MCB Breaking & Making Capacity PDF
MCB Breaking & Making Capacity PDF
MCB Breaking & Making Capacity PDF
* Breaking capacities quoted are Icu. Ics = 50% of Icu. Note: For UL/CSA approved MCBs consult us.
** Breaking capacities quoted are Icn. Ics = 75% of Icn. Maximum operating voltage 440V + 10%
Magnetic tripping characteristics (50/60Hz)
BS EN 60898/BS EN 60947-2
Type In min. In max. Typical applications
B 3 5 Moderately inductive, e.g. commercial and general industrial
C 5 10 Highly inductive, e.g. heavy industrial
D 10 14 More highly inductive, e.g transformers, motors and certain lighting systems
Dimensions
Section 9
8/2
Miniature circuit Temperature derating
breakers Multi 9
Example
The table below shows how to determine the following for a C60 depending on the
ambient temperature and the installation mode:
bb The service current which must not be exceeded for a rating of 20 A (reference
temperature 30 °C)
bb The ratings which must be adopted (in bold) to allow a service current of 20 A
Service current which must not be exceeded (A)
Installation Single C60 Several C60a in the same enclosure
conditions (calculed using the reduction
coefficient indicated below)
Temperature (°C) 30 °C 40 °C 30 °C 40 °C
nominal real real real real
rating (A) rating (A) rating (A) rating (A) rating (A)
C60 20 20 19 20 x 0.8 = 16 19 x 0.8 = 15.2
25 25 23.7 25 x 0.8 = 20 23.7 x 0.8 = 18.96
32 32 30.4 32 x 0.8 = 25.6 30 x 0.8 = 24
Dimensions
Section 9
8/3
Miniature circuit Temperature derating
breakers Multi 9
Dimensions
Section 9
8/4
Miniature circuit Temperature derating
breakers Multi 9
8
100 118.9 114.1 109 103.7 92.1 85.7 78.9 71.3 65.4
125 149.0 142.8 136 129.4 114.4 106.2 97.2 87.3 80.1
Dimensions
Section 9
8/5
Miniature For use with lighting loads
circuit breakers
8 P(1) ≤ 2000W
Mercury vapour + metal halides
16
P(1) 375W 6
P(1) 1000W 10
P(1) 2000W 16
High pressure sodium vapour lamps
P(1) 400W 6
P(1) 1000W 10
Dimensions
Section 9
8/6
Electrical For C60/C120 MCBs
auxiliaries Auxiliary ON/OFF switch (OF), Alarm switch (SD),
Shunt trip unit (MX), Under voltage release (MN)
Ph
Ph Auxiliary ON/OFF switch (OF) to indicate the ‘open’ or
‘closed’ position of a circuit breaker
Assembly
11
11
11 Clip on the left side of the circuit breaker.
Applications
Audible or visual indication of the open or closed state of the circuit. The indication
can be given on the front of a cubicle or enclosure or grouped on a control desk.
Can be used in conjunction with an alarm switch.
14
14 12
12
14 12
mcb closed
mcb closed mcb open
mcb open
mcb closed mcb open
N
N
94
94 92
92
94 92
fault
fault normal
normal
fault normal
N
N
Ph
Ph
Shunt trip unit (MX) for remote tripping
Assembly
Clip on the left side of the circuit breaker.
Applications
Remote opening of electrical circuits.
8
U>
U U> >
12
14 12
14 C C11
C22 C
14 12 C 2 C1
mcb closed
mcb closed
mcb closed
N
N mcb open
mcb open
mcb open
Ph
Ph Under voltage release unit (MN) to ensure automatic
tripping in case of under voltage and for remote tripping
D11
D D22
D by EMERGENCY STOP push button
D1 D2
Assembly
Clip on the left side of the circuit breaker.
Applications
U<
U U< <
N
N
Dimensions
Section 9
8/7
Electrical Safety perimeters -
auxiliaries utilisation limits
Fluorescent lighting
bb Do not exceed 400 m of cables for 30 mA sensitivity
bb Do not exceed 12 x 65 watt tubes per phase and 24 tubes with the “si” type, for
non-compensated lighting
Application examples
bb I∆n: 10 or 30 mA
vv Protection against direct contact
vv Protection against indirect contact in IT and TN earthing systems (breaking of
protection conductor, etc.)
vv In highly-exposed situations (building sites, stalls, swimming pools, etc.).
bb I∆n: 300 mA
vv Sites with fire risks
vv Protection against indirect contact in TT earthing system
bb I∆n: selective 300 mA s
bb protection against indirect contact,
vv In TT earthing system
vv Allows vertical discrimination with earth leakage protection devices y 30 mA
placed downstream
Very important!
