ABB Automation & Power World - May 18-20, 2010

Connect. Learn. Succeed.

Understanding low voltage distribution systems
Presenter: Gabriel Arce Product Marketing
Swgr/Swbd/Pb
ABB Inc.
September 6, 2017 | Slide 1
Learning Objective

Students will be able to:

Identify basic facts of low voltage

distribution systems
Understand theory of low voltage
switchgear, switchboard, MCCs, and
panelboard standards and applications
Perform an accurate assessment in
determining required equipment
Understanding Low Voltage Distribution Systems
Overview

Distribution Equipment Understanding

Standards Standards

Specs and One lines Reading specs and

one lines

LV Switchgear What is a switchgear?

LV MCC What is an MCC?

LV Switchboards What is a
Switchboard?
LV Panelboards What is a
Panelboard?

ABB Group
September 6, 2017 | Slide 3
Distribution Equipment Standards
Distribution Equipment Standards

UL - Underwriters Laboratories: product

safety
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers Standards
IEC - International Electrotechnical
Commission
CSA Canadian Standards Assemblies
NOM Normas Officiales Mexicanas
Distribution Equipment Standards
UL and IEEE Standards

UL 1558 Switchgear Assemblies

Defines construction limitations and testing criteria for rear
access switchgear
Adopts IEEE C37.20.1 which relates to detail design
criteria. No testing required as long as guidelines are met
UL 891 Switchboard Assemblies
Defines construction limitations and testing criteria for
switchboard of 600Vac and below
UL 845 Motor Control Centers
Defines construction limitations and testing criteria for
motor control centers of 600Vac and below
UL 67 Panelboards
Defines construction limitations and testing criteria for
panelboards of 600Vac and below
Distribution Equipment Standards
UL and IEEE Standards

UL does not require any BIL testing, lower power frequency

test voltage
Clearances are clearly defined
Short circuit duration is tested at a voltage of 635Vac
There is no arc resistant standard for MCCs but one for low
voltage switchgear ANSI C37.20.7
No electromagnetic compatibility is required
Distribution Equipment Standards
IEC Standards

International Electrotechnical Commission

Founded in 1904 in St. Louis, MO
Recognized by the World Trade Organization
Consists of over 50 National Committees, each having
equal voting rights
Represents 85 % of the worlds population and 95 % of
the electric energy produced and consumed
IEC 60439 and NEW! 61439 One standard that
covers switchgear, motor control centers, switchboards,
and panelboards
Focuses on electrical characteristics and not so much
on mechanical construction
Requires all equipment to meet arc proof standard IEC
61641
Distribution Equipment Standards
IEC Standards

IEC requires a BIL test with 1.2/50 required, higher power

frequency test voltage
Creepage distances are defined based on material quality,
clearances defined based on over-voltage category
General rules, electro-mechanic interlocking preferred
Distribution Equipment Standards
CSA and NOM Standards

CSA - Canadian Standard Assemblies

All low voltage products for Canada must meet this
standard
Adopts UL standards such as 1558, 891, 845, and 67
NOM Normas Oficiales Mexicanas
Adopts UL standards and CSA into one common
standard for North America
Not all products are included: Motor Control Centers
adopt it for Mexico market
Specs and One lines
One-Lines
One-Lines

480 V
M1

Motor Control Center

One-Lines

Voltage, short ckt, and amperage

Device information
Overall One Line
MV Switchgear

13.8kV Oil Filled Transformer

Oil Filled Transformer

Load Interrupter
Secondary
Switchgear
Dry Type Power
Transformer
Low Voltage Power Distribution

480V
LV Switchgear

LVNQ
LV Switchboard
I
O off

M M

O O Motors
LV Motor O

O O

I
O off Control Center O
I
O

O O

O O

Panel Board O
I
O

Custom Panels
Specs
LV Switchgear
Section 26. 26 00.11
Low Voltage Metal-Enclosed Drawout Switchgear (MaxSG)

Part 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.01 SUMMARY

A This specification defines low voltage metal-enclosed switchgear assemblies utilitzing ABB
MaxSG Low Voltage Metal-Enclosed Draw-out Switchgear Assemblies constructed to ANSI
C37.20.1 standards, UL 1558.

