STANDARD NUMBERS FOR SWITCHGEAR DEVICES

Table 1: Standard Numbers for Switchgear Devices

Device No.

Function and Description

Master Element The initiating device (control switch, voltage relay, float switch, etc)
that places equipment into or out of operation. This is done either directly or through a
permissive device, such as a protective or time-delay relay.

Time-Delay Starting (or Closing) Relay A device that provides a given amount of time
delay before or after any operation in a switching sequence or protective relay system.
This is true except as specifically provided by devices 62 and 79, described later.

Checking (or Interlocking Relax A relay that operates in response to the position of
other devices, or to the predetermined conditions in equipment. This relay allows an
operating sequence to continue, stops the sequence, or provides a check of the
position of the devices or the predetermined conditions for any purpose.

Master Contractor A device that makes or breaks the necessary control circuits to
place equipment into or out of service when the required conditions exist. A master
element (device 1), and the necessary permissive and protective devices generally
control this device.

Stopping Device A device whose primary function is to place and hold equipment out
of service.

Starting Circuit Breaker A device whose primary function is to connect a machine to

its source of starting voltage.

Anode Circuit Breaker A device that is used in the anode circuits of a power rectifier
to interrupt the rectifier current if an arc-back occurs.

Control Power Disconnecting Device A device (knife switch, circuit breaker, or pullout fuse block) that is used to connect or disconnect the control power to and from the
control bus or equipment. Control power includes auxiliary power that supplies small
motors and heaters.

Reversing Device A device that is used to reverse a machines field or to perform any
other reversing function.

10

Unit Sequence Switch A switch that changes the sequence in which units may be
placed into or out of service in a mufti-unit system.

11

Reserved for future application.

12

Over-Speed Device A direct-connected speed switch that function when a machine

overspeeds.

13

Synchronous-Speed Device A device (centrifugal-speed switch, slip frequency relay,

voltage relay, undercurrent relay, or any other type of device) that operates at
approximately the synchronous speed of a machine.

14

Under-Speed Device A device that functions when the speed of a machine falls
below a predetermined value.

15

Speed or Frequency Matching Device A device that matches and holds the speed
(frequency) of a machine or a system equal (approximately equal) to that of another
machine, source, or system.

16

Reserved for future application.

Device No.

Function and Description

17

Shunting (Discharged Switch A switch that opens or closes a shunting circuit around
any piece of apparatus (except a resistor), such as: a machine field, a machine
armature, a capacitor, or a reactor. This excludes devices that perform the shunting
operations that are necessary when a machine is started by devices 6 or 42. Device
73 function, the switching of a load resistor, is also excluded.

18

Accelerating (Decelerating) Device A device that closes circuits used to increase or

decrease the speed of a machine.

19

Starting-To-Running Transition Contactor A device that causes the automatic transfer

of a machine from the starting to the running power connection.

20

Electrically Operated Valve A motor operated valve that is used in vacuum, air, gas,
oil, water, or similar lines. The function of the valve may be indicated by the insertion
of a descriptive word, such as Brake, in the function name (i.e., electrically operated
brake valve).

21

Distance Relay A relay that functions when the circuit impedance or reactance
increases or decreases beyond predetermined limits.

22

Equalizer Circuit Breaker A breaker that controls the equalizer or current balancing
connections for a machine field, or for regulating equipment, in a multi-unit system.

23

Temperature Control Device A device that raises or lowers the temperature of a

machine or other apparatus (or of any medium), when its temperature falls below or
rises above a predetermined value. An example is a thermostat that switches on a
space heater in a switchgear assembly when the temperature falls below the
predetermined value. This is different from a device that provides automatic
temperature regulation between close limits (90T device).

24

Reserved for future application.

25

Synchronizing (Synchronism-Check) Device A device that permits or causes the

paralleling of two AC sources when they are within the desired limits of frequency,
phase angle, and voltage.

26

Apparatus Thermal Device A device that functions when the temperature of the field
of a machine, a load limiting or shifting resistor, a liquid, or any other medium exceeds
a predetermined limit. It also functions if the temperature of the protected apparatus,
such as a power rectifier, decreases below a predetermined limit.

27

Undervoltage Relay A relay that functions on a given value of undervoltage.

28

Flame Detector A device that monitors the presence of the pilot or main flame in
apparatus such as a gas turbine or a steam boiler.

29

Isolating Contactor A contactor that is used expressly to disconnect one circuit from
another to perform emergency operations, maintenance, or tests.

30

Annunciator Relay A non-automatically reset device that gives a number of visual

indications upon the functioning of a protective device. It may also be arranged to
perform a lock out function.

31

Separate Excitation Device A device that connects a circuit, such as the shunt field of
a synchronous converter, to a source of separate excitation during the starting
sequence. This device also energizes the excitation and ignition circuits of a power
rectifier.

32

Directional Power Relay A device that functions on a desired value of power flow in a
given direction, or upon reverse power resulting from arc-back in the anode or cathode
circuits of a power rectifier.

Device No.

Function and Description

33

Position Switch A switch that makes or breaks contact when the main device or piece
of apparatus, which has no device function number, reaches a given position.

