Breaker Ratings e

The following is a list of circuit breaker rating and their meaning:

Rated Voltage:
Highest RMS voltage for which a circuit breaker is designed and is the upper limit for continuous operation.

Rated Current:
Highest RMS current the circuit breaker is capable of carrying continuously without exceeding the given
temperature rise at the given ambient temperature operation.

Rated Frequency:
The frequency at which a breaker is designed to operate (typically 60Hz in North America)

Rated Interrupting Current:

Current at instant of contact separation. The interrupting rating can be given as one of the following values:

Symmetrical Interrupting Current:

RMS value of the AC component of the short circuit the breaker is capable of interrupting:

Asymmetrical Interrupting Current:

RMS value of the total short circuit the breaker is capable of interrupting. This includes DC
and AC components.

Rated Making Current:

RMS value of short circuit current on which the breaker can safely close at the rated voltage

Rated Short Time Current:

RMS value of current that the circuit breaker can carry in a fully closed position without damage for a
specified short-time interval. Normally given form 1s or 4s. These ratings are based on thermal limitations.

Rated Interrupting Time:

Maximum interval from the time the trip coil is energized until the arc is extinguished.

Rated Impulse Withstand Voltage: (Basic Insulation Level)

Maximum short duration impulse voltage that the breaker can withstand. BIL is tested with a prescribed
shape and duration of the test impulse voltage.

K Factor: (Voltage Range Factor)

For most circuit breakers the rated interrupting current is independent of the operating voltage. For some
breakers, mostly oil breakers, the rated interrupting current can be increased if the operating voltage is
decreased to a limit that is given by the K factor. This adjusted rated interrupting current is called the
“current interrupting capability (CIC)”
CIC = Rated Interrupting Current x Rated voltage / system voltage

Provided that rated voltage divided by the system voltage is less than or equal to K. Of K is less than the
rated voltage / system voltage, then CIC = Rated interrupting current x K