SECTION-26 28 00 - LOW VOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICES

PART 1 - GENERAL

The present specification applies to low voltage protection devices such as Air circuit
breaker (ACB), molded case circuit breakers (MCCB) and miniature circuit breakers (MCB),
etc.

1.1 STANDARDS

Here you can find the main information and definitions about selectivity from the
standards:
▪ IEC 60947-1
“Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 1: General rules”.
▪ IEC 60947-2
“Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 2: Circuit-breakers”.
▪ IEC/TR 61912-2
“Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Over-current protective devices – Part 2:
Selectivity under over-current conditions”.

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PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Circuit breakers shall be capable of being closed and opened by hand without employing
any other source of power, although normal operation may be electrical.

Circuit breakers shall be arranged and mounted so that their operation is not likely to
injure the operator and shall be trip free from all positions.

Circuit breakers shall have the proper terminals to accommodate the cable sizes
specified and they shall have auxiliary contacts wherever required for signaling,
interlocking, etc.

All circuit breakers shall be properly derated for the ambient temperature and be suitable
for operation on the system at 380 volt, 3-phase, 4wires, 50Hz with solidly earthed
neutral.

Three phase circuit breakers shall be designed to break all the poles simultaneously with
a single mechanism and they shall have an arc-quenching device on each pole.

All circuit breakers shall be of the thermal magnetic type, with inverse time delay over-
current tripping moulded case. But the lighting and power panels circuit breakers shall be
of the miniature type.

Circuit breaker’s short circuit capacity shall be as shown in schedule below.

Back-up fuses shall be used only if the circuit breaker for any valid reason cannot
withstand the short circuit current that could occur.

2.2 BREAKING CAPACITY AND CURRENT LIMITATION

The molded case circuit breakers (except for current-limiting circuit breakers) shall belong
to category B as defined in IEC60947-1. Certificates attesting to compliance with these
rules shall be established taking into account the following performance levels for the test
sequences: service breaking capacity (Ics) equal to at least 50% of the rated ultimate
breaking capacity (Icu) and a rated short-time withstand current (Icw) of 25KA / 0.5 s
(except for current-limiting circuit breakers). If required current limiting circuit breakers
shall be available.

The rated ultimate breaking capacity (Icu) of each molded case circuit breaker shall be
equal to at least the value of the short-circuit current (Isc) at the point of installation on
the electric circuit, unless the upstream circuit breaker makes it possible to ensure
coordination (as defined in Appendix A of IEC 60947-2).

2.3 AUXILIARIES AND ACCESSORIES

1. The operating mechanism shall be of the stored-energy type only

2. The addition of a motor mechanism or a rotary handle shall in no way affect circuit
breaker characteristics:
a) Only three stable tripping mechanism positions (ON, OFF and TRIPPED) shall be
possible with the motor mechanism,
b) Suitability for isolation shall be provided by positive contact indication (ON and
OFF) in front of the motor mechanism module

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 3. MCCBs shall be designed to enable safe on-site installation of auxiliaries such as
voltage releases (shunt and undervoltage releases) and indication switches as
follows:
a) same field installable auxiliary contacts for signaling different functions, as: open/
closed position, fault signal, electrical fault (including electrical leakage) signal, all
auxiliaries shall be common for the entire range,
b) they shall be separated from power circuits,
c) all electrical auxiliaries shall be of the snap-in type and fitted with terminal blocks,
d) Auxiliary function and terminals shall be permanently engraved on the case of the
circuit breaker and the auxiliary itself

2.4 CIRCUIT BREAKER’S SHORT CIRCUIT CAPACITIES AT 380 VOLTS

125A Frame size 22KA Sym. (22KA Sym on Submain).

250A Frame size 22KA Sym.
400/600A Frame size 35KA Sym.
800-1600A. Frame size 50KA Sym.
Lighting Panels 10KA Sym M.C.B.

2.5 SUBMAIN DISTRIBUTION BOARDS CIRCUIT BREAKERS

All submain distribution boards circuit breakers (outgoing) shall be provided with auxiliary
contacts whenever required for signaling interlocking, etc. They shall be 22KA Sym.
short circuit capacity.

2.6 MOTOR BOARDS MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Motor boards feeding three phase motors shall have their main breakers equipped with
single phasing/under voltage release protection where shown on drawings. They shall
automatically reset when the correct voltage is resumed. Main Breakers shall be provided
with auxiliary voltage free contacts for BMS connection.

2.7 EMERGENCY MAIN DISTRIBUTION BOARD MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKERS

These breakers shall be of 50KA short circuit capacity Sym at 380V or as shown on
drawings. They shall be provided with two auxiliary contacts for BMS connection.