B Circuit breakers shall be draw-out type ABB Emax circuit breakers with ABB electronic trip
units. Circuit breakers shall have interrupting ratings and withstand capabilities to meet
system application. Circuit breakers shall be available in 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200,
and 4000 A frame sizes.

1.02 STANDARDS

A Switchgear shall be designed, manufactured and tested in accordance with the following:

1. ANSI C37.20.1 Metal-Enclosed Low Voltage Power Circuit Breaker Switchgear

2. ANSI C37.50 Test Procedure for Low Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used in
Enclosures

3. ANSI C37.51 Conformance Testing of Metal-Enclosed Low Voltage AC Power Circuit

Breaker Switchgear Assemblies

4. UL 1558 Metal-Enclosed Low Voltage Power Circuit Breaker Switchgear

5. CSA C22.2 No 31 Switchgear Assemblies

B Main and Feeder Circuit Breakers used in MaxSG shall be designed, manufactured and tested
in accordance with the following:

1. ANSI C37.13 Low Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used in Enclosures

Specs
LV Switchboard
SECTION 26 24 13.10 SWITCHBOARDS (Long)
Main C/B Fixed or Drawout
Two-Step Stored Energy Electronic Trip Molded Case
Distribution C/B's Group &/or Individually Mounted
Electronic Trip Molded Case 100%
Electronic Trip Molded Case 80%
Thermal Magnetic Molded Case
PART 1 GENERAL
1.01 SECTION INCLUDES
A. Main Switchboard - Furnish and install the Service Entrance switchboard(s) as herein specified
and shown on the associated electrical drawings.
B. Distribution Switchboard - Furnish and install the Distribution Switchboard(s) as herein
specified and shown on the associated electrical drawings
1.02 REFERENCES
The switchboard(s) and overcurrent protection devices referenced herein are designed and
manufactured
according to the following appropriate specifications.
A. ANSI/NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code (NEC).
B. ANSI/IEEE C12.16 - Solid-State Electricity Metering.
C. ANSI C57.13 - Instrument Transformers.
D. NEMA AB 1 - Molded Case Circuit Breakers and Molded Case Switches.
E. NEMA PB 2 - Deadfront Distribution Switchboards, File E8681
F. NEMA PB 2.1 - Proper Handling, Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Deadfront
Switchboards Rated 600 Volts or Less.
G. NEMA PB 2.2 - Application Guide for Ground Fault Protective Devices for Equipment.
H. UL 50 - Cabinets and Boxes.
I. UL 98 - Enclosed and Dead Front Switches.
J. UL 489 - Molded Case Circuit Breakers.
K. UL 891 - Dead-Front Switchboards.
L. UL 943 - Standard for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters.
M. Federal Specification W-C-375B/Gen - Circuit Breakers, Molded Case, Branch Circuit and
Service.
Specs
LV Motor Control Center
Section 26. 26 00.12
Low Voltage Motor Control Centers (MNS-MCC)

Part 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.01 SUMMARY

A This specification defines the requirements for low voltage motor control centers
utilizing ABB MNS-MCC Low Voltage Motor Control Centers constructed to UL
845. Motor Control Centers as specified and as shown on the contract drawings
shall be furnished and installed by the contractor.

1.02 STANDARDS

A Switchgear shall be designed, manufactured and tested in accordance with the

following:

1. UL 845 Low Voltage Motor Control Centers

2. CSA C22.2 Canadian Standard Assemblies

3. NOM NMXJ353 Official Mexican Norms

4. UL 489 - Molded Case Circuit Breakers

5. UL1066 Low Voltage AC and DC Power Circuit Breakers Used in

Enclosures
Specs
LV Panelboard
SECTION 16470
PANELBOARDS

PART 1 GENERAL

1.01 SCOPE
A. The Contractor shall furnish and install the panelboards as specified and as shown on the
contract drawings.