Use of the earth leakage function in harsh environments
Safety of persons
Dimensions
Section 9
8/8
Electrical Safety perimeters -
auxiliaries utilisation limits
Safety perimeters
Bare sheetmetal
Front door
Lateral plate 20 mm
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
A=0 C=0 20 mm
B=0 D=0
Utilisation limits
Upstream Utilisation limits
Vibrations Impacts
(IEC 60068-2-6) (IEC 60068-2-27)
Downstream
C60/C120 6g 30 g/11 ms
RCCB 3 g level S2 30 g/11 ms
Dimensions
Section 9
8/9
Electrical Safety perimeters -
auxiliaries utilisation limits
The table below shows corrections that are to be made depending on altitude. The ID
circuit breaker’s breaking capacity remains the same.
Altitude (m) 2000 3000 4000
Dielectric withstand (V) 2500 2200 1950
Maximum operating voltage (V) 440 440 440
Thermal rating In 0.96 In 0.93 In
Copper
n The copper sulphur Cu2S layer’s thickness doubles in the presence of chlorine
compared with a normal environment
n The same happens with nytrogen dioxide
Silver
The silver or silver-plated contacts go black and create an insulating layer of sulphur
in the presence of anhydride or sulphurous hydrogen. This insulating sulphur causes
excessive overheating of contacts and eventually leads to their destruction.
The presence of chlorine, for example in humid areas, mixed with sulphurous
hydrogen increases the thickness of the silver suplur by 7 and adding suphurous
hydrogen and nitrogen dioxide increases the thickness of sulphurous silver by 20.
Practical advice
8
n Devices which are installed in oil refineries, steel works, paper mills, synthetic fibre
(nylon) factories and in general in sulphur chemical factories, will be exposed to
sulphurising which chemists refer to as oxidisation by analogy with the chemical
reaction which causes oxidisation by oxygen.
n It must not be thought that the devices installed in “technical” areas are protected
from this oxidisation process. Air intakes, which keep the area’s pressure higher
than the atmospheric pressure, are “too short”; often the air drawn in is clearly less
poluted than the air near the ground, but it is polluted enough for the devices to go
black five or six years after their installation.
n There is no cure for this oxidisation, just advice: a device’s nominal rating is
multiplied by 0.6 or a maximum of 0.8 if it is to be installed in a factory where
sulphurous gas may be released, the aim being to prevent overheating which
speeds up the oxidisation reaction.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/10
Miniature circuit Circuits supplied with DC current
breakers Choosing a circuit breaker
The choice of circuit n Nominal current which is used to choose current n The maximum short circuit current at the installation
breaker type, for rating point, used to define breaking capacity
protection of a DC n Nominal voltage which is used to determine the n The type of network (see below)
installation, depends number of serial-connected poles contributing to
mainly on the following breaking
criteria:
i i i
a a a
U/2
U B R + B R U B R
U/2
A A A
b b b
C C C
Analysis of each fault A Maximum lsc only the positive lsc close to maximum lsc No effect
fault polarity is concerned only the positive polarity is
concerned at half voltage U/2
fault B Maximum lsc both polarities are Maximum lsc both polarities are Maximum lsc both polarities are
concerned concerned concerned
fault C No effect Same as fault A but this time the No effect
negative polarity is concerned
The most unfavourable case Fault A Faults A and C Fault B
Distribution of the All the poles effectively On each polarity provide the Distribute the number of poles
breaking poles contributing to breaking are number of poles required to break required for breaking on each
serial-connected on the positive maximum lsc at voltage U/2 polarity
polarity (1) (2)
(1) or negative if it is the positive polarity that is earthed
(2) provide an additional pole on teh earthed polarity if the aim is isolation
Example
What is the short circuit current at the terminals of a stationary battery with the
following characteristics:
Isc n Capacity: 500 Ah
n Maximum discharge voltage: 240 V (110 x 2.2 V cells)
n Discharge current: 300 A
240 V DC n Backup time: 1/2 hour
300 A n Internal resistance: 0.5 mΩ per cell
500 Ah
Ri = 0.5 mΩ/cell Answer
Ri = 110 x 0.5.10-3 = 55.10-3
240
lsc = == 4.4KA
55.10-3
As shown in the calculation above, shortcircuit currents are relatively small.
