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INTERNATI(lIE
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IECRECtlMMENDATIllII

Publicalion
56-l
Troisidme - Third
6dition edition
1971

v
Disjoncteurs
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Premiire Gdn6ralilfs
etdflinitions

Hig gealternatin
h-uolta g-currentcircuit-brea
kers
Partl: General
anddefinilions

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PERPITST.\KAAN
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Publication
Troisidme
56-l
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6dition
1971
ffi;;itry
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Disjoncteurs
i courant
alternatif
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partie:Gfn6ralit6s
Premiire etddlinitions

High-uoltage
allernating-currsnt
circuit-breakers
Partl: General
anddelinitions

Droits
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Aucunepartie de cette publicationne peut €tre reproduiteni utilis6esous No part of this publicationmay be reproduced or utilized in any
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 -3- PEitPLrsTAri,A"\N
LEMIAGA tffla*SAr,.$t KA'I!.NAGA"4J{
,
CONTENTS
Page

ij,,lr*'oRo 5
P e r rr c e 5

t--:;..:se
SEcrroNOxr - GeNrnar

Scope
Normal service conditions

SEcrroNTwo - DnprNrrIoNS

-1 . Devices and generalterms 1l

{
+. Constructional elements l7
5. Operation 2I
6. Characteristicquantities 25
Frcunr I 36

Publication 56 has beendivided into the following six parts which are published as separatebooklets:

Publication 56-1: Part 1: General and Definitions.

Publication 56-2: Part 2:
Publication 56-3: Part 3:
Publication 56-4: Pafi 4:
Publication 56-5: Part 5:
Publication 56-6: Part 6:
R.ating.
Design and Construction
Type Tests and Routine Tests.
Rules for the Selectionof Circuit-breakersfor Service.
Information to be Given with Enquiries, Tenders and Orders and Rules for
Transport, Erection and Maintenance.
 PERPUSTAKAAN
-5- UASAI"AII f,ETENAGAAI{
TfrlAGA

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

HIGH.VOLTAGE ALTERNATING.CURRENT CIRCUIT-BREAKERS

Part L: Generalanddefinitions

FOREWORD

l) The formal decisionsor agreementsof the IEC on technicalmatters,preparedby TechnicalCommitteeson which all the
National Committeeshaving a specialinterest therein are represented,express,as nearly as possible,an international
consensusof opinion on the subjectsdealt with.
2) They have the form of recommendationsfor international use and they are acceptedby the National Committeesin that
sense.
3) In order to promote this international unification, the IEC expressesthe wish that all National Committeeshaving as
yet no national rules, when preparing such rules, should use the IEC recommendationsas the fundamental basis for
theserules in so far as national conditions will permit.
4) The desirabilityis recognizedof extendinginternational agreementon thesemattersthrough an endeavourto harmonize
national standardizationrules with these recommendationsin so far as national conditions will permit. The National
Committeespledge their influencetowards that end.

PREFACE

This Recommendationhas been prepared by Sub-Committee17A, High-voltage Switchgearand Controlgear, of IEC

TechnicalCommittee No. 17, Switchgearand Controlgear.
A first draft of Section One was discussedat the meeting held in Stockholm in 1969,as a result of which a final draft
was submittedto the National Committeesfor approval under the Six Months' Rule in December 1969.
The following countriesvoted explicitly in favour of publication of SectionOne:
Australia Norway
Belgium Poland
Canada Romania
Denmark South Africa
Finland Sweden
France Switzerland
Germany Turkey
Iran Union of Soviet
Israel SocialistRepublics
Italy United Kingdom
Korea (Democratic People'sRepublic of) United Statesof America
Netherlands Yugoslavia
A first draft of SectionTwo was discussedat the meetingheld in Stockholm in 1.969,asa result of which a final draft was
submittedto the National Committeesfor approval under the Six Months'Rule in January 1970.
The following countriesvoted explicitly in favour of publication of SectionTwo:
Australia Netherlands
Belgium Norway
Canada Romania
Denmark South Africa
Finland Sweden
France Switzerland
Germany Turkey
Iran Union of Soviet SocialistRepublics
Israel United Kingdom
Italy United Statesof America
Korea (Democratic People'sRepublic of) Yugoslavia
 -7 -

HIGH-VOLTAGE ALTERNATING.CURRENT CIRCUIT-BREAKERS

Part 1: Generalanddefinitions

SECTION ONE _ GENERAL

Scope

This Recommendation applies to a.c. circuit-breakers, designed for indoor and outdoor
installation and for operation at frequenciesup to and including 60 Hz on systemshaving voltages
above 1000 V. It only applies to three-pole circuit-breakers for use in three-phase systems and
single-pole circuit-breakers for use in single-phasesystems.

