T&D Partenaire

Transport & Distribution

To read a standard is medium voltage circuit breaker

a real drudgery. technical guide
So, when we need
to compare IEC and
ANSI…

YOU MUST REMEMBER

he characteristics
T concerning circuit
breakers are defined
in two reference documents
IEC publication 56 and
ANSI C37-06.
IEC and ANSI impose very
different constraints.

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■ Merlin Gerin ■ Square D ■ Telemecanique

medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

CONTENTS 1 - different circuit breaker functions 3

1 - 1 To withstand the electrical restraints of the network 3
1 - 2 To make the current 3
1 - 3 to conduct the current 3
1 - 4 to break the current 3
2 - Recommendations and standards 4
2 - 1 International recommendations 4
2 - 2 National standards 4
3 - Circuit breaker characteristics 5
3 - 1 Obligatory rated circuit breaker 5
3 - 2 Special rates characteristics 5
4 - Tests according to IEC 56 6
4 - 1 Type tests 6
4 - 2 Individual tests 7
5 - Circuit breaker characteristics according to IEC 56-87 8
5 - 1 Rated voltage 8
5 - 2 Rated isolating level 8
5 - 3 Rated current during normal running 8
5 - 4 Allowable short time current 8
5 - 5 Allowable current peak value and making capacity 9
5 - 6 Rated short-circuit time 9
5 - 7 Rated voltage supplying closing, opening and
auxiliary circuit devices 9
5 - 8 Rated frequency 9
5 - 9 Rated operating cycle 10
5 - 10 Rated operating cycle short-circuit breaking capacity 11
5 - 11 Associated transient recovery voltage (TRV) 12
5 - 12 Rated phase unbalance breaking capacity 13
5 - 13 Rated off-load cable breaking capacity 14
5 - 14 Rated off-load line breaking capacity 14
5 - 15 Rated unique capacitor bank breaking capacity 14
5 - 16 Rated stage capacitor bank breaking capacity 15
5 - 17 Rated capacitor bank making capacity 15
5 - 18 Rated low inductive current breaking capacity 16
5 - 19 Normal operating conditions 17
5 - 20 Electrical endurance 17
5 - 21 Mechanical endurance 17
5 - 22 Coordination of rated values 17
6 - Derating 18
6 - 1 Isolating level altitude derating 18
6 - 2 Rated current temperature derating 19

date 7 - Appendices 20
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3•1 - Appendix 2: temperature and heating limits for different parts
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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

1 - DIFFERENT CIRCUIT The circuit breaker is a device that ensures the control and protection
BREAKER FUNCTIONS of a network.
The circuit breaker is able to make, withstand and interrupt
operating currents as well as short-circuit currents.

1 - 1 To withstand the electrical restraints of the network

This function is essential since the circuit breaker is always live.
Throughout its life, the device (closed or open) must withstand a phase to
phase and phase to earth voltage (frame control device).
The isolating level fixes the dielectric withstand of equipment against
internal overvoltages and lightening impact waves.
Internal overvoltages accompany any kind of modification made to the circuit:
circuit opening and closing, insulant breakdown or arcing.
They are simulated in a laboratory by the industrial frequency withstand for
one minute.
Outside or atmospheric overvoltages occur when lightening falls on or near
the power line.
The resultant voltage waves are simulated in a laboratory and are called
lightening impact waves (Basic Impulse Level BIL).

1 - 2 To make the current

The circuit breaker can:
■ make a current in a load (motor, transformer, capacitor, etc.),
■ close when there is a short-circuit,
■ close an off-load line.

1 - 3 To conduct the current

The main circuit must withstand the operating current, the thermal
current and the electrodynamic current without this causing any damage.
Without causing damage, the main circuit must withstand:
■ the thermal current = short-circuit current for 1 to 3 seconds.
■ the electrodynamic current = 2.5 Isc (IEC) or 2.7 Isc (ANSI).
■ the permanent current.

Since a circuit breaker is closed for most of the time, the load current must
circulate without thermal build-up throughout the device’s life span.
Heating depends on the thermal exchange with the ambient air.
The standards define the maximum heating limits.
The main circuit must withstand these currents after numerous operations.

1 - 4 To break the current

The circuit breaker must break load and short-circuit currents.

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

2 - RECOMMENDATIONS The characteristics concerning circuit breakers are defined in two

AND STANDARDS reference documents:
the IEC publication 56 and ANSI C37-06.
Usually, each contract refers to one of these documents.

2 - 1 International recommendations
■ IEC 56: high voltage alternating current circuit breaker.
■ ANSI C37-06: American standard widely used throughout the world.

☞ Warning! the IEC and ANSI impose very different constraints.

2 - 2 National standards
Unless made obligatory by a law or decree, the standards have only one
contractual characteristic and are used for reference purposes.
The standards define the apparatus and their field of use.
■ France: UTE section C64-100-101*
■ Germany: VDE 0670*
■ Great Britain: BS 5311*
■ United States: ANSI C37-06 (American National Standard Institute).
*These three standards are based on the IEC recommendation.

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

3 - CIRCUIT BREAKER IEC 56 and ANSI C37-06 recommendations define the characteristics of a
circuit breaker.
CHARACTERISTICS
3 - 1 Obligatory rated circuit breaker characteristics
The obligatory characteristics for all circuit breakers are:
■ rated voltage,
■ rated isolating level,
■ rated current during normal running,
■ rated allowable short time current and short-circuit making capacity,
■ rated allowable current peak value,
■ rated short-circuit time,
■ rated voltage supplying closing, opening and auxiliary circuit devices,
■ rated frequency,
■ rated short-circuit breaking capacity,
■ rated transient recovery voltage,
■ rated operating cycle,
■ rated times.

3 - 2 Special rated characteristics

These characteristics are not obligatory but may be required for specific
applications:
■ rated phase unbalance breaking capacity,
■ rated off-load cable breaking capacity,
■ rated off-load line breaking capacity,
■ rated unique capacitor bank breaking capacity,
■ rated stage capacitor bank breaking capacity,
■ rated capacitor bank making capacity,
■ rated low inductive current breaking capacity.

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

4 - TESTS ACCORDING 4 - 1 Type tests

The aim of type tests is to check the characteristics of the circuit breaker, its
TO IEC 56 operating mechanisms and auxiliary equipment.
As a rule, each type test must be performed on a circuit breaker when it is
new and clean and the various type tests may be performed at different
times and in different places.

