.
Between a pair of circuit-breakers, one speaks about
The definitions of total selectivity and partial selectiv- partial selectivity when there is selectivity up to a certain
ity are, on the other hand, given in Part 2 of the same Is value below the Icu values of the two circuit-break-
Standard IEC 60947-2 “Low voltage Equipment - Part ers. If the maximum prospective short-circuit current of
2: Circuit-breakers” the installation is lower than or equal to the Is selectivity
“Total selectivity (2.17.2) value, one can still speak of total selectivity.
Overcurrent selectivity where, in the presence of two
protection devices against overcurrent in series, the load-
side protection device carries out the protection without
Example
The following two circuit-breakers are considered:
On the supply side T4N250 PR221 In250 (Icu=36kA)
On the load side S294 C 100 (Icu=15kA)
T4N 250 PR221DS-LS/I
From the “Coordination Tables” publication it can be seen that there
is total selectivity (T) between the two circuit-breakers.
This means that there is selectivity up to 15kA, i.e. the
lower of the two Icu values.
S 294 C 100
Obviously, the maximum possible short-circuit current at the point
of installation of the S294 C 100 circuit-breaker will be less than
or equal to 15kA.
Tmax T4 - S290 @ 400/415 V
Now the following two circuit-breakers are considered:
On the supply side T4N250 PR221 In160 (Icu=36kA) Supply T4
On the load side S294 C 100 (Icu=15kA) side
Version N,S H,L,V
Release TM, M EL
From the “Coordination Tables” publication it can be seen that the
selectivity value is Is=12kA between the two circuit-breakers. Iu [A] 250 320 250 320
This means that, if the maximum prospective short-circuit current Load-side Charact. Icu [kA] In [A] 160 200 250 320 160 250 320
80 5 11 T T T T T
on the load-side of the S294 C 100 circuit-breaker is less than 12kA, C-K
100 5* 8 T T 12 T T
there will be total selectivity, whereas if the short-circuit current has
S290 C 15 125 8* 12 T T T
a higher value, there will be partial selectivity, i.e. only for the faults
80 5 11 T T T T T
with a current below 12kA, whereas for faults between 12 and 15 kA D
100 8 T T 12 T T
non-tripping of the supply-side circuit-breaker is not guaranteed.
* Value valid with magnetic only circuit-breaker on the suppy side
Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 3

Main definitions
Overload zone – Short-circuit zone By “short-circuit zone” one means the ranges of current
values, and therefore the relative part of the trip curves
For the purposes of the selectivity analysis made in this of the circuit-breaker, which are 8-10 times higher than
publication, the concepts of “overload zone” and “short- the rated current of the circuit-breaker.
circuit zone” are introduced.
This is the zone in which the magnetic protection for
By “overload zone” one means the ranges of current thermomagnetic releases or protections S, D and I for
values, and therefore the relative part of the circuit- electronic releases are normally called on to intervene.
breaker trip curves coming between the rated current of
the circuit-breaker itself and 8-10 times this value. These current values usually correspond to a fault on the
supply circuit. This event is most unlikely than a simple
This is the zone in which the thermal protection for overload.
thermomagnetic releases and protection L for electronic
releases are normally called on to intervene.
These currents usually correspond to a circuit where a

load results to be overloaded. This event is likely to occur
more frequently than a real fault.
Overload Zone = In ÷ 8-10In Short-circuit Zone = > 8-10In

104s 104s
103s 103s
102s 102s
10s 10s
1s 1s
10-1s 10-1s
10-2s 10-2s
0.1kA 1kA 10kA 0.1kA 1kA 10kA

Real currents circulating in the circuit- which pass through the apparatus can be even consi-
breakers derably different.

When the time-current curves of two circuit-breakers are With regard to the real currents circulating in the circuit-
compared, one is often led to assess the trip times of breakers, the three main cases which can be considered
the two devices as if they were passed through by the are as follows:
same current. - a single circuit-breaker on the supply side of a single
This consideration is only true when, between the two circuit-breaker on the load side (passed through by the
circuit-breakers placed in series, there are no other shun- same current)
ts, i.e. there is a single incoming and a single outgoing - a single circuit-breaker on the supply side of several
feeder which insist on the same node. circuit-breakers on the load side (supply-side circuit-
When, on the other hand, there are several supply-side breaker passed through by a current higher than that
of the load-side circuit-breaker)
circuit-breakers which insist on the same busbar or
- two or more circuit-breakers on the supply side and
several outgoing feeders on the load side, the currents several circuit-breakers on the load side.
tA
A
tB
IA=IB
B
IA=IB
tA
tB
A
IA=IB+Iloads
B
IB IA
A tA
IA=(IB+Iloads)/n tB
Where: I I
A B
IB is the overcurrent which passes through circuit-breaker B
IA is the overcurrent which passes through circuit-breaker A
Iloads is the sum of the currents which, during normal operation, is consumed by the loads (excluding B) supplied by the supply-side
circuit-breaker A. This sum can, if necessary, be corrected with suitable contemporaneity and use factors
n is the number of circuit-breakers placed in parallel on the power supply side.
* These formulas do not take into account the different phase displacement of the currents or any asymmetry of the circuit; the first two formulas are
however conservative and the third one is acceptable when the two supply circuits are equal.

This section describes the different selectivity techniques and their area of application.
In the overload zone with the protections in play, time-current type selectivity is usually realised.
In the short-circuit zone with the protections in play, various selectivity techniques can be used. In particular, the
following will be illustrated in the paragraphs below:
current selectivity
time selectivity
energy selectivity
zone selectivity.
After an initial theoretical description of the different selectivity techniques, the selectivity technique which can be
used appropriately for the different types of circuit-breakers will then be analysed.

Time-current selectivity type, the selectivity technique used is time-current se-
lectivity.

In general, the protections against overload have a Time-current selectivity makes trip selectivity by adjusting
definite time characteristic, whether they are made by the protections so that the load-side protection, for all
means of a thermal release or by means of function L of possible overcurrent values, trips more rapidly than the
an electronic release. supply-side circuit-breaker.
A definite time characteristic is intended as a trip cha- When the trip times of the two circuit-breakers are analy-
racteristic where, as the current increases, the trip time sed, it is necessary to consider:
of the circuit-breaker decreases. - the tolerances over the thresholds and trip times
When there are protections with characteristics of this - the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
Operatively speaking
With regard to the tolerances, ABB SACE makes the trip curves of their releases available in the technical catalogues and in the DOCWin
software. In particular, in the curve module of the DOCWin software, the curves of both the electronic and thermomagnetic releases include
the tolerances. A release trip is therefore shown by two curves, one which indicates the highest trip times (top curve), and the other which
indicates the most rapid trip times (bottom curve).
For a correct analysis of selectivity, the worst conditions must be considered, i.e.:
- the supply-side circuit-breaker trips according to its own bottom curve
- the load-side circuit-breaker trips according to its own top curve
With regard to the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers:
- if the two circuit-breakers are passed through by the same current, it is sufficient for there to be no overlapping between the curve of
the supply-side circuit-breaker and the curve of the load-side circuit-breaker;
- if the two circuit-breakers are passed through by different currents, it is necessary to select a series of significant points on the time
current curves and check that the trip times of the supply-side protection are always higher than the corresponding times of the load
side protection.
In particular, in the case of circuit-breakers equipped with electronic releases, since the trend of the curves is at I2t=const, to carry out
the check correctly, it is sufficient to examine two current values:
1.05 x I11 of the supply-side circuit-breaker (value below which the supply-side protection never intervenes)
1.20XI3 (or I2)2 of the load-side circuit-breaker (value above which the load-side protection certainly trips with the protections against
short-circuit)
Time-current Selectivity
1.05 x I1 of the supply-side circuit-breaker
Assuming IA =1.05xI1, with reference to what has been said about A
103s
the real currents which circulate in the circuit-breakers, the IB current
is obtained on the load side.
The trip times of the two devices are obtained from the time-current 102s
curves.
B
10s
1s
A
10-1s
0.1kA 1kA 10kA 100kA

B
Time-current Selectivity
1.20XI3 (or I2) of the load-side circuit-breaker A

Assuming IB = 1.20XI3 (or I2), the IA current is obtained in the same 1E3s
way on the supply side and, from the time-current curves, the trip
times of the two devices are obtained. 100s
B
10s
If the following is true for both the points considered:
tA>tB 1s
then selectivity in the overload zone is guaranteed.
0.1s
In the figure at the side an absorption of current from other loads has been
assumed 0.1kA 1kA 10kA 100kA
1 1.05 is the value for minimum definite non-intervention dictated by the Standard (IEC60947-2). For some types of circuit-breakers this value could vary
(see the technical catalogue for further information).
2 1.2 is the value for maximum definite intervention for protection against short-circuit dictated by the Standard (IEC60947-2). For some types of circuit-
breakers this value could be lower (see the technical catalogue for further information).

Current selectivity cables). The time-current trip curves of the devices are
normally used for this study.
This type of selectivity is based on the observation that It is intrinsically fast (instantaneous), easy to realise and
the closer the fault point is to the power supply of the economical.
installation, the higher the short-circuit current is. It is
therefore possible to discriminate the zone the fault However:
occurred in by setting the instantaneous protections to – the ultimate selectivity current is usually low and
different current values. therefore selectivity is often only partial;
– the setting level of the protections against overcur-
Total selectivity can normally be achieved in specific rents rises rapidly;
cases only where the fault current is not high and where – redundancy of the protections, which guarantees
there is a component with high impedance interposed elimination of the fault (rapidly) in the case of one
between the two protections (transformer, very long of them not operating, is not possible.
cable or a cable with reduced cross-section, etc.) and
therefore a great difference between the short-circuit It is a type of selectivity which can also be made between
current values. circuit-breakers of the same size and without protection
against delayed short-circuit (S).
This type of coordination is therefore used above all in the
distribution terminal (low rated current and short-circuit
current values, and high impedance of the connection
– The protection against short-circuit of supply-side circuit-breaker A will be set to a value which means
it does not trip for faults which occur on the load side of protection B. (In the example in the figure I3minA
3kA A
> 1kA)
– The protection of load-side circuit-breaker B will be set so as not to trip for faults which occur on its Cable
load side. (In the example in the figure I3MaxB < 1kA)
Obviously the setting of the protections must take into account the real currents circulating in the circuit- 1kA
breakers. B
Current Selectivity
The ultimate selectivity value which can be obtained is equal to
the instantaneous trip threshold of the supply-side protection less
103s any tolerance.
Is
A Is = I3minA
102s
10s
1s
B Note
This selectivity limit, linked to the magnetic threshold of the supply-side circuit-
10-1s
breaker, is exceeded in all cases where energy type selectivity is realised.
If the settings indicated for energy selectivity are respected for the com-
10-2s binations of circuit-breakers with an energy selectivity value given in the
coordination tables published by ABB, the selectivity limit to be taken into
consideration is the one given in the tables and not the one which can be
0.1kA 1kA 10kA obtained using the formula given above.

Time selectivity even when the phenomenon is over).
As in the case of current selectivity, the study is made by

This type of selectivity is an evolution of the previous one. comparing the time-current trip curves of the protection
In this type of coordination, apart from the trip threshold devices.
in terms of current, a trip time is also defined: a certain Generally this type of coordination:
current value will make the protections trip after a defined - is easy to study and realise;
time delay, suitable for allowing any protections placed - is not very costly with regard to the protection sy-
closer to the fault to trip, excluding the area which is the stem;
seat of the fault. - allows even high selectivity limit values to be obtai-
The setting strategy is therefore to progressively increase ned (if Icw is high);
the current thresholds and the trip delays as one gets - allows redundancy of the protection functions.
closer to the power supply sources (level of setting di- However:
rectly correlated to the hierarchical level). - the trip times and energy levels let through by the
The delayed trip thresholds must take into account the protections, especially by those close to the sources,
tolerances of the two protection devices and the effective are high.
currents which circulate in them. It is a type of selectivity which can also be made
The difference between the delays set for the protections between circuit-breakers of the same size, equipped
in series must take into account the fault detection and with electronic releases with delayed protection against
elimination times of the device on the load side and of short-circuit.
the inertia time (overshoot) of the device on the supply
side (time interval during which the protection can trip
The protections against short-circuit of the two circuit-breakers will be set:
- with the I2 trip thresholds against delayed short-circuit adjusted so as not to create trip overlapping, A
taking into consideration the tolerances and the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
- with t2 trip times adjusted so that the load-side circuit-breaker B extinguishes the fault whereas the
supply-side circuit-breaker A, still in the timing phase, manages to “see” the extinction of the current
and therefore remains closed. B
Time Selectivity
The ultimate selectivity limit which is obtained is equal:
– to the instantaneous trip threshold of the supply-side protection, 104s
if this function is enabled, less any tolerance:
A Is
Is = I3minA 103s
– to the value of Icw for supply-side air circuit-breakers when the
instantaneous protection function is set to OFF. 102s
B
10s
Note
These selectivity limits are exceeded in all the cases where energy type 1s
selectivity is realised.
If the settings indicated for energy selectivity are respected for the com- 10-1s
binations of circuit-breakers with an energy selectivity value given in the
coordination tables published by ABB, the selectivity limit to be taken into
consideration is the one given in the tables and not the one which can be 10-2s
obtained from the considerations made in this paragraph. 0.1kA 1kA 10kA 100kA

Energy selectivity current trip curves of the circuit-breakers, obtained with
symmetrical sinusoidal types of wave forms, for the
Coordination of energy type is a particular type of selec- coordination study.

