SWITCHGEAR AND PROTECTION

Lecture 2

INTRODUCTION TO OVERCURRENT
DEVICES

Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

Outline:
• What do we mean by “overcurrent”?
• Overcurrent: overload and short circuit.
• Major overcurrent devices.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

What do we mean by “overcurrent”?

- An overcurrent is a condition which exists in an electrical

circuit when the normal load current is exceeded.

Conductor rated current = 15 A

Load current = 10 A

Normal Condition
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
 Overcurrent: overload and short circuit:

- An overcurrent condition can be caused by an overload or short

circuit situation:

• Overload:
- A current exceeding the rated current carrying capacity of an
equipment (cable, motor, breaker….etc) due to more loading.
- The equipment may withstand the overload for
seconds/minutes/hours depending on the magnitude of the
overload current.
- Under overload conditions, the voltage may reduce but will
not become zero.
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
Conductor rated current = 15 A

Load current = 20 A

Overload Condition

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- Under overload conditions, the voltage may reduce but will
not become zero. How?
2Ω

220 V 20 Ω

2Ω

220 V 20 Ω 20 Ω

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

• Short circuit:
- A short circuit is a path in the circuit that allows the current to
flow through zero or negligible resistance.
- It may cause extensive damage if not interrupted quickly.
- The magnitude of the short circuit current is much higher than
the overload current.
- During short circuit, voltage drops to very low value depending
on the short circuit (fault) impedance.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

Conductor rated current = 15 A

Load current = 10 A

Short Circuit Condition

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- During short circuit, voltage drops to very low value
depending on the short circuit (fault) impedance. How?
2Ω

220 V 20 Ω

2Ω

220 V 0.01 Ω 20 Ω

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

• Differences between overload and short circuit:
Overload
Caused by overloading on the
circuit.
More than rated current, but not by
much value.
Causes overheating by time and
may causes damage by time.
Power must be disconnected after a
period, not instantly.
Short Circuit
Caused by a fault in the circuit.
Very large current.
Causes instant damage.
Power must be disconnected
immediately.
Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi
Major Overcurrent Devices:
• Fuses.
• Circuit breakers.
• Reclosers/Sectionalizers.
• Overcurrent relays.
- The overcurrent devices are the oldest and the most commonly
used protection type.
- This is because that most of the faults results in increase in the
current value.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- The function of the overcurrent protective devices is to open
the circuit when the current rating capacity of the equipment
being protected is exceeded.
- In order to the right selection of such protective devices, we
should study such devices in details and understand their
construction, operation principle and tripping characteristics .

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi

- In general, tripping characteristics of the overcurrent devices in
case of overload and short circuit can be of this shape:

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Al-Subhi