Molded Case Circuit Breakers

Unusual Operating Conditions Reference

Note: The information provided on this and the next page is intended for reference and recommendation only. Because several
variables can act on a circuit breaker’s performance at the same time, the data below is based less on controlled testing,
than on experience and engineering judgment. Contact Siemens for further information on special conditions and treatment.
High Ambient Temperatures Table 1 — Temperature Derating Data for Thermal-Magnetic Breakers
Because thermal-magnetic trip breakers Reference
are temperature sensitive and calibrated Ampere Ampere Rating at:
for a specific ambient of 40° C (104° F) Rating at 25° C 50° C 60° C
(average enclosure temperature), a 40° C (104° F) (77° F) (122° F) (140° F) Siemens Breaker Frames
higher ambient will cause the breaker to 0015 0017 0013 0011
trip at lower current than its nameplate 0020 0022 0018 0016
rating, in other words, causing the 0025 0028 0023 0021 BQ,
breaker to “derate” (see Table 1). 0030 0033 0028 0026
BL,
Similarly, the current carrying capacity 0035 0039 0030 0025
of a circuit conductor is based upon a 0040 0044 0037 0034 BQD,
certain ambient temperature, a higher 0050 0055 0046 0042 CQD,
ambient will reduce its current carrying 0060 0066 0056 0052
NGG,
capacity, causing it to “derate.” Thus, 0070 0077 0065 0060
with a fluctuating temperature, a 0090 0099 0084 0078 ED
thermal-magnetic breaker will derate 0100 0110 0094 0087
nearly parallel with its connected circuit 0125 0137 0114 0100 QJ
conductors and maintain close circuit 0150 0165 0136 0120 FD
protection. If the application temperature 0175 0192 0159 0140
exceeds 40° C (104° F) and is known, 0200 0220 0182 0160
either a breaker specially calibrated for
0225 0247 0205 0180
the higher ambient or one oversized
0250 0275 0235 0220
according to Table 1 may be selected. JD
0300 0330 0276 0252
In a case such as this, the circuit
conductors should be oversized as well. 0350 0385 0325 0301
LD
0400 0440 0372 0340
Siemens Sensitrip® III and Type SB 0500 0550 0468 0435
Encased Systems Breakers are
0600 0660 0564 0525
insensitive to temperature changes. MD
0700 0770 0658 0613
However, they do include circuitry to
protect the components from 0800 0880 0754 0704
abnormally high temperatures. 0900 0990 0828 0749
ND
1000 1100 0900 0825
Moisture — Corrosion
1200 1320 1090 1000
For atmospheres having high moisture 1400 1540 1304 1148 PD
content and / or where fungus growth is 1600 1760 1500 1320
prevalent, a special preventive treatment 1800 1980 1690 1485 RD
Circuit Breakers

may be required. 2000 2200 1880 1650

Where the air is heavily laden with
Molded Case

corrosive elements, breakers made

with special corrosion-resistant 13,000 (4,000)
finishes may be required.
12,000 (3,675)
Altitude in Feet (Meters)

Altitude
Reduced air density at altitudes greater 11,000 (3,350)
6

than 6600 ft. (2000 meters) affects the

10,000 (3,000)
ability of a molded case circuit breaker
to transfer heat and interrupt faults. 9,000 (2,750)
Therefore, circuit breakers applied at
these altitudes should have interrupting, 8,000 (2,400)
insulation and continuous currents
derated as indicated in Figure 1. 7,000 (2,100)

6,000 (1,800)

1.0 .95 .90 .85 .80 .75

Rating Correction Factor

Figure 1 — Altitude Adjustment

6-98 Siemens Electrical Distribution Products Catalog 2006 SPEEDFAX

Molded Case Circuit Breakers
Unusual Operating Conditions Reference
400 Hz Systems 햲
Siemens molded case circuit breakers ambient temperature exceeds 40° C are usually the hottest terminals with a
can be applied for overcurrent protection (104° F). balanced load. A maximum temperature
on 400Hz systems, commonly used to Cable and Bus Sizing of 75° C (35° C over a maximum ambient
power computer installations, aircraft, of 40° C) would verify the particular
military and other specialty equipment. The cable and bus sizes to be utilized application. Temperature profiles taken
Below are basic guidelines. at 400Hz are not based on standard on these breakers can be correlated to
National Electric Codes tables for 60Hz ensure that the hottest points within
Circuit Breaker Derating Required application. Larger cross sections are the breaker are within the required
This table lists the maximum continuous necessary at 400Hz. All bus bars temperature limits.
current carrying capacity for Siemens specified are based upon mounting
breakers at 400Hz. Due to the increased the bars in the vertical plane to allow Factory Configuration
resistance of the copper sections maximum air flow. All bus bars are When required, molded case circuit
resulting from the skin effect produced spaced at a minimum of 0.25 in. (6 mm) breakers may be factory calibrated for
by eddy currents at these frequencies, apart. Mounting of bus bars in the 400Hz application. These breakers are
circuit breakers in many cases require horizontal plane will necessitate specially labeled for 400Hz usage and
derating. The thermal derating on these additional drafting. Edgewise orientation their nameplate current rating will
devices is based upon 100%, of the bus may change the maximum include the necessary derating factory.
three-phase application in open air in a ratings indicated. If additional information The highest “Maximum Continuous
maximum of 40° C (104° F) with 48 in. is required for other connections of cable Amperes” rating at 400Hz, found in the
(1219 mm) of the specified cable or bus or bus, contact Siemens for information. table below approximates the highest
at the line and load side. Additional Application Recommendations specially calibrated 400Hz nameplate
derating of not less than 20% will be ampere rating available for a given
required if the circuit breaker is to be It is recommended that temperatures be
measured on the line and load terminals frame size. Contact Siemens for
utilized in an enclosure. Further derating ordering information on other
may be required if the enclosure or T-connectors of the center pole. These
breakers applied in 400Hz systems.

