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Understanding NEC Article 409 & UL508A

Short-Circuit Current Ratings


DISCLAIMER
This document is intended to provide general technical information on a particular subject or subjects and is
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Excerpts from “UL Standard for Safety for Industrial Control Panels, UL508A” are copyright
Underwriter’s Laboratories Inc.
Excerpts from the “2005 National Electrical Code” are copyright National Fire Protection
Association
1
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Presentation Chapters

2
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Understanding
NEC Article 409 &
UL 508A Supplement SB
Short Circuit Current
Ratings

Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 3


NEC 409 Code Change

• 2005 Edition of National Electrical Code (NEC)


contains a new Article 409 covering “Industrial
Control Panels”
• Why introduce this new article?
– Control panels have been evaluated under several
different NEC articles
– New article provides a single set of requirements that
can be used by panel builders, installers and
inspectors eliminating inconsistencies
– NEC 409 provides for design and evaluation process
to insure safe installation and application of control
panels
• Panel SCCR must cover the actual available fault
level.

4
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
NEC Article 409 Code Change Panel SCCR
50kA RMS Symmetrical
480V Maximum

• New Article 409 covers “Control Panels”


• “Industrial Control Panel” Definition
– Industrial Control Panels, intended for general
use, ordinary locations, 600V or less.
• Subsection 409.110 (3) “Markings”
Industrial Control Panels must be
evaluated & marked for their
Short-Circuit Current Rating (SCCR)

5
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Definition of Short Circuit Current Rating

• Short-Circuit Current Rating – SCCR:


– The perspective or maximum symmetrical
fault current at a nominal voltage to which an
apparatus or system is able to be connected
without sustaining damage exceeding the
defined acceptance criteria.

6
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
UL508A SCCR of Components or Combinations

In UL 508A, the term short circuit current rating,


refers to either:
• Overcurrent Protective Devices (Interrupting
Ratings)
• Power components short circuit current ratings

or Overcurrent
Protective
Device
• Combinations of the two
Power
components

7
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Evaluating Short Circuit Current Rating
• Preliminary Considerations
– Know available fault current at panel location
Available Fault:
40kA @ 480V

8
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Available Fault Current
460 Volt
52.2kA Available System studies are
used to determine
X the available fault at
any specific
200 A 100 A 450 A electrical location

20 feet 60 feet 20 feet


3 – 1/phase 3 – 1/phase 2 – 1/phase
4/0 AWG #2 Cu wire 1000kcmil
Cu THW wire THW in Cu wire THW
In conduit conduit in conduit

X 42.6kA X 44.4kA
Isolation Transformer
Industrial
Control X 13.4kA X 4.0kA
175 kVA
460V primary
460 V secondary
Panel Industrial Z=5%
Industrial Control
A Control Panel
Panel
C
B Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
9
Panel Short Circuit Rating Requirements

• Majority of installations have available fault levels under 25kA @ 480V!


• Determine panel short circuit current rating requirements at the start of a
project.

Survey of 300 Industrial Installations


# of Occurrences

5 10 25 50 100

Available Fault Level @ 480V (kA)

Installation Fault Levels


10
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
UL 508A Supplement SB

Determining Panel
Short Circuit Current
Ratings

Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 11


How to determine SCCR of a panel?

• Short circuit current rating of an industrial


control panel is based on one of the
following:
a) Short circuit current rating of a listed and
labeled assembly
b) Short circuit current rating established utilizing
an approved method

FPN: UL508A-2001, Supplement SB is an


example of an approved method.
12
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Determining SCCR’s - 3 Basic Steps

• SB4.1: Short-Circuit Current Rating (SCCR)


– Shall be determined by the following evaluation:
a) First, establish the short circuit current ratings of
individual power circuit components as specified in
SB4.2
b) Second, modify (limit) the available short-circuit current
within a portion of a circuit in the panel due to the
presence of current limiting components as specified
in SB4.3
c) Third, determine the overall panel short-circuit
current rating as specified in SB4.4
13
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.2.1 – Individual Power Circuit Components

SB4.2.1 All power circuit


components, including
disconnect switches, branch
circuit protective devices,
branch circuit fuse holders,
load controllers, motor overload
relays, terminal blocks, and bus
bars, shall have a short-circuit
current rating expressed in
amperes or kilo-amperes and
voltage.
14
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SB4.2.1 – Individual Power Circuit Components

– Exception No. 1: Power transformers, reactors, current


transformers, dry-type capacitors, resistors, varistors, and
voltmeters are not required to have a short circuit current
rating.

