ETAP Knowledge Base

Modeling of Contactors in Arc Flash for ETAP 5.0.3 and Lower

Description: Modeling of contactors in Arc Flash in version 5.0.3 compared with 5.5.0
Category: Arc Flash, Modeling Contactors in 5.0.3 and lower
Type: Modeling
Keywords: Arc Flash, 5.0.3, Contactors

• In ETAP 5.0.3 and previous releases, the contactor element was considered by design
to be a general purpose trip element for Arc Flash calculations. This meant that you
could insert a contactor and set its dropout time to any particular time value.

• If the software detected this element in any source branch, it would use its dropout time
as the FCT for that particular branch in order to mimic the operation of specialized
devices like differential relays or arc sensors (which would operate based on definite
time).

• In ETAP 5.5.0 and higher, a fixed FCT check box was added to the Bus Arc Flash page
in order to remove the need for specialized definite time FCT devices and thus the
contactor was removed from the list of elements considered to be capable of interrupting
the arc fault individually (i.e. without relay interlock).

• In version 5.5.0 and above, the contactor was required to be interlocked to an

overcurrent relay and its dropout time was added to the relay response time for
determining the FCT.

• In 5.5.0 and above, the contactor only operates if it has an assigned interlock relay and
the relay trips based on the fault current passing through its Current Transformer.

• In ETAP 5.0.3, the contactor should not be used as a PD (i.e. breaker or switch).

• Only breakers and relays should be interlocked in order to model the relay and tripping
breaker operation. Typical protective device schemes do not use contactors in lieu if
Protective devices like circuit breakers (this is not the proper application of contactors).

• However, in ETAP 5.5.0 you may still use a contactor as a protective device as long as it
is interlocked to a relay.

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