DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM

Overcurrent Protection (Article 2.40) During ground fault, dangerous voltages

and abnormally large currents exist.

Overcurrent protection devices- protects

circuits and equipment but they protect circuits
in one way and equipment in another way

An OCPD protects a circuit by:

1. By opening when current reaches a

value that would cause an excessive
temperature rise in the conductors
2. The interrupting rating must be
sufficient for the maximum possible
fault current available on the line side
terminals of the equipment
C60 Breakers
3. Short circuits and faults aren’t normal
Article 2.40- provides the requirements for operating conditions. Thus, the OCPD’s
selecting and installing overcurrent protection for equipment have different
devices (OCPD’s) characteristics than OCPD’s for
conductors.
An overcurrent exists when current exceeds the
rating of conductors or equipment. It can result
from overload, short-circuit, or ground fault.

Overload- a condition in which

equipment or conductors carry current
exceeding their rated ampacity. An
example is plugging 4-1500 W hair
dryers into a 20 A branch circuit. Each
dryer is 6.52 amps

Short-circuit- the unintentional

electrical connection between any two
normally current carrying conductors of
a circuit (line to line or line to neutral)
Ground fault- an unintentional,
electrically conducting connection
between an ungrounded conductor of a
circuit and the equipment grounding
conductor, metallic enclosures, metallic
raceways, metallic equipment, or each.
CIRCUIT PROTECTION
OCPD’s come in standard sizes which are
listed in
PEC 2.40.1.6 (Standard Ampere Rating)
a. Fuses and Fixed- Trip Circuit
Breakers (Inverse time circuit
breakers)
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70,
80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200,
225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500,
600, 700, 800, 1000, 1200, 1600,
2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, and
6000 amperes
(Red means not available in the
market)
Additional for fuses: 1,3,6,10 and
601
b. Adjustable trip Circuit Breakers- the
rating of adjustable-trip circuit
breakers having external means for
adjusting the current rating setting
(long-time pick-up setting), not
meeting 2.40.1.6
PEC 2.40.1.8 FUSES OR CIRCUIT
BREAKER IN PARALLEL
- Fuses and circuit breakers shall be
permitted to be connected in
parallel where they are factory
assembled in parallel and listed as a
unit. Individual fuses, circuit
breakers, or combinations thereof
shall not otherwise be connected in
parallel.
PEC 2.40.1.4 PROTECTION OF
CONDUCTORS
OCPD application will vary under the
following circumstances:
a. Power Loss Hazard- conductor
overload protection is not required
where circuit interruption would
create a hazard (e.g. fire pump or
material-handling magnet). Short
circuit protection is still required.
b. Devices rated 800 amperes or less-
You can use the higher standard
rating overcurrent device (above the
ampacity of the ungrounded being
protected) if all of the conditions are
met:
- The conductors do not supply multi-
outlet receptacle branch circuits
- The ampacity of a conductor after
ampacity adjustment and for
correction doesn’t correspond to
the standard rating of a fuse or a
circuit breaker
- The protection device does not
exceed 800 A
c.
d. Service conductors are covered
e. Busway taps are covered
f. For motors
g. For generators
PEC 2.40.2.5 LOCATION OF OCPD’S ON
PREMISE
a. Accessibility
- This rule does not prohibit the
locking of panel doors or the placing
of a padlock on a circuit breaker to
restrict access
- Install OCPD enclosures such that
the center of the grip operating
handle , when in its highest position,
isn’t more than 2 meter above the
floor or working platform. Four
exemptions exist for this rule:
o Busways as provided in
3.68.2.3
o Supplementary OCPD’s as
described in 2.40.1.10
o OCPD’s as described in
2.25.2.11
o OCPD’s located next to
equipment that they supply
access shall be by portable
means
b.
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM

c. Not exposed to Physical damage-

Electrical equipment must be
suitable for the environment. Give
consideration to the presence of
conditions, which may deteriorate
conductors or equipment
d. Not in vicinity of easily ignitable
material- example in clothes closet
e. Not located in bathrooms- not in
dwelling units or guest room (or
guest suites) or hotels or motels.
This rule also applies to service
disconnecting means even in
commercial or industrial facilities