Note: if internal resistance is not known, the following approximate formula can be
used:
lsc = kC where C is the battery capacity expressed in Ampere/hour and k is a
co-efficient close to 10 and in all cases always less than 20.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/11
Miniature circuit Circuits supplied with DC current
breakers Choosing a circuit breaker
Choosing DC circuit-breakers
Type Rated current (A) Breaking capacity (kA) (L/R < 0.015 s) Overload Magnetic
(The number of poles contributing to breaking is given in brackets) protection threshold
thermal overrating
24/48V 60V 125V 125V 250V 500V 750V 1000V coefficient
Multi 9
C60H 1-2-3-6-10-16-20-25-32-40-50-63 20 (1P) 25 (2P) 40 (3P) 50 (4P) Ditto AC 1.38
C120H 10-16-20-25-32-40-50-63-80-100-125 15 (1P) 15 (1P) 15 (2P) Ditto AC 1.4
(1) The C32H-DC special DC circuit-breaker is equipped with a permanent magnet, which requires strict respect of polarities
(2) For memory:
MP1 Im adjustable from 800 to 1600 A
MP2 Im adjustable from 1200 to 2500 A
MP3 Im adjustable from 2000 to 4000 A
P21-1250 Im adjustable from 1600 to 3200 A
P41-1250 Im adjustable from 3200 to 6400 A
(3) There are 7 versions of the dina 1500/3000 A trip units - 3/6 kA - 6/12 kA - 12/20 kA - 9/18 kA - 12/24 k A - 20/40 kA. Note: the masterpact switches, HI type in
the three-pole version with a rating from M08 to M63, can be used in DC up to 125 V DC (one pole on the positive polarity, one pole on the negative polarity and
one pole not used).
Dimensions
Section 9
8/12
Miniature circuit Circuits supplied with DC current
breakers Choosing a circuit breaker
Examples
+
125 V =
-
80 A
three-pole
NC100H
The chart opposite informs us that a NC100H (30 kA, 2P, 125 V) circuit-breaker must
be used. The chart on the previous page informs us that both poles must be placed
on the positive polarity. An additional pole can be placed on the negative polarity to
guarantee isolation.
+
250 V =
-
100 A
four-pole
NC100H
Each pole will be subjected to a maximum of U/2 = 125 V. The chart opposite informs
us that a NC100H (30 kA, 2P, 125 V) or NS100N (50 kA, 1P, 125 V) or NS160N (50 kA,
1P, 125 V) circuitbreaker must be used. The chart on page 9/11 informs us that both
poles must contribute to breaking at the voltage 125 V.
8
How to provide protection of a 400 A outgoer on a 250 V DC
unearthed network: lsc = 35 kA?
+
250 V =
-
400 A
two-pole
NS400H
The chart opposite informs us that a NS400H (85 kA, 1P, 250 V) circuit breaker must
be used. At least 2 poles must contribute to breaking The chart page 9/11 informs us
that the number of poles required for breaking must be distributed over each polarity.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/13
Miniature circuit Use in 400Hz Multi 9
breakers
ID The greater part of Multi 9 circuit breakers are used on 400 Hz networks.
l n Short-circuit currents at 400 Hz generator terminals do not, in general, exceed the
2.5 nominal current by more than 4 times. Therefore, breaking capacity problems are very
1
rare.
2
3 9 circuit breakers
Multi
2 bb 4The C120 and NG125 circuit breakers cannot be used on 400 Hz network.
For the others :
bb No thermal derating
bb Increase of magnetic thresholds:
1.5 vv Coefficient 1.5 for DPN, DPN N and DPNa
vv Coefficient 1.48 for C60
vv Coefficient 1.40 for NC100
bb Residual current circuit breakers from the Multi 9 range can be used on 400 Hz
1
networks. It should be noted that the mA threshold varies depending on the
network’s frequency (see curves below).
Note:
0.5 In 400 Hz, the test circuit for residual current devices may present the risk of not
10 50 60 90 150 250 350 400 Hz functioning when actioning the test button because of threshold variation.
According to international studies (IEC 60479-2), the human body is less sensitive to
a 400 Hz current that passes through the body; so well that, even though the residual
1
current device has had its frequency desensitised, these devices still ensure the
2 protection of persons. The method for choosing residual current devices in 400 Hz is
3 thus the same as that for 50 Hz.