Two-pole circuit-breakers for use in single-phasesystems are subject to agreement between

user and manufacturer. This Recommendation does not cover circuit-breakers intended for use
on motive power units of electricaltraction equipment; these are coveredby IEC PublicationTT,
Rules for Electric Traction Equipment.

This Recommendation also applies to the operating devices of circuit-breakers and to their
auxiliary equipment.

This Recommendation applies for the time being to circuit-breakers in exposed installations
only. Rules for circuit-breakersin non-exposedinstallations are under consideration.

The switching of overhead lines, cables and single capacitor banks in normal conditions is
covered, the applicability of tests for these operations being indicated in Sub-clauses15.1, 16.1
andl7.1 of IEC Publication 56-4, Type Tests and Routine Tests. Circuit-breakersfor use with
overhead lines which include seriescapacitors, are not within the scope of this Recommendation.

Note. - Tests to prove the performance when switching overhead lines, cables or single capacitor banks under
fault and other abnormal conditions should be subject to agreement between manufacturer and user.
Such other abnormal conditions are, for instance,caseswhere the voltage is higher than the rated voltage
of the circuit-breaker, conditions which may occur due to sudden loss of load on long lines or cables.

The switching in an out-of-phase condition is covered by this Recommendation and by IEC

Publication 267, Guide to the Testing of Circuit-breakers with Respectto Out-of-phase Switching.

A circuit-breaker with a closing mechanism for dependent manual operation is not covered
by this Recommendation as a rated short-circuit making-current cannot be guaranteed, and such
dependent manual operation may be objectionable becauseof safety considerations.

This Recommendation does not apply to starting switches, contactors, tap-switches and
similar apparatus.

This Recommendation does not take into account the possible effect of pollution.

I
 This Recommendation does not necessarilyapply to circuit-breakersfor special conditions
of service,for example, those produced by two earth faults one of which occurs on one side of
the circuit-breaker and the other on another phase on the other side of the circuit-breaker.

Normal service conditions

This Recommendation applies to circuit-breakerswhich are designedto be used under the

following conditions:

a) The ambient air temperature does not exceed40'C and its averagevalue, measuredover a
period of 24 h, does not exceed35'C.

b) The minimum ambient air temperature is one of the values in Table I.

Tlsrr I

Minimum ambient air temperature

Classof
c i r c u i t - b r e a k e r l l n d o o r l O u t d o o r
circuit-breaker I circuit-breaker

Minus 5 indoor - 5'C

Minus 20 indoor -20"c
Minus 25 outdoor -25"C
Minus 50 outdoor -50'c

Noterefernngto itemsa) andb):

The manufacturer if a circuit-breaker
shouldbe consulted may fall outside
is to be locatedwherethe temperature
the statedlimits.

c) The altitude does not exceed 1000 m (3300 ft). For installation at altitudes above 1000 m,
the manufacturer should be consulted.

d) The ambient air is not materially polluted by dust, smoke, corrosive or flammable gasesand
vapours, or salts.

e) For outdoor circuit-breakers,the ice-coatingdoes not exceed5 kg/m2. If a circuit-breaker is

to be located where abnormally severeconditions of ice and snow are expected,agreement
should be reached between the manufacturer and user.

f) For outdoor circuit-breakers,the wind pressuredoes not exceed700 N/mz (0.1 lb/inz).

s) Agreement should be reached between manufacturer and user in caseswhere earth tremors
can be expected.

h) For indoor circuit-breakers,the humidity conditions, including the degreeof allowable con-
densation, are under consideration.
 11-

SECTION TWO - DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this Recommendation,the following definitions shall apply:

3. Devices and general terms

3.1 Switching device

A device desisnedto make or break the current in one or more electric circuits.

Mechanical switching device

A switching device designed to close and open one or more electric circuits by means of
separablecontacts.

( M echanical) circuit-breaker

A mechanical switching device, capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under
normal circuit conditions and also making, carrying for a specified time and breaking currents
under specifiedabnormal circuit conditions such as those of short-circuit.

Note.- A circuit-breaker althoughsometypesaresuitablefor frequent

is usuallyintendedto operateinfrequently,
operation.

Indo or cir cuit-breaker

A circuit-breaker designedsolely for installation within a building or other housing, where

the circuit-breaker is protected against wind, rain, snow, abnormal dirt deposits,abnormal con-
densation. ice and hoar frost.

Outdoor cir cuit-br eak er

A circuit-breaker suitable for installation in the open air, i.e. capable of withstanding wind,
rain, snow, dirt deposits,condensation,ice and hoar frost.

