International standard IEC 60947-2

Low voltage switchgear Part 2: Circuit-breakers

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Contents
 I. General  2. Definitions  3. Circuit-breaker characteristics  4. Constructional requirements  5. Specific points (appendices)  6. Tests  7. Conclusion 3 8 10 14 21 27 34

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General
Standard IEC 60947-2  Came into force in 1999  Takes into account the circuit-breaker main technological upgrades Standard IEC 60947-2  Is internationally recognized and approved
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CSA UL IEC

IEC

JIS/IEC

IEC IEC

IEC IEC

and is applied in the majority of countries (> 100)

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Standard IEC 60947-2

General
constitution
Standard IEC 60947-2 is part of a set of 7 standards characterizing low voltage switchgear
IEC 60 947-2
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or

Circuit-breakers IEC 60947

IEC 60947-1

IEC 60 947-3

or

IEC 60 947-4-1

or

IEC 60 947-4-2

or

Switches

Contactors and starters

Dimmers and starters

General rules
IEC 60 947-6-2

or

IEC 60 947-7-1

or

...

Control and connection devices

Terminal block

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General
The scope
Standard IEC 60947-2 applies to circuit-breakers, the main contacts of which are intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not in exceed 1000 V AC or 1500 DC;

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The standard applies to circuit-breakers intended for use by experienced operators.

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Standard IEC 60947-2

General
The scope
Standard IEC 60947-2 contains additional specifications for:  Circuit-breakers suitable for isolation  Residual current devices (appendix B)  Circuit-breakers with electronic protection (appendices J and F)  Circuit-breakers for IT systems (appendix H)

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Standard IEC 60947-2

General
Standard IEC 60947-2 defines  The circuit-breaker classification according to utilization category A or B according to design type air circuit-breaker, moulded case circuit-breaker  The circuit-breaker mechanical and electrical data: size, trip unit, etc.

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Definitions
Circuit-breaker classification

Utilization category A Circuit-breaker not specifically intended for discrimination  Without an intentional short-time delay  Without short time withstand current
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Utilization category B Circuit-breaker specifically intended for discrimination:  With intentional short-time delay (adjustable)  With short time withstand current

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Definitions
Terminology / Vocabulary
Extract from appendix K of standard IEC 60947-2
Characteristics voltage current Ue Ui Uimp In Ith Ithe Icm Icu Ics Icw Ir 1.05 x Ir 1.30 x Ir Isd Ii Rated operational voltage Rated insulation voltage Rated impulse withstand voltage Rated current Conventional free-air thermal current Conventional enclosed thermal current Rated short-circuit making capacity Rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity Rated service short-circuit breaking capacity Rated short-time withstand current Adjustable overload setting current Conventional non-tripping current Conventional tripping current Short time delay tripping setting current Instantaneous tripping setting current

short-circuit

trip unit

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Circuit-breaker characteristics
Overload withstand
In (in A rms) = rated current  Maximum uninterrupted current withstood at ambient temperature, given without abnormal temperature rise Ir (in A rms) = adjustable overload setting current  Ir depends on In  Ir characterizes the overload protection
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Standard IEC 60947-2

Circuit-breaker characteristics
Short-circuit withstand
Icu (kA rms) = rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity  This performance expresses the maximum value of the short-circuit current that can be broken by the circuit-breaker
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Standard IEC 60947-2

Circuit-breaker characteristics
Short-circuit withstand
Standard IEC 60947-2 introduces a new important performance Ics (as a % of Icu) = rated service short-circuit breaking capacity  This performance expresses the suitability of a circuit-breaker to ensure fully normal service after breaking this current 3 times  Normal ratio between Ics and Icu
Utilization category A % of Icu 25 50 75 100 Utilization category B % of Icu 50 75 100
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Standard IEC 60947-2

Safety in use: breaking capacity tests simulate those encountered in "real life"

Prospective short circuit current (Isc) & ultimate short circuit breaking capacity (Icu)  when designing an installation, the worst case of short circuit current is calculated : we call this the "prospective short circuit current".  prospective Isc: theoretical three phase short circuit at the terminals of the circuit breaker "bolted" short circuit (without arc and impedance)  the circuit breaker must be capable of interrupting this short circuit (a fault very unlikely to occur except during commissioning).  ultimate short circuit breaking capacity (Icu): maximum short circuit current that the breaker can interrupt. is the only short circuit breaking capacity that needs to be considered when selecting a breaker.

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Safety in use: breaking capacity tests simulate those encountered in "real life"

prospective short circuit level (Isc) & service breaking capacity (Ics)  in practice, short circuit currents are much lower than the calculated prospective short circuit level because they are strongly limited by :  the impedance of cables and connections  the electric arc (within the breaker)  its type : phase-neutral or between two phase.  reduced short circuits are more probable as they are generally some distance away from the transformer.

