Time-Current Curves

1
 Protective Device Coordination
Protective Device Coordination Study-
Description:
An organized time-current study of protective
devices from the utility to a device.
A comparison of the time it takes protective
devices to operate when certain levels of
normal or abnormal current pass through
them.

2
 Protective Device Coordination
Protective Device Coordination Study-
Objective:
Determine the characteristics, ratings, and
settings of overcurrent protective devices
Ensure that the minimium, un-faulted load is
interrupted when the protective devices
isolate a fault or overload anywhere in the
system.

3
 Protective Device Coordination
Protective Device Coordination Study-
Results:
Selection of instrument transformers ratios
Protective relay characteristics and settings
Fuse ratings
LV circuit breaker ratings, characteristics, and
settings.

4
 Protective Device Coordination
Protective Device Coordination Study-
Frequency:
This study should be revised as new protective
are added or as existing devices are modified.
At a minimum, it is recommended that this
study be performed every 5 years.

5
 Protective Device Coordination
Protective Device Coordination Study-
Frequency:
This study should be revised as new protective
are added or as existing devices are modified.
At a minimum, it is recommended that this
study be performed every 5 years.

6
 OSHA 1910.334
Use of Equipment

(b) Electric power and lighting circuits.

(1) Routine opening and closing of circuits. Load rated switches,
circuit breakers, or other devices specifically designed as
disconnecting means shall be used for the opening, reversing, or
closing of circuits under load conditions. Cable connectors not
of the load break type, fuses, terminal lugs, and cable splice
connections may not be used for such purposes, except in an
emergency.

7
 OSHA 1910.334
Use of Equipment
(b) Electric power and lighting circuits.
(2) Reclosing circuits after protective device operation. After a
circuit is de-energized by a circuit protective device, the
circuit protective device, the circuit may not be manually
reenergized until it has been determined that the
equipment and circuit can be safely energized. The
repetitive manual reclosing of circuit breakers or
reenergizing circuits through replaced fuses is prohibited.
Note: When it can be determined from the design of the circuit
and the overcurrent devices involved that the automatic
operation of a device was caused by an overload rather than a
fault condition, no examination of the circuit or connected
equipment is needed before the circuit is reenergized.

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 8

 OSHA 1910.334
Use of Equipment

(b) Electric power and lighting circuits.

(3) Overcurrent protection modification. Overcurrent
protection of circuits and conductors may not be
modified, even on a temporary basis, beyond that
allowed by 1910.304(e), the installation safety
requirements for overcurrent protection.

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 9

 Time-Current Curves
Transformers

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 10

 Time-Current Curves
Cables

The Time-Current Curves

for cables are also known
as Damage curves.

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 11

 Time Current Curves
Motor

The Time-Current Curves

for motors are also
known as Damage
curves.

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 12

Time-Current Curves
Protective Relays

50 Instantaneous
Overcurrent Relay

51 AC Time
Overcurrent Relay

67 AC Directional
Overcurrent Relay

13
Time-Current Curves
Fuses

14
 Time-Current Curves
Fuses
Fuse
Rating
What would cause a
fuse to blow?
1. Inappropriate Sizing
2. Inappropriate Type
for application
3. Fault

800 A

15
Time-Current Curves
Fuses

16
Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

17
 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

No action to
left of curve
Trip or clear on and
to right of curve

All devices should be

considered at same
voltage

18
 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers
Long Time
(i.e., TOL)

Short Time
(i.e., motor starts/stops)

Instantaneous
(i.e., Faults)

19
 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 20

 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers
Manufacturer
Trip Unit
Rating
Model No.