The obligatory type tests are:

■ dielectric tests:
n BIL test,
n industrial frequency withstand test of the main circuit and operating
mechanism auxiliaries.
■ main circuit heating and resistance measurement test
■ allowable short time current tests
■ allowable peak current tests
■ mechanical and climatic tests:
n mechanical operating tests at ambient air temperature,
n high and low temperature tests.
■ short-circuit current making and breaking tests: terminal faults.
■ capacitive current making and breaking tests:
n off-load cable breaking tests,
n unique capacitor bank breaking tests,
n stage capacitor bank breaking tests.
■ low inductive current making and breaking tests:
n motor breaking tests,
n off-load transformer breaking tests,
n shunt reactance breaking tests.
☞ note: the different tests are detailed in chapter 2 of the IEC 56.
The following tests may be required for particular applications.
■ short-circuit current making and breaking tests:
n phase unbalance breaking tests,
n single-phase breaking tests.
■ electrical endurance tests (non standard)

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

4 - TESTS ACCORDING ☞ note: when a new device is designed, the type tests are performed in
the order of priority indicated below.
TO IEC 56 (cont’d)
Priority 1: tests performed upon product launching.
Priority 2: tests performed at the beginning of the product’s life.
Priority 3: tests performed depending on market requirements.

Test types order of priority

1 2 3
dielectric
BIL ✗
industrial frequency ✗
heating ✗
electrodynamic ✗
mechanical/climatic
mechanical endurance ✗
high and low temperature tests ✗
short-circuit
terminal faults ✗
phase unbalance ✗
single-phase ✗
capacitive currents
off-load lines ✗
off-load cables ✗
capacitor banks ✗
inductive currents
off-load transformers ✗
motors ✗
shunt reactances ✗
electrical endurance ✗

4 - 2 Individual tests
The aim of individual tests is to check the characteristics of the circuit
breaker, its operating mechanism devices and auxiliary equipment.
They are performed on each device by the manufacturer, in the factory.
The individual tests are:
■ mechanical operation,
■ measurement of auxiliary operation times,
■ main circuit maximum voltage drop,
■ tightness check,
■ fast cycle closing time,
■ industrial frequency dielectric tests:
n on the main circuit,
date n on the auxiliary circuits.
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☞ note: the different tests performed on our circuit breakers are given in
appendix 1.

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 1 Rated voltage (cf. § 4.1 IEC 694)

The rated voltage is the maximum voltage root mean square value that the
CHARACTERISTICS equipment can withstand during normal running. It is always higher than
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 the operating voltage.
Standardized values for Un (kV) : 3.6 - 7.2 -12 - 17.5 - 24 - 36 kV rms.

5 - 2 Rated isolating level (cf. § 4.2.1 IEC 56)

The isolating level fixes the dielectric withstand of operating equipment and
the lightening impact wave.
It is characterized by two values:
■ the impact wave withstand (1.2/50 µs),
■ the industrial frequency withstand for one minute.

rated impact wave industrial frequency

Upeak (%)
voltage withstand withstand
(Un in kV) (kV BIL) (kV rms) 100
90
7.2 60 20
12 75 28 50
17.5 95 38 1.2 µs
t (µs)
24 125 50 10
36 170 70 50 µs

standardized wave 1.2/50 µs

5 - 3 Rated current during normal running (cf. § 4.4 IEC 56)

Since a circuit breaker is always closed, the load current must circulate
without causing thermal build-up.
The IEC fixes the allowable maximum heating of different types of equipment
used for an ambient air temperature no higher than 40 °C (see table V § 4.42
IEC 694 in appendix 2).

5 - 4 Allowable short time current (cf. § 4.5 IEC 694)

Isc = S sc
3 •Us
Ssc: short-circuit power
Us: operating voltage
Isc: short-circuit current
This is the root mean square value of the allowable short-circuit on a network
for 1 or 3 seconds.
Rated short-circuit breaking capacity values (kA):
6.3 - 8 - 10 - 12.5 - 16 - 20 - 25 - 31.5 - 40 - 50 kA rms.

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 5 Allowable current peak value and making capacity (cf. § 4.6 IEC 694)
The making capacity is the maximum value that a circuit breaker is able to
CHARACTERISTICS make and maintain on a short-circuit installation. It must be higher or equal
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 to the rated short time current peak value
Isc being the maximum rated short-circuit current value for the circuit
(cont’d) breaker rated voltage.
The allowable short time current peak value is equal to: 2.5 Isc

5 - 6 Rated short-circuit time (cf. § 4.7 IEC 694)

The rated short-circuit time is equal to 1 or 3 seconds.

5 - 7 Rated voltage supplying closing, opening and auxiliary circuit devices

(cf. § 4.8 IEC 694)
Value of voltage supplying auxiliary circuits:
■ in direct current (dc): 24 - 48 - 60 - 110 or 125 - 220 or 250 volts.
■ in alternating current (ac): 120 - 220 - 230 - 240 volts.

The operating voltages must be in the following ranges:

■ motor and closing trips:
-15% to +10% of Un in dc and ac -30% to +10% of Un in dc.
■ minimum voltage opening trips

the circuit breaker trips the tripping coil

and cannot be reclosed must not action

¨U
0% 35% 70% 100%

5 - 8 Rated frequency (cf. § 4.9 IEC 694)

Two frequencies are currently used in the world:
50 Hz in Europe and 60 Hz in America.
Some countries use both frequencies.
The rated frequency is 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 9 Rated operating cycle (cf. § 4.104 IEC 56)

rated operating cycle according to IEC; O - t - CO - t' - CO
CHARACTERISTICS t t'
Isc
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87
In
(cont’d) time
O C O C O
O represents an opening operation.
CO represents a closing operation immediately followed by an opening
operation.
There are three rated operating cycles:
slow: 0 - 3 mn - CO - 3 mn - CO
fast 1: O - 0.3 s - CO - 3 mn - CO
fast 2: O - 0.15 s - CO - 15 s - CO
☞ note: other cycles may be required.
Closing-opening cycle
Hypotheses: order O as soon as the circuit breaker is closed.
closing position
contact
opening displacement
position

current circulation time

closing-opening time

making-breaking time
contacts touch final arc extinction
in all poles and order O in all poles
energization
of closing start of current circulation arcing contact separation
circuit in primary pole in all poles

Automatic reclosing cycle

Hypotheses: order C as soon as the circuit breaker is opened.

closing
position contact displacement

opening position

current circulation current circulation

breaking-making time time
opening-closing time
remaking time contacts
touch
reclosing time in all poles
final extinction of arc contacts touch
in all poles in primary pole
arcing contact separation start of current
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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 10 Rated operating cycle short-circuit breaking capacity

