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What is it?
This incident energy calculator gives very quick results for circuits that are fed from low voltage air circuit breakers (ACB), moulded
case circuit breakers (MCCB), and miniature circuit breakers (MCB) that are in common use within Europe. It is based upon IEEE
1584:2018 Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations. More information can be found in Chapter 4: Prediction and Chapter
14: Hazard and Severity Calculators.
Risk assessment is the bedrock of this guide in managing the arc flash hazard. Chapter 3: Risk Assessment and the 4P Guide
explains that the first step is predicting the hazard severity and a calculation of the incident energy will allow you to determine the
thermal effects of a possible arcing event. This calculator has several advantages as follows.
• The user will be able to check against a list of circuit breakers in common use in Europe.
• The user will require an estimate of the fault current at the equipment and does not require a copy of the time current curve
providing the upstream device is listed on the dropdown menu or the upstream device meets with the criteria detailed below.
• This is a major advantage of the guide as it fits with the philosophy of simplicity.
• The method will help to establish real danger where settings are borderline.
The calculator is most useful where there is limited information about the system to be worked upon or in proximity to. The
calculator has limitations; it cannot be applied to every situation, is suitable for systems having:
The following sets out how a competent electrical engineer can use the calculator to arrive at an incident energy level at a stated
working distance as well as an arc flash boundary which is the distance at which the incident energy level equals 1.2 cal/cm2 (or the
threshold of a second-degree burn).
The Circuit Breaker calculator tool follows the principle that a calculation is made to determine the minimum fault current to
operate a circuit breaker instantaneously. It will allow for results from low voltage air circuit breakers (ACB), moulded case circuit
breakers (MCCB) and miniature circuit breakers (MCB).
The following graph shows the Time Current Curve for a typical LV Circuit Breaker:
Figure 14.8 TCC Curve
As can be seen from the typical example given in Figure 14.8, the instantaneous pick-up setting from the circuit breaker is shown. In
this particular case, this is 10 times the CB rating of 1000 amperes which we will call (Im). Time current curves from major
manufacturers such as Siemens, Mitsubishi, Terasaki, Schneider, ABB, Eaton, Dorman Smith are mostly within a maximum tolerance
of 25% but the individual circuit breakers are listed to state that they have been checked. Also shown is the minimum arcing current
to give instantaneous operation of the CB and the listed circuit breakers all fall within a maximum instantaneous clearance time of
80ms. This figure includes allowances for curve tolerance and for the arcing current variation correction factor (Iarc_min) from IEEE
1584:2018 guide. Where a circuit breaker is not listed, the user can verify that the CB fulfils the clearance criteria of 25% tolerance
and minimum instantaneous operating time of 80ms.
The calculator determines the arcing fault current from the data that the user has provided which will be the electrode
configuration, conductor gap, voltage, instantaneous setting and prospective short circuit current. The calculator has a YES/NO
dropdown menu to state that the instantaneous element is switched on. The incident energy and arc flash boundary will be
displayed after the user has entered the working distance and be based on the minimum operation time for the circuit breaker (It)
and arcing current (Iarc_min). The dropdown menu will be displayed which will list all the circuit breakers to which the calculator
applies. Should the arcing current be below the current to give instantaneous operation of the ACB the incident energy will be
calculated based upon a maximum time of two seconds*. The following diagram, Figure 14.9 shows a typical over current
characteristic.
*NOTE: The IEEE 1584:2018 states “If the total protective device clearing time is longer than two seconds, consider how long a
person is likely to remain in the location of the arc flash. It is likely that a person exposed to an arc flash will move away quickly if it
is physically possible, and two seconds usually is a reasonable assumption for the arc duration to determine the incident energy.”
Figure 14.10 Circuit Breaker Calculator
Electrode Configuration
There are five different electrode configurations, and this field is a dropdown list giving choices as follows:
• VCB: Vertical conductors/electrodes inside a metal box/enclosure.
• VCBB: Vertical conductors/electrodes terminated in an insulating barrier inside a metal box/enclosure.
• HCB: Horizontal conductors/electrodes inside a metal box/enclosure.
• VOA: Vertical conductors/electrodes in open air.
• HOA: Horizontal conductors/electrodes in open air.
Chapter 8: Data Collection describes which electrode configuration to use as the choice will determine not only the arcing current
but also the incident energy and arc flash boundaries.
Model
Pick from a dropdown list of circuit breaker models. If either the "(Valid) Model Not Listed" or "(Invalid) Model Not Listed" option is
selected, the "Protection" box will not appear.
Protection
Pick from a dropdown list of circuit breaker integral protection unit types if fitted. If either the "(Valid) Protection Not Listed" or
"(Invalid) Protection Not Listed" option is selected, the "Frame Size" box will not appear.
Frame Size
Pick from a dropdown list of circuit breaker frame sizes if given.
Incident Energy (cal/cm2)
The calculator will produce an incident energy level based upon either, instantaneous operation of the circuit breaker or a two
second maximum disconnection time.
Operating Logic
The calculator flowchart, Figure 14.11, shows the input sequence and the operating logic.
To use the calculator, first examine the upstream circuit breaker settings and determine the prospective short circuit current at the
equipment to worked on or nearby. Verify that the circuit breaker is listed or that it complies with the tolerance values given in the
dropdown field “Circuit Breaker”.
Enter the working distance (mm) which is the distance from an arcing source to the torso and/or head.
Determine the electrode configuration and conductor gap distance (mm), more information on electrode configuration is given in
Chapter 8: Data Collection.
Enter the circuit breaker rating in amperes and the instantaneous pick-up level which has to be given as a multiplier of the rating.
Verify that the instantaneous section or setting is switched to on and select YES from the dropdown menu. Select NO if the
instantaneous setting is switched off.
A typical circuit breaker integral trip unit is shown in Figure 14.10. From the information given the calculator will produce an
incident energy level and arc flash boundary based upon either, instantaneous operation of the circuit breaker or a two second
maximum disconnection time.
Note: you must ensure that the short circuit rating and maintenance of the circuit breaker is correct and fit for purpose.
Operating Logic
The circuit breaker listing library contains over 8000 common circuit breakers in use in Europe. In order for the circuit breakers to be
listed, they will pass the following criteria:
If the circuit breaker is not listed, then you can check that the parameters fit the above criteria and click the checked box. If there is
no adjustable setting for the instantaneous setting, then check the manufacturer’s data.
The other thing to look out for is some circuit breakers provide a selective short circuit function with a time delay setting as in this
example given in Figure 14.12. Make sure that the time delay is disabled and, in this case, tsc should be set to INST. As can be seen
in this example, the selective short circuit setting can be set to instantaneous in which case there will be no intentional delay or,
alternatively, a delay can be introduced.