– Exception No. 2: The “S” contactor of a wye-delta motor


controller is not required to have a short-circuit current
rating.

15
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.2.2 – Establish SCCR of Components

SB4.2.2 The short-circuit current rating of a


component shall be established by one of the
following methods:
a) The short-circuit current rating marked on the
component or on instructions provided with
the component;

100-C Contactor Nameplate & Instruction Sheet PowerFlex 70 Drive User Manual
16
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.2.2 – Establish SCCR of Components
SB4.2.2 The short-circuit current rating of a component shall be established by one of the
following methods:
a) The short-circuit current rating marked on the component or on instructions provided
with the component;
b) The short-circuit current rating determined by the voltage rating of the component and the
assumed (assigned) short-circuit current from Table SB4.1; or
c) The short-circuit current rating….

100-C Contactor Nameplate & Instruction Sheet PowerFlex 70 Drive User Manual
17
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.2.2 – Establish SCCR of Components

100-C Contactor Nameplate Installation Sheet


18
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.2.2 – Establish SCCR of Components

b) The short-circuit current rating determined


by the voltage rating of the component and
the assumed (assigned) short-circuit
current from Table SB4.1; or
c) The short-circuit current rating….

100-C Contactor Nameplate & Instruction Sheet PowerFlex 70 Drive User Manual
19
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Table SB4.1 - Unmarked Components

• 508A SB - Table SB4.1


– “Assumed” SCCR’s
– Line up with UL minimum test SC
test requirements to attain listing
– These minimum ratings limit “high
fault” panel ratings
– High Fault SCCR’s on all
components & combinations are top
priority

20
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.2.2 – Establish SCCR of Components
c) The short-circuit current rating for a
load controller, motor overload
relay, or combination motor
controller that has been
investigated (tested) in
accordance with the performance
requirements, including short-circuit
test requirements for standard fault
currents or high fault currents
specified in the Standard for
Industrial Control Equipment, UL
508, and described in the
manufacturer’s (panel builder’s)
procedure. Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
21
SB4.2.3 – High Fault SCCR of Components
• Exception 1:
– When the specified BCPD related to the high fault SCCR is a
Class CC, G, J, L, RK1, RK5 or T fuse, a fuse of different
class is able to be used at the same high fault rating where
the Ip let-through current and I2t of the new fuse is not
greater than that of the specified fuse. See Table SB4.2
for maximum let-through currents (Ip) and I2t
• Exception 2:
– The specified branch circuit protective device is able to be
provided in the field when the panel is marked in accordance
to SB5.1.2.
• Exception 3:
– When the specified BCPD related to the high fault SCCR is a
listed circuit breaker marked “current limiting”, a different
current-limiting circuit breakers is able to be used at the
SCCR: 100kA, 600V with
same high fault rating…… UL Class J or CC Fuses

22
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SB4.3 – Current-Limiting
xxkA
• SB4.3 provides current limiting provisions SCC
Available

– Current limiting device(s) must be in feeder


– Standard fault rated components restrict “Current Limiting”
Device in Feeder

applicability
– Often difficult to achieve desired design
xxkA Ip
• More on current limiting later.. Let-
through

Branch Circuit PD

Use of high fault rated components


virtually eliminates the need to apply
the current limiting provisions! Motor Controller
xxkA SCCR

23
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.4 Overall SCCR of the Panel

24
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“Feeder Circuit” Definition

• “Feeder Circuit” covers


all power conductors
and components from
incoming feeder
disconnect, …. to the
line side of the last
branch circuit protective
device (BCPD).

