THE IEC/ANSI DUAL-STANDARD FOR GENERATOR CIRCUIT-

BREAKERS: BACKGROUND, CHARACTERISTICS AND HOW IT

CHANGES THE GAME
Copyright Material PCIC Europe
Paper No. PCIC Europe EUR18_11

Andreas Brandt Andrea Ferruccio

Global Product Manager Global Product Manager
ABB AG ABB SPA
Oberhausener Strasse 33 Via Friuli 4
40472 Ratingen 24044 Dalmine
Germany Italy
andreas.brandt@de.abb.com andrea.ferruccio@it.abb.com

Abstract - The continuously growing energy demand sector, with 1,1%/y trend (same period), followed by
worldwide combined with the distributed electrical transportation sector, with 1,0%/y trend:
power generation structure has brought a rapid spread .
of generator applications.
The natural and essential need for utilities or
independent power producers to ensure safety,
continuous operation and full protection of the
generation assets with potential unique fault conditions,
make a better definition of the performances that a
generator breaker must fulfill necessary.
The latest IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 Standard, also Fig. 1 World energy consumption by end-user sector (from U.S. -
E.I.A., “International Energy Outlook 2017”)
called Dual Logo Standard, aims to define and regulate
the circuit breakers used to protect these assets. This
Further, the EIA provides a projection of energy
paper presents the main characteristics between this
demand split by energy source: under certain
latest standards, the previous IEEE C37.013 (now
assumptions, every primary energy source is expected
superseded) and the IEC 62271-100 for distribution
to considerably grow, with the only expectations being
circuit-breakers, in terms of requirements including
coal and nuclear:
short circuit conditions, typical electrical parameters
and selectivity logic.
Finally, the impact on the generator circuit breakers
market is shown, in terms of consequences on
available products, main players’ GCB offerings and
why their customers should care.

Index Terms
GCB – Generator Circuit Breaker Fig. 2 World energy consumption by energy source (from U.S.
SLD – Single Line Diagram E.I.A., “International Energy Outlook 2017”)
SSF – System-source fed Fault
GSF – Generator-source fed Fault II. PROTECTION OF GENERATION PLANT
OoP – Out-of-Phase (fault)
LCS – Load Current Switching The expectation of such an increase in energy
MV – Medium Voltage demand makes it reasonable to foresee a growth in
investment in new power plants, combined with the
I. INTRODUCTION clear focus on the complete and sustainable protection
of the relevant assets.
The energy market trend cannot be predicted The generator and the step-up transformer are the
precisely due to the multitude of variables involved, most important electrical components to protect in a
such as economics, world population and energy power plant.
demand growth, government stability and political The generator breaker (GCB) must be designed to
scenarios, renewable and energy efficiency initiatives, efficiently and safely protect both of these, in order to
and fossil fuel availability and price. ensure the continuity of energy supply without any
According to projections by the U.S. Energy impact to the power plant.
Information Administration [1], based on a specific Further, the peculiarity of a power plant from the
reference case (cfr. International Energy Outlook 2017), electrical point of view prescribes more and more
the industrial sector is expected to have a growth rate demanding performances that such a GCB should fulfill.
of about 0,7%/y from 2015 to 2040. The number of possible fault conditions and their
The growth rate is expected to be led by buildings likelihood are higher than in distribution networks.
They include:

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 i. Fault between the generator and the GCB, called ii. The generator-source fed fault gets all its
system-source fed fault contribution from the generator(s), which is a complex,
ii. Fault between the GCB and the step-up non-linear behaving machine. The direct consequence
transformer, called generator-source fed fault are fault currents with an even higher DC component
iii. Out-of-phase fault (OoP) and delayed current zeros.

Fig. 3 Simplified Generator plant single line diagram (SLD) and

main fault conditions identification

Depending on the point of occurrence and the

different elements involved, the transient behavior of
the electrical system is unique. Furthermore, the fault
voltage can depend on the synchronization grade Fig. 6 Statistics from real applications: the rms value of GSF fault
current is in average 80% of SFF [10]
between the generator phases and the network phases,
e.g. in the case of out-of-phase faults.
In particular:
i. The system-source fed fault reveals the
contribution of the network via the step-up transformer.
This circuit usually has a time constant of 133ms,
resulting into high asymmetric fault currents with a peak
factor of 2,74 and rates-of-rise of recovery voltage of
3,5kV/us. Both are causing much higher stress at the
fault interruption than in distribution networks.

