Electrotechnics

T13-Types of overcurrent and

protective devices in AC systems

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 Objective:
Relate the types of overcurrent and protective devices in AC systems.

1. What is overcurrent?
2. Types of overcurrent
A. Short-circuit overcurrent
B. Ground-fault overcurrent
C. Overload overcurrent

3. Overcurrent protection
A. Circuit protection
B. Equipment protection
C. Location of OCPD

4. Types of overcurrent relays

5. Conclusions

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 Overcurrent, Overload, Short Circuit, and Ground Fault -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YatN8EQn6MY

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 1. What is overcurrent?

Overcurrent is an excess of
current—or amperage—in an
electrical circuit. (current exceeds the
rated amperage capacity of that
circuit)
An overcurrent can be caused
by overloading the circuit or by
a short circuit a ground fault, or an
arc fault.

Circuit breakers and fuses protect

circuit wiring from damage caused by
overcurrent.

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 2. Types of overcurrent

Ground-
Short-circuit
fault
overcurrent
overcurrent

Overload
overcurrent

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 A. Short-circuit overcurrent

Ordinarily, short-circuits
Short circuits are
overcurrent result from
composed of high- This, in turn, causes a
unintentional cross-
magnitude fault short-circuit across the
connection of two or
currents that create a supply transformer
more current-carrying
low resistance path wiring
conductors in a circuit i.
that is in parallel with
e. Line-to-line or line to
resistance
neutral.

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 B. Ground-fault overcurrent
It is in essence, a short-circuit overcurrent only that
it involves one of the circuit conductors and the
circuit ground. This type of overcurrent only occurs
when the electrical power distribution system of the
building is referenced to the earth ground.
Reference grounding” typically occurs in the
Star transformer configuration where AC
transformer windings are connected to a
grounding-electrode system resulting in
grounded and ungrounded supply to the circuit.

Ground-fault overcurrent is of less magnitude

compared to the short-circuit overcurrent from the
same transformer

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 C. Overload overcurrent

Overload It can occur at the A good example of

Overcurrent occurs service, branch- overload overcurrent
when an existing circuit or feeder is the overcurrent
circuit is required to level of a structure’s that is experienced
pass load current electrical power when a motor is
that is higher than distribution system. mechanically
the rated-load overloaded by
capacity of the circuit excess heat, excess
conductors friction or mechanical
faults.

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 3. Overcurrent protection

Circuit Protection
An electrical circuit is composed of
three principal components, a
power source, load, and
conductors. These components
are supplemented with a means of Equipment Protection
switching them on or off and a
means of limit control.

Location OCPD

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 A. Circuit protection

There are two types of OCPDs; fuses and

circuit breakers. The OCPDs must be installed
in a manner that meets the requirements of the
National Electric Code. These protection
devices have ratings.
Conductor capacity, the current rating of the
load and OCPD rating are interrelated.
The full-load current rating determines the
ampacity of the conductors and the OCPD
rating. On the same note, OCPD rating and the
conductor capacity dictate the maximum
current that can be supplied from the service,
feeder or branch unit. OCPD use different ways
to protect circuits and equipment.

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 B. Equipment protection
OCPDs protect equipment by opening when it detects a short-circuit or
ground faults. Every electrical equipment ought to have a short-circuit
current rating that can permit the protection devices to handle short
circuits and ground faults with limited damage to the electrical
components of the circuit.

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 C. Location of OCPD
Overcurrent protection for conductors and the
connected load is installed at the point of origin of the
conductors. Overload protection is located
downstream while short-circuit and ground fault
protection is located upstream.
The OCPDs (fuses and circuit breakers) located
downstream provide overcurrent protection for circuits
and equipment on the load side while at the same time
providing overload protection to the circuit on the
supply-side.

The National Electric codes specify the types of

OCPDs that can be used with different equipment. It
also explains where these proactive devices should
be located.

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 4. Types of overcurrent relays

Definite-time
Overcurrent
Relay
Inverse
Definite
Minimum Inverse-time
Time overcurrent
Overcurrent relay
Relay

Inverse
Instantaneous
Definite
overcurrent
Minimum
relay
Time Relay

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 A. Definite-time Overcurrent Relay

The relay will operate when the current

reaches its pick-up value and predetermined
time. Here, the time for tripping when the
current exceeds the pickup value is set and
programmed.
The time-current characteristic curve for this
type of relay is shown below.
• The operating time is always constant,
irrespective of the magnitude of the current
above the pick-up value.
• An intentional time-delay mechanism is
provided in the relay unit in order to set the
definite operating time.

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 B. Inverse-time overcurrent relay

The relay operates only when

the magnitude of their
operating current is inversely
proportional to the magnitude
of the energize quantities

The operating time in this type of

relay depends on the magnitude
of the operating current. Here, if
the operating time decreases as
the current increases and vice-
versa

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 C. Inverse Definite Minimum Time Relay

The relay whose operating time is

approximately proportional to the fault
current is known as the IDMT relay.
The operating time of the relay is
maintained by adjusting the time delay
setting. The IDMT relay uses the
electromagnetic core

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 D. Instantaneous overcurrent relay

The relay has no intentional time delay

for operation. The contacts of the relay
are closed instantly when the current
inside the relay rises beyond the
operational value. The time interval
between the instant pick-up value and
the closing contacts of the relay is very
less. The most significant advantage of
the instantaneous relay is that it has
low operating time.
It starts operating instantly when the
value of current is more than the relay
setting.

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 E. Inverse Definite Minimum Time Overcurrent
(I.D.M.T) Relay
when the values of
the plug setting
multiplier are
.D.M.T. relays are between 10 and 20,
mainly used for the then the line in the
protection of graph tends to
I.D.M.T relay gives distribution lines. become a straight
an inverse-time line, which will be
current towards the definite-
characteristic at time characteristic.
lower values of the
fault current and a
definite-time
characteristic at
higher values of the
fault current

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 5. Conclusions

❑ Overcurrent relay is a protective relay that operates

when the load current exceeds a preset value.

❑ An overcurrent is a condition that exists in an electrical

circuit when the normal load current is exceeded

❑ With a short circuit situation, the current takes a

shortcut around the normal path of current flow.

❑ Ground-fault overcurrent is of less magnitude

compared to the short-circuit overcurrent from the
same transformer.

❑ Fuses and circuit breakers are both connected in

series with the circuit they protect

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 T13- Types of overcurrent and protective devices in AC systems

OVER CURRENT GROUP 01

SHORT-CIRCUIT OVERCURRENT

GROUND-FAULT OVERCURRENT GROUP 02

OVERLOAD OVERCURRENT GROUP 03

OVERCURRENT PROTECTION GROUP 04

INSTANTANEOUS OVERCURRENT RELAY

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 TEST 13-Types of overcurrent and protective devices in AC systems

1. ____ are composed of high-magnitude fault currents 3. __ occurs when the current exceeds the
that create a low resistance path that is in parallel with rated amperage ampacity of that circuit
the resistance of the load connected to the circuit or connected equipment

a. Short-circuit across a. Circuit

b. Short-circuit overcurrents b. Flow
c. Short-overcurrent c. Overcurrent
d. Short-current circuit d. Current

2. _____ for conductors and the connected load is 4. Learn how to protect your equipment and
installed at the point of origin of the conductors conductors from _______ and short circuits in
order to prevent accidents such as fires.
a. Socket
a. Fuses and circuits
b. Output
b. Overcurrent relay
c. Voltage
c. Protection device
d. Electrical overloads
d. Overcurrent protection

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