(cf. § 4.101 IEC 56)
CHARACTERISTICS The rated short-circuit breaking capacity is the highest current value that the
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 circuit breaker can break under its rated voltage in a circuit whose transient
recovery voltage (TRV) answers a precise specification.
(cont’d) The rated short-circuit breaking capacity is characterized by two values:
■ the root mean square value of its periodic component, referred to by the
abbreviation: “rated short-circuit breaking capacity”.
■ the percentage of the aperiodic component corresponding to the circuit
breaker opening time to which a half-period of the rated frequency is added.
According to the IEC, the circuit breaker must be able to break the root mean
square value of the short-circuit periodic component (= its rated breaking
capacity) with the asymmetry percentage according to the standardized
curve below.
percentage of the aperiodic component depending on the time lapse τ (IEC 56/87)
% of the aperiodic component at the separation of the arcing contacts
100
90
80
70 curve for time lapse
60 of 45 ms

50
40
30
20
10
τ (ms)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
time lapse from the beginning of the short-circuit current

τ = the circuit breaker opening time, increased by a half-period to the

industrial frequency.
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which 10 ms due to relaying is added, the graph gives us an asymmetry

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER Rated short-circuit breaking capacity values (kA):

6.3 - 8 - 10 - 12.5 - 16 - 20 - 25 - 31.5 - 40 - 50 - 100 kA.
CHARACTERISTICS The short-circuit breaking tests must satisfy the following test cycles:
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 cycle
no.
% Isym. % aperiodic
component
I (A)

(cont’d) 1 10 ≤ 20
2 20 ≤ 20
3 60 ≤ 20 I MC
I AC
4 100 ≤ 20
t (s)
5* 100 30
I DC
*for circuit breakers opening in less than 80 ms

IMC: current made

IAC: periodic component peak value (Isc peak)
IDC: aperiodic component value
% of asymmetry or aperiodic component: IDC x 100
IAC
Isym. = IAC
2
Iasym. = I2AC + I2DC
2

2
Iasym. = Isym. 1 + 2 IDC x 100
IAC

5 - 11 Associated Transient Recovery Voltage (TRV) (cf. § 4.102 IEC 56)

This is the voltage that appears between the terminals of a circuit breaker
pole after interruption of the current.
The wave form of the recovery voltage is variable depending on the actual
circuit configuration.
A circuit breaker must be able to interrupt a given current for any recovery
voltage whose value remains below the rated TRV at all times.
Primary pole factor
For three-phase circuits, the TRV refers to the pole which breaks the first,
in other words to the voltage at the open pole terminals.
The relation of this voltage to a simple voltage U n/ 3 is called primary pole
factor and is equal to 1.3 for a earthed circuit and 1.5 in the other cases.
Rated TRV value
The TRV depends on the asymmetry; it is given for an asymmetry of 0%.
rated voltage TRV value time delay stepping up speed
(Un in kV) (Uc in kV) (t3 in µs) (td in µs) (Uc/td in kV/µs)
7.2 12.3 52 8 0.24
12 20.6 60 9 0.34
17.5 30 72 11 0.42
24 41 88 13 0.47
36 62 108 16 0.57

Uc = 1.4 • 1.5 • 2 • U n = 1.715 Un t d = 0.15 t 3

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER U (kV)

Representation of a TRV specified by
Uc
CHARACTERISTICS a reference plotting with two parameters
and by a right-hand segment defining
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 a delay.
(cont’d) td: delay time
t3: time taken to reach Uc
Uc: TRV peak voltage in kV
t (µs)
0 TRV stepping up speed: Uc/t3 in kV/µs
td
t3

5 - 12 Rated phase unbalance breaking capacity (cf. § 4.106 IEC 56)

When a circuit breaker is open and the conductors on each side are not
synchronous, the voltage between the circuit breaker terminals grows up
the addition of the voltage of the 2 terminals.

X1 X2 U A - UB = U 1 - - U2 = U 1 + U 2
A B
if U1 = U 2 then UA - UB = 2 U

G U1 U2 G

The circuit breaker must be able to interrupt the current equal to:
Iunbalance = 2 U
X1 + X2
This current may reach half of the short-circuit current value at terminal B.
In practice, the circuit breaker is required to break a current equal to 25%
of the fault current at the terminals, under a voltage equal to the double of
the voltage in relation to the earth.
If Un is the circuit breaker rated voltage, the industrial frequency recovery
voltage (TRV) is equal to:
■ 2.0 3 Un for networks whose neutral is direct to the earth.
■ 2.5 3 Un for other networks.
TRV peak values for networks other than those with neutral to the earth:
Uc = 1.25 • 2.5 3 • U n
2
rated voltage TRV value time stepping up speed
(Un in kV) (Uc in kV) (t3 in µs) (Uc/td (kV/ µs)
7.2 18.4 104 0.18
12 30.6 120 0.26
date 17.5 45 144 0.31
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- 36 92 216 0.43
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5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 13 Rated off-load cable breaking capacity (cf. § 4 .108 IEC 56)
The rated off-load cable breaking capacity specification for a circuit breaker
CHARACTERISTICS is not obligatory and considered as unnecessary for voltages ≤ 24 kV.
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 Rated off-load cable breaking capacity normal values:
rated rated off-load cable
(cont’d) voltage breaking capacity
U (kV) Ic (A)
7.2 10
12 25
17.5 31.5
24 31.5
36 50

5 - 14 Rated off-load line breaking capacity (cf. § 4.107 IEC 56)

The rated off-load line breaking capacity specification is limited to circuit
breakers for operating three-phase overhead lines with a rated voltage ≥ 72 kV.

5 - 15 Rated unique capacitor bank breaking capacity (cf. § 4.109 IEC 56)
The capacitor breaking capacity specification is not obligatory. The capacitor
breaking capacity is equal to 0.7 times the rated current value of the device.
L
A B

Ic

G U C

rated capacitor breaking

current capacity
(A) (A)
400 280
630 440
1250 875
2500 1750
3150 2200

By definition pu = Un 2
3
The normal overvoltage value obtained is equal to 2.5 pu; in other words:
2.5 x Un 2
3

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5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 16 Rated stage capacitor bank breaking capacity (cf. § 4.110 IEC 56)
The capacitor breaking capacity specification is not obligatory.
CHARACTERISTICS
If n is the quantity of stages, the overvoltage is equal to:
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 2 n pu with pu = Un 2
(cont’d) 2n+1 3
X1

G U

C1 C2 Cn

5 - 17 Rated capacitor bank making capacity (cf. § 4.111 IEC 56)

The rated capacitor bank making capacity is the current peak value that the
circuit breaker must be able to make under its rated voltage and with an inrush
current frequency appropriate to the operating conditions.
The rated capacitor bank making capacity values must be higher than the
make current value (see capacitor application).
When operating, the make current frequency is normally in the 2 - 5 kHz zone.

