CURRENT IN AMPERES

10000
1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000
7000
8000
9000
100

200

300

400

500

600
700
800
900
10

20

30

40

50

60
70
80
90
.5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1000 1000
900 900

140K

200K
800 800
700 700

600 600
6K, 10K, 15K, 25K, 40K, 65K,
500 100K, 140K, AND 200K ARE 500
PREFERRED RATINGS; 8K,

100K
10K

12K
15K

20K
25K

30K
40K

50K

65K
80K
400 400
12K, 20K, 30K, 50K, AND

6K
8K
80K ARE INTERMEDIATE
300 300
RATINGS

200 200

100 100
90 90
80 80
70 70
60 60

50 50

40 40

30 30

20 20

10 10
9 9
8 8
7 7

6 6

5 5
TIME IN SECONDS

TIME IN SECONDS
4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6

.5 .5

.4 .4

.3 .3

.2 .2

.1 .1
.09 .09
.08 .08
.07 .07

.06 .06

.05 .05

.04 .04

.03 .03

.02 .02

.01 .01
.5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10

20

30

40

50

60
70
80
90
100

200

300

400

500

600
700
800
900
1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000
7000
8000
9000
10000

CURRENT IN AMPERES

MINIMUM MELTING TIME-CURRENT CHARACTERISTIC CURVES

POSITROL® FUSE LINKS—S&C “K” SPEED
BASIS—These fuse links are tested in accordance with the proce- However, it is advisable to replace unblown silver-tin element fuse sequence operation of fuse links alone, or for the sequence
dures described in ANSI Standard C37.41-1981, to comply with links under the same conditions, since—while not subject to aging— operation of fuse links coordinated with automatic circuit
ANSI Standard C37.42-1981. As required by these standards, the they may be damaged by transient overcurrents. reclosers.
minimum melting current is not less than 200% of fuse-link ampere 2. Coordination of a larger number of fuse-link ratings with a
COORDINATION—Any preloading reduces melting time. While this
rating, and the minimum melting curves are based on tests starting given automatic circuit recloser between the fast and retarded
phenomenon is especially pronounced in fuse links having min-
with the fuse link at an ambient temperature of 25°C and no initial curves.
imum melting currents appreciably less than 200% of rating, the
load. 3. Coordination through a greater range, and to higher levels of
effect of preloading (as described in S&C Data Bulletin 350-195)
fault current, with respect to automatic circuit reclosers.
CONSTRUCTION—Fusible elements for fuse links rated 6K through must nonetheless be determined for the fuse links represented by
4. Coordination to higher levels of fault current with respect to
100K amperes are silver, helically coiled; fusible elements for fuse these curves and adjustments to these curves must be made:
sequence operation of fuse links.
links rated 140K and 200K amperes are silver-tin. All are of solder- 1. When close coordination is required;
less construction. 2. When automatic circuit reclosers or three-shot cutouts are The breadth of coordination described above can be obtained
involved; only by the use of S&C Positrol Fuse Links. No fuse link of low-tem-
TOLERANCES—Curves are plotted to minimum test points. Max-
3. When, regardless of the preciseness of coordination, the fuse perature element construction (tin, lap-joint) can provide similar per-
imum variations within the coordinating range (melting times less
link is subjected to temporary overloads. formance.
than 10 seconds) expressed in current values are:
Plus 10% for fuse links rated 6K through 100K amperes; If close coordination is to be achieved, overloading must be NOTE—A coordination scheme designed to take full advantage of
Plus 20% for fuse links rated 140K and 200K amperes. avoided since it causes a significant shift in time-current character- the nondamageability and the superior coordination capabilities of
istics. S&C Positrol Fuse Links may not function satisfactorily if fuse links
APPLICATION—Like all high-voltage fuses, these fuse links are
of the same speed but of other makes are substituted. However,
intended to accommodate overloads, not to interrupt them. Accord- Because of the damageability of silver-tin element fuse links
S&C “K” Speed Positrol Fuse Links can replace, on a one-for-one
ingly, they feature fusible elements which are designed with a min- (rated 140K and 200K amperes), setback allowances must be used
basis, other manufacturers’ “K” speed fuse links in existing coordi-
imum melting current of 200% of the fuse-link ampere rating (for in coordinating these fuse links as “protected” devices. These are
nation schemes. Such replacements, unlike tin-element fuse links,
fuse links rated 100K amperes or less) or 220% of the fuse-link applied by reducing the current value in the above curves by 10%.
are not subject to nuisance fuse operations (“sneakouts”) due to
ampere rating (for fuse links rated over 100K amperes). As a result, On the other hand, silver-element fuse links (rated 6K through 100K
damage from surge currents, load cycling, vibration, and aging.
these fuse links have considerable peak-load capabilities; however, amperes) are nondamageable, and no such setback allowances are
they should never be exposed to loading in excess of the peak-load necessary. FUSE LINKS AVAILABLE—
capabilities listed in S&C Data Bulletin 350-190.
The exclusive use of S&C Positrol Fuse Links—because of their Style Ampere Ratings
Since fuse links having silver element construction are not sub- inherently narrower tolerance band and because of their nondam- Universal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6K through 200K
ject to damage by aging or transient overcurrents, it is unnecessary ageability—will expand the scope of coordination as follows: Extra-Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6K through 200K
to replace unblown fuse links of such construction in single-phase or 1. Coordination of preferred with adjacent intermediate ratings,
three-phase installations when one or more fuse links have blown. giving twice as many sectionalizing points. This is true for the

Supersedes TCC No. 165-6 dated 12-17-84 c1986

TCC NUMBER 165-6
s S&C ELECTRIC COMPANY • Chicago
S&C ELECTRIC CANADA LTD. • Toronto
Page 1 of 1
January 20, 1986