A NEMA Industrial Automation Control Products

and Systems (01IS) Section Document

ICS 10-2015, Part 4

Guide to Application of Low-voltage

Automatic Transfer Switch Equipment

Published by:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

th
1300 North 17 Street, Suite 900
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

www.nema.org

2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights, including translation into other
languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention for the Protection
of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American copyright conventions.
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Section 110.9 of NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that equipment intended to
interrupt current at varying fault levels shall have an interrupting rating (IR) that is sufficient for nominal
circuit voltage and the current that is available at the line terminals of the equipment. NEC Section 110.10
requires that overcurrent protective devices be selected and applied to prevent extensive damage to a
circuits electrical components during a fault condition, such as transfer switches. Proper selection of
protective devices has always been important; with changes to the NEC to more explicitly require
selectivity, product information and markings have received more scrutiny.

In response, the standards committees responsible for transfer switches have revised the labeling
requirements for devices listed to the harmonized North American standard known in the US as UL 1008,
in Canada as C22.2 No. 178.1, and in Mexico as ANCE NMX-J-672. These new labeling requirements
affect all products marked as a transfer switch, whether automatic for emergency use, automatic for
optional use, or manual.

A transfer switch with integral overcurrent protection, whether a circuit breaker or a fuse, states its short-
circuit withstand/closing rating based on the integral protection. Therefore, these devices did not require
marking changes.

A transfer switch without integral overcurrent protection must, of course, be protected. It might be
protected by fuses or by specific circuit breakers, according to its markings, which is current practice. The
first new aspect is that the transfer switch may be marked as having a rating at a certain current level and
time duration. For example, 42 kA at 600 V for 0.05 seconds. The time duration is in seconds to align with
the time-current curves from circuit breaker manufacturers. To properly apply the transfer switch, the
operating time of the protective device must be the same as or faster than the time rating of the transfer
switch.

In addition to short-circuit current and time rating, a transfer switch will be marked with a short-time rating,
or will be marked as not having a short-time rating. This change is in response to concerns that low-
voltage power circuit breakers or insulated case circuit breakers might have the instantaneous trip
disabled in the field and not properly protect a transfer switch that does not have a short-time rating.

These new markings first went into effect in August 2014. Users and inspectors should expect to see the
new markings over the next year. These new markings apply in Canada and Mexico also, because the
requirements are in the tri-nationally harmonized standard.

The following example markings are copied from the product standard UL 1008/CSA C22.2 No. 178-1/
NMX-J-672 ANCE, Transfer Switch Equipment. It is instructive to compare the different markings, since
each one is related to a different kind of qualification.

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Example for a device with short-circuit but not short-time current ratings, with integral overcurrent
protection.

SHORT-CIRCUIT WITHSTAND AND CLOSING RATINGS

THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN A CIRCUIT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE
SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT FOR THE MAXIMUM VOLTAGE MARKED BELOW.

WHEN PROTECTED BY A CIRCUIT BREAKER, IT SHALL NOT INCLUDE A SHORT-TIME TRIP

RESPONSE.

SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT VOLTAGE

(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X 1000) (VOLTS AC, MAXIMUM)
65 240
50 480
42 600

SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATINGS

THIS TRANSFER SWITCH DOES NOT INCLUDE

SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATINGS

2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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Example for a device with short-circuit and short-time current ratings, with integral overcurrent protection.

SHORT-CIRCUIT WITHSTAND/CLOSING
AND SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATINGS

THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN A CIRCUIT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE
SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT FOR THE MAXIMUM VOLTAGE MARKED BELOW.

WHEN PROTECTED BY A CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH A SHORT-TIME TRIP RESPONSE, THE SHORT-
TIME RESPONSE OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER MUST BE COORDINATED WITH THE SHORT-TIME
CURRENT RATING OF THE TRANSFER SWITCH AS MARKED BELOW.

SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT VOLTAGE

(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X 1000) (VOLTS AC, MAXIMUM)
65 240
50 480
42 600

SHORT-TIME CURRENT VOLTAGE TIME DURATION

(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X 1000) (VOLTS AC, MAXIMUM) (Sec, MAXIMUM)
20 480 0.5
35 480 0.3

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Example for a device with short-circuit but not short-time current ratings, protected by an external circuit
breaker.

SHORT-CIRCUIT WITHSTAND AND CLOSING RATINGS

WHEN PROTECTED BY A CIRCUIT BREAKER, THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN
A CIRCUIT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT FOR THE MAXIMUM TIME
DURATION AND VOLTAGE MARKED BELOW.

THE CIRCUIT BREAKER MUST INCLUDE AN INSTANTANEOUS TRIP RESPONSE AND SHALL NOT
INCLUDE A SHORT-TIME TRIP RESPONSE.

THE MAXIMUM CLEARING TIME OF THE INSTANTANEOUS TRIP RESPONSE MUST BE EQUAL TO
OR LESS THAN THE TIME DURATION SHOWN FOR THE MARKED SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT.

SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT VOLTAGE TIME DURATION

(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X 1000) (VOLTS AC, MAXIMUM) (Sec, MAXIMUM)
65 240 0.050
50 480 0.050
42 600 0.050
35 480 0.067

SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATINGS

THIS TRANSFER SWITCH DOES NOT INCLUDE

SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATINGS

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Example for a device that specifies particular circuit breakers to be used for external protection. This one
has short-circuit but not short-time current ratings.

SPECIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKER MANUFACTURER AND TYPE LISTING

WHEN PROTECTED BY A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF THE SPECIFIC MANUFACTURE, TYPE, AND

AMPERE RATING AS MARKED BELOW, THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN
CIRCUITS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT AT THE MAXIMUM
VOLTAGE MARKED.

SHORT-CIRCUIT VOLTAGE MANUFACTURER TYPE RATING

CURRENT
(RMS SYMMETRICAL (VOLTS AC, (AMPERES)
AMPERES X 1000) MAXIMUM)
65 480 MFG. A X1 1600

65 480 MFG. B A1 1600

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Example for a device where circuit breakers are to be used for external protection. This one has short-
circuit and also short-time current ratings.

SHORT-CIRCUIT WITHSTAND/CLOSING
AND SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATINGS

WHEN PROTECTED BY A CIRCUIT BREAKER, THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN
A CIRCUIT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT FOR THE MAXIMUM TIME
DURATION AND VOLTAGE MARKED BELOW.

THE CIRCUIT BREAKER MUST INCLUDE AN INSTANTANEOUS TRIP RESPONSE UNLESS THE
AVAILABLE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT IS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO THE SHORT-TIME RATING
OF THE TRANSFER SWITCH AND THE CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDES A SHORT-TIME TRIP
RESPONSE.

THE MAXIMUM CLEARING TIME OF THE INSTANTANEOUS TRIP RESPONSE MUST BE LESS
THAN OR EQUAL TO THE TIME DURATION SHOWN FOR THE MARKED SHORT-CIRCUIT
CURRENT.

WHEN PROTECTED BY A CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH A SHORT-TIME TRIP RESPONSE, THE SHORT-
TIME RESPONSE OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER MUST BE COORDINATED WITH THE SHORT-TIME
CURRENT RATING OF THE TRANSFER SWITCH AS MARKED BELOW.

SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT VOLTAGE TIME DURATION

(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X 1000) (VOLTS AC, MAXIMUM) (Sec, MAXIMUM)
65 240 0.050
50 480 0.050
42 600 0.050
35 480 0.067

SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT VOLTAGE TIME DURATION

(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X 1000) (VOLTS AC, MAXIMUM) (Sec, MAXIMUM)
20 480 0.5
35 480 0.3

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Example for a device that specifies particular circuit breakers to be used for external protection. This one
has short-circuit and short-time current ratings.

SPECIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKER MANUFACTURER AND TYPE LISTING

AND SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATINGS
WHEN USING SPECIFIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS

WHEN PROTECTED BY A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF THE SPECIFIC MANUFACTURER, TYPE, AND

AMPERE RATING AS MARKED BELOW, THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN
CIRCUITS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT AT THE MAXIMUM
VOLTAGE MARKED AS SHOWN BELOW.

WHEN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER HAS A SHORT-TIME RESPONSE, IT SHALL BE COORDINATED

WITH THE SHORT-TIME CURRENT RATING OF THE TRANSFER SWITCH SHOWN BELOW.

SHORT-CIRCUIT VOLTAGE MANUFACTURER TYPE RATING

CURRENT
(RMS (VOLTS AC, (AMPERES)
SYMMETRICAL MAXIMUM)
AMPERES X 1000)
65 480 MFG. A X1 1600

65 480 MFG. B A1 1600

SHORT-TIME CURRENT VOLTAGE TIME

DURATION
(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X 1000) (VOLTS AC, (Sec,
MAXIMUM) MAXIMUM)
20 480 0.5
35 480 0.3

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Example for a device to be protected by fuses at 10 kA or less.

SPECIFIC FUSE MANUFACTURER AND TYPE LISTING

WHEN PROTECTED BY A FUSE OF THE SPECIFIC MANUFACTURER, TYPE, AND AMPERE

RATING AS MARKED BELOW, THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN CIRCUITS
CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT AT THE MAXIMUM VOLTAGE
MARKED.

SHORT-CIRCUIT VOLTAGE RATING

CURRENT
(RMS SYMMETRICAL (VOLTS AC, MANUFACTURER TYPE (AMPERES)
AMPERES X 1000) MAXIMUM)
10 480 MFG. A F1 1500

10 480 MFG. B F2 1500

Example for device to be protected by fuses above 10kA.

SHORT-CIRCUIT WITHSTAND/CLOSING RATING WHEN PROTECTED BY FUSES

WHEN PROTECTED BY A FUSE OF THE SPECIFIC FUSE CLASS AND MAXIMUM AMPERE RATING
AS MARKED BELOW, THIS TRANSFER SWITCH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN A CIRCUIT CAPABLE OF
DELIVERING THE SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT AT THE MAXIMUM VOLTAGE MARKED.

SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT VOLTAGE FUSE RATING

CLASS
(RMS SYMMETRICAL AMPERES X (VOLTS AC, (AMPERES)
1000) MAXIMUM)
65 480 J 1600
65 480 L 2000

2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association