tivity which exploits the current-limiting characteristics The phenomena are mainly dynamic (therefore propor-
of moulded-case circuit-breakers. It is pointed out that a tional to the square of the instantaneous current value)
current-limiting circuit-breaker is “a circuit-breaker with and are heavily dependent on the interaction between
a sufficiently short trip time to prevent the short-circuit the two pieces of apparatus in series. Therefore the
current from reaching the peak value which would othe- energy selectivity values cannot be determined by the
rwise be reached” (IEC 60947-2). end user.
In practice, all the ABB SACE moulded-case circuit- The manufacturers make tables, slide-rules and calcu-
breakers of the Tmax series, the modular circuit-breakers lation programmes available where the ultimate current
and the E2L E3L air current-limiting circuit-breakers have selectivity values of Is under short-circuit between dif-
more or less marked current-limiting characteristics. ferent combinations of circuit-breakers are given. These
Under short-circuit conditions, these circuit-breakers values are defined by theoretically integrating the results
are extremely fast (trip times in the region of a few milli- of tests carried out in compliance with what is indicated
seconds) and open when there is a strong asymmetrical in Annex A of the IEC 60947-2 Standard.
component. It is therefore not possible to use the time-
The protections against short-circuit of the two circuit-breakers must respect the conditions given below.
- Supply-side release of thermomagnetic type
the magnetic trip thresholds must be such so as not to create trip overlapping, taking into consideration the tolerances A
and the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers;
the magnetic threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker must be equal to or higher than10xIn or set to the maximum
value when it is adjustable.
- Supply-side release of electronic type
B
any protections against delayed short-circuit S must be adjusted following the same indications as time selectivity;
the instantaneous protection function I of the supply-side circuit-breakers must be set to off
I3=OFF
The Is ultimate selectivity limit obtained is the one given in the tables which ABB SACE makes available to the customer.
A
Supply T5
side Energy Selectivity
Version
N,S,H,L,W
Release TM LL 103s
In [A] 400 630 400 630
Load side In [A] A Is
63 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 102s
80 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
100 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 B
N 125 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10s
160 20 20 20 20 20
B 200 20 20 20 20
1s
250 20 20 20 20
T3 TM 160
63 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
80 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 10-1s
100 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
S 125 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
160 20 20 20 20 20 10-2s
200 20 20 20 20
250 20 20 20
0.1kA 1kA 10kA

Zone selectivity delay can be reduced to the time needed to exclude
the presence of a possible lock signal coming from the

This type of coordination is an evolution of time coor- load-side protection.
dination. This is a type of selectivity suitable for radial networks
In general, zone selectivity is made by means of dialogue and, when associated with the directional protection,
between the current measuring devices which, once also suitable for meshed networks.
the setting threshold has been detected as having been Compared with coordination of time type, zone selec-
exceeded, allows just the fault zone to be identified cor- tivity allows:
rectly and the power supply to it to be cut off. - reduction of the trip times (these can be lower than
It can be realised in two ways: hundred milliseconds);
– the measuring devices send the information linked - reduction both of the damage caused by the fault and
to the current setting threshold having been exceeded of interferences to the power supply system;
to a supervision system and the latter identifies which - reduction of the thermal and dynamic stresses on the
protection has to intervene; components of the installation;
– when there are current values higher than their setting, - a very high number of selectivity levels to be obtai-
each protection sends a lock signal by means of a direct ned.
connection or a bus to the hierarchically higher level pro- However:
tection (on the supply side in relation to the power flow - it is more burdensome both in terms of cost and of
direction) and, before intervening, checks that a similar complexity of the installation
lock signal has not arrived from the load-side protection. - it requires an auxiliary supply.
In this way only the protection immediately to the supply
side of the fault intervenes. This solution is therefore mainly used in systems with
The second case allows definitely shorter trip times. high rated current and short-circuit current values, with
Compared with coordination of the time type, the need safety and service continuity requirements which are both
to increase the intentional delay as one moves towards binding: in particular, there are often examples of logical
the power supply source is no longer necessary. The
This is a type of selectivity which can be realised:
- between Emax air circuit-breakers equipped with PR122 and PR123 releases.
The ultimate selectivity limit which can be obtained is equal to the Icw Is = Icw
- between Tmax T4L,T5L and T6L moulded-case circuit-breakers equipped with PR223 EF releases.
The ultimate selectivity limit which can be obtained is 100kA Is = 100kA
Then, by means of the additional IM210 module, it is possible to make a chain of zone selectivity between Tmax and Emax. It is also
possible to realise a selectivity chain including ABB MV protections.
The operating principle of zone selectivity between ABB circuit-breakers is as follows:

When there are current values higher than their setting, each protection sends a lock signal by means of a direct connection or a bus to
the hierarchically higher level protection (on the supply side in relation to the power flow direction) and, before intervening, checks that
a similar lock signal has not arrived from the load-side protection. In this way only the protection immediately to the supply side of the
fault intervenes.
A remains closed A opens

B opens B remains closed
A A
B B
Fault current Fault current

Lock signal Lock signal

How to obtain selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

How to obtain selectivity with the different types of ABB For specific combinations of circuit-breakers and for
circuit-breakers will be analysed in details in the next specific installation conditions, ABB SACE may provide
chapters. indications which do not respect the rules given in this
Each chapter is dedicated to a particular combination document.
of circuit-breakers and to the methods to realise selec- Here is a short description of the different types of ABB
tivity between them.This pubblication gives indications circuit-breakers taken into consideration in this publi-
for rapid selection of the circuit-breaker adjustments in cation.
order to obtain selectivity.
These indications about adjustments of the releases
are generally valid and are used for rapid selection of
the settings.
Types of ABB circuit-breakers

MCB
Miniature Circuit-Breakers
These are the System Pro-M series of circuit-breakers.

They are equipped with thermomagnetic releases whose
trip characteristics conform to the IEC60898 Standard
and to the DIN VDE 0660 Standard.
These circuit-breakers have the breaking capacity (Icu)
complying with the Standard IEC 60947-2 and the energy
selectivity limits refer to this Standard.
MCCB
Moulded-Case Circuit-Breakers
These are the Tmax series of circuit-breakers.
They can be equipped with thermomagnetic or electronic
releases.
The most advanced electronic release of the Tmax series
is the PR223EF which allows zone selectivity to be reali-
sed between moulded-case circuit-breakers.
ACB
Air Circuit-Breakers
These are the Emax series of circuit-breakers.
They can be equipped with electronic releases.
The most advanced electronic releases of the Emax
series are the PR122/P, which allows zone selectivity to
be realised, and the PR123/P which, apart from zone
selectivity, also allows directional zone selectivity to be
realised.

MCB-MCB Selectivity
These are circuit-breakers with a thermomagnetic relea- current selectivity and energy selectivity. Depending on
se and therefore neither time selectivity let alone zone the type of MCB on the supply side, either one or the

selectivity is possible. other can be realised.
The two selectivity techniques which can be used are
Supply-side S200 / Load-side S200

Only current type selectivity can be looked for between two circuit-breakers of the S200 series.
In particular, the following prescriptions are valid:
- In the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip more rapidly than the supply-side circuit-breaker, taking into consideration
the tolerances and the effective currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
In the short-circuit zone given that the following are:
I3minA the lowest magnetic threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker A
I3MaxB the highest magnetic threshold of the load-side circuit-breaker B
IkB the maximum prospective short-circuit current on the load side of B
Energy selectivity between S200 D40 and S200 C10
If the following relationships are verified:

103s
I3minA > IkB
Is
A I3MaxB < IkB 102s
one can talk about total selectivity. A
10s
Cable Otherwise there will be partial selectivity and B
the ultimate selectivity limit will be: 1s
Is = I3minA
IkB 10-1s
B This is assuming that the magnetic trip thre-
sholds of the supply-side circuit-breaker and of
10-2s
the load-side circuit-breaker do not create trip
overlapping, taking into consideration the real
currents circulating in the circuit-breakers. 0.1kA 0.1kA 1kA 10kA
Supply-side S290D-S800D / Load-side S200 Energy selectivity between S290 D100 and S200L C25
Between the S800 curve D or S290 curve D circuit-breakers on the
supply side and the circuit-breakers of the S200 series on the load
side, ABB SACE provides selectivity tables which give the values 103s
of energy selectivity. Is
In particular, for the values of the tables to be considered valid, the 102s
following prescriptions are valid: A
B
- in the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip 10s
more rapidly than the supply-side circuit-breaker, taking into
consideration the tolerances and the real currents circulating in 1s
the circuit-breakers.
10-1s
- in the short-circuit zone, the lower magnetic trip threshold
of the supply-side circuit-breaker and the upper magnetic trip
10-2s
threshold of the load-side circuit-breaker must be such so as
not to create trip overlapping, taking into consideration the real
currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
0.1kA 0.1kA 1kA 10kA
A
Supply
side S290 S800N-S
A Characteristic D D
Icu [kA] 15 36-50
Load side In [A] 80 100 32 40 50 63
6-8 T T 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.4
10 5 T 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.4
13 4.5 T 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.4
B
S200L C 5 16 4.5 T 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.4
B 20 3.5 5 0.8 1.1 1.3
25 3.5 5 0.8 1.1 1.3
The Is ultimate selectivity limit which is obtained is the one given in 32 4.5 0.9 1.1
the tables which ABB SACE makes available to the customer 40 1.1

MCCB-MCB Selectivity
The case where selectivity is looked for between a moul- In this case, thanks to the different size of the two
ded-case circuit-breaker on the supply side and a modu- circuit-breakers, it is always possible to obtain energy
lar circuit-breaker on the load side is now analysed. selectivity.
Supply-side T1-T2-T3-T4 / Load-side MCB

In the “Coordination Tables” publication, there are tables with circuit-breakers of the Tmax T1, T2, T3
and T4 series on the supply side of the modular circuit-breakers of the S200, S290 and S800 series.
The energy selectivity values given are valid once the conditions described below are verified. A
Overload zone
In the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip more
rapidly than the supply-side circuit-breaker, taking into considera-
tion the tolerances and the real currents circulating in the circuit- B
breakers.
Selectivity between T2160 PR221 In100 and S280 C50
Short-circuit zone
Supply-side circuit-breaker of thermomagnetic type 104s
The magnetic trip threshold must be:
- higher than or equal to 10xIn when the magnetic threshold is
103s Is
fixed (TMD)
- set to the maximum value when the magnetic threshold is
A
adjustable (TMA) 102s
- such so as not to create trip overlapping with the load-side
circuit-breaker, taking into consideration the tolerances and B
the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers. 10s
Supply-side circuit-breaker of electronic type 1s

The instantaneous protection function I must be set to OFF
I3=OFF 10-1s
The I2 current threshold of function S, less any tolerance, must be
adjusted so as not to create trip overlapping with the upper ma-
10-2s
gnetic threshold of the load-side circuit-breaker I3MaxB, taking into
consideration the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
With regard to the t2 trip time of function S:
t2A ≥ 100ms both with I2t=const as well with t=const
The Is ultimate selectivity limit which is obtained is the one given in the “Coordination Tables” publication
A
Supply side T2
Version N,S,H,L
Release TM,M EL
Iu [A] 160
Load side Charact. Icu [kA] In [A] 12.5 16 20 25 32 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 10 25 63 100 160
≤2 T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
C 3 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 17 T T T T T T T
4 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 17 T T T T T T T
6 5.5* 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 10.5 15 17 T T T T T T
8 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 10.5 15 17 T T T T T T
25
10 3* 3 3 3 4.5 7.5 8.5 17 T T T T T T
13 3* 3 3 4.5 7.5 7.5 12 20 T T T T T
S200P 16 3* 3 4.5 5 7.5 12 20 T T T T
B-C 20 3* 3 5 6 10 15 T T T T
25 3* 5 6 10 15 T T T T
32 3* 6 7.5 12 T T T T
40 5.5* 7.5 12 T T T
B 15
50 3* 5* 7.5 10.5 10.5 10.5
63 5* 10.5 10.5

Supply-side T5-T6-T7 / Load-side MCB

With the Tmax T5, T6 and T7 moulded-case circuit-breakers and the modular circuit-breakers on the load
side, there is always total selectivity if the conditions described below are verified.
A
Overload zone
In the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip more
rapidly than the supply-side circuit-breaker, taking into considera-
tion the tolerances and the real currents circulating in the circuit- B
breakers.
Short-circuit zone
Supply-side circuit-breaker of thermomagnetic type
The magnetic trip threshold must be:
- higher than or equal to 10xIn when the magnetic threshold is Selectivity between T5N400 PR221In320 and S284 D63
fixed (TMD)
104s
- set to the maximum value when the magnetic threshold is
adjustable (TMA)
103s
- such so as not to create trip overlapping with the load-side Is
circuit-breaker, taking into consideration the tolerances and
A
10s
Supply-side circuit-breaker of electronic type
The instantaneous protection function I must be set to OFF B
I3=OFF 1s
The I2 current threshold of function S, less any tolerance, must be 10-1s

adjusted so as not to create trip overlapping with the upper ma-
gnetic threshold of the load-side circuit-breaker I3MaxB, taking into 10-2s
consideration the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
With regard to trip time t2 of function S: 0.1kA 1kA 10kA

t2A ≥ 100ms both with I2t=const as well with t=const
The Is ultimate selectivity limit is the lesser between the breaking capacity of the supply-side circuit-breaker and the breaking capacity
of the load-side circuit-breaker.
With reference to the example given in the figure above
S284D63 Icu = 15kA
T5N400 Icu = 36kA
there is therefore Is = 15kA

