ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS DESIGN: THE NEC AND THE IEC APPROACH

G. Parise, U. Grasselli, R. Zan

. Member, IEEE Member, IEEE
Electrical Engineering Department, University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Via Eudossiana, 18 - 00 184 - Rome, ITALY

M. K. Sanders
Member, IEEE
TECo., Inc.
206 S E Eastlawn Drive. Ankeny, Iowa 50021-3402

-
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to compare the techniques to make the comparison somewhat systematic, a project was chosen
and results obtained when a general industrial or commercial and designed using the NEC approach (i.e.both the NEC standards
building power electrical system is prepared using the United and practices) in order to establish a common base. The same project
States National Electrical Codee (NEC") and the International was then designed based on the IEC standards.
Electrotecnical Commission (IEC) Standards. The final design The circuit which will be analyzed (Fig.1) begins with a 1000 kVA
offer the reader the possibility of making an initial comparison transformer operating at 13.2 kV10.480 kV, and 4.8% impedance.
and analyzation of the two methods based of their overall
effectiveness (sizing, protection, co-ordination of protective Table I1
devices with components etc.), safety and cost. In order to make Typical transformer short-circuit voltage
such a comparison a specific example was developed and limited
in detail to avoid complexity in this study. The power source
I Rated Power I Short-circuit Voltage I
[kV'41 [%I
selected will be a delta-wye utility supplied transformer feeding
various load groups such as lighting and motor circuits (possibly from 63 1 to 1250
through associated transformers). Relevant NE Code references, from 1251 to 3150
IEC standards, and appropriate justifications will be made at from 3 15 1 to 6300 7.15
various points. Since this paper is for comparison purpose only,
from 6301 to 12500 8.35
arbitrary values were selected to illustrate various concepts. In a
"real life" design, guigance from the Color Book series of the
from 12501 to 25000 I 10.0
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), is from 25001 to 200000 I 12.5
strongly recommended.
Through underground laterals from the transformer, these service
I. INTRODUCTION entrance cables supply a main electrical contained within the
customers building. This switchboard in turn supplies various other
In order to make a comparison between the North American NEC [I] circuits of which only two will be studied. The first of these, a motor
approach and the IEC approach a specific project using arbitrary branch circuit, feeds a 200 hp (150 kW) 460 Volt 3-phase design B
values has been selected as a case study. A comparison based on a motor. The second, a feeder, supplies a customer owned delta-wye
complete project cannot be made in a single paper due to it's obvious lighting transformer rated at 150 kVA, 0.480kV/0.208 kV, and 5.2%
complexity. A fundamental difficulty in this study is the fact that the impedance. The IEC example will use the same configuration.
NEC design will incorporate North American standards (i.e. voltage 150 k V A
levels, conductor cross-sections, type of cable insulation's etc.) and 13.2kV10.48kV
practices while the European design will incorporate the respective z = 4.8%
1000 kVA
European standards and practices, as i.e. Table I shows normalised 13.2kV10.48kV
2 = 4.8% I
Low Voltage levels [2], and Table I1 shows typical transformer
short-circuit voltage [3]. In other words, the parameters of the design Transformer Feeder
are not only the text-based standards, but also the practices in which Circuit

these standards are applied. Service Entrance

Table 1 Motor Branch

IEC Standard Voltages Circuit
200 HP
150 k W
460 V

-
Fig. 1 Circuit to be Analyzed

The service entrance conductors can be either directly buried or in a

Keeping this in mind it is easy to see that certain fundamental
duct bank, with the distances between cables the same in both
premises may greatly differ since such points are determined using
instances. In this example a duct bank will be installed, and the value
practices rather than standards. It is important to stress that above all
of RHO (soil thermal resistivity) will be assumed constant along the
else the aim of this evaluation is to show the two different design
entire length and homogeneous backfill used.
approaches both of which are based on standard solutions. In order

