Description

2.6 Protection system

Basic rules for setting different trip parameters

Setting the parameters for electronic trip units of the ETU 5-series and 8-series
ETUs 5-series and ETUs 8-series are equipped with an LCD.
Parameter settings can be adjusted via this LCD, values are input by means of buttons. The
powerconfig software can also be used to input parameter settings. The TD500 test device
and the COM800/COM100 breaker data server combined with the COM060 communication
module can be used as the software interface.

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2.6 Protection system

2.6.4 Overload protection (L)

The ID letter for overload protection is L (stands for "Long-time delay").
The trip unit is inverse-time delayed and exhibits the following characteristics depending on
the trip unit type:
● Bimetal characteristic with thermal-magnetic trip units
● I2t characteristic with electronic trip units
The letters Ir refer to the current setting value, and tr to the associated time delay.
The time delay with the device-specific reference point defines the current-dependent curve
shape of the setpoint characteristic. With 3VA molded case circuit breakers, this trip unit
reference point corresponds to 6 times the current setting value Ir. The following
mathematical equation determines the remaining curve of the setpoint characteristic:
I2t = constant

Thermal memory
The electronic trip units feature a thermal memory function that can be deactivated on some
electronic overload releases.

Thermal memory activated (ON)

If the thermal memory is activated, the previous thermal history is taken into account. After
tripping, the thermal memories of the phases are set to a value corresponding to 85% of the
thermal equivalent of the warmest phase. This setting allows reclosure of the contacts of the
molded case circuit breaker. This is followed by a cool-down period according to an
exponential function with a time constant Tau (τ).

Thermal memory deactivated (OFF)

It is the responsibility of the commissioning engineer/operator to provide additional thermal
overload protection for the lower-level power distribution system while the thermal memory is
deactivated.

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2.6 Protection system

2.6.5 Short-time delayed short-circuit protection (S)

The ID letter for short-time delayed short-circuit protection is "S" (stands for "Short-time
delay"). The S function of the trip unit can be used to implement time-selective short-circuit
tripping in low-voltage networks in which multiple molded case circuit breakers are installed
in series.
The short-time delayed short-circuit protection function protects phases L1 to L3 and the
neutral conductor. The protection function responds if the current in at least one phase
exceeds the set tripping current Isd for the set delay period tsd.
The S release has a characteristic curve with current-dependent characteristic I2t, i.e. the
delay time is dependent on the energy content of the short-circuit current present. The ETUs
5-series and ETUs 8-series can be optionally switched over to a current-independent tripping
characteristic. In this case, a fixed delay time tsd applies.

2.6.6 Instantaneous short-circuit protection (I)

The ID letter for instantaneous short-circuit protection is "I" (stands for "Instantaneous").
This short-circuit protection function protects phases L1 to L3. The instantaneous short-
circuit protection function responds if the instantaneous value equal to the rms of the current
in at least one phase exceeds the instantaneous tripping current Ii.

2.6.7 Ground-fault protection (G)

The ID letter for ground-fault protection is "G" (stands for "ground fault").
The G release detects residual currents between phases and grounded, electrically
conductive parts. The ground-fault protection function responds if the ground fault current
exceeds the set tripping current Ig for the set delay period tg.
Ground-fault protection can be implemented either as a current-independent or a current-
dependent function (I2t).
On 4-pole molded case circuit breakers and 3-pole molded case circuit breakers with
external current transformer for the N conductor, the G release calculates the vector sum of
the currents of the three phases and the neutral conductor. On 3-pole molded case circuit
breakers, the vector sum is calculated without the neutral conductor. The G release trips the
circuit breaker, or an alarm is issued via the communication system if the rms value of this
vector sum exceeds the set response threshold Ig for the set delay time tg.

3VA molded case circuit breakers with IEC certificate

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2.6 Protection system

Ground-fault detection in balanced systems

The three phase currents are evaluated using vectorial summation current.

3VA trip unit variants

● ETUs 3-series: ETU330 (LIG)
● ETUs 5-series: ETU560 (LSIG)
● ETUs 8-series: ETU860 (LSIG)
3-pole molded case circuit breaker in balanced systems:

Ground-fault detection in unbalanced systems

The neutral conductor current is measured directly and in the case of 3-pole molded case
circuit breakers only for the ground-fault protection, but in the case of 4-pole circuit breakers
the neutral conductor current is also evaluated for the neutral conductor protection.
The trip unit calculates the ground-fault current using the three phase currents and the
neutral conductor current for the vectorial summation.
3-pole molded case circuit breaker in unbalanced systems, 3-pole 3VA with external N
transformer:

3VA trip unit variants, 3-pole 3VA2 with external N transformer

● ETUs 5-series: ETU560 (LSIG)
● ETUs 8-series: ETU860 (LSIG)

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2.6 Protection system

For 4-pole molded case circuit breakers, the fourth current transformer is internally installed
for the neutral conductor.
4-pole molded case circuit breaker in unbalanced systems:

3VA trip unit variants, 4-pole 3VA2

● ETUs 3-series: ETU330 (LIG)
● ETUs 5-series: ETU560 (LSIG)
● ETUs 8-series: ETU860 (LSIG)

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2.6 Protection system

2.6.8 Neutral conductor protection (N)

The ID letter for neutral conductor protection is "N".
The neutral conductor protection system protects the neutral conductor against overloads
and short circuits.
The letters IN refer to the current setting value; the associated setting time is identical to tr.

Note
A neutral conductor with full cross sectional area (distributed neutral conductor of the same
size as the phases) is normally protected by the phase protection system and does not
require separate protection.

Neutral conductor protection

Neutral conductor protection must be implemented in accordance with the standards valid in
the country of installation. Possible reasons for implementing neutral conductor overload
protection are:
● The neutral conductor has a smaller cross section than the phase conductors.
● Harmonic levels in the installation are expected to be higher than normal.
● A large number of loads, or predominantly single-phase loads, will be connected.

Neutral conductor protection and 3VA1 molded case circuit breakers

The following 3VA1 molded case circuit breakers have neutral conductor protection:
● All 4-pole versions of 3VA11, 3VA12, 3VA13, 3VA14 (TM210, TM220, TM240)
All of these molded case circuit breakers are available in versions without or with
100% neutral conductor protection. A version with 50% neutral conductor protection is
available in addition for rated operational currents greater than 100 A.

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