Dave Bradley, PE, LEED AP

Understanding Time Current

Curves and Coordination Studies

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In This Elective

Time Current Curve Basics

Uses of Time Current Curves
Coordination Study Basics

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Page 2
How will this help me next week?

Better understanding circuit breakers

Understand what TCCs can be used for,

and for what they shouldnt be used

Understand general differences between

coordination and Selective Coordination

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 Where did it all start?

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In the beginning...

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Inverse Time Element

Current Time
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 How It Works

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How it Works Thermal Magnetic

Tripping
foot
Contacts

Load
Connection

Line
Connection
Electromagnet

Bi-Metallic Strip

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How it Works Solid State

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 Time Current Curves

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How to Show a Wide Range on a Small Paper
TIME
0

0 CURRENT
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Logarithmic Time

1,000s

100s

10s

1s

100ms

10ms

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Logarithmic Current

10A 100A 1,000A 10,000A 100,000A

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Time Current Curves in the Real World

14

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Time Current Curves in the Real World

20

14

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Time Current Curves in the Real World

20

M 10HP

14 14

Inrush Currents
20x for cycle
4-8x for several seconds

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Time Current Curves in the Real World

20 30

M 10HP

14 14

Inrush Currents
20x for cycle
4-8x for several seconds

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Time Current Curves in the Real World

36
30kVA
20 30

M 10HP

14 14

Inrush Currents
Worst case: 14x +
Average: 5x for a couple of cycles

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Time Current Curves in the Real World

90
36
30kVA
20 30

M 10HP

14 14

Inrush Currents
Worst case: 14x +
Average: 5x for a couple of cycles

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Time Current Curves in the Real World

250

90 100

30kVA
20 30
36

M 10HP

14 14

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Time Current Curves Thermal Magnetic

1985 2006
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Time Current Curve Details

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Changes to New TCCs

OLD

NEW

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Molded Case Switches
Motor Circuit Protectors

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Thermal Magnetic vs Electronic

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Time Current Curves Electronic

Long Time
Handle Rating
Overloads

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Time Current Curves Electronic

Long Time Delay

Normal Inrush

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Time Current Curves Electronic

Short Time
Coordination
Curve Matching

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Time Current Curves Electronic

Short Time Delay

Coordination
Curve Matching

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Time Current Curves Electronic

Instantaneous
Faults

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 Uses of TCCs

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Time Current Curve Software EasyTCC

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Time Current Curve Software SKM

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 Coordination Studies

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Uses of TCCs - Coordination

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Selectivity

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Coordination

0.1s
800

250

100

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Selective Coordination

0.01s
800

260

100

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 Behavior in the Field

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Uses of TCCs

For application and coordination purposes only. Based on 40C

ambient cold start. Connected with 4 feet of rated wire (75C) per terminal. Tested in open air with
current in all poles.

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Page 47
Uses of TCCs - Operation and Testing

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Page 48
Uses of TCCs - Operation and Testing

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 40C
25C
(104F)
NEMA AB-4

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Page 50
Same Device, Different Settings

The purple time current curve (TCC)

reflects how the breaker is set when
it leaves the plant
The blue TCC shows one possibility
for how the breaker could be set.
This leave a fairly wide range of
possible settings

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Page 55
Effect of Incorrect Settings

Add in the feed to the air conditioner

and you can see why the main
breaker tripped out

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 Summary

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Page 58
Summary

You know how loads and circuit breakers

interact, and how the time current curve
shows that

You understand what TCCs can be used for,

and for what they shouldnt be used

You can now better address initial questions

about breaker performance in the field

You know the general differences between

Coordination and Selective Coordination

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Page 59
 Questions?

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