SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

Selective Coordination
Enforcement:

Overcurrent Protective
Device Basics
by Tim Crnko
(AHJ), evaluating whether a system is selectively coor-
Merely having a higher ampere overcurrent protective dinated does not require as much knowledge or work.
device (OCPD) feeding a lower ampere overcurrent However, it does require specic information which can
protective device does not assure a circuit is selectively
coordinated. Designing a selectively coordinated sys- that must be provided for evaluation purposes depends
tem takes a knowledgeable person who is capable at the on the method used to achieve selective coordination.
task and who has the necessary data available to select
the proper devices. As an authority having jurisdiction interpretation for fuse or circuit breaker circuits used

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 SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

Figure 2: One-line diagram showing available short-circuit SCA

currents.
represents
I
short-circuit current available.

When a short-circuit study is performed, the avail-

Figure 1. One-line diagram shows fault on branch circuit 1.
able short-circuit current is determined at the line-side
in 600 V or less systems. It is not a comprehensive cov- -
erage, but should help the AHJ request the necessary formation is also necessary to verify the OCPDs have
documentation and facilitate checking. For more in- adequate interrupting rating (IR) to comply with NEC
depth materials see the end of the article, Additional 110.9 and that the equipment has adequate short-circuit
Resources section. current ratings (SCCR) to comply with NEC 110.10,
Selective coordination is achieved when overcurrent -
protective devices are chosen such that whenever an 1
, X 2
and X 3
represent the available
overcurrent occurs only the nearest upstream overcur- short-circuit current at the line-side terminals of OCPD
rent protective device (OCPD) opens to interrupt the
overcurrent. In gure 1, this means if a fault occurs on 15,000 A, 25,000 A, and 30,000 A for X1, X 2 and X 3,
the load-side of OCPD 1 (100 A), only that device opens. respectively, were selected for illustrative purposes only.
Neither OCPD 2 (200 A) nor OCPD 3 (800 A) opens. symmetrical amperes.
Selective coordination for the full range of over- A typical selective coordination requirement:
currents possible in a system is an NEC requirement
for certain systems (Sections 700.27, 701.18, 708.54, NEC 700.27 Coordination.
620.62, and 517.26) where continuity of power for Emergency system(s) overcurrent devices shall be se-
loads is vital for life safety. A short-circuit current lectively coordinated with all supply side overcurrent
analysis (study) is usually considered part of the protective devices. (with two exceptions)
required documentation and its purpose is to pro-
vide the maximum available short-circuit currents Reading the specic language of the requirement
throughout the distribution system. However, for a means: OCPD 1 must selectively coordinate with
few selective coordination analysis methods, a short- OCPD 2 and OCPD 3 for all overcurrents up to the
circuit current study is not necessary. This fact will maximum available at X1 (15,000 A). OCPD 2 must
be mentioned when those methods are covered in selectively coordinate with OCPD 3 for all overcurrents
this article. up to the maximum available at X 2 (25,000 A).

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SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

Selective Coordination Utilizing Fuses

-
-
proaches:
a. Fuse manufacturers published selectivity ampere
rating ratios
b. Interpret time-current curves

Example a: Fuse Selectivity Ampere Rating Ratios

to the fuse manufacturers published selectivity ampere

rating ratios. No need to interpret time-current curves.
Valid for any overcurrents up to 200 kA (200,000 amps)
or fuse interrupting rating, whichever is less. Today most
current-limiting, branch-circuit fuses have at least a 200
kA interrupting rating. With this method, the fuses must

are based on testing by each fuse manufacturer and there

is no published data for mixing fuses of dierent manu-

Figure 3: Example to Evaluate Fuse Selective Coordination type of fuses. One fuse type may require only a 2:1 amp

Each fuse Load-side

manufacturer has 601-
table only for their 0-600A 0-600A 0-600A
6000A
brands. Class L Class J Class Class
Do not mix fuses of Time- Time- RK1 RK5
different Delay Delay Time- Time-
manufacturers Delay Delay
601- 6000A
Class L 2:1 2:1 2:1 4:1
Time-Delay
Line-side Fuse

1-600A
Class J - 2:1 2:1 8:1
Time-Delay
1-600A
Class RK1 - 2:1 2:1 8:1
Time-Delay
1-600A
Class RK5 - 1.5:1 1.5:1 2:1
Time-Delay

Notes: 1. Fuses in this table have interrupting rating of 200 kA.

