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Contactor Type ATS Vs Circuit Breaker Type ATS PDF
Contactor Type ATS Vs Circuit Breaker Type ATS PDF
Supersedes SA 199
pages 1-12, dated January 1996
David D. Roybal, P.E. Automatic
Cutler-Hammer
Fellow Application Engineer Transfer Switches
A Performance Comparison —
Molded Case Switch Versus
Contactor Type
TP.15A.01.T.E
Technical Paper Automatic Cutler-Hammer
Page 2 Effective: June 2001 Transfer Switches
held to a more rigorous testing stan- current protection and those using normally have much higher withstand
dard than “contactor” type switches. molded case switches without over- and endurance ratings than the
The main contact assemblies in “circuit current protection. Smaller ampacity “contactor” type transfer switches.
breaker” type transfer switches are designs use molded case switches with
subject to periodic UL 489 and UL 1087 fixed instantaneous trip units set high to “Contactor” type transfer switches and
follow-up testing versus the one-time- allow the maximum withstand of the “circuit breaker” type transfer switches
only UL 1008 design test for “contac- device. Other molded case switches, using molded case switches with
tor” type automatic transfer switches. such as the Cutler-Hammer Type SPB instantaneous trip elements perform
Typically, the switching devices in a Insulated Case Switch, can be provided identically when applied in systems
“circuit breaker” type transfer switch without trip units. These are switches with molded case circuit breakers.
are oversized for the ampacity of the that have extremely high withstand and When the upstream breaker is a power
transfer switch. For example, an 800 endurance ratings, often greater than circuit breaker with no instantaneous
ampere “circuit breaker” type transfer those of a comparable “contactor” type trip element, it may have a short delay
switch uses 1200 ampere switching switch. Typical ratings are shown in time setting for coordination with other
devices, as shown in Table 2. Thus Table 3. As an alternate design, the devices under high fault conditions.
the contacts used in a “circuit breaker” transfer switches can be provided When a downstream fault occurs, the
type transfer switch are likely to be with molded case switches having power circuit breaker can delay tripping
larger than the contacts used in a overcurrent and ground fault trip units. in order to allow the downstream
“contactor” type of equal rating These are used where integral over- device to selectively clear the fault.
because of this oversizing. current protection is desired, such as
in service entrance applications. If the power circuit breaker short delay
There are actually two types of “circuit time setting is set high, fault current
breaker” transfer switch designs: those Since “contactor” type transfer may flow in excess of the limited time
using molded case switches with over- switches do not use contactors and and current withstand ratings of a
both “contactor” and “circuit breaker” “contactor” type transfer switch. A
Table 2 — Molded Case Switch ATS type automatic transfer switches use “circuit breaker” type transfer switch
With Instantaneous Trip Elements circuit breaker parts, what is their using molded case switches without
difference in performance? Under trip units can be selected to withstand
UL 1008 UL 1087/UL 489 UL 1087/UL
Switch Cutler-Hammer 489 Frame most downstream fault conditions, the short delay time, while a transfer
Ampere Molded Case Frame Ampacity both designs will perform identically, switch design using molded case
Rating i.e., the upstream breaker will trip and switches with instantaneous trip ele-
the switch logic will initiate the trans- ments would merely trip and reset. In
100 F 150 fer sequence to the alternate source.
150 K 225 some situations the high-magnitude
150 K 400 “Contactor” type transfer switches fault may cause a drop in voltage
and “circuit breaker” type transfer which could initiate a transfer
225 K 400 sequence for either the “contactor”
300 K 400 switches using molded case switches
without trip units perform identically type transfer switch or the “circuit
400 L 600
under all circumstances. However, it breaker” type transfer switch. When
600 M 800 this occurs, the transfer switch will
should be noted that these “circuit
800 N 1200 attempt to interrupt the fault current.
1000 N 1200 breaker” type transfer switch designs
The engineer may find that the limited
TP.15A.01.T.E
Cutler-Hammer Automatic Technical Paper
Transfer Switches Effective: June 2001 Page 3
TP.15A.01.T.E
Technical Paper Automatic Cutler-Hammer
Page 4 Effective: June 2001 Transfer Switches
In many power system designs where and personnel, while minimizing the to the fault is the first to clear it. Each
devices with high withstand ratings outage of the remainder of the system. upstream circuit protective device has
are available, the instantaneous trip is the backup capability to isolate and clear
deleted in order to achieve improved During the design of the power distribu- the fault in the event of the misoperation
coordination. Instantaneous trips set tion system, the various protective or nonoperation of the downstream
below the available fault current can- devices are evaluated in a series circuit device, so that the damage to the
not be fully coordinated because the from the power source to the load. faulted circuit and the effect of the
magnitude of the fault current cannot The object is to localize the power disturbance on the rest of the power
be controlled. All breakers in series interruption so that the device closest distribution system are minimized.
with instantaneous trips respond to
the fault current and try to clear the Table 4 — Electrical Characteristics of Magnum DS Power Circuit Breakers
fault with no intentional time delay.
Magnum DS Frame Trip UL Listed Interrupting Capacity at 480 Volts
Typically, time delay is used to allow Model Size Ampere rms Symmetrical Amperes (kA)
devices to selectively coordinate. Range With Instantaneous Trip Without Instantaneous Trip
All molded case circuit breakers are (30 cycle maximum delay)
designed to NEMA standards and MDS-408 800 80 – 800 42 42
have instantaneous trips. Typically, MDS-608 800 80 – 800 65 65
the maximum setting is 10 to 13 times MDS-808 800 80 – 800 85 85
the frame rating. Special designs — MDS-C08 800 80 – 800 100 85
called insulated case circuit breakers MDS-616 1600 80 – 1600 65 65
by the industry — such as the Cutler- MDS-816 1600 80 – 1600 85 85
Hammer Type SPB Insulated Case MDS-C16 1600 80 – 1600 100 85
Breaker, may have higher than normal
MDS-620 2000 80 – 2000 65 65
instantaneous settings. These designs MDS-820 2000 80 – 2000 85 85
allow use of the short time pickup and MDS-C20 2000 80 – 2000 100 85
delay to achieve improved coordina-
tion and selectivity. MDS-632 3200 1000 – 3200 65 65
MDS-832 3200 1000 – 3200 85 85
Power circuit breakers are designed to MDS-C32 3200 1000 – 3200 100 85
ANSI standards, and their interrupting MDS-840 4000 1280 – 4000 85 85
rating equals their short time rating. MDS-C40 4000 1280 – 4000 100 100
This means that they can be applied MDS-850 5000 1280 – 5000 85 85
without instantaneous trip elements MDS-C50 5000 1280 – 5000 100 100
to achieve true coordination between
devices. A typical power circuit breaker
is the Cutler-Hammer Magnum DS. Its
interrupting and short time ratings are 1000
shown in Table 4. Power circuit break-
500 100 MVA
ers allow the engineer the most flexibil- M 1600A
B AMP SETTING 1.0
ity in designing a truly coordinated 100A TM LONG DELAY 4160V
system. Both the power circuit breaker NON- 2.0 SEC. @ 6X
ADJUSTABLE SHORT TIME P.U.
and the switchgear that incorporates it 100 3X
are designed and tested to withstand, SHORT DELAY A
0.2 SEC.
without damage, the high magnitude
T 50 139A 1000kVA
fault currents that flow through the I F 1203A 5.75% Z
equipment for up to 30 cycles. M 600A
AMP SETTING 17,800 SCA
E 1.0
Current limiting breakers as well as 10 LONG DELAY
M
switches with current limiting fuses I 2.0 SEC. @6X
SHORT TIME
can substantially reduce the available N 5 P.U. 480V
22.6kA
fault current. Fuses selectively 4X
S SHORT DELAY
coordinate when devices in series 0.1 SEC. F
E A
are selected in ratios that allow the C 200A 17.5kA
downstream fuse to clear for a given FG CURRENT
O 1 GFPU LIMITING
current before the melting level of the N 400A FUSE
upstream fuse is reached. D .5 GFTD
0.1 SEC. B
S
An overcurrent in a power system can
MG LTG.
occur as a result of normal conditions GFPU LOAD
such as motor inrush during starting or .1 800A
GFTD
transformer inrush upon energization. 0.3 SEC.
.05
It can also occur as a result of abnormal
conditions such as overloads, short MG
ZONE INTERLOCK
circuits, or ground faults. The circuit NO DELAY
protective devices in a system sense .01
abnormal conditions and protect .5 1 5 10 50 100 500 1000
against them by opening the power cir-
CURRENT IN AMPERES X 100 AT 480 VOLTS
cuit. In a properly designed system, they
will have been chosen to operate selec-
tively to protect equipment, property, Figure 3 — Typical System — Selectively Coordinated (NEMA AB3)
TP.15A.01.T.E
Cutler-Hammer Automatic Technical Paper
Transfer Switches Effective: June 2001 Page 5
The time-current coordination of a rated operating current. Overloads are transfer switch is a “circuit breaker”
power system is normally evaluated usually low level and cause thermal type or a “contactor” type, with either
on a log-log plot of time versus current. damage. Short circuits are usually high design yielding the same end result.
Manufacturers provide time-current level, with the only limiting factors
curves for their circuit breakers, and the being the source kVA and the circuit Faulted Source
engineer plots the appropriate device, impedance. The damage due to short As shown in Figure 4, with either
with the chosen adjustments and indi- circuits can be catastrophic. Ground design of transfer switch when the
cated operating limits, to reflect its oper- faults are currents that flow through an fault (F1) is on the normal source (line)
ation in the power system. Also included unintended path (ground). They require side of the switch, the upstream circuit
special consideration because they are breaker (CB1) will trip. If this occurs,
on the time-current coordination curve the most common type of fault and there is a loss of the voltage source to
are a one-line diagram showing all the may be below the operating level of the the switch and the transfer sequence is
protective devices, their interconnection, protective device ampacity or may initiated. If the alternate source is a
and the major distribution or utilization quickly increase to a higher level. All generator, the generator will be given
apparatus (motors, generators, trans- three types of faults can cause damage, a start signal. When the voltage and
formers, etc.); indication of the available but each has unique characteristics that frequency of that source are within an
fault current at important points in the must be addressed. acceptable range, the switch will trans-
power system; inrush and damage char- fer the load. In this case there is no
acteristics of motors and transformers; “Contactor” type transfer switches sub- difference in performance between the
and other appropriate information. jected to a fault are designed to remain “contactor” and “circuit breaker” type
in the position they were in prior to the transfer switches.
A typical example of time-current fault unless the fault conditions cause
coordination is shown in Figure 3. the voltage-sensing relays to operate. Overload
The 100 ampere circuit breaker B pro- “Circuit breaker” type transfer switches When the system problem is an over-
tects the load and the load conductors using high withstand molded case load, the performance of both designs of
and selectively coordinates with switches without instantaneous trip transfer switch is again identical. Neither
upstream devices for overload and elements, such as the Type SPB Insu- transfer switch design inherently has
short circuit conditions. Selective coor- lated Case Switch, perform identically overload protection, although this fea-
dination for low level ground faults on to “contactor” type transfer switches. ture can be provided as a design option
branch circuit B is not possible since They also remain in the position they in a “circuit breaker” type transfer
circuit breaker B is not provided with were in prior to a fault. An alternate switch. For an overload of the transfer
ground protection. Circuit breaker F “circuit breaker” type transfer switch switch circuit (F2), the upstream circuit
is rated 600 amperes and selectively design, using molded case switches protective device (CB1) will trip and the
coordinates with upstream and down- that contain high instantaneous trip switch will respond to the power outage
stream devices. Circuit breaker M is elements, will trip if the fault is down- by transferring to an alternate source
the 1600 ampere main breaker and stream and of sufficient magnitude. At when available. If the overload is down-
coordinates with the downstream cir- this point the transfer switch will seek stream on one of the emergency feeders
cuit breaker F as well as with the 200 the next available power source, with (F3), the corresponding feeder breaker
ampere primary fuse A for all faults the normal source being the preferred (CB2) will trip and the load will be shed.