Fig. 7 Statistics from real applications: the dc-component of GSF

fault current can be above 130% [10]

To withstand such technical challenges, several

quenching technologies and circuit breaker types have
been developed along the years, from compressed air
breakers to SF6-breakers and vacuum-breakers.
Typically, the construction of such a product requires
a bigger size structure compared to breakers used in
distribution networks.
Fig. 4 Statistics from real applications: evaluation of the dc time The technology allowing a consistent space saving is
constant of 133ms at SFF [10] the MV circuit-breaker equipped with vacuum
interrupters.
The vacuum interrupter (VI) can demonstrate a high
dielectric strength with minimum contacts distance, and
especially in the case of current-zero crossing, it can
sustain high and fast rising transient recovery voltage
and extinguish the arc, even few milliseconds after the
contacts’ separation.
The geometry, and in general the performance of the
quenching technology, are crucial to fulfill the highly
demanding technical challenges brought by the
presence of the generator. Latest test results show
that VI´s based on an optimized CuCr contact material
and transverse magnetic field (TMF) contact shape are
a reliable, compact design to interrupt generator source
Fig. 5 Statistics from real application: the fault current level at fed fault currents up to 50 kA @15 kV. They are able to
SFF increases with the rated power of generator [10] handle the extreme high switching energy resulting
from the delayed current zeros and are able to
withstand the very fast TRV. This contact geometry

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results in a switching arc voltage in the range of 150 to Fig. 11 Schematic comparison between TRV time delay
200V and is therefore able to decrease the time according to Dual Logo and IEC 62271-100
constant (τ = L/R) of the network and to influence the
first current zero to happen earlier [9]. III. STANDARD SCENARIO
The following picture shows a typical current
waveform during such a type test in case of a All these strict technical requirements provided, given
generator-source fed fault; the highlighted area is by the peculiarity of the generation application, a
proportional to the arc energy passing through the complete Standard was needed to be developed in
contacts after their separation and till the current zero order to uniquely state the performances that a GCB
( with and the instantaneous current i(t) in should fulfill, to efficiently and safely protect the
generation assets.
amperes and the switching arc time t in milliseconds). This was the scenario up to October 2015 [2][3][4]:
i. IEEE C37.013 as IEEE Standard for Generator
breakers
ii. IEC 62271-100 does not include any Generator
application
iii. In the IEC standards the Generator breaker
application is not captured (only Cigre task force
paper in 1997)

After October 2015:

Fig. 8 TMF contacts in vacuum interrupter i. IEEE C37.013 superseded/inactive
ii. IEC 62271-100 still does not include any
Generator application
iii. The IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 is the global GCB
standard, and hence also the first IEC standard
capturing the Generator breaker application

In October 2015, the new and first global IEC/IEEE

62271-37-013 Standard was developed and
subsequently released to replace the old IEEE C37.013
and to close the gap in the IEC standards.

Fig. 9 Comparison between fault current DC component of

breaker according to Dual Logo and IEC 62271-100

Another crucial parameter to be carefully taken into

account for this peculiar application is the TRV rate, the
phenomenon visible in the following picture:
• RRRV above 3.5 kV/μs

Fig. 12 Official note that IEEE C37.013 is superseded

The new Standard, also called “Dual Logo” Standard,

is now the global reference for the Generator circuit-
breakers, to be used in power plants from 10 MVA
above, at rated voltages from 1 kV to 38 kV and
frequencies of 50 Hz and 60Hz

IV. HOW IT CHANGES THE GAME

Compared to the IEC Standard for typical distribution
network, there is a quantum leap in terms of technical
performances:
Fig. 10 Exemplary comparison between TRV according to Dual
Logo and IEC 62271-100 TABLE I
COMPARISON BETWEEN DUAL LOGO STD. FOR GCB
• Time Delay 0.5 μs (GSF) and 1 μs (SSF, OoP, LCS) AND IEC STD FOR DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT BREAKER
Parameter IEC/IEEE
IEC 62271-100
62271-37-013

133 ms
Short- 45 ms
(corresponding
circuit (corresponding to
to about 70%
current d.c. 30% - 40% of DC
of DC
time component required
component
constant to the CB)
required to the