Exposed installation

An installation in which the equipment is subject to over-voltagesof atmospheric origin.

lines,either directly,or througha
Note.- Suchinstallationsare usuallyconnectedto overheadtransmission
shortlengthof cable.

N on-exp osed install at ion

An installation in which the equipment is not subject to over-voltagesof atmospheric origin.

Note. - Such installations are usually connectedto underground cable networks. In the case of an installation
connectedto the secondaryside of a transformer the primary of which is in an exposedsituation, the
insulation co-ordination requires specialconsideration.

Isolated neutral system

A system which has no intentional connection to earth except through indicating, measuring,
or protective devices of very high impedance.
 l t
l
t
l
t
,
I

t3-

3.9 Resonant earthed system; system eorthed through an arc-suppressioncoil

A system earthed through a reactor, the reactance being of such value that during a single
line-to-earth fault, the power frequency inductive current passed by this reactor substantially
neutralizes the power frequency capacitive component of the earth-fault current.

Note-- residual
current
in thefaultislimitedto suchanextent
thatan
YIlffi:i,1X, ni|;:-,r_ffiilfrule

3.10 Earthed neutral system

A system in which the neutral is connected to earth, either directly, or through a resistance
or reactanceof low enough value to reduce materially transient oscillations and to ensure a cur-
rent suffi.cientfor selectiveearth-fault protection.

a) A three-phasesystem,with effectively earthed neutral at a given location, is a systemcharacter-

ized by a factor of earthing at this point which does not exceed 80%.
Note.- This conditionis obtainedapproximatelywhen,for all systemconfigurations,
the ratio of zero-sequence
to positive-sequence
reactance reactance
is lessthan3 andtheratio ofzero-sequenceresistanceto positive-
sequencereactance is lessthan 1.

b) A three-phasesystem, with non-effectivelyearthed neutral at a given location, is a system

characterizedby a factor of earthing at this point that may exceed 80%.

_1.II Factor of earthing (of o three-phasesystem, and at the location of a circuit-breaker)

For a given system layout, the ratio, expressedas a percentage,of the highest r.m.s. line-to-
earth power frequency voltage on a sound phase at the location of the circuit-breaker during a
fault to earth (affectingone or more phasesat any point), to the line-toline r.m.s. power frequency
voltage which would be obtained at the same location with the fault removed.

Notes1. - This factor is a pure numericalratio and charactefizes

in generaltermsthe earthingconditionsof a
systemasviewedfrom the statedlocation,independently of the actualoperatingvaluesof the voltage
at that location.
2. from the phase-sequence
The factorof earthingis calculated impedancecomponentsof the systemas
viewedfrom the statedlocation,usingfor the machinesthe subtransient The practicalrule
reactances.
givenin the Note of Sub-clause3.10resultsfrom sucha calculation.

_r.l2 Re-ignition

A resumption of current betweenthe contacts of a circuit-breaker during a breaking operation

with an interval of zero current of less than Yqcycle of power frequency

i.r3 Restrike

A resumption of current between the contacts of a circuit-breaker during a breaking opera-

tion with an interval of zero current of % cycle of power frequency or longer.

_i.14 Posttion indicating device

A device which indicates, at the location of the circuit-breaker, whether the contacts of the
main circuit are in the open or closed position.
 -15-

3.15 Position signalling device

A part of a circuit-breaker which enables a signal to be given, generally at alocation remote

from the circuit-breaker, indicating whether the contacts of the main circuit are in the open or
closed position.

3.16 Interlocking device

A device which makes the operation of a circuit-breaker dependent upon the position or
operation of one or more other piecesof equipment.

3.17 Main circuit

All the conducting parts of a circuit-breaker included in the circuit which it is designedto
close or open.

3.18 Control circuit

All the conducting parts of a circuit-breaker, other than the main circuit, used for controlling
the closing operation or opening operation or both.

3.19 Auxiliary circuit

A11the conducting parts of a circuit-breaker intended to be included in a circuit other than

the main circuit and the control circuits.
Note.- Someauxiliarycircuitsservesupplementary requirementssuchas signalling,interlocking,etc. and as
suchtheymay be connected to the controlcircuitof anotherswitchingdevice.

3.20 Pole

The portion of a circuit-breaker associated exclusively with one electrically separated con-
ducting path of its main circuit and excluding those portions which provide a meansfor mounting
and operating all poles together.
Note.- A circuit-breaker if it hasonly onepole.If it hasmorethanonepole,it maybe called
is calledsingle-pole
multipole(two-pole,three-pole,etc.)providedthe polesare or canbe coupledin sucha manneras to
operatetogether.

