GE

Industrial Solutions

2014 National Electric Code® Updates

NEC® 240.87 Arc Energy Reduction

imagination at work
Table of Contents
2014 National Electrical Code Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
GE Solutions Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Zone Selective Interlock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Differential Relaying (Bus Differential). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Energy-reducing maintenance switching with
local status indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Energy-reducing active arc flash mitigation system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
An Approved Equivalent Means.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Arc Flash Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Arc Flash Hazard Analysis employs
industry standard practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Best practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Entellisys* 5.0 LV Switchgear - One solution for all. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Arc Flash Mitigation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Technical Data.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70®-2014, National Electrical Code®, Copyright © 2013, National Fire Protection Association,
Quincy, MA. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is
represented only by the standard in its entirety.

NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code and NEC® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
2014 National Electrical Code Updates
NEC 240.87 Arc Energy Reduction - Arc Flash Circuit Breaker Requirements for 1200A or more
(Note: Changes from 2011 NEC Code Edition are shown in bold type.)

Where the highest continuous current trip setting for which the actual overcurrent device installed in a circuit
breaker is rated or can be adjusted is 1200A or higher, 240.87(A) and (B) shall apply.

A) Documentation.
Documentation shall be available to those authorized to design, install, operate, or inspect the installation as
to the location of the circuit breaker(s).
B) Method to Reduce Clearing Time.
One of the following or approved equivalent means shall be provided:
1) Zone-selective interlocking
2) Differential relaying
3) Energy-reducing maintenance switching with local status indicator
4) Energy-reducing active arc flash mitigation system
5) An approved equivalent means

Informational Note No. 1: An energy-reducing maintenance switch allows a worker to set a circuit breaker trip unit to
“no intentional delay” to reduce the clearing time while the worker is working within an arc flash boundary as defined
in NFPA 70E®-2012, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, and then to set the trip unit back to a normal
setting after the potentially hazardous work is complete.

Informational Note No. 2: An energy-reducing active arc flash mitigation system helps in reducing arcing
duration in the electrical distribution system. No change in the circuit breaker or the settings of other devices
is required during maintenance when a worker is working within an arc flash boundary as defined in NFPA
70E-2012, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

GE Solutions Summary
NEC 240.87 Requirements GE Quoting Tool
ArcWatch I-ZSI1
Zone-selective interlocking Speedi/Plant
$$1,2
Bus Differential
Differential relaying Speedi/Plant
$$$1,2

Energy-reducing maintenance switch with RELT Switch

Speedi
local status bar $$2
Arc Vault
Energy-reducing active arc flash mitigation system Speedi
$$$$2
1175A Rating Plug3
Approved equivalent means Elitenet
$2
Notes:
1. Configured as Main + four branch circuit breaker system; Contact Sales Rep for Additional circuit breakers.
2. Represents price range, from lowest “$” to highest “$$$$”.
3. Cat# SRPK1200A1175

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(1) Zone Selective Interlock
ArcWatch I-ZSI
Instantaneous – Zone Selective Interlocking
Allows multiple layers of large circuit breakers to operate
as a system with small overloads or large faults. Each
circuit breaker will only operate when needed and act
as back up only when necessary. GE’s I-ZSI capability
provides the one of the fastest interlocked protection
in the industry. You can get instantaneous protection,
selectively, regardless of the size of your system or
main circuit breaker.
Wave Form Recognition (WFR)
An Instantaneous algorithm allows a feeder circuit
breaker (above a panel or MCC that has current limiting
fuses or circuit breakers) to be set very sensitive and still
provide selectivity while providing instantaneous protec-
tion where you need it. What’s more, the setting is not
dependent on a complex coordination study; it simply
depends on the device with which you are trying to
be selective.

These simple
I-ZSI diagrams
represent how
WFR
the circuit
breakers
communicate
using I-ZSI or
WFR to
simultaneously
provide selective
coordination and
arc flash
mitigation.

5
(2) Differential Relaying (Bus Differential)
Bus differential looks for differences in current flowing into and out of a zone in the power distribution system. If the
bus differential relay detects a difference that exceeds the set pickup level, it trips all the protective devices feeding
that zone. The result is fast, selective protection for that zone.