2. Selective coordination assured if amp rating ratio between line-side fuse and
load-side fuse is equal or greater than the ratio shown.

Table 1: Fuse Selectivity Amp Rating Ratio Guide

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rating ratio between a line-side fuse and a load-side fuse. (Time-current curves typically are not published for
If dierent types of fuses from the same manufacturer times less than 0.01 seconds.) It is simpler and more
are used line-side and load-side, then the ratio might be comprehensive to use the Fuse Selectivity Ampere Rat-
dierent, such as 3:1, 4:1, or 8:1. As with any method or ing Ratios method illustrated previously rather than
table, be sure to read any applicable notes or footnotes. interpreting time-current curves.
Each fuse manufacturer publishes a selectivity ratio In this example, use the fuse time-current curves in
SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT
table specic to only their brands. Table 1 is for illustra- gure 4 to analyze selective coordination for the circuit
tive purposes and should not be used in actual studies. path with the three fuses shown. Examining gure 4,
there is no overlap of the fuses time-current curves.
Analysis for Figure 3 using Table 1 However, this does not mean that the fuses are selective-
Investigate the circuit for fuses 1, 2, and 3 in gure 3 us- ly coordinated for the full range of overcurrents up to
ing the Selectivity Amp Rating Ratio Table method. their interrupting rating. What can be interpreted from
gure 4 is that the 90-A Class RK5 time-delay fuse is
1. Check fuse 1 with fuse 2 coordinated with the 200-A Class J time-delay fuse up
t For the actual fuses, the line-side to load-side amp to 2500 A and is coordinated with the 800-A Class L
rating ratio is 400 A:100 A = 4:1 time-delay fuse up to 12,000 A. Also, the 200-A Class
t Both fuse 1 and fuse 2 are Class J time-delay and J time-delay fuse is coordinated with the 800-A Class L
Table 1 shows a ratio of 2:1 or greater is necessary. fuse up to 12,000 A.

and fuse 2 (4:1) is equal or greater than 2:1 (Table 1), Conclusion: If this specic system has available short-
fuse 1 will selectively coordinate with fuse 2 for any circuit currents for X of 2,500 A or less and X of 12,000
1 2
overcurrent up to 200 kA. A or less; then, this circuit is selectively coordinated.

2. Check fuse 1 with fuse 3 not selectively coordinated for higher fault currents; it just
t

Actual amp ratio is 800 A:100 A = 8:1 means we cannot draw that conclusion by interpreting
t

2:1 or greater is necessary (Table 1). the time-current curve method. To illustrate this point,
t Fuse 1 selectively coordinates with fuse 3 up to 200 use the fuse selectivity amp rating ratio method and Ta-
kA.
ble 1 to check gure 4 for fault currents up to 200 kA for
3. Check fuse 2 with fuse 3 X1and X 2
t

Actual amp rating ratio is 800 A:400 A = 2:1 delay fuse line-side of a load-side Class K5 time-delay fuse
t

2:1 or greater is necessary (Table 1). is 8:1. In the circuit for gure 4, the actual fuse ratio is
t Fuse 2 will selectively coordinate with fuse 3 for any 200 A:90 A = 2.2:1. So, using the ratio method, these
overcurrent up to 200 kA. two fuses would not be selectively coordinated up to 200
kA. However, gure 4 does show these two fuses are se-
Conclusion: lectively coordinated up to 2,500 A. Now investigate the
for any overcurrent up to 200 kA; therefore, X1 and X2
could be any value of available short-circuit currents up to required by Table 1 for Class L time-delay fuse line-side
200 kA. Using this method, there is no need to do a short- of a load-side Class J time-delay fuse is 2:1. In the circuit
circuit current study if a quick assessment shows the short- for gure 4, the actual fuse ratio is 800 A:200 A = 4:1.
circuit currents in the system will be 200 kA or less. So, using the ratio method, these two fuses are selectively

Example b: Fuse Selectivity Time-Current Curves it is quicker and simpler to just use the fuse selectivity am-
Use this method only for the portion of the curve that is pere ratio method rather than plotting the time-current
curves and interpreting.
industry time-current curve has a vertical time axis
from 0.01 seconds up to 300 seconds or 1000 seconds. Selective Coordination Basics
However, fuses when operating in their current-lim- for Circuit Breakers
iting range, clear in less than 0.01 seconds. Depend- -
ing on the fuse type, amp rating, and available fault tion using circuit breakers (CBs) are also relatively sim-
current, the clearing time can be less than 0.01 sec.