MCCB-MCCB Selectivity
The case where selectivity is looked for between two an energy selectivity value and the supply-side circuit-
moulded-case circuit-breakers is now analysed. In this breaker is equipped with an electronic release
case, different techniques can be used to obtain selec-

tivity between the circuit-breakers: energy selectivity
for the combinations given in the “Coordination Tables”
current selectivity publication
for combinations of circuit-breakers which do not have
an energy selectivity value when an element with high zone selectivity
impedance is placed between the two for Tmax circuit-breakers equipped with PR223EF re-
leases
time selectivity
for combinations of circuit-breakers which do not have
Current selectivity
Looking for current selectivity between moulded-case circuit-breakers may be necessary when there are circuit-breakers of the same
size which do not have energy selectivity values in the tables.
In any case, only low selectivity values in the order of a maximum of 10 times the In rated current of the release on the supply side can
be obtained.
To obtain the current type of selectivity, the following prescriptions must be respected:
In the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip more rapidly than the supply-side circuit-breaker, taking into consideration
the tolerances and the effective currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
In the short-circuit zone given that the following are: Current selectivity between T4N250 TMA250 and T4N250 TMA80
I3minA the lower magnetic threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker A
104s
I3MaxB the upper magnetic threshold of the load-side circuit-breaker B
IkB the maximum prospective short-circuit current on the load side of B
103s Is
A
If the following relationships are true: 102s
I3minA > IkB
I3MaxB < IkB 10s
A
one can speak of total selectivity. B
Otherwise there will be partial selectivity and the 1s

Cable ultimate selectivity limit will be:
Is = I3minA 10-1s
IkB This is assuming that the magnetic trip thresholds of

the supply-side circuit-breaker and of the load-side 10-2s
B circuit-breaker do not create trip overlapping, taking
into consideration the real currents circulating in the
circuit-breakers. 0.1kA 1kA 10kA

Time selectivity

Looking for current selectivity between moulded-case circuit-breakers may be necessary when there are
circuit-breakers of the same size which do not have energy selectivity values in the tables and the supply-
side circuit-breaker is equipped with an electronic release with function S (T2-T4-T5-T6-T7). A
In any case, only low selectivity values in the order of a maximum of 10-12 times the rated uninterrupted
current Iu of the supply-side circuit-breaker can be obtained.
To obtain the time type of selectivity, the following prescriptions must be respected: B
In the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip more rapidly than the supply-side cir-
cuit-breaker, taking into consideration the tolerances and the real currents circulating in the circuit-
breakers.
In the short-circuit zone Time selectivity between two T4

- the I2A current threshold of function S of the supply-side 104s
circuit-breaker must be adjusted so as not to create trip over-
lapping with the current threshold of the protection against 103s Is
short-circuit (I3 or I2) of the load-side circuit-breaker, taking
into consideration the tolerances and the real currents circu-
102s
lating in the circuit-breakers
B A
- with regard to trip time t2 of function S, the settings of the 10s
MCCBs on the supply side are indicated below according to
the setting/type of MCCB on the load side:
1s
when the I2A threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker is
higher than an instantaneous protection of the load-side cir- 10-1s
cuit-breaker (magnetic, I3=ON or self-protection) the following
is valid:
10-2s
t2A≥ 150ms if I2t =const
t2A≥ 100ms if t =const
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
when the I2A threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker is only

higher than the I2B threshold of the load-side circuit-breaker,
by using curves with the same characteristics, the following
is valid:
t2A - tolerance ≥ t2B + tolerance + 50ms
This relationship must be respected when, through the dialogue or the PR010T unit, electronic settings are used. In the more frequent
case - use of the available settings through dip-switches - the values given in the following tables must be complied with:
t2 times set
MCCB on the supply side t2A=250 t2A=250 t2A =500
MCCB on the load side t2B=50 t2B=100 t2B =250
Note
The indications about the adjustments of the releases are valid in general and useful for a rapid choice of setting guaranteing selectivity. For specific
combinations of circuit-breakers and for specific installation conditions, ABB SACE may provide indications which do not respect the rules given in
this document, but however able to ensure selectivity.
The ultimate selectivity limit is equal to the istantaneus trip threshold I3 of the upstream circuit-breaker minus the tollerance
Is = I3minA

Energy selectivity
ABB SACE makes selectivity tables available to the customer which provide the energy selectivity values
at 415V between the possible combinations of moulded-case circuit-breakers.
Since the moulded-case circuit-breakers can be equipped with thermomagnetic and electronic releases A
which are both adjustable, it is necessary for the user to carry out some checks in order to obtain selec-
tivity up to the short-circuit current value given in the tables.
In the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip more rapidly than the supply-side circuit-
breaker, taking into consideration the tolerances and the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
In the short-circuit zone B
Supply-side circuit-breaker of thermomagnetic type Energy selectivity between thermomagnetic MCCB

(T1-T2-T3-T4-T5-T6)
The magnetic trip threshold must be: 103s
- higher than or equal to 10xIn when the magnetic threshold is
fixed (TMD) Is
- set to the maximum value when the magnetic threshold is 102s
adjustable (TMA). A
- such so as not to create trip overlapping with the load-side
circuit-breaker, taking into consideration the tolerances and 10s
the effective currents circulating in the circuit-breakers. B
1s
Supply-side circuit-breaker of electronic type
(T2-T4-T5-T6-T7)
- the instantaneous protection function I must be set to OFF 10-1s
I3=OFF
- trip threshold I2A of the supply-side circuit-breaker must be 10-2s
adjusted so as not to create trip overlapping with the trip
threshold of the protection against short-circuit (I3 or I2) of the 0.1kA 1kA 10kA
load-side circuit-breaker, taking into consideration the toleran- Energy selectivity between electronic MCCB
ces and the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers
103s
- with regard to trip time t2 of function S, the settings of the
Is
MCCBs on the supply side are indicated below according to
the setting/type of MCCB on the load side: 102s
when the I2A threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker is A
higher than an instantaneous protection of the load-side cir- B
cuit-breaker (magnetic, I3=ON or self-protection) the following 10s
is valid:
t2A≥ 150ms if I2t =const 1s
t2A≥ 100ms if t =const
when the I2A threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker is 10-1s
only higher than threshold I2B of the load-side circuit-breaker,
by using curves with the same characteristics, the following
is valid: 10-2s
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
This relationships must be respected when, through the dialogue or the PR010T unit, electronic settings are used. In the more fre-
quent case - use of the available settings through dip-switches - the values given in the following tables must be complied with:
t2 times set
MCCB on the supply side t2A=250 t2A=250 t2A =500
MCCB on the load side t2B=50 t2B=100 t2B =250
Note: The indications about the adjustments of the releases are valid in general and useful for a rapid choice of setting guaranteing selectivity. For
specific combinations of circuit-breakers and for specific installation conditions, ABB SACE may provide indications which do not respect the rules
given in this document, but however able to ensure sectivity.
The Is ultimate selectivity limit obtained is the one given in the MCCB - Tmax T5 @ 400/415 V
“Coordination Tables” publication.
Supply side T6 T7
Versions N,S,H,L S,H,L,V(1)
Release TM, M EL EL
Iu [A] 630 800 630 800 1000 800 1000 1250 1600
Load side In [A] 630 800 630 800 1000 800(2) 1000(2) 1250 1600
400 320 30 30 30 30 30 T T T T
N, TM 400 30 30 30 T T T T
S, 630 500 30 30 T T T T
T5 H, 320 30 30 30 30 30 T T T T
Available only with Iu ≤ 1250 A L, EL 400
(1)
(2)
Value valid only for PR232/P, 400 30 30 30 30 30 T T T T
V
PR331/P and PR332/P trip units 630 630 30 T T T T

Zone selectivity (T4L-T5L-T6L) trip, it asks the supply-side circuit-breaker for help and the latter

By means of the new PR223EF electronic release, it is possible to opens even if it does not detect the fault (SOS function).
realise zone selectivity between moulded-case circuit-breakers of A 24Vdc auxiliary power supply is required for operation of the EF
the Tmax T4L, T5L and T6L series. protection and zone selectivity.
The PR223EF implements the new EF protection function, ca- The ultimate selectivity limit which can be obtained is 100kA
pable of detecting the short-circuit at its onset. This is thanks to Is=100kA
“predicting” the fault, based on analysis of the trend of the current
All the protection functions can be programmed remotely, exploi-
derivative in relation to the time, di(t)/dt vs i(t).
If the EF protection is enabled, it intervenes for faults of considera- ting the dialogue function on the release, or locally by means of
ble size, replacing the I protection function against instantaneous the PR010/T, which can be connected to a serial port on the front
of the PR223EF.
short-circuit when there is an auxiliary power supply.
One of the main advantages in using zone selectivity between
Between PR223EF releases, zone selectivity is implemented simul-
taneously on functions S, G and EF. It is carried out by means of an MCCBs is the reduction in size of the circuit-breakers it makes
possible.
interlocking protocol (Interlocking, IL), guaranteed by a couple of
shielded twisted pair cables for modbus RS485 which connect the In fact, in looking for selectivity between moulded-case circuit-
breakers with the classic techniques, it is often necessary to increa-
circuit-breakers equipped with the PR223EF (ask ABB for further
se the size of the supply-side circuit-breakers to obtain selectivity
information about cable type).
limits congruous with the short-circuit current of the installation.
In the case of a short-circuit, the circuit-breaker immediately to the
By means of suitably cabled PR223EF releases, it is possible to
supply side sends a lock signal to the hierarchically higher level
obtain 100kA of selectivity even between two circuit-breakers of
protection by means of the bus and, before trippping, checks that
the same size.
a similar lock signal has not come from the load-side protection.
An example is given below (see pages 22 and 23) of how, by means
System integrity is controlled by a monitoring function: in the case
of zone selectivity between moulded-case circuit-breakers, a re-
of a short-circuit, if a fault is found in the interlocking system, the
duction in sizes and a considerable reduction in the peak current
EF protection function trips (with trip times in the order of tens of
and specific energy let through by the circuit-breakers is possible,
ms), but zone selectivity is not guaranteed.
Furthermore, if the load-side circuit-breaker does not manage to whilst still maintaining total selectivity.
Interlock configuration
Each release is characterised by:
- an input destined for connection with the release on the supply
side “Uplink”
- an output destined for connection with the release on the load
side “Downlink”
Uplink: PP/MP
Each of the two can be configured in two ways: PP (point-point)
or MP (multi-point) according to the installation condition the PR223EF
releases are in.
Downlink: PP/MP
The main configurations are given below:
PR223EF PP PR223EF PR223EF

MP MP PP
MP MP MP MP MP MP
PR223EF PP
PR223EF PR223EF PR223EF PR223EF PR223EF PR223EF

The main parameters, characteristic of the release, are:
Trip delayed Enabling this parameter introduces a trip delay in the case when, on the load side of a release, smaller sized
Tmax or modular circuit-breakers are installed. The aim of this parameter is to obtain selectivity with the
other devices on the load side not equipped with PR223EF.
This parameter is only enabled in the circuit-breakers which have the device outside the zone selectivity
chain on the load side.
EF enable/disable Enabling/disabling protection EF.
If protection EF is enabled:
the presence of Vaux leads to automatic exclusion of function I and enabling of protection EF,
the lack of Vaux leads to exclusion of protection EF and to the return of function I (if enabled).
100 kA Ultimate selectivity limit which can be obtained with the PR223EF suitably cabled and supplied with power.
16 Maximum number of releases which can be connected to the BUS of a level.
1200 meters Maximum overall length of the connection cable. Cabling the different releases is carried out as in the classic
“Bus topology” (see figure).
PR223EF
Down
PR223EF PR223EF PR223EF

UP UP UP
Cable RS485
= max 1200 m

Indications about the settings
To obtain total selectivity, both in the case of overload and short-circuit, using the PR223EF releases suitably cabled and supplied with

power, making the following selections and the following settings between the various circuit-breakers is recommended:
Zone selectivity between Tmax

Overload 104s
- Check there is no trip overlapping of protection functions L C B A
(against overload), taking into consideration the tolerances and 103s
the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
Short-circuit 102s
- No trip overlapping of the I2 current thresholds of function S,
taking into consideration the tolerances and the real currents 10s
circulating in the circuit-breakers.
1s
- Trip time t2
Adjusted so as to realise time selectivity with any load-side
circuit-breaker placed outside the zone selectivity chain. 10-1s
Between the circuit-breakers equipped with PR223EF and inter-
locked with each other, if A is the supply-side circuit-breaker and 10-2s
B the load-side circuit-breaker, the following must be valid:
t2A ≥ t2B.
When possible, it is advisable to look for time type selectivity as 0.1kA 1kA 10kA
well between the interlocked circuit-breakers so as to guarantee
partial selectivity in case the auxiliary power supply is lost.
- Instantaneous protection function I

This protection function is automatically disabled when function
EF is enabled and there is an auxiliary power supply. Its settings
are therefore only of importance in the case of losing Vaux.
A
PR223EF
- Trip delayed
By enabling this parameter on the releases which have a circuit-
breaker directly on the load side not equipped with PR223EF, B
selectivity is obtained with the Tmax of a smaller size or the PR223EF
MCBs placed on the load side. Trip delayed ON
C
PR221DS

Example of application
In the following example a comparison between an installation where selectivity is implemented with traditional techniques and the same
installation with selectivity ensured by EFDP system is given.

