Simplified Fault Current Calculations

Presented by: Dustin Priemer

Dustin.Priemer@CooperIndustries.com

Agenda
Basic electrical distribution components & relationship with fault levels
Transformers, conductors, etc. Overcurrent Protective Devices (OCPD)

Simplified fault calculation example Relevant NEC requirements Cooper Bussmann Solutions

Fault Current Basics

Available Fault Current?

35,000A Available 54,000A Available

X
28,000A Available

X X
31,000A Available

38,000A Available

TYPICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENTS

Home Receptacle - 200 to 500 amps Home Service - 2,000 to 10,000 amps Bussmann Headquarters - 70,000 amps New York City - 202,000 amps St. Louis, MO - 210,000 Chicago, IL - 215,000 Dallas, TX - 220,000 Tulsa, Oklahoma - 260,000 amps

Short Circuit Calculations

Why short-circuit calculations?

Several sections of the NEC relate to proper overcurrent protection. Safe and reliable application of overcurrent protective devices based on these sections mandate that a short circuit study and a selective coordination be conducted.

Short Circuit Calculations

Sections in the NEC include:

110.9 110.10 110.16 Art. 240 409.110 430.8 440.4(B) 670.3 Numerous Articles Interrupting Rating Component Protection Arc-Flash Warning Labels Overcurrent Protection Industrial Control Panels Motor Controllers HVAC Equipment Industrial Machinery Selective Coordination

More on This Later

Short Circuit Calculations

Compliance with these code sections can be accomplished by conducting a short circuit study. To obtain reliable operation and assure that system components are protected from damage, it is necessary to first calculate the available fault current at various critical points in the electrical system.

Short Circuit Calculations

Critical points in the system include:

Service Entrance Panelboards Industrial Control Panels & Machinery Motor Control Centers Motor Starters Transfer Switches Load Centers

Short Circuit Calculations

Once the short circuit levels are determined, it is possible to specify proper interrupting rating requirements, selectively coordinate the system and provide component protection.

Fault Current Analysis

Simplified method point to point calculations More detailed analysis can be done using commercial software or hand calculations Cooper Bussmann short-circuit calculator
http://www.cooperbussmann.com/7/FreeSoftware.html

Short Circuit Currents Vary Depending on Many Factors MSB

Transformer Size & % Z Voltage Conductor Size & Length

Short Circuit Currents Vary Depending on Many Factors MSB 18,000 A 40,000 A

60,000 A 60,000 A

27,000 A

9,000 A
M M

How to Calculate Transformer Secondary

(assuming infinite primary)

EPR Page 7

KVA SIZE

VOLTAGE

%Z

Short Circuit Current Examples #1

500 KVA 5%Z 480/277V 1 500 KVA 2%Z 480/277V 1A 2A 2 1500 KVA 2%Z 480/277V 1500 KVA 5% Z 480/277V 3 1500 KVA 2%Z 208/120V 3A 1500 KVA 5% Z 208/120V

Short Circuit Current Examples #1

500 KVA 5%Z 480/277V 1 13,377 A 2 1500 KVA 5% Z 480/277V 40,133 A 1500 KVA 5% Z 208/120V 3 92,533 A 1500 KVA 2%Z 208/120V 3A 231,333 A

500 KVA 2%Z 480/277V 33,444 A 1A

1500 KVA 2%Z 480/277V 100,333 A 2A

How to Calculate Conductor Contribution EPR Page 7 LENGTH

Isca

C CONSTANT

VOLTAGE

Short Circuit Current Examples #2

208/120V 4 40,000 A. 50 ft # 1

480/277V 5 40,000 A.

480/277V 6 40,000 A.

50 ft 250 kcm

4A

5A

6A

Short Circuit Current Examples #2

208/120V 4 40,000 A. 50 ft # 1

480/277V 5 40,000 A.

480/277V 6 40,000 A.

50 ft 250 kcm

4A 12,181 A.

5A 20,104 A.

6A 27,820 A.

Simplified Fault Calculation: EXAMPLE

EPR Page 11 & 12, Number (1)

Simplified Fault Calculation: EXAMPLE

ANSWER: SCA = ~42,000 Amps

Relevant NEC Requirements

NEC Adoption
WA VT ND MN ID WY NE NV UT CA CO KS MO KY NC AZ NM OK AR MS TX LA AL GA TN SC IL IN OH WV IA SD WI MI PA NJ NY

MT OR

ME NH MA CT

VA

FL

1999 NEC 2002 NEC 2005 NEC 2008 NEC Local Adoption

Short Circuit Calculations

Sections in the NEC include:

110.9 110.10 110.16 Art. 240 409.110 430.8 440.4(B) 670.3 Numerous Articles Interrupting Rating Component Protection Arc-Flash Warning Labels Overcurrent Protection Industrial Control Panels Motor Controllers HVAC Equipment Industrial Machinery Selective Coordination

IR Exceeded

110.9 Interrupting Rating & 110.10 Component Protection

IR Exceeded

IR Exceeded

Arc Flash Hazard

110.16 Arc-Flash Warning Labels

Arc Flash Hazard

Fault current effects arc flash hazard level

SCCR

409.110, 430.8, 440.4(B) & 670.3 Equipment Short-Circuit Current Ratings

10

What is SCCR?

UL 508A & 2008 NEC

Short-Circuit Current Rating. The prospective symmetrical fault current at a nominal voltage to which an apparatus or system is able to be connected without sustaining damage exceeding defined acceptance criteria.

