To read a standard is

a real drudgery.
So, when we need
to compare IEC and
ANSI

Medium voltage circuit breaker

technical guide

YOU MUST REMEMBER

he characteristics
concerning circuit
breakers are defined
in two reference documents
IEC publication 56 and
ANSI C37-06.
IEC and ANSI impose very
different constraints.

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Merlin Gerin Modicon Square D Telemecanique

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

CONTENTS

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1 - different circuit breaker functions

1 - 1 To withstand the electrical restraints of the network
1 - 2 To make the current
1 - 3 to conduct the current
1 - 4 to break the current

3
3
3
3
3

2 - Recommendations and standards

2 - 1 International recommendations
2 - 2 National standards

4
4
4

3 - Circuit breaker characteristics

3 - 1 Obligatory rated circuit breaker
3 - 2 Special rates characteristics

5
5
5

4 - Tests according to IEC 56

4 - 1 Type tests
4 - 2 Individual tests

6
6
7

5 - Circuit breaker characteristics according to IEC 56-87

5 - 1 Rated voltage
5 - 2 Rated isolating level
5 - 3 Rated current during normal running
5 - 4 Allowable short time current
5 - 5 Allowable current peak value and making capacity
5 - 6 Rated short-circuit time
5 - 7 Rated voltage supplying closing, opening and
auxiliary circuit devices
5 - 8 Rated frequency
5 - 9 Rated operating cycle
5 - 10 Rated operating cycle short-circuit breaking capacity
5 - 11 Associated transient recovery voltage (TRV)
5 - 12 Rated phase unbalance breaking capacity
5 - 13 Rated off-load cable breaking capacity
5 - 14 Rated off-load line breaking capacity
5 - 15 Rated unique capacitor bank breaking capacity
5 - 16 Rated stage capacitor bank breaking capacity
5 - 17 Rated capacitor bank making capacity
5 - 18 Rated low inductive current breaking capacity
5 - 19 Normal operating conditions
5 - 20 Electrical endurance
5 - 21 Mechanical endurance
5 - 22 Coordination of rated values

8
8
8
8
8
9
9

6 - Derating
6 - 1 Isolating level altitude derating
6 - 2 Rated current temperature derating

18
18
19

9
9
10
11
12
13
14
14
14
15
15
16
17
17
17
17

7 - Appendices
20
Appendix 1: SEA individual tests
Appendix 2: temperature and heating limits for different parts
Appendix 3: IEC - ANSI comparison
Appendix 4: degrees of protection (IP code) according IEC 529, 1989-11 edition
page 2

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

1 - DIFFERENT CIRCUIT
BREAKER FUNCTIONS

The circuit breaker is a device that ensures the control and protection
of a network.
The circuit breaker is able to make, withstand and interrupt
operating currents as well as short-circuit currents.

1 - 1 To withstand the electrical restraints of the network

This function is essential since the circuit breaker is always live.
Throughout its life, the device (closed or open) must withstand a phase to
phase and phase to earth voltage (frame control device).
The isolating level fixes the dielectric withstand of equipment against
internal overvoltages and lightening impact waves.
Internal overvoltages accompany any kind of modification made to the circuit:
circuit opening and closing, insulant breakdown or arcing.
They are simulated in a laboratory by the industrial frequency withstand for
one minute.
Outside or atmospheric overvoltages occur when lightening falls on or near
the power line.
The resultant voltage waves are simulated in a laboratory and are called
lightening impact waves (Basic Impulse Level BIL).

1 - 2 To make the current

The circuit breaker can:
make a current in a load (motor, transformer, capacitor, etc.),
close when there is a short-circuit,
close an off-load line.
1 - 3 To conduct the current
The main circuit must withstand the operating current, the thermal
current and the electrodynamic current without this causing any damage.
Without causing damage, the main circuit must withstand:
the thermal current = short-circuit current for 1 to 3 seconds.
the electrodynamic current = 2.5 Isc (IEC) or 2.7 Isc (ANSI).
the permanent current.
Since a circuit breaker is closed for most of the time, the load current must
circulate without thermal build-up throughout the devices life span.
Heating depends on the thermal exchange with the ambient air.
The standards define the maximum heating limits.
The main circuit must withstand these currents after numerous operations.

1 - 4 To break the current

The circuit breaker must break load and short-circuit currents.

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Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

2 - RECOMMENDATIONS
AND STANDARDS

The characteristics concerning circuit breakers are defined in two

reference documents:
the IEC publication 56 and ANSI C37-06.
Usually, each contract refers to one of these documents.