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SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

which is 65 kA in this example. With this method, CBs

of dierent manufacturers can be mixed.

Example b: CB Curves Cross

If the CB time-current curves cross, then there are two

approach is to interpret the time-current curves such that

two CBs are selectively coordinated up to the available

of gure 6 is as follows:

t 20-A CB is selectively coordinated with the 225-A

CB for available short-circuit currents up to 1800 A
and with the 600-A CB for available short-circuit
currents up to 2400 A.
t 225-A CB is selectively coordinated with the 600-A
CB for available short-circuit currents up to 2400 A.

Conclusion: If the available short-circuit current at

X1 is less than 1800 A and at X 2 less than 2400 A,
this circuit is selectively coordinated. If the available
short-circuit current at X1 is greater than 1800 A, or at
X 2, greater than 2400 A, this circuit is not selectively
Figure 4: Interpreting time-current curve method coordinated.

a. If the clearing time of all the CBs is great-

er than 0.01 seconds for the line-side available
short-circuit current, the CB time-current curves
cannot cross.
b. If the CB time-current curves cross, the available
short-circuit current at the point of intersection is
interpreted as the maximum short-circuit current to

an exception if CB manufacturers Selectivity Tables

provide data verifying two specic CBs selectively
coordinate to a higher short-circuit current level.
c. If clearing time of the CB is less than 0.01 seconds,
then data is needed from the circuit breaker manu-
facturers table method discussed in b.

a and b.

Example a: CB Curves Do Not Cross

CB time-current curves do not cross. To achieve this no

overlap situation, it normally requires the use of feeder
and main CBs with short-time delay settings and no in-

circuit CB can have an instantaneous trip. Figure 5 il-

Figure 5: Circuit breaker time-current curves do not cross and therefore the circuit
lustrates where such a system is selectively coordinated for is selectively coordinated for available short-circuit currents up to the
- CB inter
any overcurrent up to the interrupting rating of the CBs, rupting ratings.

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 SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

A, this circuit is selectively coordinated. If the avail-

able short-circuit current X 1 is greater than 1800 A,
or at X 2 , greater than 5200 A, this circuit is not
selectively coordinated.

Example: CB Selective Coordination Tables

curves has been an industry standard for decades. How-

ever, with the advent of the NEC requiring selective
coordination for some systems where life safety is vi-
tal, manufacturers have developed CB to CB selective

on testing and analysis, and the presentation format

varies for each manufacturer. Each CB manufactur-
er has tables for their CBs and the data is specic

tables assume CB instantaneous trips are set on the

highest settings. Table 2 is a ctitious CB to CB se-

across the top and load-side CB down the left side.

Using Table 2, the following is an example for the
CBs in gure 8.

t Type B 20-A CB is selectively coordinated with

Figure 6. Selectively coordinated for available short-circuit currents up to where

circuit breakers cross. 600-A CB instantaneous trip set at 5 times.

With this method, circuit breakers of dierent man-

ufacturers can be mixed and evaluated for selective
coordination. If the instantaneous trip of the circuit
breaker is adjustable, then by setting the adjustment
higher or lower one can change the available short-cir-
cuit current at which the CBs selectively coordinate. In
the gure 6 example, the 225-A CB is a xed instan-
taneous trip, so it cannot be changed. However, the
600-A CB has an adjustable instantaneous trip range
from 5 to 10 times. In the gure 6 example, it was set
on 5 times. If the 600-A CB instead had its instanta-
neous trip set at 10 times, then the analysis would be
as follows using gure 7:

225-A CB for available short-circuit currents up to

1800 A and with the 600-A CB for available short-
circuit currents up to 5200 A.

A CB for available short-circuit currents up to 5200 A.

Figure 7. 600-A CB is set on IT=10X instantaneous trip, resulting in its being able to
Conclusion: If the available short-circuit current selectively coordinate up to a higher available short-circuit current versus figure
at X1 is less than 1800 A and at X 2 less than 5200 6 example.

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SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

ufacturer may have numerous types of 600-A frame

molded-case CBs, as well as insulated-case CBs and

the CB table method is utilized, it is important to en-

sure that the selective coordination submittal be very
specic on the CB manufacturer, CB type, CB frame/
amp rating. It is suggested that the submitter include
the manufacturers selective coordination tables as
part of the submittal documentation.

