1. Breaker Basics
Welcome to this general overview of ABB.

2. Breaker Basics Product Fundamentals Applications Electrical Standards
Product of ABB Italy

3. Breaker Basics
Product Fundamentals
Applications
Electrical Standards

4. Product Fundamentals
A circuit breaker is a device designed to open and close a circuit using a non-automatic (manual) means, as well as opening the circuit (tripping) automatically at a predetermined over-current level, without injury to itself when properly applied within its rating
Emphasize that circuit protection is an essential part of any electrical circuit
Non-automatic- manual opening and closing of the breaker
Automatic- tripping occurs automatically on a predetermined setting

5. Product Fundamentals Basic parts Terminals Arc Chamber Fixed Contacts
Moving Contacts
Trip Unit
Name Plate
Operating Lever

6. Product Fundamentals Basic ratings Current Frame Size
Continuous Rated Current (size of load)
Maximum Interrupting Rating
Voltage
Rated Voltage
The frame size is bigger than, or equal to, the Continuous Rated Current.
The Continuous Rated Current is related to the size of the load
The Short Circuit Current is related to the capability of the Utility or the Generator to generate current at a given voltage. This value has a higher magnitude than the other two. The Short Circuit Current is not related to the Breaker, it is related to the System in which the breaker is going to be placed.
The maximum interrupting rating is definitely bigger than the Frame Size. In most cases it has a higher magnitude. It is comparable in value to the Short Circuit Current, but it must be BIGGER than that.
In general, the Voltage is given (rated Voltage). Anyway, in some fault conditions the Voltage can vary a lot. The Test Voltage and Rated impulse Withstand Voltage are related to the capability that any Electrical device must have in order to resist to a sudden change in Voltage conditions.

7. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Non-automatic (manual) operation
Using the operating lever to open and close the circuit
Terminals
Arc Chamber
Fixed Contacts
Moving Contacts
Trip Unit . .
ABB SACE Tmax
I on
O off
I on
O off
Current
Flow

8. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Basic Trip curve – illustrates the relationship between response (trip) time and current
I (current)
T (time)
ong Delay
nstantaneous

9. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Overload Condition – excessive current condition resulting from an increase in the load applied (beyond a set limit)
Correlates to the first part of the trip curve ( ong Delay)
I (current)
T (time)
During an overload, the excessive current through the breaker will generate heat
The greater the overload condition, the greater the current and the greater the heat generated
The higher the heat, the shorter the trip time (inverse time characteristic)

10. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Overload Condition – excessive current condition resulting from an increase in the load applied (beyond a set limit)
Correlates to the first part of the trip curve ( ong Time Delay)
The heat generated from an overload condition causes the bi-metallic element to bend, tripping the breaker
I (current)
T (time) . .

11. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Short Circuit condition – excessive current condition resulting from two or more phases making contact with one another
Correlates to the second part of the trip curve ( nstaneous)
I (current)
T (time)
During a short, current flow can become thousands of times greater than the normal operating amperage
A breaker’s Short Circuit Current rating indicates the amperage value at which the breaker trips instantaneously (usually expressed in kA)
Reaching current levels greater than the Short Circuit Current rating will still result in an instantaneous trip

12. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Short Circuit condition – excessive current condition resulting from two or more phases making contact with one another
Correlates to the second part of the trip curve ( nstaneous)
The magnetic field generated from a short circuit attracts the trip mechanism to the element, tripping the breaker
I (current)
T (time) . .

13. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Additional Trip curve ranges:
hort Time Delay - Protection against a short circuit with a short time delay trip function. If the fault current exceeds the set threshold value, the protection trips. Typically used in selective coordination applications.
I (current)
T (time)

14. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Trip curves for Thermal-Magnetic and Electronic Trip Units
Thermal / Magnetic
Electronic t t
Iu kA
Iu kA

15. Product Fundamentals
Breaker Operation – Automatic means (over-current protection)
Maximum Interrupting Rating – maximum current level the breaker can safely interrupt when properly applied within its ratings
I (current)
T (time)

16. Product Fundamentals Let-through Energy (I²t)
High I²t levels can result in:
Thermal Damage
Discoloration or melting of conductor insulation, terminals and/or components
Mechanical Stresses (from magnetic force created)
Broken or deformed Bus Bars / Bus Bar Insulators
Loose terminations
Reduced dielectric clearances due to the movement of the conductors

17. Product Fundamentals UL Current Limiting
Substantially limits the peak let through current and thermal energy (I²t) during high level faults The I²t value must be less than ½ cycle wave of the symmetrical prospective current.
ABB UL Current Limiting Breakers:
UL489 Tmax T2H, T4H, T4V, T5H(400A), T5V(400A)
Typical uses:
Feeder device for UL508 control panel
Sensitive electronic loads
** Add graphic of the breaker let through form the trip unit presentation**
IGBT-

18. Selectivity Selective Coordination
Minimizes the effects of an electrical fault by ensuring the breaker nearest the fault will trip first
600V t TI T5 E2
E2 In 1250
Ik= 50kA
T5 400A
Ik= 22kA
T1 In 125
10-1 1
101
25kA
50kA
Iu kA

19. Product Fundamentals Mounting Configurations Fixed Bolted connection
Cable Lugs or Bus Bar electrical connections
Breaker mounting to equipment of enclosure
Cannot be removed without de-energizing the system