34

Motor-Operated Sequence Switch A multi-contact switch that fixes the operating

sequence of the major devices during starting, stopping, or other sequential switching
operations.

35

Brush-Operating (Slip-Ring Short-Circuiting Device A device that raises, lowers, or

shifts the position of the brushes in a machine, or that short-circuits its slip-rings. This
device also engages or disengages the contacts of a mechanical rectifier.

36

Polarity Device A device that operates or permits the operation of another device on
a predetermined polarity only.

37

Undercurrent (Underpower) Relay A relay that functions when the current or power
flow decreases below a predetermined value.

38

Bearing Protective Device A device that functions on excessive bearing temperature

or on other abnormal mechanical conditions, such as undue wear, which may
eventually result in excessive bearing temperature.

39

Mechanical Condition Monitor A device that functions upon the occurrence of an

abnormal mechanical condition (except that associated with bearings as covered under
device 38). Examples of abnormal conditions are: excessive vibration, eccentricity,
expansion, shock, tilting or seal failure.

40

Field Relax A relay that functions on a given low value, or failure, of machine field
current. This relay also functions on an excessive value of the reactive component of
armature current in an AC machine, which indicates abnormally low field excitation.

41

Field Circuit Breaker A device that applies or removes the field excitation of a
machine.

42

Running Circuit Breaker A device that connects a machine to its source of running
voltage, after the machine has been brought up to the desired speed on the starting
connection (motor starter).

43

Manual Transfer (Selector) Device A manually operated device that transfers the
control circuits to modify the plan of operation of the switching equipment or of some of
the devices.

44

Unit Sequence Starting Relay A relay that functions to start the next available unit, in
a mufti-unit system, on the failure or the non-availability of the normally preceding unit.

45

Atmospheric Condition Monitor A device that functions upon the occurrence of an

abnormal atmospheric condition, such as: fumes, explosive mixtures, smoke, and fire.

46

Reverse-Phase (Phase-Balance) Current Relay A relay that functions when the

polyphase currents are reverse-phase sequenced, unbalanced, or contains negative
phase sequence components above a given amount.

47

Phase-Sequence Voltage Relay A relay that functions on a predetermined value of

polyphase voltage in the desired phase sequence.

48

Incomplete Sequence Relay A relay that returns the equipment to the normal, or off,
position and locks it out. This relay functions if the normal starting, operating, or
stopping sequence is not properly completed within a predetermined time.

49

Machine (Transformer) Thermal Relay A relay that functions when the temperature of
a machine armature or other load carrying winding (element), a power rectifier, or a
power transformer (including a power rectifier transformer) exceeds a predetermined
value.

Device No.

Function and Description

50

Instantaneous Overcurrent Rate-of-Rise Relay - A relay that functions instantaneously

on an excessive value of current, or on an excessive rate of current rise. This relay is
used to indicate a fault in the apparatus or circuit being protected.

51

AC Time Overcurrent Relay A relay with either a definite or inverse time characteristic
that functions when the current in an AC circuit exceeds a predetermined value.

52

AC Circuit Breaker A device that closes or interrupts an AC power circuit under

normal conditions. The breaker also interrupts the circuit under fault or emergency
conditions.

53

Exciter (DC Generator) Relay A relay that forces the DC machines field excitation to
build up during starting or that functions when the machines voltage has built up to a
given value.

54

High Speed DC Circuit Breaker A circuit breaker that functions to reduce the current
in the main circuit in 0.01 seconds or less. The breaker functions after the occurrence
of a DC overcurrent or excessive rate of current rise.

55

Power Factor Relay A relay that operates when the power factor in an AC circuit rises
above or falls below a predetermined value.

56

Field Application Relay A relay that automatically controls the application of field
excitation to an AC motor at some predetermined point in the slip cycle.

57

Short Circuiting (Grounding Device A power, or stored energy, device that short
circuits, or grounds, a circuit in response to automatic or manual means.

58

Power Rectifier Misfire Relay A relay that functions if one or more of the power
rectifier anodes fail to fire.

59

Overvoltage Relay A relay that functions on a given value of overvoltage.

60

Voltage Balance Relay A relay that operates on a given difference in voltage between
two circuits.

61

Current Balance Relay A relay that operates on a given difference in the current input
or output of two circuits.

62

Time-Delay Stopping (Opening) Relay A time-delay relay that serves in conjunction

with the device that initiates the shutdown, stopping, or opening operation in an
automatic sequence.

63

Liquid or Gas Pressure, Level, or Flow Relay A relay that operates on given values of
liquid pressure, gas pressure, flow, or level, or on a given rate of change of these
values. This relay is normally an auxiliary relay. Also, see devices 71 and 80.

64

Ground Protective Relay A relay that functions on the failure of the insulation of a
machine, a transformer, or any other apparatus to ground. This relay also functions on
a flashover to ground in a DC machine. This function is only assigned to a relay that
detects current flow from the frame of a machine (enclosing case or the structure of an
apparatus) to ground. This relay also detects grounds on normally ungrounded
windings or circuits. This function is not applied to a device connected in the
secondary circuit or neutral of a current transformer, or current transformers connected
in the power circuit of a normally grounded system.