4
RCCB
Operating residual current variation curves
25-40 - 1 1 1 1
350 400 Hz
63-80-100 - 2 1 1 1
A
16-25-40-63 - 3 - 2 2
A si, SiE
8
- 4 - 4 -
Selective s (AC, A)
- - - 2 2
Dimensions
Section 9
8/14
Miniature circuit Use in 400Hz Multi 9
breakers
1.5 A si
- 4 4
1
Vigi C60 module
Operating residual current variation curves
63 - 2 1 - -
ID
l n Vigi C60 module 230/400 V - 50 Hz
2.5
AC
1
2 25 2 1 1 - -
3
40-63 - 2 1 - -
2 4
A
25-63 3 3 2 2 -
0.5
10 50 60 90 150 250 350 400 Hz
Vigi C60 module
A si
- 4 - 4 4
8
1
2
3
4
350 400 Hz
Dimensions
Section 9
8/15
Miniature circuit For use in conjunction with
breakers motor starters and transformers
Motor starters
In general miniature circuit breakers can give only short circuit protection to motor
loads due to the high starting currents which may be encountered; typically 3 - 12
times full load current (FLC).
Assumptions
The tables give recommended MCB ratings for motors up to 37kW based on the
following assumptions:
n Direct-on-line starting
Starting current = 7 x FLC
Run up time = 6seconds, motors <3kW
10 seconds, motors < 22kW
Running currents = average values only (individual manufacturer’s figures will
vary). four pole motors, i.e. speed approx. 1500rpm
For higher inertia loads, i.e. hoists or fans, run up times may be considerably
longer than those assumed above. The rating of the MCB must take account
of the greater run up time and starting current. The required MCB rating can be
determined by reference to time/current curves (consult us).
n Star/delta starting
Since, during the changeover from star to delta, a high current surge in the order
of DOL values may be met, the MCB rating selected should be the same as that
recommended for DOL starting.
8 5.5
7.5
9.33
7.5
10
12.5
11
14.4
17.3
32
50
63
32
50
50
16
20
20
11 15 21 63 63 25
13 17.5 25 - - 32
15 20 28 - - 40
18.5 25 35 - - 50
22 30 40 - - 50
30 40 54 - - 63
37 50 65.5 - - -
Dimensions
Section 9
8/16
Miniature circuit For use in conjunction with
breakers motor starters and transformers
Transformers
High inrush currents are also produced when transformers are switched on,
typically 10 - 15 times full load current.
Assumptions
The tables give recommended MCB ratings for single phase transformers up to
12500VA and three phase transformers up to 30000VA based on the following
formula.
1st peak
10 to 25 In
In
θ t
Dimensions
Section 9
8/17
Motor P25M circuit breakers
protection
Voltage drop
The permissible voltage drop from the start of the installation to the motor in
question is 6% for public distribution systems. If the torque of the machine to be
driven is low during starting it is only necessary to check the voltage drop for the
rated current of the motor. If the starting torque is high (grinding mills, goods lifts,
etc.) the voltage drop should be checked for the starting current.
Applications
The P25M circuit breaker is particularly suitable for protecting small machine tools
and similar machines, with local control.
8
circuits.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/18
Motor P25M circuit breakers
protection
Minutes
5
2
Single phase connection 1
40
Ph 20
Seconds
10
N 3 5 Two poles of
5
the apparatus
1
must be 2
connected in
1
series for the
single phase
supply
200
Milliseconds
50
2 4 6
20
Emergency switch wiring
5
L1 L2 L3 The early 2
closing of 1.5 2 3 4 6 8 10 15 20 30
the auxiliary
x rated current
contact is
necessary to
U enable the
closing of the
circuit breaker
equipped with
an undervoltage
release
Dimensions
Section 9
8/19
Protection Types of RCD
time
(s)
Two families of RCD are offered in this catalogue
(1) Those without overcurrent protection (RCDs) e.g. RMGs
Merlin Gerin
300mA time delayed rcd (2) Those with overcurrent protection (RCBOs) e.g. C60H rcbo’s and DPN
Miniature circuit breakers combined with a residual current device, this RCD/
1000s
MCB combination can be realised in the form of the C60H RCBO combined RCD/
Typical 100mA MCB or by combining a vigi module with an MCB. All of these units can be used
instantaneous rcd
to protect individual circuits or as devices mounted within individual enclosures.
100s Individual out going circuits within type A or type B MCB distribution boards can
be protected by installing RCD/MCB combinations on that particular outgoing way.
Typical 30mA
instantaneous rcd
Groups of circuits can be protected within distribution boards by selection of either
split load or dual incomer units with selected circuits protected by RCD incoming
10s devices. Complete distribution systems can be given RCD protection by installing
an RMG RCD in a separate enclosure ahead of the distribution board or by using a
distribution board having an incoming RCD.