Traditional installation
V = 400 V
U Ik = 95 kA
QF1
E3H800 PR122/P-LSI In800
WC1
6x(1x400)+2x(1x240)+1G400
Ib = 740 A
Iz = 1050 A
L = 17m
PVC
QF1 Switchboard A
E3S/ S1000
IkA=74 kA
QF2 QF3
T6L630 PR222DS-LSI In630 T4L250 PR222DS-LSI In250
WC2 WC3
6x(1x300)+2x(1x150)+1G300 3x(1x150)+1x(1x95)+1G95
Ib = 540 A Ib = 200 A
Iz = 682 A Iz = 275 A
L = 25 m L = 10m
PVC PVC
L1
QS2
Switchboard B L In = 200 A
T6D630
IkA=54.5 kA
QF4 QF5 QF6

T4H250 PR222DS-LSI In250 T4H250 PR222DS-LSI In250 T4H250 PR222DS-LSI In250
WC4 WC5 WC6

3x(1x95)+1x(1x50)+1G50 3x(1x95)+1x(1x50)+1G50 3x(1x95)+1x(1x50)+1G50
Ib = 200 A Ib = 170 A Ib = 170 A
Iz = 207 A Iz = 207 A Iz = 207 A
L = 40m L = 60m L = 30m
PVC PVC PVC
L2 L3 L4
L In = 200 A L In = 170 A L In = 170 A
The choice of the protection devices shall be carried out above all making reference to the rated currents of the loads and to the short-
circuit current of the busbars. Besides, this choice is influenced by the search for selectivity realized through traditional techniques, whose
values can be found in the “Coordination Tables” publication.
The short-circuit current at the busbars of switchboard B (IkB=54.5kA) influences the choice of the protection devices and imposes the
use T4H 250 circuit-breakers on the outgoing feeders.
In order to guarantee selectivity, the circuit-breaker (QF2) on the supply side of switchboard B and installed in switchboard A must be
T6L 630 type.
The busbar of switchboard A is characterized by a short-circuit current value IkA=74kA: this affects deeply the choice of the upstream
protection device which, independent of the rated current, shall be an Emax circuit-breaker and precisely an Emax E3H, therefore able
to guarantee selectivity towards the apparatus on the load side.
Each switchboard has got as main device a switch-disconnector, which shall be protected against short-circuit and overload by the
circuit-breaker on the supply side. Generally speaking, in order to guarantee protection, it is necessary to use a switch-disconnector in
the version derived from the circuit-breaker on the supply side.
Therefore it is evident that the selectivity requirements condition deeply the choice of the protection devices and direct it towards diffe-
rentiated sizes according to the location of the circuit-breakers in the installation.

Installation
Installation with
with PR223EF
PR223EF V = 400 V
U Ik = 95 kA
QF1
T6L800 PR223EF In800
WC1
6x(1x400)+2x(1x240)+1G400
Ib = 740 A
Iz = 1050 A
L = 17m
PVC
QF1 Switchboard A
T6D800
IkA=74 kA
QF2 QF3
T5L630 PR223EF In630 T4L250 PR223EF In250
WC2 WC3
6x(1x300)+2x(1x150)+1G300 3x(1x150)+1x(1x95)+1G95
Ib = 540 A Ib = 200 A
Iz = 682 A Iz = 275 A
L = 25 m L = 10m
PVC PVC
L1
QS2
Switchboard B L In = 200 A
T5D630
IkA=54.5 kA
QF4 QF5 QF6

T4L250 PR223EF In250 T4L250 PR223EF In250 T4L250 PR223EF In250
WC4 WC5 WC6

3x(1x95)+1x(1x50)+1G50 3x(1x95)+1x(1x50)+1G50 3x(1x95)+1x(1x50)+1G50
Ib = 200 A Ib = 170 A Ib = 170 A
Iz = 207 A Iz = 207 A Iz = 207 A
L = 40m L = 60m L = 30m
PVC PVC PVC
L2 L3 L4
L In = 200 A L In = 170 A L In = 170 A
Since the rated current and the short-circuit values of the network under consideration remain unchanged, the use of the new protection
release PR223EF allows selectivity to be obtained without increasing the size of the apparatus to be used.
In particular, a T5L630 equipped with PR223EF can be used as circuit-breaker on the supply side of switchboard B (QF2). As a conse-
quence, the switch-disconnector on the incoming feeder of switchboard B can be reduced in size.
The most evident reduction in size which can be obtained regards the main device of the installation: thanks to the use of PR223EF
release, a moulded-case circuit-breaker can be chosen instead of an air circuit-breaker. In this specific case, a T6L800 circuit-breaker
with a downstream switch-disconnector of the same size can be used.

The following table summarizes the advantages deriving from the use of the new electronic release.
In details, it has been possible:
• to replace a large-sized moulded-case circuit-breaker with a smaller one – T5L 630 PR223EF instead of T6L630 PR221-LS;
• to replace a large-sized air circuit-breaker with a much smaller moulded-case one – T6L 800 PR223EF instead of E3H800 PR122/P-
LSIG;
• to replace a large-sized switch-disconnector with a smaller-sized one – T5D 630 instead of T6D630;
• to replace an air switch-disconnector with a switch-disconnector derived from a much smaller-sized moulded-case circuit-breaker
– T6D 800 instead of E3S/MS1000.
Traditional solution Solution with EFDP
QF1 E3H800 PR122/P T6L800 PR223EF
QS1 E3S/MS1000 T6D800
QF2 T6L630 PR221DS T5L630 PR223EF
QS2 T6D630 T5D630
Besides a remarkable reduction in the applicable sizes, with the consequent advantages from a dimensional and economical point of
view, the installation equipped with PR223EF releases is subject to more limited electrodynamical and thermal stresses than those of the
traditional solution. Hereunder the let-through energy and peak curves relevant to the considered circuit-breakers are shown.
Let-through energy curve Peak curve

103 kA
Ip [kA]
I2 [MA2s]
E3H 800
103 MA2s
E3H 800
102 MA2s
102 kA
T6L 800
T6H 630
T6L 800
T6H 630
10 MA2s T5L 630
T5L 630
1 MA2s 10 kA
10 kA 102 kA 103 kA 10 kA 102 kA 103 kA
Irms [kA] Irms [kA]
From the curves above, it should be noticed that at a short-circuit current value corresponding to 55kA, the specific let-through energy
allowed by T6H630 is equal to 13 MA2s, whereas that of T5L630 is 3.5 MA2s. Also the peak values decrease drastically from 54kA of T6H
to about 35kA of T5L630.
Similarly, at 74kA short-circuit current, the specific let-through energy and the peak current limited by T6L800 circuit-breaker reduce very
much the thermal and dynamical stresses if compared with E3H circuit-breaker.
In particular, in this case, it is possible to use the current limiting capacities of the moulded-case circuit-breaker to optimize the dimen-
sioning of the busbar system of switchboard A. In fact, with an air circuit-breaker on the supply side, it is necessary to adopt a busbar
system dimensioned for a rated short-time withstand current (Icw) equal to 75kA and consequently with a current carrying capacity much
more higher than the total current required by the installation. On the contrary, by using a T6L800 circuit-breaker on the supply side of
the switchboard, it is possible to adopt a busbar system with Icw equal to 35kA, which results more consistent from a dimensional point
of view with 800A current, which is the current carrying capacity required to this busbar system.
In details, the following values correspond to 35kA rated short-time withstand current of the busbar system:
- peak current Ip = (35x2.1) = 73.5kA, which results to be higher than the peak of 66kA allowed by T6L800 circuit-breaker at 75kA short-
circuit current;
- let-through energy I2t = 352 x 1 =1225 MA2s, which results to be higher than the let-through energy equal to 20MA2s of T6L800 circuit-
breaker with a short-circuit value corresponding to 75kA.
Traditional solution Solution with EFDP

Busbars of
Icw = 75kA Icw = 35kA
switchboard A

The case where selectivity is looked for between an air - zone selectivity, when the load-side circuit-breaker
circuit-breaker on the supply side and a moulded-case is a Tmax equipped with a PR223EF release and the

circuit-breaker on the load side is now analysed. Emax on the supply side is equipped with a PR122/P
In this case, two paths can be followed: or PR123/P release.
- traditional solution with time/energy selectivity;
Traditional solution
In this case, ABB SACE makes a table available in which the selectivity values between air circuit-breakers on the supply side and moul-
ded-case circuit-breakers on the load side are given.
The need to set the releases appropriately to obtain the selectivity value given in the table is obvious.
The following must be true:
In the overload zone, the load-side circuit-breaker must trip more rapidly than the supply-side circuit-breaker, taking into consideration
the tolerances and the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers.
In the short-circuit zone Emax-MCCB selectivity
- instantaneous protection function I must be set to OFF 104s
I3=OFF
103s
- the I2A trip threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker must
be adjusted so as not to create trip overlapping with the trip B A
threshold of the protection against short-circuit (I3 or I2) of 102s
the load-side circuit-breaker, taking into consideration the
tolerances and the effective currents circulating in the circuit-
10s
breakers
- with regard to the t2 trip time of function S, the settings of the 1s

Emax on the supply side are indicated hereunder, according
to the setting/type of MCCB on the load side:
10-1s
when the I2A threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker is
higher than an instantaneous protection of the load-side cir- 10-2s
cuit-breaker (magnetic, I3=ON or self-protection) the following
is valid:
t2A ≥ 100ms both if I2t =cost as well as if t =cost 0.1kA 1kA 10kA
when the I2A threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker is only higher than the I2B threshold of the load-side circuit-breaker, by
using curves with the same characteristics, the following is valid:
This relationship must be respected when, through the dialogue or the PR010T unit, electronic settings are used. In the more frequent
case - use of the available settings through dip-switches - the values given in the following tables must be complied with:
t2 times set
ACB on the supply side t2A=200 t2A=200 t2A =400 t2A =700
MCCB on the load side t2B=50 t2B=100 t2B =250 t2A =500
Note
The indications about the adjustments of the releases are valid in general and useful for a rapid choice of settings guaranteeing selectivity. For speci-
fic combinations of circuit-breakers and for specific installation conditions, ABB SACE may provide indications which do not respect the rules given
in this document, but however able to ensure selectivity.
The Is ultimate selectivity limit obtained is the one given in the “Coordination Tables” publication.
ACB - MCCB @ 400/415 V

Supply
side E1 E2 E3
Version B N B N S L* N S H V L* S
Release EL EL EL
Load side Iu [A] 800 800 1600 1000 800 1250 2500 1000 800 800 2000 4000
1000 1000 2000 1250 1000 1600 3200 1250 1000 1000 2500
1250 1250 1600 1250 1600 1250 1250
1600 1600 2000 1600 2000 1600 1600
2000 2500 2000 2000
3200 2500 2500
3200 3200
B T T T T T T T T T T T T
T1 C TM 160 T T T T T T T T T T T T
N T T T T T T T T T T T T
N T T T T T T T T T T T T
S T T T T T T T T T T T T
T2 TM,EL 160
H T T T 55 65 T T T T T T T

Zone selectivity between Emax and Tmax
By means of the IM210 interlocking module, it is possible to extend zone selectivity from the PR223EF releases to the PR122/P or PR123/P
release on the supply side.
In practice, the device makes interfacing between the IL protocol of PR223EF and ZS zone selectivity of the PR122/P and PR123/P
devices possible.
Furthermore, by making this selectivity chain between Emax and Tmax, the limit selectivity value shall be the lesser value between:
- the short-time withstand current of the supply-side circuit-breaker (Icw of the Emax)
- the breaking capacity of the circuit-breaker on the load side (Icu of the Tmax in version L → 100kA)
Management of two supply-side circuit-breakers

To manage several Emax circuit-breakers on the supply side of
PR223EF releases, one operates as follows:
- Two supply-side circuit-breakers without bus tie PR122 PR122
In this installation configuration, in the case of overcurrent the
releases on the load side must lock both the supply-side circuit-
breakers.
Use of a single IM210 module is necessary for correct manage- IM210
ment of the monitoring signal and duplication of the locked signal
PR223EF PR223EF
coming from the circuit-breakers placed on the load side.
- Two supply-side circuit-breakers with bus tie

In this configuration, the presence of the bus tie allows the in-
stallation to be divided into two perfectly isolated parts.
When the bus tie is closed, in the case of overcurrent the releases
on the load side lock both the supply-side circuit-breakers.
Bus tie
When the bus tie is open, each release has a single circuit-breaker
on the supply side. In this case, the load-side circuit-breaker whi-
ch detects the fault must only lock opening of the circuit-breaker
which detects it on the supply side. PR122 PR122
In this case, it is necessary to use two interconnected IM210
modules, which will receive the open/closed signal from the bus
tie.
IM210 IM210
If the bus tie is open: PR223EF PR223EF
- the two lines will remain isolated; each IM210 will make the two
releases in series communicate with each other. Bus tie status:
Open/Closed
If, on the other hand, the bus tie is closed:
- the signal will be transmitted by means of the Sysbus from one
device to the other, and the locked signal will always be sent to
both the devices on the supply side.

