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(Article published in the March 2007 issue of “HYDEL” – the technical journal of the
KSEB Engineers’ Association)
Rated ultimate short circuit breaking Time Intervals: Closing & opening
capacity (Icu): It is the value of ultimate operations of a switching device may be
short circuit breaking capacity (a defined by following times:
breaking capacity for which the
prescribed conditions according to a Opening Time: It is the interval of time
specified test sequence do not include between the specified instant of
the capability of the circuit breaker to initiation of the opening operation & the
carry its rated current continuously) instant when the arcing contacts have
assigned to that circuit breaker by the separated in all poles. The instant of
manufacturer for the corresponding initiation of the opening operation
rated operational voltage, under means the instant of the application of
specified conditions. It is expressed as the opening command, e.g. energizing
the value of the prospective breaking the release etc. In case of a directly
current, in kA (r.m.s.). operated circuit breaker, the instant of
initiation of the opening time is the
Rated service short circuit breaking instant of initiation of a current large
capacity (Icn): It is the value of service enough to cause the circuit breaker to
short circuit breaking capacity (a operate. In the case of a circuit breaker
breaking capacity for which the operated by any form of auxiliary
prescribed conditions according to a power, the instant of initiation of the
specified test sequence include the opening time is the instant of
capability of the circuit breaker to carry application of the auxiliary power to the
its rated current continuously) assigned opening release. For circuit breakers
to that circuit breaker by the opening time is commonly referred to as
manufacturer for the corresponding tripping time, although, strictly
rated operational voltage, under speaking, tripping time applies to the
specified conditions. It is expressed as time between the instant of initiation of
the value of the prospective breaking the opening time and the instant when
current, in kA (r.m.s.), corresponding to the opening command becomes
one of the specified percentages of the irreversible.
rated ultimate short circuit breaking
capacity. Arcing Time: It is the interval of time
between the instant of initiation of the
arc in a pole or a fuse & the instant of
Utilization Utilization final arc extinction in that pole or that
Category A (Ics as Category B (Ics as fuse. In a multiple-pole switching
a % of Icu) a % of Icu) device, it will be the interval of time
25 - between the instant of the first initiation
50 50 of an arc & the instant of final arc
75 75 extinction in all poles.
100 100
Break Time: It is the interval of time
between the beginning of the opening
time of a mechanical switching device Mechanical Life: It is the number of no-
(or the pre-arcing time of a fuse) & the load switching operations (i.e. with
end of the arcing time. no current flowing through the
Make Time: It is the interval of time poles) which the switching device
between the initiation of the closing can perform without mechanical
operation and the instant when the failure.
current begins to flow in the main
circuit.
Max. allowable
value of 24 hour
average + 35°C
Lowest allowable
value - 5° C
Humidity:
Relative humidity 50% at 40°C
Altitude: Max.
altitude (above
sea level) 2000m