Selective Coordination

Justin Schroeder, P.E.

Introduction
Definition
NEC coordination requirements
2011 and 2014 editions
NFPA 99-2012 requirements
NFPA 110-2013 requirements
Circuit breaker principles
Resources and product solutions
Challenges meeting the NEC requirements
Design guidelines
Summary
 Definition: What is selective coordination?

Article 100 defines selective coordination as

Coordination (Selective). Localization of an overcurrent
condition to restrict outages to the circuit or equipment
affected, accomplished by the selection and installation of
overcurrent protective devices and their ratings or settings for
Change the full range of available overcurrents, from overload to the
maximum available fault current, and for the full range of
overcurrent protective device opening times associated with
those overcurrents.

In other words
Only the overcurrent protective device (OCPD) nearest to a
fault should clear the fault
 Selective Coordination Definition
The concept of protective zones is a useful tool to visualize this.
UTILITY SERVICE

Fault in this zone CB M1

CB M1 Trips CB M1 PRIMARY
PROTECTIVE
ZONE
CB F1

Fault in this zone

Fault in this zone CB B1 Trips
CB F1 Trips
CB F1 PRIMARY
PROTECTIVE
ZONE

CB PM1

Fault in this zone CB B1

CB B1 PRIMARY PROTECTIVE ZONE

CB PM1 Trips

CB PM1 PRIMARY PROTECTIVE ZONE

 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 517 Health Care Facilities

517.17(B) Feeders.

Deleted the prohibition of a second step of GFPE on

the generator feeder
Change
2 levels of GFPE when main has GFPE per 230.95(C)
No GFPE on load side of ATS
517.17(C) Selectivity.
Deleted the requirement for 6 cycles of separation
GFPE must be selectively coordinated.
These changes should make coordination easier to
achieve
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 517 Health Care Facilities

517.26 Application of Other Articles.
The life safety branch of the essential electrical system shall
meet the requirements of Article 700, except as amended by
Article 517 and NFPA 99 Chapter 6.
Change Informational Note No. 1: For additional information see NFPA
110-2010, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power
Systems.
Informational Note No. 2: For additional information see 517.30
and NFPA 99 Chapter 6.
 Typical Health-Care Facility Electrical System
(Informational Note Figure 517.30)

Change
Must meet
Article 700 per
2014 edition

Changed to
branch in 2014
edition

Deleted in
2014 edition
Must meet Article 700 per 2005-2011 editions
 Definitions
The equipment system (Equipment Branch) Meant for
essential equipment loads
Feeds pumps, control systems, vacuums, essential
heating, one elevator.
Can be fed by an alternate source at appropriate time-lag
Change
intervals.
The emergency system
Life safety loads (Life safety Branch) Meant for egress
Exit signs
Elevators
Automatic doors

Critical loads (Critical Branch) Meant for patient care

Select receptacles, power circuits related to patient
care, task illumination
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 517 Health Care Facilities

517.30 Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals.
(G) Coordination. Overcurrent protective devices serving the
essential electrical system shall be coordinated for the period
of time that a faults duration extends beyond 0.1 second.
New Exception No. 1: Between transformer primary and secondary
overcurrent protective devices, where only one overcurrent
protective device or set of overcurrent protective devices exists
on the transformer secondary.
Exception No. 2: Between overcurrent protective devices of
the same size (ampere rating) in series.
Informational Note: The terms coordination and coordinated as
used in this section do not cover the full range of overcurrent
conditions.
Exception No 1

150A FEEDER
SGHA
Frame 400 A
Sensor/Trip 150.0 A

P
75 KVA TRANSFORMER
S 75 kVA
Pri 480 V
Sec 208 V
Z = 5.00 %

250A MAIN
SFLA
Frame 250 A
Sensor/Trip 250.0 A

PANEL
208 V
Exception No. 2

MAIN PANEL
480 V

400A FEEDER
HJXD6-A
Frame 400 A
Sensor/Trip 400.0 A

CBL
100 ft
1 per phase
500 AWG/kcmil
THHN
Magnetic
Copper

400A MAIN
HJ6
Frame 400 A
Sensor/Trip 400.0 A

PANEL
480 V
Cable Riser Example
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 620 Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, Moving

