MCAST BTEC National Diploma in Building Services Engineering

Electrical Installations
Protection Against Overload and Short-circuit Currents

Joseph Gatt

Assignment C

March 2010

Contents Task 1 P.40.2 Cables ................................................................................ 3 Task 2 P.40.6 Over-current Devices............................................................ 8 Task 3 M.40.1 The Use of IEE Wiring Regulations ........................................ 11 Task 4 M.40.5 Protection for Installations ................................................... 13

Joseph Gatt

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Assignment C

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Task 1 P.40.2 Cables A. State which are the external influences that affect the choice of a correct cable for a particular installation Ambient temperature (Ca) Ambient temperature refers to the surrounding temperature of the cable installed, and is based on 30C. It should be noted that the temperature and the current flow are inversely proportional. The higher the surrounding temperature, the less is the current flow. Heat is generated and released when a cable is carrying current. Hence, we must make sure that the surrounding temperature is not greater than the cable temperature in order for the cable to release heat. An overheated cable would be in the risk of fire. For safety reasons, correction factor must be applied if the ambient temperature exceeds 30C. Such factors are found on the IEE Wiring Regulations. Grouping factor (Cs) As previously mentioned, cables generate heat as they carry current. Grouping factor refers to the factor which must be applied when cables are grouped together in order to reduce the overall heat. Such factors also are found on the IEE Wiring Regulations. Thermal insulation (Ci) This refers to cables which would be embedded in thermal insulation. Heat being generated when a cable is carrying current cannot be released due to the insulation. Hence, a correction factor must be applied for cable lengths from 50-500mm, stated in regulation 52304-01. 0.5 is the correction factor which must be applied for lengths that exceed 500mm. B. List the methods of installation considered by the IEE wiring regulations The following is quoted from table 4A1 of IEE Wiring Regulations 16th Edition (please refer to appendix 1) Method 1 o Sheathed cables clipped direct to or lying on a non-metallic surface o Sheathed cables embedded directly in masonry, brickwork, concrete, plaster or like (other than thermally insulating materials)

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Method 3 o Single core non-sheathed cables in metallic or non-metallic conduit on a wall or ceiling. This method is commonly used locally for installations o Multi-core cables having non-metallic sheath, in metallic or non-metallic conduit on a wall or ceiling o Cables in conduit embedded in masonry, brickwork, concrete, plaster, or like (other than thermally insulating materials). This method is also commonly used o o o Cables in trunking on a wall or suspended in the air Cables in flush floor trunking Single core cables in skirting trunking

Method 4 o Single core non-sheathed cables in metallic or non-metallic conduit in a thermally insulating wall or above a thermally insulating ceiling, the conduit being in contact with a thermally conductive surface on one side o Sheathed cables in conduit in a thermally insulating wall etc. (otherwise as reference method 4)

Method 11 Sheathed cables on a perforated cable tray bunched and unenclosed. A perforated cable tray is a ventilated tray in which the holes occupy 30% or more of the surface area

Joseph Gatt

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Assignment C

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Joseph Gatt

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Assignment C

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Joseph Gatt

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Assignment C

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C. Explain

what

is

meant

by

voltage

drop

and

list

the

millivolt/ampere/metre for both single core and multi core cables used in domestic installations. Also state the maximum current that can be carried out by each cable Voltage drop refers to the reduced voltage affected by the length and crosssectional area of a cable. The more length, the more is the voltage drop. The thinner the cable, the more is the voltage drop. The voltage drop allowance for lighting and power is 3% and 5% respectively.

Joseph Gatt

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Assignment C

March 2010

Task 2 P.40.6 OverOver-current Devices A. Explain by means of diagrams the following protective devices I. Semi-enclosed fuse A wire of circular section which is connected to two screw terminals on the fuse carrier is the construction of the fuse element. The combination of the element consists of an alloy containing 63% tin and 37% led. The low cost and simplicity are considered

advantageous to the fuse, but it has many disadvantages, including; Aging due to oxidisation Time delay in operation Fire risk because the element becomes white hot when operates

II.

Cartridge fuse It consists of a porcelain tube with metal end caps to which the element is attached. The tube is filled with silica gel. These fuses are normally found in plugs used within 13A socket outlets. They are very accurate in breaking and unlike rewireable fuses, they do not deteriorate. In turn, these are quite expensive to replace.

Joseph Gatt

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Assignment C

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III.

MCB (thermal and magnetic type) An MCB is a mechanical device which has many advantages over other fuses. The major advantage is to reset after tripping and do not need to replace it. They also offer a better protection than other fuses. Disadvantages include

regular tests since they may jam if unused for long time, and expensive to buy. There are three types of MCBs which are type B domestic, C Industrial, and D Motor Rating.