2.8 EMERGENCY MAIN DISTRIBUTION BOARD OUTGOING CIRCUIT BREAKER

These breakers shall be moulded case of 35KA short circuit capacity. All breakers shall
be provided with auxiliary contacts whenever required for signaling, interlocking, etc.

2.9 LIGHTING PANELS MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKERS

These Breakers shall be of 16KA symm. for those connected to submains all at 380V.
They shall be provided with auxiliary voltage free contacts for BMS connection two.

2.10 AIR CIRCUIT BREAKER (ACB)

The present specification applies to air circuit breakers (ACB) from 630A to 6300A for
AC (50/60Hz) low voltage electrical installation from 220V to 690V.

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 ACB shall be equipped with a trip unit that offers the appropriate level of protection
performance to fit to the application. All trip units could be proposed with versions that
provide measurement, and communication functions.

ACB shall be available in fixed or withdrawable versions as well as in 3-pole and 4-pole
versions. For withdrawable versions, a safety trip shall provide advanced opening to
prevent connection and disconnection of a closed circuit breaker

It shall be possible to supply power either from the top or bottom side without reduction
in performance.

For an ACB rating frame given, dimensions shall be the same whatever the ultimate
breaking capacity.

ACB shall have a rated operational voltage (Ue) of 690V, a rated insulation voltage (Ui)
of 1000V (AC 50/60Hz) and a rated impulse voltage (Uimp) of 12kV,

ACB shall suitable for isolation according to IEC 60 947-1 and –2 for the rated
insulation voltage of 1000 V and for the overvoltage category IV.

No safety clearance shall be required around drawout circuit breakers. For fixed circuit
breakers, 150 mm of free space shall be provided above the arc chutes to allow
removal of the latter.

The operating mechanism shall be of the Open/Closed/Open stored-energy spring type.

The closing time shall be less than or equal to 70 milliseconds for rating <4000A.

Air circuit breakers main contact shall be encased in a reinforced polyester casing and
offer double insulation from the operators on the breaker front face.

Air circuit breakers shall be equipped with metal filters to reduce effects perceptible
from the outside during current interruption

The circuit breaker shall be equipped with a safety interlock which keeps the circuit
breaker open if the trip unit is not installed.

ACB shall be equipped with anti-pumping function: If opening and closing orders occur
simultaneously, the circuit breaker shall remain in the open position. After fault tripping
or intentional opening using the manual or electrical controls, the closing order must
first be discontinued, then reactivated to close the circuit breaker.

The ACB breaking capacity performance certificates shall be available for category B
according to IEC 60 947-2 standards. The test shall be carried out with a breaking
performance during operation (Ics) and admissible short time withstand (Icw) equal to
the ultimate breaking capacity (Icu) up to 85kA.

The rated ultimate breaking capacity (Icu) of each ACB shall be equal to at least the
value of the short-circuit current (Isc) at the point of installation on the electric circuit.

The ACB range will offer several level of Icu capacity up to 150kA @440V to fit to the
application.

Mechanical durability shall be at least 12500/ 10000 / 5000 operation for ratings <1600 /
<3200 / >4000 respectively.

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2.11 SWITCHES

The switches will be of the molded case type. As such they will be conform to the
requirements of IEC 60947-1 and IEC 60947-3.

The switches will have an impulse withstand voltage of 8 kV

The switches will have a rated operational voltage of 690V CA (50/60Hz)

The switches shall be full-load rated up to 60°C.

The short-circuit withstand current (Icw) for 1sec will be, depending on the rating, a
minimum of IEC 60068-2-52.

The switches will be of the positive contact indication type (as in IEC 60947-3)
excluding all other devices. This function will be certified by manufacturer conducted
tests.

The switches will be available in 3 or 4 pole versions for the same size

The switch operating mechanism will ensure rapid opening and closing (operator
independent manoeuvre) conform to § 2-12 of the IEC 60947-3 standard. The closing of
all poles and the neutral will be simultaneous conform to the IEC 60947-3 standard.

In order to ensure positive contact indication, conform to the IEC 60943-3 § 7.2.7
standard:
- The operating mechanism will be designed so that the operating handle will be in the
O (OFF) position only if the main contacts are physically separated.
- Switches will be designed to be locked in the OFF position using three padlocks (with
possible ON position locking).
- The distance between open contacts will be greater than 8 mm.
- All switches will be double insulated by construction.

Switches in molded cases will be designed so that two auxiliary contacts can be
adapted without enlarging the device’s size.

These auxiliaries will be common to the entire range.

These auxiliaries will carry out 2 functions depending on their assembly: O/F contact,
early make contact.

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PART 3 - EXECUTION

(Not applicable)

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