IT Altitude Considerations (Derating) - Application Note
IT Altitude Considerations (Derating) - Application Note
IT Altitude Considerations (Derating) - Application Note
Altitude Considerations
Application Note
Electromechanical
Contactors and Starters
IT. Electromechanical Contactors and
Starters are designed for operation at
up to 6,562 feet (2000 m) altitude,
when applied within their temperature
and power ratings. This note provides
guidance for those applications that
require operation at altitudes in excess
of 6,562 feet (2000 m).
As altitude increases, the air density is
reduced. The reduction in air density
affects both the cooling and voltage
breakdown of various electrical components. As a result, a derating factor
must be applied to compensate for the
lesser capabilities at higher altitudes.
First, the current rating of the IT. Contactor or Starter is reduced because of
the reduced cooling effect. Second, a
derating factor is applied to the voltage. This derating factor is related to
the voltage impulses present on the
power system and the breakdown ratings of the components used within
the contactor or starter. Since this is
difficult to evaluate in a field situation,
for simplification, a derating factor is
applied to the operating voltage level
to suggest the use of a higher utilization voltage (Ue) level.
For IT. electromechanical products, the following derating factors are to be applied.
Table 1. Derating Altitudes above 6,562 feet (2000 m)
Altitude (ALT)
1
0.93
0.87
1
0.97
0.95
0.77
0.67
0.90
0.85
AP03901002E
Application Note
Page 2
Eaton Corporation
Cutler-Hammer business unit
1000 Cherrington Parkway
Moon Township, PA 15108-4312
USA
tel: 1-800-525-2000
www.cutler-hammer.eaton.com