Why is Voltage Rating Important in Selecting Circuit Protection Devices?
- straight voltage rated and;
- slash voltage rated.
Overcurrents
An overcurrent is either an overload current or a short-circuit current. The overload current is an excessive current relative to normal operating current, but one which is confined to the normal conductive paths provided by the conductors and other components and loads of the distribution system. As the name implies, a short-circuit current is one which flows outside the normal conducting paths.
Overload
Overloads are most often between one and six times the normal current level. Usually, they are caused by harmless temporary surge currents that occur when motors start up or transformers are energized. Such overload currents, or transients, are normal occurrences. Since they are of brief duration, any temperature rise is trivial and has no harmful effect on the circuit components. (It is important that protective devices do not react to them.) Continuous overloads can result from defective motors (such as worn motor bearings), overloaded equipment, or too many loads on one circuit.
Such sustained overloads are destructive and must be cut off by protective devices before they damage the distribution system or system loads. However, since they are of relatively low magnitude compared to short-circuit currents, removal of the overload current within a few seconds to many minutes will generally prevent equipment damage. A sustained overload current results in overheating of conductors and other components and will cause deterioration of insulation, which may eventually result in severe damage and short circuits if not interrupted.
Short Circuits
Whereas overload currents occur at rather modest levels, the short-circuit or fault current can be many hundred times larger than the normal operating current. A high level fault may be 50,000A (or larger). If not cut off within a matter of a few thousandths of a second, damage and destruction can become rampant–there can be severe insulation damage, melting of conductors, vaporization of metal, ionization of gases, arcing, and fires. Simultaneously, high level short-circuit currents can develop huge magnetic field stresses. The magnetic forces between bus bars and other conductors can be many hundreds of pounds per linear foot; even heavy bracing may not be adequate to keep them from being warped or distorted beyond repair.
Fuse Protection
The fuse is a reliable overcurrent protective device. A “fusible” link or links encapsulated in a tube and connected to contact terminals comprise the fundamental elements of the basic fuse. Electrical resistance of the link is so low that it simply acts as a conductor. However, when destructive currents occur, the link very quickly melts and opens the circuit to protect conductors and other circuit components and loads.
Modern fuses have stable characteristics. Fuses do not require periodic maintenance or testing. Fuses have three unique performance characteristics:
- Modern fuses have an extremely “high interrupting” rating–can open very high fault currents without rupturing.
- Properly applied, fuses prevent “blackouts.” Only the fuse nearest a fault opens without upstream fuses (feeders or mains) being affected–fuses thus provide “selective coordination.” (These terms are precisely defined in subsequent pages.)
- Fuses provide optimum component protection by keeping fault currents to a low value…They are said to be “current- limiting.”
- Cooper Bussman
Excellent work. This post that you have shared is attractive. Really, I was searching for these types of blogs. Thank you for sharing this blog. electrician london
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading about over current protective device. Thanks for sharing this blog. We are Electricians in Birmingham
ReplyDeleteoffering emergency electrical call outs in the Birmingham area.