Sidewalks, Wheelchair Lifts, and Stairway Lift Chairs
620.62 Selective Coordination.
Where more than one driving machine disconnecting means
is supplied by a single feeder, the overcurrent protective
devices in each disconnecting means shall be selectively
coordinated with any other supply side overcurrent protective
devices. Selective Coordination shall be selected by a
licensed professional engineer or other qualified persons
engaged primarily in the design, installation, or
Change maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall be
documented and made available to those authorized to
design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate the system.
 Inspection Form

Inspection form helps assure

the AHJ that the equipment
supplied and installed meets
code requirements.

http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/
dam/public/bussmann/Electrical/Resourc
es/solution-
center/electrical_inspector_tools/BUS_El
e_Selective_Coord_Req_ChkList.pdf
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

New Article 645 Information Technology Equipment

645.2 Definitions.
Critical Operations Data System. An information technology
equipment system that requires continuous operation for
reasons of public safety, emergency management, national
security, or business continuity.

645.27 Selective Coordination. Critical operations data

system(s) overcurrent protective devices shall be selectively
coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective
devices.
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 695 Fire Pumps

695.3 Power Source(s) for Electric Motor-Driven Fire
Pumps.
(C) Multibuilding Campus-Style Complexes.
New
(3) Selective Coordination.
The overcurrent protective device(s) in each disconnecting
means shall be selectively coordinated with any other supply-
side overcurrent protective device(s).
NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 700 Emergency Systems

700.28 Selective Coordination. Emergency system(s)
overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all
supply-side overcurrent protective devices.
Article 701 Legally Required Standby Systems
701.27 Selective Coordination. Legally required standby
system(s) overcurrent devices shall be selectively
coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective
devices.
Exception to Both
Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required
between two overcurrent devices located in series if no loads
are connected in parallel with the downstream device.
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Articles 700 Emergency Systems and 701 Legally

Required Standby Systems
Added to 700.28 and 701.27
Selective coordination shall be selected by a licensed
professional engineer or other qualified persons
engaged primarily in the design, installation, or
Change
maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall
be documented and made available to those authorized
to design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate the
system.
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 708 Critical Operations Power Systems

Added to 708.52(D) GFPE selectivity
Separation of ground-fault protection time-current
characteristics shall conform to the manufacturers
Change recommendations and shall consider all required
tolerances and disconnect operating time to achieve
100 percent selectivity.

Same text as 517.17(C) GFPE selectivity for health care

facilities
 NEC Selective Coordination Requirements

Article 708 Critical Operations Power Systems

708.54 Selective Coordination. Critical operations power
system(s) overcurrent devices shall be selectively
coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective
devices.
Selective coordination shall be selected by a licensed
professional engineer or other qualified persons engaged
primarily in the design, installation, or maintenance of
electrical systems. The selection shall be documented and
made available to those authorized to design, install,
Change inspect, maintain, and operate the system.
Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required
between two overcurrent devices located in series if no
loads are connected in parallel with the downstream device.
 Where is it required again?

Article 620 Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, Moving Sidewalks,

Wheelchair Lifts, and Stairway Lift Chairs
Article 645 Information Technology Equipment (Critical Operation Data
Systems)
Article 695 Fire Pumps campus style building layouts
Article 700 Emergency Systems
Article 701 Legally Required Standby Systems
Article 708 Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS)
 2014 NEC Errata: Deleted Figures

Oops!
 State Adoptions of NFPA -70 (NEC)

http://www.nema.org/Technical/Code-Alerts/pages/default.aspx

GA adopted the 2014 edition at the beginning of 2015

FL, SC, NC, AL are all still on 2011
TN 2008 with 2009 amendments

How does this affect you?

Different states will have different requirements and amendments to
different code cycles so be aware! Currently in GA, the 2014 code has
been adopted.
NEC-2014 went to great lengths to standardize their terminology and
definitions which may mean slightly different things to older code cycles.
 NFPA 99-2012 Health Care Facilities Code

Added three new sections* to read:

Overcurrent protective devices serving the essential electrical
system shall be selectively coordinated down to 0.1 seconds.