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5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 18 Rated low inductive current breaking capacity (cf. § 4.112 IEC 56)
Start current breaking and running motor current breaking, either on or off-
CHARACTERISTICS load, correspond to typical conditions for circuit breakers used for motors.
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 We have to choose the circuit breaker to reduce the overvoltages which
appear and which may damage the motor isolating.
(cont’d)
The hereunder figure represents the different load side voltages.
U Uf: instantaneous network voltage
value
Uc: network voltage at time of breaking
Up
Um: extinction point
Um Us
Uc
Ulf: overvoltage in relation to the earth
t
Up: maximum overvoltage in relation
Uf to the earth
Ulf Us: maximum peak-to-peak overvoltage
amplitude due to renewed arcing

So as to be able to check and compare the behaviour of different circuit

breakers, during the motor breaking, a type test circuit has been designed.
This test circuit has been defined by the CIGRE, work group no. 13-02, and
the subject is treated in chapter 3, part A: low inductive current breaking.
This subject is being studied.
Motor isolating levels
The IEC 34 stipulates motor isolating levels.
The industrial frequency and impact withstand tests are given by the table
below (table 1: inductive current breaking, chapter 3, part B, CIGRE).
Rated isolating levels for rotating equipment
isolation test at 50 (60) Hz rms impact test BIL
between turns (4 Un + 5) kV
4.9 pu + 5 = 31 kV to 6.6 kV
(50% on a sample)
rise time 0.5 µs

in relation (2 Un + 1) kV (4 Un + 5) kV
to the earth 2 Un + 1 ⇒ 2 (2 Un + 1) ⇒ 0 4.9 pu + 5 = 31 kV to 6.6 kV
14 kV ⇒ 28 kV ⇒ 0 rise time 1.2 µs

1 kV/s t
0 1 mn

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5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 - 19 Normal operating conditions

Derating should be provided for all equipment operating in different conditions
CHARACTERISTICS from those described below (see derating chapter).
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87 The equipment is designed to operate normally in the following conditions:
a) temperature b) humidity
(cont’d) 0 °C installation average relative indoor
immediate ambient indoor outdoor humidity value equipment
temperature for a period
minimum -5 °C -25 °C 24 hours 95%
maximum +40 °C +40 °C 1 month 90%
daily average 35 °C 35 °C
maximum value
c) altitude
The altitude must not be higher
than 1000 metres.
5 - 20 Electrical endurance
The electrical endurance required by IEC is equal to 3 times Isc.
MG circuit breakers ensure 15 times Isc at the minimum.

5 - 21 Mechanical endurance
The mechanical endurance required by IEC is 2 000 operating cycles.
MG circuit breakers ensure 10 000 operations.

5 - 22 Coordination of rated values (cf. § IEC 56)

Rated rated rated current
voltage short-circuit during normal running
breaking
capacity
U (kV) Isc (kA) In (A)
3.6 10 400
16 630 1 250
25 1 250 1 600 2 500
40 1 250 1 600 2 500 3 150
7.2 8 400
12.5 400 630 1 250
16 630 1 250 1 600
25 630 1 250 1 600 2 500
40 1 250 1 600 2 500 3 150
12 8 400
12.5 400 630 1 250
16 630 1 250 1 600
25 630 1 250 1 600 2 500
40 1 250 1 600 2 500 3 150
50 1 250 1 600 2 500 3 150
17.5 8 400 630 1 250
12.5 630 1 250
16 630 1 250
25 1 250
40 1 250 1 600 2 500 3 150
24 8 400 630 1 250
12.5 630 1 250
16 630 1 250
25 1 250 1 600 2 500
40 1 250 1 600 2 500 3 150
date 36 8 630
4
10/9 12.5 630 1 250
- 16 630 1 250 1 600
- B•3•1 25 1 250 1 600 2 500
ed 40 1 250 1 600 2 500 3 150
revis
12/95

page 17
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

6 - DERATING Different standards and recommendations impose limits of validity on device

characteristics.
Normal operating conditions are described in § 5 -19.
Beyond these limits, it is necessary to reduce certain values, in other words
they must be derated.
Derating must be provided for:
■ on the isolating level for altitudes higher than 1 000 metres,
■ on the rated current when the ambient temperature is higher than 40 °C
and for a degree of protection beyond IP3X (see appendix 4).
These different derating measures may be cumulated if necessary.
☞ Remark
There is no standard dealing specifically with derating. However, table V §
442 of the IEC 694 deals with heating and gives temperature limit values to
be respected with regard to the part, material and dielectric.
These values translate an ambient temperature no higher than 40 °C into
heating.

6 - 1 Isolating level altitude derating

The standards provide derating for all equipment installed at an
altitude higher than 1 000 metres.
As a general rule, a 1.25% Upeak derating is necessary every 100 metres
above 1 000 metres.
This is applicable to the lightening impact voltage withstand and the
50 Hz - 1 mn industrial frequency voltage withstand.
The altitude has no effect on the dielectric withstand of circuit breakers in
SF6 since they are contained in a sealed enclosure.
On the other hand, this derating must be taken into account when the circuit
breaker is installed in cubicles. In this case, they are isolated in the air.
Merlin Gerin uses the correction factors:
■ for circuit breakers outside cubicles: use the curve below.
■ for circuit breakers in cubicles: refer to the cubicle selection table
(the derating depends on the cubicle design).
With the exception of the Mexican market: derating begins at zero metres
(cf. dotted line curve).

correction factor

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5
date 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
4
10/9 altitude in metres

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

@@@@@@@@e? @@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?
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6 - DERATING (cont’d)
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Application example: Can equipment with a rated voltage of 24 kV be @@
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installed at 2 500 metres? The impact wave withstand required is 125 kV. @@
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■ k is equal to 0.85 @@
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■ the impact wave withstand must be 125/0.85 = 147.05 kV BIL

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■ the 50 Hz industrial frequency withstand must be 50/0.85 = 58.8 kV rms

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No, the equipment to be installed has: @@
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■ rated voltage = 36 kV
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■ impact wave withstand = 170 kV

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■ 50 Hz withstand = 70 kV
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☞ note: if we do not want to supply 36 kV equipment, we must possess

@@ @@
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type test certificates proving that our equipment satisfies requirements.

