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Determination of FCT
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Author:  Bruno [ Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Determination of FCT
What factors determine the FCT, for example i have a cable protected by a main breaker. Just after the breaker and before the cable the FCT is about1.65sec and just after the cable it is 35 sec. Why the difference in FCT? What effect does the cable have on the calculations?
Author:  Zog [ Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Bruno wrote:
What factors determine the FCT, for example i have a cable protected by a main breaker. Just after the breaker and before the cable the FCT is about1.65sec and just after the cable it is 35 sec. Why the difference in FCT? What effect does the cable have on the calculations?


A long cable run can have enough Z to lower the fault current enough that it won't activate the INST or ST trip, sounds to me like you are seeing a ST trip before the cable and a LT after the cable. Adjusting your pickups can fix that.
Author:  Bruno [ Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:45 am ]
Post subject: 
the breaker only has a magnetic trip and i have varied it from low to high but it does not effect the FCT
Author:  Zog [ Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:20 am ]
Post subject: 
Bruno wrote:
the breaker only has a magnetic trip and i have varied it from low to high but it does not effect the FCT


Then you have a problem, I wonder if the breaker was sixed properly in the first place, in the meantime, use the IEEE max 2 second clearing time exception, should be built into your sofware.
Author:  Bruno [ Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:17 am ]
Post subject: 
okay, thank you for your help
Author:  Zog [ Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Be sure to check back, there are people on here that have done a lot more studies than I have and may have some better advice.
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