What is ICU & ICS in Circuit Breaker ?
Rated Ultimate Short-Circuit Breaking Capacity
(ICU)
The ICS & ICU of a circuit breaker are its different parameters, also known as rated breaking capacity (Icu) or (Icn), is the maximum fault-current a circuit-breaker can interrupt successfully without being damaged but may not be able to use it again for service.
The probability of such a fault current occurring is extremely low, and in normal circumstances the fault-currents are considerably less than the rated breaking capacity (Icu) of the CB.
IEC 60947-2 recommends two requirements which ensure that reliability are:
-
Ultimate breaking capacity (Icu)
-
Service breaking capacity (Ics)
However, Icu is the maximum short-circuit current that a circuit breaker can handle without damage. That maximum could be 6kA,10kA, 18kA or 25kA amps or when it comes to MCCBs, as high as 200kA. However, in this sense, Icu is essentially as statement of quality for a specific voltage rating.
And that’s the point where Ics comes in.
Normally the value of Icu for Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) is between 6kA to10kA and the Value of Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) may be 200kA.
Rated service short-circuit breaking capacity (ICS)
Ics is expressed as a percentage ratio of Icu and tells you the maximum short-circuit current if a circuit breaker can withstand three times and still resume normal service.
However, it is expressed as a percentage of Icu, viz: 25, 50, 75, 100% for industrial circuit-breakers. The higher the Ics, the more reliable the circuit breaker.
You can also follow us on AutomationForum.co, Facebook and Linkedin to receive daily Instrumentation updates.
You can also follow us on ForumElectrical.com , Facebook and Linkedin to receive daily Electrical updates.