Selection of a circuit-breaker

The choice of a range of circuit-breakers is determined by: the electrical characteristics of the installation, the environment, the loads and a need for remote control, together with the type of telecommunications system envisaged

Choice of a circuit-breaker

The choice of a CB is made in terms of:

• Electrical characteristics (AC or DC, Voltage...) of the installation for which the CB is intended
• Its environment: ambient temperature, in a kiosk or switchboard enclosure, climatic conditions, etc.
• Presumed short-circuit current at the point of installation
• Characteristics of the protected cables, busbars, busbar trunking system and application (distribution, motor...)
• Co-ordination with upstream and/or downstream device: selectivity, cascading, coordination with switch disconnector, contactor...
• Operational specifications: requirements (or not) for remote control and indication and related auxiliary contacts, auxiliary tripping coils, connection
• Installation regulations; in particular: protection against electric shock and thermal effect (See Protection against electric shocks and electric fires)
• Load characteristics, such as motors, fluorescent lighting, LED ligthing, LV/LV transformers

The following notes relate to the choice LV circuit breaker for use in distribution systems.

Choice of rated current in terms of ambient temperature

The rated current of a circuit breaker is defined for operation at a given ambient temperature, in general:

• 30°C for domestic-type CBs according to IEC 60898 series
• 40°C by default for industrial-type CBs, according to IEC 60947 series. Different value may be proposed however.

Performance of these CBs in a different ambient temperature depends mainly on the technology of their tripping units (see Fig. H37).

Fig. H37 – Ambient temperature

Uncompensated thermal magnetic tripping units

Circuit-breakers with uncompensated thermal tripping units have a trip current level that depends on the surrounding temperature

Circuit-breakers with uncompensated thermal tripping elements have a tripping-current level that depends on the surrounding temperature. If the CB is installed in an enclosure, or in a hot location (boiler room, etc.), the current required to trip the CB on overload will be sensibly reduced. When the temperature in which the CB is located exceeds its reference temperature, it will therefore be “derated”. For this reason, CB manufacturers provide tables which indicate factors to apply at temperatures different to the CB reference temperature. It may be noted from typical examples of such tables (see Fig. H39) that a lower temperature than the reference value produces an up-rating of the CB. Moreover, small modular-type CBs mounted in juxtaposition, as shown typically in Figure H24, are usually mounted in a small closed metal case. In this situation, mutual heating, when passing normal load currents, generally requires them to be derated by a factor of 0.8.

Example

What rating (In) should be selected for a iC60 N?

• Protecting a circuit, the maximum load current of which is estimated to be 34 A
• Installed side-by-side with other CBs in a closed distribution box
• In an ambient temperature of 60 °C

A iC60N circuit breaker rated at 40 A would be derated to 38.2 A in ambient air at 60°C (see Figure H39). To allow for mutual heating in the enclosed space, however, the 0.8 factor noted above must be employed, so that, 38.2 x 0.8 = 30.5 A, which is not suitable for the 34 A load.

A 50 A circuit breaker would therefore be selected, giving a (derated) current rating of 47.6 x 0.8 = 38 A.

Compensated thermal-magnetic tripping units

These tripping units include a bi-metal compensating strip which allows the overload trip-current setting (Ir or Irth) to be adjusted, within a specified range, irrespective of the ambient temperature.

For example:

• In certain countries, the TT system is standard on LV distribution systems, and domestic (and similar) installations are protected at the service position by a circuit-breaker provided by the supply authority. This CB, besides affording protection against indirect-contact hazard, will trip on overload; in this case, if the consumer exceeds the current level stated in his supply contract with the power authority. The circuit-breaker (≤ 60 A) is compensated for a temperature range of - 5 °C to + 40 °C.
• LV circuit-breakers at ratings ≤ 630 A are commonly equipped with compensated tripping units for this range (- 5 °C to + 40 °C)

Examples of tables giving the derated/uprated current values according to temperature, for circuit-breakers with uncompensated thermal tripping units

Circuit breaker thermal characteristics are given considering the section and type of conductor (Cu or Al) according to IEC60947-1 Table 9 & 10 and IEC60898-1 & 2 Table 10

iC60 (IEC 60947-2)

Fig. H38 – iC60 (IEC 60947-2) - derated/uprated current values according to ambient temperature

