Types of Overcurrent

&
Calculations
 NEC® Article 100 – Definitions
Overcurrent
Any current in excess of the rated current of
equipment or the ampacity of a conductor. It
may result from overload, short circuit, or
ground fault.
 NEC® Article 100 – Definitions
Overload
Operation of equipment in excess of normal,
full-load rating, or of a conductor in excess of
rated ampacity that, when it persists for a
sufficient length of time, would cause damage
or dangerous overheating. A fault, such as a
short circuit or ground fault, is not an overload.
 Normal Load
IL= VS / RT

IL
R R R
Source

Load
VS IL
R
R R R
 Overload
IOL= VS / RT

R R R
Source

VS Load
R
R R R

Within the normal path

 Short Circuit
ISC= VS / RT

R R R
Source

VS Load
R
R R R

Out of the circuit

Outside the normal path

 Types of Faults
• Bolted Faults
• Arcing Faults
 Bolted Arcing
Short Circuit Fault

Current
Thru Air

A B A B
 Bolted Faults –Various Types

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground
 Bolted Faults – Three Phase

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground

Typically considered the “worst

case” or highest magnitude
 Bolted Faults – Line to Line

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground

87 % of the three phase

bolted fault
 Bolted Faults – Line to Ground

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground

Typically much lower than 3 fault, but

can be > 3 fault near Xfmr terminals
Arcing Faults – Many Variables Effect Current &
Whether Sustainable

System Voltage
Gap spacing
Available 3 Short Circuit Amps
Amount of Copper Vaporized
Degree of Containment
Configuration of Equipment

Typically does not sustain on 208Y/120V

A B
 Arcing Faults – Progression

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd
C
N
Ground
 Arcing Faults – Three Phase

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground

Can vary widely possibly up to

89% of 3 bolted fault
 Arcing Faults – Line to Line

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground

Can vary widely possibly up to

74% of 3 bolted fault
 Arcing Faults – Line to Ground

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground

Can vary widely

 Arcing Faults – Sustainability

A
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W B
Solid Grd C
N
Ground

Rule of thumb:
Arcing faults will typically not sustain
at less than 38% of 3 bolted fault
How do you know what the short-circuit current
is throughout a system?
and
What are some typical values
 Short Circuit Currents Transformer Size & % Z
Vary Depending on Many Voltage
Factors Conductor Size & Length

MSB

M M
 Short Circuit Currents
60,000 A
Vary Depending on Many
Factors
60,000 A
MSB

18,000 A 40,000 A 27,000 A

9,000 A
M M
Short Circuit Current Examples #1

500 KVA 1500 KVA 1500 KVA

5%Z 5% Z 5% Z
480/277V 480/277V 208/120V

1 2 3
500 KVA 1500 KVA 1500 KVA

2%Z 2%Z 2%Z

480/277V 480/277V 208/120V

1A 2A 3A
 How to Calculate Transformer
Secondary (assuming infinite primary)

Isca = (Xfmr FLA) x 100 / %Z

(increase result by 10% due to UL

tolerance for transformer impedances)

Short Circuit Current Example #1 Answers

500 KVA 1500 KVA 1500 KVA

5%Z 5% Z 5% Z
480/277V 480/277V 208/120V
13,222 A 39,666 A
1 2 3 91,608 A
500 KVA 1500 KVA 1500 KVA

2%Z 2%Z 2%Z

480/277V 480/277V 208/120V
33,055 A 99,165 A
1A 2A 3A 229,020 A
Short Circuit Current Example #2

208/120V 480/277V 480/277V

4 40,000 A. 5 40,000 A. 6 40,000 A.

50 ft # 1 50 ft 250 kcm

4A 5A 6A
 Calculating Short Circuit Currents
Utilize Point-to-Point Method
Steps 4, 5 & 6 for 3 Faults
Short Circuit Current Example #2 Answers

208/120V 480/277V 480/277V

4 40,000 A. 5 40,000 A. 6 40,000 A.

50 ft # 1 50 ft 250 kcm

4A 5A 6A
12,367 A. 20,322 A. 28,818 A.
 Summary
• Overcurrent – overloads, bolted faults, & arcing
faults
• Fault currents can be determined through out
distribution system
• Short circuit currents needed to assess I.R.,
Component Pro, Coordination, Arc Flash
Hazards & OCPD Selection