Professional Documents
Culture Documents
0600DB0105
August 2001
Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Data Bulletin
Circuit Breaker Characteristic Trip Curves and Coordination
Class 0600
TRIP CURVES AND COORDINATION
The upper-left portion of each trip curve displays the circuit breakers thermal
response. On low-fault current levels, up to the magnetic tripping level, thermal
tripping occurs when a bimetal conductor in the breaker responds to heat
associated with the overcurrent. The bimetal conductor deflects, de-latching
the mechanism and mechanically causing the circuit breaker to trip and open
the circuit. The larger the overload, the faster the breaker will operate to clear
the circuit (referred to as inverse time characteristics).
The lower right portion of the curve displays the magnetic tripping response of
the circuit breaker. This takes place when overcurrents of sufficient magnitude
operate an integral magnetic armature which de-latches the mechanism.
Magnetic tripping occurs with no intentional time delay.
The magnetic limits of Square D residential and industrial 100 A and smaller
frame thermal-magnetic breakers are factory set at the time of manufacture
and are non-adjustable. Thermal-magnetic circuit breakers 250 A frame and
larger have an instantaneous magnetic trip which in most cases is adjustable
from 5 to 10 times the circuit breakers ampere rating. A single magnetic
adjustment on the face of each circuit breaker sets the limits of the magnetic
trip mechanism, which simultaneously adjusts all poles of the two or three pole
breaker to the same magnetic trip level.
The tolerance on the nominal instantaneous trip levels on the HI setting are
within the range of 20% and within 25% when on any other setting.
500
400
400
300
300
200
200
150
150
100
90
80
100
90
80
70
70
60
60
50
50
40
40
30
30
20
20
15
15
10
9
8
10
9
8
1.5
1.5
1
.9
.8
1
.9
.8
.7
.7
.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.4
.3
.3
.2
.2
.15
.15
.1
.09
.08
.1
.09
.08
.07
.07
.06
.06
TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
8000
9000
10000
600
500
7000
700
600
6000
700
5000
1000
900
800
4000
1000
900
800
3000
1500
2000
2000
1500
1500
2000
800
900
1000
3000
700
4000
3000
600
5000
4000
500
6000
5000
400
7000
6000
300
10000
9000
8000
7000
150
10000
9000
8000
200
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.7
.6
.5
.05
.05
.04
.04
.03
.03
1 CYCLE
(50 Hz)
.02
1 CYCLE
(60 Hz)
.015
.02
.015
1/2
.01
.009
.008
CYCLE
(50 Hz)
1/2
CYCLE
(60 Hz)
.007
.01
.009
.008
.007
8000
9000
10000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1500
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
300
200
150
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.7
.005
.6
.006
.005
.5
.006
Figure 1:
2
06033007
Figure 2 shows various discrete segments of the trip curve that can be
adjusted on an electronic trip circuit breaker. The following paragraphs
describe the functions, their adjustments and how they affect the trip curve.
Long-time
Ampere Rating
1000
Long-time Delay
Time in Seconds
100
10
Short-time Pickup
Short-time Delay
(It IN)
1.0
0.1
Short-time Delay
(It OUT)
Instantaneous Pickup
0.01
1.0
10
100
Figure 2:
The short-time function allows the circuit breaker to delay before tripping on
high level overcurrents, resulting in maximum coordination.
It INresults in an inverse-time delay characteristic that most closely
parallels time/current characteristics of fuses.
It OUTresults in a constant delay characteristic that coordinates best with
thermal-magnetic and electronic trip circuit breakers. For Square D electronic
trip circuit breakers, the short-time delay switch adjustment allows constant
delay times of 0.1, 0.2, 0.32, and 0.5 seconds as noted on the time/current
characteristic curves.
A short-time delay override is placed into all circuit breakers to instantaneously
trip them in the event of an extremely high level of short circuit. On circuit
breakers with the instantaneous pickup adjustment turned off (O), this
particular function is referred to as short-time withstand rating, displayed on
the trip curve and is plotted according to absolute amperes instead of the
normal multiples of the rating plug.