2 - 1 International recommendations
IEC 56: high voltage alternating current circuit breaker.
ANSI C37-06: American standard widely used throughout the world.

Warning! the IEC and ANSI impose very different constraints.

2 - 2 National standards
Unless made obligatory by a law or decree, the standards have only one
contractual characteristic and are used for reference purposes.
The standards define the apparatus and their field of use.

France: UTE section C64-100-101*

Germany: VDE 0670*
Great Britain: BS 5311*
United States: ANSI C37-06 (American National Standard Institute).

*These three standards are based on the IEC recommendation.

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Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

3 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS

IEC 56 and ANSI C37-06 recommendations define the characteristics of a

circuit breaker.

3 - 1 Obligatory rated circuit breaker characteristics

The obligatory characteristics for all circuit breakers are:
rated voltage,
rated isolating level,
rated current during normal running,
rated allowable short time current and short-circuit making capacity,
rated allowable current peak value,
rated short-circuit time,
rated voltage supplying closing, opening and auxiliary circuit devices,
rated frequency,
rated short-circuit breaking capacity,
rated transient recovery voltage,
rated operating cycle,
rated times.

3 - 2 Special rated characteristics

These characteristics are not obligatory but may be required for specific
applications:

rated phase unbalance breaking capacity,

rated off-load cable breaking capacity,
rated off-load line breaking capacity,
rated unique capacitor bank breaking capacity,
rated stage capacitor bank breaking capacity,
rated capacitor bank making capacity,
rated low inductive current breaking capacity.

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Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

4 - TESTS ACCORDING
TO IEC 56

4 - 1 Type tests
The aim of type tests is to check the characteristics of the circuit breaker, its
operating mechanisms and auxiliary equipment.
As a rule, each type test must be performed on a circuit breaker when it is
new and clean and the various type tests may be performed at different
times and in different places.
The obligatory type tests are:
dielectric tests:
BIL test,
industrial frequency withstand test of the main circuit and operating
mechanism auxiliaries.

main circuit heating and resistance measurement test

allowable short time current tests

allowable peak current tests

mechanical and climatic tests:

mechanical operating tests at ambient air temperature,
high and low temperature tests.

short-circuit current making and breaking tests: terminal faults.

capacitive current making and breaking tests:

off-load cable breaking tests,
unique capacitor bank breaking tests,
stage capacitor bank breaking tests.

low inductive current making and breaking tests:

motor breaking tests,
off-load transformer breaking tests,
shunt reactance breaking tests.

note: the different tests are detailed in chapter 2 of the IEC 56.
The following tests may be required for particular applications.
short-circuit current making and breaking tests:
phase unbalance breaking tests,
single-phase breaking tests.

electrical endurance tests (non standard)

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Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

4 - TESTS ACCORDING
TO IEC 56 (contd)

note: when a new device is designed, the type tests are performed in
the order of priority indicated below.
Priority 1: tests performed upon product launching.
Priority 2: tests performed at the beginning of the products life.
Priority 3: tests performed depending on market requirements.
Test types

order of priority
1
2

dielectric
BIL
industrial frequency

heating

electrodynamic

mechanical/climatic
mechanical endurance
high and low temperature tests

short-circuit
terminal faults
phase unbalance
single-phase

capacitive currents
off-load lines
off-load cables
capacitor banks
inductive currents
off-load transformers
motors
shunt reactances
electrical endurance

4 - 2 Individual tests
The aim of individual tests is to check the characteristics of the circuit
breaker, its operating mechanism devices and auxiliary equipment.
They are performed on each device by the manufacturer, in the factory.

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The individual tests are:

mechanical operation,
measurement of auxiliary operation times,
main circuit maximum voltage drop,
tightness check,
fast cycle closing time,
industrial frequency dielectric tests:
on the main circuit,
on the auxiliary circuits.
checking of the tripping system for circuit breakers with integrated
protection (SFset for example).

note: the different tests performed on our circuit breakers are given in
appendix 1.
page 7

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87

5 - 1 Rated voltage (cf. 4.1 IEC 694)

The rated voltage is the maximum voltage root mean square value that the
equipment can withstand during normal running. It is always higher than
the operating voltage.
Standardized values for Un (kV) : 3.6 - 7.2 -12 - 17.5 - 24 - 36 kV rms.