on the load side of the circuit breaker. source. Note, however, that during Typically, no transfer of the switch
The primary fuse provides short circuit such a high-magnitude fault the occurs with either design.
protection for the transformer, while upstream protective device will also
the secondary main breaker provides trip, causing any type of transfer switch Ground Fault
the overload protection. to operate. This occurs whether the When the system problem is a ground
Part IV: Transfer Switch fault, the performance of both designs
Performance During a Fault of transfer switch is once again identi-
UTILITY GENERATOR cal. The only exception is when a high-
Proper power system design requires magnitude ground fault (F3) occurs
consideration of both normal and downstream of a “circuit breaker” type
abnormal operating conditions. transfer switch with instantaneous
Normal operating conditions require CB1
trip elements. In this case, the system
consideration of system voltage, load disturbance is similar to that of a short
flow, effects of motor starting, service F1 circuit (described below), yielding the
continuity, and reliability. Abnormal ATS same end result for either design of
conditions require consideration of switch. But, in general, ground faults
system and apparatus protection and are low-level faults because of the high
minimization of service interruption. impedance of the ground return circuit.
This is why special relaying is provided
Several types of faults are possible: to sense and protect against ground
F2
3-phase bolted faults, phase-to-phase faults. If an upstream device (CB1)
faults, double line-to-ground faults, trips due to a ground fault (F1 or F2),
single line-to-ground faults, line-to- the switch will respond to the power
neutral faults, and so on. outage by transferring to the alternate
CB2
Three types of operating conditions source when available. If the ground
are typically evaluated for purposes fault is downstream (F3) and one of
F3 the emergency feeders (CB2) trips, the
of equipment protection and system
operation: overloads, short circuits, and load will be shed. Typically, no transfer
ground faults. Both overloads and short of the switch occurs with either design.
circuits involve currents in excess of Figure 4 — ATS Response to Faults
TP.15A.01.T.E
Technical Paper Automatic Cutler-Hammer
Page 6 Effective: June 2001 Transfer Switches
Short Circuit switch senses a loss of voltage and instantaneous trip setting is much
The only system disturbance in which initiates a transfer to the alternate higher than that of the upstream
“contactor” and “circuit breaker” type source. Because the downstream breaker (CB1) protecting the transfer
transfer switches may differ in response breaker has cleared the fault, a normal switch, as seen in Figure 5. If the mag-
is a high-magnitude downstream fault transfer occurs. When the normal nitude of the downstream fault current
(short circuit) when the “circuit breaker” supply is restored, the transfer switch (F3) is above the instantaneous setting
type switch contains instantaneous trip returns to the normal supply. The key of the upstream breaker (CB1) and
elements. If the “circuit breaker” type point to note is that the transfer switch below the instantaneous setting of
transfer switch uses molded case operates only for a downstream fault the molded case switch in the transfer
switches without instantaneous trip in excess of about 10 times the switch, the “circuit breaker” type
elements (for example, the Type SPB switch rating. transfer switch will operate in the
Insulated Case Switch), there is no same manner as described above for
Let us examine a “circuit breaker” type the “contactor” type transfer switch.
difference in performance from that transfer switch under such a distur-
of a “contactor” type transfer switch. bance (high-magnitude downstream If the magnitude of the downstream
For a high-magnitude downstream fault) and follow its performance. As fault current (F3) is above the instanta-
fault, a “contactor” design transfer mentioned previously, there are two neous trip setting of both the upstream
switch does not change operating designs of “circuit breaker” type trans- breaker (CB1) and the molded case
position unless signaled by the under- fer switches. The first are devices with switch in the “circuit breaker” type
voltage relays. Upstream of the trans- no instantaneous trip elements, such transfer switch, both devices will open,
fer switch is a power circuit breaker, as the type SPB design. These are along with the downstream breaker
molded case circuit breaker (CB1), or switches with extremely high with- (CB2). The transfer switch will be in
fused switch protecting the transfer stand ratings, and they perform exactly a position with both switches open.