3.2r Closedposition

o The position in which the predetermined continuity of the main circuit is secured.

3.22 Open position

The position in which the predetermined clearancebetween open contacts in the main circuit
is secured.

3.23 Operation

The transfer of the moving contact(s)from one position to an adjacent position.

Notes/. - This maybe eithera closingoperationor an openingoperation.
2. -If distinctionis necessary,
an operationin the electricalsense,e.g.makeor break,is referredto as a
switchingoperationand an operationin the mechanical sense,e.g.closeor open,is referredto as a
mechanicaloperation.
 -t7-

3.24 Operating cycle

A successionof operations from one position to another and back to the first position through
all other positions, if any.
Note.- A succession
of operations
not formingan operatingcycleis referredto asan operating
series.

3.25 Operatingsequence

A successionof specifiedoperations with specifiedtime intervals.

3.26 Ambient air temperature

The temperature, determined under prescribed conditions, of the air surrounding the com-
plete circuit-breaker (e.g. for enclosedcircuit-breakers,it is the air outside the enclosure).

3.27 Temperature rise (of a part of a circuit-breaker)

The differencebetweenthe temperature of the part and the ambient air temperature.

3.28 Single capacitor bank

A bank of shunt capacitors in which the inrush current is limited by the inductance of the
supply system and the capacitance of the bank of capacitors being energized,there being no other
capacitors connected in parallel to the system sufficiently close to increase the inrush current
appreciably.

3.29 Multiple (parallel) capacitor bank

A bank of shunt capacitors or capacitor assemblieseach of them switched independently

to the supply system, the inrush current of one unit being appreciably increasedby the capacitors
already connectedto the supply.

3.30 Overvoltage

A voltage to earth, expressedas a peak voltage, which is greater than the normal peak voltage
corresponding to the highest system voltage (seeIEC Publication 71, lnsulation Co-ordination,
Clause4).

I. Constructional elements

-1.I Terminal

A conducting part of a circuit-breaker,provided for electricalconnection to external circuits.

1.2 Contact

Two or more conductors designedto establish circuit continuity when they touch, and which,
due to their relative motion during operation, open or close a circuit.

Note.- Seenote to Sub-clause

4.3.
 -r9-
'4.3
Contact piece

One of the conductors forming a contact.

Note.- If no confusioncanarisethe term "contact" maybe usedinsteadof "contactpiece".

4.4 Main contact

A contact included in the main circuit of a circuit-breaker, intended to carry the current of
the main circuit in the closed position.

4.5 Arcing contact

A contact on which the arc is intended to be established.

Note.- An arcingcontactmay serveas a main contact.It may be a separate that it opens
contactso designed
afterandclosesbeforeanothercontactwhichit is intendedto protectfrom injury.

4.6 Control contact

A contact included in a control circuit of a circuit-breaker and mechanically * operated by the

circuit-breaker.

o 4'7 Auxiliary contact

A contact included in an auxiliary circuit and mechanically* operated by the circuit-breaker.

4.8 Make contact; a-contact

A control or auxiliary contact which is closed when the main contacts of the circuit-breaker
are closed and open when they are open.

4.9 Break contact; b-contact

A control or auxiliary contact which is open when the main contacts of the circuit-breaker
are closed and closed when they are open.

4.10 (Making or breaking) unit

A part of a circuit-breaker, which in itself acts as a circuit-breaker and which in serieswith

one or more identical and simultaneously operated making or breaking units forms the complete
circuit-breaker.

Notes1. - Makingunitsand breakingunitsmay be separate

or combined.Eachunit may haveseveralcontacts.

2. - Themeans
controllingthe voltagedistributionbetweenunitsmay differfrom unit to unit.

4.tl Release

A device, mechanically connected to a circuit-breaker, which releasesthe holding means and

permits its opening or closing.

4.I2 Instantaneousreleqse

A releasewhich operates without any intentional time delay.

* The term "mechanically" implies any link by mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic means.
 - 2 1-

4.13 Making-curuentrelease
A releasewhich permitsa circuit-breakerto open,without any intentionaltime delay,during
a closingoperation,if the making current exceedsa predeterminedvalue,and which is rendered
inoperatiyewhenthe circuit-breakeris in the closedposition.

4.14 Over-cu ent release

A releasewhich permiis a circuit-breakerto open with or without delay when the current
in the releaseexceedsa oredeterminedvalue.