Trip curves for circuit breakers with the short-time delay function also indicate
the maximum unrestrained short-time delay of the Zone Selective Interlocking
function. This is the maximum delay a circuit breaker will have during short
time overcurrent condition when the circuit breaker does not receive a signal
from a Zone Selectively Interlocked downstream circuit breaker. The
maximum value of this delay is shown by a single line on the trip curve.
The maximum unrestrained delay stays constant for all switch settings on the
short-time delay function (see Figure 3).
Figure 3:
Instantaneous Pickup
The ground-fault function is divided into pickup and delay components (see
Figure 4). The pickup portion determines at what point the circuit breaker will
begin detecting a ground fault. The delay adjustment determines how long the
circuit breaker will delay tripping after a ground-fault has been detected. It is
supplied with both an It IN and an It OUT function on the LE, ME, NE, PE
and SE circuit breakers.
In a circuit breaker with the ground-fault function, there is a maximum
unrestrained ground-fault delay provided. This delay determines the maximum
amount of time the circuit breaker will delay during a ground-fault condition
when not restrained by a downstream breaker. The maximum delay is shown
by a single line and stays constant for all ground-fault delay switch settings.
1000
100
Time in Seconds
Ground-fault Pickup
10
Ground-fault
Delay (It IN)
1.0
0.1
Maximum
Unrestrained
Ground-fault
Delay
Ground-fault
Delay (It OUT)
0.01
0.1
1.0
10.0
Figure 4:
Application Information
The upper right hand corner of each trip curve lists the circuit breaker
description, curve number and ampere rating.
The application information provided includes the circuit breakers prefix,
continuous ampere rating, maximum ac voltage and the number of poles.
Below is the information found on Curve No. 655-1.
Circuit Breaker Prefix Continuous
Maximum AC Voltage Number of
Ampere Rating
Poles
KA, KH
70100
600
2, 3
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.7
.6
.5
10000
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
5000
5000
4000
4000
3000
3000
Maximum
AC Voltage
Number
of P oles
1525
240
480
240
480
600
600
1c, 2, 3
1f, 2, 3
2, 3
2, 3
2, 3
1f, 2, 3
2000
2000
1500
1500
1000
900
800
1000
900
800
This curve is to be used for application and coordination purposes only. The
E Z-AMP overlay feature at the bottom of the page should be used during
coordination studies.
700
700
600
600
500
500
400
400
300
300
200
200
8000
9000
10000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1500
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
300
200
150
150
150
100
90
80
100
90
80
70
70
60
60
50
50
40
40
30
30
20
20
15
15
10
9
8
10
9
8
1.5
1.5
1
.9
.8
1
.9
.8
.7
.7
.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.4
TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
C ontinuous
Ampere R ating
FA
FA
FC
FC
FA
FA, FH
.3
.3
25 A
.2
.2
20 A
.15
.15
15 A
.1
.09
.08
.1
.09
.08
.07
.07
.06
.06
.05
.05
.04
.04
.03
.03
1 CYCLE
(50 Hz)
.02
1 CYCLE
(60 Hz)
.015
.01
.009
.008
.015
1/2
CYCLE
(50 Hz)
1/2
CYCLE
(60 Hz)
.007
.02
.01
.009
.008
.007
8000
9000
10000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1500
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
300
200
150
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.7
.005
.6
.006
.005
.5
.006
Figure 5:
20
15
750 KVA
XFMR
480 Vac, 3
1200 A
LOAD
40 A
Figure 6:
Begin the coordination study with the branch circuit devices (with fixed
characteristics) nearest to load and work toward the source.
Given the time/current characteristics of the sample motor load, the branch
circuit breaker can be selected to provide protection during start-up, normal
operation and overcurrent situation.
150 A
First, prepare a system one-line diagram showing all pertinent data including
type and ratings for all circuit breakers, available short circuit currents and any
special requirements stipulated by load characteristics. The one-line diagram
for a sample coordination study is shown in Figure 6.