System with Mixture of

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
If an upstream CB has only a short-time delay trip
and no instantaneous trip, then selective coordina-
tion is assured if the fuse curve and CB curve do not
cross (gure 9).
If the upstream CB has an instantaneous trip, it
is not a simple matter to determine if a downstream
fuse will be selectively coordinated. Even if the plot
of the time-current curves for a downstream fuse and
an upstream circuit breaker with instantaneous trip
show that the curves do not cross, selective coordina-
tion may not be possible beyond a certain fault current.

not clear the fault prior to unlatching of the upstream

Figure 8. CB selective coordination table method

the Type F 225-A CB for available short-circuit cur-

rents up to 2200 A and with the Type G 600-A CB
for available short-circuit currents up to 15,000 A.
t Type F 225-A CB is selectively coordinated with the
Type G 600-A CB for available short-circuit currents
up to 12,000 A.

Conclusion: If the available short-circuit current at

X1 is less than 2200 A and at X 2 less than 12,000 A,
this circuit is selectively coordinated. If the available
short-circuit current at X1 is greater than 2200 A or at
X 2 greater than 12,000 A, this circuit is not selectively
coordinated.
Note: Selective coordination tables are CB manu-
facturer specic and even specic for the type or style

and load-side CBs selectively coordinate vary widely

between the manufacturers and even for dierent CB Figure 9. 150-A fuse is selectively coordinated with upstream 400-A CB having
types of the same manufacturer. For instance, a man- short-time delay (and no instantaneous override).

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 SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

Line-side Circuit Breaker Type and Amp Rating

Load-side CB Type F Type F Type F Type G Type G Type G
Type Amp Rating 100A 150A 225A 300-350A 400-500A 600A
Type B
20A 1.0 kA 1.5 kA 2.2 kA 10.0 kA 10.0 kA 15.0 kA
30A 1.0 kA 1.5 kA 2.2 kA 10.0 kA 10.0 kA 15.0 kA
50A 1.0 kA 1.5 kA 2.2 kA 10.0 kA 10.0 kA 12.0 kA
70A - - 2.2 kA 7.4 kA 7.4 kA 12.0 kA
100A - - 1.8 kA 7.4 kA 7.4 kA 12.0 kA

Type F
15A 5.0 kA 10.0 kA 12.0 kA
40A 4.2 kA 8.3 kA 12.0 kA
100A 4.0 kA 7.0 kA 12.0 kA
225A 4.0 kA 7.0 kA 12.0 kA

Notes: 1. Values are in kA. Example: 1.0 kA in table represents 1000 A

2. Selective coordination assured between load-side CB and line-side CB, if available
short-circuit current is equal or less than value shown in kA.
3. Line-side CB, if adjustable, is set on maximum instantaneous trip setting.

Table 2. Circuit breaker selective coordination table

these two devices will coordinate is to test the devices

together. Figure 10 illustrates that the 200-A fuse is
selectively coordinated up to 3500 A short-circuit cur-
rent; beyond that fault current, it is not certain unless
there is test data.
If a fuse is upstream and a CB is downstream,
at some point the fuse time-current characteristic
crosses the CB time-current characteristic. For
short-circuit currents at that cross-over point and
higher, the upstream fuse is not coordinated with
the downstream CB. Figure 11 shows a 200-A fuse
with downstream 20-A CB. Selective coordination
is possible up to 2200 A, but beyond that point
the fuse characteristic crosses the CB curve. So be-
yond 2200 A, the 20-A CB is considered not to be
selectively coordinated with the 200-A fuse.

Simple Suggestions to Implement Enforcement

One of the fallacies in our industry is that a coordina-
tion study substantiates that selective coordination has
been achieved. Historically, coordination studies merely
investigate the degree of coordination and do not en-

that just requiring a coordination study be submitted

does not ensure compliance. For the systems where
Figure 10. 200-A fuse and upstream 400-A CB with instantaneous trip selective
- are selec coordination is mandatory, it is important
tively coordinated up to 3500 A. to clearly state to the submitter that selective coordi-

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SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

short-circuit current at which a CB enters its instan-

quick test in assessing if a system is selectively coordi-

values of fault current where CBs selectively coordi-

is approximate in that you may have to assume an IT

without considering manufacturing tolerances.

Using gure 12, lets assume an emergency circuit
has three CBs: 400 A, 100 A, and 20 A.

a. Assume the 100-A CB has its instantaneous trip

fault currents above 800 amps (100 A x 8 = 800 A),

the 100-A CB will unlatch in its instantaneous trip
region, thereby opening.
b. Assume the 400-A CB has its instantaneous trip

above 3200 amps (400 A x 8 = 3200 A), the 400-A

circuit breaker unlatches in its instantaneous trip re-
gion, thereby opening.