1s
Unwanted tripping
The principal reasons for unwanted tripping of RCDs are lack of discrimination
between RCD’s (see following paragraph) and transient earth leakage currents,
100ms which have various causes such as lightning strikes, switching surges (caused by
switching inductive loads) or switching capacitive loads (RF filter networks, mineral
insulated cables etc) All Merlin Gerin RCDs and RCD/MCBs incorporate a filtering
device which minimises their response to transients, virtually eliminating unwanted
100mA 300mA 600mA 1.5A 3A 500A tripping.
current (A)
Discrimination of RCDs
Figure 3: characteristic of 231 16, 300mA time delayed RCD with 10, 30 and
100mA instantaneous devices superimposed to show discrimination. Wherever two
or more RCDs are installed in series with one another, measures must be taken
to ensure that they discriminate properly - in the event of an earth fault, only the
device next upstream should operate. RCDs do not discriminate on rated residual
operating current sensitivity alone. In other words, a 100mA device upstream of
a 30mA device will not offer inherent discrimination. To provide the necessary
discrimination, RCDs can be provided with an inbuilt time delay mechanism, usually
50ms. This inbuilt time delay is sufficient to allow the downstream device to open
the circuit before the upstream device starts to operate. Such an RCD must be
used as the incomer to a split load board incorporating two RCDs.
(fig. 3)
IEC publication 479 “effects of currents passing through the human body”
TIME/CURRENT ZONES OF EFFECTS OF A.C. CURRENT (15 - 100HZ) ON PERSONS
WITH STANDARD RCD CHARACTERISTICS SUPERIMPOSED
8
a b c1 c2 c3 IEC 479
10000
5000
2000
1000
time in milliseconds
500
1 2 3 4
200
100
50
20
10
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1 2 3 5 10 20 30 50 100 200 300 500 1000 2000 3000 5000 10000
current in milliamperes (R.M.S.)
typical current
limits due to body resistance
10mA 30mA 100mA at 240V
Dimensions
Section 9
8/20
Lightning How to implement a surge
protection arrester system?
Choice of technology
To maintain the system's continuity of service, a surge arrester must be installed
downstream of a disconnection device.
A circuit breaker, thoroughly appropriate for this type of function, well coordinated
with the surge arrester, is the ideal solution.
Simplified maintenance
To facilitate maintenance:
bb Rapid pinpointing of the operation to be performed: through indication of its
state by indicator lamp
8
bb Remote indication of surge arrester state by choosing a surge arrester provided
with "remote reporting"
bb A range of surge arresters with withdrawable cartridges to simplify maintenance
Remote indication
Dimensions
Section 9
8/21
Lightning How to implement a surge
protection arrester system?
bb Domestic equipment:
vv Audio-video, computers
vv Household appliances
vv Burglar alarm
Depending on the size of the building and the extent of its electrical system, one or more surge arresters must be
used in the various switchboards in the installation.
bb Detached house
bb Apartment, small semi-detached house
bb Communal part of a building
bb Professional premises
bb Tertiary and industrial buildings:
vv Single switchboard, main switchboard
8 vv Distribution board
vv Sensitive equipment more than 30 m from the switchboard
Dimensions
Section 9
8/22
Lightning Selection guide
protection Domestic equipment
1 Domestic equipment
Equipment to be
Audio-video, computers,
protected
household appliances,
burglar alarm, etc.
