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General
requirements for
LV apparatuses

Basics of Standards
Standards guidelines IEC 60947 and
60898
ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 1

THNG TIN LIN H H TR K THUT, SN PHM

Name:

Cao Ph Hi

Position:

ABB product specialist & Technical

consultancy.

Email

: hai.caophu@vn.abb.com

Phone

: 0907.216.502/ 0906 656 242

Contents

IEC 60947 Standard, for industrial application

Definitions for MCCBs and ACBs

Choice criteria based on rated and limit values

IEC 60898 Standard, for domestic application

Definitions for MCBs

Choice criteria based on rated and limit values

Comparison between prescription of IEC 60947 and 60898

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 3

Standard for LV apparatus

IEC 60947 Standard for industrial application

International Standard

IEC 60947

European Standard

EN 60947

IEC 947-1 Part 1: General rules

IEC 947-2 Part 2: Circuit breakers

TIU CHUN QUC GIA TCVN 6592-41:2009 (IEC 60947-4-1 : 2002) V THIT B
NG CT V IU KHIN H P

TIU CHUN QUC GIA TCVN 64341:2008 (IEC 60898-1 : 2003) V KH C

IEC 947-3 Part 3: Switch disconnectors
IN - PTMT BO V QU DNG
DNG TRONG GIA NH V CC H
IEC 947-4 Part 4: Contactors
THNG LP T TNG T

IEC 947-5 Part 5: Control circuit devices

IEC 947-6 Part 6: Multifunction devices

IEC 947-7 Part 7: Auxiliary materials

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 4

TCVN 7447-5-51: 2010 hon ton

tng ng vi IEC 60364-551:2005

Standard for LV apparatus

IEC 60947 Standard

The Standards IEC 60947 part 1 and part 2 gives the requirement for
CBs, that are able to be connected in circuits with a rated voltage

< 1000V ac and < 1500V dc

This Standard is applicable whatever may be:
- the rated currents of the CBs;
- the method of construction of the CBs;
- the possible application of the CBs.
IEC 60947-1

The main objects of part 1 are:

definition of electrical parameters;
definition of working, mounting and transport condition.

IEC 60947-2

The main objects of part 2 are referred to the prescription

and parameters for working and test of the CBs

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 5

IEC Standard definitions

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 6

IEC Standard definitions

Circuit Breaker - IEC 60947-2

A mechanical switching device capable of breaking, carrying and making

currents under normal circuit conditions and also making, carrying, for a
specified time, and breaking currents under specified abnormal circuit
conditions such as those of short-circuit

BREAKING

Breaking Capacity ( Icu, Ics)

WITHSTAND

Short time withstand ( Icw)

MAKING

Making Capacity (Icm)

Making capacity of a circuit breaker is the maximum current which the

breaker can conduct at the instant of closing. The making capacity is
considered to the peak value of the first cycle when there is an
imaginary short circuit between the phases.
ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 7

IEC Standard definitions

Switch Disconnector - IEC 60947-3

A mechanical switching device capable of breaking, making and carrying currents

under normal circuit conditions but only making and carrying, for a specified
time, currents under specified abnormal circuit conditions such as those of shortcircuit.

BREAKING

Breaking Capacity

WITHSTAND

Short time withstand

MAKING Capacity

Switch disconnector, Load switch ;

Load Breaker Switch

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 8

IEC Standard definitions

Disconnector - IEC 60947-3

A device fulfills the isolating function stipulated under IEC 60947-1 when
in theOpen position the isolation at a defined withstand voltage is
assured between the open contacts of the main circuit of the switchgear.
According to IEC 60947-3, an isolator must only be able to
make and break a circuit, if either a current of negligible size is
switched on or off, or if during switching no noticeable voltage
difference between the terminals of each pole occurs.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 9

Changeover Switch
Switch

Switch fuse

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 10

ATS by OTM

IEC Standard definitions

Air circuit breaker (ACB): a circuit breaker having a supporting housing of
moulding insulating material and a metallic frame, forming an integral part
of the circuit breaker (Emax2)

Electronic trip Unit

IEC 60947 - ACB is Cat B Circuit breaker with

Withstand short circuit current Capacity Icw

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 11

 ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 12

IEC Standard definitions

Circuit breaker type

Moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB): a circuit breaker having a supporting housing of
moulding insulating material, forming an integral part of the circuit breaker (Isomax,
Tmax)

Thermo magnetic trip

Electronic trip Unit

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 13

Thermo magnetic Trip

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 14

 ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 15

MCCB Electronic trip Unit

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 16

Miniature Circuit Breaker

IEC 60947 defines 5 tripping

characteristics for MCB: B, C, D, K, Z

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 17

Miniature Circuit Breaker

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 18

Current limiting circuit breaker

Current limiting circuit breaker (IEC 60947-2 def. 2.3)