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 CB for SSF) 2,74 x Irms = 2,6 x Irms =
kA
In case of Making capability Ipeak Ipeak
GSF, the DC Rated short- CO–30 min– O–0.3s–CO–
component circuit cycle CO 3m–CO
required to the X/R ratio taken
CB is up to as reference (60 50 17
130% Hz)
Parameter IEC/IEEE IEC/IEEE IEC
IEC 62271-100 Parameter Unit
62271-37-013 62271-37-013 62271-100
Requires the
Standard
CB to break Not required – no Custom Design
Design
under fault delayed current zero
Delayed conditions phenomena Time constant
current even in considered. taken as ms 133 45
zeros presence of Intentional CB reference
delayed opening delay may
to be
current zero be needed No
Delayed current calculated
phenomena calculation
zeroes with tool and
required
Introduces model
Generator- generator Short-circuit
No generator classes current d.c. time 130%
Source classes for the
required constant
fault Class CB: G1 and
G2. 50% of
25% of rated
system-
kA short-circuit
25% of rated short- Out-of-phase source short-
current
circuit current à CB breaking current circuit current
not tested to break at
Out-of- 50% of
high value of short
phase system-source
circuit current in Out-
breaking short-circuit
of-Phase conditions
current current
(max half value of
and more in particular, even more significant the
IEC 62271-37-013 differences between the old IEEE C37.013 std. for GCB
one) and the newly introduced and current valid one, the
Dual Logo IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013:
Up to 3.5 kV/µs à
additional equipment
TRV rate of
to be added to the
rise - TABLE III
Up to 6 kV/µs plant might be
terminal COMPARISON BETWEEN DUAL LOGO STD. FOR GCB
needed i.e. surge
faults AND IEEE STD FOR GCB
arresters/capacitors/
RC filters IEEE IEC/IEEE
Description
C37.013 62271-37-013
Introduces
Also, the dielectric level required is 1-grade higher No generator
Generator-Source generator
than the IEC one: the 15 kV GCB must withstand to an fault Class
classes
classes for the
insulation level corresponding to 17,5 kV IEC one (38 required
CB: G1 and G2.
kV PF – 95 kV BIL). Mechanical M1: 1000 ops
To ensure the proper selection of the GCB for the 1000 ops
Endurance Class M2: 3000 ops
dedicated and varying parameters of new power plants Sound test
Not required Required
the clause 8 “Guide to the selection of generator circuit- measurement
breakers” is introduced. Here it is explained in detail Three-winding
how to use the dual logo standard type tests as transformers fault Not detailed Detailed
reference to evaluate the GCB capability to meet the case
Degree of
requirements of the quite unique characteristics of each
asymmetry Not detailed Detailed
real application. calculation
Just to mention the main improvements introduced by Attention for
the Dual Logo Standard to cover the requirements of transport/storage
Not detailed Detailed
the real application. method, safety,
Similarly, some crucial differences can be highlighted environment
comparing the GCB standard for ANSI market and
corresponding IEEE std for distribution CB:
V. GCB MARKET SITUATION
TABLE II At the moment, the main players’ portfolios for
COMPARISON BETWEEN DUAL LOGO STD. FOR GCB medium voltage circuit breakers for generator
AND IEEE STD FOR DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT BREAKER application offers solutions for plants up to 200 MVA
IEC/IEEE IEC power level, with a breaking capacity up to 72 kA and
Parameter Unit
62271-37-013 62271-100 rated voltage up to 24 kV.
Standard More specifically, available products included in MV
Custom Design GCB portfolio offer:
Design