FAULT
460 Vac, 15 HP, 21 F. L. A.
Startup
CURRENT = 252 A
LOCKED ROTOR
CURRENT = 126 A
One-line Diagram
1. Using the motor selection table on page 6-28 of the 172 Square D Digest,
a 40 A FA circuit breaker was chosen to protect a 15 horsepower motor at
460 volts ac (motors are sized @ 460 Vac to compensate for voltage drop
from the transformer). Trip curve number 650-3 is shown (see Figure 7)
with the motors time/current characteristics plotted. Since the curves do
not intersect each other, the circuit breaker should not trip at any time
during start-up or normal full load operation of the motor. Should a locked
rotor condition occur, the motor will continuously draw a current of 126 A.
The circuit breaker trip curve shows the 40 A FA breaker will trip within the
range of 940 seconds, thus protecting the conductors from damage.
2. The 40 A FA branch circuit breaker is to be coordinated with a 150 A KA
circuit breaker. To compare trip curves of thermal-magnetic circuit breakers
(applied at the same voltage), the EZ-AMP overlay method may be used.
A. Simply place curve number 655-2 (KA 150 A) on top of curve number
650-3 (FA 40 A).
B. Line up the 150 A EZ-AMP arrow on curve number 655-2 directly on top
of the 40 A EZ-AMP arrow on curve number 650-3.
Once the arrows are properly aligned, the EZ-AMP overlay procedure is
completed and the curves now have common values of applied current
(see Figure 8). The curves can now be compared to see if coordination
exists between the two circuit breakers.
When the KA circuit breakers adjustable magnetic trip is at the low
setting, the FA and KA circuit breakers curves intersect, showing that
coordination does not exist. Adjusting the KA circuit breakers magnetic
trip to the high setting ensures proper coordination.
Finally, determine if the 150 A KA and the upstream 1200 A NA breakers will
coordinate. Once again, use the EZ-AMP feature to overlay curve number
655-2 (KA 150 A) on top of curve 670-10 (NA 1200 A). Be sure to line up the
correct 150 A and 1200 A EZ-AMP arrows.
Remember that the KA circuit breaker must have the adjustable magnetic
setting on high to coordinate with the downstream FA circuit breaker.
Figure 9 shows that KA/NA coordination exists with the KA magnetic setting
on high and the NA magnetic setting on low or high. Coordination studies on
systems which include electronic trip circuit breakers are performed following
a procedure similar to that with thermal-magnetic circuit breakers. Since
electronic trip circuit breaker trip curves do not utilize the EZ-AMP feature, the
10,000 A point on the trip curve must be established when coordinating with
thermal-magnetic circuit breakers.
If a standard circuit breaker is being lined up with an electronic trip circuit
breaker with a 1200 A rating plug, the EZ-AMP arrow on the downstream
breaker would line up with the 8.3 multiple on the electronic trip circuit breaker
curve (10,000 divided by 1200 = 8.3). Figure 10 shows that coordination exists
between a 150 A KA circuit breaker and an NX circuit breaker with an LSI trip
unit and a 1200 A rating plug.
