Name: Von Andrae A.

Panes Date: March 28, 2023

Course/Year: BSEE-3

I. Protective Devices: Characteristics and Principles of Operation and Application

Protective devices are equipments, devices, or systems designed to prevent damage to

the equipment, an accident, malfunction, or other risky situation. These devices are intended to
detect, isolate, shutting down equipment, or alerting operators. Protective devices play a crucial
role in ensuring safety in a wide range of settings, including industrial facilities, transportation
systems, public spaces, and even inside your house.

TYPES OF PROTECTIVE DEVICE

a. Fuses

Fuses are electrical safety device that protects electric circuit against short circuit or over-
current. It typically consists of a metal wire or filament that melts and breaks the circuit when the
current exceeds a certain level, thereby interrupting the flow of electricity and preventing damage
to the circuit or electrical equipment. Fuses are commonly used in a variety of electrical
applications, including homes, automobiles, and industrial settings, to protect against electrical
fires and other hazards.

Some Types of Fuses:

1. Cartridge fuses - These fuses consist of a

cylindrical ceramic or glass body and metal end
caps.

2. Blade fuses - These fuses are designed to fit

into a fuse block or holder and have a plastic
body with two or more metal blades on the top.

3. Resettable fuses - These fuses are designed to

automatically reset after a fault is cleared. They are
commonly used in low-voltage applications where
the fault current is relatively low.

4. Thermal fuses - These fuses are designed to

protect against over-temperature conditions and
operate by using a thermal element that breaks
the circuit when the temperature exceeds a
certain threshold.

5. Semiconductor fuses: These fuses are designed

to protect against overcurrent conditions in
semiconductor devices and consist of a fuse element
made of a semiconductor material.
Characteristics of Fuses

The characteristics of a fuse depend on its design and intended application, but some
common characteristics include:

1. Current rating - the maximum current that a fuse can carry without opening or breaking the
circuit. The recommended nominal current rating of a fuse to operate is not more than 75% .

2. Voltage rating - the maximum voltage that a fuse can withstand without breaking down.
The fuse must be greater or equal voltage rating than the circuit voltage so the fuse can
interrupt an irregular flow of current.

3. Interrupting rating - the maximum fault current that a fuse can interrupt without damaging
itself or causing an explosion.

4. Operating temperature range - the temperature range in which a fuse can operate safely
and maintain its rated characteristics. The recommended ambient temperature of the fuse to
be derated is 25°C to operate.

5. Physical size and shape - the physical size and the shape of the fuse can be determined
by the application and availability of the space.

Principles of Operation and Application of Fuses

Fuses operate based on the principle that when the current flowing through them
exceeds their rated value, the fuse element heats up due to the resistance of the material. If the
current continues to exceed the rated value, the element melts and breaks the circuit, interrupting
the flow of current and protecting the electrical system from damage. The principle of operation of
a fuse is to dissipate the heat generated by an overcurrent condition and to interrupt the circuit
when the temperature of the fuse element reaches its melting point.

Fuses are used in a variety of electrical applications to protect against overcurrent or

short-circuit conditions that could cause damage to equipment or start a fire. Some applications of
fuses include:

 Automotive - to protect electrical systems such as the battery, alternator, and ignition
system from damage of any automobiles.

 Electrical power distribution - to protect electrical equipment from overcurrent.

 Lighting - to protect against overcurrent conditions that can cause the bulbs to burn out
or the wiring to overheat.

 Industrial control systems - to protect electric sensitive components

 Electrical Appliances - to protect against abnormal electric current of an appliances

such as Television, Washing Machine, Air Conditioner, etc.

b. Breakers

Breakers are switches or devices that automatically shut off electric current when an
abnormal things occurs in an electrical system. These are designed to protect the system and its
components from damage or overheating, and also to prevent electrical hazards.

Some Types of Breakers:

1. GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Breaker - It

is designed to protect people from electric shocks
caused by ground faults. They detect the condition in
the electrical current and shut off the power when a
fault is detected.
2. AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) Breakers - These
breakers protect against electrical fires caused by arc
faults. An arc fault occurs when electricity jumps
across a gap in a circuit, creating a spark that can
ignite nearby materials. This can happen when wires
are damaged or when connections become loose or
corroded.

3. Surge Protectors - These devices protect electrical

equipment from power surges caused by lightning
strikes or other high-voltage events. They work by
diverting excess voltage to the ground, protecting the
equipment from damage.

4. MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) - are designed to

protect individual circuits from overloading and short
circuits. They are small circuit breakers that are
typically used in residential and light commercial
applications.

Characteristics of Circuit Breakers

Characteristics of Circuit Breakers include:

1. Protect devices from overload - Circuit breakers are designed to protect electrical
circuits from overloading, which can occur when current flows exceeds from its limit
range level through the circuit. When the current exceeds a certain level, the circuit
breaker trips and interrupts the flow of electricity, preventing damage to the circuit and
electrical devices.

2. Protect devices from short circuit - Circuit breakers are also designed to protect
against short circuits, which can cause electrical fires and other hazards where it occurs
when a wire contacts a ground or neutral wire. When the wires comes in contact, the
circuit breaker quickly detect and interrupt the flow of electricity in these situations.