1.02 RELATED SECTIONS

A. Sections 16147A, B, C & D Lighting Control System
B. Section 16475 Circuit Breakers and Fusible Switches Low Voltage
C. Section 16671A Transient Voltage Surge Suppression

1.03 REFERENCES
A. The panelboards and all components shall be designed, manufactured and tested in
accordance with the latest applicable standards of NEMA and UL as follows:
1. UL 67 Panelboards
2. UL 50 Cabinets and boxes
3. NEMA PB1
4. Fed. Spec. W-P-115C
5. Circuit breaker Type I class I

1.04 FUSIBLE SWITCH TYPE II CLASS I

LV Switchgear
LV Switchgear
Definition

Switchgear A
switching/interrupting device used
in combination with generation,
transmission, distribution, and
conversion of electrical power for
controlling, metering protecting
and regulating devices.
LV Switchgear
Switchgear Standards

UL 1558 Metal-Enclosed Low Voltage

Power Circuit Breaker Switchgear
ANSI C37.20.1 Metal-Enclosed Low
Voltage Power Circuit Breaker Switchgear
ANSI C37.50 Test Procedure for Low
Voltage AC Power Circuit Breakers Used
in Enclosures
ANSI C37.51 Conformance Testing of
Metal-Enclosed Low Voltage AC Power
Circuit Breaker Switchgear Assemblies
CSA C22.2 No. 31 Switchgear
Assemblies
IBC-2006 Seismic Qualification
LV Switchgear
Circuit Breaker Standards

ANSI C37.13 LV AC Power Circuit

Breakers Used in Equipment
ANSI C37.16 Preferred Rating, Related
Requirement, Application
Recommendations For LV Power Circuit
Breakers and AC Power Circuit Protectors
ANSI C37.50 Testing of Low Voltage AC
Power Circuit Breakers
UL 1066 Low Voltage Power Circuit
Breakers
LV Switchgear
Features

Uses only drawout low voltage power-air

circuit breakers
Rear accessible
Developed in a user/specified environment

Service continuity - Long Short Time Ratings

Equipment performance

Safety and fire protection is highly considered

Maintained by trained personnel

Available arc resistant standard

LV Switchgear
Features

Bus Bar Sizing - Thermal 65C Rise.

Must also measure CB contact and
cluster temperature
Bus Rated Short Circuit - 3 on load
side, 4 cycles, 100% at full voltage
Short-time Bus Withstand Rating
(without breakers) - 3 short on load
side of bus for 30 cycles (short time
rating) at 15% power factor
Voltage Testing - conditions may vary
beyond standard and stipulate
maximum voltage levels at nominal plus
5.8% (i.e. 480V nom, 508V max)
Dielectric Test at 2200V all the time
LV Switchgear
Features

Internal Wiring 14 gauge SIS

Breaker Enclosure - 11 gauge
Bus Joints - Bolted connections to
meet temperature rise requirements
Bus Insulation can be insulated or
not
Cable Connections - Stationary
load bus and lugs in rear cable
compartment
Drawout Devices - Defined 4
positions
Doors Over Devices - Hinged doors
required over circuit breakers
LV Switchgear
Breaker Positions
LV Switchgear
Breaker Positions
LV Switchgear
Applications

Used with solidly grounded systems, ungrounded systems,

low resistance grounding systems, high resistance
grounded systems, and reactance grounding
Short circuit ratings are typically based on coordination and
are 42kA and above
Used in combination with metering, protective, and
regulating equipment to protect and control motors,
generators, transformers, and transmission and distribution
lines
Used in most industries to distribute power
Double ended systems are typically provided in most
scenarios
LV Switchboards
LV Switchboard
Definition

