Selective Coordination Study –

Recommended Procedures
The following steps are recommended when 2. Short Circuit Study
conducting a selective coordination study. Perform a short circuit analysis, calculating maximum
1. One-Line Diagram available short circuit currents at critical points in the
Obtain the electrical system one-line diagram that identifies distribution system (such as transformers, main switchgear,
important system components, as given below. panelboards, motor control centers, load centers, and large
a. Transformers motors and generators.) (Reference: Bussmann Bulletin,
Obtain the following data for protection and coordination infor- Engineering Dependable Protection - EDPI.)
mation of transformers:
- KVA rating 3. Helpful Hints
- Inrush points a. Determine the Ampere Scale Selection. It is most
- Primary and secondary connections convenient to place the time current curves in the center of
- Impedance the log-log paper. This is accomplished by multiplying or
- Damage curves dividing the ampere scale by a factor of 10.
- Primary and secondary voltages b. Determine the Reference (Base) Voltage. The best
- Liquid or dry type reference voltage is the voltage level at which most of the
b. Conductors - Check phase, neutral, and equipment devices being studied fall. (On most low voltage industrial
grounding. The one-line diagram should include infor- and commercial studies, the reference voltage will be 208,
mation such as: 240, or 480 volts). Devices at other voltage levels will be
- Conductor size shifted by a multiplier based on the transformer turn ratio.
- Number of conductors per phase The best reference voltage will require the least amount of
- Material (copper or aluminum) manipulation. Modern computer programs will automat-
- Insulation ically make these adjustments when the voltage levels of
- Conduit (magnetic or non-magnetic) devices are identified by the input data.
From this information, short circuit withstand curves can be c. Commencing the Analysis. The starting point can be
developed. This provides information on how overcurrent determined by the designer. Typically, studies begin with
devices will protect conductors from overload and short the main circuit devices and work down through the
circuit damage. feeders and branches. (Right to left on your log-log paper.)
c. Motors d. Multiple Branches. If many branches are taken off one
The system one-line diagram should include motor feeder, and the branch loads are similar, the largest rated
information such as: branch circuit should be checked for coordination with
- Full load currents upstream devices. If the largest branch will coordinate, and
- Horsepower the branch devices are similar, they generally will
- Voltage coordinate as well. (The designer may wish to verify other
- Type of starting characteristic areas of protection on those branches, conductors, etc.)
(across the line, etc.) e. Don't Overcrowd the Study. Many computer generated
- Type of overload relay studies will allow a maximum of ten device characteristics
(Class 10, 20, 30) per page.
Overload protection of the motor and motor circuit can be f. One-Line Diagram. A one-line diagram of the study
determined from this data. should be drawn for future reference.
d. Fuse Characteristics
Fuse Types/Classes should be identified on the one-line
diagram.
e. Circuit Breaker Characteristics
Circuit Breaker Types should be identified on the one-line
diagram.
f. Relay Characteristics
Relay Types should be identified on the one-line diagram.

14
Examples of Selective Coordination Studies
The following pages will analyze in detail the system This simple radial system will involve three separate
shown in Figure 11. It is understood that a short circuit time current curve studies, applicable to the three feeder/
study has been completed, and all devices have adequate branches shown.
interrupting ratings. A Selective Coordination Analysis is the
next step.

13.8KV

Overcurrent Relay

IFLA=42A JCN80E

#6 XLP
1000KVA
∆-Y 5.75% Z
480/277V

1600A Main Bus

Fault X1 20,000A RMS Sym LOW-PEAK®

KRP-C-1600SP
Main Switchboard
1

LOW PEAK® LOW-PEAK® LOW-PEAK®

LPS-RK-200SP LPS-RK-400SP LPS-RK-225SP

200A Feeder 400A Feeder 150KVA

∆-Y 2% Z
PDP 208/120V

#3/0 THW

LOW-PEAK® LOW-PEAK®
LPS-RK-100SP LPN-RK-500SP
LP1
20A Branch 250 kcmil
2/Ø THW
100A Motor Branch
20A CB
#12 THW

20A CB #1 THW

60HP 3Ø
M 77A FLA
Figure 11

15
Example –

Time Current Curve #1 (TCC1)

Notes: Device ID Description Comments
1. TCC1 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse,
1 1000KVA XFMR 12 x FLA
200 ampere feeder fuse, and 20 ampere branch circuit
Inrush Point @ .1 Seconds
breaker from LP1.
2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed 2 1000KVA XFMR 5.75%Z, liquid
down through the system. Damage Curves filled
3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily (Footnote 1)
chosen since most of the devices are at this level. (Footnote 2)
4. Selective coordination between the feeder and branch
circuit is not attainable for faults above 2500 amperes that 3 JCN 80E E-Rated Fuse
occur on the 20 amp branch circuit, from LP1. Notice the 4 #6 Conductor Copper, XLP
overlap of the 200 ampere fuse and 20 ampere circuit Damage Curve Insulation
breaker.
5. The required minimum ratio of 2:1 is easily met between 5 Medium Voltage Needed for XFMR
the KRP-C-1600SP and the LPS-RK-200SP. Relay Primary Overload
Protection
6 KRP-C-1600SP Class L Fuse
11 LPS-RK-200SP Class RK1 Fuse
12 3/0 Conductor Copper THW
Damage Curve Insulation
13 20A CB Thermal Magnetic
Circuit Breaker
14 #12 Conductor Copper THW
Damage Curve Insulation

Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged,

thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions.

Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary

connections, and type, all will determine their damage
characteristics.

Footnote 2: A ∆-Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right,

of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L
secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow
through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two
faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase
fault current.)

16
 Example –

Time Current Curve #1 (TCC1)

1000
800
2
600

400 FLA 3
300 2
XFMR
200 DAMAGE

100
11
80

60
JCN 80E
20A MCCB
40
LPS-RK-200SP 5
30

KRP-C-1600SP
20
MV OLR
TIME IN SECONDS

10
8

4
#6 DAMAGE
3 3/0 DAMAGE

2
#12 DAMAGE 12
13.8KV
14 4
1
.8

Overcurrent .6 13
Relay
.4

JCN80E .3

#6 XLP
.2

1000KVA TX
5.75%Z 1
INRUSH
∆-Y .1
480/277V
.08

.06
KRP-C-1600SP 6
.04

.03

.02

LPS-RK-200SP

200A .01
10,000
1

8
10

20

30

40

60

80
100

200

300

400

600

800
1000

2000

3000

4000

6000

8000

#3/0 THW Feeder

CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V

20A CB 20A CB
#12 THW

17
Example –

Time Current Curve #2 (TCC2)

Notes: Device ID Description Comment
1. TCC2 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse,
1 1000KVA XFMR 12 x FLA
400 ampere feeder fuse, 100 ampere motor branch fuse,
Inrush Point @ .1 seconds
77 ampere motor and overload relaying.
2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed 2 1000KVA XFMR 5.75%Z, liquid
down through the system. Damage Curves filled
3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily (Footnote 1)
chosen since most of the devices are at this level. (Footnote 2)
3 JCN 80E E-Rated Fuse
4 #6 Conductor Copper, XLP
Damage Curve Insulation
5 Medium Voltage Needed for XFMR
Relay Primary Overload
Protection
6 KRP-C-1600SP Class L Fuse
21 LPS-RK-100SP Class RK1 Fuse
22 Motor Starting Curve Across the Line
Start
23 Motor Overload Relay Class 10
24 Motor Stall Point Part of a Motor
Damage Curve
25 #1 Conductor Copper THW
Damage Curve Insulation
Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged,
thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions.

Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary

connections, and type, all will determine their damage
characteristics.

Footnote 2: A ∆-Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right,

of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L
secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow
through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two
faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase
fault current.)

