Schneider Electric Singapore Pte Ltd

Introduction
The performance of low voltage circuit
breakers are characterized by a few key
parameters:
Rated current
Rated insulation voltage
Rated operational voltage
Rated breaking capacities

The most interesting and usually drawing
the most interest are the circuit breakers
short-circuit breaking capacities. Most often
than not, we assume that a circuit breaker
has just one rated breaking capacity and
ignore the significance of all the other rated
breaking performances.

This document is aimed at clarifying this
critical point in the specifications and
selection of Low Voltage Circuit Breakers,
which is normally neglected.


Definition of Icu & Ics
The key performances and testing methods
for Low Voltage Circuit Breakers are defined
in IEC60947-2.

Icu is the abbreviation for Rated Ultimate
Short-circuit breaking capacity. This is the
current for which the prescribe conditions
according to a specified tests sequence do
not include the capability of the circuit
breaker to carry its rated current
continuously after the tests. It is the
maximum short-circuit current that the circuit
breaker can break and it is checked by the
following sequence:

O t CO
O - refers to a breaking operation
CO - refers to a making operation
followed by a breaking operation
t - refers to the time separating two
operations, equal to 3 minutes or
the length of time needed to reset
the breaker, whichever is longer

After the tests, the circuit breaker is simply
tested to show that it is electrically safe. This
is done by a dielectric test under a testing
voltage equal to twice the rated service
voltage but at least equal to 1000V.

Ics is the abbreviation for Rated Service
Short-circuit breaking capacity. This is the
current for which the prescribe conditions
according to a specified test sequence
include the capability of the circuit breaker to
carry its normal rated current continuously
after the test. The tests are conducted in the
following sequence:

O t CO t CO
Following the tests, the circuit breaker
undergoes a temperature rise test, a
dielectric test and a tripping test to verify that
the breaker is qualified to be returned to
service.

Ics is expressed as a percentage of Icu (eg
25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of Icu). In a
nutshell, this is the maximum current that
the breaker can break for 3 times and yet
returned to service with its operational
integrity intact.


THE CONTROVERSY OF ICU AND ICS
Vol 2 2005
_______________________________________________________________________________________
1000l08l 80ll0ll


Schneider Electric Singapore Pte Ltd
Selection of Low Voltage Circuit
Breakers
Circuit breakers are usually selected based
on their ability to break the prospective
short-circuit currents. The reference
prospective short-circuit currents are based
on the worst-case scenario of 3-phase fault.
The conventional approach to circuit
breakers selection has been based on the
value of Icu. This does not fully address the
expectation of users who want continuity-of-
service.

Icu only guarantees the fault interrupting
capability of the breakers. It does not
guarantee that the breakers can be returned
to service without overheating after clearing
the fault. This is so because the test
procedures stipulated in IEC60947-2 do not
require that the breaker be subjected to
temperature rise checks after clearing of
faults.

On the other hand, Ics, besides guarantees
interruption of fault, it also guarantees that
the breaker can carry it full rated current
continuously without excessive temperature
rise after the fault current interruption.

Purely from a users point of view, in order to
build an electrical distribution system with
good continuity-of-service, it is desirable to
select breakers with due consideration for
their performance at Ics level.


Specification of Low Voltage
Circuit Breakers
The suggested approach to ensuring the
right selection of protection devices is first to
address the need to specify the required
performance criteria explicitly. The
suggested specifications may be: The Ics
rating of all Low Voltage Circuit Breakers
must at least be equal to the prospective
short-circuit current at the point of
installation. This will ensure that in the
worst-case scenario, the breaker is able to
clear the full magnitude of fault current 3
times and remains operational until further
service action.



Conclusion
As with any other protection devices, circuit
breakers are never built equal. A well-written
technical specification and right selection of
circuit breakers will certainly go a long way
in ensuring a robust system. The difference
between Icu and Ics should be recognized.
The rated breaking capacity is commonly
specified by many M&E engineers, however,
the requirement for Ics is seldom mentioned
explicitly. The need to evaluate and select
circuit breakers based on Ics can be
significant.














Suggested Specification Notes:

The Ics rating of all Low Voltage Circuit
Breakers must at least be equal to the
prospective short-circuit current at the
point of installation.
Edited by DNP, February 28, 2005
Should you require more information, please call
Daniel PANG 98713579 or Phil CHAN 96973644
Email: daniel.pang@sg.schneider-electric.com