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TechTopics No. 92
Heat generation estimation for SIMOVAC non-arc-resistant and
SIMOVAC-AR arc-resistant medium-voltage controllers

Siemens is often asked to provide estimated heat generation For the main bus, the data assumes operation at full-rated
data for our equipment. This issue of TechTopics provides continuous current.
information that allows calculation of approximate heat
To estimate the heat generated under actual loading
generated by the SIMOVAC non-arc-resistant and
conditions, determine the component heat generation for
SIMOVAC-AR arc-resistant medium-voltage controller
each of the components indicated in the table, with
equipment under assumed loading conditions.
adjustments if necessary for differing currents. For simplicity,
The heat generation data given in the table for motor assume that main bus loading in each vertical section is
controllers is on the basis of operation at 1.0 service factor, equal to the total estimated load of the controller lineup, and
and assumes that each controller includes a 0.75 kVA control adjust the heat generated for each vertical section by the
power transformer that is only lightly loaded when the motor square of the percentage of total estimated load to rated
is running. The current value for motor controllers is the main bus current. Space heater load should be assumed to
current typical for a machine using the fuse size shown. be continuous.
For transformer feeders with class E fuses installed in series
with a class E controller, it is assumed that the continuous
current in amperes is in the range of 70 percent to 80
percent of the E-rating of the fuse. For load-interrupter
switches (LIS) with fuses, fuse current is also assumed to be
in the range of 70 percent to 80 percent of the fuse E-rating.
As with motor controllers, the current used is considered
representative of the current for a transformer protected by
the fuse size shown.
For applications which differ from these assumptions,
convert the heat generation shown for the typical currents to
that for the specific application by the ratio of the squares of
the currents.

Answers for infrastructure and cities.

 Approximate heat generation (in watts) for SIMOVAC non-arc- Approximate heat generation (in watts) for SIMOVAC non-arc-
resistant and SIMOVAC-AR arc-resistant medium-voltage controllers resistant and SIMOVAC-AR arc-resistant medium-voltage controllers
Full-voltage Component FVNR
Fuse size Typical FLA1
Typical full- non-reversing size FVR
Component
Fuse size load amperes (FVNR)
size 38R 490 A 758 W
(FLA)1 Full-voltage
reversing (FVR) 48X 600 A 956 W

2R 27 A 43 W 57X 689 A 1,247 W

Contactor 720 A
3R 40 A 57 W 450E 348 A 503 W

4R 60 A 88 W 600E 451 A 724 W

6R 83 A 118 A 750E 520 A 956 W

9R 121 A 181 W Component FVNR

Fuse size Current
size FVR
12R 151 A 228 W
450E 348 A 439 W
18R 241 A 451 W LIS switch 600 A
600E 451 A 586 W
24R 343 A 692 W
LIS switch 750E 520 A 650 W
15E 11 A 22 W
1,200 A 900E 630 A 1,015 W
20E 14 A 24 W
FVNR
25E 18 A 27 W Component size Rated current
FVR
30E 21 A 30 W
1,200 A 188 W
40E 28 A 43 W
Contactor 400 A 2,000 A 206 W
50E 35 A 46 W Vertical section with main bus
3,000 A 250 W
65E 46 A 59 W
4,000 A 413 W
80E 56 A 70 W
FVNR
Component size
100E 72 A 87 W FVR
125E 88 A 104 W Space heaters per vertical section 200 W
150E 105 A 120 W Voltage transformers (VTs) (set of three, including
50 W
isolation switch)
175E 130 A 167 W
200E 140 A 186 W
250E 180 A 254 W Conversion factor: Watts x 3.415179 = BTU/hour.
300E 225 A 354 W Footnote:
350E 263 A 448 W
1
See text for assumptions used for typical current. For motors, typical
current is that for a machine typically protected by the size of fuse
400E 300 A 562 W
shown. For transformers, current is in the range of 70 percent to 80
450E 348 A 659 W percent of the fuse E-rating, with specific value considered typical
for a transformer protected by the fuse size shown.

2
As an example of the method of calculation, consider a
lineup of controllers with six vertical sections, with the
components shown in this table.

Component Quantity Watts/component Total

Vertical section with 3,000 A main bus, with total loading 2,200 A 6 220 x (2,200/3,000)2 = 108 W 648 W
Controllers 400 A with 12R fuses 3 228 W 684 W
Controller 400 A with 24R fuses 1 692 W 692 W
Controllers 400 A with 250E fuses 2 254 W 508 W
Controller 720 A with 57X fuses 1 1,247 W 1,247 W
600 A LIS with 450E fuses 1 439 W 439 W
Space heaters 6 200 W 1,200 W
VTs, one set of three 1 50 W 50 W
Total heat generation for assembly 5,468 W

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