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Circuit-breaker characteristics
Short-circuit withstand
Standard IEC 60947-2 introduces a new performance for category B circuit-breakers Icw (in kA rms) = rated short-time withstand current  Icw is the maximum short-circuit current that a circuit-breaker can withstand for a short duration (t without deterioration of these characteristics  ICW must be at least equal to 12 In or 5 kA for In e 2500 A 30 kA for In > 2500 A  The standardized delay time (t is: 0.05 - 0.1 - 0.25 - 0.5 or 1s
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Standard IEC 60947-2

Constructional requirements
Isolation co-ordination
The circuit-breaker, as a safety device, must be able to withstand  Network overvoltages this suitability is characterized by the withstand to the conventional dielectric test at 2 Ui + 1000 - 1 min at power frequency  Impulse voltages ( lightning stroke simulation) this suitability is characterized by the withstand to the 1.2/ 50 Qs impulse voltage test of value Uimp

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Constructional requirements
Isolation co-ordination
Uimp (kV peak) = rated impulse withstand voltage Characterization of Uimp  Depends on the LV network voltage  Depends on the position of the circuit-breaker in the LV network  Depends on altitude: Uimp must be valid up to 2000 m tests carried out at +23 % of value

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Constructional requirements
Isolation co-ordination
Characterization of Uimp
Nominal installation voltage Applications
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at the origin of the installation/MSB 230/400 V 400/690 V 6 8

on the distribution and final circuits 4 6

at load level 2.5 4

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Constructional requirements
Isolation co-ordination
Industrial circuit-breaker Uimp = 8 kV  Tests to be considered Uimp + 23 % = 9.8 kV standard industrial circuit-breakers and those suitable for isolation
Application of impulse voltage Phase-to-phase Up-to-downstream contacts open Phase-to-earth Impulse voltage value Breakers Disconnector Breakers 9.8 kV 9.8 kV 12.3 kV (*) 9.8 kV 9.8 kV

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Test between upstream and downstream

(*) 14.7 kV for front face class II circuit-breaker as per IEC 61 140

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Constructional requirements
Circuit-breaker suitable for isolation
Test of isolation suitability  3 tests designed to ensure users that a device suitable for isolation is not dangerous in open position... - even after having eliminated a short-circuit up to Icu - even in the event of overvoltage on the network ... or in closed position cannot be declared open and/or padlockable

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Constructional requirements
Circuit-breaker suitable for isolation
Leakage current measurement test at 110 % of maximum utilization voltage Ue  New device, leakage current < 0.5 mA per pole,  After breaking at Ics, leakage current < 2 mA per pole,  After durability tests, leakage current < 2 mA per pole,  After breaking at Icu, leakage current < 6 mA per pole Impulse voltage withstand  Uimp = 12 kV (instead of 9.8 kV) between the inlet and the outlet of the open device
(*) 14.7 kV for front face class II circuit-breaker as per IEC 61 140

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Class ll enclosure Class ll front face

Front face class ll

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Mechanical ruggedness test

Mechanical ruggedness

 Circuit-breaker with a pole held in closed position must not be indicated open and/or lockable by padlock. Padlockable in open position

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Constructional requirements
Circuit-breaker/isolator
Marking  A circuit-breaker that is suitable for isolation will display the circuitbreaker/isolator symbol on its front face
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Standard IEC 60947-2

Specific points (appendix A)

Standard IEC 60947-2 recognizes and defines circuit-breaker co-ordination
 Cascading  Discrimination

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Specific points (appendix B)

Residual current device
Standard IEC 60947-2 appendix B defines  The characteristics of the residual current devices  The tests and verifications that must be performed on a residual current device in order to guarantee the safety of the residual current function in order to guarantee the quality of the residual current function (malfunctioning)

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Specific points (appendix B)

Residual current device
Tests and verifications  Quality of the residual current function no nuisance tripping in the event of: - single-phase overcurrent (standardized tests) - current waves generated by impulse voltage - network capacitance load - in event of an insulation fault with a DC component (class A),

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I fault

Class A cycle

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Specific points (appendix B)

Residual current device
Tests and verifications  Safety of the residual current function after breaking at Icu and Ics, no deterioration of the earth leakage protection units, correct operation of the function: - in harsh environmental conditions (damp heat 28-day cycle)

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Hygro (%)

100 90

0 t (C) 55

12 14h30

duration (h)

25

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Specific points (appendix F)

Circuit-breaker with electronic trip unit
Standard IEC 60947-2 appendices F defines  The additional specifications for circuit-breakers with electronic trip unit  The tests required to guarantee their correct operation in restrictive industrial environments EMC tests: immunity to disturbances, EMC tests: verification of radiated emission level, (very harsh) environmental tests, dry and damp heat, temperature variations After each test, verification of proper trip unit operation
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Standard IEC 60947-2

Specific points (appendix H)

Circuit-breaker suitable for IT Standard IEC 60947-2  Defines this breaking type (with a single pole at phase-to-phase voltage)  Stipulates a specific test the devices not suitable for use with the IT system are marked with the symbol IT
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PIM

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Tests
Standard IEC 60947-2 makes provision for complete device testing Cumulative tests grouped into sequences  One sample undergoes all the sequence tests 5 Test Sequences + 1 Combined test sequence  All the functions and characteristics are tested Specific tests  Circuit-breaker suitable for isolation  Residual current device,  Circuit-breaker with electronic trip unit, EMC Tests  etc.