5 - 2 Rated isolating level (cf. 4.2.1 IEC 56)

The isolating level fixes the dielectric withstand of operating equipment and
the lightening impact wave.
It is characterized by two values:
the impact wave withstand (1.2/50 s),
the industrial frequency withstand for one minute.

rated
voltage
(Un in kV)

impact wave
withstand
(kV BIL)

7.2

60

industrial frequency
Upeak (%)
withstand
(kV rms)
100
90
20

12

75

28

17.5

95

38

24

125

50

36

170

70

50
1.2 s
10

t (s)

50 s
standardized wave 1.2/50 s

5 - 3 Rated current during normal running (cf. 4.4 IEC 56)

Since a circuit breaker is always closed, the load current must circulate
without causing thermal build-up.
The IEC fixes the allowable maximum heating of different types of equipment
used for an ambient air temperature no higher than 40 C (see table V 4.42
IEC 694 in appendix 2).
5 - 4 Allowable short time current (cf. 4.5 IEC 694)
Isc = S sc
3 Us
Ssc: short-circuit power
Us: operating voltage
Isc: short-circuit current
This is the root mean square value of the allowable short-circuit on a network
for 1 or 3 seconds.
Rated short-circuit breaking capacity values (kA):
6.3 - 8 - 10 - 12.5 - 16 - 20 - 25 - 31.5 - 40 - 50 kA rms.

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page 8

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87
(contd)

5 - 5 Allowable current peak value and making capacity (cf. 4.6 IEC 694)
The making capacity is the maximum value that a circuit breaker is able to
make and maintain on a short-circuit installation. It must be higher or equal
to the rated short time current peak value
Isc being the maximum rated short-circuit current value for the circuit
breaker rated voltage.
The allowable short time current peak value is equal to: 2.5 Isc
5 - 6 Rated short-circuit time (cf. 4.7 IEC 694)
The rated short-circuit time is equal to 1 or 3 seconds.
5 - 7 Rated voltage supplying closing, opening and auxiliary circuit devices
(cf. 4.8 IEC 694)
Value of voltage supplying auxiliary circuits:
in direct current (dc): 24 - 48 - 60 - 110 or 125 - 220 or 250 volts.
in alternating current (ac): 120 - 220 - 230 - 240 volts.
The operating voltages must be in the following ranges:
motor and closing trips:
-15% to +10% of Un in dc and ac -30% to +10% of Un in dc.
minimum voltage opening trips
the circuit breaker trips
and cannot be reclosed

the tripping coil

must not action

U
0%

35%

70%

100%

5 - 8 Rated frequency (cf. 4.9 IEC 694)

Two frequencies are currently used in the world:
50 Hz in Europe and 60 Hz in America.
Some countries use both frequencies.
The rated frequency is 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

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page 9

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87

5 - 9 Rated operating cycle (cf. 4.104 IEC 56)

rated operating cycle according to IEC; O - t - CO - t' - CO
t

t'

Isc
In

(contd)

time
O

O represents an opening operation.

CO represents a closing operation immediately followed by an opening
operation.
There are three rated operating cycles:
slow: 0 - 3 mn - CO - 3 mn - CO
fast 1: O - 0.3 s - CO - 3 mn - CO
fast 2: O - 0.15 s - CO - 15 s - CO

note: other cycles may be required.

Closing-opening cycle
Hypotheses: order O as soon as the circuit breaker is closed.
closing position
opening
position

contact
displacement

time

current circulation
closing-opening time
making-breaking time

energization
of closing
circuit

contacts touch
in all poles and order O
start of current circulation
in primary pole

final arc extinction

in all poles
arcing contact separation
in all poles

Automatic reclosing cycle

Hypotheses: order C as soon as the circuit breaker is opened.
closing
position

contact displacement
opening position

current circulation

current circulation

breaking-making time

time

opening-closing time
remaking time
reclosing time
final extinction of arc
in all poles
arcing contact separation
in all poles and order C
energization of opening trip

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contacts
touch
in all poles
contacts touch
in primary pole
start of current
circulation
in all poles

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page 10

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87
(contd)

5 - 10 Rated operating cycle short-circuit breaking capacity

(cf. 4.101 IEC 56)
The rated short-circuit breaking capacity is the highest current value that the
circuit breaker can break under its rated voltage in a circuit whose transient
recovery voltage (TRV) answers a precise specification.
The rated short-circuit breaking capacity is characterized by two values:
the root mean square value of its periodic component, referred to by the
abbreviation: rated short-circuit breaking capacity.
the percentage of the aperiodic component corresponding to the circuit
breaker opening time to which a half-period of the rated frequency is added.
According to the IEC, the circuit breaker must be able to break the root mean
square value of the short-circuit periodic component (= its rated breaking
capacity) with the asymmetry percentage according to the standardized
curve below.
percentage of the aperiodic component depending on the time lapse