3. Reusable - Unlike fuses where it must be replaced when they blow, circuit breakers
are resettable. Once the fault in the circuit is corrected, the circuit breaker can be reset,
restoring power to the circuit.

4. Multiple ratings - Circuit breaker can let you select an appropriate rating for the
specific application of the circuit breaker which are rated for different levels of current and
voltage.

5. Durability - Circuit breakers are built to last and are designed to withstand frequent use
and exposure to the elements. It is made with good materials and undergo durability
testing to ensure their reliability and safety.

Principles of Operation and Application of Circuit Breaker

The principle of operation of a circuit breaker is to interrupt the flow of current in an

electrical circuit in instance when an overload or a short circuit occur. Circuit breakers have a
switching mechanism that can open or close the circuit under certain conditions either normal or
at fault. The components of a circuit breaker include a contact system which is made up of
stationary and moving contacts that break the electrical circuit, an operating mechanism that
controls the movement of the contacts, and a trip unit that detects the increase in current caused
by a fault and trips the circuit breaker to interrupt the flow of electricity, protecting electrical
systems and equipment from damage and preventing electrical fires.

Circuit breakers are used in variety of electrical applications to protect electrical systems
and equipment from damage caused by the occurrence abnormal condition in the electric circuit
and to prevent electrical fires and electrical hazards. The application of circuit breaker are used in
the electrical system of residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. It can be also used in a
solar or wind power renewable energy that protects the electrical system from abnormal
occurrences of electric circuit.

c. Lightning Arresters

is a protective device that protect electrical systems and equipment from the damage
caused by the occurrence of lightning strikes or electrical surges. Lightning strikes and electrical
surges can cause high amount of voltages that can damage electrical equipment and cause
electrical fires.

Types of Lightning Arrester

Rod Type Arrester Horn Arrester

Multi Gap Arrester Expulsion Type

Arrester

Valve Type Silicon Carbide

Lightning Arrester Arrester

Metal Oxide
Arrester
Characteristics of Lightning Arresters

Lightning arrester is a device that resist high voltage based on the maximum voltage that
can withstand in a specific rated range and has an ability to divert or discharge electrical current
to the ground, preventing damage to the electrical system. It respond quickly when a lightning
strike fall out having a response times range in nanoseconds. It operates over wide temperature
range which is rated ranging -40°C to 85°C. It is designed to use and provide protection that can
withstand high voltage and in any weather condition in a long duration of time if it is maintained
properly.

Principles of Operation and Application of Lightning Arresters

Lightning arrester protect electrical systems from the damaging effects of lightning strikes
by providing a safe path for the electrical current to follow, reducing the risk to damage the
electrical system. The ability of a lightning arrester to deflect or discharge electrical current to the
ground allows it to prevent harm to the electrical system. When lightning strikes, the electrical
current is conducted through the arrester and diverted to the ground, avoiding to damage the
electrical system. The lightning arrester is designed to have a low resistance path to ground,
allowing for the efficient discharge of the current.

Listed below are some common applications of lightning arresters:

 Power systems

 Communication systems

 Industrial control systems

 Residential control systems

 Renewable energy systems

II. Standard Ratings of Protective Devices:

A. Fuses
Standard Ratings of Fuses in the
The standard rating of fuses in the Philippines
Philippines is based on the International Standard Current Standard Voltage
Standard rating established by Institute of Ratings Ratings
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and 1A
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
2A
The standard voltage rating of the fuse is
ranging 250 to 600 volts depending on the 3A
application and electrical system. But typically, 5A
the voltage rating for fuses in the Philippines is 10 A
220-240 volts AC, which is the standard rating 15 A
range that is used for residential and 20 A
commercial electrical systems. The standard
30 A
current rating of fuses in the Philippines is also
based on international standard ratings 40 A
220~240 volts
depending on the application and the electrical 50 A
system. The common usually used current 60 A
ratings of the fuses are listed in the table: 80 A
100 A
125 A
200 A
100 A
125 A
200
B. Breakers

The ratings of a circuit breaker is expressed in terms of its maximum current-carrying capacity,
the current rating. This rating determines the amount of current that the circuit breaker can safely
handle without tripping or failing.

The standard current ratings for circuit breakers are listed in the table:

Standard Current
Ratings of Circuit 300 A
Breakers
350 A
15 A
400 A
20 A
450 A
30 A
500 A
40 A
600 A
50 A
700 A
60 A
800 A
70 A
1000 A
80 A
1200 A
90 A
1600 A
100 A
2000 A
125 A
2500 A
150 A
3000 A
175 A
4000 A
200 A
5000 A
225 A
250 A

Different types of circuit breakers may differ voltage ratings and other specifications depends on
the specifications of a particular circuit breaker.

C. Lighting Arresters

The standard rating may vary depending on the specific application and the voltage level of the
system it is being used to protect. The table below are the ratings of lighting arrester:

Standard Ratings of Lighting Arrester

Voltage Level of Discharge

Rated Frequency
the System Current Rating
Low Voltage
10 kA or 20 kA
System
Medium Voltage 10kA, 20kA, or
50 Hz and 60 Hz
System 40kA
High Voltage 40kA, 80kA,
System 100kA, or higher