6 short-circuit switching capacity, 1 rated short-circuit making capacity icm, Short-circuit switching capacity -14 – Rockwell Automation Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear User Manual
Page 42: Rated short-circuit making capacity i, Rated short-circuit breaking capacity i, And i

-
Coordination type 1 permits damage to the starter so that further operation may only be
possible after repair or replacement.
- With
coordination type 2 the contactor or starter must be suitable for further use after the
short-circuit. Slight welding of contacts is acceptable. An early replacement of the starter
components is usually required (depending on the severity of the short-circuit) due to the
erosion of contact material by the short-circuit current, however this can be carried out at an
operationally convenient time.
-
Coordination type “CPS” requires in accordance with IEC 60947-6-2 that a load feeder
continues to be usable after a short-circuit, in order to maximize operational continuity. The
guaranteed residual electrical life span based on a new device is 6000 cycles. In this case
too, the replacement of the starter components as in coordination type 2 is required and
may be carried out at a time that is convenient from an operational viewpoint. Load feeders
under coordination type “CPS” can be realized in any design (see also
Type “1”
Type “2”
Type “CPS”
Finding and rectifying cause of short-circuit
X
X
X
Checking starter
X
X
Replacing devices
X
1)
1)
Separating welded contacts, if any
X
Resume operation
X
X
X
Planned maintenance (device replacement)
X
X
Tab. 2.3-5
The selection of the coordination type with respect to duration of the interruption to operation
1)
Replacement of fuses, if used
2.3.4.6
Short-circuit switching capacity
The switching capacity is the r.m.s value of a current at a given power factor cos
φ as well as a
given rated voltage at which a switchgear or a fuse can still shut-off under specified conditions
in an operationally safe way. Both the short-circuit making capacity as well as the short-circuit
breaking capacity of circuit breakers must be larger than or equal to the prospective short-circuit
current at the place of installation. If this is not the case, then a suitable backup protection (for
example a fuse) should be provided to ensure the required switching capacity of the device-
combination. Data regarding devices for backup protection are given in the technical documen-
tation.
2.3.4.6.1 Rated
short-circuit making capacity I
cm
The rated short-circuit making capacity I
cm
is a quantity that according to regulations must be in
a certain ratio to the rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity I
cu
and that has to be guaran-
teed by the device manufacturer. This is not a variable that must be considered by the user,
however it ensures that a circuit breaker is in the position to connect onto a short-circuit – and to
disconnect it subsequently.
2.3.4.6.2 Rated
short-circuit breaking capacity I
cu
and I
cs
IEC 60947-2 makes distinction between the rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity I
CU
and the rated service short-circuit breaking capacity I
CS
:
- Rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity I
CU
:
I
CU
is the maximum breaking capacity of a circuit breaker at an associated rated operational
voltage and under specified conditions. I
CU
is expressed in kA and must be at least as large
as the prospective short-circuit current at the site of installation.
Circuit breakers that have switched-off at the level of the ultimate short-circuit breaking ca-
pacity, are reduced serviceable afterwards and should at least be checked regarding func-
tionality. There may be changes in the overload trip characteristic and increased temperature
rise due to the erosion of contact material.
LVSAM-WP001A-EN-P - April 2009
2-14