20. Product Fundamentals Mounting Configurations Plug-in
An assembly that provides a quick change means without disturbing power connections.
Used primarily in critical power and marine applications
Tmax breaker (T2 – T5)
Field installable

21. Product Fundamentals Mounting Configurations Drawout
A racking system that provides a quick change means without disturbing power connections.
Widely used in critical power, industrial, marine and utility power applications
Emax, T4-T7 Breakers

22. Product Fundamentals Undervoltage trip – Auxiliary contacts –
A relay coil in the breaker that is energized by control power.
When line power drops below a particular level, the coil de-energizes and trips open the breaker.
The breaker cannot reclose until the voltage returns to a particular level.
Auxiliary contacts –
Normally open or closed contact that mimics the state of the breaker

23. Product Fundamentals Shunt Trip
Field installable in standard molded case or power breaker
Used to remotely trip the breaker
Bell alarm contact
Field installable in standard molded case or power breaker.
Normally open contact that changes state only when a breaker opens due to a fault condition. .

24. Breaker Basics
Product Fundamentals
Applications
Electrical Standards

25. Product Fundamentals Applicable Standards UL Standards UL489
This standard covers low voltage molded case circuit breakers and ground fault interrupters, fused circuit breakers and accessory high-fault protectors. These circuit breakers are specifically intended to provide service entrance, feeder, and branch circuit protection in accordance with the National Electrical Code. This standard also covers instantaneous-trip breakers specifically intended for use a part of a combination motor controller.
600 volts and below.
Also covers electrical accessories.
UL 1066 drawout breakers typically applied in UL 1558 Switchgtear.

26. Product Fundamentals 100% Rated Circuit Breakers (UL 489)
A standard circuit breaker is intended for use at no more than 80% of its rated current on continuous loads (3 hrs or more).
Special label requiring additional thermal testing and larger enclosure
Tmax 15A – 3000A
Benefits
Smaller frame size breaker which could reduce the overall size of the panel
Smaller conductors (conductors are sized to “toggle” rating)
Q Series;
SUITABLE FOR CONTAINING OPERATONS AT
100 PERCENT OF RATING ONLY IF USED IN A
CUBICLE SPACE 20.5 BY 16.6 BY 7.9 INCHES
(520 x 420 x 200 mm)
Continuous load example- hallway or stairway lighting in a hotel. escalators in a mall, etc..
UL 1066 breakers (Emax breakers) are a 100% as a standard.

27. Application Applicable Standards UL Standards UL1066
This standard covers low voltage power circuit breakers. These circuit breakers are intended for installation in Low Voltage Switchgear, Switchboard and other equipment.
Drawout-mounted devices are intended for use with specific adapters or receiving equipment.
600 volts and below.
Also covers electrical accessories.
Standards dictate how manufactures design and test breakers.

28. Applications UL1558 Low Voltage Switchgear
Metal enclosed assemblies containing low-voltage power circuit breakers, switches, instrumentation and metering, protective and regulating equipment

29. Applications UL891 Switchboards
A large dead-front panel rated 600V or less having rms symmetrical short-circuit currents of not more than 200,000A on which may be mounted meters, pilot lights, fixtures for illumination, manually or automatically operated switches, circuit breakers, overcurrent protective devices, bus bars or the like and the necessary wiring.

30. Applications UL67 Panelboards Industrial Control Equipment
Are electrical distribution devices that convert incoming electrical power into several smaller circuits and provide short circuit and/or overload protection in the form of fuses or circuit breakers.
Industrial Control Equipment
Industrial control devices and accessories for starting, stopping, regulating, controlling, or protecting electric motors
Disconnect means
Short circuit
Controller
Overload
Local disconnect

31. Applications Motor Circuit Protector (MCP)
Intended for use as part of a combination motor controller
Provides short-circuit (instantaneous) protection only
Does NOT provide overload protection
Disconnect means
Short circuit
Controller
Overload
Local disconnect

32. Applications Molded Case Switches (MCS)
Used as a manual disconnecting means
Does not provide over-current, overload or ground fault protection
Benefits:
Can be enhanced with accessories: shunt trips, aux contacts, undervoltage etc..
Disconnect means
Short circuit
Controller
Overload
Local disconnect

33. Breaker Basics
Product Fundamentals
Applications
Electrical Standards

34. Electrical Standards Applicable Standards IEC Standards
IEC Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 2: Circuit Breakers
This standard applies to circuit breakers, the main contacts of which are intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1000VAC or 1500VDC.
1000 volts and below.
Controlgear is an IEC term for Switchgear.
IEC is an international standard that applies to off shore and export business.
Standards dictate how manufactures design and test breakers.

35. Electrical Standards Applicable Standards CE – European Conformity
The European Union has set up rules for selling certain types of products within the European Union. The CE mark represents company quality certifications for machines with moving parts, electronic devices, medical devices, etc.
CCC – China Compulsory Certification
Effective May 2002, the CCC mark is a Safety and Quality mark for many products sold in the Chinese market. The CCC mark replaces the two old marks, CCIB, CCEE used in the two old inspection systems
600 volts and below.
Also covers electrical accessories.
Standards dictate how manufactures design and test breakers.

36. Breaker Basics
Product Fundamentals
Applications
Electrical Standards