0-7803-3263-6/96/ $5.00 0 1996 IEEE 141

The above circuit cannot be used in exactly the same manner for used if desired and the eonductor ampacity adjusted from its larger
both studies. Certain variations will exist stemming from the value.
differences in the two approaches. Each of these variations will be 2500 A overload protection at the service entrance disconnect has
explained in detail and where possible the logic used in making been selected in order to allow for future expansion of the facility by
various choices will be outlined as well as code references which the customer.
might dictate the parameters which must be respected. The installed transformer may be in the vault or fenced enclosure,
For both design approaches the analysis begins at the point where but more probably would be a pad mounted type protected by
the utility terminates it's lines and where the customer must then barriers and with locked doors. From this point the conductors will
supply all further material. be installed in a 50 foot long steel rigid metal conduit duct banks 6
An important difference in initial design considerations between feet underground to the main switchboard inside the building. The
Europe and the US is that: in the NEC approach shown above the heat generated by current flow through these conductors will be
utility agreed to provide 2500 A at 480 V to the customer; while in dissipated into the surrounding earth. Section 3 10-15(b)(2) refers to
most of Europe this current level at low voltage would never be Appendix B, which outlines three possiible soil types and their
permitted nor would it be recommended. In Italy there would be a typical values of thermal resistivity (p) are expressed in "CaniW.
10% cost increase incurred in going from medium voltage The most common type of soil (90Y0of the U.S.) has a thermal
consignment to low voltage consignment. Consignment would be at resistivity value of 90. Very dry or noncompacted soil has a value of
medium voltage levels with the customer providing the step-down 120 where damp soil has a value of 60. In this study Rho = 90 will
transformer with the ability to choose the number, corresponding be used.
power level, and type (parallel or independent) of transformer. This The most important aspect of any electrical design is the proper
is further compounded by the fact that the Italian national utility selection of the conductors. This in tum is accomplished by
(ENEL) can obligate the customer to install a transformer (with the determining what the maximum ampacity of each conductor can be.
associated vault) for all power levels above 33 kW, which would not Section 3 10-15 of the NEC stipulates two allowable approaches to
usually be the case in the US. Another major difference is the use of achieve these means. The first allows the designer to refer to
fuses as protective devices for principle circuits. prepared tables (Allowable Ampacity Tables 3 10-16 through 19)
which permit the designer to quickly and easily determine the
11. NEC APPROACH conductor ampacity based on the temperature rating of the
conductor, the type of conductor material and insulation used, and
All mentioned Articles and Sections of this section have as reference the conductor size. Correction factors exist for ambient temperatures
[I]. greater than 30°C. The second approach involves the actual
In the US the customers service point can be where the voltage level calculation of the maximum current based on the following formula,
is that which is stipulated in the contract agreement. However, the which is a representation of the Neher-McGrath formula and
service point can also be at the load end of the transformer secondary requires a more exacting approach:
conductors, the secondary side of the metering equipment, the line
side terminals of the service entrance, or the disconnecting TC-(TA+ATD)
mechanism on the primary side of the transformer if the serving I= ,
'( RDC.(I+YC).RCA
utilitiy permits. (Section 230-10 and Definitions Article 100) As a
result the 13.2 kV/0.480 kV transformer will be supplied by the Where:
local utility. The customer picks up the 480 V side and proceeds to TC = conductor temperature in degrees C;
design the remaining system. The actual change of ownership is a TA = ambient temperature in degrees C;
joint decision betwecn the serving utility, engineering requirements ATD = dielectric loss temperature rise;
and customer needs and expertise with the various voltage levels RDC = DC resistance of conductcr at temperature TC;
possible. No specific method of determining voltage drop across the YC = component ac resistance resulting from skin and
service conductors, feeders, or branch circuits is required in the NEC proximity effects:
and none is included in this example. NEC Section 110-9 requires RCA = effective thermal resistance between conductor and
sufficient intempting capacity for available fault current at line side surrounding ambient.
temlinals, and Section 1 10-10 requires that circuit impedances and The use of the above formula is not employed and we refer instead to
other characteristics be evaluated on a line-to-line and/or line-to- the provided tables in Appendix B for a close approximation of
ground basis to avoid extensive damage to the electrical components. ampacities after the initial size is determined via Sections 110-14(c),
Since no partictilar overcurrent method or coordination criteria is 230-42(a), and 3 10-15(a))
mandated in the NEC, calculations for determining this is not
included in this example. Service Entrance Conductors. First we select the conductors
based upon the termination requirements of Section 110-1
A . Service Entrance Circuit 4(c)(2):

