Technical Guide Coordination
Technical Guide Coordination
Technical Guide Coordination
BACK-UP............................................................................... 14
Definitions
Selectivity means that, when a fault occurs, only the part of the installation concerned by this fault is isolated.
It is required when several protection devices are installed in series and when it is justified by safety or operating requirements.
Selectivity is based on coordinating the operating characteristics of protection devices so that the intended device operates
when overcurrents occur within the given limits, whereas the other devices, located upstream, do not operate.
■ Example
A As a result of the selectivity between protection devices A and
B, the fault which occurs downstream of B does not affect the
other parts of the installation.
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PARTIAL SELECTIVITY TOTAL SELECTIVITY
Selectivity between two protection devices installed in series Selectivity between two protection devices installed in series
is said to be “partial” when the downstream protection device is said to be “total” when the downstream protection device
provides protection up to a given overcurrent level without provides protection up to the value of the maximum prospective
triggering operation of the upstream protection device. Above short circuit at its installation point without triggering operation
this overcurrent level, the upstream device will provide the of the upstream protection device.
protection.
Since almost all faults occur during use, partial selectivity may
be adequate if the selectivity limit is higher than the value of DPX³ 160
the maximum short circuit which may occur at the point of use Icu : 25 kA
(or at the end of the trunking). This is referred to as “operating In : 160 A
selectivity”.
DX³
This technique is very often adequate, more economical and
Icu : 10 kA
less restricting in terms of implementation. In : 32 A Ik : 8 kA
Courbe C
■ Example
DX³ DX³ The selectivity limit for coordination of the DPX³ 160 - 25 kA
Icu : 10 kA Icu : 10 kA
In : 40 A Ik : 8 kA - 160 A with the DX³ 10 kA - 32 A - C curve is 10 kA.
In : 40 A
Courbe C Courbe C
As the maximum short-circuit level (Ik max) at the
installation point is 8 kA, the selectivity is total.
Ik : 3 kA
M M
■ Example
The selectivity limit for coordination of the DPX³ 160 -
25 kA - 125 A with the DX³ 10 kA - 40 A - C curve is 6
kA. As the maximum short-circuit level (Ik max) at the
installation point is 8 kA, the selectivity is not total.
However, there is total selectivity at the point of use
where the prospective short-circuit current is only 3 kA.
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t t
Trip zones of a thermal magnetic circuit breaker Trip zones of an electronic circuit breaker
selectivity level
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CURRENT SENSING SELECTIVITY
This technique is based on the difference ■ Application rules CHECKING SELECTIVITY WITH THE
in the intensity of the tripping curves of • T o obtain selectivity in the overload XLPRO3 BACK-UP/SELECTIVITY TOOL
the upstream and downstream circuit zone, the ratio of the setting
The selectivity is checked using tables
breakers. It is checked by comparing currents (Ir) must be at least 1.6.
or by comparing the tripping curves of
these curves and ensuring that they do not • To obtain selectivity in the short-
the protection devices using the Legrand
overlap. circuit zone, it is generally adequate
“XLPRO³ BACK-UP/SELECTIVITY TOOL”
for the ratio of the magnetic setting
t software. This tool can be downloaded
B: downstream currents (Ii) or short delay currents
circuit breaker A: upstream circuit breaker from the Legrand website free of charge.
(Isd) for electronic circuit breakers
It is an additional option for XLPRO³
to be at least 1.6. The selectivity
CALCUL which makes it easy for users to
limit is then equal to the magnetic
obtain the required level of selectivity.
tripping current IiA (or short delay
Product benefits:
current IsdA for an electronic circuit
- Can be used to adjust values to match
breaker) of the upstream circuit
customer requirements as closely as
breaker. The selectivity is therefore
possible
Only B opens A and B open total as long as IkB < IiA (IsdA).