(IEC 56/87)

% of the aperiodic component at the separation of the arcing contacts

100
90
80
70

curve for time lapse

of 45 ms

60
50
40
30
20

(ms)

10
0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
time lapse from the beginning of the short-circuit current

90

= the circuit breaker opening time, increased by a half-period to the

industrial frequency.
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Example: for a circuit breaker with a minimum opening time of 45 ms to

which 10 ms due to relaying is added, the graph gives us an asymmetry
of approximately 30%.

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Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87

Rated short-circuit breaking capacity values (kA):

6.3 - 8 - 10 - 12.5 - 16 - 20 - 25 - 31.5 - 40 - 50 - 100 kA.
The short-circuit breaking tests must satisfy the following test cycles:
cycle
no.

% Isym.

% aperiodic
component

(contd)

10

20

20

20

60

20

100

20

5*

100

30

I (A)

I MC

I AC
t (s)
I DC

*for circuit breakers opening in less than 80 ms

IMC: current made

IAC: periodic component peak value (Isc peak)
IDC: aperiodic component value
% of asymmetry or aperiodic component: IDC x 100
IAC
Isym. = IAC
2
2
Iasym. = I2AC + I2DC
Iasym. = Isym.

2
1 + 2 IDC x 100
IAC

5 - 11 Associated Transient Recovery Voltage (TRV) (cf. 4.102 IEC 56)

This is the voltage that appears between the terminals of a circuit breaker
pole after interruption of the current.
The wave form of the recovery voltage is variable depending on the actual
circuit configuration.
A circuit breaker must be able to interrupt a given current for any recovery
voltage whose value remains below the rated TRV at all times.
Primary pole factor
For three-phase circuits, the TRV refers to the pole which breaks the first,
in other words to the voltage at the open pole terminals.
The relation of this voltage to a simple voltage U n/ 3 is called primary pole
factor and is equal to 1.3 for a earthed circuit and 1.5 in the other cases.
Rated TRV value
The TRV depends on the asymmetry; it is given for an asymmetry of 0%.
TRV value
(Uc in kV)

time
(t3 in s)

delay
(td in s)

stepping up speed
(Uc/td in kV/s)

7.2

12.3

52

0.24

12

20.6

60

0.34

17.5

30

72

11

0.42

24

41

88

13

0.47

36

62

108

16

0.57

Uc = 1.4 1.5 2 U n = 1.715 Un

3

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rated voltage
(Un in kV)

t d = 0.15 t 3

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page 12

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87

U (kV)

Representation of a TRV specified by

a reference plotting with two parameters
and by a right-hand segment defining
a delay.

Uc

(contd)

td

td: delay time

t3: time taken to reach Uc
Uc: TRV peak voltage in kV
TRV stepping up speed: Uc/t3 in kV/s

t (s)

0
t3

5 - 12 Rated phase unbalance breaking capacity (cf. 4.106 IEC 56)

When a circuit breaker is open and the conductors on each side are not
synchronous, the voltage between the circuit breaker terminals grows up
the addition of the voltage of the 2 terminals.
X1

X2

U2

U1

UA - UB = U 1 - - U2 = U 1 + U 2
if U1 = U 2 then UA - UB = 2 U
G

The circuit breaker must be able to interrupt the current equal to:
Iunbalance = 2 U
X1 + X2
This current may reach half of the short-circuit current value at terminal B.
In practice, the circuit breaker is required to break a current equal to 25%
of the fault current at the terminals, under a voltage equal to the double of
the voltage in relation to the earth.
If Un is the circuit breaker rated voltage, the industrial frequency recovery
voltage (TRV) is equal to:

2.0 3 Un for networks whose neutral is direct to the earth.

2.5 3 Un for other networks.