Transformer to Main Switchboard. The initial point at which the

2500A
_ _ _-416.67(417)A
-
customer must observe the NEC guidelines is the connection 6
terminal. According to section 1 10-14(~)(2) "Termination
provisions of equipment for circuits rated over 100 amperes, or Table 3 10-16 lists a 600 kcmil as having 420 A, which when using 6
marked for conductors larger than No. 1, shall be used only with conductors per phase results in a total current of 2,520 A and
conductors rated 75°C ( 1 67OF)". This indicates to the designer that complies with Section 230-90(a) Exception 3.
load currents through these terminations cannot exceed the Since only line-to-line currents are present in this example, the
ampacities listed in the 75°C column of Table 310-16 without grounded conductor retum path is sized per Sections 250-23(b) and
overheating the connection. Section 110-14(c) (2) Exception No. 1 310-4. If line to neutral loads had been included, then Section 220-
permits higher temperature rated insulation as long as the ampere 22 would have been reviewed as well. The larger conductor
limitation for terminals is met. Therefore 90°C insulation can be
determined by either of these two methods would be the smallest 2,5504 - [(2,550)(63 - 2.53)(0.06)] = 2,014.5 A (9)
permitted.
and would not be protected at its ampacity. A larger conductor
6 0 0 kcmil x 6 x 0.125 = 4 5 o kcmil (3) should be selected, the Rho value decreased through specification of
4 50 kcmil backfill and compacting, or more conductors per phase provided.
=7~kcmil (4) Selecting a larger conductor size of 750 kcmil, I, / I, = 301A / 509A
6
= 0.59 rounded to 0.60. The resultant F remains the same and the
ampacity is 2243.7 (2244) A.
No. 1 AWG is the next larger size. But Section 310-4 does not
permit paralleling conductors of less than No. 1/0 AWG. Selecting 1,000 kcmil, the I, / I, ratio still rounds to 0.60, the F
stays the same and results is 2,561.1 (2551) A which is acceptable.
To properly size the duct bank conduit Table 1 and Notes will be
consulted in Chapter 9 Part A. Although in this example the 40%
Separating into 2 banks of 3 ducts spaced as required by Section B-
raceway fill will be utilized, many manufacturers design for only
310-15(b)(2) we could use 750 kcmil. This would reduce the wire
25% to 27% maximum fill permitted in their fittings and adjustments
would be necessary.
size but results in more site excavation and la longer conductor and
duct length. A Rho reduction to 60 would not be enough to allow the
The total cross-section area (Sq. In.) including insulation is:
original choice of 600 kcmil t tbe used in either instance.
600 kcmil XHHW: 0.8709 x 3 = 2.6127 Sq. In.
Using 750 kcmil, the resulting grounded conductor could remain at
1/0 AWG XHHW: 0.1825 x 1 = 0.1825 Sq. In.
No. 1/0 AWG with each duct increased to 3-U2 inch, and if 1,000
kcmil was selected, the grounded conductor would be increased to
Total: 2.7952 Sq. In. (5)
No. 2/0 AWG, and 4-inch duct.
The grounding electrode conductor (GEC) would remain at No. 3/0
and Table 4 in Chapter 9 Part A requires a 3-inch.
AWG in all cases.
The grounding electrode conductor (GEC) would be a No. 3/0 AWG
bare, covered or insulated, to either the metallic water line electrode
B. Motor Branch Circuit
or effectively grounded building structural steel. (Sections 250-
23(a), 250-81(a) and (b), 250-94).
The motor branch circuit installed in surface mounted steel Electrical
If mechanical protection is provided, Tables 8 and 4 in Chapter 9
Metallic Tubing (EMT) will be approximately 200 feet long and the
Part A, and Appendix C Table C I O permit a 3/4 inch schedule 40 load will be a 200 hp (150 kW), 460 Volt, 3-phase motor.
rigid PVC conduit to be used to avoid raceway bonding concerns.
The circuit exceeds 100 amperes, and Section 110-14(c)(2) requires
These initial conductor sizes and resulting duct bank conduits are
that conductors be rated at their 75°C ampacity. Surface-mounted
determined for loads calculated according to Article 220. Additional
EMT may be used in locations where moisture, physical damage or
investigation for equipment usage, circuit and system overcurrent
corrosion is not a problem, and Table 1 of Chapter 9 states that the
coordination, and design recommended practices may affect the final
cross-sectional area used cannot exceed 40% of the tubing area when
result.
more tran two conductors are installed.
As an additional consideration, with the cables placed 6 f o o t
The equipment grounding conductor (EGC) is determined by the
underground we should take into account the thermal capacity of the
rating of the overcurrent device protecting this circuit.
backfill. (Section 3 10-15(b)).
Article 430 of the NEC governs the installation of motors, motor
With six sets of conductors per phase installed in separate ducts,
circuits and controllers and Figure 430-1 is provided for assistance.
Figure B-310-2 Detail 3 with 6 ducts will be consulted. (Section B-
Part A contains Sections 430-1 truough 430-18 for general
3 10-15(b)(3)).
information, with Section 430-6 requiring conductors to be selected
Evaluating the 600 kcmil XHHW permitted by Section 3 10-15(a)
based on the ampacities in Table 310-16 through 19.
and following the practice of the selring utility, the load factor for
Part B contains Sections 430-21 through 430-29, with Section 430-
Figure B-3 10-1 could be assumed:
22(a) requiring the branch circuit conductors supplying a single
motor to have an ampacity not less than 125% of the motor full-load
IOOOkVA current rating. Section 430-6(a) requires the currents listed in Tables
=0.48 rounded to 0.50 (6)
0.480kV x 45 x 2500A Part M to be used for this purpose instead of the actual nameplate
values. The motor branch circuit conductor would then be:
Developing the I, / I, ratio from table B-3 10-7
240x 1.25 = 300 A (10)
~-
270 A - 0.59 rounded to 0.60 (7) and the conductor would be at least 350 kcmil rated at 310 A.
457 A
Part C contains Sections 430-31 througll 430-44, and governs the
Reading along the bottom and entering figure B-3 10-1 upward from selection of overload devices. Because 430-6(a) states that nameplate
Rh0=90 to intersect with LF = 50 from the left side, the resultant values must be used, the actual selection can not be made in this
interpolation value for Rho is approximately 15 as determined by example, but Sections 430-32 and 430-34 should be reviewed.
following the curved lines upward and to the left. Projecting straight Part D contains Sections 430-5 1 through 430-587 with 430-52(b)
upward from there to intersect the curved line from the right side and (c) employed to select overcurrent devices.
where 12/11 = 0.60, this results an approximate F = 0.93. Using a time-delay (TD) fuse rated no more than calculated per
Table 430-152:
0.93 x 457 A x 6 = 2,550.06 (2550) A (8)
1.75~240= 420 A (11)
However, using the 600 kcmil XHHW with a six foot burial depth:
Section 240-6 list a standard rating of 400 A. If the designer elects to

