BUILDING UTILITIES 2: ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
TOPIC 7: OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE
DEVICES
OVERCURRENT
 This is due to mechanical over load or
internal or external electrical faults
 When the current exceeds the rated
amperage capacity of that circuit of
the connect equipment on that
circuit.
 Types of Overcurrent
o Overload - occurs when an
electrical circuit, whether by
the original design of a new
circuit or by modification of an
existing circuit, is required to
convey load current in excess
of the rated-load ampacity of
the circuit conductors.
o Short Circuit - involves an
accidental cross connection of
at least two circuit conductors
(supply and return).
This places a short circuit
across the supply-transformer
winding.
o Ground Faulting - short-circuit
condition that normally affects
only one of the circuit
conductors and the grounded
metal raceway or electrical
distribution or utilization
equipment enclosure.
OVER VOLTAGE
 This is due to short circuiting between
primary and secondary wiring or due
to lightning strike
TRIPPING
 Cutting off or disconnection of the
supply current
TYPES OF OVERCURRENT DEVICES
 Fuse
 Circuit Breaker (CB)
FUSE
 An over current protective device
with a circuit opening fusible element,
which is heated and severed by the
passage of overcurrent through it.
PREPARED BY: Ar. JOANA MARIE SANTOS – ASURO, UAP
 Comprises all the parts that form a
unit capable of performing the
prescribed functions. It may or may
not be the complete device necessary
to connect it into an electrical circuit
EXPULSION FUSE UNIT
 A vented fuse unit in which the
expulsion effect of gasses produces by
the arc and lining of the fuse holder,
either alone or aided by a spring,
extinguishes the arc.
POWER FUSE UNIT
 A vented, non – vented or controlled
vented fuse in which the arc is
extinguished by being drawn through
solid material, granular material or
liquid, either alone or aided by a
spring
VENTED POWER FUSE
 A fuse with the provision for the
escape of arc gases, liquids or solid
particles to the atmosphere during
circuit interruption
CONTROLLED VENTED POWER FUSE
 A fuse with provision for controlling
discharge circuit interruption such
that no solid material maybe
exhausted into surrounding
atmosphere
GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF FUSES
 PLUG FUSE – It is enclosed in
porcelain or rubber commonly used in
various electrical appliances
 BUILDING UTILITIES 2: ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
 CARTRIAGE FUSE – it is enclosed in an
insulation tube (porcelain, rubber or
hard paper board)
FUSE WIRE
 Open wire of low melting point
commonly used in the safety power
switch.
ADVANTAGES OF A FUSE OVER A CIRCUIT
BRAKER
 It is reliable (it can stay in position for
a long period of time and can act
when needed)
 Initial cost is lesser
 It does require periodic maintenance
PREPARED BY: Ar. JOANA MARIE SANTOS – ASURO, UAP
CIRCUIT BREAKER
 An electrical switch designed to
protect an electrical circuit from
damage caused by
overcurrent/overload or short circuit.
 Its basic function is to interrupt
current flow after protective relays
detect a fault.
CIRCUIT BREAKER OEPRATION
Adjustable
 A qualifying term indicating that the
circuit breaker can be set to trip at
various values of current and / or time
within a predetermined range
Instantaneous Trip
 A qualifying term indicating that no
delay is purposely introduces in the
tripping action of the circuit breaker
 BUILDING UTILITIES 2: ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

Inverse Time
 A qualifying term indicating that there
is purposely introduces a delay in the
tripping action of the circuit breaker,
which delay decreases as the
magnitude of the current increases.
Non – adjustable
 A qualifying term indicating that the
circuit breaker does not have any
adjustment to alter the value of the
current at which it will trip or the time
required for its operation
Classification of Circuit Breakers
 Air Blast Circuit Breaker
 Air Circuit Breaker (ACB) or Power
Circuit Breaker
 Oil Type Circuit Breaker
 Gas Type Circuit Breaker
 Vacuum Type Circuit Breaker
ADVANTAGES OF A CIRCUIT BREAKER OVER
FUSE
 It can be used again after the fault has
been corrected
 Its position (open or close) can be
easily detected
 It can act as switch

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and

GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter)
 These devices operate on the same
principle as any other receptacle but
with one exception, when supplying
power it monitors the current at the
same time. The GFCI or GFI will open
the circuit when a current leakage is
detective, thereby preventing
electrical shock

PREPARED BY: Ar. JOANA MARIE SANTOS – ASURO, UAP