“Feeder Circuit”
“Branch” CPD

25
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
“Branch Circuit” Definition
• “Branch Circuit” covers
all power conductors
and components from
the load-side of the
branch circuit, …. to the
controller load-side
connections.
“Branch Circuit”
“Branch” CPD
• Terms used for
protection devices:
– Over-current Protection
Device (OPD)
– Branch Circuit
Protection Device
(BCPD) 26
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.4 Overall SCCR of the Panel

SB4.4.1 For each branch circuit provided with 100kA


branch circuit protection within the industrial
control panel, the smallest short-circuit
current rating of all power circuit
components on the load side of a branch
circuit protective device and the control circuit
over-current protection in SB3.2.1 shall be
determined and compared with the short-
circuit current rating of the branch circuit
protective device. The smaller of the two
65kA 65kA
ratings shall be assigned to the line side
100kA
of the branch circuit protective device.
65kA

70kA 100kA

27
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.4 Overall SCCR of the Panel

SB4.4.1 For each branch circuit provided with 100kA


branch circuit protection within the industrial
control panel, the smallest short-circuit
current rating of all power circuit
components on the load side of a branch
circuit protective device and the control circuit
over-current protection in SB3.2.1 shall be
determined and compared with the short- 65kA 65kA
circuit current rating of the branch circuit 70kA
protective device. The smaller of the two
ratings shall be assigned to the line side
of the branch circuit protective device.

Use the lowest of the ratings of any


branch component or branch protective
device to determine branch rating.

28
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SCCRs for Single Branch Circuit Panels

SB4.4.4 The overall short circuit


current rating of the panel shall
be one of the following:
a) For an industrial control panel
consisting of a single branch
circuit without branch circuit
protection….

b) For an industrial control panel


consisting of a single branch
circuit including branch circuit
protection….
29
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SCCRs for Multiple Branch Circuit Panels
SB4.4.4 c) For an industrial control panel consisting of 100kA
multiple branch circuits, and feeder 200kA

components within the panel, such as


disconnecting switches, bus bars, terminal
blocks, and feeder over current protective
100kA
devices, the short-circuit current rating shall be
the lowest of the following: 65kA 65kA
70kA
1) The lowest short circuit current rating of any branch
circuit in accordance with SB4.4.1 that has not been
modified by SB4.3.1 – SB4.3.3;

2) The short circuit current rating of any feeder component


not covered by SB4.4.4(c)(3) and any control circuit
over current protection connected to the feeder as in
SB3.2.1; or

3) The modified short-circuit current rating determined from


SB4.3.1 – SB4.3.3 for each branch circuit supplied by the
associated feeder component.

30
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
High Fault Ratings of Components

• High fault ratings are achieved through testing


of combinations of components with specific
protective devices
• Using components that have been tested for
high fault SCCRs:
– Eliminates the need to apply complicated
feeder current limiting provisions.
– Allows a significantly higher panel SCCR
rating than can be achieved using standard
or assumed component ratings.

31
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
High Short Circuit Current Ratings Made Easy

• Use high fault tested components 100kA


200kA
that meet or exceed the required
Panel SCCR in all branch and feeder
circuits 100kA

• Panel short circuit current rating is


simply the lowest of any branch or
feeder SCCR ratings 65kA
70kA 65kA

Panel rating is 65kA.

32
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
NEC Marking Requirements

NEC Article 409.110 now requires Industrial


Control Panels to be marked with
Short Circuit Current Ratings

33
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UL508A Marking Requirements

• SB5.1 General
– SB5.1.1 The nameplate rating of an industrial control panel shall include:
“Short circuit current: ___kA rms symmetrical, ___V maximum” or
the equivalent.
• This is required for each incoming circuit

• SB5.2 Cautionary Markings


– If the branch circuit protective device is not provided, the panel should
be marked with the "type and size" of branch circuit protective device
that shall be installed in the field.
– If an industrial control panel has a rating based on the high fault short
circuit current rating, then additional markings of "Warning" shall be
added with the following statement: "Risk of Fire or Electric Shock“
34
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Panel SCCR – 3 Checks to Validate the Results
Available Fault:

1. Panel SCCR will be no 40kA @ 480V

greater than the smallest 100kA

SCCR of any feeder or 100kA

branch overcurrent
protective device or 65kA 70kA 65kA

combination of components

Panel SCCR 65kA rms


Symmetrical 480V

35
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Panel SCCR – 3 Checks to Validate the Results

2. All components applied


using high fault SCCRs
must be used with their
specified branch circuit
protective devices

36
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Panel SCCR – 3 Checks to Validate the Results
Available Fault:
3. The panel SCCR must meet 40kA @ 480V

or exceed the available fault


current supplying the panel

Panel SCCR 65kA rms


Symmetrical 480V

37
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Applying SB4.3 Current Limiting Provisions

Survey of 300 Industrial Installations

# of Occurrences

5 10 25 50 100

Available Fault Level @ 480V (kA)

38
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
What is Current Limiting?

• Current limiting: The ability of a protective device to clear a


short circuit fault in less than one half cycle and typically within
one quarter cycle. Current limiting devices will reduce the levels
of i-peak magnetic and I2t heat energies.

• Circuit breakers have the ability to open high fault currents in just
a few milliseconds, very comparable to fuses.

39
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of Power Transformers with Isolated Secondary

Transformers limit fault current


which affects the short circuit
current rating OPD
SCCR

UL508A Supplement SB4.3.1


• Power Transformers
– max 10 kVA
• Power Transformers
– max 5 kVA

40
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.1 - Current Limiting w/ Power Transformers

SB4.3.1 For branch circuits supplied by a power


transformer with an isolated secondary
winding, the short-circuit current rating on the
line side of the transformer shall be one of the
following: OPD
SCCR
a) For a power transformer rated not more than 10
kVA, and where the short circuit current rating
of all components in the secondary circuit 10 kVA Max
are not less than 5 kA, the short-circuit current
rating of the primary over-current protective
device (OPD) is assigned to the line side of the
power transformer circuit.
Power Transformer (10 kVA max meeting above)
The SCCR of the OPD must be equal or greater All secondary components must
than the Panel SCCR have a SCCR > 5kA to maintain
SCCR of OPD

41
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Power Transformers up to 10kVA

• 1489 Circuit Breakers have a short circuit current rating of 10kA

42
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.1 - Current Limiting w/ Power Transformers
b) For a power transformer rated not more than 5 kVA and a
120 V maximum secondary voltage, and where the
short circuit current rating of all components in the
secondary circuit are not less than 2 kA, the short-
circuit current rating of the primary over-current protective
device (OPD) is able to be assigned to the line side of the
power transformer circuit. OPD
SCCR

Power Transformer (5 kVA max meeting above)


The SCCR of the OPD must be equal or greater 5 kVA Max,
120V Sec.
than the Panel SCCR

c) For circuits that do not comply with SB4.3.1(a) or


SB4.3.1(b), the lowest short-circuit current rating of the
components in the secondary circuit is assigned to the line
side of the power transformer circuit.
Other Transformer
All secondary components
The SCCR of the circuit is equal to lowest rated must have a SCCR > 2kA to
secondary component and must be equal or greater than maintain SCCR of OPD
the Panel SCCR.
43
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.2 – Current-Limiting w/ Circuit Breakers
65kA
SB4.3.2 For branch circuits supplied by a SCC
Available

Listed circuit breaker marked


“current-limiting” in the feeder circuit, Feeder CB
“Current Limiting”

the short-circuit current rating on the 65kA SCCR

line side of the circuit breaker shall be


??kA Ip
one of the following: Let-
through

This is what we Branch Circuit PD


are evaluating 65kA SCCR

Motor Controller
18kA SCCR

44
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.2 – Current-Limiting w/ Circuit Breakers
65kA
SB4.3.2 SCC
Available

a) The short-circuit current rating of the feeder


circuit breaker when all of the components in Feeder CB

the branch circuit have a short-circuit current “Current Limiting”


65kA SCCR

rating not less than the published peak let-


through current of the circuit breaker, see ??kA Ip
Let-
Figure SB4.1, and the short-circuit current through

rating of all branch circuit protective


devices on the load side are not less than Branch Circuit PD

the short-circuit current rating of the 100kA SCCR

feeder circuit breaker;