switch and downstream circuit. The the same as the “contactor” type There is no power source available on
upstream device has an overload trip switch for all operating conditions. the normal side, since the upstream
rating sized to protect the ampacity The second type uses circuit breakers normal source breaker (CB1) has
of the transfer switch. If the upstream classified as molded case switches. tripped. At this point both a “contac-
device opens, the transfer switch These have nonadjustable instanta- tor” type transfer switch and a “circuit
will sense a loss of voltage and neous trip elements set at 10 to 13 breaker” type transfer switch sense
initiate a transfer. times the frame rating of the device. a loss of voltage, start the generator,
To meet the UL requirements for and initiate a transfer sequence to
Short Circuit: Upstream Breaker (CB1) transfer switches, the molded case the alternate source. When a “circuit
With Instantaneous Trip Elements switches are sized approximately one breaker” type automatic transfer
Let us first consider the situation size larger than expected. For instance, switch transfers to the alternate
where the upstream power circuit an 800 ampere transfer switch uses source, it automatically resets the
breaker or molded case circuit breaker 1200 ampere molded case switches, as normal switch from the tripped-open
feeding the transfer switch has an shown in Table 2. This means that the position to the normal-open position.
instantaneous trip. In general, circuit
breaker instantaneous trip elements
that are adjustable have an adjustment 1000
range of five to 10 times the overload UTILITY GENERATOR
500
trip rating. Molded case switches 800A
with nonadjustable instantaneous CB1 800A CB1
trip elements are designed to trip at F1
approximately 10 to 13 times the frame 100 800A
200A ATS
rating. Lower-magnitude overcurrent CB2
T 50
conditions are protected by other trip I
elements (long time, short time, and M F2 480 VOLTS
ground fault) of the upstream or E
10
downstream circuit breaker after a I 200A CB2
time delay. The instantaneous trip N 5
F3
elements act with no intentional time S
delay and cause an immediate outage E
of the circuit when the device opens. C
O 1
This means that if the short circuit fault N
current magnitude is below the instan- D .5
taneous trip setting of the device (CB1) S
feeding the transfer switch, the down-
stream circuit breaker (CB2) should .1
clear the fault and no loss of power to
.05
the switch should occur. If the magni- 800A ATS
INST. TRIP
tude of the fault current is above the
instantaneous trip setting of the device
(CB1) feeding the transfer switch, .01
.5 1 5 10 50 100 500 1000
both the downstream circuit breaker
(CB2) and the upstream circuit breaker CURRENT IN AMPERES X 100 AT 480 VOLTS
(CB1) will trip. At this point the transfer
Figure 5 — System Response to Downstream Overcurrent at F3
TP.15A.01.T.E
Cutler-Hammer Automatic Technical Paper
Transfer Switches Effective: June 2001 Page 7
TP.15A.01.T.E
Technical Paper Automatic
Page 8 Effective: June 2001 Transfer Switches
Cutler-Hammer
Automatic transfer switches have the fault current is within the published UL 1087
published withstand and interrupting rating of the transfer switch or (b) the Molded Case Switches
ratings that must be complied with short delay time of the upstream power Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
for safe application. Their application circuit breaker can be set low enough to 333 Pfingsten Road
requires an understanding of the protect the “contactor” design transfer Northbrook, IL 60062
operation of other devices in the switch within its withstand rating.
system that can affect their ability ANSI/IEEE C37.16
to safely withstand or interrupt faults. Part V: Conclusions Low Voltage Power Circuit Breakers
For instance, if an upstream power and AC Power Circuit Protectors —
In all the scenarios described above — Preferred Ratings, Related
circuit breaker is applied with a setting overloads, ground faults, and short
utilizing the withstand capabilities of the Requirements, and Application
circuits — “circuit breaker” type trans-
device (short delay time with no instan- Recommendations
fer switches and “contactor” type
taneous trip elements), the transfer Institute of Electrical and
transfer switches perform equally.