I. Thermal tripping The load current is passed through a small heater, the temperature of which depends on the current it carries. The heater is arranged to warm a bimetallic strip. This strip is made of two different metals, which are securely riveted or welded together along their length. The rate of expansion of the metals is different, so that, as the strip is warmed, it will bend and will trip the latch. The bimetallic strip and heater are so arranged that normal currents will not heat the strip to tripping point. If the current increases beyond the rated value, extra power is dissipated by the heater, and the bimetallic strip is raised in temperature to trip the latch. II. Magnetic type The principal used here is the force of attraction which can be set up by the magnetic field of a coil carrying the load current. At normal currents, the magnetic field is not strong enough to attract the latch, but overload currents operate the latch and trip the main contacts. B. Explain fusing factor and state typical factors of commonly used fuses The maximum current which the fuse can support without tripping is defined as the current rating. The minimum current causing the fuse to blow is

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Assignment C

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defined s the fusing current. The level of protection or fusing performance is given by the fusing factor of the device.

The fusing factors of protective devices are; Semi enclosed 1.8 and 2 Cartridge 1.25 and 1.75 HBC less than 1.25 MCBs up to 1.5

Example: current rating of a fuse is 16A and the fusing factor is 2. Calculate the fusing current.

2 16 32

C. With reference to table 4D2A from the IEE wiring regulations, find the CSA of a copper cable to be used for the following miniature circuit breakers; Assuming reference method B, 1 two core cable single-phase a.c. or d.c. (Please refer to the table below) I. II. 16A x 0.67 = 10.7A = 1mm2 40A x 0.67 = 26.8A = 4mm2

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Assignment C

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Task 3 M.40.1 The Use of IEE Wiring Regulations A. Explain in detail the purpose of the IEE wiring regulations and explain how this is used The scope of the IEE Wiring Regulations is to rely on it regarding electrical installations. The regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations such as those of; Residential premises Commercial premises Public premises Industrial premises Caravans, caravan parks and similar sites Construction sites Marinas Street furniture And many others

IEE wiring regulations is the 17 editions, and has been published since 1982 till 2008. The book contains the rules for the design and erection of electrical installations so as to provide for safety and proper functional for the intended use. The requirements of the book are intended to provide for safety of persons, livestock and property against dangers and damage which may arise in the reasonable use of electrical installations. It is divided into chapters, and these chapters are sub-divided into points. At the end of the book, one can find the appendix list of various tables and standard requirements. B. Highlight special installations for which particular requirements are listed in the IEE regulations Joseph Gatt Locations containing a bath or shower Swimming pools and other basins Rooms and cabins containing sauna heaters Construction and demolition site installations Agricultural and horticultural premises Conducting locations with restricted movement Electrical installations in caravan/camping parks and similar locations Marinas and similar locations Medical locations, reversed for future use Page 11 of 18

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Exhibitions, shows and stands Solar photovoltaic (pv) power supply systems Mobile or transportable units Electrical installations in caravans and motor caravans Temporary electrical installations for structures, amusement devices and booths at fairgrounds, amusement parks and circuses

Floor and ceiling heating systems

C. Name the items excluded from the scope of the IEE regulations The regulations do not apply to the following installations Systems for distribution of electricity to the public Railway traction equipment, rolling stock and signalling equipment Equipment of motor vehicles, except those to which the requirements of the regulations concerning caravans or mobile units are applicable Equipment on board ships covered by BS 8450 Equipment of mobile and fixed offshore installations Equipment of aircraft Those aspects of mines and quarries specifically covered by statutory regulations Radio interference suppression equipment, except far as it affects safety of the electrical installation Lighting protection systems for buildings and structures covered by BS EN 62305 Those aspects of lift installations covered by relevant parts of BS 5655 and BS EN 81-1 Electrical equipment of machines covered by BS EN 60204

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Assignment C

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Task 4 M.40.5 Protection for Installations A. Compare different types of overload/short circuit devices and state the advantages and disadvantages of both types MCB The MCB is an automatic, electrically operated switching device that was designed to

automatically protect an electric circuit from overload currents and short circuit currents. It is a complicated construction made up of almost 100 individual parts. It has the ability to respond within milliseconds when a fault has been detected. MCBs find wide application in residential, commercial and industrial

operations. These applications include; Power Supplies Lighting circuits Solenoids Relay/Contactor coils Appliances Control circuits Motor circuits

The advantages of the MCB can be summarized as follows: Closed overload protection compared to HRC fuses Stable tripping characteristics Common tripping of all the phases of a motor Instant re-closing of the circuit after a fault has been cleared Safety disconnect features for circuit isolation Terminal insulation for operator safety Ampere ratings that can be fixed and modified compared to the possibility of introducing overrated fuses It is reusable, hence very little maintenance and replacement costs Joseph Gatt Lower power losses Simplicity of mounting and wiring Lower space requirements Page 13 of 18

