Time-Current Points

Example 1: Relays TCC Data

The figure below is a TCC curve of GE IAC-51 relay for pickup current of 1 amp and time dial setting of 1 second. Ten points have been marked along the curve. The coordinates, or the time-current values of these points, are indicated in parentheses.

Figure 1: Time-Current Points of GE IAC-51 Relay for Time Dial 1

These values are entered in the spreadsheets in Section 2 (Time Dial) of the library as shown in the figure below. The values in the topmost yellow row are the current values. The corresponding time values are entered in white cells. The time values for points shown in the figure above have been entered in Row 2 in the spreadsheet below. The time values for other time dial settings are entered in successive rows. Please note that there is only one row for current values. Therefore, the time values for different time dial settings must correspond to the same set of current values.

Figure 2: Section 2 (Time Dial) of Relay

Example 2: MCCB Breakers TCC Data

The TCC curve of Square D KAL 70Amp MCCB is shown in the figure below. The units for the current coordinates are in multiples of rated continuous amps. For any given current value, the MCCB may trip at any time between the times shown by Minimum Clearing Curve and Maximum Clearing Curve. The time-current points are shown in parentheses. Any number of points may be obtained for each curve. Typically, 8 to 10 points are sufficient to represent a curve.

The time-current points are entered in the spreadsheet in Section 1 of the MCCB information of the library. The first two columns are for the minimum clearing curve and the last two columns are for maximum clearing curve. You will need to specify the method of calculating the pickup. In this example, the Pickup Calculation is: “Ipu * Trip Amps” because the TCC is given in multiples of rated amps. If the TCC is given in actual trip amps, then Pickup Calculation is “Current in Amps.”

Figure 3: Time-Current Points of Square D KAL 70A MCCB

Figure 4: Section 1 (Thermal) Tab of MCCB

Time-current Points of Multi-Segment TCC

Devices such as MCCB, solid state trips, and non-solid state trips have multiple segments in their TCC. In the case of MCCB, the thermal trip data is entered as time-current points, and the magnetic trip data is usually entered separately as instantaneous trip current. However, for an MCCB with fixed (not adjustable) magnetic trip, both the thermal and magnetic TCC data may be entered as a single set of time-current points. In such a case, at the point where the thermal curve intersects with the magnetic curve, duplicate time-current points are obtained. Similarly, duplicate points are taken at any intersection of straight lines with curved lines.

Example 3: Multi-Segment TCC of Square D MCCB EH 100A

Figure 5: TCC of MCCB with Fixed Magnetic Trip: Square D EH 100A

For the TCC shown above, the intersection points are entered as duplicate points in the spreadsheet shown below. The data for these have been highlighted in gray.

Figure 6: Time-Current Points of Square D EH 100A

Note: TCC Based on Formulas

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