Added three new annex sections** to read:

Change It is important that the various overcurrent devices be
coordinated, as far as practicable, to isolate faulted circuits
and to protect against cascading operation on short circuit
faults. In many systems, however, full coordination could
compromise safety and system reliability

* 6.4.2.1.2.1, 6.5.2.1.1.1, 6.6.2.1.1.1 ** A.6.4.2.1.2, A.6.5.2.1.1, A6.6.2.1.1

NFPA 110-2013 Standard for Emergency
and Standby Power Systems
6.5 Protection.
6.5.1 General. The overcurrent protective devices in the
EPSS shall be coordinated to optimize selective tripping of
the circuit overcurrent protective devices when a short circuit
occurs.
6.5.2 Short Circuit Current. The maximum available short
circuit current from both the utility source and the emergency
energy source shall be evaluated for the ability to satisfy this
coordination capability.

A.6.5.1 It is important that the various overcurrent devices be

coordinated, as far as practicable, to isolate faulted circuits
and to protect against cascading operation on short circuit
faults. In many systems, however, full coordination is not
practicable without using equipment that could be
prohibitively costly or undesirable for other reasons
Do NFPA 99-2012 and NFPA 110-2013
conflict with the NEC? No!
NFPA 70 (NEC)
This Code covers the installation of electrical conductors,
equipment,
NFPA 99
Chapter 6 covers the performance, maintenance and testing
of electrical systems
NFPA 110
This standard covers performance requirements for
emergency and standby power systems
Standards Council
NFPA 99 is considered the performance requirement and the
NEC is considered the installation requirement. (Similar
statement made regarding NFPA 110)
 Circuit Breaker Principles

Overload Instantaneous Time-Current Curves (TCCs)

Region Region
Developed by testing a single circuit
breaker by itself
Two regions
Overload region: where the circuit
T
breaker has an inverse time
I characteristic
M
E Instantaneous region: where the
circuit breaker operates
instantaneously
The instantaneous region is typically
CURRENT difficult to coordinate for two OCPDs
connected in series
Source: IEC/TR 61912-2
 Circuit Breaker Principles

Selective Coordination with 2 Circuit Breakers in Series:

CURRENT IN AMP ER ES
Time-Current Curves (TCCs) vs. Tested Levels
100K
10K
100

1K

10

TCCs
1000 1000

100 100
Developed by testing a circuit breaker by itself
10 10
In the instantaneous region may not be valid for two
circuit breakers connected in series
TIME IN SECONDS

1 1

Tested Levels
0.10

Take into account the current limiting properties and

0.10

0.01
10
0.01
dynamic impedance of circuit breakers
1K

100K
10K
100

Developed by comparing the actual let-through current

of the downstream circuit breaker with minimum
instantaneous trip of the upstream circuit breaker
Same principle as fuse ratio tables
Resources

Manufacturer references?
Comparable selective coordination tables and tools are
available from Schneider Electric, Eaton, GE and Siemens.

3rd Party System Analysis Software

Selective coordination information available in SKM, ETAP
and Easypower products

NEMA ABP 1-2010 Selective Coordination White Paper

Provides guidance on how to comply with selective
coordination requirements for design engineers and
AHJs.
Challenges Meeting the NEC

Is selective coordination required up to both the

normal and alternate sources, or only up to the
alternate source?
700.1 Scope.
The provisions of this article apply toemergency
systemsintended to supply, distribute, and control
electricitywhen the normal electrical supply or
system is interrupted
These systems are intended to automatically supply
illumination, power, or bothin the event of failure of
the normal supply...
The scope seems to imply only up to the alternate
source
Challenges Meeting the NEC

Is selective coordination required up to both the

normal and alternate sources, or only up to the
alternate source?
Appendix B.1 of NFPA 110 seems to imply only up to the
alternate source
Challenges Meeting the NEC

Is selective coordination required up to both the

normal and alternate sources, or only up to the
alternate source?
700.28 Coordination.
Emergency system(s) overcurrent devices shall be
selectively coordinated with all supply side
overcurrent protective devices.