TRV peak values for networks other than those with neutral to the earth:
Uc = 1.25 2.5 3 U n
2

date

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B31

rated voltage
(Un in kV)

TRV value
(Uc in kV)

time
(t3 in s)

stepping up speed
(Uc/td (kV/ s)

7.2

18.4

104

0.18

12

30.6

120

0.26

17.5

45

144

0.31

24

61

176

0.35

36

92

216

0.43

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page 13

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87

5 - 13 Rated off-load cable breaking capacity (cf. 4 .108 IEC 56)

The rated off-load cable breaking capacity specification for a circuit breaker
is not obligatory and considered as unnecessary for voltages 24 kV.
Rated off-load cable breaking capacity normal values:

(contd)

rated
voltage
U (kV)

rated off-load cable

breaking capacity
Ic (A)

7.2

10

12

25

17.5

31.5

24

31.5

36

50

5 - 14 Rated off-load line breaking capacity (cf. 4.107 IEC 56)

The rated off-load line breaking capacity specification is limited to circuit
breakers for operating three-phase overhead lines with a rated voltage 72 kV.
5 - 15 Rated unique capacitor bank breaking capacity (cf. 4.109 IEC 56)
The capacitor breaking capacity specification is not obligatory. The capacitor
breaking capacity is equal to 0.7 times the rated current value of the device.
L

B
Ic

rated
current
(A)

capacitor breaking
capacity
(A)

400

280

630

440

1250

875

2500

1750

3150

2200

By definition pu = Un 2
3
The normal overvoltage value obtained is equal to 2.5 pu; in other words:
2.5 x Un 2
3

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Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87
(contd)

5 - 16 Rated stage capacitor bank breaking capacity (cf. 4.110 IEC 56)
The capacitor breaking capacity specification is not obligatory.
If n is the quantity of stages, the overvoltage is equal to:
2 n pu with pu = Un 2
2n+1
3
X1

C1

C2

Cn

5 - 17 Rated capacitor bank making capacity (cf. 4.111 IEC 56)

The rated capacitor bank making capacity is the current peak value that the
circuit breaker must be able to make under its rated voltage and with an inrush
current frequency appropriate to the operating conditions.
The rated capacitor bank making capacity values must be higher than the
make current value (see capacitor application).
When operating, the make current frequency is normally in the 2 - 5 kHz zone.

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page 15

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87
(contd)

5 - 18 Rated low inductive current breaking capacity (cf. 4.112 IEC 56)
Start current breaking and running motor current breaking, either on or offload, correspond to typical conditions for circuit breakers used for motors.
We have to choose the circuit breaker to reduce the overvoltages which
appear and which may damage the motor isolating.
The hereunder figure represents the different load side voltages.
U

Up
Um

Us
Uc

Uf
Ulf

Uf: instantaneous network voltage

value
Uc: network voltage at time of breaking
Um: extinction point
Ulf: overvoltage in relation to the earth
Up: maximum overvoltage in relation
to the earth
Us: maximum peak-to-peak overvoltage
amplitude due to renewed arcing

So as to be able to check and compare the behaviour of different circuit

breakers, during the motor breaking, a type test circuit has been designed.
This test circuit has been defined by the CIGRE, work group no. 13-02, and
the subject is treated in chapter 3, part A: low inductive current breaking.
This subject is being studied.
Motor isolating levels
The IEC 34 stipulates motor isolating levels.
The industrial frequency and impact withstand tests are given by the table
below (table 1: inductive current breaking, chapter 3, part B, CIGRE).
Rated isolating levels for rotating equipment
isolation

test at 50 (60) Hz rms

impact test BIL

(4 Un + 5) kV
4.9 pu + 5 = 31 kV to 6.6 kV
(50% on a sample)
rise time 0.5 s

between turns

in relation
to the earth

(2 Un + 1) kV
2 Un + 1 2 (2 Un + 1) 0
14 kV 28 kV 0

(4 Un + 5) kV
4.9 pu + 5 = 31 kV to 6.6 kV
rise time 1.2 s
1 kV/s

1 mn

date

10/9

31
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12/95
page 16

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

5 - CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARACTERISTICS
ACCORDING TO IEC 56-87
(contd)

5 - 19 Normal operating conditions

Derating should be provided for all equipment operating in different conditions
from those described below (see derating chapter).
The equipment is designed to operate normally in the following conditions:
a) temperature
b) humidity
0 C
immediate ambient
temperature

installation
indoor
outdoor

average relative
humidity value
for a period

indoor
equipment

minimum

-5 C

-25 C

24 hours

95%

maximum

+40 C

+40 C

1 month

90%

daily average
maximum value

35 C

35 C

c) altitude
The altitude must not be higher
than 1000 metres.