As will be illustrated better in the chapter dedicated to zone selectivity between Emax, if zone selectivity on function S is enabled on a

PR122 or PR123 release, two situations can occur:
- the Emax release receives a “lock” signal: if its I2 threshold has been exceeded, it trips within the t2 time set on the release;
- the Emax release does not receive a “lock” signal: if its I2 threshold has been exceeded, it trips within a “selectivity time” time
set on the release.
A
PR122P
This being stated, to obtain total selectivity, both in the case of over-
load and short-circuit, making the selections and settings described
below is recommended, where:
IM210
A is the Emax with PR122/P on the supply side of the PR223EF B C
PR223EF PR221DS
B is the Tmax with PR223EF
C is a device outside the zone selectivity chain
A and B are interconnected by means of the IM210 module
Zone selectivity between Emax and Tmax

104s
Overload C B A
- Check that there is no trip overlapping of protection functions L
103s
(against overload), taking into consideration the tolerances and
102s
Short-circuit 10s
- No trip overlapping of the I2 current thresholds of function S, t2A
taking into consideration the tolerances and the real currents
1s
10-1s
- Trip times t2A and “selectivity time” of the Emax on the supply
side adjusted in the following way: 10-2s
selectivity time adjusted so as to realise time-current se-
lectivity with the C device on the load side
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
placed outside the zone selectivity chain
selectivity time
t2A (time of function S) adjusted so as to guarantee no
tripping of circuit-breaker A which recei-
ves the lock signal, i.e. according to the
relationship:
t2A > t2B+70ms*
*Δt minumum between the trip times of two

CBs in series, with auxiliary power supply, and
with constant time curves, to guarantee no trip
of the CB on the supply side.
Instantaneous protection function against short-circuit I set to

OFF:
I3 = OFF

ACB-ACB Selectivity
The case where selectivity is looked for between two air circuit-breakers is now analysed. In this case various
methods can be used to obtain selectivity between the circuit-breakers:
time selectivity for combinations of Emax with any type of release

zone selectivity for combinations of Emax with PR122 and PR123 releases
directional time selectivity for combinations of Emax with PR123 releases
directional zone selectivity for combinations of Emax with PR123 releases.
Time selectivity
To obtain the maximum level of selectivity compatible with the chosen strategy, both in the case of overload and short-circuit, the following
selections and the following settings between the various circuit-breakers are recommended:
104s
Overload
- Check that there is no trip overlapping of protection functions L 103s
(against overload), taking into consideration the tolerances and
10s
Short-circuit
- The instantaneous protection function I of the supply-side circuit-
breaker must be set to OFF 1s
I3A=OFF
10-1s
- the I2A trip threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker must be
adjusted so as not to create trip overlapping with the trip threshold 10-2s
of the protection against short-circuit (I3 or I2) of the load-side
circuit-breaker, taking into consideration the tolerances and the
real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers 0.1kA 1kA 10kA 100kA
- with regard to the t2 trip times of function S, no overlapping of

the curves and the following relationships must be respected:
Minimum difference between the t2 times of two Emax circuit-breakers equipped with PR121, PR122, and PR123
t=const t2A > t2B + 100ms* *70ms if in aux supply or in self-supply under steady conditions
I2t=const t2A > t2B + 100ms t2A < 400ms
I2t=const t2A > t2B + 200ms t2A ≥ 400ms
Note
The indications about the adjustments of the releases are valid in general and useful for a rapid choice of settings guaranteeing selectivity. For specific
combinations of circuit-breakers and for specific installation conditions, ABB SACE may provide indications which do not respect the rules given in this
document, but however able to ensure selectivity.
With regard to the ultimate selectivity limit

- If instantaneous function I is set to ON (I3=ON), the ultimate selectivity limit will be the value of the I3 instantaneous trip threshold of
the supply-side circuit-breaker less its tolerance:
Is = I3minA
- If instantaneous function I is set to OFF (I3=OFF), the ultimate selectivity limit is equal to the Icw value of the supply-side circuit-
breaker:
Is = Icw.

Zone selectivity between Emax

By means of zone selectivity, it is possible to obtain selectivity between Emax circuit-breakers, notably reducing the trip times by obtaining
lower curves which can facilitate the search for selectivity towards the medium voltage circuit-breakers.
By reducing the trip times, the thermal stresses on all the components of the installation during the fault are also reduced.
Zone selectivity between Emax circuit-breakers, applicable to protection functions S and G, can be enabled in the case where:
- the fixed time curve is selected for these protections;
- there is a 24V auxiliary power supply source;
- the Emax circuit-breakers are equipped with PR122 or PR123 releases.
The ultimate selectivity limit obtained is equal to the Icw of the supply-side circuit-breaker if the I3 is set to OFF
The operating principle of zone selectivity between Emax is described below.
By zone the part of the installation included between two circuit-breakers in series is intended. The fault zone is the one immediately to
the load side of the circuit-breaker which detects the fault. By means of a simple connection wire, each circuit-breaker which detects a
fault communicates this to the one on the supply side.
The circuit-breaker which does not receive any communication from those on the load side will launch the opening command in the
selectivity time set, adjustable from 40 to 200ms.
The aim of the selectivity time is to realise time selectivity towards pieces of apparatus connected on the load side which are outside
the zone selectivity chain (apparatus not cabled).
On the other hand, the circuit-breakers which receive a lock signal from another release, will trip according to the t2 time set of protection S.
A t2A A selectivity time

B selectivity time B closed
A A
B B
Lock signal Lock signal

Fault current Fault current
As can be seen, if the settings indicated below have been respected, in the case of a short-circuit no circuit-breaker trips in the t2 time,
but all of them trip within the selectivity time set.
A t2A t2A
selectivity
timeA
PR122/P PR122/P PR122/P
B t2B
selectivity
timeB
does not
trip
PR122/P PR122/P PR122/P
PR122/P PR122/P PR122/P
C selectivity
timeC
does not
trip
does not
trip
PR122/P PR122/P
PR122/P
Fault current
Connection with lock signal
Connection without lock signal

ACB-ACB Selectivity
To obtain total selectivity, both in the case of overload, short-circuit and earth fault, using the “zone selectivity” function, making the
following selections and the following settings between the various circuit-breakers is recommended:
Zone selectivity between Emax

104s
Overload
- Check that there is no trip overlapping of protection functions L
(against overload), taking into consideration the tolerances and 103s
102s
Short-circuit
- No trip overlapping of the I2 current thresholds of function S, 10s
taking into consideration the tolerances and the real currents t2A
1s
- Trip times t2 and “selectivity time” adjusted in the following 10-1s

way:
time of selectivityA
selectivity time adjusted so as to realise time-current selecti- 10-2s
vity with any device connected directly on the load side placed 0.1kA 1kA 10kA 100kA
outside the zone selectivity chain
t2 (time of function S) adjusted so as to guarantee no trip of the

protection which receives the lock signal, i.e. according to the
relationship: A
t2A > selectivity timeB +70ms*
*Δt minumum between the trip times of two CBs in series, with auxiliary
power supply, and with constant time curves, to guarantee no trip of the
CB on the supply side. B
With regard to the ultimate selectivity limit

- If the instantaneous function I is set to ON (I3=ON), the ultimate selectivity limit will be the value of the I3 instantaneous trip threshold
of the supply-side circuit-breaker less its tolerance, if this function is enabled:
Is = I3minA
- If the instantaneous function I is set to OFF (I3=OFF), the ultimate selectivity limit is equal to the Icw value of the supply-side circuit-
breaker:
Is = Icw.

Indications about cabling
To carry out the cabling, a two-wire shielded corded cable can be used (Vn≥50V; AWG 22; nominal conductor DC resistance@20°C ≤15

Ohm/1000ft; nominal outer shield DC resistance@20°C ≤3 Ohm/1000 ft). The shield must only be connected to earth on the release of
the supply-side circuit-breaker.
The maximum cabling length for zone selectivity between two units is 300 metres. This limit can be increased with special mechani-
sms.
The maximum number of circuit-breakers which can be connected to the outputs (Z out) of a release is 20.
The lock signal of the release is a +24V signal.
Repetition of the signal

As shown in the table, in the case where one release receives the lock signal on the load side, even if it has not entered the threshold of
function S, it will repeat the lock signal on the supply side.
This to avoid any setting errors, i.e. a release on the load side not having entered the threshold, but a release on the supply side having
entered the threshold, leading to lack of selectivity:
Zone Selectivity I > I2 ZSI signal ZSO signal T trip time

Excluded NO 0 0 no trip
Excluded NO 1 0 no trip
Excluded YES 0 0 t2 programmed
Excluded YES 1 0 t2 programmed
Inserted NO 0 0 no trip
Inserted NO 1 1 no trip
Inserted YES 0 1 selectivity time
Inserted YES 1 1 t2 programmed
ZSA MODULE
In the case where several load-side circuit-breakers have to lock several supply-side circuit-breakers, but in a different way, it is necessary
to use the ZSA module supplied by ABB.
With reference to the figures at the side, let us suppose, for exam-
ple, that:
C must lock A and B
D must only lock B.
With the cabling made as in the figure at the side, it would not be A B
possible to obtain the desired solution.
In fact, the lock signal coming from D would also be transmitted to
A by means of the electrical continuity which is created between
the different B-C and C-A interlocking connections.
C D
By means of suitable cabling of the ZSA module, the lock signal

is made one-way so that a signal coming from D towards B is not
transmitted to A as well.
The figure at the side shows use of the ZSA module.
A B
ZSA
C D

ACB-ACB Selectivity
Directional time selectivity
By means of the directional protection D present on the Emax circuit-breakers equipped with PR123 releases, it is possible to realise
time selectivity of directional type.
This type of selectivity has all the advantages and limits of time selectivity realised by means of function S, but is also able to trip within
different times according to the direction of the fault.
Using this type of selectivity is particularly recommended in all those cases where there is more than one power supply source.
In fact, in the case of a fault near a source, service continuity of the remaining power supply can be guaranteed by means of
directional protection.
Directional protection
Directional protection is based on the possibility of correlating the circuit-breaker behaviour with the direction of the fault current which
passes through it in relation to the reference direction which can be set on the release.
According to the direction of the current, it is possible to set two different trip times on the PR123 release:
a time (t7Fw) in a direction concordant (Fw) with the reference direction set;
a time (t7Bw) in a direction discordant (Bw) with the reference direction set.
These times are enabled when the only current threshold (I7) set on the PR123 release is exceeded.
If the fault current is discordant (Bw) with the reference direction set, the protection will trip once the I7 threshold in the t7Bw time set is
reached (unless functions S and I are not set to intervene before D).
If the fault current is concordant (Fw) with reference direction set, the protection will trip once the I7 threshold in the t7Fw time set is
reached (unless functions S and I are not set to intervene before D).
Furthermore, if function I is enabled and the short-circuit current exceeds the I3 value set, the circuit-breaker will open instantaneously
regardless of the direction of the current.
The default reference direction is from the top of the circuit-breaker (zone where the release is) to the bottom (top to bottom).
The figure at the side shows the actual configuration which two G1 G2
circuit-breakers have in an installation.
The default reference direction set on the circuit-breaker is indicated
by the red arrow. Release Release
Reference
If the circuit-breaker power supply direction is from top to bottom Direction
direction
Reference
set by direction
(power supply from G2), the reference direction remains the ABB ABB inverted set by
through
default one. software
ABB
If the circuit-breaker power supply direction is from bottom to
top (power supply from G1), by working on its software, the new
PR123 electronic release allows the default setting to be reversed
(bottom to top).
Working in this way, all the values measured with the PR123 release G1
Contribution to the
G2
short-circuit by each
will be assessed as they actually flow in the installation. Further- generator: 10 kA
more, on the single-line diagram which represents the installation, A QF1
with PR123
B QF2
with PR123
the reference direction to carry out a selectivity study and consider Reference Reference
the Bw or Fw trip directions correctly always remains from top to direction direction
bottom.
In the single-line diagram at the side, the reference directions are C

indicated in red. If the circuit-breakers are considered to be supplied
as described in the previous figure, there is the following: for QF2 it D QF3
with PR222
E QF4
is the default direction, whereas for QF1 it is the direction reversed
Contribution of the
by means of the software. Other passive
M motor to the
loads short-circuit: 5kA
To realise directional time selectivity, it is necessary to assume the significant fault points and, having assessed the short-circuit currents
in play, establish which circuit-breakers will have to trip.
To be sure that everything functions as foreseen in the case of a fault, i.e. the circuit-breakers always trip with directional protection, the
following settings and selections are recommended:
- Select the circuit-breakers with a short-time withstand current value higher than the maximum prospective short-circuit current
which can occur at the point where they are installed:
Icw ≥ Ik MAX
- Set the trip thresholds of directional protections D to a lower value than the minimum prospective short-circuit current which can
occur at the point where that release is installed:
I7 < Ik min
- Set the trip thresholds of protections S and I in such a way so as not to create trip overlapping with function D.
Also remember that, in the case of constant time curves, to guarantee tripping of an air circuit-breaker equipped with PR121/P, PR122/P
or PR123/P and no trip of another air circuit-breaker equipped with these releases, a difference between the trip times set must be kept,
equal to:
Δt = 100ms (which can be reduced to 70ms if there is an auxiliary power supply or if it is considered that the fault occurs when the
releases under self-supply are in a steady condition).

