Section

8
Selective Coordination of Protective Devices
8.1.0 8.1.1 8.1.2 8.1.3 8.1.4 8.1.5 8.1.6 Introduction Recommended Procedure for Conducting a Selective Coordination Study Example System One-Line Diagram for Selective Coordination Study Time-Current Curve No. 1 for System Shown in Figure 8.1.2 with Analysis Notes and Comments Time-Current Curve No. 2 for System Shown in Figure 8.1.2 with Analysis Notes and Comments Time-Current Curve No. 3 for System Shown in Figure 8.1.2 with Analysis Notes and Comments Shortcut Ratio Method Selectivity Guide

8.1.0

Introduction
It is not enough to select protective devices based solely on their ability to carry the system load current and interrupt the maximum fault current at their respective levels. A properly engineered system will allow only the protective device nearest the fault to open, leaving the remainder of the system undisturbed and preserving continuity of service. We may then define selective coordination as the act of isolating a faulted circuit from the remainder of the electrical system, thereby eliminating unnecessary power outages. The faulted circuit is isolated by the selective operation of only that overcurrent protective device closest to the overcurrent condition.

8.1.1 Recommended Procedure for Conducting a Selective Coordination Study

The following steps are recommended when conducting a selective coordination study: 1. One-line diagram. Obtain or develop the electrical system one-line diagram that identifies important system components, as given below. a. Transformers. Obtain the following data for protection of and coordination information about transformers: (1) kVA rating (2) Inrush points (3) Primary and secondary connections (4) Impedance (5) Damage curves
8.1

8.2

Section Eight

(6) Primary and secondary voltages (7) Liquid or dry type b. Conductors. Check phase, neutral, and equipment grounding. The one-line diagram should include information such as (1) Conductor size (2) Number of conductors per phase (3) Material (copper or aluminum) (4) Insulation (5) Conduit (magnetic or nonmagnetic) From this information, short-circuit withstand curves can be developed. This provides information on how overcurrent devices will protect conductors from overload and short-circuit damage. c. Motors. The system one-line diagram should include motor information such as (1) Full-load currents (2) Horsepower (3) Voltage (4) Type of starting characteristic (across the line, etc.) (5) Type of overload relay (class 10, 20, 30) Overload protection of the motor and motor circuit can be determined from these data. d. Fuse characteristics. Fuse types/classes should be identified on the one-line diagram. e. Circuit breaker characteristics. Circuit breaker types should be identified on the one-line diagram. f. Relay characteristics. Relay types should be identified on the one-line diagram. 2. Short-circuit study. Perform a short-circuit analysis, calculating maximum available short-circuit currents at critical points in the distribution system (such as transformers, main switchgear, panelboards, motor control centers, load centers, and large motors and generators). Refer to the preceding section. 3. Helpful hints a. Determine the ampere scale selection. It is most convenient to place the time-current curves in the center of log-log paper. This is accomplished by multiplying or dividing the ampere scale by a factor of 10. b. Determine the reference (base) voltage. The best reference voltage is the voltage level at which most of the devices being studied fall. On most low-voltage industrial and commercial studies, the reference voltage will be 208, 240, or 480 V. Devices at other voltage levels will be shifted by a multiplier based on the transformer turn ratio. The best reference voltage will require the least amount of manipulation. Most computer programs will make these adjustments automatically when the voltage levels of the devices are identified by the input data. c. Commencing the analysis. The starting point can be determined by the designer. Typically, studies begin with the main circuit devices and work down through the feeders and branches (right to left on your log-log paper). d. Multiple branches. If many branches are taken off one feeder and the branch loads are similar, the largest rated branch-circuit device should be checked for coordination with upstream devices. If the largest branch device will coordinate and the branch devices are similar, they generally will coordinate as well. (The designer may wish to verify other areas of protection on those branches, conductors, etc.) e. Do not overcrowd the study. Many computer-generated studies will allow a maximum of 10 device characteristics per page. It is good practice, however, to have a minimum of three devices in a coordination sequence so that there is always one step of overlap.

Selective Coordination of Protective Devices

8.3

f. Existing systems. The designer should be aware that when conducting a coordination study on an existing system, optimal coordination cannot always be achieved, and compromise may be necessary. It is then necessary to exercise experience and judgment to achieve the best coordination possible to mitigate the effects of blackout conditions. The designer must set priorities within the constraints of the system under study. g. Conductor short-circuit protection. In low-voltage (600 V or less) systems, it is generally safe to ignore possible damage to conductors from short circuits because the philosophy is to isolate a fault as quickly as possible; thus the I2t energy damage curves do not have enough time to come into play (become a factor). In medium- and high-voltage systems, however, where the philosophy is to have the overcurrent protection hang in as long as possible, the contrary is true; thus it can be a significant factor. h. One-line diagram. A one-line diagram of the study should be drawn for future reference.

8.1.2 Example System One-Line Diagram for Selective Coordination Study (see page 8.4)
The following example will analyze in detail the system shown. It is understood that a short-circuit study has been completed and that all protective devices have adequate interrupting ratings. A selective coordination analysis is the next step. This simple radial system will involve three separate time-current studies, applicable to the three feeders/branches shown. The three time-current curves and their accompanying notes are self-explanatory (Figures 8.1.3 through 8.1.5).

8.1.3 Time-Current Curve No. 1 for System Shown in Figure 8.1.2 with Analysis Notes and Comments (see page 8.5 ) 8.1.4 Time-Current Curve No. 2 for System Shown in Figure 8.1.2 with Analysis Notes and Comments (see page 8.7 ) 8.1.5 Time-Current Curve No. 3 for System Shown in Figure 8.1.2 with Analysis Notes and Comments (see page 8.9) 8.1.6 Shortcut Ratio Method Selectivity Guide (see page 8.11)
This selectivity guide may be used for an easy check on fuse selectivity regardless of the short-circuit current levels involved. It also may be used for fixed thermalmagnetic trip circuit breakers (exercising good judgment) with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Where medium- and high-voltage primary fuses and relays are involved, the time-current characteristic curves should be plotted on standard loglog graph paper for proper study.

8.4

Section Eight

8.1.2

Selective Coordination of Protective Devices

8.5

8.1.3

(continued)

8.6

Section Eight

8.1.3

(Continued )

Selective Coordination of Protective Devices

8.7

8.1.4

(continued)

8.8

Section Eight

8.1.4

(Continued )

Selective Coordination of Protective Devices

8.9

8.1.5

(continued)

8.10

Section Eight

8.1.5

(Continued )

Selective Coordination of Protective Devices

8.11

TABLE 8.1.6