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Tests
Test sequences
Category A Sequence 1 General operating characteristics Sequence 2 Service breaking capacity Ics Sequence 3 Ultimate breaking capacity Icu Sequence 4 Rated short time withstand current Icw Combined test sequence Example Category B Ics < Icu   Icw = Ics = Icu 

 

  

NS630b to 1000 L NS100 to NS630 + Multi 9

NS630b to 1600 N-H NS1600b to 3200 N-H Masterpact H2-H3-L1

Masterpact N1-H1

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Test sequences
Example  Sequence 1 and 2
Test sequences Circuit-breaker type Cat. A Cat. B Icw Icw < Ics = Ics Tests to be performed in turn on the same circuit-breaker Icw = Ics = Icu 1. Verification of tripping thresholds 2. Dielectric properties 2.1 If an Uimp is declared by the Manufacturer: Uimp Test phase-to phase, phase-to-earth 2.2 If no Uimp is declared Dielectric test 50 Hz at 2Ui + 1000 3. Mechanical durability 4. Electrical durability 5. Operation in overload at 6 In 6. Dielectric withstand at 2 Ue (min. 1000 V) 7. Temperature rise at In 8. Verification of non-drift of overload trip units 1. Three successive current breakings Ics as per cycle O - 3 mm - CO - 3 mm - CO 2. Verification of suitability for operation, achievement of 5 % of electrical durability 3. Dielectric withstand at 2 Ue (50 Hz-1 mm) 4. Temperature rise at In 5. Verification of non-drift of overload trip units Additional tests for circuit-breakers declared suitable for isolation 1. Ditto 2. Dielectric properties Uimp withstand compulsory: ditto opposite plus between Inlet and Outlet: Uimp + 25 % and leakage current test
(< 0.5 mA per pole at 110 % Ue)

Sequence 1 General operating characteristics

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3. Ditto 4. Ditto 5. Ditto 6. Ditto + leakage current test

(< 2 mA per pole at 110 % Ue)

7. Ditto 8. Ditto 1. Ditto 2. Ditto

Sequence 2 Service breaking capacity Ics

3. Ditto + leakage test current

(e 2 mA per pole at 110 % Ue)

4. Ditto 5. Ditto

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Tests
 Tripping curves all the important points on the tripping curve are tested essential features are tested in real and the hardest conditions
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Standard IEC 60947-2

Tests Icu
In sequence 3 of standardized tests O - t - CO test Verifications  Dielectric at 2 Ui (minimum 1000 V) for 1 minute,
NB: for circuit-breaker suitable for isolation test of leakage I = < 6 mA at 110 % Ue

 Verification of overload trip units at 2 Ir

Standard IEC 60947-2 clarifies the definition of circuit-breaker breaking capacity The circuit-breaker must not be dangerous after 2 breakings at Icu

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Tests Ics
In sequence 2 of standardized tests O - t - CO - t - CO test Verifications  Dielectric at 2 Ui (minimum 1000 V) for 1 minute, NB: for circuit-breaker suitable for isolation test of leakage I e 2 mA at 110 % Ue  Of suitability to break its nominal current by achieving 5% of electrical durability  Of temperature rise at In,  Verification of overload trip units at Ir The circuit-breaker must be suitable for operation after a short circuit at Ics. This performance is guaranteed 3 times. The Ics performance represents a practical breaking capacity.

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Tests Icw
In sequence 4 of standardized tests Category B circuit-breaker Verifications  Device withstand at Icw and (t indicated by the manufacturer  Of temperature rise at In, after O - t - CO cycle at Icw at maximum voltage  Dielectric at 2 U 1(minimum 1000 V) for 1 minute,  Overload trip units at 2 Ir

The circuit-breaker must be suitable for operation after a short-circuit at Icw

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Conclusion
Standard IEC 60947-2

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A standard that adheres to reality

Simple, clear choice of circuit-breakers  In and Icu are sufficient to determine the circuit-breaker, New recognized, defined and tested characteristics / functions  Suitability for isolation,  Residual current device,  Circuit-breakers with electronic trip unit Tests representative of the real stresses exerted on a circuit-breaker  Ics, etc.  Cumulative tests in sequences,  Tests of all the design characteristics

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Conclusion
Standard IEC 60947-2

A standard that adheres to reality

Examples
1250 kVA Sub-distribution board 18 kA MSB Isc = 29 kA

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28 kA

8.5 kA

probable Isc very close to prospective Isc: Ics = 100 % Icu NS160N is optimized

probable Isc less than prospective Isc: Ics = 50 % Icu C60L is optimized

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Standard IEC 60947-2

Conclusion
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A circuit-breaker certified according to Standard IEC 60947-2 guarantees a quality device with durable performance of all its safety functions.

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