4.15 Definitetime delayover-currentrelease

An over-current releasewhich operateswith a definite time delay, which may be adjustable,
but is independentof the value of the over-current.

|I 4.16 Inversetime delayover-currenlrelease

An over-current releasewhich operatesafter a time delay inverselydependentupon the value
ofthe over-current.
Note.- designedso that the time delayapproaches
a definiteminimumvaluefor hish
#*r";":"*:#:"f

4.17 Direct over-cltrrentrelease

An over-current releasedirectly energized by the current in the main circuit of a circuit-

breaker.

4.18 Indirect over-current release

Anover-current releaseenergizedby the current in the main circuit of a circuit-breakerthrough

a current transformer or a shunt.

4.19 Under-voltageopening release

A release which permits a circuit-breaker to open with or without delay when the voltage
acrossthe terminals of the releasefalls below a predeterminedvalue.

4.20 Shunt release

A releaseenergizedby a source of voltage.

Note. - The source of voltage may be independent of the voltage of the main circuit.

5. Operstion
I'
5.1 Closingoperation
I
a An operationby which the circuit-breakeris brought from the open position to the closed
oosition.

5.2 Opening operation

An operation by which the circuit-breaker is brought from the closed position to the open
position.
 -23 -

5.3 Auto-reclosing

The operating sequenceof a circuit-breaker whereby, following its opening, it closes auto-
matically after a predetermined time.

5.4 Dependentmanual operation

An operation executed solely by means of directly applied manual energy, such that the
speedand force of the operation are dependentupon the action of the operator.

5.5 Dependentpower operation

An operation by means of energy other than manual, where the completion of the operation
is dependentupon the continuity of the power supply (of solenoids,electric or pneumatic motors,
etc.).

5.6 Stored energy operation

An operation by means of energy stored in the mechanism itself prior to the completion of
the operation and suffi.cientto complete it under predeterminedconditions.

Note.- This kind of operationmay be subdividedaccordingto:

1. the mannerof storingthe energy(spring,weight,etc.);
2. the originof the energy(manual,electric,etc.);
3. the mannerof releasing the energy(manual,electric,etc.).

5.7 Independentmanual operation

A stored energy operation where the energy originates from manual power, stored and re-
leasedin one continuous operation, such that the speedand force of the operation are independent
of the action of the operator.

5.8 Fixed trip circuit-breaker

A circuit-breaker which cannot be releasedexcept when it is in the closed position.

Trip-free cir cuit-breaker

A circuit-breaker the moving contacts of which return to and remain in the open position
when the opening operation is initiated after the initiation of the closing operation, even if the
closing command is maintained.
Note.- To ensureproper breakingof the currentwhich may havebeenestablished,
it may be necessary
that the
contactsmomentarilyreachthe closedposition.

5.10 Circuit-breaker with lock-out preventing closing

A circuit-breaker in which none of the moving contacts can make current if the closing com-
mand is initiated while the conditions which should cause the opening operation remain estab-
lished.

5 . 1I Unit test

A test made on a making or breaking unit or group of units at the making current, or the
breaking current, specified for the test on the complete pole of a circuit-breaker and at the appro-
priate fraction of the applied voltage, or the recovery voltage, specifiedfor the test on the complete
pole of the circuit-breaker
 I
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-25 -
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tI
1
6. Characteristic quantities *

6.1 Rated value

A stated value of any one of the characteristic values that serve to define the working con-
ditions for which the circuit-breaker is designed and built.
Note.- See IEC Publication56-2, High-voltageAlternating-currentCircuit-breakers,
Part 2, Rating, for
individualratedvalues.

6.2 Prospectivecurrent (of o circuit, and with respect to a circuit-breaker)

The current that would flow in the circuit, if each pole of the circuit-breaker were replaced
by a conductor of negligible impedance.
Note.- Theprospective currentmaybe qualifiedin the samemannerasan actualcurrent,e.g.prospective
break-
ing current,prospective
peakcurrent,etc.

6.3 Prospectivepeok current

The peak value of the first major loop of the prospective current during the transient period
following initiation.
Note.- The definitionassumes that the currentis madeby an idealcircuit-breaker,i.e. with instantaneousand
simultaneous transitionof its impedanceacrossthe terminalsof eachpolefrom infinityto zero.Thepeak
valuemay differfrom onepole to another;it depends on the instantof currentinitiationrelativeto the
voltagewaveacrossthe terminalsof eachpole.

6.4 Maximum prospectivepeak current

The prospective peak current when the initiation of current takes place at the instant which
leads to the highest possiblevalue.
Note.- For a polyphase
circuit,the maximumprospective
peakcurrentoccursin onephaseonly.

6.5 ( Peak) making current

The peak value of the first major loop of the current in a pole of a circuit-breaker during
the transient period following the initiation of current during a making operation.

