Circuit breaker rating:

CB is called upon to operate under all conditions. However, major duties are
imposed on the circuit breaker when there is a fault in the system in which it is
connected.

Under fault conditions, CB is required to perform the following three major

duties:

1. It must be capable of isolating a faulty circuit and breaking the fault

current.
2. It must be capable of closing on a fault.
3. It must be capable of withstanding fault current for a short time while a
corresponding breaker upstream or downstream is clearing the fault.

For the corresponding duties mentioned above, the CB has three ratings as below:

1. Breaking capacity
2. Making capacity
3. Short-time capacity

1. Breaking capacity:

It is rms current that the circuit breaker is capable of breaking given a recovery
voltage and under specified conditions (eg: power factor, rate of rise restriking
voltage).

It is always stated that the rms value of fault current at the instant of contact
separation. When a fault occurs, the asymmetric present due to dc component.
The dc component dies away rapidly, a typical decrement factor being 0.8 per
cycle.

In Indian/British, it is a usual practice to take a breaking current is equal to

symmetrical breaking current. However, American practice to take breaking
current is equal to asymmetrical breaking current. Thus, the American rating
given to a circuit breaker is higher than the Indian/British rating.
2. Making capacity:

There is always the possibility of closing or making circuit breaker under short
circuit condition. The capacity of a breaker to make current depends upon its
ability to withstand and close successfully against the effect of electromagnetic
forces. These forces proportional to the square of instantaneous current on
closing. Therefore, the making capacity is stated in terms of peak value of current
in terms of rms value.

The definition of making capacity is concerned the first cycle of current wave on
closing the circuit breaker.

Making capacity = 2.55 * Symmetrical breaking capacity

3. Short time rating:

It is a period for which the CB is able to carry fault current while remaining closed.

Sometimes fault on the system is very temporary nature and persists 2 to 3

seconds, after which the fault is cleared automatically. To achieve continuity of
supply, CB should not trip in such situations. This means the circuit breaker should
carry high current safely for some specified period while remaining closed. They
should have proven by short-time rating. however, if the fault persists for a
duration longer than specified time limit, CB will trip and isolating the faulty
section.

The short-time rating of a circuit breaker depends upon its ability to withstand:

i) The electromagnetic force effect

ii) The temperature rise.

Circuit breaker name plate detail for reference: