THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A CIRCUIT PROTECTION CHECKLIST IN ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Before a system is designed or when unexpected events may occur, circuit designers should ask themselves the following questions:
What is the normal or average current expected?
What is the maximum continuous (three hours or more) current expected?
What inrush or temporary surge currents can be expected?
Are the overcurrent protective devices able to distinguish between expected inrush and surge currents and open under sustained overloads and fault conditions?
What kind of environmental extremes are possible? Dust, humidity, temperature extremes and other factors need to be considered.
What is the maximum available fault current the protective device may have to interrupt? Is the overcurrent protective device rated for the system voltage?
Will the overcurrent protective device provide the safest and most reliable protection for the specific equipment?
Under short-circuit conditions, will the overcurrent protective device minimize the possibility of a fire or explosion?
Does the overcurrent protective device meet all the applicable safety standards and installation requirements?
Answers to these questions and other criteria will help to determine the type of overcurrent protective device to use for optimum safety and reliability.
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