Notes/. - The peakvaluemay differfrom onepole to anotherand from oneoperationto anotherasit depends
on the instantof currentinitiationrelativeto the waveof the appliedvoltage.
-
2. Where,for a polyphasecircuit,a singlevalueof (peak)makingcurrentis referredto, this is, unless
otherwisestated,the highestvaluein anyphase.

6.6 Peak current

The peak value of the first major loop of current during the transient period following ini-
tiation.

6.7 Breaking current

The current in a pole of a circuit-breaker at the instant of initiation of the arc during a
breaking operation.
Note.- The wayin whichthe breakingcurrentis evaluated
andexpressed
is specified
in IEC Publication56-2.

t Figure 1, page 36, illustratessome definitions of this clause.

 _27 _

6.8 Making capocity*

A value of maximum prospective peak current that a circuit-breaker is capable ot rnaking at

a stated voltage under prescribedconditions of use and behaviour.
Note.* Theconditionsof useandbehaviourareprescribed in thespecification.
Theyarereferredto by completing
the term asindicatedfor the definitionsof Sub-clauses6.10and6.12.

6.9 Breaking capacity*

A value of prospective breaking current that a circuit-breaker is capable of breaking at a

stated voltage under prescribed conditions of use and behaviour.
Note.- The conditionsof useand behaviourare statedin the specification.
Theyarereferredto by completing
the term asindicatedfor the followingdefinitions.

6.10 Short-circuit (making or breaking) capacity

A making or breaking capacity for which the specified conditions of use and behaviour in-
clude a short-circuit at the terminals of the circuit-breaker.

6 . 1I Short-line fault

A short-circuit on an overhead line at a short, but significant, distance from the terminals
C of the circuit-breaker.
Note.- As a rule this distance
is not morethan a few kilometres.

6.12 Out-of-phase (making or breaking) capacity

A making or breaking capacity for which the specified conditions of use and behaviour in-
clude the loss or the lack of synchronism between the parts of an electrical system on either side
of the circuit-breaker.

6.13 Line-charging (line offload) breaking capacity

A breaking capacity for which the specified conditions of use and behaviour include the
opening of an overhead line operating at no load.

6.14 Cable-charging ( cable off-load) breaking capacity

A breaking capacity for which the specified conditions of use and behaviour include the
opening of an insulated cable operating at no load.

6.15 ( Single) capacitor breaking capacity

A breaking capacity for which the specified conditions of use and behaviour include the
opening of a single capacitor bank.

6.16 Normal current

The current which the main circuit of a circuit-breaker is capable of carrying continuously
under specified conditions of use and behaviour.

* Note concerningthe rated values:

In English, the terms "rated making current" and "rated breaking current" are being used where formerly
'orated making
capacity" and "rated breaking capacity" were used, the intended meaning being adequately
conveyed by the use of "rated". In French, the terms "pouvoir de fermeture nominal" and "pouvoir de coupurl
nominal" continue to be used.

i
 I
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I
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-29 -

6.17 Short-time withstqndcurrent

The current that a circuit-breaker ean carry in the closed position during a specifiedshort
time under specifiedconditions of use and behaviour.

6.18 Peak withstandcurrent

The value of peak current that a circuit-breaker can withstand in the closed position under
specifiedconditions of use and behaviour.

6.19 Applied voltage

The voltage which exists across the terminals of a pole of a circuit-breakerjust before the
making of the current.

6.20 Recovery voltage

The voltage which appearsacrossthe terminals of a pole of a circuit-breaker after the break-
ing of the current.
-
No'|e j:#:Jlxh atransient
voltage
*IJ?:lffiffil,T::Jji1":;1t,,L"-',ffinffi:j?:lT,i"ijiTjillJ

6.21 Transient recovery voltage (abbreviation: TRV); restriking voltage

The recovery voltage during the time in which it has a significant transient character.
Notes 1- - The transient voltage may be oscillatory or non-oscillatory or a combination of these depending on
the characteristicsof the circuit and the circuit-breaker.It includes the voltage shift of the neutral of
a polyphasecircuit.
2--The transient recovery voltage in three-phasecircuits is, unless otherwise stated, that acrossthe first
pole to clear becausethis voltage is generallyhigher than that acrosseach of the other two poles.

6.22 Power frequency recovery voltage

The recovery voltage after the transient voltage phenomena have subsided.

6.23 Prospective transient recovery voltage (of a circuit, and with respect to a circuit-breaker)

The transient recovery voltage following the breaking of a prospective current without any
direct current component by an ideal circuit-breaker.

