What does AIC mean on a breaker?
What does AIC mean on a breaker?
Ampere Interrupting Capacity
AIC: Ampere Interrupting Capacity The AIC rating indicates the maximum available fault current (in amps) that an overcurrent protection device (circuit breaker, fuse, etc.) will safely clear when a fault is applied at the load side of the overcurrent protection device.
What is an AIC rating on a panel?
Ampere Interrupting Capacity (AIC) When a product has an AIC rating, that means it includes circuit protection. A meter main, for example, can have an AIC rating due to the breaker it houses. Products with an AIC rating will typically range from 5K to 200K AIC.
How are panelboard ratings determined?
In other words, the “full rating” of a panelboard or switchboard is based on the lowest rating of either the equipment or any of the overcurrent protective devices installed within the equipment.
What does 22k AIC mean?
A breaker marked 22k AIC will protect anything it supplies so that the equipment never sees more than 22,000 amps of fault current.
What is amperage interrupting capacity?
The interrupting rating is defined in the NEC as “the highest current at rated voltage that a device is identified to interrupt under standard test conditions.” A circuit breaker with a 200-ampere rating for example will not trip unless more than 200 amperes of current is drawn through the circuit breaker.
What is SCCR electrical?
A short-circuit current rating (SCCR)1 is the maximum current a device or system can safely withstand for a specified time (such as 0.05 seconds), or until a specified fuse or circuit breaker opens and clears the circuit. SCCR is usually expressed in kiloamperes (kA).
What does 100% rated breaker mean?
If a breaker is applied at 100% of its nameplate rating, there is a potential to reduce not only the breaker size, but also the conductor size and the size of the enclosure. This size reduction may result in a less expensive distribution system.
What is the AIC rating of a 200 amp panel?
An example would be a 200-amp circuit breaker or fuse with an ampere interrupting capacity (AIC rating) of 42k AIC or 42,000 amps, installed in a panelboard where there is 38,000 amps of available fault current.
What is ampere interrupting capacity?
The interrupting capacity of a circuit breaker is the maximum current a circuit breaker is rated to safely interrupt at a specific voltage. This short-circuit current rating is normally expressed in rms symmetrical amperes and is specified by current magnitude only.
What does 22k AIC mean on a circuit breaker?
Any 22k AIC rated circuit breaker will protect lower rated circuit breakers downstream of it. A breaker marked 22k AIC will protect anything it supplies so that the equipment never sees more than 22,000 amps of fault current. If a series rated combination is used it must be a tested combination identified by the manufacturer.
Should I get a 22K or a 10K AIC?
I say you should get the higher rating if you prefer over-kill to under-kill, and you can afford the beefier model. AIC is what used to be called “withstand” current, which is the instantaneous short circuit “hit” your equipment can withstand without blowing to smitherines. 22k AIC is “heavier duty” equipment than 10k AIC.
What is the minimum AIC rating required for electrical equipment?
In upstate NY our power company requires that your equipment be rated minimum 10k AIC. I think it’s a misconception that your equipment not exceed the utility’s anticipated short-circuit current.