143
 round up because the actual calculated value is not listed, the next 180 Ax2.50 = 450 A (16)
standard size 450 A can be selected.
The EGC would be No. 3 AWG for the 400 A rating or No. 2 AWG with 600 kcmil XHHW per phase and No. 2 AWG EGC in a 3 inch
for the 450 A rating. (Seotion 250-95) raceway. Taking advantage of the tap rule in Section 240-21(d), they
Using an inverse time circuit breaker (CB), it would be: will be reduced to No. 410 AWG XHHW and still provide for
continuous current flow through the transformer. A minimum No. 2
2.50x240A=600A (12) AWG EGC would still be necessary but the raceway can be reduced
to 2 inch.
Since Section 240-6 lists this as a standard rating, rounding up is not The secondary side protection could be:
initially permitted.
The EGC conductor would be increased to No. 1 AWG. 4 16 A x 1.25 = 520 A, rounded up to 600 A (17)
The minimum raceway size would be:
Although there are no secondary conductors, based upon the
350 kcmil XHHW: 0.5166 x 3 = 1.5498 Sq. In. equivalent minimum of two 300 kcmil XHHW conductors paralleled
No.3 AWGXHHW: 0.0962 x 1 = 0.0962 Sq. In. per phase for 570 A capacity, the GEC would be no less than No. 1/0
AWG bare, covered, or insulated and provided with mechanical
Total: 1.6460 Sq. In. (13) protection of 112 inch rigid PVC conduit schedule 40.