Rating	Ambient temperature (°C)
(A)	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50	55	60	65	70
0.5	0.58	0.57	0.56	0.55	0.54	0.53	0.52	0.51	0.5	0.49	0.48	0.47	0.45
1	1.16	1.14	1.12	1.1	1.08	1.06	1.04	1.02	1	0.98	0.96	0.93	0.91
2	2.4	2.36	2.31	2.26	2.21	2.16	2.11	2.05	2	1.94	1.89	1.83	1.76
3	3.62	3.55	3.48	3.4	3.32	3.25	3.17	3.08	3	2.91	2.82	2.73	2.64
4	4.83	4.74	4.64	4.54	4.44	4.33	4.22	4.11	4	3.88	3.76	3.64	3.51
6	7.31	7.16	7.01	6.85	6.69	6.52	6.35	6.18	6	5.81	5.62	5.43	5.22
10	11.7	11.5	11.3	11.1	10.9	10.7	10.5	10.2	10	9.8	9.5	9.3	9
13	15.1	14.8	14.6	14.3	14.1	13.8	13.6	13.3	13	12.7	12.4	12.1	11.8
16	18.6	18.3	18	17.7	17.3	17	16.7	16.3	16	15.7	15.3	14.9	14.5
20	23	22.7	22.3	21.9	21.6	21.2	20.8	20.4	20	19.6	19.2	18.7	18.3
25	28.5	28.1	27.6	27.2	26.8	26.4	25.9	25.5	25	24.5	24.1	23.6	23.1
32	37.1	36.5	35.9	35.3	34.6	34	33.3	32.7	32	31.3	30.6	29.9	29.1
40	46.4	45.6	44.9	44.1	43.3	42.5	41.7	40.9	40	39.1	38.2	37.3	36.4
50	58.7	57.7	56.7	55.6	54.5	53.4	52.3	51.2	50	48.8	47.6	46.3	45
63	74.9	73.5	72.1	70.7	69.2	67.7	66.2	64.6	63	61.4	59.7	57.9	56.1

Compact NSX100-250 equipped with TM-D or TM-G trip units

Fig. H39 – Compact NSX100-250 equipped with TM-D or TM-G trip units - derated/uprated current values according to ambient temperature

Rating	Ambient temperature (°C)
(A)	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50	55	60	65	70
16	18.4	18.7	18	18	17	16.6	16	15.6	15.2	14.8	14.5	14	13.8
25	28.8	28	27.5	25	26.3	25.6	25	24.5	24	23.5	23	22	21
32	36.8	36	35.2	34.4	33.6	32.8	32	31.3	30.5	30	29.5	29	28.5
40	46	45	44	43	42	41	40	39	38	37	36	35	34
50	57.5	56	55	54	52.5	51	50	49	48	47	46	45	44
63	72	71	69	68	66	65	63	61.5	60	58	57	55	54
80	92	90	88	86	84	82	80	78	76	74	72	70	68
100	115	113	110	108	105	103	100	97.5	95	92.5	90	87.5	85
125	144	141	138	134	131	128	125	122	119	116	113	109	106
160	184	180	176	172	168	164	160	156	152	148	144	140	136
200	230	225	220	215	210	205	200	195	190	185	180	175	170
250	288	281	277	269	263	256	250	244	238	231	225	219	213

Electronic trip units

Electronic tripping units are highly stable in changing temperature levels

An important advantage with electronic tripping units is their stable performance in changing temperature conditions. However, the switchgear itself often imposes operational limits in elevated temperatures, so that manufacturers generally provide an operating chart relating the maximum values of permissible trip-current levels to the ambient temperature (see Fig. H40).

Moreover, electronic trip units can provide information that can be used for a better management of the electrical distribution, including energy efficiency and power quality.

Fig. H40 – Derating of Masterpact MTZ2 circuit breaker, according to the temperature

Type of Drawout Masterpact		MTZ2 N1 - H1 - H2 - H3 -L1 -H10
		08	10	12	16	20	20
Ambient temperature (°C)
In front or rear horizontal	40	800	1000	1250	1600	2000	2000
	45
	50
	55
	60					1900
	65					1830	1950
	70				1520	1750	1900
In rear vertical	40	800	1000	1250	1600	2000	2000
	45
	50
	55
	60
	65
	70

Selection of an instantaneous, or short-time-delay, tripping threshold

Figure H41 below summarizes the main characteristics of the instantaneous or short-time delay trip units.

