Selective Coordination Study

Recommended Procedures
2. Short Circuit Study
Perform a short circuit analysis, calculating maximum
available short circuit currents at critical points in the
distribution system (such as transformers, main switchgear,
panelboards, motor control centers, load centers, and large
motors and generators.) (Reference: Bussmann Bulletin,
Engineering Dependable Protection - EDPI.)

The following steps are recommended when

conducting a selective coordination study.
1. One-Line Diagram
Obtain the electrical system one-line diagram that identifies
important system components, as given below.
a. Transformers
Obtain the following data for protection and coordination information of transformers:
- KVA rating
- Inrush points
- Primary and secondary connections
- Impedance
- Damage curves
- Primary and secondary voltages
- Liquid or dry type
b. Conductors - Check phase, neutral, and equipment
grounding. The one-line diagram should include information such as:
- Conductor size
- Number of conductors per phase
- Material (copper or aluminum)
- Insulation
- Conduit (magnetic or non-magnetic)
From this information, short circuit withstand curves can be
developed. This provides information on how overcurrent
devices will protect conductors from overload and short
circuit damage.
c. Motors
The system one-line diagram should include motor
information such as:
- Full load currents
- Horsepower
- Voltage
- Type of starting characteristic
(across the line, etc.)
- Type of overload relay
(Class 10, 20, 30)
Overload protection of the motor and motor circuit can be
determined from this data.
d. Fuse Characteristics
Fuse Types/Classes should be identified on the one-line
diagram.
e. Circuit Breaker Characteristics
Circuit Breaker Types should be identified on the one-line
diagram.
f. Relay Characteristics
Relay Types should be identified on the one-line diagram.

3. Helpful Hints
a. Determine the Ampere Scale Selection. It is most
convenient to place the time current curves in the center of
the log-log paper. This is accomplished by multiplying or
dividing the ampere scale by a factor of 10.
b. Determine the Reference (Base) Voltage. The best
reference voltage is the voltage level at which most of the
devices being studied fall. (On most low voltage industrial
and commercial studies, the reference voltage will be 208,
240, or 480 volts). Devices at other voltage levels will be
shifted by a multiplier based on the transformer turn ratio.
The best reference voltage will require the least amount of
manipulation. Modern computer programs will automatically make these adjustments when the voltage levels of
devices are identified by the input data.
c. Commencing the Analysis. The starting point can be
determined by the designer. Typically, studies begin with
the main circuit devices and work down through the
feeders and branches. (Right to left on your log-log paper.)
d. Multiple Branches. If many branches are taken off one
feeder, and the branch loads are similar, the largest rated
branch circuit should be checked for coordination with
upstream devices. If the largest branch will coordinate, and
the branch devices are similar, they generally will
coordinate as well. (The designer may wish to verify other
areas of protection on those branches, conductors, etc.)
e. Don't Overcrowd the Study. Many computer generated
studies will allow a maximum of ten device characteristics
per page.
f. One-Line Diagram. A one-line diagram of the study
should be drawn for future reference.

14

Examples of Selective Coordination Studies

The following pages will analyze in detail the system
shown in Figure 11. It is understood that a short circuit
study has been completed, and all devices have adequate
interrupting ratings. A Selective Coordination Analysis is the
next step.

This simple radial system will involve three separate

time current curve studies, applicable to the three feeder/
branches shown.

13.8KV

Overcurrent Relay

IFLA=42A
1000KVA
-Y
480/277V

JCN80E
#6 XLP
5.75% Z

1600A Main Bus

Fault X1 20,000A RMS Sym

LOW-PEAK
KRP-C-1600SP
Main Switchboard
1

LOW-PEAK
LPS-RK-225SP

LOW-PEAK
LPS-RK-400SP

LOW PEAK
LPS-RK-200SP

400A Feeder

200A Feeder

PDP

150KVA
-Y
208/120V

2% Z

#3/0 THW
LOW-PEAK
LPN-RK-500SP

LOW-PEAK
LPS-RK-100SP

LP1
20A Branch
20A CB

20A CB

250 kcmil
2/ THW

100A Motor Branch

#12 THW
#1 THW

60HP 3

Figure 11

M 77A FLA

15

Example

Time Current Curve #1 (TCC1)

Notes:
1. TCC1 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse,
200 ampere feeder fuse, and 20 ampere branch circuit
breaker from LP1.
2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed
down through the system.
3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily
chosen since most of the devices are at this level.
4. Selective coordination between the feeder and branch
circuit is not attainable for faults above 2500 amperes that
occur on the 20 amp branch circuit, from LP1. Notice the
overlap of the 200 ampere fuse and 20 ampere circuit
breaker.
5. The required minimum ratio of 2:1 is easily met between
the KRP-C-1600SP and the LPS-RK-200SP.