PEC 2.40.3 ENCLOSURES

a. Protection from physical damage

b. Operating handle- shall be
accessible without opening a door or
cover
c. Damp or wet locations- enclosure
shall comply with 3.12.1.2(a)
d. Vertical position- enclosures
combining OCPD’s must be mounted
in a vertical position unless this is
impractical. Circuit breakers
enclosures can be horizontal if the
circuit breaker is installed per
2.40.7.2
- The requirements specify that
where circuit breaker handles are
operated vertically, the “up”
position of the handle must be in the
“on” position. Therefore, an
enclosure that contains one circuit
breaker can be mounted
horizontally, but an enclosure that
contains a panelboard or load center
with multiple breakerson the
opposite sides of each other would
have to be mounted vertically.
PEC 2.40.7 CIRCUIT BREAKERS
a. Method of operation
o Circuit breakers must be
capable of being opened
and closed by hand
o Non-manual means if
operating a circuit breaker,
such as electrical shunt trip
or pneumatic operation are
permitted only if the circuit
breaker can also be
manually operated
b. Indicating- circuit breakers shall
clearly indicate whether they are
open “off” or closed “on” position
c. Non-tamperable- the design of the
circuit breaker shall be free from any
alteration of its trip
point(calibration) or the time
required for its operation requires
dismantling of the device or
breaking of a seal for other intended
adjustments
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM

PEC 2.40.7.4 MARKING - Manufacturer

- Rated kVA
a. Durable and visible- ampere rating
- Primary and secondary
b. Location- for 100 amps or less and
voltage
600 v or less the rating is etched,
- Impedance (if 25kVA or
molded, stamped on their handles
larger)
c. Interrupting rating- shall be shown
- Required clearance (if it has
on the breaker
ventilating openings)
d. Used as switches “SWD or HID”
3. Stay cool
marking
- Although overheating is a
e. Voltage marking- indicative of their
core issue with the
capability to interrupt fault currents
transformer, PEC does not
Transformer completely address it
because it isn’t a design
- A device which steps up or steps manual.
down alternating voltages - Selecting the right
- The current is varied in the opposite transformer for the
direction by the same proportion application is the first step in
when the voltage in the circuit is addressing the heat issue
stepped up or stepped down - The next step in the process
- A transformer does not change one is protecting the
form of power into another like a transformer against
generator or motor overheating by providing
TYPES: overcurrent protection.
- The requirements for
1. Liquid type- construction consists of overcurrent protection of
windings immersed in a liquid and transformer secondaries in
encapsulated/ sealed in tank. The PEC Art. 4.50 apply only to
liquid serves the purpose of an the protection of
insulation medium and a cooling transformers, not to
agent protection of conductors
2. Dry type- consists of insulated - PEC Art. 2.40 apply only to
winding wrapped around a core. the protection of
This type uses air for cooling and conductors not to the
transfer heat protection of transformers
1. Definition –(per PEC 4.50.1.2) - But it is possible that
Transformer- An individual transformer, overcurrent protection of
single or polyphase, identified by a single PEC Art. 4.50 also satisfies
nameplate, unless otherwise indicated the requirements of PEC Art.
in this article. 2.40 for protection of
2. Markings (PEC 4.50.1.11) conductors and vice versa.
Read the label. Every transformer comes 4. Transformer ventilation (PEC 4.50.1.9)
with a nameplate that identifies: Transformer ventilation requirements
can be summed up as follows:
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM
- Provide enough ventilation
so that the transformer
doesn’t overhead
- Make sure the openings
aren’t blocked by wall or
other obstructions
- Install per manufacturer’s
instructions
5. Accessibility
Transformers must be readily accessible
to qualified personnel for inspection and
maintenance however, you don’t make
dry-type transformer readily accessible,
if you locate them.
- In the open on walls,
columns, or structures
- Above suspended ceilings or
in hollow spaces of
buildings. Transformers
installed in that space,
however, must be rated no
more than 50kVA and can’t
be permanently closed in by
the structure.
6. Construction (PEC Art. 4.50.3.2)
- The floors, walls, ceilings
and roof of vaults must have
adequate structural
strength with a minimum
fire resistance of 3 hours,
such as 100mm thick
reinforced concrete
- The minimum fire resistance
(for the vault and door)
drops to 1 hour, where an
automatic sprinkler system
protects the vault
7. Vault doors must be
- Swing out
- Be equipped with panic bars
or pressure plates so the
door can open from inside
under simple pressure
- Be provided with locks that
are accessible only to
qualified persons
NOTE: Vaults are for
transformers installed indoors
which are oil insulated
8. Vault Ventilation (PEC 4.50.3)
- When designing and
locating a transformer vault
do … to ventilate it to the
outside. Locate ventilation
openings as far as possible
from doors, windows and
combustible materials air.
PEC 4.50.3.5(A)
- A vault ventilated by natural
circulation must have no
more than 50% of the total
opening area near the floor
with the remainder of
opening area in the roof or
sidewalls near the roof. PEC
4.50.3.5(B).
- For vault ventilated by
natural circulation, the total
opening must be at least
1900 mm2 per kVA of
transformer capacity in
service and the net area
shall not be less than 0.1
mm2 for 50 kVA or less. PEC
4.50.3.5(C).
- Cover openings to avoid
unsafe conditions. You can
use grating screens, or
louvers to provide
protection. PEC 4.50.3.5(D).
- If you have indoor openings,
you must provide them with
automatic closing fire
dampers rated not less than
1-1/2 hours. These must
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM
close in response to a vault
fire.
*Table 4.50.1.5(B) MAXIMUM RATING OR
SETTING OF OVERCURRENT PROTECTION FOR
TRANSFOREMRS 1000 VOLTS AND LESS (AS A
PERCENTAGE OF TRANSFORMER-RATED
CURRENT)
Page 385-386
Sample Problems:
1. What is the primary overcurrent device
rating and primary conductor size do you
need for a 45kVA, 3 phase, 480V-24-V
transformer that will operate at its full load
rating continuously? Terminals are rated 75°
C.
2. What is the secondary conductor size for the
above?
Table 4.50.1.3(A) MAXIMUM RATING OR
SETTING OF OVERCURRENT PROTECTION FOR
TRANSFORMERS OVER 1000 VOLTS (AS A
PERCENTAGE OF TRANSFORMER-RATED
CURRENT)
Page 385
• A transformer rated over 600 volts with
a primary rated over 600 volts, with
secondary protection consisting of six
circuit conductors. The sum of the
ratings of the circuit breakers is not
permitted to exceed 300 percent of the
rated secondary current.
• A transformer rated over 600 volts with
a primary rated over 600 volts, with
secondary protection consisting of fuses
and circuit breakers. The sum of the
ratings of all the overcurrent devices is
not permitted to exceed the rating
permitted for fuses.
• A transformer with 6 percent impedance
and rated over 600 volts using circuit-
breaker protection for both the primary
and the secondary. For the transformer
in this exhibit, both the primary and
secondary voltage are over 600 volts
Computations for motor circuits are different
from those other circuits must handle
overcurrent.
When motor start across the line, they typically
draw five times the running current. This
temporary “in rush” is an overload condition.
To handle inrush while still providing adequate
overcurrent protection, we divide overcurrent in
two parts:
1. Short circuit and ground fault
protection- Typically this is via a fuse or
circuit breaker sized large enough to let
the motor start. But if it is large enough
to let the motor start, it’s too large to
provide overload protection.
2. Overload protection- This protect the
motor and wiring at a value close to the
actual running current of the motor, but
with sufficient time delay to allow the
motor to start.
MOTOR PROTECTION
An electrical problem:
• Overvoltage, under-voltage, phase
unbalance or single-phasing (phase loss)
• Short-circuits which can surpass the
breaking capacity of the contactor
A mechanical problem:
• Stalled rotor, momentary or prolonged
overload
FLC (CODE) VERSUS MOTOR NAMEPLATE
AMPERES (ACTUAL)
• Full-Load Current (FLC)
o Table 4.30.14.1,2,3,4
o Table FLC is used to size:
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM

▪ Conductors Use FLA for:

▪ Short-circuit and
ground-fault protection
devices
• Motor Nameplate (FLA)
o The motor nameplate is used to
size overload protection
STARTING VS RUNNING CURRENT
• Overload protection is sized between
115% and 125% of the nameplate
running current rating
• Short-circuit and ground-fault
protection is sized between 175% and
300% of the motor FLC
1. Motors built to operate less than
1200 rpm
2. High torque with higher FLC’s
3. Multispeed motors (full load current
varies with speed)
Example problems:
Which of the following three is the highest rated
motor?
1. 10 HP, 208V, 3 phase
2. 3 HP, 208V, single phase
3. 3 HP, 120V, single phase
Solution:

Which current? As per Table 4.30.14.2 and 4.30.14.4

The FLC is in PEC Table 4.30.1 up to Table 3.40.4 1. 10 HP, 208V, 3 phase- FLC is 30.8 A
2. 3 HP, 208V, single phase-FLC is 18.7 A
3. 3 HP, 120V, single phase-FLC is 34 A
Use the FLC to determine:

1. Conductor ampacity
Highest rated,
2. Circuit short circuit and ground fault
overcurrent device When selecting the feeder conductors or the
feeder short circuit ground fault protection
If you have listed motor-operated appliance, you
device, the highest rated motor is the one
must use the motor FLC marked on the appliance
with highest FLC (not the highest
nameplate) to determine the ampacity or rating
horsepower)
of the:

