Fusing Equipment

Electrical Apparatus

Automatic Sectionalizing Link 240-93

GENERAL
The Cooper Bussmann Automatic
Sectionalizing Link (ASL) is a self-
contained circuit-opening device that,
when used with either an upstream
auto-recloser or multi-shot circuit
breaker, sectionalizes and isolates the
network thereby reducing the number
of customers disconnected due to
permanent faults.
The ASL differentiates between
transient and permanent faults, greatly
reducing the number of outages caused
by transient no-damage faults such as
lightning.
Using the Bussmann ASL, an econom-
ical system can be installed utilizing
most existing expulsion dropout fuse
mounts in conjunction with multishot
circuit breakers or auto-reclosers.
DESIGN FEATURES
Increased network
reliability with an overall
reduction in cost
The ASL differentiates between
transient and permanent faults,
providing automatic disconnection of
permanent faults. By virtually eliminating
nuisance outages, significant reduction
in system operating costs are
achieved.
Comprehensive range of Figure 1.
Cooper Bussmann Automatic Sectionalizing Link (ASL).
ratings
ASL is available with voltage ratings up
to 38 kV, pick-up currents from 16 to
320 A and 1, 2 or 3 count options. Fits into existing Silent, reliable drop-out
Color bands are located on the body expulsion fuse mounts action
of the ASL for easy identification of The ASL C-type version fits all the High output force of the replacement
count and pick-up rating. common NEMA interchangeable actuator provides rapid, reliable drop
mounts such as Coopers Type L out action, even under icing, to provide
cutout. They swing down upon opera- visual indication of a faulty line. Dead
tion, providing visual indication of a time operation ensures no sparks,
fault downstream. This allows for fast ionized gas or contact erosion,
system restoration. ASLs are installed minimizing fire risks.
and removed using existing pole head
equipment. Detailed installation Immunity to magnetizing
instructions are available with every inrush current
ASL and also upon request. The logic circuit ignores the first half-
cycle current and reacts only if both
the negative and positive half cycles
exceed the pick-up current. As magne-
tizing inrush currents are largely
unidirectional, they are ignored by
the logic circuit.

July 2005 New Issue 1

Printed in U.S.A.
Automatic Sectionalizing Link

Surge and EMI protection COLOR BAND

Electronics are shielded from magnetic
field influences by being enclosed
within the conducting tube. The ASL is
tested to withstand lightning impulse
currents and to be immune to radio
frequency interference.
Self powered, no
maintenance
The logic circuit and actuator are
powered by two current transformers
during the passage of fault current.
No additional power source is
required, and no maintenance is
needed.
Low threshold for hold off
current (250 milliamps)
A return to load current following a
temporary fault will not result in a
mistaken count by the ASL.
CONSTRUCTION
The ASL houses a fully encapsulated
logic circuit within its main conductive
tube powered by encapsulated small
current transformers mounted on the
outside of the tube. This ensures that
the electronic circuitry is free from
electrical interference as the tube acts
as an effective Faraday cage. The
logic circuit is also environmentally
protected to prevent moisture ingress.
Energy derived from the current
transformers under fault conditions
allows the ASL to be self powered to
ensure operation even when there is
no initial load current.
In appearance the upper and lower
contacts of the ASL resemble that of
the fuse holder it replaces. Instead of a
fuse element melting to release the
holder from the mount, operation is
accomplished by discharging a capac-
itor into a small actuator (or striker)
which unlatches the holder tube and
causes it to swing down in the manner
of an expulsion fuse holder (See
Figure 3).
The actuator is an extremely reliable
device with high mechanical advan-
tage, providing rapid, reliable drop-out
action even under icing conditions.
The actuator is completely safe to
handle and there are no special stor-
age or transporting requirements.
The ASL is reset by installing a
replacement actuator and re-inserting
the holder into its mount. The resetting
operation takes less time than that
needed to change a blown expulsion
fuse link.
INDICATES
NUMBER OF COUNTS UPPER
1 COUNT BROWN CONTACT
2 COUNT NO BAND
3 COUNT GREEN PULL
RING
ACTUATOR
COLOR BAND
INDICATES PICK-UP
CURRENT
16 A YELLOW
24 A RED
40 A BLUE
56 A GREEN DIMENSIONS
80 A BLACK
Voltage Length
112 A WHITE Rating In (mm)
LOWER
160 A BROWN CONTACT 15 kV 11.50 (292)
224 A ORANGE 27 kV 14.96 (380)
320 A NO BAND 38 kV 18.43 (468)
Figure 2.
ASL Construction Detail.
OPERATION The logic circuit is inhibited from
operating the latch mechanism until
Under normal load conditions the the upstream recloser has tripped for
electronics remain inert. However, the second time and the line current
should the line current increase above has fallen to a value less than
a pre-set value (the pick-up current)
250 mA (the hold-off current) for a
the logic circuit activates. period of at least 0.1 seconds.
The upstream auto-recloser then The ASL thus operates during the
opens, temporarily removing the fault dead time of the upstream protective
from the line. The ASLs logic circuit, device and does so quickly, without
powered by an internal capacitor, stores sparks or ionized gas emission and
the incident for approximately 25 sec- without contact erosion.
onds (the reclaim time).
The logic circuit is designed to inhibit
When the upstream device recloses, response to transformer magnetizing
typically 3 to 10 seconds later, if the inrush current surges. Thus ASLs on
fault current is no longer present, the non-faulted lateral lines are not spuri-
ASL will ignore the incident after the ously operated by such currents, fol-
reclaim time and eventually reverts to lowing repeated operations of the
an inert state again. However, if the upstream recloser.
fault current (i.e. current above the
pick-up current) is still present, the In practice, any lateral line fault
logic circuit will decide that this repre- condition that persists for a time long
sents a permanent fault on the lateral enough to operate the upstream
line and for a two-count unit will pre- recloser will operate the ASL, isolating
pare to de-latch. the lateral. Any transient or no-damage
current will be ignored (See Figure 4).