Some interpret all to mean up to both sources

Challenges Meeting the NEC

Is selective coordination required up to both the

normal and alternate sources, or only up to the
alternate source?
2011 NEC proposal 13-197 panel statement:
devices in the normal sourceare outside the scope of
Article 700.
Use NEC Selective CoordinationUp to Which
Source? (0600DB0902) to convince the AHJ that total
coordination is required only up to the alternate source
Level of coordination up to the normal source is a
matter of engineering judgment
In the 2014 NEC revision cycle CMP13 reversed itself,
stating that selective coordination is required up to both
sources (ROP 13-124 & ROC 13-83) March 8, 2012
 Selective Coordination Update

Common misunderstandings and pitfalls

Terminology review 0.1s versus total
We dont say 0.01s, 0.05s, 0.001s, etc.
0.1s selectivity determined by TCCs accounts for all initial
arcing and ground faults
Total selectivity determined by tables comparing tested load-
side let-throughs and line-side instantaneous trips* (AND TCCs)
selective for the entire operating ranges of the protective
devices and for all levels of available fault current
0.01s terminology used, we believe mistakenly, intended for
total coordination
* - SC selectivity based on test information
 Selective Coordination Update

Common misunderstandings
and pitfalls
Why we dont say 0.01s, 0.05s,
0.001s, etc.
If the fault current exceeds
their current limiting point,
current limiting fuses operate
in less than 0.01s
Current limiting fuses that
coordinate down to 0.01s may
not be coordinated at higher
fault currents
Current limiting fuse TCCs cut
off at 0.01s because only the
ratio tables can be used to
evaluate total coordination
below that point
Challenges Meeting the NEC

Cautions
Make sure automatic transfer switches have an
adequate withstand rating (30 cycle ratings vs. 3
cycle ratings)
May need to move the switch away from the
source, or
May need to increase the frame size of the
switch, or
May need to specify a switch with a higher
withstand rating (more than 3 cycles)
Make sure busway has adequate withstand ratings
 Challenges Meeting the NEC
Cautions
Make sure the generator protection devices
Short-circuit
Decrement coordinate with the downstream circuit
Curve of breakers
250 kW
Generator Some manufacturers provide a time delay
Plotted on
300 A LA Generator fault current
curve
SCAgen = Gen FLC / xd
xd => generator subtransient reactance
Gen FLC = kVA / (kVL-L * 3)
Challenges Meeting the NEC

Cautions
Mixing Overcurrent Protective Devices

TCCs may be used so long as the fault current does not

exceed the instantaneous trip point of the upstream
circuit breaker or current limiting point of the upstream
fuse
OCPDs from different manufacturers or of different
types usually cannot be mixed if the fault current is
outside the parameters described above
Challenges Meeting the NEC

Cautions
Arc Flash
Selective coordination may impact
arc flash incident energy levels
May be possible to reduce with
Zone Selective Interlocking
Use of breakers LSI rather than
the traditional thermal magnetic
breaker.
Other means
Design Guidelines
Conduct Preliminary Short-Circuit & Selective
Coordination Studies First
Reduce the number of levels (buses) that need to be
coordinated to 3 or 4 if possible
Before letting a job out for bid, conduct preliminary short
circuit and selective coordination studies first as they may
affect the system design
Consider 3-phase and ground fault currents
If a lack of coordination seems to exist using the TCCs,
use the Short Circuit Selective Coordination Tables
Work from the Bottom Up
Starting from the bottom of the system, coordinate the branch
lighting panels first, then the power distribution panels, then
the switchboard or switchgear
 Design Guidelines

Name: PD-0001
Overlapping Curves
Manufacturer: *SQUARE D

If there is no overlap of the curves at any

Type: LA, LH/MC
Frame/Model: 250A
Trip: 225 A
Voltage: 240 V
Settings: Phase
Fixed
point below the available short circuit
current at the downstream panel, the
circuit breakers are totally coordinated
If there is overlap in the short circuit
Name: PD-0006
Manufacturer: *SQUARED
Type: QO, 1P
Frame/Model: 20A
Trip: 20 A

region, use the short circuit selective

Voltage: 240 V
Settings: Phase
Fixed (730-3)

coordination tables

Downstream Available Short Circuit

Current
 Design Guidelines

Nest Curves
Name: PD-0001
The time-current curve of a thermal-
magnetic circuit breaker can
Manufacturer: SQUARED
Type: POWERPACT P-Frame, 3.0 & 3.0A
Frame/Model: PG
Trip: 250 A

sometimes be nested underneath the

Voltage: 480 V
Settings: Phase
LTPU/LTD (A 0.4-1.0 x S) 1 (250A); 0.5
INST PG 250-1200 (1.5-12 X S) 6 (1500A)

time-current curve of an upstream

Name: PD-0006
Manufacturer: *SQUARE D
Type: EG
Frame/Model: 20A
electronic trip circuit breaker
Trip: 20 A
Voltage: 480 V
Settings: Phase
Fixed