Switchboard A large single electric

control panel, frame, or assembly of
panels on which are mounted (either on
the back or on the face, or both) switches,
overcurrent and other protective devices,
buses, and usually instruments; not
intended for installation in a cabinet but
may be completely enclosed in metal;
usually is accessible from both the front
and rear.
LV Switchboard
Standards

UL 891 Low Voltage Switchboards

CSA C22.2 No. 244-05 Canadian
Standards Association
ANCE NMX-J-1182/2 Association of
Standardization and Certification
ANCE-2006
IEEE-STD-693-2005 Seismic
Qualification
CSA C22.2 No. 31 Switchgear
Assemblies
IBC-2006 Seismic Qualification
LV Switchboard
Circuit Breaker Standards

Switchboards allow use of both air power circuit breakers,

molded case breakers, and fusible disconnects in some
cases that meet the following standards.
UL 1066 Low Voltage Power Circuit Breakers
UL 489 - Molded Case Breakers
UL 508 and 977 Fusible Switches
LV Switchboard
Features

Uses low voltage drawout or fixed power-air

circuit breakers and molded case breakers
Front or rear accessible
Provides group mounted sections which utilize
molded case breakers

Dimensions are smaller than switchgear

Lower cost compared to switchgear (range

between 15 to 50% lower)

Can be built as compartmentalized as

switchgear or with no compartments
LV Switchboard
Features

Bus Bar Sizing - Thermal 65C Rise.

Bus Rated Short Circuit - 3 on load
side, 4 cycles, 100% at full voltage
Short-time Bus Withstand Rating
(without breakers) - - 3 short on load
side of bus for 3 cycles (short time
rating) at 20% power factor
Voltage Testing based on system
nominal rating levels (i.e. 240V, 480V,
600V)
Dielectric Test at 1000V all the time
LV Switchboard
Features

Internal Wiring No specific size

required
Breaker Enclosure - Can vary
Bus Joints - Bolted connections to
meet temperature rise requirements
Bus No insulation on standard
switchboard
Cable Connections No specific
compartment designed, but all wiring
bending spaces must be met
Covers - Hinged doors or standard
covers can be used for over circuit
breakers to provide a deadfront
LV Switchboard
Applications

Typically used with solidly grounded systems

Short circuit ratings can be lower than 65kA with the use of
group mounted sections
Used as permanent or temporary power
Typically used to route electricity and operate circuits
LV Motor Control Centers (MCCs)
LV Motor Control Center (MCCs)
Definition

Motor Control Center - is an assembly

of one or more enclosed sections
having a common power bus and
principally containing motor control
units. MCCs are in modern practice a
factory assembly of several motor
starters.
LV Motor Control Center (MCCs)
History

Motor control centers (MCCs) were first introduced in 1937 as a

way to conserve wall and/or floor space in industrial facilities.

Before 1960, wall-mounted motor starters were used even if only

a few motors were involved. Relays were housed in separate
control cabinets.

Today, even if a few motor starters are needed, they're typically

installed within a standardized vertical enclosure with all the
required relays, instruments, and controls. Overall, the same
requirement today often dictates the use of MCCs in new
installations.

However, unlike the '50s, when the vast majority of loads served
by MCCs were electric motors with across-the-line starters,
today's MCCs can accommodate a wide variety of different
devices required in modern facilities.
LV Motor Control Center (MCCs)
Standards

UL845 Low Voltage Motor Control

Centers
UL50 Enclosures for Electrical
Equipment
NOM NMXJ853 Normas Oficiales
Mexicanas
NFPA 70E National Electric Code
Safety Requirements
NFPA 70 National Electric Code
NEMAICS 1B Motor Control Centers
NEMA 250 Enclosures for Electrical
Equipment
IEEE 1584 Arc Flash Calculations
Standard
LV Motor Control Center (MCCs)
Standards

