Complementary Coordination between circuit

technical information
breakers
Discrimination (Selectivity)

IEC/EN 60947-2
E002487-37.eps

What is discrimination?
It is the coordination of automatic cut-off devices for a fault that occurs at any point in
the network to be eliminated by the upstream circuit breaker, the circuit breaker that
is immediately upstream of the fault and by that circuit breaker alone!

Continuity of service
DB421201.eps

D1
Discrimination is an essential element that must be taken into account as early as in
the design of a low voltage installation to enable continuity of the electricity service.

Production and safety

Discrimination provides much convenience for all users, but it is an essential
D2 requirement when continuity of service is of utmost importance.

Discrimination means that only the part with the fault is disconnected. It enables:
bb continuity of supply for adjacent circuits,
Fault
bb localization of the faulty circuit.
D1 and D2 in series.
For some installations or installation parts:
bb operating theatre in clinics and hospitals,
bb marine,
bb safety equipment,
bb production site.

The requirements for continuous electricity often make it necessary to verify the
discrimination between upstream and downstream protection devices.
If there is a total lack of discrimination, it will be necessary to try to achieve partial
discrimination. Likewise, if there is a limit to the level of discrimination and this
proves satisfactory in the majority of cases, it can still be attempted to make it total.
Of course, any modification must be made while observing the following main
parameters:
bb protection of personnel,
bb are the thermal stresses I2t of the cables always taken into account?
bb are the breaking capacities of the devices higher than the prospective Isc?

Finally, when it is not possible to achieve discrimination and it is essential for the
correct operation of the installation, the installation of uninterruptible power supplies
(UPS) must be considered. Generator units, inverters, etc. are then used.

There are several types of discrimination that can be used separately or together.
For protection against overcurrent, this generally concerns current discrimination
and time discrimination.
The principle is as follows.

6
 Complementary Coordination between circuit
technical information
breakers
Discrimination (Selectivity)

Current and energy discrimination

DB421202.eps

D1
Discrimination involves ensuring coordination between two circuit breakers in series,
so that, in the event of a fault, only one circuit breaker, located immediately upstream
of the fault, trips. A discrimination current Is is defined so that:
bb Ifault < Is: only D2 eliminates the fault, discrimination is ensured,
bb Ifault > Is: both circuit breakers may trip, discrimination is not ensured.
D2
Slight overcurrent or overload
Under the effect of an abnormal inrush current, for example an increase in the
resistive torque of a motor, the current going through the circuit is higher than the
rated current. These currents may damage the installation (risk of an electrical fire).
Devices to protect against overcurrent can be characterized by their operating
curves as a function of prospective current Ip:
bb the operating curve is time-based when the breaking time is greater than 50 ms
(curve t = f (Ip). Discrimination is achieved if the ln upstream / In downstream
operation threshold ratio is > 1.3 and if the current offset of the magnetic curves is
0 D2 Only D2 trips Is D1 and D2 trip I fault observed.

This is current discrimination

D2 D1 Is
DB403503.eps

100

10
t (s)

0,1 Motor
curve
0,01
0,01 0,1 1 10

Prospective current (kA rms)

The greater the difference between the ratings of the upstream and downstream
circuit breakers, the more “extensive” the discrimination.

Short circuit
For example when there is contact between two phases we are faced with a full
insulation fault which risks damaging the installation.
The function that makes it possible to protect against this type of fault is magnetic
protection.
To ensure discrimination, we must maintain a ratio between the upstream and
downstream protection devices. This is energy discrimination.
bb Energy: when the intervention time is less than 50 ms and more particularly less
than the time of one half wave (10 ms) of current with limiting circuit breakers.

This is energy discrimination

10000000
DB403505.eps

D1
10 ms
1000000
D2
Limited energy (A2s)

100000

10000

1000

100

10
0,01 0,1 Is 1 10 100

Prospective current (kA rms)

7
 Complementary Coordination between circuit
technical information
breakers
Discrimination (Selectivity)

Time discrimination
DB124205.eps

The principle is based on the time difference (Δt) of the upstream magnetic curve.

To achieve this, it is necessary to have an upstream circuit breaker with time-delay

bands.
The delay introduced must make it possible to improve discrimination without
endangering the cable or busbars which would then have to withstand the
overcurrent for longer (greater thermal effects I2t and electrodynamic stresses).

Total or partial discrimination

Discrimination may be partial or total, up to the breaking capacity of the downstream
circuit breaker. For total discrimination, the characteristics of the upstream device
must be higher than those of the downstream device (higher than the breaking
capacity of the downstream circuit breaker MCCB).
Thermal trip Magnetic trip Breaking capacity of the
DB403507.eps

downstream circuit breaker

Normal operation Overload Short circuit

PARTIAL DISCRIMINATION
TOTAL DISCRIMINATION
only the downstream circuit
Ip
breaker trips

Continuity of service Is

Standard IEC 60947-2 on industrial circuit breakers, and in particular Appendix A,

deals with coordination between a circuit-breaker and another device to protect
against short circuits combined in the same circuit.
This protection device may be a fuse or another circuit breaker.

8
 Complementary Coordination between circuit
technical information
breakers
Discrimination (Selectivity)

Discrimination between modular circuit breakers

We use two types of discrimination when these circuit breakers are combined:
bb current discrimination,
bb energy discrimination.
For discrimination to be ensured whatever the prospective fault current, 3 conditions
have to be fulfilled:
bb the upstream and downstream circuit breakers must have different ratings
(ratio > 1.3),
bb the envelope of their magnetic curves must be different,
bb the energy allowed to pass through the downstream circuit breaker when it cuts off
must still be less than the operating energy of the upstream trip.
DB421203.eps

Example
bb Let us take the example of a single phase network where we have a 32 A curve D
D1 circuit breaker in series with a 10 A curve D circuit breaker:
32 A 6 mm2 vv the 32 A circuit breaker protects the 62 cables and the 10 A circuit breaker protects
the 1.52 cables. This combination allows discrimination, but up to what threshold?
vv if current discrimination is considered (t = f (Ip)) it can be seen that the tripping
D2
10 A curve of the downstream circuit breaker is well below the non-tripping curve of the
upstream circuit breaker,
1.5 mm2

vv furthermore, each circuit breaker is well below the maximum stress permitted by
the cables.
10000
DB403510.eps

1000 Cable 62
MCB 32 A
Cable 1.52
MCB 10 A
100
t (s)

10

0,1
1 10 100 1000 10000
Prospective current (kA rms)

When considering energy discrimination, it is necessary to compare the maximum

stresses characterized by the integrals ft relative to the development of the arc in the
downstream device and by the sensitivity of the trip unit, still in ft, of the upstream
device (curves I2t = f (Ip)).
10000000
DB403512.eps

Cable 62
Cable 1.52
MCB 32 A
1000000
MCB 10 A
Limited energy (A2s)

100000
10 ms

10000

1000

100
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Prospective
current (kA rms)
I fault
Normal Discrimination Is Opening of Breaking capacity
operation both circuit of the downstream
breakers circuit breaker

9
 Complementary Coordination between circuit
technical information
breakers
Discrimination (Selectivity)

Discrimination between Compact NSX upstream

and modular circuit breakers downstream
Compact NSX circuit breakers have been designed to ensure total discrimination
with Acti9 range.
bb Total discrimination between Compact NSX 100 A with electronic trip unit and
Acti9 circuit breaker up to 40 A.
bb Total discrimination between Compact NSX u 160 A with TMD trip unit u125 A or
electronic trip unit and Acti9 up to 63 A.

Discrimination between Compact NSX circuit

breakers
Thanks to the Roto-Active breaking principle in the Compact NSX, a combination of
Schneider Electric circuit breakers provides an exceptional level of discrimination
DB115814.eps

between protection devices.

This performance is due to the combination and optimization of 3 principles:
bb current discrimination,
bb energy discrimination,
bb time discrimination.

Protection against overloads: current discrimination

The protection is selective if the ratio between the setting thresholds is higher than 1.6 (in the
case of two distribution circuit breakers).

Protection against weak short circuits: time discrimination

Tripping of the upstream device has a slight time delay; tripping of the downstream device is
faster.
The protection is selective if the ratio between the short-circuit protection thresholds is no less
than 1.5.

Protection against high short circuits: energy discrimination

This principle combines the exceptional limiting power of the Compact NSX devices and reflex
release, sensitive to the energy dissipated by the short circuit in the device.
When a short circuit is high, if it is seen by two devices, the downstream device limits it greatly.
The energy dissipated in the upstream device is insufficient to cause it to trip: there is
discrimination whatever the value of the short circuit.
The range has been designed to ensure energy discrimination between NSX630/NSX250/
NSX100 or NSX400/NSX160.

Discrimination between Masterpact or Compact NS

u 630 A upstream and Compact NSX downstream
Thanks to their high-performance control units and a very innovative design,
Masterpact and Compact NS u 630 A devices offer, as standard, a very high level of
discrimination with downstream Compact NSX up to 630 A
Respect the basic rules of discrimination for overload and short-circuit, or check that
curves do not overlap with Ecodial software.
Check the discrimination limit in tables for high short-circuit current or when using
limiter circuit breakers (Masterpact NT L1 or Compact NS L or LB) upstream.

Discrimination between Masterpact or Compact NS

u 630 A upstream and downstream
The utilization category of these devices (excepted limiters ones) is B according to
IEC 60947 standard. Discrimination is ensured by a combination of current
discrimination and time discrimination.
Respect the basic rules of discrimination for overload and short-circuit, or check that
curves do not overlap with Ecodial software.
Check the discrimination limit in tables for high short-circuit current or when using
limiter circuit breakers (Masterpact NT L1 or Compact NS L or LB).

