ACB or MCCB ?

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 1 -

Emax or Tmax ?

Choice criteria
Choice criteria

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 2 -

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Choice criteria
Ratings

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 3 -

Rated uninterrupted current (Iu):

the rated uninterrupted current of an equipment is a value of
current, stated by the manufacturer, which the equipment
can carry in uninterrupted duty

IEC 60947-1 def. 4.3.2.4

Choice criteria
Ratings

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 4 -

Rated operational voltage (Ue):

a rated operational voltage of an equipment is a value of
voltage which, combined with a rated operational current,
determines the application of the equipment and to which the
relevant tests and the utilization categories are referred

IEC 60947-1 def. 4.3.1.1

Choice criteria

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 5 -

Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

Choice criteria
Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 6 -

Icu = RATED ULTIMATE SHORT

CIRCUIT BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC 60947-2 def. 4.3.5.2.1

Choice criteria
Ratings
Ultimate Short Circuit breaking capacity (Icu):
breaking capacity for which the prescribed conditions
according to a specified test sequence do not include the
capability of the C.B. to carry its rated current continuously

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 7 -

- test sequence: O - 3 min - CO

- dielectric withstand at 2 * Ue
- verification of overload release at 2.5 * Ir

Choice criteria
Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 8 -

Ics = RATED SERVICE SHORT

CIRCUIT BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC 60947-2 def. 4.3.5.2.2

Choice criteria
Ratings
Service Short Circuit breaking capacity (Ics):
breaking capacity for which the prescribed conditions
according to a specified test sequence include the capability
of the C.B. to carry its rated current continuously

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 9 -

- test sequence: O - 3 min - CO - 3 min - CO

- dielectric withstand at 2 * Ue
- verification of temperature rise at Ith
- verification of overload release at 1.45 * Ir
- operational performance capability

Choice criteria
main circuit breakers or circuit breakers for which a
long out-of-service period cannot be accepted (for
example naval installation)

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 10 -

Ics
CB selection
based on
Icu

IIcu
vs
I
vs
Icscs
cu

Normal/terminal circuits and/or more

economic applications

I fault 30 I n
<2%

I fault 0.5I k
< 1%

I fault 0.75 I k

10%
35%

I fault 10 I n

60%

I fault 5 I n

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 11 -

100% I fault I n

Choice criteria
Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 12 -

Icw = RATED SHORT-TIME WITHSTAND

CURRENT

IEC 60947-2 def. 4.3.5.5.4

Choice criteria
Ratings
Rated short-time withstand current of a circuit-breaker (Icw):
is the value of short-time withstand current assigned to that
circuit-breaker by the manufacturer under specified test
conditions.

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 13 -

It must be stated when the circuit-breaker is classified in

category B and its value must be greater than:
Iu2500A

the greater value between 12 Iu and 5 kA

Iu>2500A

30 kA
IEC 60947-2 table 3

Choice criteria
IEC 60947-2 table 4

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 14 -

Category B
Circuit-breakers specifically for selectivity in short circuit
conditions in relation to other protection devices in load-side
series, i.e. with an intentional delay (adjustable) applicable in
short circuit conditions. These circuit-breakers do have a
specified rated short-time current.

Choice criteria
Example of use of category B circuit breakers
in electrical plant

IIcw
cw
Trafo 630kVA
Ucc%=4%

ACB E1B12
400V

22.7kA

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 15 -

MCCB S4

MCCB S3

The upstream circuit

breaker can withstand
the fault current up to 1
sec, thus guaranteeing
an excellent selectivity
with downstream
apparatuses

Choice criteria
Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 16 -

Icm =

RATED SHORT-CIRCUIT MAKING

CAPACITY (peak value)

IEC 60947-2 def. 4.3.5.1

Choice criteria
Ratings
Rated Short Circuit making capacity (Icm):
making capacity for which the prescribed conditions according
to a specified test sequence include the capability of the C.B. to
make the current corresponding to that rated capacity at the
appropriate applied voltage

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 17 -

It is a fundamental value, which is often disregarded in the

apparatus choice.
It shall be: Icm Ipeak

Choice criteria

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 18 -

IIcm
cm

IEC 60947-2 tab. 2

Breaking capacity devaluation

Example: The perspective short-circuit current is 14.5 kA with cos = 0.2
(Trafo 400 kVA, Vcc = 4%)
The peak value is 14.5 x 2.2 = 31.9 kA

ABB SACE CE-EUP - 19 -

Since the very limit of circuit breakers is the dynamics weve to look for a circuit
breaker whose making capacity is higher than 31.9 kA.

In the range 10-20 kA the ratio is 2.0, therefore (31.9: 2) = 16 kA (15.95)

We need a breaker with Icu >= 16 kA even if the perspective current is only 14.5 kA.