CSA C22.2 Canadian Low Voltage

Electrical Equipment
ANSI C84.1 Voltage Tolerances for
North America
Seismic Qualification to IBC-2006 and
CBC-2007, AC156, Shake-Table Testing
for Nonstructural Components and
Systems, and ASCE/SEI 7-05, Minimum
Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures
LV Motor Control Center (MCCs)
Features
A MCC can also include variable
frequency drives, programmable
controllers, and metering and may also
be the electrical service entrance for the
building.
MCCs are usually used for LV 3
alternating current motors from 230V-
600V
Typical dimensions are 20W X 20D X
90H
They are front accessible
Section is divided into a vertical wireway
and bucket wireway
Size of buckets is defined by the NEMA
size of the contactor
LV Motor Control Center (MCCs)
Features

Bus is typically tin plated as a standard

Dielectric test is as follows:
500 V for devices rated 50 V or less;
1000 V plus twice the maximum rated
voltage for devices rated 51 to 750 V;
or
2000 V plus 2.25 times the rated
voltage for devices rated 751 to 1000
V.
Thermal testing must be performed with
every bucket variation. Defined by Table
27 in UL845
LV Motor Control Center (MCC)
Control Wiring

The various types of control wiring available are as follows:

Type A No terminal blocks within the MCC. Only wiring on the
motor starter itself is required. No wiring external to the control
device.
Type B Control wiring to terminal blocks within motor starter
buckets while user field load wiring terminates to the device
adjacent to the vertical wire-way.
Type B-D For Size 3 and smaller starters, field load wiring
connects directly to the device terminals.
Type B-T For Size 3 and smaller starters, field load wiring
connects to factory-wired power terminal blocks located in or
adjacent to each unit.
Type C Same as B except all factory-wired to master terminal
boards at the top or bottom of the MCC.
LV Motor Control Center (MCC)
Control Wiring Cont..

Class I Doesn't include interwiring or interlocking between

units or to remotely mounted devices. Doesn't include control
system engineering diagrams if individual units are supplied.
Types A, B, or C wiring available.
Class II Factory-wired controls and interlocks. Full wiring
diagrams are provided, factory system engineering. Types B or
C. Class II type C wiring is expensive and requires a longer
lead time.
Other issues that must be considered when specifying an MCC
include:
Enclosure type: indoor (NEMA 1) or outdoor (NEMA 3R),
Ground-fault detection, Metering, Wire marking, Indication
lights, Hands-off auto switches & Voltage rating
LV Motor Control Center (MCC)
Combination Starter

Each motor controller contains a

contactor (or in more recent
installations, a solid-state motor
controller), overload relays to protect
the motor, fuses or a circuit breaker to
provide short-circuit protection, and a
disconnecting switch to isolate the
motor circuit.
3 power enters each controller
through separable connectors. The
motor is wired to terminals in the
controller. MCCs provide wire ways
for field control and power cables.
LV Motor Control Center (MCC)
Combination Starter

Each motor controller contains a

contactor (or in more recent
installations, a solid-state motor
controller), overload relays to protect
the motor, fuses or a circuit breaker
to provide short-circuit protection,
and a disconnecting switch to isolate
the motor circuit.
3 power enters each controller
through separable connectors. The
motor is wired to terminals in the
controller. MCCs provide wire ways
for field control and power cables.
LV Motor Control Centers
Combination Starter
Each motor controller in an MCC
can be specified with a range of
options such as separate control
transformers, pilot lamps, control
switches, extra control terminal
blocks, various types of bi-metal and
solid-state overload protection
relays, or various classes of power
fuses or types of circuit breakers.
A MCC can either be supplied ready
for the customer to connect all field
wiring, or can be an engineered
assembly with internal control and
interlocking wiring to a central
control terminal panel board or
programmable controller.
UL Standard for Safety for MCC
Equipment

A motor control center can contain, but

is not limited to, any combination of
equipment such as the following:
full-voltage reversing or non-
reversing combination motor
control units;
full-voltage multispeed
combination motor control units;
reduced-voltage part-winding,
wye-delta or auto-transformer
combination motor control units;
solid-state industrial controllers,
such as adjustable-speed drives,
programmable controllers, and
protective relays
feeder-tap units;
UL Standard for Safety for MCC
Equipment Cont.

lighting or distribution
panelboards;
incoming-line equipment, such
as main lugs, fusible switch,
isolation switch, or circuit-
breaker;
control or lighting transformers;
special equipment assemblies;
combination contactor units.