- Automatic updating of the software
IrB IrA IkB I
and the selectivity tables
IiB IiA Current sensing selectivity is therefore
IkB: maximum short circuit at the installation
point of circuit breaker B very suitable for final circuits where
the short circuits are relatively weak.
It applies for the overload zone and the
short-circuit zone, and the further apart
the ratings of the devices, the better the
selectivity.
Legrand provides tables detailing NB: The current settings of the circuit
the three selectivity zones for its breakers given in the tables are
circuit breakers. These tables can assumed to be their maximum values. If
be accessed in some technical data the settings are different, it is advisable
sheets or in the XLPRO³ BACK-UP/ to check the selectivity in the current
SELECTIVITY TOOL application. and time zones, while the values given
The letter “T” (for “Total”) indicates remain true in the energy zone.
that there is selectivity up to the If it is not possible to obtain the required
breaking capacity of the downstream selectivity level using conventional
device. When a value is given, it must methods, there are two additional
be compared with the prospective techniques with Legrand electronic
short-circuit current at the installation circuit breakers:
point of the downstream device to - Dynamic selectivity
Refer to the technical guide check whether the selectivity is total. - Logical selectivity
"Logical selectivity" available on
the Legrand website. NT
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TIME SELECTIVITY
This technique is based on the difference in the times of the Using circuit breakers with electronic releases set at constant I2t
tripping curves of the circuit breakers in series. It is checked improves the selectivity.
by comparing the curves and is used for selectivity in the short-
circuit zone. t (s) B A
Normal setting
I (A)
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ENERGY SELECTIVITY
This is based on the capacity of the downstream protection device to limit the energy flowing through it to a value lower than that
required to cause tripping of the upstream device.
It is checked by reading the manufacturers’ selectivity tables.
Isc
Î : Prospective
peak Isc Prospective Isc
Prospective
rms Isc
Î : Limited
peak Isc Limited Isc
If there is a short circuit, without any protection, the current that would flow through the installation is the prospective
short-circuit current. When a short-circuit current crosses a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker has the capacity, to
a greater or lesser extent, to allow only part of this current to flow. The short circuit is then limited in amplitude
and duration.
When the downstream circuit breaker B is a limiting device, the short-circuit current is limited in terms of both time and amplitude.
The selectivity is therefore total if the limited current (IkB) which device B allows to pass is lower than the tripping current of
device A.
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Additional selectivity
techniques
DYNAMIC SELECTIVITY
Dynamic selectivity is a particular type of selectivity Electronic circuit breakers set to “High” have a slight tripping
developed by Legrand. It is based on making maximum use delay which enables a high selectivity level to be obtained even
of the limitation characteristics of moulded case circuit for the highest short-circuit currents.
breakers and extends the concept of time coordination
■ Application rules
to the highest short-circuit currents.
Before considering dynamic selectivity, the time
Dynamic selectivity operates between an electronic DPX/
selectivity must be checked for medium intensity short-
DPX³ circuit breaker installed upstream and an electronic
circuit currents by comparing the tripping curves.
or thermal magnetic DPX/DPX³ circuit breaker installed
When this has been checked, the
downstream.