Example of application
With reference to the installation in the figure, the different operating conditions of the circuit-breakers in relation to the different fault

points are analysed.
Fault on the supply side of QF1 Contribution to the G2
G1
Only QF1 must trip. short-circuit by each
generator: 10 kA
QF1 detects a current of 15kA discordant with its reference A QF1 B QF2
direction, and will therefore trip in the t7BW1 time with PR123 with PR123
Reference Reference
QF2 detects a current of 10 kA concordant with its reference direction direction
direction, and will therefore trip in the t7FW2 time
QF3 does not detect any fault current
QF4 detects a current of 5kA discordant with its reference C
QF4
direction,
and will therefore trip in the t7BW4 time D QF3
with PR222
E
If: t7FW2 > t7BW1+100ms*
t7BW4> t7BW1+100ms* Contribution of the
Other passive
M motor to the
therefore QF1 only will trip loads short-circuit: 5kA
Fault on the supply side of QF2 G1 Contribution to the G2

generator: 10 kA
QF1 detects a current 10 kA concordant with its reference A QF1 B QF2
direction, and will therefore trip in the t7FW1 time with PR123 with PR123
Reference Reference
QF2 detects a current 15kA discordant with its reference direc- direction direction
tion, and will therefore trip in the t7BW2 time
QF4 detects a current of 5kA discordant with its reference di- C
QF4
rection, and will therefore trip in the t7BW4 time
If: t7FW1> t7BW2 +100ms* D QF3 E
with PR222
t7BW4> t7BW2+100ms*
Contribution of the
therefore QF2 only will trip Other passive M motor to the
Fault on the load side of QF3

G1 Contribution to the G2
QF1 detects a current 10 kA concordant with its reference A generator: 10 kA
B
QF1 QF2
direction, and will therefore trip in the t7FW1 time with PR123 with PR123
QF2 detects a current 10 kA concordant with its reference Reference Reference
direction direction
QF3 detects a fault current of 25kA
QF4 detects a current 5kA discordant with its reference direction, C
and will therefore trip in the t7BW4 time QF4
If: t7FW1 > t23+100ms* D QF3 E
t7FW2 > t23+100ms* with PR222
t7BW4 > t23+100ms* Contribution of the
therefore QF3 only will trip Other passive M motor to the
Fault on the load side of QF4 G1 Contribution to the G2

QF1 detects a current 10 kA concordant with its reference generator: 10 kA
A QF1 B QF2
Reference with PR123 Reference with PR123
QF2 detects a current 10 kA concordant with its reference direction direction
direction, will therefore trip in the t7FW2 time
QF4 detects a current 20 kA concordant with its reference C
direction, will therefore trip in the t7FW4 time QF4
QF3
If: t7FW1 > t7FW4+100ms* D with PR222
E
t7FW2 > t7FW4+100ms*
therefore QF4 only will trip Contribution of the
Other passive M motor to the
* Minimum Δt between the trip times of two CBs in series, without an auxiliary power loads short-circuit: 5kA
supply and not in steady conditions, to guarantee no trip of the CB on the supply side
Summarising, the settings possible which respect the limits imposed are:
Protection functions S D I
CB I2 t2 I7 t7FW t7BW I3
QF1 OFF 3kA 300ms 200ms OFF
QF3 3kA 200ms - - - OFF
The ultimate selectivity limit which is obtained is equal to the Icw of the circuit-breakers if I3=OFF.

ACB-ACB Selectivity
Directional zone selectivity

This function allows selectivity to be obtained even in mesh networks and ring networks.
In particular, in the presence of a bus tie, thanks to directional zone selectivity it is possible to keep a half-busbar supplied with voltage
even in the case of a fault on the other half-busbar.
For it to be possible to apply zone selectivity to function D (directional zone selectivity), a series of conditions must exist:
- zone selectivity S and G must be disabled [OFF]
- there is a 24Vdc auxiliary power supply source
- the Emax circuit-breakers are equipped with the PR123 releases.
Each release has 4 ports available:
- two inputs (one in a concordant and one in a discordant direction), through which the release receives the lock signal coming from
other
releases
- two outputs (one in a concordant and one in a discordant direction), through which the release sends the lock signal to other relea-
ses.
The behaviour of the release is described below:

The circuit-breakers which do not receive a lock signal (coordinated with the direction of the current) will launch their own opening com-
mand in a time equal to the ”selectivity time” which can be adjusted from 130 to 500ms.
The circuit-breakers which receive the lock signal (coordinated with the direction of the current) will time according to the t7BW or t7FW
times depending on the direction of the current.
It is important to remember that if function I is enabled, and the short-circuit current exceeds the value set (I3), the circuit-breaker will
open instantaneously and regardless of the directions and signals received.
In the same way, if function S is enabled and the short-circuit current exceeds the value set (I2), the circuit-breaker will open in the t2
time, if this is shorter than the other times, regardless of the directions and signals received.
By using directional zone selectivity, it is possible to obtain selectivity even in meshed networks up to an ultimate selectivity limit equal
to the Icw of the circuit-breakers furthest on the supply side (if the I3=OFF).
In the same way as for directional protection, to be sure that everything functions as foreseen in the case of a fault, i.e. the circuit-breakers
always trip with directional protection, the following settings and selections are recommended:
- Select the circuit-breakers with a short-time withstand current value higher than the maximum prospective short-circuit current
which can occur at the point where they are installed:
Icw ≥ IkMAX
- Set the trip thresholds of directional protections D to a lower value than the minimum prospective short-circuit current which can
occur at the point where that release is installed:
I7 < Ikmin
- Set the trip thresholds of the protections S and I in such a way so as not to create trip overlapping with the function D.
By means of these settings, it is certain that, for any foreseeable fault in the installation, the circuit-breakers will trip according to the
settings of function D.
The trip times must be adjusted remembering that:

selectivity time is the trip time of the “unlocked” circuit-breakers which must open;
t7FW/BW is the trip time of the “locked” circuit-breakers which must not open.
Starting from these considerations:

selectivity time must be adjusted so as to realise time-current selectivity with any device connected directly on the load side
placed outside the zone selectivity chain
t7FW/BW adjusted so as to guarantee no trip of the protection which receives the locked signal i.e. according to the
relationship:
t7 > selectivity time +70ms*

An application example of this selectivity technique is now illustrated. This example also shows which procedure must be used to de-
termine the cabling required between the various releases.

-TM1 -TM2
IN QF1+ IN QF2+ IN
Fw Bw PR123 Fw Bw PR123 Fw Bw
OUT OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw Fw Bw
-B1 -B2
IN QF4+ QF3+ QF5+ IN

Fw Bw PR123 PR123 PR123 Fw Bw
OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw
L M
Reference direction
With reference to the installation indicated in the figure, once the maximum and minimum short-circuit currents in the different points of
the installation are known, it is necessary to:
- hypothesise the various significant fault points;
- for the first fault: establish which circuit-breakers must isolate the fault;
establish which circuit-breakers must be locked and by what;
draw the appropriate cabling;
- repeat the operation for the subsequent faults in order to determine all the necessary cabling.
Finally, it is necessary to check that the cabling carried out does not create any conflicts.
Application example
The main faults which can be hypothesised are as follows:

fault in B1
fault in B2
fault on the load side of QF4
fault on the load side of QF5
fault on the supply side of QF1
fault on the supply side of QF2
Note
The QF4 circuit-breaker could be provided with PR122/P release since, with a passive load, the short-circuit current may have a single direction and conse-
quently directional protection results to be unnecessary.
The use of PR122/P release, with zone selectivity implemented on protection S, guarantees an input and an output, which allow to realise selectivity in the
case of a fault on the load side of QF4.

ACB-ACB Selectivity
Fault in B1:
Only the QF1 and QF3 circuit-breakers must interrupt the fault: in particular the QF3 circuit-breaker is passed through by a current coming
from busbar B2 (therefore in a direction concordant with the one set); the OUT Fw bus sends a lock signal to the IN Fw bus of the QF2
circuit-breaker (passed through by a current coming from transformer TM2 and therefore in a direction concordant with the one set), and
to the IN Bw bus of the QF5 circuit-breaker (passed through by a current coming from the motor and therefore in a direction discordant
with the one set).
Direction (OUT-IN) Arrow

Fw Fw
Fw Bw
Bw Fw -TM1 -TM2
Bw Bw
Reference direction IN IN IN
QF1+ QF2+
OUT OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw Fw Bw
-B1 -B2

OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw
L M
Fault in B2:
The QF2 and QF3 and QF5 circuit-breakers must interrupt the fault: in particular the QF3 circuit-breaker is passed through by a current
coming from busbar B1 (therefore in a direction discordant with the one set); the OUT Bw bus sends a lock signal to the IN Fw bus of the
QF1 circuit-breaker (passed through by a current coming from transformer TM1 and therefore in a direction concordant with the one set).
Fw Fw
Fw Bw
Bw Fw -TM1 -TM2
Bw Bw
Reference direction
IN QF1+ IN QF2+ IN
OUT OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw Fw Bw
-B1 -B2

OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw
L M
OUT
Cabling QF1 QF2 QF3 QF4 QF5
FW BW FW BW FW BW FW BW FW BW
FW
QF1
BW
FW
QF2
BW
FW
IN QF3
BW
FW
QF4
BW
FW
QF5
BW

Fault on the load side of QF4:
Only the QF4 circuit-breaker must interrupt the fault. The QF4 circuit-breaker is passed through by a current coming from busbar B1

(therefore in a direction concordant with the one set); the OUT Fw bus sends a lock signal to the IN Fw bus of the QF1 circuit-breaker
(passed through by a current coming from transformer TM1 and therefore in a direction concordant with the one set), and to the IN Fw
bus of the QF3 circuit-breaker (passed through by a current coming from busbar B2 and therefore in a direction concordant with the one
set).These two cabling operations must be carried out.
The QF3 circuit-breaker will then lock the circuit-breakers which insist on busbar B2 by means of the cabling already carried out.
Fw Fw
Fw Bw
Bw Fw -TM1 -TM2
Bw Bw
Reference direction
IN QF1+ IN QF2+ IN
OUT OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw Fw Bw
-B1 -B2

OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw
L M
Fault on the load side of QF5:
In this case only the QF5 circuit-breaker must interrupt the fault. The QF5 circuit-breaker is passed through by a current coming from the
busbars B1 and B2, in a concordant direction in relation to the direction set, therefore the OUT Fw bus of QF5 locks both the IN Fw bus
of QF2 (passed through by a current coming from TM2 and therefore in a direction concordant to the one set) and the IN Bw bus of QF3
(passed through by a current coming from TM1 and therefore in a direction discordant with the one set). These cabling operations must
be carried out. In the same way as before, the QF3 circuit-breaker locks QF1 with the cabling already present.
Fw Fw
Fw Bw
Bw Fw -TM1 -TM2
Bw Bw
Reference direction
IN QF1+ IN QF2+ IN
OUT OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw Fw Bw
-B1 -B2

OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw
L M
OUT
FW
QF1
BW
FW
QF2
BW
FW
IN QF3
BW
FW
QF4
BW
FW
QF5
BW

ACB-ACB Selectivity
Fault on the supply side of QF1:
Only the QF1 circuit-breaker must interrupt the fault. The QF1 circuit-breaker is passed through by a current coming from busbar B1
(therefore in a direction discordant with the one set); the OUT Bw bus sends a lock signal to the IN Fw bus of the QF3 circuit-breaker
(passed through by a current coming from transformer TM2 and therefore in a direction concordant with the one set). This cabling must
be carried out.The QF3 circuit-breaker will then lock the circuit-breakers which insist on busbar B2 by means of the cabling operations
already carried out.
Fw Fw
Fw Bw
Bw Fw -TM1 -TM2
Bw Bw
Reference direction
IN QF1+ IN QF2+ IN
OUT OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw Fw Bw
-B1 -B2

OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw
L M
Fault on the supply side of QF2:

In this case only the QF2 circuit-breaker must interrupt the fault. The QF2 circuit-breaker is passed through by a current coming from
busbar B2, in a direction discordant with the direction set, therefore the OUT Bw bus of QF2 locks both the IN Bw bus of QF5 (passed
through by a current coming from the motor and therefore in a direction discordant to the one set) and the IN Bw bus of QF3 (passed
through by a current coming from TM1 and therefore in a direction discordant with the one set). These cabling operations must be carried
out. In the same way as before, the QF3 circuit-breaker locks QF1 with the cabling already present.

Fw Fw
Fw Bw
Bw Fw -TM1 -TM2
Bw Bw
Reference direction
IN QF1+ IN QF2+ IN
OUT OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw Fw Bw
-B1 -B2

OUT OUT
Fw Bw Fw Bw
L M
OUT
FW
QF1
BW
FW
QF2
BW
IN FW
QF3
BW
FW
QF4
BW
FW
QF5
BW

Having established the cabling system as shown in the table, an example of settings for the installation in question is given:

Protection function S D I
Selectivity
CB I2 t2 I7 t7FW t7BW time I3
QF1 OFF <Ikmin 350ms 250ms 150ms OFF

Apart from realising directional zone selectivity with the settings indicated, selectivity between the QF4 and QF5 circuit-breakers towards
the supply-side circuit-breakers and between QF1 and QF2 can also be achieved, in the case of loss of the auxiliary power supply.
Indications about cabling

A two-wire shielded corded cable (not supplied - ask ABB for information) can be used to carry out the cabling.
The shield of the cable must only be connected to earth in correspondence with one of the two releases. When it is possible to find a
circuit-breaker further “to the supply side” between the two, it is advisable to connect the shield to earth in correspondence with the
release which equips this circuit-breaker.
The maximum length of the cabling between two units for zone selectivity is 300 metres. This limit can be increased using special mecha-
nisms.
The maximum number of circuit-breakers which can be connected to the outputs (Z out) of a release is 20.
The lock signal of the release is a +24V signal.
In the case of directional zone selectivity, the use of the ZSA module described on page 31 is recommended.