Motor
Controller
18kA SCCR

45
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Current Limitation – UL Listed Circuit Breakers

17kA Let
Through

65kA Available
“Current Limiting Circuit Breakers”

46
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.2 – Current-Limiting w/ Circuit Breakers
65kA
SB4.3.2 SCC
Available
65kA
a) The short-circuit current rating of the feeder
circuit breaker when all of the components in Feeder CB

the branch circuit have a short-circuit current “Current Limiting”


65kA SCCR

rating not less than the published peak let-


through current of the circuit breaker, see 17kA Ip
Let-
Figure SB4.1, and the short-circuit current through

rating of all branch circuit protective


devices on the load side are not less than Branch Circuit PD

the short-circuit current rating of the 100kA SCCR

feeder circuit breaker;


Feeder Circuit Protective Device Motor
Controller

limits branch SCCR to 65kA. 18kA SCCR

47
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.2 – Current-Limiting w/ Circuit Breakers
65kA
SB4.3.2 SCC
Available
65kA
b) The smallest short-circuit current
rating of any branch circuit protective Feeder CB
“Current Limiting”

device on the load side of the feeder 100kA SCCR

circuit breaker, when the conditions of 17kA Ip

SB4.3.2(a) exist except the short-circuit Let-


through

current rating of the branch circuit


protective devices on the load side are Branch Circuit PD
65kA SCCR
less than the short-circuit current rating
of the feeder circuit breaker. Motor Controller

Branch Circuit Protective Device 18kA SCCR

limits Branch SCCR to 50kA

48
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.2 – Current-Limiting w/ Circuit Breakers
65kA
SB4.3.2 SCC
Available

c) The smallest short-circuit current


rating of any branch circuit on the load Feeder CB
“Current Limiting”

side of the feeder circuit breaker, when 65kA SCCR

the conditions of SB4.3.2(a) or 17kA Ip

SB4.3.2(b) are not met. Let-


through

10kA
Branch Circuit PD

Motor Controller limits branch SCCR 65kA SCCR

to 10kA.
Motor Controller
Note: Branch does not meet 10kA SCCR

available fault current.

49
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.3 - Current Limiting w/ Fuses
65kA
SB4.3.3 For branch circuits supplied by SCC
Available

a Class CC, G, J, L, RK1, RK5, or T


fuse in the feeder circuit, the short- Feeder Fuse Switch
200kA SCCR

circuit current rating on the line side of 60A Class J

the fuse shall be one of the following: ??kA Ip


Let-
through

Branch Circuit PD
200kA SCCR

Motor Controller
10kA SCCR

50
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.3 - Current Limiting w/ Fuses
65kA
SB4.3.3 SCC
Available

a) The short-circuit current rating of the feeder


fuse when all of the components in the branch Feeder Fuse Switch
200kA SCCR
circuit have a short circuit current rating not 60A Class J

less than the peak let-through current


corresponding to the specific fuse class ??kA Ip
Let-
employed from Table SB4.2 based on the through

current rating of the fuse and the available


short-circuit current on the line side of the fuse,
and the short-circuit current rating of all Branch Circuit PD
branch circuit protective devices on the 200kA SCCR

load side are not less than the short-circuit


current rating of the feeder fuse; Motor Controller
10kA SCCR

51
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Current Limitation – UL Listed Fuses
65kA available
Must use 100kA or
200kA columns

“Current Limiting Fuses”


52
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Current Limitation – UL Listed Fuses

16kA Let Through


at 200kA

10kA Let Through


at 100kA

Using 100kA
limits let through
to < 10kA needed
for branch
components

“Current Limiting Fuses”


53
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.3 - Current Limiting w/ Fuses
65kA
SB4.3.3 SCC
Available
a) The short-circuit current rating of the feeder fuse
100kA
when all of the components in the branch circuit
have a short circuit current rating not less than the Feeder Fuse Switch
200kA SCCR
peak let-through current corresponding to the 60A Class J

specific fuse class employed from Table SB4.2


based on the current rating of the fuse and the 10kA Ip
Let-
through
available short-circuit current on the line side of the
fuse, and the short-circuit current rating of all
branch circuit protective devices on the load
side are not less than the short-circuit current Branch Circuit PD
rating of the feeder fuse; 200kA SCCR

