ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

AND MAINTENANCE (EIM) 5

INSTALL ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE DEVICES FOR
DISTRIBUTION, POWER, LIGHTING, AUXILIARY,
LIGHTNING PROTECTION AND GROUNDING
SYSTEMS
OBJECTIVES

Explain the need for circuit protection

Define protective devices and overcurrent
Explain the causes of overcurrent.
Demonstrate how a protective device (circuit
breaker) works
THE NEED FOR CIRCUIT
PROTECTION
PROTECTIVE DEVICE

 Device as a unit of an electrical system that is intended

to carry or control but not utilize electric energy.
 One example of a device is a protective device which is
also referred to as an overcurrent protection device
(OCPD).
 A form of protection that operates when current
exceeds a predetermined value.
 Common forms of overcurrent devices are circuit
breakers and fuses.
 OCPD

 The function of the overcurrent protective devices is to open the

circuit (disconnect the line) when the current rating capacity of
the equipment being protected is exceeded.
 The circuit protective device represents the source of voltage. It is
always connected at its hot line end to the voltage source and its
load end to the circuit wiring.
 The purpose of an overcurrent protective device (OCPD) is to
protect the circuit wiring and devices and to some extent the
equipment served by the circuit.
OVERCURRENT

any current in excess of the rated

current of equipment or the ampacity of
a conductor. It may result from
overload, short circuit, or ground fault.
OVERLOAD

 An overload occurs when too many devices are

operated on a single circuit or when electrical
equipment is made to work beyond its rated
capabilities.
 When an overload occurs, damage to connected
equipment or the conductors that supply that
equipment can occur unless the circuit is shut down by
an overcurrent protection device.
 Slight overloads can be allowed to continue for a short
time, but as the current magnitude increases, the
circuit breaker must open faster
OVERCURRENT

 Current flow in a conductor always generates

heat. The greater the current flow, the hotter
the conductor.
 Excess heat is damaging to electrical
conductors. For that reason, conductors have
a rated continuous current carrying capacity or
ampacity.
 Current beyond the rated ampacity of a
conductor is referred to as overcurrent.
 Overcurrent can result from a short circuit, an
overload, or a ground fault.
 SHORT CIRCUIT

 A short circuit is a low resistance path for current created when

bare conductors touch.
 When a short circuit occurs with voltage applied, the decrease in
resistance results in a short circuit current that can be thousands
of times higher than normal operating current.
 The heat generated by this current will cause extensive damage
to connected equipment and conductors unless current is
interrupted immediately.
 GROUND FAULT

 A ground fault occurs when current takes an undesired path to ground.

 The level of ground fault current depends on the resistance of the path and the amount of
voltage applied.
 Both were the results of excessive current flow in the circuit.
 The primary function of. the overcurrent devices are to protect the branch circuit and the load
device against excessive current supply.
 However, regardless whether the excess current is being caused by· an equipment problem of
overloading, or by a circuit problem such as un-intentional ground fault.
 The protective devices have but one purpose - to interrupt the line, in case there is an excess
current flow in the circuit.
GROUND FAULT
 OVERCURRENT

 When the over current protective devices sense an excessive

flow of current, it automatically opens the circuit or simply cut
off the line to prevent the excessive flow of current in creating
damages to the circuit or to the equipment.
 The overcurrent protective device automatically opens the line
to release the excessive current.
 The action of the over current protective device is called
''Clearing" because it clears the circuit of the fault or over current
load.
 OVERCURRENT

 Overcurrent protection devices are used to protect conductors from excessive current flow. Some
overcurrent protection devices only provide protection in the event of a short circuit, some provide
both short circuit and overload protection, and some devices provide protection in the event of any of
the three overcurrent types.
 Circuit protection would be unnecessary if overcurrent could be eliminated. Unfortunately,
overcurrent do occur and, when an overcurrent occurs, an overcurrent protection must be also able to
recognize the difference between a small overcurrent and a short circuit and respond in the proper
way.
 A small overcurrent is often allowed to continue for a short time, but, as the current magnitude
increases, the protection device must respond faster.
 Short circuits must be interrupted immediately.
OCPD

The over current protective devices are installed

in circuits to protect the following:
1. The wiring
2. The transformer·
3. The lights
4. The appliances and other utilization equipment
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OVERLOAD
CURRENTS:
 They are greater than the normal current
flow.
 They are placed within the normal
conducting current path.
 If allowed to continue, they will cause
overheating of the equipment, conductors,
and the insulation of the conductors.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SHORT-CIRCUIT AND
GROUND – FAULT

They flow ―outside of the normal current

 1.
path.
2. They may be greater than the normal
current flow.
3. They may be less than the normal current
flow.
 APPLICATION OF OVERCURRENT PROTECTION IS
ALSO GOVERNED BY THE FOLLOWING RULES:
 1. That the overcurrent protection devices should be installed on the line or
supply side of the equipment being protected.
 2. The overcurrent protective devices shall be placed in all ungrounded
conductors of the protected circuits.
 3. All equipment should be protected in accordance with its current
carrying capacity.
 4. That, the overcurrent protective devices should be readily assembled
and protected from physical damages and away from easily ignited
materials.
 5. Conductors size should not be reduced in a circuit or tap unless the
smallest wire is ·protected by the· circuit over current devices.
SELF-CHECK

1. As a rule, circuit should be protected from

_____
a. overload
b. overcurrent
c. fault
d. short
SELF-CHECK

2. The function of the OCPD is to _______ the

circuit when the current rating capacity of the
equipment being protected is exceeded.
a. close
b. interrupt
c. open
d. trip
SELF-CHECK

3. The circuit protective device represents the

source of _________.
a. voltage
b. power
c. current
d. all of these

SELF-CHECK

4. The overcurrent protective device

automatically opens the line to release the
excessive ________________.
a. voltage
b. power
c. current
d. load
SELF-CHECK

5. Overcurrent protection devices should be installed

on the ______________ of the equipment being
protected.
 a. load side
 b. line side
 c. upper side
 d. lower side
SELF-CHECK

6. Which is not a characteristics of an overload current?

 a. They are greater than the normal current flow.
 b. They are placed within the normal conducting current
path.
 c. They will cause overheating of the equipment,
conductors, and the insulation of the conductors if
allowed to continue
 d. They flow ― outside of the normal current path.
SELF-CHECK

7. When the circuit is always tripping, most likely

 a. there is an overloading
 b. the lines are open
 c. there is an overcurrent
 d. the load is removed