for a 2-112 inch EMT

The total would be 1.6644 with a No. 2 AWG and 1.7032 with a No.
1 AWG, still permitting the 2-112 inch EMT to be selected.
Part E contains Sections 430-61 through 430-63. Since the branch
circuit originates at the service entrance location, no feeder circuit
450 A 2 inch Raceway Lighting 600 A
exists. 4/0 AWG XHHW Transformer
Part G contains Sections 430-81 through 430-91, and Section 430-83 No. 2 AWG GEC
states the minimum selection criteria for horsepower and voltage
ratings. Fig. 3 - Transformer Feeder Circuit
Part I contains Sections 430-101 through 430-1 13, with Section 430-
109 covering the types of disconnects. Section 430-1 10 covers the 111. IEC APPROACH
minimum ampere rating and interrupting capacity, but the
overcurrent calculation from Section 430-52 is larger than required As a reference Table 111 shows Cross section conversion between
by this Section and is used instead. AWGMCM and mm'.
Our motor branch circuit will now be:
Muximum Cable Temperatures. In the NEC example the maximum
r-7 allowable temperature for conductors carrying over 100 A was
U
designated as being 75"C, according to Table IV it is to be no greater
than 90°C. With the IEC no such direct correspondencs exists
400 A TD fuse 2-1/2 inch Raceway See Part C 240 A between the steady-state current and the type of conductor to be
350 kcmii XHHW Overloads 200 hp used.
No. 3 AWG EGC (150 kW) Of greater importance is the let-through energy during a short-
or 450A TD fuse or 350 kcmil XHHW
circuit, the ambient conditions and potential physical hazards. The
No. 2 AWG EGC
or 600ACB 350 kcmil XHHW most critical of these considerations is the short-circuit event,
No. 1 AWGEGC specifically the amount of energy let-through. Normally the
maximum value of the let-through energy corresponds to the
Fig. 2 - Motor Branch Circuit maximum short-circuit value when circuit breaker are used, while to
to the minimum short-circuit value when fuses are used. The
C. Transformer Feeder Circuit goveming equation used when studying the let-through energy of the
protection deviceicable system is:
This feeder will supply a customer-owned delta-wye lighting
transformer rated at 150 kVA, 0.80kVi0.208 kV, and 5.2% 1 2 x t = K 2 x S2 (18)
impedance. The conductors will be installed in surface-mounted where:
(EMT) which will run approximately 25 feet to the transformer I* x t is the energy let-through by the protection device (I = the
located at the lighting panel. short-circuit current, t=the amount of time required before
the protection device fully breaks the circuit);
I = 150,0OOVA/(d3 x 4 8 O V ) = 180Aprimary (14) K2 x S2 is the amount of energy whicht the cable is able to absorb
without damage (K=cable constant, S=cross-sectional area of
I = I50,000VA/(d3 x208V)=416Asecondary (15) the cable).
The value of K depends on the type of conductor (Cu or AI), the type
Section 450-3(b)(2) and Exception covers primaly and secondary of insulation used and the initial and final temperatures of the cable
protection and Section 384-16(d) requires the panelboard protection before and after the short circuit, see Table IV. An equation is given
to be on the secondary side. in the IEC standards [4].
The transformer primary side protection and circuit could be up to: About the size of the conductor following the requirement (1 8), and
assuming the actual value of 12t the minimum value of cross section

