Electrical Standard Products

Sw i t c h g e a r T r a i n i n g C e n t r e , C o o n o o r
Electrical Standard Products

UNDERSTANDING SWITCHGEAR
T E R M I N O L O G Y

Sw i t c h g e a r T r a i n i n g C e n t r e , C o o n o o r
UNDERSTANDING SWITCHGEAR
T E R M I N O L O G Y

WHAT IS SWITCHGEAR?
 WHAT IS SWITCHGEAR?

A device or a combination of
devices, primarily intended for
the purpose of making, carrying
and br eak ing electr ic curr ents in
circuits under normal conditions
as well as under abnormal
(faulty) conditions.
EXAMPLES OF LV SWITCHGEAR
Ø Air Circuit Breakers (ACBs)
Ø Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs)
Ø Motor Protection Circuit Breakers (MPCBs)
Ø Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)
Ø Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCBs)
Ø Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs)
Ø Air Break Contactors
Ø Vacuum Contactors
Ø Thermal Overload Relays
Ø Electronic Overload Relays
EXAMPLES OF LV SWITCHGEAR
Ø Switches/Disconnectors/ Switch-Disconnectors
Ø HRC Fuses
Ø Switch Fuse Units (SFU)
Ø Fuse Switch Units (FSU)
Ø Switch – Disconnector - Fuse (SDF) Units
Ø Current Transformers
Ø Voltage Transformers
Ø Selector Switches
Ø Push Buttons
Low Voltage Switchgear - Terminology

What are the LV Switchgear

Terminologies?
Low Voltage Switchgear - Terminology
The LV Switchgear Terminologies are
generally with respect to the following
parameters:
Ø Voltages
Ø Currents
Ø Behavior under Normal & Overload
Conditions
Ø Behavior under Short Circuit
Conditions
Ø Utilisation categories
LV SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY
VOLTAGES
Ø Rated Operational Voltage (Ue)

Ø Rated Insulation Withstand

Voltage (Ui)

Ø Rated Impulse Withstand

Voltage (Uimp)
 Installation Category
(Over-voltage category)
• Category I Specially protected Level

• Category II Load (Appliances or

Equipment level)

• Category III Distribution Circuit Level

• Category IV Origin of installation

(i.e.) service entrance level
Impulse voltage levels
System Cat.I Cat.II Cat.III Cat.IV
Voltage Uimp Uimp Uimp Uimp
Vrms
50 330 500 800 1500
100 500 800 1500 2500
150 800 1500 2500 4000
300 1500 2500 4000 6000
600 2500 4000 6000 8000
1000 4000 6000 8000 12000
 LV SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY
CURRNTS
Ø Conventional Free Air Thermal
Current (Ith)

Ø Conventional Enclosed Thermal

Current (Ithe)

Ø Rated Uninterrupted Current (Iu)

LV SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY
CURRNTS
Ø Rated Operational Current (Ie)

Ø Rated Current (In)

LV SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY
CURRNTS
Ø Rated Normal Condition Making
Current

Ø Rated Normal Condition Breaking

Current
 LV SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY
CURRNTS
Ø Rated Short Circuit Making Current
(Icm)

Ø Rated Short Circuit Breaking

Current (Icn)

Ø Rated Short Time Withstand

Current (Icw)
Low Voltage Switchgear – Terminology –
U t i l i s a t i o n c a t e g o r y
Switchgear is a switching device. As
such, it could be employed for any kind of
switching operation. But, its
characteristics like the operational
current, the making & breaking currents
will greatly depend on the application.
Based on the applications, switchgear are
categorized under different “Utilization
categories”.
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Ambient air temperature:

Ø Maximum + 40oC

Ø Average over a period of 24 hours

does not exceed + 35oC

Ø Minimum – 5oC
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Altitude

Ø The altitude of the site of installation

does not exceed 2 000 m.
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Humidity

Ø Relative humidity of the air does

not exceed 50 % at a maximum
temperature of +40 °C.

Ø Higher humidities permitted at lower

temperatures, e.g. 90 % at +20 °C.
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Pollution degree

Ø The pollution degree refers to the

environmental conditions for
which the equipment is intended.
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Ø For equipment intended for use
within an enclosure or provided with
an integral enclosure, the pollution
degree of the environment in the
enclosure is applicable.
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Ø For the purpose of evaluating
clearances and creepage
distances, the following four
degrees of pollution of the micro-
environment are established
 POLLUTION DEGREE

Pollution Degree 1 - No Pollution or only dry non-

conducting pollution

Pollution Degree 2 - Normally non-conductive pollution,

but occasionally temporary conductivity caused by
condensation must be expected

Pollution Degree 3 - Conductive pollution or dry non-

conductive pollution which becomes conducting due to
condensation

Pollution Degree 4 - Pollution generates persistent

conductivity caused by conductive dust and/or rain or
snow
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Standard pollution degree of industrial
applications: Unless otherwise stated by
the relevant product standard, equipment
for industrial applications is generally for
use in pollution degree 3 environment.
NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION
Standard pollution degree of household
and similar applications: Unless
otherwise stated by the relevant product
standard, equipment for household and
Similar applications is generally for use
in pollution degree 2 environment.
Thank You

stc-coonoor@LNTEBG.com
sivakumark@LNTEBG.com