18
Example –

Time Current Curve #2 (TCC2)

1000
800

600 2

400 FLA 3

300 2

200 XFMR DAMAGE

MTR OLR
MS

100 24
80 23

13.8KV 60
JCN80E
MTR START
40 5

30 LPS-RK-100SP
Overcurrent
Relay MV OLR
20
KRP-C-1600SP

JCN 80E
TIME IN SECONDS

10
#6 XLP 8

6
1000KVA
5.75%Z 4
∆-Y #6 DAMAGE
480/277V 3

2
22
25
KRP-C-1600SP #1 DAMAGE 4
1
.8
.6

.4
LPS-RK-400SP 21
.3
400A Feeder
.2

TX
INRUSH
.1
LPS-RK-100SP 1
.08

#1 THW .06

.04 6
.03

.02

.01
60HP M
10,000
1

8
10

20

30

40

60

80
100

200

300

400

600

800
1000

2000

3000

4000

6000

8000

CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V

19
Example –

Time Current Curve #3 (TCC3)

Notes: Device ID Description Comment
1. TCC3 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse,
225 ampere feeder/transformer primary and secondary 1 1000KVA XFMR 12 x FLA
fuses. Inrush Point @ .1 seconds
2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed 2 1000KVA XFMR 5.75%Z, liquid
down through the system. Damage Curves filled
3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily (Footnote 1)
chosen since most of the devices are at this level. (Footnote 2)
4. Relative to the 225 ampere feeder, coordination between
primary and secondary fuses is not attainable, noted by 3 JCN 80E E-Rated Fuse
overlap of curves. 4 #6 Conductor Copper, XLP
5. Overload and short circuit protection for the 150 KVA Damage Curve Insulation
transformer is afforded by the LPS-RK-225SP fuse.
5 Medium Voltage Needed for XFMR
Relay Primary Overload
Protection
6 KRP-C-1600SP Class L Fuse
31 LPS-RK-225SP Class RK1 Fuse
32 150 KVA XFMR 12 x FLA
Inrush Point @.1 Seconds
33 150 KVA XFMR 2.00% Dry Type
Damage Curves (Footnote 3)
34 LPN-RK-500SP Class RK1 Fuse
35 2-250kcmil Conductors Copper THW
Damage Curve Insulation
Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged,
thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions.

Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary

connections, and type, all will determine their damage
characteristics.

Footnote 2: A ∆-Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right,

of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L
secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow
through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two
faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase
fault current.)

Footnote 3: Damage curves for a small KVA (<500KVA) transformer,

illustrate thermal damage characteristics for ∆-Y connected.
From right to left, these reflect damage characteristics, for a
line-line fault, 3Ø fault, and L-G fault condition.

20
Example –

Time Current Curve #3 (TCC3)

1000
800

600 2
3
400 FLA FLA

300 2

XFMR DAMAGE
200

100
80

60
JCN80E

13.8KV 40
LPS-RK-225SP 5
30
LPN-RK-500SP
MV OLR
20
Overcurrent KRP-C1600SP
Relay 31
TIME IN SECONDS

10 34

8
2-250 DAMAGE
JCN 80E 6
35
4
#6 DAMAGE
3
#6 XLP XFMR DAMAGE 33

2
1000KVA
5.75%Z
∆-Y 4
1
480/277V
.8
.6

.4
KRP-C-1600SP
.3

.2

TX TX
INRUSH INRUSH
LPS-RK-225SP .1 32 1
.08
150KVA .06
2.0%Z
∆-Y .04
208/120V 6
.03

.02
LPN-RK-500SP

250 kcmil
2/Ø THW .01
10,000
1

8
10

20

30

40

60
80
100

200

300

400

600

800
1000

2000

3000

4000

6000

8000

CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V

21
Conclusions
Unnecessar y power OUTAGES, such as the
BLACKOUTS we so often experience, can be stopped by
isolating a faulted circuit from the remainder of the system
through the proper selection of MODERN CURRENT-
LIMITING FUSES.
Time-Delay type current-limiting fuses can be sized
close to the load current and still hold motor-starting
currents or other har mless transients, thereby
ELIMINATING nuisance OUTAGES.
The SELECTIVITY GUIDE on page 10 may be used for
an easy check on fuse selectivity regardless of the short-
circuit current levels involved. Where medium and high
voltage primary fuses are involved, the time-current
characteristic curves of the fuses in question should be
plotted on standard NEMA log-log graph paper for proper
study.
The time saved by using the SELECTIVITY GUIDE will
allow the electrical systems designer to pursue other areas
for improved systems design.

22