10
40
21
60
70
80
90
100
500
400
400
300
300
200
200
150
150
40 A
FA
M
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
500
LOAD
5000
1000
900
800
700
600
4000
1000
900
800
700
600
3000
1500
2000
2000
1500
1500
2000
600
700
800
900
1000
3000
500
4000
3000
400
5000
4000
300
5000
750 KVA
XFMR
480 Vac, 3
150
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
200
50
40
30
20
15
6
7
8
9
10
1.5
.6
.7
.8
.9
1
.5
100
90
80
70
60
100
90
80
70
60
50
50
40
40
30
30
20
20
15
15
10
9
8
7
6
10
9
8
7
6
1.5
1.5
1
.9
.8
.7
.6
1
.9
.8
.7
.6
.5
.5
.4
.4
.3
.3
.2
.2
.15
.15
.1
.09
.08
.07
.06
.1
.09
.08
.07
.06
.05
.05
15 Hp Motor
Starting
Characteristics
.04
.03
.04
.03
1 CYCLE
(50 Hz)
.02
1 CYCLE
(60 Hz)
.015
21
40
400
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
5000
3000
2000
1500
600
700
800
900
1000
500
400
300
200
150
60
70
80
90
100
50
40
30
20
15
6
7
8
9
10
1.5
CYCLE
(60 Hz)
4000
CYCLE
(50 Hz)
1/2
.6
.7
.8
.9
1
.5
.005
.02
.015
1/2
.01
.009
.008
.007
.006
TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
40 A FA
Curve #650-3
.01
.009
.008
.007
.006
.005
18,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Figure 7:
11
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
10000
9000
8000
10000
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
5000
5000
4000
4000
3000
3000
2000
2000
1500
1500
1000
900
800
1000
900
800
750 KVA
XFMR
480 Vac, 3
1200 A
NA
150 A
LOAD
700
700
150 Ampere
KA Curve
#655-2
500
8000
9000
10000
7000
6000
5000
4000
1500
800
900
1000
700
150
15 Hp
Motor
600
200
150
15 Hp
Motor
500
200
150
300
3000
400
300
400
400
40 A
FA
600
300
500
200
600
2000
1.5
.8
.9
1
.7
.6
.5
100
90
80
100
90
80
70
70
60
60
50
50
40
40
30
30
20
20
40 Ampere FA
Curve #650-3
15
Magnetic
Setting
10
9
8
10
9
8
LO
HI
1.5
1.5
1
.9
.8
1
.9
.8
.7
.7
.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.4
.3
.3
.2
.2
.15
.15
TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
15
.07
.1
.09
.08
.1
.09
.08
.07
.06
.06
.05
.05
15 Hp Motor
Starting
Characteristics
.04
.03
.04
.03
1 CYCLE
.02
.02
1 CYCLE
.015
.015
1/2
.01
.009
.008
1/2
CYCLE
.01
.009
.008
CYCLE
21
40
150
400
18,000 25,000
1,200
8000
9000
10000
6000
7000
5000
4000
3000
1500
2000
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
300
200
150
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.005
.7
.006
.005
.6
.007
.006
.5
.007
65,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Figure 8:
12
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.7
.6
.5
10000
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
5000
5000
750 KVA
XFMR
480Vac, 3
1200 A
NA
4000
4000
1200 Ampere
NA Curve #670-10
3000
3000
2000
2000
1500
1500
1000
900
800
1000
900
800
150 A
KA
LOAD
700
700
150 Ampere
KA Curve
#655-2
500
8000
9000
10000
7000
6000
5000
4000
2000
1500
800
900
1000
700
150
15 Hp
Motor
600
200
150
15 Hp
Motor
500
200
150
300
3000
400
300
400
400
40 A
FA
600
300
500
200
600
100
90
80
100
90
80
70
70
60
60
50
50
40
40
30
30
20
20
40 Ampere FA
Curve #650-3
15
Magnetic
Setting
10
9
8
10
9
8
6
5
5
4
LO
HI
Magnetic
Setting
2
1.5
1.5
1
.9
.8
LO
TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
15
1
.9
.8
HI
.7
.7
.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.4
.3
.3
.2
.2
.15
.15
.07
.1
.09
.08
.1
.09
.08
.07
.06
.06
.05
.05
15 Hp Motor
Starting
Characteristics
.04
.03
.04
.03
1 CYCLE
.02
.02
1 CYCLE
.015
.015
1/2
.01
.009
.008
1/2
CYCLE
.01
.009
.008
CYCLE
21
40
150
400
18,000 25,000
1,200
8000
9000