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 - Standard rated voltage levels comprised in the also the “island mode” of the generator
range 15 kV – 17.5 kV, which corresponds to the plant (all generators are running on one
most frequently rated voltage level of generators common bus, but not yet connected to the
(including tolerances) network).
- Less frequent rated voltage levels: § Delay of the CB tripping to ensure that the
o 5 kV GCB dc- component of fault currents has
o 24 kV GCB decayed to a level which the CB is able to
Each voltage level/range corresponds to a specific handle. This comes together with all its
insulation level according to the Dual Logo: consequences of the protection scheme.
§ installation of RC-elements at the generator
TABLE IV and/or at the step-up transformer to
(EXCEPT FOR TABLE I OF DUAL LOGO STD.) – RATED
INSULATION LEVELS FOR A.C. GENERATOR CIRCUIT effectively decrease the TRV parameters
BREAKERS (IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 STD.)
Rated power- Further,
frequency Rated lightning o Products certified (totally or partially) according
Rated voltage
Ur (kV)
withstand impulse withstand to the IEEE C37.013, as they have been
voltage voltage Up (kV) developed before the releasing of the new
Ud (kV)
Dual Logo std.
Ur ≤ 7,2 20 60
7,2 < Ur ≤ 12 28 75 It must be taken into account that this
12 < Ur ≤ 15 38 95 Standard has been put in “inactive” status and
15 < Ur ≤ 17,5 50 110 that these GCBs are by nature not complying
17,5 < Ur ≤ 27 60 125 with any IEC GCB standard.
Besides this there are different requirements in
- Rated current: bigger sized frames/core type testing as highlighted in Table 3. Also the
components and complex ventilation systems proper selection of interruption ratings and
allow the current design GCB to reach even classes for the real application in accordance
8000A nominal current level. For current levels up to clause 8 of the new Dual Logo standard is
to 12000A the “phase-segregated” design is only partly possible, as these are based on the
crucial to guarantee the performance without type test results with specific parameter given
overheating. in the new standard, e.g. 110%/130% dc
- Rated system-source-fed fault breaking capacity: component.
typically the short circuit happening between the o Products certified according to the new Dual
generator and the GCB, then fed by the rest of the Logo IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 are the state of
network via the step-up transformer, tend to have the art GCBs. They are type tested and
a higher absolute value compared to the certified for global use and selected in
corresponding generator-fed one. This resulting accordance with the technical requirements
from a low transformer impedance and a network that reflect in the most accurate way the real
connection usually near to core supply nodes to field application challenges. Therefore this
ensure an efficient infeed of energy. Standard is being more and more considered
Thus, the current offer of GCBs in the market in the requirement specification of Utilities and
consists of products able to manage up to 72 kA EPC’s.
short circuit currents in system source-fed fault
(higher levels are possible in case of “phase-
segregated” design) while the corresponding
generator-fed fault level can reach up to 50 kA.
- Compliance to the Standard: the current offer in
GCB market consists of:
o Products certified according to IEC 62271-100
only, therefore usually to be used for
Distribution applications and in some cases
adapted to protect generator plant assets [5].
According to Table 1, these breakers are not
tested for the more demanding conditions and
all the types of faults described by the Dual
Logo. Therefore the selection of such breakers
for protecting the assets of a power plant
Picture 1: Sample of Generator Circuit Breaker
should always include the evaluation of the
liability aspects. Usual consequences of their
use are: VI. CONCLUSION
§ Limited protection of the assets as some The alignment and creation of the first global Dual
fault scenarios have to be excluded, e.g. Logo IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 standard for generator
the out-of-phase condition and sometimes circuit breakers, and its replacement of IEEE C37.013,

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is a clear breakthrough. For the IEC standard it closes
a white spot, which created a lot of discussions and
delays in projects for decades of years, with the
subsequence that customers were exposed to a liability
point that can be overcome now by using Dual Logo – VI. REFERENCES
labelled products. It accelerates projects by detailed [1] U.S. Energy Information Administration,
technical support and guidance in the correct GCB “International Energy Outlook 2017”, September
selection and global harmonization of technical 14, 2017.
solutions. It supports safety and utmost protection of [2] IEEE C37.013, IEEE Xplore Digital Library.
generation assets by covering all highly demanding [3] IEC 62271-100 Alternating-current circuit-
fault scenarios, e.g. including the out-of-phase condition breakers
and structuring and standardizing the delayed current [4] IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 Alternating-current
zero interruption tests in such a way that the real generator circuit-breakers.
application parameters can be proven. [5] Cigre TF of WG 13.04 in ELECTRA 1997,
In order to fully protect the generation assets, the Specified time constants for testing asymmetric
core components of a generation plant, the Circuit current capability of switchgear.
Breaker must be designed and labelled according to the [6] 1VCP000643 - Technical Guide - ABB Medium
new Standard. voltage generator circuit-breakers.
[7] 1VCP000671 – VD4G Technical catalogue - ABB
Medium voltage generator circuit-breakers
[8] Roy E. Cossé, Jr., Terence G. Hazel, Georges
Thomasset “IEC Medium-Voltage Circuit-Breaker
Interrupting Ratings — Unstated Short-Circuit
Considerations”
[9] Dietmar Gentsch, Stephan Schoft, Cired 2013, “A
three-phase generator vacuum circuit breaker
based on vacuum interrupter technology has been
established for the application in generator circuits
up to 15kV-50kA”
[10] Mirko Palazzo, Maurizio Delfanti, International
Conference on Power Systems Transients 2013,
“New Requirements for the Application of
Generator Circuit-Breakers”

Picture 2: Sample of generator machine

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