2
Determine the Apartment,
Detached house, Communal part
small semi-
architecture of Professional detached house
of a building
the building premises
3
Risk level of the
impact of a
lightning strike
Combi Combi
Choice of type of Combi Combi
8
Quick PRF1 PRF1
PF40 PRF1 PRF1 PF PF40 PF65
surge arrester PF
+ PF40 + PF40
+ +
PF40 PF40
Dimensions
Section 9
8/23
Lightning Selection guide
protection Sensitive equipment
Building equipment
2 Single
switchboard,
main
switchboard
Determine the Distribution
architecture of board
the building Dedicated
protection,
more than
30 m from a
switchboard
3
Risk level of the
impact of a
lightning strike
Combi
PRF1 or
PRF1
Choice of type of Master
8
Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick
+
surge arrester PRD20r PRD40r PRD40r
PRD40
PRD40r PRD8r
or
Quick
PRD40r
Combi
PRF1
or
PRD20 PRD40 PRD40 PRF1 PRD40 PRD8
Master
+
PRD40
Alternative OR OR OR
solution
Combi
PRF1
or
PF20 PF40 PF40 PF40 PF8
PRF1
Master
+ PF40
Dimensions
Section 9
8/24
Lightning Selection guide
protection Professional equipment
1 Professional equipment
2 Single
switchboard,
main
switchboard
Determine the Distribution
architecture of board
the building Dedicated
protection,
more than 30
m from a
switchboard
3
Risk level of the
impact of a
lightning strike
Combi
PRF1 or
Choice of type of
8
Quick PRF1 Quick Quick
PRD65 PRD65
surge arrester PRD40r Master PRD20r PRD8r
+ Quick
PRD40r
Combi
PRF1
or
PRD40 PRD65 PRD65 PRF1 PRD20 PRD8
Master
+
PRD40
Alternative OR OR OR
solution
Combi
PRF1
or
PF40 PF65 PF65 PF20 PF8
PRF1
Master
+ PF40
Dimensions
Section 9
8/25
Lightning Selection guide
protection Heavy equipment
1 Heavy equipment
2 Single
switchboard,
main
switchboard
Determine the Distribution
architecture of board
the building Dedicated
protection,
more than 30
m from a
switchboard
3
Risk level of the
impact of a
lightning strike
Combi Combi
Combi PRF1 or PRF1 or
Choice of type of
8
PRF1 + PRF1 PRF1 Quick Quick
PRD65
surge arrester Quick Master Master PRD20r PRD8r
PRD40r + Quick + Quick
PRD40r PRD40r
Combi Combi
PRF1 PRF1
Combi or or
PRD65 PRF1 + PRF1 PRF1 PRD20 PRD8
PRD40 Master Master
+ +
PRD40 PRD40
Alternative OR OR OR
solution
Combi Combi
PRF1 PRF1
Combi
or or
PF65 PRF1 + PF20 PF8
PRF1 PRF1
PF40
Master Master
+ PF40 + PF40
Lightning can also propagate through telecommunications Protection of telecommunications and computer
and computer networks.
It can damage all the equipment connected to
equipment
these networks: telephones, modems, computers, servers, Choice of surge arresters PRC PRI
etc. Analogue telephone networks < 200 V bb
Digital networks, analogue lines < 48 V bb
Digital networks, analogue lines < 6 V VLV load supply < 48 V bb
Dimensions
Section 9
8/26
Lightning Choice of disconnector
protection
Choice of disconnector
The disconnector is necessary to ensure the safety of the installation
bb One of the surge arrester parameters is the maximum current (Imax 8/20 µs wave)
that it can withstand without degradation. If this current is exceeded, the surge
arrester will be destroyed; it will be permanently short circuited and it is essential
to replace it.
The fault current must therefore be eliminated by an external disconnector installed
upstream.
The disconnector provides the complete protection required by a surge arrester
installation, i.e.:
vv It must be able to withstand standard test waves:
-- It must not trip at 20 impulses at In
-- It can trip at Imax without being destroyed
vv The surge arrester disconnects if it short-circuits.
bb The ready-to-cable surge arresters with an integrated disconnection circuit
breaker are:
vv Combi PRF1
vv Quick PF
vv Quick PRD.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/27
Lightning End-of-life indication of the
protection surge arrester
Various indication devices are provided to warn the user that the loads are no longer
protected against atmospheric overvoltages.
Quick PRD has indicator lights on the cartridges and on the integrated
disconnector, so that the work to be carried out can quickly be located.
For safety reasons, the disconnector opens automatically when a cartridge is
removed. It cannot be set until the cartridge is plugged in.
8 When changing the cartridge, a phase/neutral failsafe system ensures that it can be
plugged in safely.
Operating state continuous display
Quick PRD has an integrated reporting contact to send information about the
operating state of the surge arrester from a remote location.
Monitoring the surge arresters installed throughout the installation makes it
possible to be continuously aware of their operating state and to ensure that the
protection devices are always in good working order.
Example of indication for Quick PRD. bb A reporting contact gives the alert:
vv At end of life of a cartridge
vv If a cartridge is missing, as soon as it has been removed
vv If a fault occurs on the line (short-circuit, neutral disconnection, phase-neutral
reversal)
vv In the event of local manual operation (handle down)
Quick PF has an optional indication reporting auxiliary (SR) that sends information
about the operating state of the surge arrester from a remote location.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/28
General installation Installing surge arresters in
rules a box or cabinet
Connections
These must be as short as possible. In fact, one of the essential characteristics for
equipment protection is the maximum level of voltage that the equipment can
withstand at its terminals. A surge arrester with a protection level suitable for the
equipment to be protected should be chosen (fig. 35). The total length of the
connections is L = L1 + L2 + L3. It represents an impedance of roughly 1 µH/m for
high frequency currents.