A bus differential implementation connects a bus differential protective relay to dedicated CTs on every circuit in the
protected zone. It provides fast protection and only operates when there is a fault in the zone, providing selectivity
and protecting against in-zone faults.

Protective Zone BUS3 – Single or multiple Protective Zone Bus4 – single or multiple sources
sources, with or without bus tie circuit breakers. with or without bus tie circuit breakers.
Relay 87B: Cat#PVD21; Cat#SBD11 Relay 87B: Cat#BUS1000

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(3) Energy-reducing maintenance switching with local status indicator
The concept behind RELT (Reduced Energy Let-through) is to help mitigate the arc flash hazard by limiting the
duration of the fault current using an alternate set of configurable over current settings. The RELT device can be
adjusted from 1.5 to 15 (±10%) times the chosen Primary Current (Ie) in steps of 0.5 (pickup settings). The device will
trip the circuit breaker within 50 milliseconds. Selecting a faster pickup point for the instantaneous trip function of
the circuit breaker allows the time factor in the calculations to be reduced, thus lowering the arc flash energy which
can be experienced by the user.

To determine the alternate instantaneous setting while in the RELT mode, a coordination study and arc flash hazard
study must be performed. By reducing the instantaneous setting of the overcurrent device while in the RELT mode,
downstream coordination with other devices will be impacted, and an evaluation must be done by the engineer
doing the study with the equipment user to maximize the safety of the system while minimizing the impact to the
system coordination. RELT mode operation provides compliance to NEC 240.87 but it does not provide 24/7 arc
flash energy reduction.

Current in Amperes

TCC 1 shows the system utilizing only long

time and short time trip functions (LS) for
the secondary main breaker which would
be typical for an instantaneous selectively
coordinated system.

LSI (b).tcc Ref. Voltage: 480V Current in Amps x 10

TCC1

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 Current in Amperes

TCC 2 shows the system utilizing the RELT

mode activated at the main breaker for
downstream personnel protection.

LSI-RELT (b).tcc Ref. Voltage: 480V Current in Amps x 10

TCC2

To illustrate how RELT can lower the incident energy, a simple substation one-line is used for illustration with two
scenarios, TCC1 and TCC2, the system is configured with a 2500kVA substation with a primary current limiting fuse,
a secondary main 3000A ANSI rated breaker and then a 1600A and 800A feeder breakers.

Note that selective coordination is sacrificed but the incident energy level to which the maintenance personnel are
exposed to has been reduced. The design engineer should be well aware of this impact and use prudence when
applying this scheme for certain distribution systems.

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(4) Energy-reducing active arc flash mitigation system
The GE Arc Vault Protection System will contain an arc fault in less than 8ms, resulting in incident energy in accor-
dance with IEEE 1584 at 18” from the arc event at less than 1.2 Cal/cm2, with the circuit breaker compartment doors
open, in a 480V 65kAIC system. It features an activation switch (ACT) that can be used during routine maintenance to
put the low-voltage equipment into a high-protection mode. When an arc flash event occurs, the system will send a
signal to the arc containment device. The arc is then diverted to the containment system in less than one-half cycle
or eight milliseconds depending on fault conditions. At the same time the decision to divert the arc is made, the
system will also send a signal to open an upstream circuit breaker. This will turn off the system in approximately
3 cycles to 5 cycles depending on the type and speed of the circuit breaker used, at which point the arc in the
containment system will terminate.

The Arc Vault Protection System can be retrofitted onto GE and non-GE low voltage switchboards, switchgear and
motor control centers to expand its application for most existing facilities. Depending on site conditions, the design
enables a retrofit installation to be completed within as little as a day of outage. The GE Arc Vault Protection System
can be retrofit without having to replace the existing low voltage equipment lineup.

Activation Switch
TEST LIGHT
OFF - Not Active
ON - Active

System Status Light

Blue - Full Protection
Arc Vault Relay White - Partial Protection (Relay only)
Red - No Protection
Amber - Event Occured

86 Device - Arc Vault Lockout

Device Instrument Tray

Arc Vault Device

Control Compartment

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(5) An Approved Equivalent Means
This section of the NEC 240.87 will likely be subject to numerous interpretations. In order to qualify to the level of
protection afforded by any and all arc flash solutions, an arc flash study is required by NFPA70E. In some cases, an
arc flash study with recommended trip settings would compromise an equivalent means; compliance is subject to
local AHJ approval.