144
is calculated by:
The resulting short-circuit current on the low voltage side is 48 kA,
maximum value, and 24 kA minimum value. The impedance given
by the cable length is considered negligible and therefore this current
level is found in it’s entirety at the fault point.
Next we must calculate the contribution presented by the motor
AWG Computed Advised AWG Computed Advised branch circuit [SI. The characteristic current of this branch is
MCM conversion cross- MCM conversion cross- calculated based on the motor size; motor efficiency (0.93); power
[mm21 section [mm21 section factor (0.89), and operating voltage.
[mdl [mm21 The following calculations have all been performed using the same
18 0.82 1 310 85.0 95 load characteristics as was used in the NEC example.
16 1.31 1.5 410 107.2 120 The short circuit calculation for the motor branch revealed that a
14 2.08 2.5 250 126.7 120 maximum current of 1144 A will originate at the motor terminals.
12 3.13 4 300 152.0 150 The impedance offered by the conductor from the motor to the panel
will reduce this current to 1134 A.
The maximum value of the total current which the lighting branch
must now sustain becomes 49.1 kA.

Coordination between condutors and protective devices: Fuse

Selection. In sizing the protective devices for cables, as the fuses
which are adopted in this example, the following designations are
used [4]:
If is the definite fuse trip current;
Table IV In is the nominal fuse current (the current which
K constants for copper conductors normally passes through the fuse);
IInsulation kinds I Normal duty I Short-circuit IK 1 I, is the continuous current- carrying capacity of the
temperature [“C] temperature [“C] cable.
P.V.C. 70 160 1 I5
Butylrubber 85 220 135 The IEC [9,4] fixes the following relationships between these values:
EPIUXLPE 90 250 143

Calculation of Short-circuit Currents Using the Characteristic

Currents Method. The methodolgy used for this example is
thoroughly outlined in papers [5] and [6] in which the short-circuit this therefore gives us:
currents are calculated by the method of the characteristic currents in I,? ( 1 . 6 / l . 4 5 ) x 1 , = l . 1 XI,
a system. These are calculated using a worst case scenario which
examines the power flow to a fault point from the network, auxiliary The cross-section of conductor that satisfies the (22) is the minimum
power sources and the other branches. This methodology is based on value of load-related section (S.J.
the IEC Standard [7] code which details the exact calculations to be At this point it is normal practice to not use fuses at such high
made and which also gives and explains the values of certain current values in Europe, the designer would most likely tum to rhe
required constants. The worse case scenario for our network would use of relay operated circuit breakers. In this example consistency
be a zero resistance fault on the lighting branch in which there would will be maintained and fuses will remain to be the protective devises
be power flow contributions from both the network and from the used.
motor branch.
The process begins by first determining the power flow which passes Voltage drop calculation. The voltage drop [IO] in the circuit is
through the transformer. In cases where it is exactly known this calculated using the following equation:
value is used, in all other cases the IEC [3] stipulates this value for
all voltage levels. On the high voltage side (13.2 kV) this is I x L x cosq, + I x L x x x s e n q ,
stipulated to be 500 MVA for a zero impedance short circuit fault at AV =
r x S,
the transformer terminals. see Table V.
Where: I= load current;
Table V
L = feeder length in meters;
Grid Short-circuit Power
T = conductor conductivity at normal duty temperature;
I - 1 Short-circuit Power
Grid rated voltage 1 Sv = Conductor cross-section;
[kVI [MVAI x = reactance per linear meter;
1.2, 12, 17.5, and 24 500 coscp = steady state power factor.
36 1000
52, and 72.5 3000 Assigned a value of AVN a minimum related cross-section value S ,
100, and 123 6000 can be calculated. This value of AVN is important since the overall
145, and 170 10000 voltage drop through the entire system cannot be greater than 4%.
245 20000
300 30000 Grounding and grounded conductors. The IEC [ 1I , IO] states that
420 40000 the minimum size of the grounding conductor (S,) and grounded