Application of the rule ∆U = L di
dt
with an 8/20 µs wave and a current of 8 kA leads to a voltage of 1,000 V peak per
metre of cable.
8.10-6
Wiring rules
Rule 1
The first rule to be respected is not to exceed a distance of 50 cm when connecting
the surge arrester to its disconnection circuit-breaker. The surge arrester
connections are shown in figure 36.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/29
General installation Installing surge arresters in
rules a box or cabinet
Rule 2
The outgoing feeders of the protected conductors must be connected right at the
terminals of the surge arrester and disconnection circuit-breaker (fig. 37).
Rule 3
The phase, neutral and PE incoming wires must be tightly coupled to reduce the
loop surfaces (fig. 38).
Rule 4
The surge arrester's incoming wires must be moved away from the outgoing wires
to avoid mixing the polluted cables with the protected cables (fig. 38).
Rule 5
The cables must be flattened against the metallic frames of the box in order to
minimise the frame loops and thus benefit from a disturbance screening effect.
If the box is made of plastic and the loads particularly sensitive, it must be replaced
by a metal box.
In all cases, you must check that the metallic frames of the boxes or cabinets are
frame grounded by very short connections.
Finally, if screened cables are used, extra lengths which serve no purpose
("pigtails"), must be cut off as they reduce screening effectiveness.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/30
General installation Installing surge arresters in
rules a box or cabinet
8
The length of the general supply cables and earth cable will therefore no longer
make any difference.
Fig. 40 - example of shortest wiring for the service sector and industry
Dimensions
Section 9
8/31
General installation Installing surge arresters in
rules a box or cabinet
Layout for installing the surge arrester and its asociated disconnector on the same
symmetrical rail (figure 42).
Dimensions
Section 9
8/32
General installation Installing surge arresters in
rules a box or cabinet
Fig. 43 - example of surge arrester installation with power supply incoming feeder via the bottom.
Cable sections
The standard requires a surge arrester connection cable section of 10 mm² when
there is a lightning conductor and at least 4 mm² in other cases.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/33
Services CT contactors
TC16
more than 100
cycles a day
200 000 TL CT
(+ DPN/C60) (+ C60)
50 to 100
cycles a day
RLI
100 000 (+ DPN/C60) Réflex CT
(XC40) (+ C120)
10 to 50
cycles a day
20 000
Tm
(+ C60)
less than 10
cycles a day
10 20 32 40 63 100 (A)
Dimensions
Section 9
8/34
Services CT contactors
Lighting application
bb The following tables concern all the contactors from the CT range, with or without
manual control, for 230 V single-phase lighting circuits
bb They indicate the contactor rating to be chosen according to the number and type
of lamps to be controlled. As a guideline, maximum power is also given
bb To obtain an equivalence on:
vv Three-phase + neutral circuits: multiply the number of lamps and the power
indicated in the table by 3
vv Three-phase without neutral circuits: multiply the number of lamps and the power
indicated in the table by 1.7
Incandescent lamp with or without halogen gas
Type of lighting application Maximum number of lamps for a given rating
230 V single-phase circuit CT contactors
Power (W) 16 A 25 A 40 A 63 A 100 A
40 38 57 115 172 250
60 30 45 85 125 187
75 25 38 70 100 150
100 19 28 50 73 110
150 12 18 35 50 75
200 10 14 26 37 55
300 7 10 18 25 37
500 4 6 10 15 22
1000 2 3 6 8 12
12 V halogen lamp (on ELV electromagnetic transformer)
20 15 23 42 63 94
50 10 15 27 42 63
75 8 12 23 35 52
100 6 9 18 27 40
150 4 6 13 19 28
26 mm fluorescent tube (single parallel-corrected)
15 15 20 40 60 90
18 15 20 40 60 90
20 15 20 40 60 90
36 15 20 40 60 90
40 15 20 40 60 90
58 10 15 30 43 64
65 10 15 30 43 64
115 5 7 14 20 30
140 5 7 14 20 30
26 mm fluorescent tube (single uncorrected)
15 22 30 70 100 150
8
18 22 30 70 100 150
20 22 30 70 100 150
36 20 28 60 90 135
40 20 28 60 90 135
58 13 17 35 56 84
65 13 17 35 56 84
115 7 10 20 32 48
140 7 10 20 32 48
26 mm fluorescent tube (dual serial-corrected)
2 x 18 30 46 80 123 180
2 x 20 30 46 80 123 180