SCCR of the feeder fuse rating per


Table SB4.2 is 100kA to limit the Motor Controller

feeder let through below the motor 10kA SCCR

controller SCCR.
Branch SCCR is 100kA.
54
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
SB4.3.3 - Current Limiting w/ Fuses
65kA
SB4.3.3 SCC
Available

b) The smallest short-circuit current rating of


65kA
any branch circuit protective device on the
load side of the feeder fuse, when the Feeder Fuse Switch

conditions of SB4.3.3(a) exist except the 200kA SCCR


60A Class J

short-circuit current rating of the branch circuit 10kA Ip


Let-
protective devices on the load side are less through

than the short circuit current rating of the


feeder fuse.
Branch Circuit PD

As in previous example the feeder


65kA SCCR

fuse has a SCCR rating of 100kA.


The branch circuit protective device Motor Controller

limits rating.
10kA SCCR

Branch SCCR is 65kA

55
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SB4.3.3 - Current Limiting w/ Fuses
65kA
SB4.3.3 SCC
Available

c) The smallest short-circuit current rating of


any branch circuit on the load side of the Feeder Fuse Switch
200kA SCCR
feeder fuse, when the conditions of 60A Class J

SB4.3.3(a) or SB4.3.3(b) are not met.


10kA Ip
Let-
through

Feeder let through current exceeds


motor controller SCCR. Current
limiting does not apply. Branch Branch Circuit PD

SCCR remains at 5kA. 200kA SCCR

Note: Branch does not meet 5kA


Motor Controller
available fault current. 5kA SCCR

56
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
25kA
Current Limiting Devices – Fuses or CB’s Available

SCCR: 100kA max


• Current Limiting
Fuse in a
“Feeder” Circuit:
– 60A Class J Fuse
– Feeder let through
of 8kA at 50kA
available per table
SB4.2
– SCCR of power
block w/class J fuse
is 100kA maximum
– Select power blocks
have a 100kA high
fault rating with J
fuses
57
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
25kA
Current Limiting Devices – Fuses or CB’s Available

SCCR: 50kA
• Feeder “low” let-
thru affect on the
Branch
– Motor Controller
SCCR is 10kA
– Let through of
feeder fuse is
8kA at 50kA
available

58
Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
25kA
Current Limiting Devices – Fuses or CB’s Available

SCCR: 25kA
Notes:
• All BCPD’s must cover
the available fault level
• The SCCR of all
BCPDs must be > 25kA
• Cannot use Feeder
let-through current
limiting to use BCPDs
with an SCCR rating
less than the available
fault
•Panel rating is 25kA

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Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Difficulties Applying Current Limiting with Standard
Fault Rated Components
• SCPD Sizing/Coordination
– Difficult to properly size
branch circuit protection
devices to get low let-thru
and avoid nuisance
tripping/poor coordination Sizing/Coordination issues
• Motor Controller Over-sizing
– E.g. Minimum 51 hp rated
controller needed to get
10kA

10kA Standard Fault Motor Controller = 51 hp minimum!


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Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Difficulties Applying Current Limiting with Standard
Fault rated components
• Feeder current limiting only
applies to components in
branch circuits
• Current limiting does not apply
to components in the same
feeder circuit
– Use high-fault rated feeder
components to achieve higher
panel short circuit current
ratings
• Cannot use manufacturer
curves for current limiting fuses
– Must use 50kA, 100kA, or
200kA SCCR; UL248
umbrella values

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Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Need Additional Assistance with Your Application??

If there are any questions or issues that were not


addressed during this presentation, additional
assistance can be attained via RA Technical Support
Team. They can be contacted by the following means:

1. Contact by e-mail at
raictechsupport@ra.rockwell.com
2. Contact by calling Rockwell Automation Technical
Support Line at 1-440-646-5800, select Allen-Bradley
Brand, then select Industrial Control.

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Copyright © 2006 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

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