Notes 1. - The definition assumesthat the circuit-breakerfor which the prospectivetransient recovery voltage is
sought is replaced by an ideal circuit-breaker,i.e. with instantaneoustransition from zero to infinite
impedanceat the very instant of zeto current (i.e. at the oonatural"current zeto).
2- - For three-phasecircuits, the definition further assumesthat the breaking of the current by the ideal
circuit-breakertakes place only in the first pole to clear.

6.24 Peakfactor (of the line transient voltage)

The ratio between the maximum excursion and the initial value of the line transient voltage
to earth of a phase of an overhead line after the breaking of a short-line fault current.

Note. - The initial value of the transientvoltagecorrespondsto the instant of arc extinction in the pole considered.

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6.25 First-pole-to-clearfactor (of a three-phasesystem; and at the location of a circuit-breaker)

The ratio of the power frequency voltage between a sound phase and the other two phases
during a two-phase short-circuit, which may or may not involve earth, at the location of the
circuit-breaker, to the phase-to-neutral voltage which would be obtained at the same location
with the short-circuit removed.

6.26 Insulation level

The values of the impulse withstand voltage and the power frequency withstand voltage,
which together characterize the insulation of the circuit-breaker with regard to its ability to with-
stand the electric stresses.

6.27 Power .frequenq) withstand voltage

The r.m.s. value of the sinusoidalalternating voltage at power frequencywhich the insulation
of the circuit-breaker withstands under specifiedtest conditions.

@ o . z a Impulse withstand voltage

The peak value of the standard impulse voltage wave which the insulation of the circuit-
breaker withstands under specifiedtest conditions.

6.29 Powerfactor (of a circuit)

The ratio of the resistanceto the impedance at power frequency of an equivalent circuit
supposedto be formed by an inductance and a resistancein series.

6.30 Opening time (until separation of the arcing contacts)

The opening time until separation of the arcing contacts of a circuit-breaker is defined ac-
cording to the type of its opening releaseas stated below and with any time delay device forming
an integral part of the circuit-breaker adjusted to its minimum setting or, if possible, cut out
entirely:

a) For a circuit-breaker tripped by any form of auxiliary power, the opening time is measured
from the instant of application of the auxiliary power to the opening release of the circuit-
breaker when in the closed position, to the instant when the arcing contacts have separated
in all poles.

b) For a circuit-breaker tripped by a current in the main circuit without the aid of any form
of auxiliary power, the opening time is measured from the instant at which, the circuit-
breaker being in the closed position, the current in the main circuit reaches the operating
value of the over-current release,to the instant when the arcing contacts have separated in
all poles.

Note.- For circuit-breakerswhichembodyswitchingresistors,it may be necessary to makea distinctionbetween

the openingtime up to the instantof the separationof the arcingcontactsand the openingtime up to
the instantof the separationof the contactsin serieswith the switchingresistors.
Unlessotherwise stated,the openingtimeis the timeup to theinstantof separation of theprimaryarcing
contacts.

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6.31 Arcing time

6.31.1 Arcing time of a pole

The interval of time between the instant of the initiation of the arc and the instant of final
arc extinction in that pole.

6.31.2 Arcing time of a multipole circuit-breaker

The interval of time between the instant of the first initiation of an atc and the instant of
final arc extinction in all poles.
Note.- For circuit-breakers
whichembodyswitchingresistors, a distinctionshouldbe madebetweenthe arcing
timeup to theinstantof theextinctionof themainarcandthearcingtimeup to theinstantof the breaking
of the resistance
current.
Unlessotherwisestated,the arcingtime is the time up to the instantof the extinctionof the main arc.

6.32 Critical (breaking) current

A value of breaking current, less than the rated short-circuit breaking current, at which the
arcing time is a maximum and is significantly longer than at the rated short-circuit breaking
current.

6.33 Break time

The interval of time betweenthe beginning of the opening time of a circuit-breaker and the
end of the arcins time.

6.34 Closing time

The interval of time between the initiation of the closing operation and the instant when
the contacts touch in all poles.
Notes1.- The closingtime includesthe operatingtime of any auxiliaryequipmentnecessary to closethe circuit-
breakerandformingan integralpart of the circuit-breaker.
2. -For circuit-breakerswhichembodyswitchingresistors, it may be necessary to makea distinctionbe-
tweenthe closingtime up to the instantwhenthe contactsin serieswith the switchingresistors
touch
and the closing time up to the instant when the primary arcing contactstouch.
Unlessotherwisestated,the closing time is the time up to the instant when the primary arcing contacts
t touch.
r

f
I 6.35 Make time

The interval of time between the initiation of the closing operation and the instant when the
a
current begins to flow in the main circuit.
i
I Notes /. - The make time includes the operating time of any auxiliary equipment necessaryto close the circuit-
t
breaker and forming an integral part of the circuit-breaker.
ta
2.-For circuit-breakerswhich embody switching resistors,it may be necessaryto make a distinction be-
. tween the make time up to the instant at which current is first establishedthrough the resistorsand the
j make time up to the instant at which the full current is established.
{
6.36 Dead time (during auto-reclosing)