2 x 36 17 25 43 67 100
2 x 40 17 25 43 67 100
2 x 58 10 16 27 42 63
2 x 65 10 16 27 42 63
2 x 118 6 10 16 25 37
2 x 140 6 10 16 25 37
26 mm fluorescent tube (4 tubes, serial correction)
4 x 18 15 23 46 69 100
Electronic ballast (1 x 26 mm tube)
18 74 111 222 333 500
36 38 58 117 176 260
58 25 37 74 111 160
Electronic ballast (2 x 26 mm tubes)
2 x 18 36 55 111 166 250
2 x 36 20 30 60 90 135
2 x 58 12 19 38 57 85
Dimensions
Section 9
8/35
Services CT contactors
8
250 2 3 6 9
400 2 4 8 12
1000 1 2 4 6
Heating application
bb The following table concerns all the contactors in the CT range, with or without
manual control, for 230 V single-phase and 400 V three-phase heating circuits
bb It indicates the contactor rating to be chosen according to the power to be
controlled and the number of operations a day
230 V heating
Type of heating application Maximum power (kW) for a given rating
Number of CT contactors
operations / day 25 A 40 A 63 A 100 A
25 5,4 8,6 14 21,6
50 5,4 8,6 14 21,6
75 4,6 7,4 12 18
100 4 6 9,5 14
250 2,5 3,8 6 9
500 1,7 2,7 4,5 6,8
400 V heating
25 16 26 41 63
50 16 26 41 63
75 14 22 35 52
100 11 17 26 40
250 5 8 13 19
500 3,5 6 9 14
Dimensions
Section 9
8/36
Services CT contactors
Dimensions
Section 9
8/37
Remote TL impulse relays
control
Dimensions
Section 9
8/38
Current CT current transformers
transformers
Important precaution
Never open the secondary circuit of a current transformer when the primary circuit is
energised.
Prior to working on the secondary circuit, the secondary terminals of the current
transformer must be short-circuited.
8
For each temperature variation per 10 °C bracket, the power drawn up by the cables increases
by 4 %.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/39
Current CT current transformers
transformers
Practical advice
Use a current transformer to measure a nominal current of 50 A.
To divide by 2 the nominal current of a transformer, you only need to pass the current
to be measured twice through this transformer.
Dimensions
Section 9
8/40
Motor Safepact 2
loads
Discrimination
The table below indicates where total discrimination exists between devices.
D1
D2
8
25A 3.7 7.5
40A 4 8.4
63A 9 17
80A 15 28
100A 22 40
125A 25 47
160A 33 60
200A 45 80
250A 69 128
Note:
n These tables offer guidance only, for DOL starting assuming:
A starting current of 7 x FLC
Run-up time = 8 seconds for motors
< 3kW
10 seconds for motors
> 3kW
n The running current is a typical value and may vary from manufacturer to
manufacturer
Dimensions
Section 9
8/41
Panelboards Powerpact 4
1600A Panelboard
Incoming connection details
4 - Ø12.5 holes on 50 mm pitch
Pole pitch = 70mm
Distance to gland plate = 708mm
Dimensions
Section 9
8/42
Degrees of Provided by enclosures
protection
External influences
In many national and international standards, a large number of external influences
to which an electrical installation can be subjected are indexed and coded:
presence of water, presence of solid objects, risk of impact, vibrations, presence
of corrosive substances, etc. These influences may be present with variable
intensity depending on the conditions of installation: The presence of water may
be in the form of a few drops or total immersion.
Protection index
European standard EN60529 gives a protection code (IP) which characterises the
ability of equipment to withstand the following external influences:
n Presence of solid bodies
n Presence of water
This code comprises two digits, depending on these external influences. The
protection index is assigned to the equipment following a series of tests laid down
in the respective standards.
2 ø 12.5mm
Protection against 2 Protection against
solid bodies drops of water falling
greater than up to 15° from
12.5mm vertical
3 Protection against
3 Protection against
ø 2.5mm
solid bodies rainwater up to 60°
greater than 2.5 mm from vertical
4 4
8
Protection against Protection against
ø 1mm
solid bodies water projected from
greater than 1 mm all directions
5 5
Protection against protection against
dust hosing with water
(no harmful from all directions
deposits)
6 6
Protection against
Total protection swamping with water
against dust
7
Protection against
immersion
Dimensions
Section 9
8/43
Earth Loop Impedance Values for
Miniature Circuit Breakers
Dimensions
Section 9
8/44