Appendix A
MV/LV Selectivity 1. transformer:
• connection curve (inrush);
Appendix A
General • rated current;

Before facing the problem of the selectivity between the • short-circuit current at the LV busbars;
medium and low voltage circuit-breaker, it is first neces- • short-circuit withstand capacity of the
sary to clarify the functions of these circuit-breakers: transformer;
• the MV protection on the supply side of the 2. distributor utility:
transformer must: • maximum current and time limits which
- protect the transformer against short-cir- can be set for the protections required;
cuit At this point, the trip curves of the main low voltage
- protect the transformer against faults on the circuit-breaker must be traced so that:
supply side of the main LV circuit-breaker • protection of the transformer against overload
(if a dedicated protection is not provided) is verified (threshold I1 of protection function L
- not intervene when the transformer is sup- close to the rated current of the transformer);
plied with voltage (inrush current – inrush) • it is selective with the other low voltage circuit-
- be set so as to satisfy the limits imposed breakers on the load side.
by the distributor utility Once the LV protection is defined, the curve of the me-
dium voltage circuit-breaker voltage is traced so that:
- be set so as to be selective with the pro-
• it protects the transformer against overloads (this
tections on the supply side (if requested) protection is usually ensured by the low voltage
• the LV protection on the load side of the tran- circuit-breaker);
sformer must:
• it stays above the inrush current curves of the
- protect the transformer against short-circuit
and overload (*) transformer;
- be set so as to be selective with the pro- • it stays below the representative point of the
tections on the load side. thermal withstand (this protection can be carried
out by the low voltage circuit-breaker, but any
To carry out the selectivity study between two medium short-circuit between the low voltage circuit-
breaker and the terminals of the transformer
and low voltage circuit-breakers, the data indicated be-
remains unprotected);
low must first be put into a logarithm diagram (referring • it stays below the limits set by the distributor
to a single reference voltage): utility.
(*) The use of a thermometric equipment allows to improve the protection of the transformer against overload.
Example
The selectivity study for the network represented in the figure is to be carried out:
Data:
• Distributor utility: U Vref = 15000 V
- rated voltage Un = 15 kV
- three-phase short-circuit current Ik3 = 12.5 kA
- single-phase earth fault current Ik1E = 50 A QF1
- overcurrent protection 51:
• first threshold: I> ≤ 250 A, t ≤ 0.5 s
• second threshold: I>> ≤ 900 A, t ≤ 0.12 s
• 15/0.4 kV Transformer: Vn1 = 15000 V
- rated power Sn = 1600 kVA Vn2 = 400V
Sn = 1600 kVA
- short-circuit voltage uk = 8 % Vk = 8%
- rated primary current It1 = 61.6 A
- rated secondary current It2 = 2309.4 A
- inrush current Ii1 = 9⋅It1 = 554.4 A
- inrush time constant tthe = 0.4 s QF2
E3H 2500 PR121/P-LSI In2500
I -t
= it . e t i
- inrush current trend 2

- short-circuit current Ik3LV2 = 28.9 kA(1)
- short-circuit current at the transformer busbars
referred to the primary Ik3LV1 = 770 A(1) QF3
- thermal withstand: 770 A for 2 s T4H 320 PR222DS/P-LSI In320
• Low voltage circuit-breakers (2):
- QF2 E3H 2500 PR121/P-LSI In 2500A
- QF3 T4H 320 PR222DS/P-LSI In 320A
- QF4 T2S 160 TMD In 125A QF4
T2S 160 TMD In125
(1) assuming the medium voltage network impedance to be nil
(2) assuming for all protections the respect of the limits imposed by loads
and cables

As described previously, the data regarding the transformer at the Time-Current Curve
15 kV reference voltage are traced first of all: 104s
Appendix A
103s
102s
10s
Thermal
withstand
1s
Inrush
10-1s
10-2s
Ik LV busbars
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
Now the data regarding the limits set by the distributor utility are Time-Current Curve
put in: 104s
103s
102s
10s
1s
Distributor utility limits
10-1s
10-2s
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
Apart from protecting the transformer, the curve of the main low Time-Current Curve
voltage circuit-breaker must also guarantee selectivity with the 104s
low voltage circuit-breakers. The curves of the low voltage circuit-
breakers can therefore be traced so as to define a minimum limit 103s
for the curve of the main circuit-breaker:
102s
QF3
10s
1s
QF4
10-1s
10-2s
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
To ensure selectivity between QF3 and QF4, function L and S of T4 must be set as follows:
QF3 T4H 320 PR222DS/P-LSI R320
L: Setting: 0.9x320 = 288 A Curve: 3s
S: t=const Setting: 5.8x320 = 1856 A Curve: 0.1s
I: OFF

At this point it is possible to trace the trip curves of the main QF2 LV circuit-breaker bearing in mind the following:
Appendix A
• function L: Time-Current Curve

- threshold I1 to be adjusted to a value as close as 104s
possible to the rated current of the transformer for
its protection against overload. Since the rated 103s
current of the transformer is 2309.4 A and taking
into account the uncertainty of the circuit-breaker 102s
trip for currents between 1.05 and 1.2 (in com- QF3
pliance with IEC60947), the current I1 set can be QF2
2309.4/(1.2x2500)@0.77xIn (1925)(1) 10s
- time t1 so as to be sufficiently above the curve of
QF3 1s
• function S:
- threshold I2 to be adjusted to a value higher than 10-1s
1856 A +10% i.e. 2042.2 A
- time t2 , setting I2 over the self-protection value of
10-2s
the QF3circuit-breaker, it is possible to adjust it to
0.1s
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
• function I:
- threshold I3 to be adjusted to a value higher than the
short-circuit current there is in correspondence with
QF3. In the case under examination, this current is
the current at the transformer busbars (it is presu-
med that QF2 and QF3 are in the same switchgear
and that there is a negligible impedance).
(1) less restrictive settings can be used when the overloading capacity of the machine is known.
The setting of QF2 are summarised below:

QF2 E3H 2500 PR122/P-LSI In=2500A
L: Setting: 0.77x2500 = 1925 A Curve: 3s
S: t=const Setting: 1.7x2500 = 4250 A Curve: 0.10s
I: Setting: 14x2500 = 35000 A
Now the settings for the medium voltage release are defined, taking into account the following:
• first threshold: Time-Current Curve

- higher current (30÷35%higher than the current on 104s
the load-side, according to the Publication CEI 11-
35 of the Italian Electrotechnical Committee) than 103s
QF1
the I2 of the main 125 A low voltage circuit-breaker
(I2 + 10% tolerance, given at 15000 V); 102s
- delay time so as to be selective but lower than QF3
QF2
the short-circuit withstand of the transformer and
10s
less than the 0.5 s limit imposed by the distributor
utility;
• second threshold: 1s
- current higher than the fault current on the LV side
(increased by 1.2÷1.6 if possible) and less than the 10-1s
900 A limit imposed by the distributor utility;
- instantaneous trip time. 10-2s
0.1kA 1kA 10kA
The setting of QF1 are summarised below:

First threshold I> 200 A, 0.35 s
Second threshold I>> 820 A, inst.

Appendix B
General considerations about residual - The minimum no trip time of the circuit-breaker on the
current selectivity supply side, for each current value, must be higher
Appendix B
than the maximum trip time of the circuit-breaker on
the load side:
With its many functions and types, the residual current Tminsupply>Ttotload
circuit-breaker can be defined as follows:
a device sensitive to the earth currents, able to open
an electric circuit within a certain time when the earth For residual current circuit-breakers conforming to the
current exceeds the preset value. It is used to protect IEC60947-2 Standard (CEI EN 60947-2), the prescriptions
people and things against: direct contacts (a device with regarding the trip curves for residual current without
high sensitivity, it is an additional protection) - indirect delay or for the delayed type are given in Annex B of
contacts or loss of insulation. the Standard.
The professional rule for the electrical installation always The differentiation of the trip time can be made more
imposes, except for special plants, the presence of an easily by using delayed type residual current (Δt = time
earthing system, both in civil and industrial buildings. limit of no trip in ms or if Δt=60ms) with definite time
Furthermore, the IEC 60364 Standard makes the use of or with inverse time, where tripping can be delayed ac-
a residual current circuit-breaker compulsory in many cording to a selectable time.
cases for protection of people, giving prescriptions
referring to the trip time and currents in relation to the These pieces of apparatus are generally installed on the
installation voltage, to the distribution system present, supply side of other general type residual current devices
and to the places of installation. and it is advisable to have a relationship of 3 between
the trip thresholds.
Good protection of the installation should provide:
- a main residual current type of circuit-breaker so as Function G
to have protection against faults which could occur Protection against earth faults can be realised, using
between the main circuit-breaker and the distribu- function G present on the electronic releases installed on
tion; board the moulded-case or air circuit-breakers.
- protection of each individual shunt with a residual The trip characteristics can be adjusted for the current
current device. (from 0.2 to 1 x In) and for the time, with an inverse or de-
finite time trend, depending on the different versions.
In this way, there is the need to study selections of the Realising protection against indirect contacts with this
devices carefully to guarantee selectivity, and prevent type of function requires a careful analysis of the distribu-
an earth fault in any point of the distribution circuit from tion system and of the value of the earth fault current.
putting the whole installation out of service.
For Emax circuit-breakers it is possible to realise zone
In general, two residual current devices are selective selectivity for function “G” according to the same philo-
for each current value if their trip zones do not overlap. sophy described for function “S”.
This condition is obtained by respecting the following This makes it possible to reduce the trip times between
points: two residual current protections in series, increasing the
safety margin for any fault on the load side of the supply-
- The residual current trip threshold of the device on side circuit-breaker, since its trip time is not as high as it
the supply side must be higher than or at maximum should have been to obtain selectivity towards the load
equal to double the residual current trip threshold of side with the classic method for time selectivity.
the device on the load side:
IΔnSupply side≥2xIΔnLoad side.
This relationship is necessary for taking into account
the concept of rated no trip residual current, which
is the maximum current value for which the residual
current circuit-breaker definitely does not trip.
The Standards indicate a current value of IΔn/2 and
within this value the device does not have definite
behaviour, i.e. it may trip just as it may not trip.

Example
Appendix B
An example is given of a network where residual current selectivity on 3 levels is to be realised.

Considering the residual current releases available
RC221 (Tmax T1-T2-T3)

Adjustable trip thresholds IΔn [A] 0.03 – 0.1 – 0.3 – 0.5 – 1 - 3
Trip times [s] instantaneous
RC222 (Tmax T1-T2-T3-T4-T5)

Adjustable trip thresholds IΔn [A] 0.03 – 0.05 – 0.1 – 0.3 – 0.5 – 1 – 3 – 5 - 10
Trip times [s] instantaneous - 0.1 – 0.2 – 0.3 – 0.5 – 1 – 2 - 3
RCQ
Adjustable trip thresholds IΔn [A] 0.03 – 0.05 – 0.1 – 0.3 – 0.5 – 1 – 3 – 5 – 10 - 30
Trip times [s] instantaneous - 0.1 – 0.2 – 0.3 – 0.5 - 0.7 - 1 – 2 – 3 - 5
To obtain selectivity the following device can be used:

RCD 1 type RC221 installed, for example, on a Tmax T1
RCD 2 type RC222 installed, for example, on a Tmax T5
RCD 3 type RCQ installed, for example, on an Emax E3
characterised by the curves shown in the enclosed time-current diagram.

It can be seen how overlapping of the curves of the 3 devices used is avoided, thereby obtaining selectivity for earth fault.
Time-Current Curve
102s
RCD 1 RCD 2 RCD 3
10s
RCD3 Delayed type ∆t=Is [300mA]
1s
10-1s
RCD2 Delayed type 300ms [100mA]
10-2s
Delayed type ∆t=60ms [100mA]

10-3s
RCD1 Not delayed type [30mA]
10-3 A 10-2 A 10-1 A 1A

Appendix C
Example of LV/LV selectivity study
Appendix C
The selectivity study for the installation shown in the figure supplied
by a transformer with a 400V secondary winding is to be carried
out:
QF1
E1B 1250 PR121/P-LSI In1250
Ik = 20kA
QF2
T4N 320
PR222DS/P-LSI
In320
Ik = 10.5kA
QF3
T2N 160
TMD In160
Ik = 1.2kA
Four levels are present:

• QF1 E1B 1250 PR121/P-LSI In 1250A QF4
S 200L C 16
(Ib = Intrafo = 577 A, Iz = 700 A)
• QF2 T4N 320 PR222DS/P-LSI In 320A (Ib = 285 A, Iz = 300 A)
• QF3 T2N 160 TMD160-1600 (Ib = 120 A, Iz = 170 A) L
• QF4 S200L C16 (Ib = 14 A, Iz = 25 A)
In the study below, it is assumed that the circuit-breakers are passed through by the same fault current (the real currents passing through
the circuit-breakers are ignored) and it is assumed that the circuit-breakers selected are able to protect the cables, the switch-discon-
nectors and whatever else.
Time-Current Curve
First of all, the curves of the QF4 circuit-breaker are traced: 104s
103s
102s
10s
1s
10-1s
10-2s
S 200L C 16 1.2 kA
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA

Noting that the maximum short-circuit current at the point where QF4 is installed is 1.2 kA, to obtain total selectivity it is sufficient for the
magnetic threshold of the QF3 supply-side circuit-breaker to be higher than this value, taking into account the tolerances:
Appendix C
Time-Current Curve
104s
103s
T2N 160
S200L C16
102s
10s
1s In any case, a total energy selectivity value, i.e. equal to the breaking
capacity of S200L (6 kA) is found in the coordination tables. The
settings of QF2 will be:
10-1s
QF2, T2N 160 TMD In160

10-2s
L: Settings: 136 [A]
1.2 kA I: Settings: 1600 [A]
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA
Now the curve of the QF2 T4N 320 circuit-breaker is drawn:

Time-Current Curve
104s
T4N 320
T2N 160
103s
S200L C16
102s
10s The settings of QF2, in accordance with what has been said in the
previous chapters, will be:
1s QF2, T4N 320 PR222DS/P-LSI In320
L: Settings: 0.9 Curve: 12s
10-1s S: t=const Settings: 8.8 Curve: 0.1s
I: OFF
10-2s
In this way, in accordance with the coordination tables, the selecti-
vity value will be 25 kA which, in this specific case, means total.
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA
Finally, the curve of the QF1 E1B 1250 circuit-breaker is drawn:
Time-Current Curve
104s
T2N 160
103s E1 B1250
S200L C16
102s
T4N320
10s The settings of QF1, in accordance with what has been said in the
previous chapters, will be:
1s QF1, E1B 1250 PR121/P-LSI In1250
L: Settings: 0.47 Curve: 48s
10-1s S: t=const Settings: 3.5 Curve: 0.2s
I: OFF
10-2s
With these settings, total selectivity, i.e. up to the breaking capacity
of T4N equal to 36 kA, is obtained from the coordination tables.
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA

When the real currents circulating in the circuit-breakers are to be taken into account, it must be remembered that an overload current of
a load-side circuit-breaker is detected on the supply side amplified by the currents of the other shunts. For this purpose, the installation
Appendix C
just seen above will be considered, assuming that there are two other 100 A loads:
QF1
E1B 1250 PR121/P-LSI In1250
Ik = 20kA
285 A 100 A 100 A

QF2
T4N 320 PR222DS/P-LSI In320
The most critical condition is analysed, taking into consideration the trip times with the lowest tolerance for the supply-side circuit-breaker
and the highest tolerance for the load side one: an overload of 416 A is presumed in QF2. The current which passes through QF1 will
be 616 A:
Time-Current Curve
104s
T4N 320
103s
372 s E1B 1250
102s 315 s
10s
1s
10-1s
Under these conditions, the QF1 E1B 1250 supply-side circuit-
breaker trips in a time of 315 s whereas the QF2 T4N 320 load-side
10-2s one trips in a slightly longer time of 372 s. For this current value,
416 A 616 A selectivity in the overload zone is not guaranteed.
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA
Of course the supply-side circuit-breaker does not trip under 416 A, whereas for sufficiently higher values than 416 A (e.g. 700 A) the
supply-side circuit-breaker trip time is greater than that of the load side one, since the sum of the currents of the other loads ‘weighs’
less on the total current which passes through them.
Finally, assessment of the currents which effectively pass through the circuit-breakers could make selectivity critical for certain overload
current values and in these cases the solution may be to use a higher function L curve.