The interval of time between final arc extinction in all poles in the opening operation and the
first re-establishment of current in any pole in the subsequent closing operation.
Note. - For circuit-breakerswhich embody switchingresistors,it may be necessaryto make a distinction between:

a) The dead time which excludesthe time interval betweenthe instants of extinction of main arc and
of resistancecurrent arc and also excludesthe time interval betweenthe instants of establishmentof
resistancecurrent and of full current.
b) The dead times which include one or both of thesetime intervals.

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il 6.37 Loop

The part of the wave of the current embraced by two successivecurrent zero crossings.
$
F Note.- A distinctionis madebetweena majorloop and a minor loop depending on the time intervalbetween
*r two successivecurrentzerocrossings
beinglongeror shorterthan the half-periodof the alternatingcom-
F ponentofthe current.

f 6.38 Operating current (of an oyer-curuentrelease)

The current value at and above which the releasecan operate.

l 6.39 Current setting (of an over-current release)

The value of the operating current for which the releaseis adjusted and in accordance with
which its operating conditions are defined.

6.40 Clearance

The distance between two conducting parts along a string stretched the shortest way between
these conducting parts.

6.40.1 Clearancebetweenpoles

The clearance between any conducting parts of adjacent poles.

6.40.2 Clearance to earth

The clearance between any conducting parts and any parts which are earthed or intended
to be earthed.

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Ur tension entre les bornes du premier pdle qui tz instant de la disparition des ph6nomdnestransi-
coupe toires de tension dans le dernier pdle qui coupe
voltage acrossthe terminals of the first pole to the instant when the transient voltage phenom-
clear ena have subsidedin the last pole to clear
It courant dans le premier pdle qui coupe 5
tl'
(valeur de crOtedu) courant 6tabli
current in the first pole to clear (peak) making current
Uz, Us tensionsentre les bornes des deux autres pdles courant coup6
voltage across the terminals of the two other breaking current
poles
7.1 valeur de cr€te de la composantep6riodique
Iz, Ia courants dans les deux autres pdles peak value of the alternating component
currents in the two other poles
7.2 composanteap6riodique
C commande de fermeture, par exemple tension
direct current component
aux bornes du d6clencheurde fermeture
closing command, e.g. voltage acrossthe termi- 19 tension appliqu6e
nals of the closing release applied voltage
o commanded'ouverture,par exempletensionaux
20 tension de r6tablissement
bornes du d6clencheurd'ouverture
recovery voltage
openingcommand,e.g. voltage acrossthe termi-
nals of the opening release 2l tension transitoire de rdtablissement
tt instant du d6but de la maneuvre de fermeture transient recoveryvoltage (restriking voltage)
the instant of initiation of the closing operation

o" instant oi le courant commenceir circuler dans

le circuit principal
the instant when the current begins to flow in
22

30
tensionde r6tablissementir fr6quenceindustrielle
power frequency recovery voltage

dur6e d'ouverture (jusqu'i la s6paration des

contacts d'arc)
the main circuit
opening time (until separation of the arcing
ts instant oi le courant est 6tabli sur tous les p6les contacts)
the instant when the current is establishedin all 31.1 dur6ed'arc d'un pdle
poles
arcing time of a pole
tq instant d'application de la sourced'6nergieauxi-
31.2 dur6e d'arc d'un disjoncteurtripolaire
liaire sur le declencheurd'ouverture
the instant of application of the auxiliary power arcing time of a three-pole circuit-breaker
to the openingrelease 33 dur6e de coupure
ts instant de la s6parationdescontactsd'arc (ou de break time
I'amorgagede I'arc) sur tous les pdles
35 dur6e d'6tablissement
the instant when the arcing contacts have sepa- make time
rated (or instant of initiation of the arc) in all
poles 37.1 grande alternance
major loop
t6 instant de I'extinction finale de I'arc sur tous les
pOles 37.2 petite alternance
the instant of final arc extinction in all poles minor loop

* On obtient les repdresdes d6finitions correspondantes les faisant pr6ceder

en de 6 i I'exception des repdres7.1
et 7.2 pour lesquelson n'indique pas de d6finition.
* The numbers of the correspondingdefinitionsare obtained by placing 6
before thesenumbersexceptfor numbers
7.1 and 7.2 for which no definitions are given.