Basic rules of discrimination for overload and short-

circuit
Upstream Downstream Thermal protection Magnetic protection
Ir upstream / Ir downstream Im upstream / Im downstream
TM TM or MCB u 1.6 u2
Micrologic u 1.6 u 1.5
Micrologic TM or MCB u 1.6 u 1.5
Micrologic u 1.3 u 1.5 (1)
(1) See "Additional conditions according to the trip units".

10
 Complementary Coordination between circuit
technical information
breakers
Discrimination (Selectivity)

Additional conditions according to the trip units

DB421200.eps

Short time trip pickup current (Isd)

The tables show the limit of discrimination assuming the short time trip pickup
current Isd = 10 x Ir.
In many cases, when discrimination is total, a different adjustment may be used
provided that the ratio between the magnetic thresholds indicated above is
observed.
When downstream breaker is a Compact NSX:
bb upstream circuit breaker magnetic setting shall be higher than downstream
instantenous protection:
NSX 2.2 ou Mic 2.2 Mic 2.2 100 Mic 2.2 160 Mic 2.2 Mic 2.3 Mic 2.3
2.3 40 250 400 630
Inst. 600 A 1500 A 2400 A 3000 A 4800 A 6900 A
bb or upstream circuit breaker shall be equipped with micrologic type 5 with tsd u 0.1.
When downstream circuit breaker is a Masterpact with micrologic 2, upstream circuit
breaker shall be equipped with micrologic type 5 and tsd u 0,1 and Ii Off.
When the limit of discrimination indicated in the table is 10 x Ir, the limit of
discrimination is in fact the upstream magnetic threshold Isd.

Instantaneous trip pickup current (Ii)

The tables show the limit of discrimination assuming the instantaneous trip pickup
current set to its maximum value and when it is inhibited (category B circuit breaker
only).
bb When the limit of discrimination indicated in the table is 15 x In of the upstream
device, the limit of discrimination is in fact the instantaneous trip pickup current of the
upstream device.
bb When the upstream device is a type B circuit breaker and the downstream device
is type A, the instantaneous trip pickup current of the upstream device may be set to
below 15 x In as long as it remains higher than the reflex release threshold of the
downstream device.

Short time tripping delay (Tsd)

When the upstream and downstream circuit breakers are fitted with a Micrologic 5.x,
6.x, 7.x: trip unit, the minimum non-tripping time of the upstream device must be
greater than the maximum tripping time of the downstream device.
Tsd D1 > Tsd D2 (One band)
I2t Off / On
The tables show the limit of discrimination assuming function I2t OFF. If this is not the
case, the user must verify that the curves do not overlap.
Ground Fault Protection (GFP) (Ig, Tg)
When the upstream and downstream circuit breakers are fitted with a Micrologic 6.x
trip unit, the user must verify current and time discrimination:
current discrimination
The setting of the tripping threshold of the upstream GFP is greater than that of the
downstream GFP. Because of the tolerances on the settings, a difference of 30 %
between the upstream threshold and the downstream threshold is sufficient.
time discrimination
The intentional time-delay setting for the upstream GFP is higher than the opening
time of the downstream protection device. Furthermore, it is essential that the
intentional time-delay applied to the upstream protection device observes the
maximum insulation fault elimination time defined by NEC § 230.95 (i.e. 1 s for
3000 A).
Ig D1 u 1.3 Ig D2 Tg D1 > Tg D2 (One band)

Circuit breaker with vigi module (Add-On Residual Current Device - RCD):
DB421192.eps

When circuit breakers are equipped with vigi module, discrimination tables are valid
for short-circuit. To ensure discrimination in case of earth fault, upstream and
D1 downstream vigi modules shall satisfy the following conditions:
RCD bb the sensitivity of the upstream residual current device must be at least equal to
three times the sensitivity of the downstream residual current device (IΔn D1 u 3 x
IΔn D2),
bb the upstream residual current device must be:
vv of the selective (S) type (or setting) if the downstream residual current device is an
instantaneous type,
D2 vv of the delayed (R) type (or setting) if the downstream residual current device is a
RCD selective type.
The minimum non-tripping time of the upstream device will therefore be greater than
the maximum tripping time of the downstream device for all current values (Δt (D1) >
Δt (D2)).

11
TOOLS

Ecodial

Ecodial software is dedicated to LV electrical installation

calculation in accordance with the IEC60364
international standard or national standards.

This 4th generation, "Ecodial Advance Calculation 4",

offers a new ergonomic and new features:
pp operating mode that allows easy calculation in case
of installation with different type of sources
(parallel transformers, back-up generators…)
pp discrimination analysis associating curves checking
and discrimination tables
pp direct access to protection settings including residual
current protections
pp easy selection of alternate solutions or manual
selection of a product.