Arc Flash Study

GE’s comprehensive arc flash hazard study, designed to assist in addressing the recommendations of the National
Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Standard 70E, helps ensure employee safety against dangers associated with
the release of energy caused by an electrical arc. Key elements of an arc-flash hazard safety program are:
• Arc-flash hazard studies - Calculates current NFPA® based levels, communicates personal protective equipment
(PPE) requirements, and defines safe approach distances in a given environment
• Mitigation strategies - Customizes solutions to fit customer needs while reducing hazards
• State-of-the-art products - Designed to easily retrofit existing customer equipment and provide the highest levels
of protection and reliability
• Installation and commissioning - Over 100 years of field engineering experience, OEM product knowledge, and
access to product information enables us to provide prompt, comprehensive service

Results of GE’s arc flash hazard study provide the calculated IEEE-based incident energy and arc flash boundary
for each system location. Warning labels and work permits can be created using these results. For consistency of
results, limited duplication and lower overall PPE recommendations, GE recommends that the short-circuit and
coordination studies are completed concurrently with the arc flash hazard study:
• Short Circuit Study – Calculates three-phase bolted faults
• Protective Device Coordination Study – Uses equipment settings to determine devices’ opening times
• Arc Flash Hazard Analysis – Calculates arc flash values under multiple scenarios, when needed, to analyze the
effects of low and high fault currents creating worst-case arc flash hazard conditions. Maximum and minimum
utility short-circuit conditions are included

Arc Flash Hazard Analysis employs industry standard practices:

• Electric Arc Hazard Exposure (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269)
• Flash and Shock Hazard Analysis (NFPA 70E® -2012, 130.3(B)(1))
• Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment for Arc Flash Hazards (NFPA 70E® -2012, Table H.3(b))
• Prescribed Equations for Incident Energy and Arc Flash Boundary Calculations
(IEEE Std. 1584-2002, 1584a-2004, and 1584b-2011)
• Field Marking of Arc Flash Hazards [NFPA 70®-2011, 110.16; NFPA 70E®-2012, 130.5(C)]
• Work Permits to Work on Energized Parts (NFPA 70E® -2012, 130.1(B)(1)

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Best practices:
1. Know your local AHJ and what is being enforced/accepted locally.
2. Understand what NEC Edition has been adopted in your state.

2014 NEC®
Effective Date

Oklahoma – 11/2/15
N. Carolina – 1/1/2016
Louisiana – 1/1/16

2014 NEC 2011 NEC 2008 NEC No Statewide NEC Adoption

Note: Updated January 2014. Some local adoption states might have earlier than 2008 adoptions in some jurisdictions.

For the latest updates on the NEC 240.87 please visit

http://www.electricalcodecoalition.org/state-adoptions.aspx

3. Make feeders smaller than 1200A where possible – 1175A Spectra Rating Plugs are available.
Cat# SRPK1200A1175

11
Entellisys 5.0 LV Switchgear - One solution for all
Entellisys switchgear is manufactured in GE’s ISO 9001 certified facility in Burlington, Iowa. It complies with ANSI
standards C37.20.1 and is UL Listed to standard 1558. The switchgear has been conformance tested according to
ANSI C37.51. Entellisys switchgear also meets the requirements for the CSA label up to 600V.

Entellisys equipment has been tested and meets the IBC-2009 requirements and has been approved by OSHPD, the
Office of Health Planning and Development for applications in healthcare facilities. EntelliGuard and EntelliGuard E
circuit breakers comply with ANSI C37.50 and are UL listed to 1066.

Entellisys
NEC 240.87 Requirements ArcWatch I-ZSI Bus Differential RELT Switch Arc Vault Switchgear
Zone-selective interlocking • •
Differential relaying • •
Energy-reducing maintenance switch
• •
with local status bar
Energy-reducing active arc flash mitigation system • •
Approved equivalent means See Best Practices

Arc Flash Mitigation

Selectivity without compromising protection, Dynamic
ZSI within the gear gives you the best of both worlds -
fast protection and selectivity by automatically coordi-
nating in real-time. Instantaneous ZSI (I-ZSI) input from
Downstream GE motor control centers, switchboards
and panelboards, in addition to selective discrimination
IOC (waveform recognition) provides selectivity and
protection. ZSI upstream to MV relays via IEC-61850
completes the selectivity and protection needed in your
power system. Reduce incident energy and maintain
selectivity with bus differential protection and dynamic
zone selective interlocking (ZSI). I-ZSI input from down-
stream GE circuit breakers with the GE EntelliGuard Trip
Unit or the microEntelliguard Trip Unit.