A circuit breaker with a break-time short enough to prevent

the short-circuit current from reaching its peak value
A current-limiting circuit
breaker is able to reduce the
stress, both thermal and
dynamic, because is has been
designed to start the opening
operation before the short-circuit
current has reached its first
peak, and to quickly extinguish
the arc between the contacts.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 19

Current limiting circuit breaker

Peak limitation curves

Value of the limited peak
of the short circuit current
according to the value of
the symmetrical short
circuit current Irms

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 20

Current limiting circuit breaker

Example
Peak
105kA
100kA

S6L800 In800
54kA

16,8kA

T2L 160 In160

10kA

10kA

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 21

50kA

100kA

Irms

Current limiting circuit breaker

Energy limitation
Current

Energy limitation

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 22

Time

Current limiting circuit breaker

n I2t

curves

Value of the let-through

energy according to the
value of the symmetrical
short circuit current Irms

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 23

Current limiting circuit breaker

Energy limitation
Protection against short-circuit (IEC 60364)
To protect a cable against short-circuit, the specific let-through energy of
the protective device must be lower or equal to the withstanding energy of
the cable:
Specific let through energy curve LLL

1E3MAs

100MA s

where
I2 t is the specific let-through energy of
the protective device which can be read on
the curves supplied by the manufacturer;
S is the cable cross section [mm2]; in the
case of conductors in parallel it is the cross
section of the single conductor;
k is a factor that depends on the cable
insulating and conducting material.

10MAs

1MAs

0.1MAs

1E-2MAs

0.1kA

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 24

1kA

10k A

100k A

Choice criteria
In = 1600 A

Iu = 1600 A
Ue = 415 V
Icu= 50 KA
Ics = 50 KA
Icw= 50 KA (1s)

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 25

Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

n

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 26

Insulation values (Ui, Uimp)

Rated value Iu

Rated uninterrupted current Iu

the rated uninterrupted current of an equipment is a value of
current, stated by the manufacturer, that the equipment can carry
in uninterrupted duty (at 40 C)

IEC 60947-1 def. 4.3.2.4

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 27

Rated value Iu
The rated uninterrupted current Iu is different from the rated
current In, which is the rated current of the thermomagnetic or
electronic trip unit and is lower or equal to Iu.

A new concept
for setting the
current In: the
rating plug

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 28

 ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 29

Rated value Iu

Rated uninterrupted current Iu

Some factors may reduce the Iu of a circuit breaker
T4 320 - Fixed

T4 320 - Plug-in / Withdrawable

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 30

Rated value Iu

Rated uninterrupted current Iu

Some factors may reduce the Iu of a circuit breaker
Circuit breakers do not undergo any alterations in their performances up to an
altitude of 2000m. Above this, as the altitude increases, the atmospheric properties
are altered in terms of composition, dielectric resistance, cooling capacity and
pressure; therefore the rated uninterrupted current decreases.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 31

Rated value Ue

Rated operational voltage Ue

the rated operational voltage of an equipment is a value of voltage
which, combined with a rated operational current, determines the
application of the equipment and to which the relevant tests and
the utilization categories are referred.

IEC 60947-1 def. 4.3.1.1

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 32

Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 33

Insulation values (Ui, Uimp)

Limit value Icu

Icu = RATED ULTIMATE SHORT
CIRCUIT BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC 60947-2
def. 4.3.5.2.1

Breaking capacity for which the prescribed conditions

according to a specified test sequence do not include the
capability of the circuit breaker to carry its rated current
continuously
- test sequence: O - 3 min - CO
- dielectric withstand at 2 x Ue
- verification of overload release at 2.5 x I1

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 34

Limit value Ics

Ics = RATED SERVICE SHORT
CIRCUIT BREAKING CAPACITY

IEC 60947-2
def. 4.3.5.2.2

Breaking capacity for which the prescribed conditions

according to a specified test sequence include the capability
of the circuit breaker to carry its rated current continuously
- test sequence: O - 3 min - CO - 3 min CO
- dielectric withstand at 2 x Ue
- verification of temperature rise at Iu
- verification of overload release at 1.45 x I1

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 35

Rated value Ue

Rated operational voltage Ue

Breaking capacity is always referred to the operational voltage; the
breaking capacity decreases when the voltage increases.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 36

Limit values Icu and Ics

Relation between Ics and Icu

This relation is always true!!!