The foregoing equipment can contain,

but is not limited to, such items as
pushbuttons, selector switches,
indicating lights, control
transformers, control circuit fuses,
and auxiliary devices incorporated
as an integral part of the units.
LV Motor Control Center (MCCs)
Applications

MCCs have been used by the automobile manufacturing

industry which used large numbers of electric motors. Today
they are used in many industrial applications such as metals
and mining, power plants, water treatment facilities, and oil
and gas as well as commercial applications.
In very dusty or corrosive processes, the MCC may be
installed in a separate air-conditioned room, but often an MCC
will be on the factory floor adjacent to the machinery
controlled.
LV Panelboards
LV Panelboard
Definition

Panelboard A single panel distribution

cabinet or wall cutout box that holds
automatic overcurrent protection devices
for lighting, heat, or power circuits.
LV Panelboard
Standards

UL 50 Standard for enclosures for electrical

equipment
UL 67 Standard for panelboards
NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code
CSA C22.2, Nos. 29 and 94 1989 Standard
for panelboards and enclosed panelboards
NEMA PB 1 Standard for panelboards
WP 115C Type 1 Class 1 Specification for
circuit breaker panelboards
AC156 Acceptance criteria for Seismic
Qualification by shake table testing of Non
Structural components and systems
1995 NBCC Canadian standard for seismic
requirements
LV Panelboard
Circuit Breaker Standards

Switchboards allow use molded case breakers and

minituare breakers
UL 489 - Molded Case Breakers
LV Panelboard
Features
Used to control light, heat, or power circuits
Placed in a cabinet or cutout box
Mounted in or against a wall
Accessible only from the front
Two types: lighting and appliance branch-
circuit vs. power panelboard
Two NEC Articles 408.34 and 408.35
NEC Articles 408.34
More than 10% of the over current
devices (poles) must be protecting
lighting and appliance branch circuits
rated 30 amps or less.
A neutral connection must be provided.
Maximum of 42 circuits
LV Panelboard
Features

Bus Rated Short Circuit - 3 on load

side, 4 cycles, 100% at full voltage
Voltage Testing based on system
nominal rating levels (i.e. 240V, 480V,
600V)
Dielectric Test twice the maximum
rated voltage, but not less than 900
volts as follows
LV Panelboard
Features

Internal Wiring No specific size

required
Breaker Enclosure - Can vary, but
must have a deadfront when
operating breakers
Bus Typically there is no main bus
only vertical bus
Covers - Hinged doors or standard
covers can be used for over circuit
breakers to provide a deadfront
LV Panelboard
Applications

Typically used to distribute power in

residential areas lighting or industrial
buildings
Provide circuit control and over current
protection
Used on PDCs to control the lighting
and control power
Understanding Low Voltage Distribution Systems
Summary

Distribution Equipment
Standards
Specs and One lines

LV Switchgear

LV MCC

LV Switchboards

LV Panelboards

ABB Group
September 6, 2017 | Slide 61
Quiz or student assessment

1) What is the major difference between

switchgear and switchboards?
a) Breakers
b) Testing
c) All of the above
2) Can a switchgear feed be used to feed a
VFD?
a) Yes or No
3) Can a motor control center be used as a
switchboard?
a) Yes or No
Quiz or student assessment

4) Does ANSI C37.20.1 apply to motor control

centers?
a) Yes or No
5) When reading a one line what is information is
vital?
a) Voltage
b) Device size
c) NEMA enclosure
d) A and B
 ABB Group
September 6, 2017 | Slide 64