Current and energy limiting
curves
The limiting capacity of a circuit breaker is its aptitude Ics = 100 % Icu
to let through a current, during a short-circuit, that is The exceptional limiting capacity of the Compact NSX range greatly reduces the
less than the prospective short-circuit current. forces created by fault currents in devices.
The result is a major increase in breaking performance.
In particular, the service breaking capacity Ics is equal to 100 % of Icu.
The Ics value, defined by IEC standard 60947-2, is guaranteed by tests comprising
(Isc) the following steps:
DB115719
Prospective b break three times consecutively a fault current equal to 100% of Icu
Isc peak
b check that the device continues to function normally, that is:
Prospective v it conducts the rated current without abnormal temperature rise
current
v protection functions perform within the limits specified by the standard
v suitability for isolation is not impaired.
Prospective
Isc Longer service life of electrical installations
Limited Isc Current-limiting circuit breakers greatly reduce the negative effects of short-circuits
peak on installations.
Actual
current Thermal effects
Limited Less temperature rise in conductors, therefore longer service life for cables.
Isc
Mechanical effects
(t) Reduced electrodynamic forces, therefore less risk of electrical contacts or busbars
being deformed or broken.
The exceptional limiting capacity of the Compact NSX range is
due to the rotating double-break technique (very rapid natural Electromagnetic effects
repulsion of contacts and the appearance of two arc voltages Fewer disturbances for measuring devices located near electrical circuits.
in-series with a very steep wave front).
Economy by means of cascading
Cascading is a technique directly derived from current limiting. Circuit breakers with
breaking capacities less than the prospective short-circuit current may be installed
downstream of a limiting circuit breaker. The breaking capacity is reinforced by the
limiting capacity of the upstream device. It follows that substantial savings can be
made on downstream equipment and enclosures.
Current and energy limiting curves
The limiting capacity of a circuit breaker is expressed by two curves which are a
function of the prospective short-circuit current (the current which would flow if no
protection devices were installed):
b the actual peak current (limited current)
b thermal stress (A2s), i.e. the energy dissipated by the short-circuit in a conductor
with a resistance of 1 Ω.
Example
What is the real value of a 150 kA rms prospective short-circuit (i.e. 330 kA peak)
limited by an NSX250L upstream ?
The answer is 30 kA peak (curve page E-14).
Maximum permissible cable stresses
The table below indicates the maximum permissible thermal stresses for cables
depending on their insulation, conductor (Cu or Al) and their cross-sectional area
(CSA). CSA values are given in mm² and thermal stresses in A2s.
CSA 1.5 mm² 2.5 mm² 4 mm² 6 mm² 10 mm²
PVC Cu 2.97x104 8.26x104 2.12x105 4.76x105 1.32x106
Al 5.41x105
PRC Cu 4.10x10 4
1.39x10 5
2.92x10 5
6.56x10 5
1.82x106
Al 7.52x105
CSA 16 mm² 25 mm² 35 mm² 50 mm²
PVC Cu 3.4x106 8.26x106 1.62x107 3.31x107
Al 1.39x106 3.38x106 6.64x106 1.35x107
PRC Cu 4.69x10 6
1.39x10 7
2.23x10 7
4.56x107
Al 1.93x10 6
4.70x10 6
9.23x10 6
1.88x107
Example
Is a Cu/PVC cable with a CSA of 10 mm² adequately protected by an NSX160F?
The table above indicates that the permissible stress is 1.32x106 A2s.
All short-circuit currents at the point where an NSX160F (Icu = 35 kA) is installed are
limited with a thermal stress less than 6x105 A2s (curve page E-14).
Cable protection is therefore ensured up to the limit of the breaking capacity of the
circuit breaker.
E-13
559EN.indb 13 27/05/2009 10:17:49
Additional characteristics Current and energy limiting
curves
Current-limiting curves
Voltage 400/440 V AC Voltage 660/690 V AC
Limited short-circuit current (k peak) Limited short-circuit current (k peak)
300 300
DB116369
DB116370
200 200
146 146
100 100
80 80
70 70
60 L NSX630 60
50 S 50
H NSX400
40 N 40 L NSX630
k F L NSX250 k S
30 S 30 H NSX400
H NSX100
N
F NSX160 L
20 20 F, N S NSX250
B
NSX100
NSX160
10 10 N, H
8 8 F
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 50 70 100 200 300 2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 300
65
kA rms kA rms
Energy-limiting curves
Voltage 400/440 V AC Voltage 660/690 V AC
Limited energy Limited energy
DB116371
DB116372
9 9
10 10
5 5
3 3
2 2
1.41 1.41
8 8
10 10
5 5
3 3
2 2
7 7
10 10
2 2 L
As 5 S L As 5 S NSX630
F N H NSX630 H
3 NSX400 3 NSX400
2 2 F, N
6 6 L
10 B F N H S L 10 S NSX250
NSX250 N, H
NSX100 F NSX100
5 NSX160
5 NSX160
3 3
2 2
5 5
10 10
5 5
3 3
2 2
2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 50 70 100 150 200 300 2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 50 70 100 150 200 300
kA rms kA rms
E-14
559EN.indb 14 27/05/2009 10:17:51
