NH knife blade fuses

The history

The history In 1926, in Germany, a standard was set up for fuses for general purpose mainly for conductor protection. They exist in a encapsulated form with two contacts and a ceramic casing. Until 1945, fuses that consisted of a ceramic casing, normally cylindrical, that containing a replaceable melting element, were usually used for the higher current applications. In 1944 the NH knife-blade fuse was defined in the DIN standard 43620 (Deutsche Industrie Norm). This fuse-link was comprised of a ceramic body, cover plates, knife-blade contacts and an indicator.

NH KTF MK fuse-links NH fuse-links with insulated metal gripping lugs were specially designed in order to improve safety from touching the gripping lugs in normal open NH fuse-holders. These fuses were supplied by various manufacturers. This could cause unclear and dangerous situations in electrical service areas. Insulated and live components were used simultaneously. The solution to this problem was sought in the direction of fuse-swiches , fuseswitchdisconectors or as fuse-holders with protective covers. In spite of this, the demand continued to grow for fuses with protection against accidental touching. Weber reacted to this demand with the NH KTF MK fuse with insulated metal removal tags and a centre indicator.

NH KTF fuse-links In 1976 the slow and the fast characteristics were merged into one characteristic, which was also combined with a reduction in the permitted power consumption. This was the beginning of the NH KTF fuses However the market continued to demand smaller versions. As such, in the years that followed, compact versions were launched on the market alongside the normal versions. NH LP fuse-links In the mid eighties of the last century the electricity supply companies indicated that there was a need for fuse-links with lower Watt-losses. Over a longer period of use, the slightly higher cost price was more than compensated for. In order to satisfy this requirement Weber designed the NH LP (Low Power), a fuse-link with a rated voltage of 400 V

NH KTF M fuse-links As well as electrical protection, the safety aspects of touching the fuses became important. To an increasing degree of protection, the fuses were used in fuse bases, fuse-switchdisconectors and fuse-switches. As a consequence of this, the indicator on the top of the fuse was no longer visible. In the past, Weber had manufactured a fuse with a centre indicator. The application of fuse-switchdisconnectors such as VERTIGROUP and SILAS brings the reintroduction of the centre indicator. Special features of the WEBER centre indicator: I Indicator on the front of the knife-blade fuse I Red indicator button I Strong wire spring of 4N I Operation from 10V upwards

Issue 2004

subject to alteration

Range

Weber NH fuse-links, 7 types in 3 versions

gG 400 V, general purpose, mainly for conductor protection

LP MR LP MK centre indicator with live gripping lugs centre indicator with insulated metal gripping lugs

gG 500 V, general purpose, mainly for conductor protection

KTF KTF M KTF MK indicator on the top with live gripping lugs centre indicator with live gripping lugs centre indicator with insulated metal gripping lugs

gG 690 V, general purpose, mainly for conductor protection

gG 690 V indicator on the top with live gripping lugs

aM 690 V, for motor protection and back-up protection

aM indicator on the top with live gripping lugs

gTr 400 V, for protection of distribution transformer

gTr centre indicator with live gripping lugs

gF 500 V, general purpose, mainly for long conductor protection

gF indicator on the top with live gripping lugs

gFF 500 V, general purpose, mainly for extra long conductor protection
gFF centre indicator

Other versions are available on request

Wijzigingen voorbehouden

Type explanation
NH 00 C KTF M K 80 example: NH 00 C KTF MK 80 LP Knife blade fuse-system IEC size compact KTF = gG characteristic LP = low power consumption, characteristic gG M = centre indicator K = insulated metal gripping lugs rated current

Application
The primary information for use is printed on the fuse, such as: size, rated current, rated voltage, type of current (AC or DC), characteristic, breaking capacity kA, isolated gripping lugs, manufacturers mark, standards, approval marks, CE marking, recycling, production code The secondary information that needs to be determined in order to choose the most suitable fuse for a given situation must be calculated or read from characteristics. The most important information for the application of fuses is: - rated voltage 400 V, 500 V and 690 V AC, 250 V and 440 V DC - rated current from 2 A in size 000 to 1600 A in size 4a - size 000 (00C), 00, 1, 2, 3 and 4a depending on the rated current * - characteristic to protect the object: gG, aM, gTr, gF, gFF - let-through energy during overload or short circuit * The sizes 0 en 4 should only be used for replacement; not for new applications.