following rules can be applied:
Electronic DPX and DPX³ have a 2-position setting:
• The upstream circuit breaker must be set to “High”
•“High” for a higher selectivity level
• The downstream circuit breaker can be an electronic
• “Low” for a normal selectivity level
DPX or DPX³ set to “Low”, or a thermal magnetic DPX³
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■ Exemple ■ Upstream
Dynamic selectivity between 2 levels A : electronic DPX or DPX³ with "S2" release and the SEL
selector switch set to High (tm = 0.2, considered to be the
result of the previous time selectivity study on medium
intensity short circuits)
A
Electronic DPX3 ■ Downstream
tm = 0.2
B : electronic DPX or DPX³ with "S2" release and the SEL
SEL = High
selector switch set to Low (tm = 0.1, considered to be the
result of the previous time selectivity study on medium
B D intensity short circuits)
Electronic DPX3 Electronic DPX3 D : electronic DPX or DPX³ with "S1" release and SEL selector
tm = 0.1 SEL = Low
SEL = Low switch set to Low
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LOGIC SELECTIVITY
Logic selectivity is an "intelligent" type The operating principle of logical In this way, if there is a short circuit,
of selectivity performed by exchanging selectivity is as follows: only the part of the installation affected
data between electronic DPX/ DPX³/ • The circuit breakers which detect by the fault is isolated by the circuit
DMX³ linked by an external connection. the short-circuit current or a high breaker immediately upstream. This
starting current send a signal, via circuit breaker operates immediately,
Logical selectivity is used on the the connecting cable, to the circuit inhibiting the programmed settings,
short delay and instantaneous zones breaker(s) at the next level up, and thus ensuring that the time taken to
of the activation curve I = f(t). It at the same time they check the eliminate the fault is minimised.
concerns medium and high intensity presence of a signal coming from one This:
short circuits (energy part). or more circuit breakers located at •Ensures that good selectivity is
It does not operate on the long the level immediately below them. obtained on several levels, in
delay part of the curve (current • The circuit breaker located in the addition to the various time delays
selectivity) dealing with overloads. logical selectivity system which •Reduces the thermal and
t
detects the short circuit and does electrodynamic stresses on the
not receive any signal from the cables or the bars, thus optimising
downstream circuit breakers operates the dimensions of the installation
immediately, resetting any programmed
delays (Tsd and/or HIGH) to zero.
• The circuit breaker which detects
the short circuit and confirms
the presence of a signal from a
downstream circuit breaker remains
closed, keeping to the programmed
time delays (Tsd and/or HIGH).
long delay short delay instantaneous I
operating operating operating
zone zone zone
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In both the cases described above, to prevent a double ■ Example
connection to circuit breaker A, it is also possible to use the Circuit breaker B, concerned by the fault, trips
following wiring: immediately, without waiting for the set delay.
Upstream circuit breaker A remains closed.
A A1 A2
B D B D A
C C
OUT OUT
IN IN B C
tsd = 0,1 s
APPLICATION RULES
To ensure correct time selectivity for medium intensity short
circuits, the time/current curve with constant time (tsd) is
used. Using the time/current curve with constant I2t prevents
correct operation of logical selectivity.
All the circuit breakers occupying the levels of the logical D E F
selectivity system, apart from the last level, must be set to
“High” and must have a tsd ≥ 100 ms.
All the circuit breakers at all levels of the logical selectivity
system, apart from the last level, must have the same tsd G
setting.
All the circuit breakers in the last level of the logical selectivity
Câble de liaison pour la sélectivité logique
system must be set to “Low“ and must have a tsd setting lower
than that of the circuit breakers at the higher levels.
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TOTAL SELECTIVITY
Total selectivity can be specified for safety or operational
reasons.
To obtain total selectivity between two RCDs, the time/current Upstream RCD
300 mA selective
non-tripping characteristic of the upstream device must be (50 ms)
greater than that of the downstream device.
This requires two conditions to be met:
• The residual operating current of the upstream RCD must be
higher than that of the downstream RCD
• The operating time of the upstream RCD must be greater than
that of the downstream RCD for all currents
Modular downstream RCD
30 mA instantaneous
t
Upstream RCD
A 1 A delayed
(1 s)
Modular RCD
The selectivity between downstream device A and upstream 300 mA selective
device B is total (50 ms)
In practice, the sensitivity level of the upstream device must
be 2 to 3 times higher than that of the downstream device, and
must be type S or delayed. The breaking time must be at least 3
times longer than that of the downstream device. Modular RCD
30 mA
instantaneous
Caution: a check must be carried out to ensure that the
maximum breaking time of each device satisfies the protection
conditions. A delay of more than 1 s is not usually permitted. Total selectivity at three levels
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PARTIAL SELECTIVITY
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Back-up is the technique by which the breaking capacity of a circuit breaker is increased by coordinating it with another
protection device, placed upstream.
