Power Distribution
Application: direct current network
How to ensure protection
isolated from earth in direct
current applications up to 500 V
Direct current has been used for a long time, and in many
fields. It offers major advantages, in particular immunity to electrical
interference. The circuit breaker installed in an electrical network
is designed to prevent any danger or damage associated with
electrical hazards, overloads, short circuits and isolated faults, for
How does it
loads and people.
work ?
> The performance
levels shown in the
This solution illustrates the use of the tables correspond to
Acti 9 product range for the direct the most critical
faults according to
current application: the network
configuration.
- with isolation from earth Breaking on one pole.
- up to 500 V. Fault between polarity
and earth (Fault A).
Choosing the rating
The thermal tripping curve of a circuit breaker is the same in > Select the circuit
breaker
direct current as in alternating current (50/60 Hz).
corresponding to the
Choose a circuit breaker with a rating (In) less than or equal to network:
the current (Iz) allowed to pass through the cable. bbthe circuit breaker(s)
to be installed is/are
identified based on the
Choosing the curve
rating and short-circuit
The magnetic tripping threshold must be: current,
● Higher than the inrush currents due to loads bbthe type of
(motors, capacitors, etc.). connection (number of
Solution
poles, position relative
● Lower than the short-circuit current at the installation point.
to the load, isolation of
polarities) is indicated
Choosing the breaking capacity according to
The choice of circuit breaker with respect to breaking the voltage.
> Series connection
Series connection of the poles, by dividing the voltage per
pole, optimizes the circuit breaking performance for
high-voltage networks.
Series connection of the poles of a circuit breaker used in
direct current therefore makes it possible to:
● Divide the network voltage by the number of poles.
● Have the rated current for each pole.
● Have the circuit breaker's breaking capacity for all the poles.
CA9AS006E Version : 1.0 1
Direct current network protection
Choosing circuit breakers for distribution isolated from earth
The following tables show the number of poles connected in series according to the DC network voltage, and the circuit breaking performance
of our circuit breaker range.
Breaking capacity for a maximum voltage per pole of: 60 V DC for the iC60 offers and 125 V DC for the C120 and NG125 offers
Isc (kA) Product range
iC60, C120, NG125... ?
In (A)
Maximum rating (A)
DB406101
u 125
y 125
Compact NS
*
( ) Rating > 80 A
only with NG125N
NG125N *
3P and 4P. y 80
C120H C120N
NG125N
y 63
NG125L NG125H
iC60L iC60H iC60N iC60a
Breaking capacity (kA)
Icu IEC 60947-2 y 50 y 36 y 25 y 20 y 15 y 10
Fault condition analysis
i Fault Fault Voltage Poles Breaking characteristics
DB406107
a
current involved in
(max.) breaking
Un R Receiver
A Low Low a No breaking needed
B A A and D Id (1) Un a Id at Un on the poles connected to the
positive polarity
b
D C B Isc Un a+b Isc at Un on all the poles connected in
series
C Low Low b No breaking needed
The figure shows a source in IT system with a second fault (D)
Isc: presumed short-circuit current.
on the negative polarity.
Un: rated network voltage.
(1) Fault current values acceptable according to the installation rules.
bb If Isc < 10 kA: fault current y 0.15 Isc.
bb If Isc > 10 kA: fault current y 0.25 Isc.
> The circuit-breaker poles must be distributed symmetrically
over the two polarities.
Obviously, this connection provides isolation.
2 Version : 1.0 CA9AS006E
Product
range
2P, 4P... ? Number of poles connected in series
Un (V DC)
Product range
DB406105
Compact NS 2P
NG125 2P 4P
C120 2P 4P
iC60 2P 4P
Network voltage
12 to 60 y 125 y 250 (V DC)
Isolation Number of poles and connection diagram
2P 4P
Required or not + +
DB405946
DB405945
- -
1 3
1 3 5 7
2 4
2 4 6 8
R: Receiver.
CA9AS006E Version : 1.0 3
Example
Ue: 250 V DC
Isc: 35 kA Earthing system
In: 80 A isolated from the earth.
Conclusion
In a direct current distribution system, powered by a rectifier/charger of voltage 250 V DC
isolated from the earth:
● First level: the battery outgoing feeder of:
- permissible current Iz = 88 A,
- operating current Ib = 75 A,
- short-circuit current Isc = 35 kA.
● Second level: a "LED" lighting outgoing feeder of:
- permissible current Iz = 12 A,
- operating current Ib = 8 A,
- short-circuit current Isc = 35 kA.
> Which circuit breakers should be installed to protect?
+ Total selectivity
(or discrimination) solution
Type Number of poles Rating
- +
NG125H 4P 80 A
● No high current peak: curve B.
● Connection: 2 poles on "+" and 2 poles on "-".
This earthing ● Isolation required: provided by the 4 poles.
system is
dedicated to - +
high continuity Type Number of poles Rating
of service NG125H 4P 10 A
applications, such ● High current peak "LED": curve D.
as hospital loads ● Connection: 2 poles on "+" and 2 poles on "-".
Load Lighting
and operating ● Isolation required: provided by the 4 poles.
theatre lighting.
It is more
expensive
and must be
continuously
monitored.
Our solution is
compliant in the
case of circuits
with momentary
current direction
reversal.
+ You will find the
complete DC
technical advice on
the catalogue page
CA908006.
This document also
covers lightning
and earth leakage
protection.
CA9AS006E Version : 1.0 4