What is SCCR?

SCCR is the maximum current:

a component, assembly or equipment can safely withstand when protected by a specific overcurrent protective device, or for a specified time interval
Simple: Level of fault current an assembly of components is rated to withstand

What is SCCR?
35,000A Available

X
54,000A Available 28,000A Available

Motor Controller

X X
Industrial Control Panels

31,000A Available

X
Industrial Machinery

38,000A Available

HVAC

11

What is SCCR?
SCCR markings on equipment labeling are provided to ensure proper protection for assemblies Equipment SCCR must exceed the available short-circuit current at the point of installation (NEC 110.10) Similar to interrupting rating requirements found in NEC 110.9

Selective Coordination

517.26, 620.62, 700.27, 701.18, 708.54 Selective Coordination

NEC 2008 Requirements

Essential Systems 517.26
Emergency, Critical and Equipment branch in Healthcare facilities (must meet requirements of Article 700)
New in 2005

Emergency Systems 700.27

Illumination, ventilation, fire detection, alarm systems, etc.in places of assembly, hotels, theaters, and sports arenas
New in 2005

Legally Required Standby Systems 701.18

Safety-related systems such as HVAC, communication systems, ventilation, and sewage treatment plants
New in 2005

Critical Operation Power Systems (COPS) 708.54

Public safety-related systems that require continuous operation for like emergency management facilities or business centers
New in 2008

Increase Systems Reliability Preventing Blackouts

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What is Selective Coordination

For the full range of possible overcurrents Only closest upstream OCPD from overcurrent opens Other upstream (larger) overcurrent protective devices do not open

LINE SIDE

KRP-C-1200SP

LOAD SIDE

LPS-RK-600SP

Selective Coordination
Article 100 Definition
Coordination (Selective) Localization of an overcurrent condition to restrict outages to the circuit or equipment affected, accomplished by the choice of overcurrent protective devices and their ratings or settings.

Article 700 Emergency Systems

700.27 Coordination. Emergency system(s) overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all supply side overcurrent protective devices
(Wording for 701.18 and 708.54 is the similar except for the type system)

System Prospective
Without Selective Coordination With Selective Coordination

OPENS OPENS
NOT AFFECTED UNNECESSARY POWER LOSS

Fault

NOT AFFECTED

Fault

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Circuit Breaker Instantaneous Trip

1000 700 500 400 300 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 CURRENT IN AMPERES AT 480 VOLTS 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1000 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10000 2 3 4 5 67 1000 700 500 400 300 200

Up to where the circuit breakers cross, it is interpreted to be coordinated. See

800A

200

800A IT = 10X 200A IT = 10X

100 70 50 40 30 20

100 70 50 40 30 20

10 TIME IN SECONDS 7 5 4 3 2

10 TIME IN SECONDS 7 5 4 3

30A

1 .7 .5 .4 .3 .2

1 .7 .5 .4 .3

200A

.1

0.1s

.2

.1 .07 .05 .04 .03

X
30A

Up to 7600A Up to 1500A

.07 .05 .04 .03 .02

.01

0.01s
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1000 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10000 2 3 4 5 67 CURRENT IN AMPERES AT 480 VOLTS

.02

.01

1500A

7600A

Reference
IEEE 1015-2006 BLUE BOOK Applying Low-Voltage Circuit Breakers Used in Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Page 148 5.5.5 Thermal-magnetic MCCBs and insulated case circuit breakers It should be noted that if the fault current is above the short-time rating (instantaneous override), then the ICCB will not be selective with downstream devices that also have instantaneous trips.

Bussmann Fuse Coordination

Load Side Fuse

Line Side Fuse

LOW-PEAK : LOW-PEAK 2:1 Line:Load Ratio

No fault levels or plotting required!

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Cooper Bussmann Solutions

Quik-Spec Family

Quik-Spec Family:
Coordination Panelboard Power Module Safety Switch

One line diagram With quik spec products

Suite of fusible electrical distribution products designed to meet Selective Coordination and other NEC requirements, providing the numerous benefits of fused solutions Cooper Bussmann committed to expanding our assembly offering, focused on product differentiation, creating options for fusible solutions

The New Standard in Fusible Panelboards

Simplifies Selective Coordination Better Value Smaller Footprint Additional Main Options Patented Fuse Rejection, Interlock and Indication

15

Quik-Spec Power Module

Fused Elevator Shunt-Trip Disconnect Easy to Specify and Install UL98 Listed Assembly
Power Module Switch

Simplifies Selective Coordination Simplifies Code Compliance

Power Module Panel

PMP Available for multiple elevator installations

High IR Protective Devices

Compact Circuit Protector

200kA SCCR 60A 600V Class J/CC fusing Smallest fusible disconnect available Finger-safe design UL98 branch circuit disconnect

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Summary
NEC contains numerous requirements related to fault levels Understanding basics of fault contribution can simplify efforts with compliance Higher withstand components may present fewer concerns Fused system selective coordination through 200kA achieved with amp ratios

Cooper Tech Center Training

Fusible Design for Building Systems
April 28, 2009 (Cooper Bussmann)

NEC Emergency Systems, Legally Required and Optional

May 29, 2009 (Mark Hilbert, NH Chief AHJ)

Electrical System Maintenance

August 18, 2009 (Jim White, Shermco)

Simplified Fault Current Calculations

QUESTIONS ??
Presented by: Dustin Priemer
Dustin.Priemer@CooperIndustries.com

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