Fault Duty

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 21

 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

Available Settings
LTPU Long Time Pickup
LTD - Long Time Delay
L
STPU Short Time Pickup S
STD Short Time Delay
INST Instantaneous I
GF Ground Fault
GFD Ground Fault Delay G

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 22

 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

LTPU Setting

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 23

 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

STPU Setting

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 24

 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

STD Setting

25
 Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

INST Setting

26
Time-Current Curves
Circuit Breakers

27
Time-Current Curves
Thermal-Mag Breakers
Thermal portion
(usually fixed)

Mag portion
(usually adjustable)

Mag Setting
Equates to INST

28
 Time-Current Curves
Transformers

Transformer
Protection
< 2500 kVA > 2500 kVA
Point
ANSI 17.6 x Ifl x 58% 16.6 x Ifl x 58%
Inrush
8 x Ifl 12 x Ifl
(for 0.1 sec)
NEC Rule
6 x Ifl 6 x Ifl
(6 x Ifl)

29
 Time-Current Curves
Transformers

Transformer
Inrush must be
left of curve

30
Time Current Curves
Motor Protection

Refer to NEC Article

430.52, Rating or Setting
for Individual Motor
Circuit and manufacturer
recommendations for
determining appropriate
motor protection.

31
Time Current Curves
Motor Protection

32
Time Current Curves
Motor Protection

33
Time Current Curves
Motor Protection

Motor protection relays are

typically programmed to operate
approximately halfway between
Load Current Curve and the
Motor Damage Curve.

34
Time Current Curves
Motor Protection

35
 Time-Current Curves

Questions or Comments?

36
Troubleshooting

37
 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Tools:

Design Information: Maintenance Information:

One-Line Diagrams Visual Inspection
Time-Current Curves IR Surveys
Manufacturer Literature Oil Sample Reports
Operating History UE/PD Surveys
Testing Data Sheets
Protective Relays
Power Monitors

38
 Troubleshooting

Scheduled PM Overdue (Needed Cleaning)

High Humidity compounded problem
Expulsion Type Fuse failed to operate correctly

39
 Time-Current Curves
Transformers

Transformer
Inrush must be
left of curve

49
 Troubleshooting

Control Power
Transformer (CPT)
Breaker Trip:
Cause - Rodent

50
 Troubleshooting

High Resistance Fuse

Extenuating
Circumstances:
Inadequate spare parts
Production pressure

Note: First indication

provided through
IR Survey.

51
 Troubleshooting

HV Bushing Repair Required

Jumpers undersized
Heating resulted in gasket failure
Oil contamination resulted in
flashover at bushing.

Note: First indication

provided through
IR Survey.

52
Troubleshooting

53
 Troubleshooting
HV Insulated Bus
Insulation Tracking
(Carbon Treeing)

54
 Troubleshooting
HV Jumper Cable
Insulation Tracking
(Corona Damage Due to Improper Installation)

55
 Troubleshooting

Tap Changer
Eminent Connection Failure

Note: First indication provided through Oil Sampling.

56
 Troubleshooting

October 2007
Event: Fault (~8,000A) resulted
in switchgear lineup burning
without fuses clearing.

Cause: Only one of nine 4/0

X ground cables was connected.

Cable burned
through, effectively
protecting fuse.

Cargill Electrical Team Meeting 59

Troubleshooting
December 2011
Event: Fuse (HS0202A) and
Utility relay (50/51) cleared,
shutting plant down.

Cause: TBD.

60
 Troubleshooting

Indicative of Fault

61
 Troubleshooting

Indicative of Fault

62
 Troubleshooting
HS0202A feeds the following: Apparent fault on
TH0202B thru HS0202B (65A) B and/or C phase
TH0202C thru HS0202C (100A)
below HS0202A
TH0202D thru HS0202D (100A)
TH0202E thru HS0202E (200A)

63
 OSHA 1910.334
Use of Equipment
(b) Electric power and lighting circuits.
(2) Reclosing circuits after protective device operation. After a
circuit is de-energized by a circuit protective device, the
circuit protective device, the circuit may not be manually
reenergized until it has been determined that the
equipment and circuit can be safely energized. The
repetitive manual reclosing of circuit breakers or
reenergizing circuits through replaced fuses is prohibited.
Note: When it can be determined from the design of the circuit
and the overcurrent devices involved that the automatic
operation of a device was caused by an overload rather than a
fault condition, no examination of the circuit or connected
equipment is needed before the circuit is reenergized.

64
 Troubleshooting

Questions or Comments?

65