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?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@ ?@@@@@@@@

6 - 2 Rated current temperature derating

As a general rule the derating is 1% of In per degree above 40 °C.
The IEC 694 standard § 442 table 5 defines allowable maximum heating for
each part, material and dielectric with an ambient reference temperature of
40 °C.
This heating in fact depends on three parameters:
■ the rated current,
■ the ambient temperature (40 °C according to the standard),
■ the cubicle type with its IP (protection index).

The temperature derating should be done according to the cubicle

selection tables. The size of cubicle bars, their design, ventilation may
modify the overheating of the breaker.

date
4
10/9
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page 19
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 1
Annexe 1

date
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ed
revis
12/95

page 1
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 2

date
4
10/9
3•1 -
- B•
ed
revis
12/95

page 1
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 2 (cont’d)

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page 2
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: The following comparison is based on different circuit breaker characteristics.

IEC - ANSI comparison

Summary of main differences
(cont’d)
theme ANSI IEC
asymmetric 50% with 30% without
breaking capacity current derating
on terminal faults derating
isolating level: impose chopped
impact wave waves for outdoor
equipment
115% Uw/3 s
129% Uw/2 s
allowable short time current 2.7 Isc 2.5 Isc
peak value
Transient Recovery approximately
Voltage (1) 2 times stricter
electrical endurance 4 times K.S.Isc 3 fois Isc
mechanical endurance 1 500 to 10 000 2 000
depending on Ua and Isc
motor overvoltages no text type test
circuit

(1) The ANSI peak voltage is 10% higher than the voltage defined by the IEC.
The E2/t2 gradient is 50% steeper than the Uc/t3 gradient.
On the other hand, the steepest part of the curve is the initial part, where the
SF6 is reconstituted. The two standards easily allow SF6 to be reconstituted.

date
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page 2
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: 1 - RATED VOLTAGE Un (kV)

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

Standardized values for Un (kV) : 3.6 - 7.2 - 12 - 17.5 - 24 - 36 kV
(cont’d)
According to ANSI
The ANSI standard defines a grade and a “voltage range factor K” which
defines a rated voltage range with constant power.
K = Umax.
Umin.
Standardized values for Un (kV)
Indoor equipment Outdoor equipment
grade Umax. Umin. K grade K
(kV) (kV) (kV) (kV)
4.16 4.76 3.85 1.24 15.5 1
7.2 8.25 6.6 1.25 25 1
13.8 15 11.5 1.3 38 1
38 38 23 1.65

2 - RATED ISOLATING LEVEL

According to IEC
rated impact wave industrial
voltage withstand frequency Upeak (%)
(BIL) withstand 100
(kV) (kV) (kV rms) 90
7.2 60 20
50
12 75 28 1.2 µs
t (µs)
17.5 95 38 10
24 125 50 50 µs
36 170 70
standardized wave 1.2/50 µs

According to ANSI
Indoor equipment Outdoor equipment
grade impact wave industrial grade impact wave industrial
withstand frequency withstand frequency
(BIL) withstand (BIL) withstand
(kV) (kV) (kV rms) (kV) (kV) (kV rms)
4.16 60 19 15.5 110 50
7.2 95 36 25.8 125 60
13.8 95 36 150
38 150 80 38 150 80
200

BIL : Basic Insulation Level Upeak (%)

Outdoor equipment is tested with 100
chopped waves. 90
70
The impact wave withstand is equal to:
1.29 BIL for a time tc = 2 µs 30
date 1.15 BIL for a time tc = 3 µs t (µs)
4 10
10/9
- tc
3•1
- B•
ed chopped wave according to ANSI
revis for outdoor equipment
12/95

page 3
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: 3 - RATED VOLTAGE DURING NORMAL RUNNING

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

Rated current values: 400 - 630 - 1250 - 1600 - 2500 - 3150 A
(cont’d)
According to ANSI
Rated current values: 1200 - 2000 - 3000 A

4 - ALLOWABLE SHORT TIME CURRENT

According to IEC
Rated short-circuit breaking capacity values (kA):
6.3 - 8 - 10 - 12.5 - 16 - 20 - 25 - 31.5 - 40 - 50 - 63 kA
According to ANSI
Rated short-circuit breaking capacity values (kA):
Outdoor equipment: 12.5 - 20 - 25 - 31.5 - 40
Indoor equipment
grade breaking capacity
I at Umax. KI at Umin.
(MVA) (kA) (kA)
250 29 36
350 41 49
500 18 23
750 28 36
1000 37 48
1500 21 35
2750 40 40

5 - ALLOWABLE CURRENT PEAK VALUE AND MAKING CAPACITY

According to IEC
The allowable short time current peak value is equal to 2.5 Isc.
According to ANSI
The allowable short time current peak value is equal to 2.7 K Isc peak value;
1.6 K Isc root mean square value.
K: voltage factor.

date
4
10/9
3•1 -
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12/95

page 4
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: 6 - RATED SHORT-CIRCUIT TIME

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

The rated short-circuit time is equal to 1 or 3 seconds.
(cont’d)
According to ANSI
The rated short-circuit time is equal to 3 seconds.

7 - RATED VOLTAGE SUPPLYING OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICES AND

AUXILIARY CIRCUITS
According to IEC
Auxiliary circuit supply voltage values:
■ in direct current (dc): 24 - 48 - 60 - 110 or 125 - 220 or 250 volts.
■ in alternating current (ac): 120 - 220 - 230 - 240 volts.

The operating voltages must be within the following ranges:

■ motor and closing trips: -15% to +10% of Un in dc and ac
■ opening trips:
-15% to +10% of Un in ca; -30% to +10% of Un in dc
■ minimum voltage opening trips.
the circuit breaker trips the tripping coil
and cannot be reclosed must not action

¨U
0% 35% 70% 100%
According to ANSI
Auxiliary circuit supply voltage values:
■ in direct current (dc): 24 - 48 - 125 - 250 volts.
■ in alternating current (ac): 120 - 240 volts.