145
 conductor or neutral (S,) must be as large as one phase conductor required. resize the cable based on the short-circuit current as done
(Spy) for cables up to 16 mm2. For cables between 16 mm2 and 35 above (characteristic currents) and choose the larger of the two sizes.
mm the grounding and grounded cables must be 16 mm2. For all
cables greater than 16 mm2 it must only be one half the conductor Feeder Protection. The Feeder will be protected using a type aM
area: fuse I, = 250 A. This is a dual-time fuse which gives us a maximum
protection of 250 A and a maximum starting current of 1000 A. S, =
s,= s,,/2 (24) 120 mm2 conductors will be used for the feeder.
The IEC states that the short circuit protection device has to be
A. Service Entrance Circuit upstream of the conductor and that the thermal protection may
instead be downstream. A frequent arrangement would be to initially
Conductor Selection. The corresponding cable type for the XHHW have a fuse floowed by the contactors, overload protection and
used previously is cable type G7 (XLPE). In normal practice this is protection against loss of a phase. The duty type of the motor,
the type of cable which would be initially selected. Section 1 chapter whether it is AC or DC etc.; all play a part in determining the system
1 of the IEC [I21 states that references must be made to the design. The IEC determines that four cases exist for AC motors
manufacturers recommendations for cable ampacities and for (AC 1 to AC4) and five for DC motors (DC 1 to DC5). For this case a
reductions in such due to burial depths etc. continuous duty AC motor (as used in the NEC approach) will be
Considering the (21), the current for which the cables must be considered.
designed for is: If instead of the dual-time fuse an instantaneous fuse were to be used
the maximum allowable current which could be used would be
I,? 1.1 x2500Ac2759A (25) increased to 250% of the nominal value:

An initial selection of SL= 400 mm2 cable is made. The ampacity of In = 630 A 2.5 x 240 = 600 A (31)
this cable when installed in duct bank at a depth of 0.8 m in soil
having a thermal resistivity of Rho=lOO"C cmrMi is 562 A. This About the size of the conductor following the requirement ( 1 8), and
ampacity is reduced by 5% for each additional metre below grade. A assuming 12tequal to IO6 A's for a 250 A fuse corresponding to 21.5
total depth of 1.8m will be used which corresponds adequately kA minimum value of short-circuit current, and considering K=143,
enough with the 6 ft. used in the NEC calculations. This reduction the minimum value of cross section S,, is:
gives us a total per cable ampacity of:
s 2 sSc= d( lo6 / 1 4 3 ~=) 7 mm2 (32)
562 x 0.95 A= 534 A (26)
By going with the dual time fuse the total voltage drop in the feeder
Additional conductors are necessary all of which will be placed line is calculated using the equation (23).
alongside each other at a distance of 7 cm. from each other. This The reactive voltage drop is considered to be negligible in this case
grouping of the conductors leads to further reductions in the and therfore will not be considered. By using this equation the total
ampacity which results from the reduction in heat dissipation. After voltage drop becomes:
some iterations it was found that a total of 9 conductors are
necessary to cany a load. This was determined bearing in mind that a 240A x 60m
AV = = 2.67V (33)
30% reduction in ampacity must be accounted for due to the close 4 5 x 120
proximity of the cables. The ampacity of the cables became:
Therfore our value of AVN is 1 YO
534 x 0.58 A = 309.7 A (27)

yielding a total ampacity of (34)

9 x 309.7 A = 2787 A (28)

