Selectivity (circuit breakers)

Selectivity, also known as circuit breaker discrimination, is the coordination of overcurrent protection devices so that a fault in the installation is cleared by the protection device located immediately upstream of the fault. The purpose of selectivity is to minimize the impact of a failure on the network. Faults in an installation are, for example, overload and short circuit.[1]

There are four ways in which selectivity is achieved:[2]

  • Current selectivity: different breaking capacities
  • Time selectivity: time delay before tripping of a breaker
  • Energy based selectivity: analysis of the current waves
  • Zone selective interlocking: communication between the breakers, forwarding a time delay instruction

References
  1. "Selectivity, Cascading and Coordination Guide" (pdf). Schneider Electric. 2021. p. A-2. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. Jean-Pierre Nereau (April 2001). "Discrimination with LV power circuit-breakers" (PDF). Schneider Electric. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
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