400Hz Breakers
Maximum Continuous Ampere Rating 75° C (167° F) Maximum Continuous Ampere Rating 75° C (167° F)
At 40° C (104° F) 햳 Copper At 40° C (104° F) 햳 Copper
Siemens 60HZ 400HZ Cable per Pole Siemens 60HZ 400/415HZ Cable per Pole
Breaker Enclosed No of Wire Breaker Enclosed No of Wire
Type Open Air Open Air 햴 After Derating Pieces Size Type Open Air Open Air 햴 After Derating Pieces Size
015 015 012 1 #14 0250 0210 168 1 250 kcmil
020 020 016 1 #12 0300 0240 192 1 350 kcmil
025 025 020 1 #10 LD6, LXD6, 0350 0260 208 1 500 kcmil
HLD6, HLXD6,
030 030 024 1 #10 HHLD6, 0400 0300 240 2 #3/0
035 035 028 1 #10 HHLXD6, 0450 0340 272 2 #4/0
CLD6
040 040 032 1 #8 0500 0375 300 2 250 kcmil
ED2, ED4, ED6, 045 043 034 1 #8 0600 0420 336 2 350 kcmil
BQD, HED4, 050 048 038 1 #8 0250 0210 210 1 250 kcmil
HED6, CED6 060 057 046 1 #6 0300 0240 240 1 350 kcmil
070 067 054 1 #4 0350 0260 260 1 500 kcmil

6
LD6, LXD6,
080 076 061 1 #4 HLD6, HLXD6, 0400 0300 300 2 #3/0
090 086 069 1 #3 100% Rated 0450 0340 340 2 #4/0

Circuit Breakers
Molded Case
100 095 076 1 #3 0500 0375 375 2 250 kcmil
110 105 084 1 #2 0600 0420 420 2 350 kcmil
125 119 095 1 #1 0500 0400 320 2 250 kcmil
070 063 050 1 #4 MD6, MXD6, 0600 0430 360 2 350 kcmil
HMD6,
080 072 058 1 #4 HMXD6, CMD6 0700 0500 400 3 250 kcmil
090 080 064 1 #3 0800 0560 448 3 300 kcmil
QJ2, QJH2, 100 090 072 1 #3 0500 0400 400 2 250 kcmil
QJ2H, HQJ2H MD6, MXD6,
FD6, FXD6, 110 095 075 1 #2 HMD6, 0600 0430 430 2 350 kcmil
HFD6, HFXD6, 125 105 084 1 #1 HMXD6, CMD6 0700 0500 500 3 250 kcmil
CFD6 100% Rated
150 125 100 1 #1/0 0800 0560 560 3 300 kcmil
175 140 112 1 #2/0 0800 0560 448 3 300 kcmil
200 160 128 1 #3/0 ND6, NXD6 0900 0600 480 3 350 kcmil
HND6, HNXD6,
225 180 144 1 #4/0 CND6 1000 0650 520 3 400 kcmil
250 200 160 1 250 kcmil 1200 0780 624 4 350 kcmil
200 170 136 1 #3/0 ND6, NXD6 0900 0600 600 3 350 kcmil
HND6, HNXD6,
JXD2, JD6, 225 190 152 1 #4/0 CND6 1000 0650 650 3 400 kcmil
JXD6, HJD6, 250 210 168 1 250 kcmil 100% Rated 1200 0780 780 4 350 kcmil
HJXD6, HHJD6, 300 240 192 1 350 kcmil 1200 0780 624 4 400 kcmil
PD6, PXD6,
HHJXD6, CJD6 350 260 208 1 500 kcmil HPD6, HPXD6, 1400 0850 680 4 500 kcmil
400 300 240 2 #3/0 CPD6, 1600 0960 768 5 500 kcmil
200 170 170 2 #3/0 PD6, PXD6, 1200 0780 780 4 400 kcmil
HPD6, HPXD6,
225 190 190 2 #4/0 CPD6 1400 0850 850 4 500 kcmil
JD6, JXD6,
HJD6, HJXD6 250 210 210 1 250 kcmil 100% Rated 1600 0960 960 5 500 kcmil
100% Rated 300 240 240 1 350 kcmil RD6, RXD6, 1600 0960 768 5 500 kcmil
350 260 260 1 500 kcmil HRD6, HRXD6 1800 1080 864 5 500 kcmil
400 300 300 2 #3/0 80% Rated 2000 1200 960 6 500 kcmil
햲 The information provided on this page is intended for controlled testing, than on experience and engineering temperature is greater than 40°C (104°F).
reference and recommendation only. Because several judgment. Contact Siemens for further information on 햴 Calculatedafter derating to compensate for the heating
variables can act on a circuit breaker’s performance at special conditions and treatment. of the copper conductor, caused by the skin effect
the same time, the data above is based less on 햳 Additional derating may be required if the ambient generated by eddy currents produced at 400/415HZ.

Siemens Electrical Distribution Products Catalog 2006 SPEEDFAX 6-99