The operating voltages must be within the following ranges:

Motor and closing trips Opening trips
voltage voltage range voltage voltage range
48 Vdc 36 V to 56 V 24 Vdc 14 V to 28 V
125 Vdc 90 V to 140 V 48 Vdc 28 V to 56 V
250 Vdc 180 V to 280 V 125 Vdc 70 V to 140 V
120 Vac 104 V to 127 V 250 Vdc 140 V to 280 V
240 Vac 208 V to 254 V 120 Vac 104 V to 127 V
240 Vac 208 V to 254 V

8 - RATED FREQUENCY
According to IEC
Rated frequency: 50 Hz.
According to ANSI
Rated frequency: 60 Hz.

date
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page 5
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: 9 - RATED OPERATING CYCLE SHORT-CIRCUIT BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC - ANSI comparison ANSI specifies 50% asymmetry and the IEC 30%. In 95% of applications,
30% is sufficient. When 30% is too low, this means that the applications
(cont’d) have specific requirements (nearby generators) for which the asymmetry
may be higher than 50%. For the two systems of standards, the designer
must check the circuit breaker breaking capacity.
The difference is not important since even if the asymmetry factor “S” is not
taken into account, it remains equal to 10%.
ANSI: Iasym. = Isym. 1 + 2 A 2 = 1.22 Isym. A = 50%
IEC: Iasym. = Isym. 1 + 2 A 2 = 1.08 Isym. A = 30%

According to IEC
The short-circuit breaking tests must satisfy the following 5 test cycles
(cf. § 5 - 10)
cycle % Isym. % aperiodic
no. component
1 10 ≤ 20
2 20 ≤ 20
3 60 ≤ 20
4 100 ≤ 20
5* 100 30
*for circuit breakers opening in less than 80 ms

According to ANSI
The circuit breaker must be able to break:
■ the rated short-circuit current at the rated maximum operating voltage,
■ K times the short-circuit current (maxi symetrical interrupting capability
with K: voltage range factor) at the rated maximum operating voltage (maxi
voltage/K),
■ between two currents obtained through the relation:
maxi symetrical current rated maxi voltage
= = K
rated short-circuit current rated voltage
A constant breaking power is thus obtained (in MVA) over a given voltage
range. Furthermore, the asymmetrical current will depend on the following
table when S = 1.1 for MG circuit breakers.
circuit breaker contact parting time
sum of 1/2 cycle tripping delay plus the opening time of the individual breaker
1.8
ratio S
1.7 asymmetrical interrupting capability = S x symetrical interrupting capability,
1.6 both at specified operating voltage
1.5
1.4
1.3
symetrical interrupting
1.2 capability at specified
operating voltage = 1.0
date 1.1
4
10/9 1
-
- B•3•1
ed 0 0.5 1 2 3 4 cycles
revis 0 0.006 0.017 0.033 0.050 0.087 seconds
12/95

page 6
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: Rated short-circuit breaking capacity values (kA): cf. § 4

IEC - ANSI comparison cycle

no.
broken
current
% aperiodic
component
(cont’d) 1 10 50 - 100
2 30 < 20
3 60 50 - 100
4 100 < 20
5 KI to V/K < 20
6 SI to V 50 - 100
7 KSI to V/K 50 - 100
8 electrical endurance
9/10 reclosing cycle
at RSI and RKSI
11 C - 2 s - O to KI
12 rated Isc time
Isc = KI during 3 s
13/14 single-phase tests
at KI and at KSI (0.58 V)

The short-circuit breaking tests must satisfy the following 14 test cycles where:
I: symmetrical breaking capacity at maxi. voltage
R: Reclosing factor
K: voltage range factor = K = Vmax.
Vmin.
Iasym.
S = asymmetrical factor = = 1.1 for MG circuit breakers
Isym.
V: rated maximum voltage
@@@@@@@@e? @@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e
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Example : Isc = 40 kA @@
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asymmetry % = 50% @@
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Isym. = 44 = 44 = 36 kA
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1 + 2 (50%) 1.22
2
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Cycle 6 will thus be tested at 36 kA + 50% asymmetry giving 44 kA of @@
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@@g
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total current. @@
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?@@
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@@@@@@@@ ?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@ ?@@@@@@@@
@@@@@@@@ ?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@e?@@@@@@@@?e@@@@@@@@ ?@@@@@@@@

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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: 10 - ASSOCIATED TRANSIENT RECOVERY VOLTAGE (TRV) (cf. § 5.11)

IEC - ANSI comparison The ANSI peak voltage is 10% higher than the voltage defined by the IEC,
the E2/t2 gradient is 50% steeper than the Uc/t3. On the other hand, the
(cont’d) steepest part of the curve is the initial part, where the SF6 is reconstituted.
The two standards easily allow SF6 to be reconstituted.
The ANSI t2 values are valid for outdoor type circuit breakers. Other t2 values
for indoor type circuit breakers are being worked on, and these values are
much closer to the IEC values.

According to IEC
Representation of a specified TRV
U (kV)
by a reference plotting with 2
Uc
parameters and by right-hand
segment defining a delay.
td: delay time
t3: time taken to reach Uc
Uc: TRV peak voltage in kV

0
t (µs) ☞ note: the TRV depends on the
td asymmetry. It is given for an
t3 asymmetry of 0%.

Rated TRV value

rated voltage TRV value time delay stepping up speed
(Un in kV) (Uc in kV) (t3 in µs) (td in µs) (Uc/td in kV/µs)
7.2 12.3 52 8 0.24
12 20.6 60 9 0.34
17.5 30 72 11 0.42
24 41 88 13 0.47
36 62 108 16 0.57

Uc = 1.4 • 1.5 • 2 • U t d = 0.15 t 3

3

According to ANSI

U (kV) E2: TRV peak voltage

E2 E2 peak = 1.88 max. rated U
E2 rms = 1.5 max. phase - earth U
t2 = 36 ms for 15.5 kV
= 52 ms for 25.8 kV
shape: 1 - cos = 63 ms for 38 kV
TRV = E2/t2 x 1.14
t (µs)
0
t2
date
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medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: 11 - RATED OPERATING CYCLE

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

There are three rated operating cycles:
(cont’d) slow: O - 3 mn - CO - 3 mn - CO
fast 1: O - 0,3 s - CO - 3 mn - CO
fast 2: O - 0.15 s - CO - 15 s - CO.
☞ note: other cycles may be required.
rated operating cycle according to Closing-opening cycle
IEC: O - t - CO - t' - CO closing position
contact
t t' opening displacement
Isc position

In
time current circulation time

O C O C O
closing-opening time
O represents an opening operation.
making-breaking time
CO represents a closing operation
immediately followed by an opening contacts touch final arc extinction
in all poles and order O in all poles
operation. energization
of closing start of current circulation arcing contact separation
circuit in primary pole in all poles

Automatic reclosing cycle

closing
position contact displacement

opening position

current circulation current circulation

breaking-making time time
opening-closing time
remaking time contacts
touch
reclosing time in all poles
final extinction of arc contacts touch
in all poles in primary pole
arcing contact separation start of current
in all poles and order C circulation
energization of opening trip in all poles

According to ANSI
Only one rated operating cycle: CO - 15 s - CO
initiation of extinction of arc
short-circuit on primary contacts
energization primary arcing
of trip circuit contacts make
parting of primary parting of primary
arcing contacts arcing contacts
time

reclosing time*
interrupting time
date
4
10/9 tripping opening arcing
delay time time
3•1 -
- B• contact
ed parting time
revis
12/95 * reclosing time is the time interval between energization of the trip circuit and making
of the primary arcing contacts.

page 9
medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

Appendix 3: 12 - RATED UNBALANCE PHASE BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC (cf. § 5 - 12)

In practice, the circuit breaker is required to break a current equal to 25%
(cont’d) of the fault current at the terminals, under a voltage equal to double of
the voltage in relation to the earth.
The industrial frequency recovery voltage (TRV) is equal to:
■ 2.0 3 Un for networks where the neutral is direct to the earth.
■ 2.5 3 Un for other networks.
Un is equal to the rated circuit breaker voltage.
Peak TRV values for networks where the neutral is not earthed:
Uc = 1.25 • 2.5 • 3 • U n
2
rated voltage TRV value time stepping up speed
(Un in kV) (Uc in kV) (t3 in µs) (Uc/td (kV/ µs)
7.2 18.4 104 0.18
12 30.6 120 0.26
17.5 45 144 0.31
24 61 176 0.35
36 92 216 0.43

According to ANSI
In practice, the circuit breaker is required to break a current equal to 25%
of the fault current at the terminals, under a voltage equal to the voltage
in relation to the earth.

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Appendix 3: 13 - RATED OFF-LOAD CABLE BREAKING CAPACITY (cf. § 5 - 13)

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

The rated off-load cable breaking capacity specification for a circuit breaker
(cont’d) is not obligatory and is considered as unnecessary for voltages ≤ to 24 kV.
Normal rated off-load cable Allowable maximum
breaking capacity values overvoltages
rated rated off-load cable rated overvoltage
voltage breaking capacity voltage pu (kV) =Un 2
U (kV) Ic (A rms) U (kV) 3
7.2 10 7.2 4.5
12 25 12 4
17.5 31.5 17.5 4
24 31.5 24 3.8
36 50 36 3.8

According to ANSI
Cf. unique battery breaking.

14 - RATED OFF-LOAD LINE BREAKING CAPACITY

According to IEC
The rated off-load line breaking capacity specification is limited to circuit
breakers for operating three-phase overhead lines with a rated voltage ≥ 72 kV.
According to ANSI
Indoor equipment Outdoor equipment
max. rated rated off-load line max. rated rated off-load line
voltage breaking capacity voltage breaking capacity
(kV) (A rms) (kV) (A rms)
4.76 1 15.5 100
8.25 1 25.8 100
15 2 38 100
38 5

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Appendix 3: 15 - UNIQUE CAPACITOR BANK BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

The capacitor breaking capacity specification is not obligatory. The capacitor
(cont’d) breaking capacity is equal to 0.7 times the value of the device’s rated current.
L
A B
rated capacitor breaking
current capacity
Ic
(A) (A)
400 280
630 440 G U C
1250 875
2500 1750
3150 2200

The maximum overvoltage value allowable is equal to 2.5 pu, in other words:
2.5 x Un 2 with pu = Un 2
3 3

According to ANSI
The capacitor breaking capacity is:
For indoor equipment
rated short-circuit rated capacitor breaking
voltage breaking capacity current capacity
Umax. (kV) (kA) (A) (A)
4.76 29 1200 630
29 2000 1000
41 1200/2000 630
41 3000 1000
8.25 33 1200 630
33 1200 1000
15 18 1200 630
18 2000 1000
28 1200 630
28 2000 1000
37 1200 630
37 2000 1000
37 3000 1600
38 21 1200/2000/3000 250
40 1200/3000 250

For outdoor equipment

rated capacitor breaking
voltage capacity
Umax. (kV) (A)
15.5 400
25.8 400
38 250
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Appendix 3: 16 - RATED STAGE CAPACITOR BANK BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

The rated stage capacitor bank breaking capacity specification is not obligatory.
(cont’d)
According to ANSI
X1 Cf. unique capacitor bank § 15.

17 - RATED CAPACITOR BANK MAKING CAPACITY

The rated capacitor bank making capacity is the peak value of the current
G U which the circuit breaker must be able to make under its rated voltage and
with an inrush current frequency appropriate to the operating conditions.
According to IEC
The rated capacitor bank making capacity values must be higher than the
C1 C2 Cn
make current value (see capacitor application).
When operating, the inrush current frequency is normally in the 2 - 5 kHz zone.
According to ANSI
The ANSI standard fixes the inrush current value and frequency
(back to back capacitors).
For indoor equipment For outdoor equipment
voltage current inrush current voltage current inrush current
Umax. Ipeak frequency Umax. Ipeak frequency
(kV) (A) (kA) (kHz) (kV) (A) (kA) (kHz)
4.76 600 15 2 15.5 400 20 4.24
1000 15 1.27 25.8 400 20 4.24
8.25 600 15 2 38 250 20 4.24
1000 15 1.27
15 600 15 2
1000 15 1.27
1600 25 1.33
38 250 18 6
250 25 8.48

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Appendix 3: 18 - RATED LOW INDUCTIVE CURRENT BREAKING CAPACITY (cf. § 5 - 18)

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC (cf. § 4.112 - IEC 56 - 87)

This subject is being studied.
(cont’d)
Motor isolating levels
The IEC 34 stipulates motor isolating levels.
The industrial frequency and impact withstand tests are given in the table
below (table 1: inductive current breaking, chapter 3, part B, CIGRE).
rated isolating levels for rotating equipment
isolation test at 50 (60) Hz rms impact test BIL
between turns (4 Un + 5) kV
4.9 pu + 5 = 31 kV to 6.6 kV
(50% on a sample)
rise time 0.5 µs

in relation (2 Un + 1) kV (4 Un + 5) kV
to the earth 2 Un + 1 ⇒ 2 (2 Un + 1) ⇒ 0 4.9 pu + 5 = 31 kV to 6.6 kV
14 kV ⇒ 28 kV ⇒ 0 rise time 1.2 µs

1 kV/s t
0 1 mn

According to ANSI
Non standard.