- Disconnecting means
- The branch circuit short DESIGN: SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING (2018)
circuit conductors
Notes on wiring design examples
- Ground fault protection
1. Branch circuit required
FLA is the motor nameplate rating. This is the
a. Not more than 50 sqm. With
current the motor draws while producing its
load not exceeding 3680 volt-
rated horsepower at its rated voltage (based on
amperes—the code permits the
its rated efficiency and power factor)
use of only one 20A circuit
Use FLA to determine the: (Section 2.10.1.11(C)(5))
2. Feeder or service load calculations
1. Conductor ampacity for other than the
a. Follows the method provided in
continuous duty
Part 2.20.2
2. Brach circuit short circuit and ground
3. Selection of conductors
fault overcurrent device size
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM
a. Refer to Table 3.10.2.6(B)(16)
thru 17
b. Minimum size of service
entrance conductor, see Section
2.30.4.3 page 75
c. Conductor ampacities given in
the examples (PEC) for copper
wires are based on ambient
temperature of 30°, except
specified, and at least 125% of
the continuous current. Voltage
drop has not been considered.
4. Selection of overcurrent protection
a. Refer to Section 2.40.1.6 page
85 for standard ratings of fuses
and inverse time circuit breakers
5. Selection of conduit
a. Refer to Table C.1 page 967,
conduit and tubing fill tables
6. Voltage
a. Nominal voltage of 230 V is used
in computing the ampere load
7. Grounding
a. Refer to Table 2.40.3.17 page
117 and 2.50.5.13(C)(10) page
117 for sizes of grounding
conductors and electrodes
8. Allowance for future expansion
a. Advisable to use a larger service
conductor to accommodate
future loads depending on the
anticipated expansion
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING UNIT, UP TO 50
SQUARE METERS FLOOR AREA WITH LOAD NOT
ECVEEDING 3680 VOLT-AMPERES
The dwelling has a floor area of 50
square meters with typical small appliance loads
for residential units
1.1 TOTAL LOAD;
a. General lighting and Convenience
receptacle load (See Table 2.20.2.3)
50 sqm. X 24 volt-amperes per sqm. =
1200VA
b. Typical Appliance Load:
One electric flat iron= 1200VA
One television set= 80VA
One electric fan=75VA
One radio= 20VA
TOTAL LOAD= 2575VA
TOTAL COMPUTED CURRENT:
2575 VA/230V=11 A
1.2 CIRCUIT REQUIREMENT: Use 20-ampere, 2
wire circuit
1.3 SERVICE ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS- Use two-
3.5mm2 TW copper size minimum breaker
(See exception Section 2.30.3.2) page 74
1.4 SERVICE EQUIPMENT- Use one-30 ampere,
2Pst, 250 volt safety switch or use one- 20
amperes trip 2P 240 volt enclosed molded
circuit breaker
NOTE: NOT THE CURRENT PRACTICE!!! (LOL)
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING UNIT UP TO 150 SQM.
FLOOR (NOT MORE THAN 6 CIRCUITS)
The dwelling has a floor area of 145 sqm.
It has typical household appliances and laundry
including one-1.5 HP room air conditioning unit
1. TOTAL LOAD
a. General lighting and convenience
receptacle BC (Table 2.20.2.3)
145 sqm. X 24VA per sqm. = 3480 VA
-Calculate the minimum number of
general lighting branch circuits
The computed load is
3480VA/230V = 15.13 A
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM
To allow for future needs provide 2-20
amperes branch circuits (One circuit is
theoretically enough/ 1 circuit will be
spare)
-Determination of maximum permissible
number of lighting fixtures on a general
lighting branch circuit
Solution:
This is a continuous load, so the current used by
the lights can only be 80% of the branch circuit
current rating:
Allowable current 20A*0.80= 16A
By dividing the allowable load by the load of each
lamp, the total number of fixtures us
determined:
The total number of fixtures= 16 A/0.7 =22.8
fixtures
So, the maximum number of fixtures on the
circuit is 22. (not practiced)
For good design, usually assume that the general
lighting branch circuit will have some utilization
equipment fastened in place and must be
derated to 50% of its rating.
-To calculate the maximum allowable number of
receptacles on a branch circuit
Step 1: Determine the maximum circuit power
by multiplying the branch circuit voltage and
amperage
Step 2: Then divide by 180 VA
The result from Step 2= the max allowable single,
duplex or triplex receptacles or a combination of
them on a branch circuit
Example 1
Using the spare branch circuit how many
receptacles can be placed on a 230 volt, 20 amp
circuit
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the maximum circuit power
=230 V * 20 A (0.8)= 3600 VA
Step 2: Then divide the power by the load per
receptacle for 20 amp circuit: Maximum
allowable number of receptacles =3680VA/180
VA =20.4 (not practiced)
b. Small appliance load : (Section
2.10.1.11(C)(1))
One 20 ampere @ 1500 volt-amperes=
1500 VA
Note: The section says one or more –
20A small app BC)
The computed load is 1500/230=6.52 A
Provide 1 x 20 amperes small appliance
circuit
c. Laundry circuit (Section
2.10.2.11(C))
One 20 ampere @ 1500 volt-amperes=
1500 VA
Provide one- 20 ampere laundry circuit
SUB TOTAL: 6480 VA
d. Application of demand factor ( Table
2.20.3.3 Lighting Load) page 56
First 3000 VA @100 DF= 3000 VA
Remainder @ 35% DF (3480*0.35)=
1218 VA
e. Other loads: Table 2.20.3.16 page 58
and Table 4.30.14.2 page 370
DESIGN NOTES AFTER PRELIMENARY EXAM

One- 1.5HP room ACU 10A*230V @

100% DF= 2300 VA

Provide one -20 amperes room ACU

circuits

TOTAL NET COMPUTED LOAD: 6518 VA

2. CIRUIT REQUIREMENTS:

Use 5-20 A 2 wire branch circuit

3. SERVICE ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS:

Total full load current =6518 VA+ 25% (2300

VA)/230V= 31 A

Use two- 8mm2 THW wires (50 amps) min

size

(See Table 2.40.1.6(A) and Table 3.10.2.6(B)

for the conductor and overcurrent
protection ampere rating

See Sec 2.30.4.1 for the minimum service

entrance conductor)

4. SERVICE EQUIPMENT: Ungrounded

conductor
a. Maximum current rating of
protective device with inverse time
circuit breaker=
(3000+1218+250%(2300/230))=43 A

Use 50 ampere trip 2p molded case

circuit breaker