Device ID

Description

Comments

1000KVA XFMR
Inrush Point

12 x FLA
@ .1 Seconds

1000KVA XFMR
Damage Curves

5.75%Z, liquid
filled
(Footnote 1)
(Footnote 2)

JCN 80E

E-Rated Fuse

#6 Conductor
Damage Curve

Copper, XLP
Insulation

Medium Voltage
Relay

Needed for XFMR

Primary Overload
Protection

KRP-C-1600SP

Class L Fuse

11

LPS-RK-200SP

Class RK1 Fuse

12

3/0 Conductor
Damage Curve

Copper THW
Insulation

13

20A CB

Thermal Magnetic
Circuit Breaker

14

#12 Conductor
Damage Curve

Copper THW
Insulation

Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged,

thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions.
Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary
connections, and type, all will determine their damage
characteristics.
Footnote 2: A -Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right,
of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L
secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow
through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two
faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase
fault current.)

16

Example

Time Current Curve #1 (TCC1)

1000
800

600
400

FLA
2

300

XFMR
DAMAGE

200

11

100
80
60

JCN 80E
20A MCCB
LPS-RK-200SP

40

30

KRP-C-1600SP

20

TIME IN SECONDS

MV OLR
10
8
6
4

#6 DAMAGE
3

3/0 DAMAGE

#12 DAMAGE

12

13.8KV

14

1
.8
.6

Overcurrent
Relay

13

.4
.3

JCN80E
#6 XLP

.2

1000KVA
5.75%Z
-Y
480/277V

TX
INRUSH

.1
.08
.06

KRP-C-1600SP

6
.04
.03
.02

CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V

20A CB
20A CB
#12 THW

17

8000

10,000

6000

4000

3000

2000

800

1000

600

400

300

200

80

100

60

40

30

20

200A .01
Feeder

10

#3/0 THW

LPS-RK-200SP

Example

Time Current Curve #2 (TCC2)

Device ID

Notes:
1. TCC2 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse,
400 ampere feeder fuse, 100 ampere motor branch fuse,
77 ampere motor and overload relaying.
2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed
down through the system.
3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily
chosen since most of the devices are at this level.

Description

Comment

1000KVA XFMR
Inrush Point

12 x FLA
@ .1 seconds

1000KVA XFMR
Damage Curves

5.75%Z, liquid
filled
(Footnote 1)
(Footnote 2)

JCN 80E

E-Rated Fuse

#6 Conductor
Damage Curve

Copper, XLP
Insulation

Medium Voltage
Relay

Needed for XFMR

Primary Overload
Protection

KRP-C-1600SP

Class L Fuse

21

LPS-RK-100SP

Class RK1 Fuse

22

Motor Starting Curve

Across the Line

Start

23

Motor Overload Relay

Class 10

24

Motor Stall Point

Part of a Motor
Damage Curve

25

#1 Conductor
Damage Curve

Copper THW
Insulation

Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged,

thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions.
Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary
connections, and type, all will determine their damage
characteristics.
Footnote 2: A -Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right,
of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L
secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow
through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two
faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase
fault current.)

18

Example

Time Current Curve #2 (TCC2)

1000
800

600
400

300
200

FLA

XFMR DAMAGE
MTR OLR
MS
24

100

23

80

13.8KV

60
40

Overcurrent
Relay

TIME IN SECONDS

JCN 80E
#6 XLP
1000KVA
5.75%Z
-Y
480/277V

JCN80E
MTR START

30

LPS-RK-100SP

20

MV OLR
KRP-C-1600SP

10
8
6
4

#6 DAMAGE
3
2

22
KRP-C-1600SP

25

#1 DAMAGE

.8
.6
.4

21

LPS-RK-400SP

.3

400A Feeder
.2

TX
INRUSH
.1

LPS-RK-100SP

.08

#1 THW

.06

.04
.03
.02

CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V

19

8000

10,000

6000

4000

3000

2000

800

1000

600

400

300

200

80

100

60

40

30

20

10

.01
2

60HP

Example

Time Current Curve #3 (TCC3)