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Appendix 3: 19 - NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS

The equipment is designed to operate normally in the following conditions:
IEC - ANSI comparison
(cont’d) A) TEMPERATURE
According to IEC According to ANSI
0 °C installation 0 °C installation
immediate ambient indoor outdoor immediate ambient
temperature temperature
minimum -5 °C -25 °C minimum -30 °C
maximum +40 °C +40 °C maximum +40 °C
daily average 35 °C 35 °C
maximum value

Derating should be provided for all

equipment operating in different
conditions from those described
above (see derating chapter).

B) ALTITUDE
According to IEC According to ANSI
The altitude must not be higher than The altitude must not be higher than
1000 metres, if higher derating is 3300 feet (1000 metres), if higher
necessary. derating is necessary.

C) HUMIDITY
According to IEC According to ANSI
average relative indoor No specific constraints.
humidity value equipment
time period
24 hours 95%
1 month 90%

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Appendix 3: 20 - ELECTRICAL ENDURANCE

MG circuit breakers ensure 15 times Isc minimum. The IEC and ANSI standards
IEC - ANSI comparison impose values which are far too low since they take account oil breaking circuit
(cont’d) breakers.
These values are not important and if so required by the customer, the value
of the considered device should be supplied.
According to IEC
The electrical endurance is equal to 3 times Isc.
According to ANSI
The electrical endurance is equal to 4 times K.S.Isc
Isc: symmetrical breaking capacity at maxi voltage
S: asymmetry factor
K: voltage range factor

21 - MECHANICAL ENDURANCE
According to IEC
The mechanical endurance is 2 000 operating cycles.
According to ANSI
The mechanical endurance is between 1 500 and 10 000 operating cycles
depending on the voltage and breaking capacity.

22 - CONSTRUCTION
According to IEC
The IEC does not impose any particular constraints. The manufacturer is
however responsible for determining what kind of material is needed
(thickness, etc.) in order to ensure a solid performance.
According to ANSI
The ANSI imposes a thickness of 3 mm for sheet metals.

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Appendix 3: 23 - DERATING

IEC - ANSI comparison According to IEC

Refer to paragraph 6 of technical guide.
(cont’d)
According to ANSI
The ANSI C37 04 standard provides for temperatures higher than 1 000 metres:
■ a correction factor for the voltage applicable on the rated isolating level
and on the rated maximum voltage.
■ a correction factor for the rated current during normal running.
The correction factor table depending on the altitude
(Altitude Correction Factors : ACF)
altitude ACF for ACF for
voltage continous current
(ft) (m)
3 300 1 000 1.00 1.00
5 000 1 500 0.95 0.99
10 000 3 000 0.8 0.96

☞ note: for “sealed system” type circuit breakers, it is not necessary to

apply the ACF voltage on the rated maximum voltage.

24 - COORDINATION OF RATED VALUES

According to IEC
rated rated rated current during
voltage short-circuit normal running
breaking
capacity
U (kV) Isc (kA) In (A)
3.6 10 400
16 630 1250
25 1250 1600 2500
40 1250 1600 2500 3150
7.2 8 400
12.5 400 630 1250
16 630 1250 1600
25 630 1250 1600 2500
40 1250 1600 2500 3150
12 8 400
12.5 400 630 1250
16 630 1250 1600
25 630 1250 1600 2500
40 1250 1600 2500 3150
50 1250 1600 2500 3150
17.5 8 400 630 1250
12.5 630 1250
16 630 1250
25 1250
40 1250 1600 2500 3150
24 8 400 630 1250
12.5 630 1250
16 630 1250
25 1250 1600 2500
40 1250 1600 2500 3150
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Appendix 3: According to ANSI

IEC - ANSI comparison rated short-circuit
maximum breaking
rated
minimum
short-circuit
breaking
rated current during
normal running
voltage capacity voltage capacity
(cont’d) at Umax. at Umin.
Umax. (kV) Isc (kA) (kV) Isc (kA) In (A)
4.76 18 3.5 24 1200
29 3.85 36 1200 2000
41 4 49 1200 3000
8.25 7 2.3 25 600 1200 2000
17 4.6 30 1200
33 6.6 41 1200 2000
15 9.3 6.6 21 1200
9.8 4 37 1200
18 11.5 23 1200 2000
19 6.6 43 1200 2000
28 11.5 36 1200 2000
37 11.5 48 1200 3000
15.5 8.9 5.8 24 600
18 12 23 1200
35 12 45 1200
56 12 73 2000 3000 4000
25.8 5.4 12 12 600
11 12 24 1200
38 22 23 36 1200 3000
36 24 57 1200

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Appendix 4: degrees of Definitions

The degree of protection is the level of protection provided by the enclosure
protection (IP code) against access to dangerous parts, penetration of foreign solid bodies and
according to IEC 529 water.
The IP code is the coding system used to indicate degrees of protection.
1989-11 edition Field of application
It is applicable to enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage
less than or equal to 72.5 kV.
It does not concern the circuit breaker alone but the escutcheon must
nevertheless be adapted when it is installed inside a cubicle (grid mesh of
finer ventilation grills for example).
☞ Warning! Temperature derating should be envisaged.
The different IP and their signification
An abridged description of IP code elements is given in the table below.

element numbers signification for signification for

or letters equipment protection personal protection
code letters IP
first characteristic against penetration of against access to
figure foreign solid bodies dangerous parts with:
0 (non-protected) (non-protected)
1 diametre ≥ 50 mm back of the hand
2 diametre ≥ 12.5 mm finger
3 diametre ≥ 2.5 mm tool
4 diametre ≥ 1.0 mm wire
5 protected against dust wire
6 sealed against dust wire
second characteristic against penetration of water
figure causing harmful effects
0 (non-protected)
1 vertical water drops
2 water drops (15° slant)
3 rain
4 water spray
5 hose spray
6 powerful hose spray
7 temporary immersion
8 prolonged immersion
additional letter against access
(optional) to dangerous parts with:
A back of the hand
B finger
C tool
D wire
supplementary letter supplementary information
(optional) specific to:
H high voltage equipment
M movement during water test
S stationary during water test
W bad weather

☞ note: certain countries have felt the need to code the protection
provided by the enclosures against mechanical impacts.
date A EN 50102 European standard project deals with this subject; it is the IK code.
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