The first letter indicates the interruption range of the fuse g = full-range breaking capacity a = partial-range breaking capacity The G M R Tr* F* FF* second letter indicates the category of use = general application = motor circuits protection (formerly back-up protection) = semiconductor protection = distribution transformer protection = fast interruption, conductor protection and general use = extra fast interruption, long conductor protection and general use *are not mentioned in IEC With gG gM aM gR aR gTr gF gFF these, the following combinations are possible: full-range, general applications full range, motor protection partial range, motor protection full range, semiconductor protection partial-range, semiconductor protection full-range, transformer protection full-range, fast interruption full-range, extra fast interruption

fast

slow slow = fast KTF

The fuse-element determines whether a slower or faster interruption occurs.

knife contact

Operation
The operation of a fuse-link is mainly determined by the construction of the fuse-element, and so a fuse with specific characteristics can be designed for a particular application. The fuse-element determines whether a slower or faster interruption occurs. During overload, the temperature of the fuse element is so high that the deposited solder (or solder composite) reacts with the fuse element. This reaction results in the diffusion of the deposited solder into the fuse element. This causes the fuse element to become locally more resistive, which in itself results in an accelerated diffusion. This will continue until the fuse element melts. This diffusion is an irreversible process. The fuse technology which is currently in use, takes account of periodic overloading, whereby the delay from diffusion to melting is kept very short compared to the melting characteristic. In this way, the probability of aging through periodical overloading is minimised. Arcing will be caused by the driving voltage after the fuseelement has melted. This arcing will continue to burn off the ends of the fuse element until the distance between the ends becomes too large to sustain an arc. When this occurs the circuit is broken and no current can flow. See figure of the interruption on page 5.

fuse element indicator filler enclosure

Fuse cross-section

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The information needed for the application, calculation and assessment of a fuse will be explained by describing the way in which the fuse operates. For this purpose, oscillograms showing the behaviour when an overload of five times rated current occurs, and when a short circuit current of 100 kA Is occurs are shown respectively. Explanation of the characteristic In the event of a long period of overload, the fuse element becomes heated in such a way that a distribution in temperature occurs, with the temperature increasing gradually towards the middle. The melting time of a fuse as a function of the melting current is shown in the melting characteristic. (time/current characteristic, figure X) Interruption due to overload can be recognised by the fact that the shape of the melted material shows a gradual thickening towards the middle, where the temperature was at its highest during the interruption (fig. A, page 6). If a current of five times rated current is switched on, then the fuse will melt after 2.0 s, as shown in figure Y. The current is maintained after melt down by means of arcing. An increase in the length of the arc means an increase in resistance. This increase will cause the current to drop to zero, until after an arcing time of t l = 35 ms, the driving voltage falls over the fuse. The total time from overload till arc interrupt, is known as the total clearing time. tt = ts+ tl = 2,035 s Interruption as a result of a short circuit can be recognised by the fact that the shape of the melted material shows thickening at regular intervals, because the temperature was the same throughout the device during the interruption (fig. B, page 6). A short circuit current with a possible top value of 100 kA will pass through a fuse as shown in figures Z1 and Z2. After a melting time of 0.42 ms, the interruption starts on all the leftover sections simultaneously. This gives rise to a steep increase in voltage and arcing occurs. Due to the rapid change in current, the self-inductance present in the current chain will cause an over-voltage over the fuse with a top value of 1.5 kV. The current is limited at a value which is lower than the prospective top value and rapidly decreases to zero. The let-through peak value is known as the cut-off current. fig. Z1 After an arcing time of 4.23 ms (the time from when arcing begins to when the arc is quenched) the driving voltage falls over the fuse. The time from short ls 100 kA eff circuit current to when the arc is quenched is known as the total clearing time (melting time + ld 17 kA arcing time) tt = ts + tl = 4.65 ms. The let-through energy is determined tt ts by the construction and the used material of the fuse u element. Usually tt silver or copper is used as the material for the fuse element. The let-through energy in the short circuit region is expressed in the term I2t. The values are expressed as A2s. For certain applications, such as semiconductor protection, the maximum permitted A2s values for the semiconductors is given,
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i
v

t=melting time t = doorsmelttijd

Technology

fig. X

10 4S 10 3 10 10 1 10 10
-1 2

-2

10 -3 2 10

10 3

10 4 A

I = doorsmeltstroom I=melting current

fig. Y

i ts tl

u tt

Melting in the overload region

i ts tt

u tt

Melting in the short circuit region

so that it can be seen whether these will be protected by the chosen fuse.

