Overcurrent Protection Flashcards
What are the problems created by overload.
Annealing
Rapid oxidation
Burning insulation
Cracking insulation
What is overload?
Overload is a moderate increase in current beyond the normal rated current value.
What are typical causes for overload?
Too much equipment
Use of improper size equipment
A worn out or seized motor
What is overcurrent?
Ranges from six times to several hundred times the normal rated current.
What are some causes for overcurrent??
Motor start
Short circuit
What are two causes of a short circuit?
Failure of the conductors insulation.
A foreign object makes accidental contact causing line to line short.
What is a short circuit?
A larger than normal current that flows outside the normal current path.
What is a ground fault?
Another form of short circuit. Short circuit to ground.
What are the effects of short circuit current??
Mechanical forces
Thermal energy
Voltage rating refers to the ability of the protective device to
Quickly extinguish the arc
Prevent the open circuit voltage from restriking across the open fuse element
Current rating
The current the device can carry continuously without opening, deteriorating, or exceeding temp limits
Interrupting rating
The maximum short circuit current an overcurrent device can safely interrupt without damaging itself.
A fuse may occasionally open when
The ambient temp is high, or excessive vibration.
When the connection is loose or dirty.
When replacing a fuse observe the correct:
Voltage rating
Current rating
Interrupting capacity rating
Time current characteristic
Standard voltage ratings of low voltage fuses
600V
300V
250V
125V