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Circuit Breaker Sizing Calculation: A Step-by-Step
Guide
Circuit Breaker Sizing
Calculation: A Step-by-Step
Guide
& pacbasicsCircuit breaker sizing calculation for medium- and
high-voltage circuit breakers basically involves two
symmetrical current calculations, one for the first
cycle duty and another for the interrupting duty.
This guide presents a step-by-step approach. A
sample calculation is provided in each step to
reinforce learning.
Don't want to go through
the manual calculation
process?
Use our ‘Circuit Breaker Sizing
Calculator’ instead.
@x
xhdz.orgCircuit Breaker Sizing
Calculation: First Cycle Duty
1. Using the % cycle network impedances,
construct the impedance diagram of the system.
Refer to the impedance table presented here.
Es
tet {
: coe
| |
Figure 1. 1/2 Cycle Impedance Diagram
Note: The values presented in this example are overly simplified. Highlight is
given to the calculation process instead,
2. Calculate the Thevenin’s equivalent impedance.
ect 01m (J ny)
ner
ihe. os
oasz 3 ross
wm cana, QD ~~
Figure 2. Thevenin’n Equivalent Circuit
Alternatively, you may use the equivalent
impedance calculated using the separate X |
networks. This approach is generally conservatiVe-v
3. Calculate the symmetrical RMS current using the
following formula.
1 _ Vpre —fault
ac,rms V3Zeq
where Vpre-fautt is the line-to-line fault point voltage and is equal
to the operating voltage under actual service conditions.
25000
= 5.669kA
acrms ~ ¥3(2.546)
*Note: The solution for the symmetrical RMS current is calculated from the actual
voltage and ohmic value of the impedances. For more systems with two (2) or
more voltage levels, use per unit approach.
4. Calculate the fault point X/R ratio using the
separate X and R reduction process.
Figure 3. Separate X and R Networks
* _ 13.29
R713
5. Calculate the first cycle asymmetrical
current multiplying factor using the follovy nt multiplying Tactor using the rollowing
formula.
1
MFyeqk = V2 F +e a7]
Tw
MF yeqk = V2 [1 + e «329)|
MF oak = 2.53
6. Calculate the first cycle asymmetrical peak
current by applying MFpeak to the previously
calculated symmetrical RMS current.
lasym peak = MF peak Tac rms
lasym peak = 2.53(5.67) = 14.3kA
7. Calculate the first cycle asymmetrical RMS
current multiplying factor using the following
formula.
20
ME ns = 1+ 2e &/®)
20
Mims = 1 + 2e (13.29)MFrms = 1.5
8. Calculate the first cycle asymmetrical rms
current by applying MF,ms to the previously
calculated symmetrical RMS current.
Tasym ams = MFrns lacrms
lasym peak = 1.5(5.67) = 8.5kA
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Short Circuit Analysis Using
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pacbasics
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Short Circuit Analysis Using
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Learn More
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Circuit Breaker Short-Circuit
Duty Calculation | IEC60909
pacbasics
Learn More
Circuit Breaker Sizing
Calculation: Interrupting Duty
1. Calculate the interrupting duty multiplying factor
using the following formula.
AMF; = MFrocat + NACD(MFremote — MFrocat)
2. Calculate the No AC Decay (NACD) using the
tatio of the remote generators (if available) fault
current contribution to the total available fault.
NACD = Tremote
Trotat
In our example, the rem“ contribution to the f;
comes from the utility-source. Using comIn our example, the remote contribution to the fault
comes from the utility source. Using common
circuit analysis technique such as current division
and/or superposition theorem, the remote
contribution can be easily calculated to be
Ipemote = 4.952kA
From this, we can calculate the NACD ratio.
NACD = 4.952 _ 0.873
~ 5.669
3. Calculate the remote multiplying factor using the
X/R ratio at the fault point and a CPT of 2 cycles.
_4n(CPT)
MFrem tor =\V1+2e &/%)
4n(2)
MFrem tot = V1+2e @329) = 1,141
Adjust MF for symmetrically rated circuit breaker.
MF,
ME om “sym = T tot
>
v |Verify circuit breaker rating structure. For totally
rated circuit breakers use S = 7. For symmetrically
rated circuit breakers use the S-factor indicated on
the nameplate. If not available, use the S-factor
provided in C37.010-1979. You can access this
table here.
In our example, we assume a symmetrically rated
circuit breaker. With a CPT of 2 cycles, the S factor
is equal to 1.2.
1.141 |
MEem_sym =~ = 0.95 = 1.0
4. The local multiplying factor can be derived from
the local curves provided in IEEE Std C37.5 for
totally rated circuit breakers and IEEE Std C37.010
for symmetrically rated circuit breakers.
In our example, the fault point X/R ratio was
calculated to be 13.29. Selecting the multiplying
factor for a CB interrupting time of 3 cycles (CPT =
2cycles), we get
S-phase
8
porting bene
)
=
B3-phaso
contact parting time
(cycles )
ratio XR,
8
+—
|
30
20
1329]
S-phase faults
‘ '
1 |) 12 13 14 15 16
1.09
MFigcal = 1.09
Again, adjust MF for symmetrically rated circuit
breaker.
MF, _ MFiocal _tot
local _sym — S
MFocal_sym =5. Calculate the AMF.
AMF, = MF cet _sym + NACD(MFremote sym —MFiocat sym )
AMF; = 1.0 + 0.873(1.0 — 1.0)
AMF, = 1.0
6. Calculate the circuit breaker interrupting duty
using the following formula.
Tinterrupting = AMF, * Vacrms
Since reactances for % cycle and 1.5 - 4 cycle
network are the same for both utility and generator,
lacrms = lacrms = 5.669kA
*Note: In calculating for the interrupting RMS symmetrical current, use reactances
on the 1.5 ~ 4 cycle network.
Iinterrupting = 1.0 * 5.669
Interrupting = 5.669KA
That's it for circuit breaker sizing calculation. Share
your insights by leaving a comment below.