Fig. H41 – Different tripping units, instantaneous or short-time-delayed

Type	Tripping unit	Applications
	Low setting type B	Sources producing low short-circuit- current levels (standby generators) Long lengths of line or cable
	Standard setting type C	Protection of circuits: general case
	High setting type D or K	Protection of circuits having high initial transient current levels (e.g. motors, transformers, resistive loads)
	12 In type MA	Protection of motors in association with contactors and overload protection

Selection of a circuit breaker according to the presumed short-circuit current

The installation of a LV circuit-breaker requires that its short-circuit breaking capacity (or that of the CB together with an associated device) be equal to or exceeds the calculated prospective short-circuit current at its point of installation

The installation of a circuit-breaker in a LV installation must fulfil one of the two following conditions:

• Either have a rated short-circuit breaking capacity Icu (or Icn) which is equal to or exceeds the prospective short-circuit current calculated for its point of installation, or
• If this is not the case, be associated with another device which is located upstream, and which has the required short-circuit breaking capacity

In the second case, the characteristics of the two devices must be co-ordinated such that the energy permitted to pass through the upstream device must not exceed that which the downstream device and all associated cables, wires and other components can withstand, without being damaged in any way. This technique is profitably employed in:

• Associations of fuses and circuit-breakers
• Associations of current-limiting circuit-breakers and standard circuit-breakers.

The technique is known as “cascading” (see Coordination between circuit-breakers)

Circuit breakers suitable for IT systems

In IT system, circuit breakers may have to face an unusual situation called double earth fault when a second fault to earth occurs in presence of a first fault on the opposite side of a circuit breaker (see Figure H42 ).

In that case circuit breaker has to clear the fault with phase to phase voltage across a single pole instead of phase to neutral voltage. Breaking capacity of the breaker may be modified in such a situation.

Annex H of IEC60947-2 deals with this situation and circuit breaker used in IT system shall have been tested according to this annex.

When a circuit-breaker has not been tested according to this annex, a marking by the symbol shall be used on the nameplate.

Regulation in some countries may add additional requirements.

Fig. H42 – Double earth fault situation

Selection of circuit breakers as main incomer and feeders

Installation supplied by one transformer

If the transformer is located in a consumer’s substation, certain national standards require a LV circuit breaker in which the open contacts are clearly visible such as withdrawable circuit breaker.

Example

(see Fig. H43)

What type of circuit-breaker is suitable for the main circuit-breaker of an installation supplied through a 250 kVA MV/LV (400 V) 3-phase transformer in a consumer’s substation?

In transformer = 360 A

Isc (3-phase) = 9 kA

A Compact NSX400N with an adjustable tripping-unit range of 160 A - 400 A and a short-circuit breaking capacity (Icu) of 50 kA would be a suitable choice for this duty.

Fig. H43 – Example of a transformer in a consumer’s substation

Installation supplied by several transformers in parallel

(see Fig. H44)

• The feeder circuit breakers CBP must each be capable of breaking the total fault current from all transformers connected to the busbars: Isc1 + Isc2 + Isc3
• The main incomer circuit breakers CBM, must be capable of dealing with a maximum short-circuit current of (for example) Isc2 + Isc3 only, for a short-circuit located on the upstream side of CBM1.

From these considerations, it will be seen that the circuit-breaker of the smallest transformer will be subjected to the highest level of fault current in these circumstances, while the circuit-breaker of the largest transformer will pass the lowest level of short-circuit current

• The ratings of CBMs must be chosen according to the kVA ratings of the associated transformers

Fig. H44 – Transformers in parallel

Note: The essential conditions for the successful operation of 3-phase transformers in parallel may be summarized as follows:

1. the phase shift of the voltages, primary to secondary, must be the same in all units to be paralleled.

2. the open-circuit voltage ratios, primary to secondary, must be the same in all units.

3. the short-circuit impedance voltage (Zsc%) must be the same for all units.

For example, a 750 kVA transformer with a Zsc = 6% will share the load correctly with a 1,000 kVA transformer having a Zsc of 6%, i.e. the transformers will be loaded automatically in proportion to their kVA ratings. For transformers having a ratio of kVA ratings exceeding 2, parallel operation is not recommended.

Figure H46 indicates, for the most usual arrangement (2 or 3 transformers of equal kVA ratings) the maximum short-circuit currents to which main and principal CBs (CBM and CBP respectively, in Figure H45) are subjected. It is based on the following hypotheses:

• The short-circuit 3-phase power on the MV side of the transformer is 500 MVA
• The transformers are standard 20/0.4 kV distribution-type units rated as listed
• The cables from each transformer to its LV circuit-breaker comprise 5 metres of single core conductors
• Between each incoming-circuit CBM and each outgoing-circuit CBP there is 1 metre of busbar
• The switchgear is installed in a floormounted enclosed switchboard, in an ambient-air temperature of 30 °C

Example

(see Figure H45)

Circuit-breaker selection for CBM duty

For a 800 kVA transformer In = 1155 A; Icu (minimum) = 38 kA (from Figure H46), the CBM indicated in the table is a Compact NS1250N (Icu = 50 kA)

Circuit-breaker selection for CBP duty

The s.c. breaking capacity (Icu) required for these circuit-breakers is given in the Figure H46 as 56 kA.