5 - 20 Electrical endurance
The electrical endurance required by IEC is equal to 3 times Isc.
MG circuit breakers ensure 15 times Isc at the minimum.
5 - 21 Mechanical endurance
The mechanical endurance required by IEC is 2 000 operating cycles.
MG circuit breakers ensure 10 000 operations.
5 - 22 Coordination of rated values (cf. IEC 56)
Rated
voltage

rated
short-circuit
breaking
capacity
Isc (kA)

rated current
during normal running

10
16
25
40

400

8
12.5
16
25
40

400
400

8
12.5
16
25
40
50

400
400

17.5

8
12.5
16
25
40

400

24

8
12.5
16
25
40

400

U (kV)
3.6

7.2

12

date

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-

B31
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36

8
12.5
16
25
40

In (A)
630

1 250
1 250
1 250

1 600
1 600

2 500
2 500

3 150

1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250

1 600
1 600
1 600

2 500
2 500

3 150

1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250

1 600
1 600
1 600
1 600

2 500
2 500
2 500

3 150
3 150

630
630
630

1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250

1 600

2 500

3 150

630
630
630

1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250

1 600
1 600

2 500
2 500

3 150

1 250
1 250
1 250
1 250

1 600
1 600
1 600

2 500
2 500

3 150

630
630
630

630
630
630

630
630
630

12/95
page 17

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

6 - DERATING

Different standards and recommendations impose limits of validity on device

characteristics.
Normal operating conditions are described in 5 -19.
Beyond these limits, it is necessary to reduce certain values, in other words
they must be derated.
Derating must be provided for:
on the isolating level for altitudes higher than 1 000 metres,
on the rated current when the ambient temperature is higher than 40 C
and for a degree of protection beyond IP3X (see appendix 4).
These different derating measures may be cumulated if necessary.

Remark
There is no standard dealing specifically with derating. However, table V
442 of the IEC 694 deals with heating and gives temperature limit values to
be respected with regard to the part, material and dielectric.
These values translate an ambient temperature no higher than 40 C into
heating.

6 - 1 Isolating level altitude derating

The standards provide derating for all equipment installed at an
altitude higher than 1 000 metres.
As a general rule, a 1.25% Upeak derating is necessary every 100 metres
above 1 000 metres.
This is applicable to the lightening impact voltage withstand and the
50 Hz - 1 mn industrial frequency voltage withstand.
The altitude has no effect on the dielectric withstand of circuit breakers in
SF6 since they are contained in a sealed enclosure.
On the other hand, this derating must be taken into account when the circuit
breaker is installed in cubicles. In this case, they are isolated in the air.
Merlin Gerin uses the correction factors:
for circuit breakers outside cubicles: use the curve below.
for circuit breakers in cubicles: refer to the cubicle selection table
(the derating depends on the cubicle design).
With the exception of the Mexican market: derating begins at zero metres
(cf. dotted line curve).
correction factor
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
date

10/9

31
- B

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000
altitude in metres

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page 18

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

6 - DERATING (contd)

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Application example: Can equipment with a rated voltage of 24 kV be

installed at 2 500 metres? The impact wave withstand required is 125 kV.
For 2 500 m:
k is equal to 0.85
the impact wave withstand must be 125/0.85 = 147.05 kV BIL
the 50 Hz industrial frequency withstand must be 50/0.85 = 58.8 kV rms

No, the equipment to be installed has:

rated voltage = 36 kV
impact wave withstand = 170 kV
50 Hz withstand = 70 kV

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note: if we do not want to supply 36 kV equipment, we must possess

type test certificates proving that our equipment satisfies requirements.

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6 - 2 Rated current temperature derating

As a general rule the derating is 1% of In per degree above 40 C.
The IEC 694 standard 442 table 5 defines allowable maximum heating for
each part, material and dielectric with an ambient reference temperature of
40 C.
This heating in fact depends on three parameters:
the rated current,
the ambient temperature (40 C according to the standard),
the cubicle type with its IP (protection index).
The temperature derating should be done according to the cubicle
selection tables. The size of cubicle bars, their design, ventilation may
modify the overheating of the breaker.

date

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31
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page 19

Medium voltage circuit breaker technical guide

7 - APPENDICES

Appendix 1: SEA individual tests

Appendix 2: table V IEC 694 442
Temperature and heating limits for different parts of the circuit breaker.
Appendix 3: IEC- ANSI comparison
Appendix 4: degrees of protection (IP code) according to IEC 529,
1989-11 edition

date

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31
- B

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revis

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page 20