switch must be rated for the fault current Electronics Engineers
However, the performance of “circuit
that the device will allow to flow. This 445 Hoes Lane
breaker” type transfer switches is
P.O. Box 1331
TP15A01TE
application of power circuit breakers typically superior for applications with
is common in health care facilities and Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331
upstream power circuit breakers.
data centers, where continuity of service Systems Pow-R-Breaker with
is paramount. Circuit protective devices “Circuit breaker” type transfer
Digitrip RMS Trip Unit
without instantaneous trip elements are switches can be provided with over-
current and ground fault trip elements
Cutler-Hammer Descriptive
applied to achieve coordination. The Bulletin 29-850
ANSI standards for the power circuit in a variety of configurations. They
can be service entrance labeled and Cutler-Hammer
breakers and switchgear ensure that this 1000 Cherrington Parkway
is a safe and appropriate application. are available in fixed mounted or
drawout construction. When the Moon Township, PA 15108-4312
In these cases, the withstand rating power switching devices are provided Transfer Switch Equipment
of transfer switches must be carefully with integral overcurrent protection, Cutler-Hammer Technical Data 29-925
considered. In fact, the 3-cycle minimum they can be used in the power system Cutler-Hammer
withstand required by the UL 1008 stan- for feeder protection, often eliminating 1000 Cherrington Parkway
dard may not be adequate for a given the need for upstream breakers feed- Moon Township, PA 15108-4312
application. In such cases, “circuit ing the switch. For safety purposes,
breaker” type transfer switch designs this option is provided with a lock- Zenith Bulletin O-5064-1,1993
offer some unique advantages because out function that prevents further Zenith Controls, Inc.
of their inherent interrupting capability automatic transfer operation until the 830 West 40th Street
and consequent withstand rating. appropriate source is manually reset. Chicago, IL 60609
Some circuit breaker designs, such Part VI: References Withstand and Closing Ratings for
as the Cutler-Hammer Type SPB Insu- Transfer Switch Equipment
lated Case Breaker, are available as NEMA ICS 10 ASCO Engineering Application
molded case switches without trip Industrial Control and Systems Information
units (nonautomatic switches) and have AC Transfer Switch Equipment Automatic Switch Company
extremely high withstand ratings. The National Electrical Manufacturers 50-60 Hanover Road
SPB Insulated Case Switch is available Association Florham Park, NJ 07932
with the ratings shown in Table 3 and 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1847
Rosslyn, VA 22209 Russelectric Automatic Transfer
is applied in transfer switch designs
Switches
having those same ratings. These 60 NEMA AB3 Type RMT, 1993
cycle withstand ratings allow proper Molded Case Circuit Breakers and Russelectric Inc.
application of the transfer switch in Their Application South Shore Industrial Park
high-magnitude fault applications National Electrical Manufacturers Hingham, MA 02043
with upstream power circuit breakers. Association
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1847 Russelectric Engineering Newsletter 478
Other “circuit breaker” type transfer
Rosslyn, VA 22209 Russelectric Inc.
switch designs have molded case
South Shore Industrial Park
switches with instantaneous trip UL 489
elements and are inherently self- Hingham, MA 02043
Molded Case Circuit Breakers and
protecting. They can also be safely Circuit Breaker Enclosures
applied in systems with upstream Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. © 2001 Eaton Corporation,
power circuit breakers that have 333 Pfingsten Road All Rights Reserved
extended short time delays. Northbrook, IL 60062
“Contactor” type transfer switch UL 1008
designs must therefore be carefully Automatic Transfer Switches
applied in systems with upstream Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
power circuit breakers. Their use 333 Pfingsten Road
should be considered only when either Northbrook, IL 60062
(a) the upstream power circuit breaker
has instantaneous trip elements and
Cutler-Hammer
TP.15A.01.T.E
Printed in U.S.A. / Z01807