10000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
1500
2000
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
300
200
150
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.005
.7
.006
.005
.6
.007
.006
.5
.007
65,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Figure 9:
13
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
10000
9000
8000
10000
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
5000
5000
1200 A
NX with LSI
Curve #671-13
4000
3000
1000
900
800
1000
900
800
700
150 A
KA Curve
#655-2
600
500
40 A
FA
600
500
400
400
300
300
200
200
150
150
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
300
200
150
1500
700
LOAD
8000
9000
10000
1500
7000
1500
150 A
KA
6000
2000
5000
2000
4000
3000
1200 A
NX with LSI
3000
4000
750 KVA
XFMR
2000
20
15
8
9
10
30
1,200
150
1.5
.8
.9
1
40
.7
.6
.5
21
100
90
80
100
90
80
70
70
60
50
50
40
40
30
30
20
20
40 A FA
Curve #650-3
15
15
Magnetic
Setting
10
9
8
10
9
8
6
5
5
4
LO
HI
Short-time Pickup = 3P
Delay = Band 1t IN
1.5
1.5
1
.9
.8
1
.9
.8
.7
.7
.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.4
.3
.3
TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
60
.2
.2
Instantaneous Pickup = 4P
.15
.15
.07
.1
.09
.08
.1
.09
.08
.07
.06
.06
.05
.05
15 Hp Motor
Starting
Characteristics
.04
.03
.04
.03
1 CYCLE
.02
.02
1 CYCLE
.015
.015
1/2
.01
.009
.008
1/2
CYCLE
.01
.009
.008
CYCLE
21
40
150
400
1,200
8000
9000
10000
6000
7000
5000
4000
3000
1500
18,000 25,000
2000
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
300
200
150
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.005
.7
.006
.005
.6
.007
.006
.5
.007
100,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Figure 10: FA 40 A, KA 150 A and NE 1200 A Circuit Breakers and Motor Coordination
14
ME
ME
250400
800
8000
12,000
NE
1200
35,000
PE
PE
PE
12001600
2000
2500
18,000
18,000
18,000
SE
SE
8003000
4000
40,000
50,000
SEH
SEH
8003000
4000
40,000
50,000
15
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
10000
9000
8000
10000
9000
8000
7000
7000
6000
6000
5000
5000
1200 A NE with
LS Curve #671-10
4000
1200 A
NA with LS
(instantaneous off)
4000
3000
3000
2000
2000
1500
1500
1000
900
800
1000
900
800
150 A
KA
700
700
150 Ampere
KA Curve
#655-2
500
400
M
300
100
90
80
8000
9000
10000
7000
6000
5000
800
900
1000
700
600
500
400
150
300
200
150
150
200
15 Hp
Motor
200
300
4000
400
40 A
FA
600
3000
500
1500
600
2000
1.5
.8
.9
1
.7
.6
.5
100
90
80
70
60
70
60
50
50
40
40
30
30
20
20
40 Ampere FA
Curve #650-3
15
Magnetic
Setting
10
9
8
10
9
8
LO
HI
1.5
1.5
1
.9
.8
1
.9
.8
.7
.7
.6
.6
.5
.5
TIME IN SECONDS
TIME IN SECONDS
15
.4
.4
Short-time Pickup = 3P
Delay = Band 1 It OUT
.3
.3
.2
.2
.15
.15
.07
.1
.09
.08
Short-time Withstand
35,000 A
.07
.06
.05
.03
.04
.03
1 CYCLE
.02
.02
1 CYCLE
.015
.015
1/2
.01
.009
.008
1/2
.06
.05
15 Hp Motor
Starting
Characteristics
.04
.1
.09
.08
CYCLE
.01
.009
.008
CYCLE
21
40
150
400
1,200
8000
9000
10000
6000
7000
5000
4000
3000
1500
100,000
18,000
CURRENT IN AMPERES
2000
800
900
1000
700
500
600
400
300
200
150
80
90
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
15
8
9
10
1.5
.8
.9
1
.005
.7
.006
.005
.6
.007
.006
.5
.007
25,000 35,000
Figure 11: FA 40 A, KA 150 A and NE 1200 LS Circuit Breakers and Motor Coordination
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Square D Company
PO Box 3069
3700 Sixth St SW
Cedar Rapids IA 52406-3069 USA
1-888-SquareD (1-888-778-2733)
www.SquareD.com
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