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ASPEN - Breaker Rating Module
ASPEN's Breaker Rating Module, an add-on to the ASPEN OneLiner software, automates the complex process of verifying circuit breakers ratings against required short circuit currents. This module follows ANSI/IEEE and IEC standards for both total and symmetric-current rated breakers. It simulates faults with relevant branch outages to identify the maximum short-circuit current passing through each breaker. The module calculates the ANSI X/R ratio, adjusts the short-circuit current, and compares it to the breaker’s rated capacity. The program handles breakers with reclosing operations by applying reduced ratings as per applicable standards. Its unique breaker connection model works seamlessly with traditional sequence networks without needing explicit modeling of breaker connections. The model links each breaker to its associated bus, and users can specify two groups of network equipment per breaker for effective rating checks. This advanced functionality ensures accurate verification for various utility network configurations. The user-friendly text report highlights breakers near their short-circuit ratings, and results can also be exported in a comma-delimited format for further analysis in external tools like Microsoft Excel.
The program logic adheres to ANSI/IEEE standards (for both total- and symmetric-current rated breakers) and to IEC standards.
The Breaker Rating Module simulates faults with appropriate branch outages to find maximum short-circuit that flow through the breaker. It then computes the ANSI X/R ratio and adjusts the short-circuit current accordingly. Finally, it compares the currents to the rated capabilities of the breakers and reports the findings. Breakers with reclosing operations are checked with reduced ratings as required by the applicable standards.
The Breaker Rating Module utilizes a breaker connection model that is designed to work with traditional sequence networks in which circuit breakers connections are not modeled explicitly. The connection model associates each breaker with the bus where the breaker is located. It allows the user to specify two separate groups of network equipment for each breaker. These equipment groups are typically branches and generators protected by the breaker. In checking breaker rating, user can specify whether the rating should be compared with the total group current or the maximum current in each of these two groups. This connection model allows the program to accurately check breakers connected in various connection schemes currently in use in utility networks. Click here to download an IEEE paper on the connection model.
The output of the Breaker Rating Module is a easy-to-read text report showing the highest fault current as a percentage of the breaker rating. The report calls attention to those breakers that are operating at or near their short-circuit ratings and therefore warrants closer scrutiny by the protection engineers. Optionally user can select to create checking output in comma-delimited format that is suitable for processing by external programs such as Microsoft Excel.