Assignment C

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Provision of accessories e.g. auxiliary switch Stable arc interruption Discrimination can be achieved either based on current or based on time

The disadvantages of the MCB can be summarized as follows: More expensive than the fuse Difficult to identify where the fault occurred Fault can be cleared in any time up to 10 cycles of the current waveform Large amount of energy let through (10 times that released by the fuse)

Fuse The word fuse is a short form of fusible link and it is also protection device capable of protecting a circuit from overload currents and short circuit

currents. Fuses are rated in terms of many aspects. These include voltage, current and the type of application. A high rupturing capacity (HRC) fuse has a high breaking capacity. A fuse should be selected with a rating just above the normal operating current of the device to be protected. A general approach is that it should operate at 1.2 times the rated current. A typical fuse is made of silver-coated copper strips and granular quartz. Fuses find application in systems where the load does not vary much above the normal value (overload protection). They also find application in systems where the loads vary considerably (short-circuit protection). These applications include:

Transformer circuit Capacitor bank Motor circuit Fluorescent lighting circuit

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Assignment C

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Control circuits

The advantages of the fuse over can be summarized as follows: Cheaper when compared to MCBs It is easy to identify where the fault is due to the open air gap It can cut-off fault current long before it reaches its first peak Perfect discrimination easily achievable due to the low cut-off value The disadvantages of the fuse can be summarized as follows: The abrupt introduction of high resistance in the circuit by a badly designed and assembled fuse can create unwanted effects while clearing the fault Although this is very rare, fuses are likely to produce high peak voltage which is much higher than the system voltage and can puncture the insulation of the rest of the circuit A lot of maintenance and replacement costs. Maintenance in the form of continuously monitoring the state of the fuse; and replacement after each and every fault The cut-off current increases with the fuse rating Fuse of incorrect ratings can easily be installed in the fuse holders In a three phase power circuit, if one fuse blows, all the fuses must be replaced at the same time

B. Explain what the term discrimination is A number of fuses connected in series are found in a normal installation. For instance, the main fuse for a single-phase domestic installation is 40A which protects several sub-circuits rated less than the main fuse. Logically, the fuse of the final circuit must trip in case of overload. It will show a lack of discrimination on parts of the fuses if the main fuse trips instead the final circuit fuse. For example; the discrimination for a local single phase domestic installation is as follows; Joseph Gatt 40A main fuse 32A MCB for lighting circuit 32A MCB for power circuit Page 15 of 18

Assignment C

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13A cartridge fuse in plugs used within 13A socket outlets

C. Explain the terms prospective short circuit current and earth loop impedance Prospective short circuit current Before such current cause danger due to thermal or mechanical effects produced in those conductors or the associated connections, the protective devices shall be provided in a circuit to break any fault current flowing in conductors of that same circuit. This is stated in regulation 434-01 in IEE wiring regulations. When selecting the type of over current device to be installed, this prospective short circuit current must be taken care of. The effects of short circuit current are: The thermal effect, which can cause melting of

conductors/insulation, fire, alteration of the properties of materials etc. The mechanical effects of large magnetic fields that can build up when short circuit currents are flowing, resulting in conductor distortion, breaking of supports/insulators etc. To prevent this damage, rapid disconnection of the supply is essential. Possible causes of occurrence of a short circuit fault are; Contact between two poles of the supply due to incorrect connection Equipment failure Ingress of moisture Accidental damage.

A fault may be derived from many causes and it varies, such as a broken underground cable with construction plant. A connection between two conductors including the neutral conductor refers to a short circuit. Earth fault loop impedance The over current protective device will operate, causing the

automatic disconnection of the supply on a full earth fault. The over current protective device will not detect the fault on a low level earth leakage fault. Metalwork may become live under fault conditions with Joseph Gatt Page 16 of 18

Assignment C

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a faulty or disconnected earthfault loop path. Zs is the sum of Ze (the supply earth loop impedance) plus R1 (the

resistance of the circuits phase conductor) resistance and of R2 the (the circuit

protective conductor)

1 2

Regulations state that the protective device protecting a circuit must operate within a time of: I. 0.4 seconds for portable equipment supplied from socket outlet circuit II. 5 seconds for fixed equipment III. 0.2 seconds for construction sites and agricultural or

horticultural premises. D. With reference to the correct tables in the IEE wiring regulations find the time taken to operate a BS88 40A fuse on a 230V system. Explain how you achieved the answer and attach a copy of the tables used According to the table below, the time taken to operate a BS88 fuse varies according to the fault current. For instance, if a fault current would be 100A on, the tripping time would be 100 seconds. The same principle was used in the table below. First, I took the reading from the x-axis (100A). I followed the vertical line till the point met on the curve of the 40A fuse. Then, I followed the horizontal line to the left and determined the tripping time.

Joseph Gatt

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Joseph Gatt

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