Appendix D
Further considerations about the real circuit-breakers on the load side (supply-side circuit-
currents which circulate in the circuit- breaker passed through by a current higher than that
Appendix D
of the load-side circuit-breaker)

breakers - two or more circuit-breakers on the supply side and
several circuit-breakers on the load side.
As mentioned on page 5 of this publication regarding the
real currents which circulate in the circuit-breakers, three By means of some examples, it is shown how incorrect
cases can be noted: determination of the real currents which circulate in the
- a single circuit-breaker on the supply side of a single circuit-breakers can lead to lack of selectivity in the over-
circuit-breaker on the load side (passed through by the load zone or oversizing of the circuit-breakers to obtain
same current) selectivity in the short-circuit zone.
- a single circuit-breaker on the supply side of several
A supply-side circuit-breaker of a load-side circuit-breaker

In this case the two circuit-breakers are passed through by the same current both under normal conditions and in the case of overcurrent.
To verify the time-current selectivity in the overload and short-circuit zone, it is therefore sufficient to check that the trip curves of the two
devices have no intersections.
T4N250 PR221 In250 - T4N250 PR221 In250
104s
Vref = 400
U LLLN/TN-S
103s
T4N 250 PR221 In250 102s
10s
1s
10-1s
T4N 250 PR221 In250

10-2s
L -Ls
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA

A supply-side circuit-breaker of several load-side circuit-breakers
Appendix D
This installation is certainly the one met with most commonly in practice.
Having more than one circuit-breaker on the load side, there will be different current values between the supply-side circuit-breaker and
the load-side circuit-breaker towards which selectivity is looked for.
Therefore the trip time of the load-side circuit-breaker due to an overcurrent must be compared with the trip time of the supply-side
circuit-breaker in correspondence with the sum of all the currents which pass through it.
Example
In the installation in the figure, under normal conditions the supply-side circuit-breaker is passed through by a current of 360A whereas
any outgoing feeder is passed through by 90 A.
Possible settings of the circuit-breaker based on the currents which pass through the circuit-breakers are:
CB A: I1 = 0.92 x 400 = 368A (t1=3s)
CB B: I1 = 0.90 x 100 = 90A
The curves of the circuit-breakers with the settings indicated above are shown in the figure. From an initial analysis, time-current selectivity
would appear to be ensured between the two circuit-breakers.
T4S400 PR221 400 - T2S160 TMD
Vref = 400 104s
U LLLN/TN-S
103s
A
T5S 400 PR221DS-LSI R400 102s
Ib = 360.0 A
V = 400 V
I”k LLL = 50 kA
10s
B1 B2 B3 B3
T2S 160 T2S 160 T2S 160 T2S 160
1s
TMD100-1000 TMD100-1000 TMD100-1000 TMD100-1000
10-1s
Ib = 90.0 A Ib = 90.0 A Ib = 90.0 A Ib = 90.0 A
Iz = 134.0 A Iz = 134.0 A Iz = 134.0 A Iz = 134.0 A
10-2s
L1 In = 90.0 A L2 In = 90.0 A L3 In = 90.0 A L4 In = 90.0 A 0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA
T4S400 PR221 400 - T2S160 TMD

104s
Let us now suppose that there are overload conditions with load 103s
L1 which absorbs a current of 200A.
Circuit-breaker B1 will therefore be passed through by 200A, 102s
whereas circuit-breaker A will be passed through by 470A (200+
90+ 90+90). 10s
With the settings hypothesised above, there are the conditions
shown in the figure, where both the circuit-breakers trip in a time 1s
of about 50s.
Therefore, with the settings hypothesised, in the case of overload 10-1s
there will not be selectivity between the pair of circuit-breakers
considered. 10-2s
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA
By modifying the settings of the supply-side circuit-breaker, for T4S400 PR221 400 - T2S160 TMD
104s
example by raising the trip time of protection L against overload:
CB A: I1 = 0.92 x 400 = 368A (t1=12s)
103s
Selectivity can be obtained in the overload zone since:
load-side circuit-breaker B trips in about 50s 102s
supply-side circuit-breaker A trips in about 200s.
10s
1s
In most cases, even not carrying out this analysis, the size and
distribution of the overload between the circuit-breakers allows a 10-1s
difference in the trip times able to realise time-current selectivity.
10-2s
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA

Several circuit-breakers on the supply-side of several load-side circuit-breakers

Appendix D
To carry out a simplified analysis, it must be assumed that the circuit is perfectly symmetrical and therefore that the total current recalled
by the loads is divided into equal parts in the three supply-side circuit-breakers.
Example
Under normal conditions, in the installation in the figure, the supply-side circuit-breakers are passed through by a current of 1000A,
whereas the two outgoing feeders are passed through by 1000A and the other by 2000 A.
In the analysis given here, selectivity between a supply-side circuit-breaker A and the largest outgoing feeder B1 is verified.
Possible settings of the circuit-breakers based on the currents which pass through the apparatus are:
CB A: I1 = 0.925 x 1250 = 1156A (t1=12s)
I2 = 8 x 1250 = 10000A (t2=0.4s)
I3=OFF
CB B1: I1 = 0.80 x 2500 = 2000A (t1=3s)
I2 = 3 x 2500 = 7500A (t1=0.2s)
I3=OFF
U Vref = 20000 V
E1B 1250 PR121/P - E3N 2500 PR121/P
104s
TM1 TM2 TM3
Vn2 = 400 V Vn2 = 400 V Vn2 = 400 V
Sn = 800 kVA Sn = 800 kVA Sn = 800 kVA 103s B1
A
CB A CB A CB A 102s
E1B 1250 E1B 1250 E1B 1250
PR121/P-LSI PR121/P-LSI PR121/P-LSI
In1250 In1250 In1250 10s
Ik = 55 kA
CB B1 CB B2
E3N 2500 T7H 1250 1s
PR121/P-LSI PR232/P-LSI
In2500 In1250
10-1s
L1 L1
Sn = 1385.64 kVA Sn = 692.82 kVA 10-2s
L Cosphi = 0.90 L Cosphi = 0.90
In = 2000 A In = 1000 A 0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA 100 kA
The curves of the two circuit-breakers being examined with the settings indicated above are shown in the figure.
At first glance there would not seem to be time-current selectivity between the two pieces of apparatus.
Since these are circuit-breakers equipped with electronic releases, the trip times of the two devices at the significant currents are verified.
1.05xI1 of the supply-side circuit-breaker 1.2xI3 of the load-side circuit-breaker

IA= 1156 x1.05=1214 A tA = 700 s IB= 7500x1.1 = 8250 A tA = 45 s
which corresponds to a current on B1 of: which corresponds to a current on A of:
IB= (1214x3) - (1000) =2642 A tB = 450 s IA= (8250+1000)/3= 3083 A tB =174 s
E1B 1250 PR121/P - E3N 2500 PR121/P E1B 1250 PR121/P - E3N 2500 PR121/P
104s 104s
103s 103s
102s 102s
10s 10s
1s 1s
10-1s 10-1s
10-2s 10-2s
0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA 100 kA 0.1 kA 1 kA 10 kA 100 kA

As can be seen, even if the curves overlap, there is time-current selectivity in the overload zone.
Appendix D
Selection of the Icw must also take into account the real currents circulating in the circuit-breaker.
The A circuit-breakers are passed through by a maximum of:
36kA due to a fault between the circuit-breaker and the transformer
18kA due to a fault on the busbar.
These circuit-breakers must therefore be selected with:

Icu > 36kA as the breaking capacity must be higher than the maximum short-circuit current
Icw > 18kA as time selectivity is only looked for towards the load-side apparatus.
For possible selectivity towards other load-side apparatus, circuit-breaker B1 must have:
Icw > 55kA.

Glossary
Is ultimate selectivity limit
Glossary
Icu ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity of a circuit-breaker

Icw rated short-time withstand current
Category A type of circuit-breaker without Icw (indicated for the energy selectivity)
Category B type of circuit-breaker with Icw (indicated for the time selectivity)
rated current of a release (this identifies the rated current of the circuit-breaker equipped by
In
the release in question)
Iu rated uninterrupted current of a circuit-breaker (this identifies the “size” of the circuit-breaker)
I3Max / I3min = maximum/minimum threshold of the protection against instantaneous short-circuit
Example:
-for a modular curve C (Im=5..10In) → I3Max=10In, I3min=5In
-for a moulded-case TMD circuit-breaker (Im=10In±20%*) → I3Max=12In, I3min=8In
-for function I of an electronic release (I3=10In±10%*) → I3Max=11In, I3min=9In
Icc short-circuit current
TMD thermomagnetic release with adjustable thermal and fixed magnetic threshold
TMA thermomagnetic release with adjustable thermal and magnetic threshold
EL electronic release
Function L protection against overload
Function S protection against delayed short-circuit
Funzione I protection against earth fault
Function G protection against directional short-circuit
Function D protezione contro il cortocircuito direzionale
I1 trip threshold of function L
t1 trip time of function L
I2 trip threshold of function S
t2 trip time of function S
I3 trip threshold of function I
I4 trip time of the function G
t4 tempo di intervento della funzione G
I7 trip threshold of the function D
t7 trip time of function D
selectivity time trip time of the electronic release when zone selectivity is enabled and the input locking
signal is not present.
Self-protection protection of the moulded-case circuit-breaker equipped with electronic release allowing
rapid times of fault extinction for currents higher than 10 to 12 times the Iu, even when the
instantaneous protection is set to OFF.
ft (foot) measure of length expressed in feet

* ±.....% = tolerance of the protection

1
1SDC007100G0203 May ’07

Printed in Italy
5.000 - CAL
Due to possible developments of standards as well as of

materials, the characteristics and dimensions specified in this
document may only be considered binding after confirmation
by ABB SACE.
ABB SACE S.p.A.

An ABB Group Company
L.V. Breakers
Via Baioni, 35
24123 Bergamo - Italy
Tel.: +39 035.395.111 - Telefax: +39 035.395.306-433
http://www.abb.com

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1 Technical Application Papers

Low voltage selectivity

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

ABB circuit-breakers Appendix B:

A theoretical outline of selectivity

The solutions come from a compromise between these

2 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

A theoretical outline of selectivity

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 3

These currents usually correspond to a circuit where a

Overload Zone = In ÷ 8-10In Short-circuit Zone = > 8-10In

0.1kA 1kA 10kA 0.1kA 1kA 10kA

4 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

A theoretical outline of selectivity

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 5

6 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

A theoretical outline of selectivity

0.1kA 1kA 10kA 100kA

1.20XI3 (or I2) of the load-side circuit-breaker A

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 7

8 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

A theoretical outline of selectivity

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 9

Coordination of energy type is a particular type of selec- coordination study.

10 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

A theoretical outline of selectivity

The operating principle of zone selectivity between ABB circuit-breakers is as follows:

A remains closed A opens

Fault current Fault current

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 11

How to obtain selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

Types of ABB circuit-breakers

These are the System Pro-M series of circuit-breakers.

12 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

How to obtain selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

Supply-side S200 / Load-side S200

If the following relationships are veriﬁed:

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 13

lar circuit-breaker on the load side is now analysed. selectivity.

Supply-side T1-T2-T3-T4 / Load-side MCB

Supply-side circuit-breaker of electronic type 1s

14 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

How to obtain selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

The I2 current threshold of function S, less any tolerance, must be 10-1s

With regard to trip time t2 of function S: 0.1kA 1kA 10kA

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 15

case, different techniques can be used to obtain selec-

Otherwise there will be partial selectivity and the 1s

IkB This is assuming that the magnetic trip thresholds of

16 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

How to obtain selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

In the short-circuit zone Time selectivity between two T4

when the I2A threshold of the supply-side circuit-breaker is only

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 17

Supply-side circuit-breaker of thermomagnetic type Energy selectivity between thermomagnetic MCCB

18 Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

How to obtain selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers

PR223EF PP PR223EF PR223EF

Low voltage selectivity with ABB circuit-breakers 19