A recommended choice for the three outgoing circuits 1, 2 and 3 would be current-limiting circuit-breakers types NSX400 H, NSX250 H and NSX100 H. The Icu rating in each case = 70 kA.

These circuit-breakers provide the advantages of:

• Total selectivity with the upstream (CBM) breakers
• Exploitation of the “cascading” technique, with its associated savings for all downstream components

Fig. H45 – Transformers in parallel

Fig. H46 – Maximum values of short-circuit current to be interrupted by incomer and feeder circuit breakers (CBM and CBP respectively), for several transformers in parallel

Number and kVA ratings of 20/0.4 kV transformers	Minimum S.C breaking capacity of main CBs (Icu) kA	Main circuit breakers (CBM) total selectivity with outgoing circuit breakers (CBP)	Minimum S.C breaking capacity of principal CBs (Icu) kA	Rated current In of principal circuit breaker (CPB) 250A
2 X 400	14	MTZ1 08H1 / MTZ2 08N1 / NS800N	28	NSX100-630F
3 X 400	28	MTZ1 08H1 / MTZ2 08N1 / NS800N	42	NSX100-630N
2 X 630	22	MTZ1 10H1 / MTZ2 10N1 / NS1000N	44	NSX100-630N
3 X 630	44	MTZ1 10H2 / MTZ2 10N1 / NS1000N	66	NSX100-630S
2 X 800	19	MTZ1 12H1 / MTZ2 12N1 / NS1250N	38	NSX100-630N
3 X 800	38	MTZ1 12H1 / MTZ2 12N1 / NS1250N	57	NSX100-630H
2 X 1000	23	MTZ1 16H1 / MTZ2 16N1 / NS1600N	46	NSX100-630N
3 X 1000	46	MTZ1 16H2 / MTZ2 16H1 / NS1600N	69	NSX100-630H
2 X 1250	29	MTZ2 20N1/NS2000N	58	NSX100-630H
3 X 1250	58	MTZ2 20H1/NS2000N	87	NSX100-630S
2 X 1600	36	MTZ2 25N1/NS2500N	72	NSX100-630S
3 X 1600	72	MTZ2 25H2/NS2500H	108	NSX100-630L
2 X 2000	45	MTZ2 32H1/NS3200N	90	NSX100-630S
3 X 2000	90	MTZ2 32H2	135	NSX100-630L

Selection of feeder CBs and final-circuit CBs

Short-circuit fault-current levels at any point in an installation may be obtained from tables

Use of Table G42

From this table, the value of 3-phase short-circuit current can be determined rapidly for any point in the installation, knowing:

• The value of short-circuit current at a point upstream of that intended for the CB concerned
• The length, c.s.a., and the composition of the conductors between the two points

A circuit breaker rated for a short-circuit breaking capacity exceeding the tabulated value may then be selected.

Detailed calculation of the short-circuit current level

In order to calculate more precisely the short-circuit current, notably, when the short-circuit current-breaking capacity of a CB is slightly less than that derived from the table, it is necessary to use the method indicated in Short-circuit current.

Two-pole circuit breakers (for phase and neutral) with one protected pole only

These CBs are generally provided with an overcurrent protective device on the phase pole only, and may be used in TT, TN-S and IT schemes. In an IT scheme, however, the following conditions must be respected:

• Condition (B) of table in Figure G68 for the protection of the neutral conductor against overcurrent in the case of a double fault
• Short-circuit current-breaking rating: a 2-pole phase-neutral CB must be capable of breaking on one pole (at the phase-to-phase voltage) the current of a double fault
• Protection against indirect contact: this protection is provided according to the rules for IT schemes

Related technical guides

Selectivity, Cascading and Coordination Guide

Get all required information to verify your electrical distribution design's robustness, considering overloads and short circuits.

Combine the benefits of selectivity and cascading to maximize power availability of your LV design at optimized cost.

Find Schneider Electric's coordination data for ACBs, MCCBs, MCBs, RCDs, busbar trunking (busways), motor starters and more.

Download the guide (.pdf)