fig. Z2

ld 17 kA

The melting energy can be calculated based on the construction of the fuse element and the type of material used in the element. For very large currents, as shown in the oscillogram on page 5 the melt temperature is reached so quickly that the left-over sections start behaving adiabatically i.e. no heat is given off. So the melt time is a function of the material and the crosssectional surface area of the leftover material. The melt characteristic in this region can be determined by the following formula:

Overload

I2t = CA2 I = the virtual melting current in Amperes

t = the virtual melting time in seconds A = leftover cross-section in cm2 9 8 C= the material constant, Cu 10 , Ag 7 x 10 When a particular high current is reached, the melting characteristic follows an I2t tangent (melt through I2t value)
fig. A

Cut-off current Ic Because the short circuit current is limited when there are very high currents, as shown in the graph on figure 5, it can be stated that the melt current is similair as the cut-off current. The cut-off current can be calculated using the following 3 formula; Cut-off current or let-through current Ic =11. W.Ieff. Where W = I2t = CA2 Ieff = the prospective short circuit current at 50 Hz For a particular melting pattern, the let-through peak current at a prospective short circuit current, can be derived from the current limiting characteristic. The ability to limit the current makes it possible to connect equipment with a lower short circuit value directly to the mains. However, this is still conditional on the melting pattern complying with the mains short circuit power, and with the connected equipment being able to deal with the cut-off current energy.
fig. B

Short circuit

Critical current region. The amount of energy released at interuption which can be regarded as the most critical, occurs at the point where the fuse begins to limit the current. In accordance with IEC 60269, the highest arcing energy occurs when the let-through value of the current lies between 0,60 2 and 0,75 2 of the prospective short circuit current. Derived from the IEC definition, a useful rule of thumb is that the actual value is between 3 to 4 x the melting current when the melting time is 10 ms. The 10 ms melting time and the associated current can be read from the time/current graph.

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NH fuse-holders
History NH fuses consist of a fuse-link and a fuse-holder. In the past, these were ceramic carriers on which terminals with bolts were used. Later the terminals were fitted with springs. Later still, with the arrival of high-quality plastics, the holders were made from plastic. This is not to say that holders made from or including ceramics are obsolete. These are still used when high temperature influences may be expected to occur. With the introduction of the insulated gripping lugs, contact covers were also introduced to make the whole device safe-totouch. Nowadays most fuse-holders are made from plastic, with or without contact covers and/or fuse covers. The fuse-holderss must comply with the requirements for maximum Watt-losses, among other things, as specified in the standards.

NH fuse gG 500 V with centre indicator

Structure of the fuse-holders Contact cover Fuse base Spacer for including in the partition wall (when 2 or more bases are used beside each other) Partition wall Fuse cover

Structure of a fuse-holder

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Standards The NH fuse-holderss are suitable for 690 V (AC and DC) and must satisfy IEC 60 269 part 1, part 2 and part 2-1. (IEC-EN-NEN 60 269). The VDE 0636 and DIN 43620 standards are incorporated in the IEC standard.

Connections to the fuse-holders The connections to the fuse-holders can be: I Bolted connections (when using cable shoes) I Brace(clamp) connections (for direct connection to the I conductor ) In addition various combinations can be made, depending on the type, shape and material of the conductor. For example, brace connections (prisma clamps) for aluminium cable. When making the connections, the correct tightening tools as well the given torques, as specified by the manufacturer, must always be used.
fuse-holder, safe-to-touch, single

fuse-holder single

fuse-holder triple

Various connections

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Knife-links Knife-links are used to connect or isolate (open) current paths. This may never occur with fuse-holders which are under load (see safety procedures), because a holder is not a load switch. Knife-links are available in 2 versions I with insulated plastic removal tags I with live metal removal tags

Fuse replacement handles A fuse replacement handle is necessary for inserting and removing fuse-links. The fuse replacement handles are suitable for fuse sizes NH 000 (00C) through NH 4. The fuse replacement handle must be fitted with a locking mechanism to ensure that the fuse-link does not fall out of the handle during insertion or extraction. Fuse replacement handles which include a glove are available for extra safety in accordance with the procedures.