65

Governor The equipment that controls the gate or valve opening of a prime mover.

66

Notching (logging) Device A device that function to allow only a specified number of
operations of a given device or equipment, or a specified number of successive
operations within a given time of each other. It is also a device that functions to
energize a circuit periodically, or that is used to permit intermittent acceleration
(jogging) of a machine at low speed for mechanical positioning.

Device No.

Function and Description

67

AC Directional Overcurrent Relay A relay that functions on a desired value of AC

overcurrent flowing in a predetermined direction.

68

Blocking Relax A relay that initiates a pilot signal for blocking a trip on external faults
in a transmission line, or in any other apparatus, under predetermined conditions. It
also cooperates with other devices to block trips or reclosures on an out-of-step
condition.

69

Permissive Control Device Generally, a two-position, manually operated switch that

permits the closing of a circuit breaker, or the placing of equipment into operation, in
one position and prevents the circuit breaker or the equipment from being operated in
the other position.

70

Electrically Operated Rheostat A rheostat that is used to vary the resistance of a

circuit in response to some means of electrical control.

71

Level Switch A switch that operates on given values, or on a given rate of change of
level.

72

DC Circuit Breaker A circuit breaker that closes or interrupts a DC circuit under

normal conditions. The breaker also interrupts the circuit under fault or emergency
conditions.

73

Load Resistor Contactor A contactor that is used to shunt or to insert a step of load
limiting, shifting, or indicating resistance in a power circuit. This device is also used to
switch a space heater in a circuit, and to switch a light on the regenerative load resistor
of a power rectifier, or other machine into or out of a circuit.

74

Alarm Relay A relay, other than an annunciator (device 30), which is used to operate,
or operate in conjunction with, a visual or audible alarm.

75

Position Changing Mechanism The mechanism that is used to move a removable

circuit breaker unit to and from the connected, disconnected and test position.

76

DC Overcurrent Relay A relay that functions when the current in a DC circuit exceeds
a given value.

77

Pulse Transmitter Generates and transmits pulses over a telemetering or pilot-wire

circuit to the remote indicating or receiving device.

78

Phase Angle Measuring (Out-Of-Step Protective Relay) A relay that functions at a

predetermined phase angle between two voltages, two currents or a voltage and
current.

79

AC Reclosing Relay A relay that controls the automatic reclosing and locking out of
an AC circuit interrupter.

80

Flow Switch A switch that operates on a given value, or on a given rate of change of
flow.

81

Frequency Relay A relay that functions on a predetermined value of frequency (either

above or below normal system frequency), or rate of change of frequency.

82

DC Reclosing Relay A relay that controls the closing and reclosing of a DC circuit
interrupter, generally in response to load circuit conditions.

83

Automatic Selective Control (Transfer) Relay A relay that operates to automatically

select between certain sources or conditions in equipment. The relay can also perform
automatic transfer operations.

84

Operating Mechanism The complete electrical mechanism (or servomechanism),

including the operating motor, solenoids, position switches, etc., for a tap changer or
any piece of apparatus that has no device number.

Device No.

Function and Description

85

Carrier (Pilot-Wired Receiver Relay A relay that is operated or restrained by a signal

used in conjunction with carrier-current or DC pilot-wire fault directional relaying.

86

Lock-Out Relay An electrically operated (hand or electrically reset) device that

functions to shut down and hold equipment out of service on the occurrence of an
abnormal condition.

87

Differential Protective Relay A protective relay that functions on a percentage, a

phase angle, or other quantitative difference between two currents, or some other
electrical quantities.

88

Auxiliary Motor (Motor Generator) A motor used to operate auxiliary equipment, such
as pumps, blowers, exciters, rotating magnetic amplifiers, etc.

89

Line Switch A switch used as a disconnecting or isolating switch in an AC or DC

power circuit, when the device is electrically operated or has electrical accessories,
such as an auxiliary switch, a magnetic lock, etc.

90

Regulating Device A device that controls a quantity (or quantities), such as voltage,
current, power, speed, frequency, temperature, and load at a given value or between
certain limits, for machines, tie lines, or other apparatus.

91

Voltage Directional Relay A relay that operates when the voltage across an open
circuit breaker or contactor exceeds a given value in a given direction.

92

Voltage and Power Directional Relay A relay that permits or causes the connection of
two circuits when the voltage difference between them exceeds a given value in a
predetermined direction, and causes these two circuits to be disconnected from each
other when the power flowing between them exceeds a given value in the opposite
direction.

93

Field Changing Contactor A contactor that functions to increase or decrease, in one

step, the value of field excitation on a machine.

94

Tripping, (Trip-Free Relay A relay that functions to trip a circuit breaker, a contactor or
equipment, or to permit immediate tripping by other device. This device may also
prevent the immediate reclosing of a circuit interrupter, should it open automatically,
even though its closing circuit is maintained closed.

95 to 99

Used only for specific applications on individual installations where none of the
assigned numbered functions form 1 to 94 are suitable.