This coordination makes it possible to use a protection device with a breaking capacity which is lower than the maximum
prospective short-circuit current at its installation point.
It can be used even if the devices are located in different distribution boards.
TWO-LEVEL BACK-UP
The breaking capacity of a protection device must be at least
equal to the maximum short circuit which may occur at the Ik: 30 kA
installation point of this device. For economic reasons, it is
however possible to combine a number of protection devices to
obtain high operational performance on several levels, as long DPX³ 250
as: Icu: 36 kA
In: 250 A
• It is backed up by an upstream device that has the necessary
breaking capacity at its own installation point
Ik: 23 kA
• The downstream device and the protected trunking can
withstand the energy limited by the two devices in series
Substantial savings can therefore be made by using back-up
protection. DX³ 20 A 1P+N
C curve
Icu: 10000 16 kA
Br. capac. increased
by back-up: 30 kA
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THREE-LEVEL BACK-UP
BACK-UP BETWEEN DISTRIBUTION BOARDS
Back-up protection can also be obtained when the
A devices are installed in different distribution boards.
It is therefore generally possible to benefit from the
advantages of back-up between devices, for example
when one of the devices is located in the main
distribution board and the other in a secondary board.
B
A
DPX³ 250
Icu: 50 kA
Distrib.
board 1
In: 250 A
C
Distrib.
board 2
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Upstream protection
■ Situation 1: Same brand of switch and circuit breaker ■ Situation 3: details of upstream protection device not known
When the switch and its upstream back-up protection device are The details of the upstream protection device are not known
the same brand, the back-up data provided by the manufacturer or it is an electronic version from another brand. The rating of
should be used. This is referred to as a switch combination. the switch must at least be higher than the continuous current-
The nominal current of the switch must be at least the same as carrying capacity Iz of the cable connected to it or higher than
its upstream protection. The back-up value of the switch must the nominal current of the upstream protection device. The
be greater than the short-circuit currents in question at the 1s Icw current of the switch must be higher than the possible
installation point of the switch (Ik1, Ik2 or Ik3). short-circuit current Ik1, Ik2 or Ik3 at the installation point of
the switch. It is generally accepted that any type of protection
■ Situation 2: Different brand of switch and circuit breaker device has a short-circuit breaking time of less than 1 second
The back-up tables for the switches cannot be used. To check (reference time for Icw).
whether the switch can withstand the electrical stresses, the
limitation curves of the upstream protection device must be
known and the peak current value limited by this device for a
maximum short circuit at the installation points of the switch
must be established. For a thermal magnetic circuit breaker,
this limited peak value must be below the Icm current of the
switch.
For an electronic circuit breaker, which may be delayed, the
breaking time will be longer: refer to situation 3.
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Downstream protection Upstream and downstream protection
In order to protect a switch downstream, all the protection The upstream protection mainly protects the switch against the
devices supplied by the switch should be taken into risks of short-circuit currents (use the switch back-up tables).
consideration. The protection devices located downstream of the switch
protect it against overloads by the sum of the In not exceeding
■ Protection against overloads the nominal current of the switch. The reverse may also be
possible if there is a lack of electrical data.
The sum of the nominal currents of the downstream protection
devices distributed by phase must not exceed the nominal
current of the switch (care must be taken with regard to the
distribution by phase).
As the installation is only true at instant t, it is advisable to keep
a minimum reserve or provide for a future extension.
■ Protection against short circuits
The most important point is to know the type of electrical
connection that is to be used between the downstream
terminals of the switch and the upstream terminals of the
protection devices. If there is little or no risk of a short circuit
due to the perfect control of the distribution system (for
example, optimised distribution) then it is possible to use:
extension.
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EXB15015 - February 2021
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