The grounding and grounded cross-section will be
The total width of the raceway is 1.6 m which for a depth of 2m is a
reasonable amount of soil to excavate. sG = 70 mm'. > s,, 1 2 = 12012 (35)
About the size of the conductor following the requirement (18), and
assuming 12t equal to 10' A2s for a 2500 A fuse corresponding to 24 C. Transformer Feeder Circuit
kA minimum value of short-circuit current, and considering K=143,
the minimum value of cross section S,, is: T h e 150 kVA has a corresponding current of 180 A (as shown in the
NEC example).
S 2 S,, = d( I O 8 / 1432) = 69 mm2 Feeder Protection. The Feeder will be protected using a type gG
fuse I, = 250 A.
The voltage drop calculation has not been performed in this case Considering the (21), the current for which the cables must be
because the total length of circuit if very short. designed for is:
The grounding and grounded cross-section will be
I,21.1 x 2 5 0 A = 2 7 5 A (36)
S, = S, = 240 mm2. > ,s, /2 = 4001 2 (30)
According to manufacturers specifications S, = 95 mm2 conductors
B. Motor Branch Circuit must be used,
About the size of the conductor following the requirement (IS), and
The 200 it length corresponds to approximately 61 m. Using similar assuming 12t equal to 5.5* IO5 A's for a 250 A fuse corresponding to
calculations as in the NEC case we have determined that 240 A are
146
23 kA minimum value of short-circuit current, and considering because the total length of circuit if very short.
K=143, the minimum value of cross section Ssc is: The grounding and grounded cross-section will be

S 2 Ssc = d( 5.5*1OS I 143') = 5.2 mm' (37) S, = s,= SO mm2. > s,, I 2 = 95 1 2

The voltage drop calculation has not been performed in this case

VI. RESULTS COMPARISON

CONCLUSIONS IEC 76-5 - "Power transformers: Part 5: Ability to Withstand Short-

Circuit", 1976.
It can be seen that both systems produce final results which to a large IEC 364-443 - "Electrical Installations of Buildings: Part 4: Protection
for Safety: Chapter 43: Protection against overcurrent", 1977.
degree are very similar to each other. The NEC approach details the
G. Parise, "Short-circuit analysis in industrial and commercial power
minimum requirements to assure that the final outcome will be systems: The 'characteristic' currents approach", IEEElIAS 1&CPS
essentially safe. Although not intended as a design manual or Tech. Conf., St. Petersburg, FL, 11993.
specification guide for the untrained, Section 90-l(c) does not G. Parise, "A new approach to calculate the decaying AC Contribution
prohibit trained personnel from referring to it at anytime during a to short-circuit: The 'characteristic' currents metod", IEEE Transactions
design sequence. Larger components are required when compared to on Industry Applications,Vo1.31 No. 1, JanuaryFebruary 1995.
the IEC approach, and resulting costs may be greater. The IEC IEC 909, "Short-circuit current claculation in three-phase a.c. system",
approach on the other hand is more detailed, requiring many 1988.
G. Parise, M. Massimiano M. Halpin, "Short Circuit Analysis on a
iterations to be performed, requiring the designer to redo each Simple Power System Network: The 'characteristic' currents metod",
calculation sequence as additional components are selected. A good 27th IEEE South Eastern Symposium on System Theory, March 12-14
compromise would be to use the NEC as in initial indicator of cable 1995, Starkville - Mississippi.
size and layout thereby eliminating guesswork required by IEC. A [91 IEC 269-1 "Low-voltage fuses: Part 1: General requirements", 1986.
cross-check using the detailed style of IEC method for fine tuning -
[lo] IEC 364-5-52 "Elec&cal Installations of Buildings: Part 5: Selection
the system may to make it more customized and hopefully reduce and erection of electrical equipment: Chapter 52: Wiring Systems",
costs. 1993.
-
[I 11 IEC 364-5-54 "Electrical Installations of Buildings: Part 5: Selection
and erection of electrical equipment: Chapter 54: Earthing
REFERENCES arrangements and protective conductors", 1980.
[I21 IEC 287 "Calculationof the continuous current rating of cables (100 Yo
[I] ANSINFPA 70-1993, "National Electrical Code" load factor)", 1982.
[2] IEC 38, "IEC Standard Voltages", 1983.

147