Downstream Available Short Circuit

Current
Design Guidelines

Lighting Panelboard Recommendations

Dont feed lighting panelboards from lighting
panelboards unless there is a transformer in between
Better levels of selective coordination are available with
225 A and larger panelboards, (larger selection of
breakers)
Consider using main lugs panels, particularly at 277 V
Dont daisy chain panel risers
Design Guidelines

Ground Fault
Make sure system is selectively coordinated for ground
faults
Make sure the GFPE also coordinates with the
downstream phase overcurrent devices, not just the
downstream GFPE
Design Guidelines
Transformers
Use the higher protection limits in Article 450 (e.g. 250%
instead of 125% FLA on the primary)
Consider 30 to 75 KVA transformers100 to 225 amp
panelboards with Mission Critical Mains
Increase the Frame Size of the Upstream Circuit Breaker
The upstream circuit breaker should be at least one frame
size larger than the downstream circuit breaker. This may
necessitate increasing the size of panelboards and feeder
conductors.
Very high levels of short circuit selective coordination may be
achieved by using high amp frame electronic trip circuit
breakers with low amp sensors and/or lower ampere rating
adjustments
Design Guidelines

Rarely needed, but as a last resort...

Change the Upstream Circuit Breaker Type
Insulated case circuit breakers or low voltage power circuit
breakers
Reduce the Voltage
If the desired level of selective coordination cannot be
achieved using a 480Y/277 Vac panelboard, consider feeding
a 208Y/120 Vac panelboard through a transformer
Split Up Some of the Loads
Multiple smaller transformers
Insert Impedance
Longer run of wire, 1:1 or higher impedance transformer or
reactors
Design Guidelines

What if the AHJ requires selective coordination up to

both the alternate and normal sources?
1. Conduct a preliminary short circuit study from the source
that can potentially produce the highest SCA to the
bottom of the system
2. Conduct a preliminary selective coordination study on
that part of the system
3. Conduct a preliminary short circuit study from the other
source to the first bus on the load side of the transfer
switch(es)
4. Conduct a preliminary selective coordination study from
the other source to the transfer switch feeder(s)
Design Guidelines

Field Adjustment
Dont neglect to properly adjust circuit breakers in the field as
they are often shipped from the factory with all but the
ampere-rating switch in the lowest position
Summary

Use the correct terminology!

Terms to use
Coordination
System to be coordinated to 0.1 s
Selective coordination
System to be selectively coordinated

DO NOT use coordination to 0.01s when selective

coordination is desired
 Summary

Coordination to
System Which Source What Level Reference(s)
Healthcare essential electrical Alternate 1. Optimize as far as 1. NEC-2011 700.1, 700.27; NFPA
practicable 110 6.5.1
2. 0.1s 2. NEC-2014 517.30(G), NFPA 99-
2012

Healthcare GFPE Normal & alternate Total NEC 517.17(C)

Elevator Normal 1. Unspecified 1. NEC-2011 620.62
2. Total 2. NEC-2014 620.62

Fire pump feeders in multi- Normal 1. Unspecified 1. NEC-2011 695.3(C)(3)

building campus 2. Total 2. NEC-2014 695.3(C)(3)

Emergency Alternate 1. Optimize as far as 1. NEC-2011 700.1, 700.27; NFPA

practicable 110 6.5.1
2. Total 2. NEC-2014 700.28
Legally required Alternate 1. Optimize as far as 1. NEC-2011 701.1, 701.27; NFPA
practicable 110 6.5.1
2. Total 2. NEC-2014 701.1, 701.27
COPS Alternate 1. Optimize as far as 1. NEC-2011 708.1, 708.54; NFPA
practicable 110 6.5.1
2. Total 2. NEC-2011 708.1, 708.54
 Questions???

Thank you!!!
Justin Schroeder, P.E.
Schneider Electric USA
2979 Pacific Drive, Suite E
Norcross, GA 30071
Justin.Schroeder@schneider-electric.com
Phone: 770-734-1367