Knife links with insulated gripping lugs

Fuse replacement handle with glove

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Fuse-holders dimensions

type NH 00 NH 0 NH 1 NH 2 NH 3

A 120 170 200 225 240

B 100 150 175 200 210

C 37 47 60 60 60

D 20 24 28 32 38

E 86 122 148 148 148

F 58 63 77.5 88 97

G 23 29 35 35 35

H 56.5 74 80 80 80

I 114 144 192 192 224

J 38.5 48.5 66 66 82

K 84.5 91.5 123 123 143

L 146 185

M M8 M8

N 25 25 25 25 25

O 0 0 30 30 30

P 15 15

Q 7.5 7.5

250 M10 250 M12 270 M12

10.5 20.5 10.5 20.5 10.5 20.5

Sketches with dimensions

Size overview
The size (dimensions of casing and blades) of fuses must match the size of the fuse-holders or the device. The size of the fuses is expressed in numbers.

Fuse-holders size 000 (00C) 00 1 2

type NH 00 C NH 00 NH 0 NH 1 C NH 1 NH 2 C NH 2 NH 3 C NH 3 NH 4a a 49 49 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 91 b 45 45 62 62 62 62 62 62 62 83 c 53 53 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 97 d 78.5 78.5 125 135 135 150 150 150 150 200 e 21 30 30 30 50 50 58 58 68 100 f 37 45 45 45 50 50 58 58 68 109 g 51 59 59 64 64 72 72 84 84 124 h 15.2 15.2 15.2 15.2 20.2 20.2 26.2 26.2 32.2 50 i 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 j 35 35 35 40 40 48 48 60 60 85

Rated current

Suitable for fuse NH 00C = (000) NH 00 NH 1 NH 2 NH 3 NH 4a*

In up to Ampere
100 A 160 A 250 A 400 A 630 A 1250 A

3 4a *

Rated current up to 1600 A is permitted. Size 4a fuse-holderss are only available in the safe-to-touch version with "flap lid

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10

gG 400 V
time/current

time/current characteristic

cut-off current

Watt losses

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11

gG 500 V
time/current

time/current characteristic

cut-off current

Watt losses

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12

gG 690 V
time/current

time/current characteristic

cut-off current

Watt losses

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13

aM 690 V
time/current

time/current characteristic

cut-off current

Watt losses

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14

gTr 400 V
time/current

time/current characteristic

cut-off current

Watt losses

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15

gF 500 V
time/current

time/current characteristic

cut-off current

Watt losses

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16

gFF 500 V
time/current

time/current characteristic

cut-off current

Watt losses

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17

Weber Nederland B.V. Parallelweg 41 NL-7741 KA Coevorden The Netherlands Tel. +31 524 59 58 00 Fax. +31 524 59 58 01 www.weber-ned.nl [email protected]

Other members of the WEBER Group are: Weber Deutschland G.m.b.H. Bahnhofstrasse 30 DE-49824 Laar Germany Tel. +49 (0)5947 9102-0 Fax. +49 (0)5947 9102-20 www.weber-deutschland.com [email protected] Weber AG Elektrotechnik Sedelstrasse 2 CH-6021 Emmenbrcke Switzerland Tel. +41 41 269 90 00 Fax. +41 41 269 94 00 www.weber.ch [email protected] Kawetra Kft. Guba S. Str. 38 H-7400 Kaposvr Hungary Tel. +36 82 416 020 Fax. +36 82 511 061 www.kawetra.hu [email protected] Weber Myslakowice Sp.z o.o. ul. Jeleniogrska 4 PL-58-533 Myslakowice Poland Tel. +48 75 713 1024 Fax. +48 75 713 1018 www.weber.pl [email protected]

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