Ics Icu
The service breaking capacity Ics can be expressed as
a value of breaking current, in kA;
a percentage of Icu, rounded up
to the lowest whole number,
in accordance with the table (for
example Ics = 25% Icu).
Standard ratios between Ics and Icu

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 37

Limit values Icu and Ics

Icu and Ics:

selection criteria

Main circuit breakers or circuit breakers for which

a long out-of-service period can not be accepted
(for example naval installation)
Ics
CB selection
based on
Icu

Normal / terminal circuits

and / or economic applications
ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 38

Limit value Icw

Icw = RATED SHORT-TIME
WITHSTAND CURRENT

IEC 60947-2
def. 4.3.5.4

Example of use of category B circuit breakers

in electrical plant
The upstream circuit
Trafo 630kVA
breaker can withstand
Ucc%=4%
the fault current up to 1
sec, thus guaranteeing
ACB E1B12
an excellent selectivity
400V
22.7kA
with downstream
MCCB T4
MCCB T3
apparatus

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 39

Limit value Icw

CATEGORY B
CIRCUIT BREAKER

IEC 60947-2
Table 4

Circuit breakers specifically intended for selectivity in short

circuit conditions in relation to other protection devices in
series, that is with an intentional delay (adjustable) applicable
in short circuit conditions.
These circuit breakers have a specified rated short-time
withstand current Icw.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 40

Limit value Icw

CATEGORY A
CIRCUIT BREAKER

IEC 60947-2
Table 4

Circuit-breakers not specifically intended for selectivity under

short circuit conditions with respect to other protection devices
in series on the load side, that is without intentional short-time
delay provided for selectivity under short-circuit conditions.
These circuit-breakers have not a specified rated short-time
withstand current value Icw.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 41

Limit value Icw

Icw = RATED SHORT-TIME
WITHSTAND CURRENT

IEC 60947-2
Table 3

It is the value of short-time withstand current assigned to the

circuit-breaker by the manufacturer under specified test
conditions. This value is referred to a specified time (usually 1s or 3s).
It must be stated when the circuit-breaker is classified in
category B and its value must be greater than:

the highest value between 12 Iu and 5 kA

for CBs with Iu 2500A

30 kA

for CBs with Iu > 2500A

Circuit breakers without Icw value are classified in category A

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 42

Limit value Icm

Icm = RATED SHORT-CIRCUIT
MAKING CAPACITY

IEC 60947-2
def. 4.3.5.1

Making capacity for which the prescribed conditions according

to a specified test sequence include the capability of the circuit
breaker to make the peak current corresponding to that rated
capacity at the appropriate applied voltage.
It is always necessary to verify that:
Icm Ipeak

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 43

Limit value Icm

Short circuit current: how to calculate the peak?

The peak of the short-circuit current Ip is the maximum possible
instantaneous value of the prospective short-circuit current; it
may be calculated by the following formula (IEC 60909-0):
Ik is the short-circuit current (rms value)
at the initial instant of the shortcircuit

The peak is a function of the power factor!!!

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 44

Limit value Icm

The Standard hypothesis

Perspective
current IKLLL

10 - 100 kA

10 - 50 kA
6 - 20 kA
0,5 4,5 kA

Distance from the

power source

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 45

Limit value Icm

For a.c. the rated short-circuit making
capacity of a circuit-breaker shall be not
less than its rated ultimate short-circuit
breaking capacity, multiplied by the factor
n of the table.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 46

IEC 60947-2
Table 2
Icm n x Icu

Limit value Icm

SACE product features

If the cosj of the plant is higher than the standard prescribed

value, it is not necessary to take into account the rated shortcircuit making capacity of the circuit-breakers (Icm)
If the cosj of the plant is lower than the standard
prescribed value, usually near to the transformer and/or
generator, it is necessary to verify Icm Ipeak
ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 47

Example Icm - Ip

e.g. Short circuit current of the plant is Icc = 75kA ;

the used circuit breaker has an Icu = 75 kA;
according to the table 2, cosjk=0.2 and n=2,2 so Icm = n x Icu = 165 kA
If the cosjk of the plant is equal to 0.16 (lower than the standard prescribed value)
the evaluated Ip=175kA.
Since Ip > Icm the CB selected is not correct. I will use a CB with a greater
value of Icu in order to have an Icm value suitable to the peak current of the plant

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 48

Choice criteria

Rated values (Iu, Ue)

Limit values (Icu, Ics, Icw, Icm)

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 49

Insulation values (Ui, Uimp)

Limit value Ui
IEC 60947-1
def. 4.3.1.2

Ui = RATED INSULATION
VOLTAGE

The rated insulation voltage of an equipment is the value

of voltage to which dielectric tests and creepage
distances are referred
It shall be always verified that:

Ue < Ui

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 50

Limit value Uimp

Uimp = RATED IMPULSE
WITHSTAND VOLTAGE

IEC 60947-1
def. 4.3.1.3

The peak value of an impulse voltage of prescribed form and

polarity (1,2/50ms) which the equipment is capable of withstanding
without failure under specified conditions of test and to which
the values of the clearances are referred.
It shall be always verified that:
Uimp > transient overvoltage in
the plant

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 51

IEC Standard definitions

Miniature Circuit Breakers MCB

International Standard References

IEC 60898
Applicable to circuit-breakers for protection of wiring installation
in buildings and similar applications, and designed for use by
uninstructed persons, and for not being maintained.
Part 1: Circuit-breakers for a.c. operation
Part 2: Circuit-breakers for a.c. and d.c. operation (additional requirements)

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 52

Choice criteria

Rated values (In, Ue)

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 53

Limit values (Icn, Ics)

Rated value In
Rated uninterrupted current (In):
the rated uninterrupted current of an equipment is a value of
current, stated by the manufacturer, which the equipment
can carry in uninterrupted duty, at a specified reference
ambient air temperature (30 C).

The

rated current doesnt exceed the 125A.

IEC 60898-1 def. 5.2.2

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 54

Rated value Ue
Rated operational voltage (Ue):
The rated operational voltage of a circuit-breaker is the value
of voltage, assigned by the manufacturer, to which its
performances (particularly the short-circuit performance) are
referred.

The rated operational voltage doesnt exceed the 440Vac

220Vdc.
IEC 60898-1 def. 5.2.1.1

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 55

Choice criteria

Rated values (In, Ue)

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 56

Limit values (Icn, Ics)

Limit value Icn

Icn = RATED SHORT CIRCUIT
CAPACITY

IEC 60898-1
def. 5.2.4

The rated short-circuit capacity is the value of the ultimate

short-circuit breaking capacity for which the prescribed
conditions, according to a specified test sequence, do not
include the capability of the circuit-breaker to carry 0,85 times
its non-tripping current for the conventional time.
test sequence: O - 3 min - CO
- leakage current at 1.1 Ue (< 2 mA)
- dielectric strength test at 900 V
- verification of overload release at 2.8 x In
The rated short circuit capacity doesnt exceed the
25kA in ac and 10kA in dc
ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 57

Limit value Ics

Ics = RATED SERVICE SHORT
CIRCUIT CAPACITY

IEC 60898-1
def. 3.5.5.2

The service short-circuit capacity of a circuit-breaker is the

value of the breaking capacity for which the prescribed
conditions according to a specified test sequence include the
capability of the circuit-breaker to carry 0,85 times its nontripping current for the conventional time.

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 58

Limit value Ics

Service Short Circuit capacity (Ics):

- test seq. :

O - 3 min - O - 3 min CO
O - 3 min - CO - 3 min CO

(for one or two poles cb)

(for three or four poles cb)

- leakage current at 1.1 Ue (< 2 mA)

- dielectric strength test
- verification of no tripping at 0,85 x In
A circuit-breaker with a rated short-circuit capacity (Icn) has a corresponding service short-circuit
capacity (Ics) as from this table:
The circuit breaker with

Icn < 6000A

6000A < Icn < 10000A
Icn > 10000A

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 59

Ics is equal to 1xIcn

Ics is equal to 0,75xIcn
Ics is equal to 0,5xIcn

Minimum value of Ics is 6000A.

Minimum value of Ics is 7500A.

Tripping Curves
Overload characteristics
The main difference between the overload protection curve of the CBs responding to
IEC 60947 or IEC 60898 are referred to the conventional non tripping current.
The prescibed conditions are given in this table:

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 60

Tripping Curves
Magnetic characteristics
The CBs according to IEC 60947 usually have the instantaneous threshold at 5 or 10 times
the rated current with a tolerance of + 20%.
The CBs according to IEC 60898-1 (ac applications) have different instantaneous
threshold referred to the type B , C , D as indicated in the table below:

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 61

Tripping Curves

ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 62

Comparison (summary)
IEC 60947-2

IEC 60898-1

People

Instructed

Uninstructed

Maintenance

Possible

Not possible

< 1000 Vac

< 440 Vac

< 1500 Vdc

< 220 Vdc

40 C

30 C

Rated Voltage
(Ue)
Ambient
Temperature

No limits
Rated Current

(Iu < 6300 A)

Short circuit
breaking current
ABB Group
October 31, 2015 | Slide 63

No limits for Icu

In = 125 A
Icn = 25 kA (ac)
Icn = 10 kA (dc)

 ABB Group, BU Breakers and Switches

October 31, 2015 | Slide 64