Notes:
1. TCC3 includes the primary fuse, secondary main fuse,
225 ampere feeder/transformer primary and secondary
fuses.
2. Analysis will begin at the main devices and proceed
down through the system.
3. Reference (base) voltage will be 480 volts, arbitrarily
chosen since most of the devices are at this level.
4. Relative to the 225 ampere feeder, coordination between
primary and secondary fuses is not attainable, noted by
overlap of curves.
5. Overload and short circuit protection for the 150 KVA
transformer is afforded by the LPS-RK-225SP fuse.

Device ID

Description

Comment

1000KVA XFMR
Inrush Point

12 x FLA
@ .1 seconds

1000KVA XFMR
Damage Curves

5.75%Z, liquid
filled
(Footnote 1)
(Footnote 2)

JCN 80E

E-Rated Fuse

#6 Conductor
Damage Curve

Copper, XLP
Insulation

Medium Voltage
Relay

Needed for XFMR

Primary Overload
Protection

KRP-C-1600SP

Class L Fuse

31

LPS-RK-225SP

Class RK1 Fuse

32

150 KVA XFMR

Inrush Point

12 x FLA
@.1 Seconds

33

150 KVA XFMR

Damage Curves

2.00% Dry Type

(Footnote 3)

34

LPN-RK-500SP

Class RK1 Fuse

35

2-250kcmil Conductors Copper THW

Damage Curve
Insulation

Footnote 1: Transformer damage curves indicate when it will be damaged,

thermally and/or mechanically, under overcurrent conditions.
Transformer impedance, as well as primary and secondary
connections, and type, all will determine their damage
characteristics.
Footnote 2: A -Y transformer connection requires a 15% shift, to the right,
of the L-L thermal damage curve. This is due to a L-L
secondary fault condition, which will cause 1.0 p.u. to flow
through one primary phase, and .866 p.u. through the two
faulted secondary phases. (These currents are p.u. of 3-phase
fault current.)
Footnote 3: Damage curves for a small KVA (<500KVA) transformer,
illustrate thermal damage characteristics for -Y connected.
From right to left, these reflect damage characteristics, for a
line-line fault, 3 fault, and L-G fault condition.

20

Example

Time Current Curve #3 (TCC3)

1000
800

600

FLA

FLA

400

300

XFMR DAMAGE

200

100
80
60

JCN80E

40

13.8KV

LPS-RK-225SP
30

LPN-RK-500SP
MV OLR
20
KRP-C1600SP

Overcurrent
Relay
TIME IN SECONDS

JCN 80E

31
34

10
8
6

2-250 DAMAGE
35

#6 DAMAGE
3

#6 XLP

33

XFMR DAMAGE

1000KVA
5.75%Z
-Y
480/277V

1
.8
.6
.4

KRP-C-1600SP
.3
.2

TX
INRUSH

TX
INRUSH
LPS-RK-225SP

32

.1
.08

150KVA
2.0%Z
-Y
208/120V

.06
.04

6
.03

CURRENT IN AMPERES X 10 @ 480V

21

8000

10,000

6000

4000

3000

2000

800

1000

600

400

300

200

80

100

60

40

30

20

10

.01
2

250 kcmil
2/ THW

.02

LPN-RK-500SP

Conclusions
Unnecessar y power OUTAGES, such as the
BLACKOUTS we so often experience, can be stopped by
isolating a faulted circuit from the remainder of the system
through the proper selection of MODERN CURRENTLIMITING FUSES.
Time-Delay type current-limiting fuses can be sized
close to the load current and still hold motor-starting
currents or other har mless transients, thereby
ELIMINATING nuisance OUTAGES.
The SELECTIVITY GUIDE on page 10 may be used for
an easy check on fuse selectivity regardless of the shortcircuit current levels involved. Where medium and high
voltage primary fuses are involved, the time-current
characteristic curves of the fuses in question should be
plotted on standard NEMA log-log graph paper for proper
study.
The time saved by using the SELECTIVITY GUIDE will
allow the electrical systems designer to pursue other areas
for improved systems design.

22