HMI placement in the Control Stack and remote circuit

breaker racking keeps operators outside the arc flash
boundary; otherwise, Reduced Energy Let-Thru (RELT)
enables pre-set overcurrent and ground fault settings
for faster, more sensitive protection when the operator
needs to enter the arc flash zone.

Integrated high-resistance ground fault (HRGF) protec-

tion detects and identifies faulted phase, locates feeder
circuit with fault and alarms and re-alarms. GF tripping
priority eliminates phase-to-phase fault in the event a
second HRGF occurs on different phase.

12
Technical Data
Protection Metering and Diagnostics
Description Standard Option Description Standard Option
O/C - LSI (switchable S or I - Metering
•
able to select LS, LI or LSI)
Basic - A and V on all circuit breakers •
Selective Discrimination IOC
• Expanded/Detailed package •
(Waveform Recognition)
Demand package •
Ground Fault •
Harmonics package •
Switchable GF (not UL listed) •
Diagnostics
Ground fault alarm only •
Sequence of Events recording •
Voltage package •
System-wide waveform capture •
High current alarm •
2
Waveform capture on high current •
Freq. and Power package •
Demand alarms •
Dynamic ZSI within Entellisys •
Alarms (email capability) •
ZSI Out via discrete I/O •
I-ZSI In from downstream GE trip units1 • Maintenance Information

ZSI Out, bi-directional, via IEC 61850 • Circuit breaker indication for mechanical
•
and electrical life
Bus Differential (ZSI included) •
2. The High Current Trigger is packaged with WF Capture.
Reduced Energy Let-Thru Mode •
HRGF - detection only • Digital I/O and Control
HRGF - Feeder location • Description Standard Option
HRGF - Priority tripping • Discrete I/O
Multiple Source GF (for 4W systems 64 Points - non-redundant •
•
with multiple sources)
64 Points - redundant •
Flex Relays •
128 Points - non-redundant •
Redundant trip coil •
128 Points - redundant •
Emergency Stop •
Control
1. GE trip units ETU and MET
Synch-Check relays •

Architecture and Hardware Automatic throwover •

Description Standard Option

HMI External Communication
Qty 1 mounted in lineup • Description Standard Option

Redundant HMI in lineup • Communication ports for external connection

Copper - 8 ports •
HMI in wall mount cabinet •
Fiber •
Keyboard and keyboard tray •
Firewall (located in lineup or control stack) •
Conformal Coating
Remote Software3
Messenger •
Viewer Software •
CPUs • User Interface Software •
HMI • Time syncrhonization via SNTP •
Separate Control Stack IEC 61850 GOOSE (digital values) •
CPUs, HMI, UPSs in stand alone
• Other Devices
independent stack Remote racking device •
Test kit •
3. Capable of communicating with 25 systems

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More information on all GE electrical distribution equipment
www.geindustrial.com

ArcWatch
www.geindustrial.com/arcwatch

Entellisys* Switchgear
www.geindustrial.com/switchgear

Arc Flash Hazard Protection

www.geindustrial.com/arc-flash-hazard-protection

Arc Flash Services

www.geindustrial.com/services/power-delivery/arc-flash-services

Bus Protection
store.gedigitalenergy.com/Bus.asp

National Electric Code**

www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=70

trademark of the National Fire Protection Association

**

GE
Industrial Solutions
41 Woodford Avenue
Plainville, CT 06062
www.geindustrial.com
© 2015 General Electric Company

* Trademark of General Electric Company

All other brands or names are property of their respective holders.
Information provided is subject to change without notice. Please verify all details with GE. All values
are design or typical values when measured under laboratory conditions, and GE makes no warranty
or guarantee, express or implied, that such performance will be obtained under end-use conditions. DEQ-215 2/15