Conclusion:
Figure 11. 20-A CB selectively coordinates with 200-A fuse up to 2200 A. with the 100-A CB if X1
CB will selectively coordinate with the 400-A CB if X 2
nation for the full range of overcurrents is required
is less than 3200 A.
and that sucient documentation must be submitted.
Plan reviewers or inspectors do not have to be experts
on coordination to enforce the mandatory require-

submitter to provide the proper documentation and

substantiation that selective coordination for the full
range of overcurrents in the system has been achieved.

the plan reviewer or inspector can check the informa-

tion and results for compliance and the system can be
installed per this plan.

Quick Short-Cut Checks

It is always good to have quick short-cuts to spot check
on any process and there are some easy approximate
short-cuts for selective coordination. If the system is
fusible, simply use the fuse manufacturers selectivity
ratio table.
If the system consists of circuit breakers with in-
stantaneous trips, such as molded case CBs, then
there is a simple method to check whether selec-
tive coordination is achieved. For each CB, simply Figure 12. Illustrates simple method to check CB coordination without considering
multiply the instantaneous trip setting by the CBs the manufacturing tolerances

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 SELECTIVE COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT

erations which could not be covered in this article,

such as selective coordination analysis through a
transformer and for various types of relays. To fur-
ther your knowledge, there are readily available re-
sources including:
t Two IAEI News articles found in the IAEI News
magazine online www.iaei.org/magazine/:
Overcurrent Protection Basics, Part I, March-
April 2007, author Tim Crnko: provides some ba-
sics on reading time-current curves, circuit breaker
and fuse operation, and understanding time-current
curves for each.
Selective Coordination Responsibilities of the
AHJ, November-December 2007, author Mark Hil-
bert: provides information on what is selective coor-
dination, the requirements, and AHJ role.
t Keep The Power On for Vital Loads, NEC
Digest, December, 2007, author Evangelos Stoyas:
provides insight why we have mandatory selective
coordination and important aspects of the require-
ment. Available to NFPA members at nfpa.org or
from www.cooperbussmann.com/2/SelectiveCoor-
Figure 13. Illustrates simple method to check CB coordination including considering
the IT pickup manufacturing tolerance dination.html
t NECA 700 (2010) Installing Overcurrent Protec-
tion to Achieve Selective Coordination at neca-neis.org.
For simplicity, the previous example did not include
-
the manufacturing tolerances permitted for instanta-
tion on the how to of selective coordination.
neous trip pickup. UL 489 for molded-case CBs permits
t
Circuit breaker companies have several tools includ-
IT pickup tolerances of -20% and +30% of the instan-
ing CB to CB selective coordination tables: the publica-
taneous trip setting. Now lets review the previous steps
tions are Eaton 1A01200002E, SQD 0100DB0501R3/06,
a and b and then do the additional step c below, which
and GE DET-537B.
factors in the IT pickup tolerance; gure 13 provides
t Cooper Bussmann has several tools in their
the one-line:
2008 SPD (Selecting Protective Devices) publica-
tion including sections on selective coordination for
c. If the instantaneous trip pick-up negative toler-
fuses or circuit breakers, why selective coordination
ance is factored in, then take 80% of the results in
is mandatory, AHJ check list, simple point-to-point
previous steps a and b (multiply the results by 0.8).
short-circuit current calculation method, and check-
ing CB coordination by simplied method without
A and the 400-A CB will open at 400 A x 8 x 0.8 =
2560 A. time-current curves. In addition, a free simple short-
circuit current calculator program can be download-
Conclusion: If the available short-circuit current is ed. Go to www.cooperbussmann.com/spd.
less than 640 A (0.8 times 800 A) and 2560 A (0.8 Tim Crnko is manager, Training & Tech-
times 3200) for X1 and X 2 , respectively, selective co- nical Services with Cooper Bussmann. He has
ordination is achieved. If the fault current is great- been associated with Cooper Bussmann for
er for either X1 or X 2 , selective coordination is not twenty-four years focusing on training, the
achieved. application of overcurrent protective devices,
and electrical safety. He received his B.S.E.E.
and M.S.E.E from the University of Missouri
Additional Resources at Columbia. He is a member of IAEI, IEEE,
This article is intended as a basic aid for enforc - NEMA, and NFPA. He is a committee member of the NFPA 70B,
ing selective coordination. There are other consid - Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.

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