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Types of Overcurrent
&
Calculations
Overcurrent
Any current in excess of the rated current of
equipment or the ampacity of a conductor. It may
result from overload, short circuit, or ground fault.
Normal Load
IL= VS / RT
IL
VS
Source
Load
IL
R
R
R
Overload
VS
Source
IOL= VS / RT
Load
R
R
Short Circuit
VS
Source
ISC= VS / RT
Load
R
R
Types of Faults
Bolted Faults
Arcing Faults
Bolted
Short Circuit
Arcing
Fault
Current
Thru Air
B
2001 Cooper Bussmann, Inc.
A
B
C
N
Ground
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W
Solid Grd
C
N
Ground
Typically considered the worst
case or highest magnitude
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W
Solid Grd
C
N
Ground
87 % of the three phase
bolted fault
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W
Solid Grd
C
N
Ground
Typically much lower than 3 fault, but
can be > 3 fault near Xfmr terminals
A
B
C
N
Ground
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W
Solid Grd
C
N
Ground
Can vary widely possibly up to
89% of 3 bolted fault
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W
Solid Grd
C
N
Ground
Can vary widely possibly up to
74% of 3 bolted fault
480Y/277 V
3 / 4W
Solid Grd
C
N
Ground
Can vary widely
A
B
C
N
Ground
Rule of thumb:
Arcing faults will typically not sustain
at less than 38% of 3 bolted fault
MSB
M
2001 Cooper Bussmann, Inc.
60,000 A
60,000 A
MSB
40,000 A
18,000 A
27,000 A
9,000 A
M
M
2001 Cooper Bussmann, Inc.
1500 KVA
1500 KVA
5%Z
5% Z
5% Z
480/277V
480/277V
208/120V
500 KVA
1500 KVA
1500 KVA
1A
2%Z
2%Z
480/277V
480/277V
2A
2%Z
208/120V
3A
2001 Cooper Bussmann, Inc.
1500 KVA
1500 KVA
5%Z
5% Z
5% Z
480/277V
480/277V
208/120V
39,666 A
3 91,608 A
13,222 A
500 KVA
1A
1500 KVA
2%Z
2%Z
480/277V
480/277V
33,055 A
99,165 A
2A
1500 KVA
2%Z
208/120V
3A
229,020 A
208/120V
480/277V
480/277V
4 40,000 A.
5 40,000 A.
6 40,000 A.
50 ft # 1
4A
50 ft 250 kcm
5A
6A
2001 Cooper Bussmann, Inc.
208/120V
480/277V
480/277V
4 40,000 A.
5 40,000 A.
6 40,000 A.
50 ft # 1
4A
50 ft 250 kcm
5A
12,367 A.
6A
20,322 A.
28,818 A.
2001 Cooper Bussmann, Inc.
Summary / Questions / To
come
Overcurrent overloads, bolted faults, & arcing
faults
Fault currents can be determined through out
distribution system
Short circuit currents needed to assess I.R.,
Component Pro, Coordination, Arc Flash Hazards
& OCPD Selection