2
 240-93

LATCHED POSITION DE-LATCHED POSITION

Figure 3.
ASL in NEMA style fuse mount.

FAULT CURRENT

LEVEL OF CURRENT MAGNETIC

IN THE MAIN LINE INRUSH
CURRENT
NOMINAL LOAD
CURRENT

LINE
RESTORED
AUTO-RECLOSER
CONTACTS

CLOSED OPEN OPEN CLOSED

TRIP TRIP
RECLOSE
RECLOSE

SECTIONALIZER OPENS
LATERAL LINE
SECTIONALIZER LATERAL ISOLATED
OPERATION
SECOND
FIRST PULSE PULSE DEAD
NOTED AND STORED NOTED PERIOD
IN SECTIONALIZER NOTED
MEMORY

Figure 4.
Operational sequence of a sectionalizer isolating a lateral line fault (sequence shows a 2 count device).

3
Automatic Sectionalizing Link
APPLICATION
The Automatic Sectionalizing Link can
be installed in existing cutouts at the
head of the laterals or branches on a
distribution system, downstream from
an auto-recloser or multi-shot circuit
breaker. Figure 5 illustrates a typical
protection scheme used on a distribu-
tion system, utilizing ASLs instead of
the typically used fuse links.
The most common type of overhead
primary distribution circuit is the four-
wire multi-grounded neutral system. A
main line (feeder) with a recloser near
its head originates from a substation
with several laterals tapped off this
feeder. Often further branch lines are
tapped off the lateral which in turn
supply power to end users. Transform-
ers are individually fused and fuses at
the head of branches and laterals
provide further sectionalizing of the
system.
In general, the individual transformer
fuse links are sized to operate on all
selected overcurrents without causing
the recloser to operate. Operation of
this fuse link affects a small number
of customers making such operations
easily justifiable.
POLE MOUNTED AUTO RECLOSER
RECLOSER
4 COUNT
3 COUNT ASL
ASL
MAIN OVERHEAD LINE OR FEEDER
Figure 5.
Typical distribution system using ASLs.
4
The fuse link at the head of the lateral
or branch coordinates with the recloser
with some limitations. There is a max-
imum current beyond which the fuse
link will operate before the recloser has
a chance to clear a temporary fault.
Under high transient fault conditions,
such as a lightning strike, nuisance fuse
link blowing can result.
Most distribution circuits have multiple
expulsion fuse links in series. Due to
the non-current limiting nature of
expulsion fuse links, there is a maxi-
mum current at which coordination can
be achieved. Above this current it is
likely that both the upstream and
downstream expulsion fuse links will
operate at the same time.
By replacing a fuse with an ASL at
the head of a lateral or branch, as
illustrated in Figure 5, the coordination
range is extended to the maximum
short time withstand rating of the ASL.
ASLs have no time-current character-
istics and are easily applied between
two fault-interrupting protective
devices. Accordingly, they are easily
added to an existing system or to an
existing coordination plan when addi-
tional circuit sectionalizing is needed.
TRANSFORMER
CUTOUT
ASL 2 COUNT ASL
LATERAL
The main advantage of the ASL is
that transient fault interruption can
be effectively achieved with the pole-
mounted auto-recloser or multishot
circuit breaker down to the minimum
operating current of the ASL, without
the necessity for delayed trips. Auto-
reclosers can therefore be set for
instantaneous trip, minimizing system
damage. Fault withstand is not an
issue as the short time-current with-
stand rating of the ASL will be greater
than the available fault current except
for a few possible applications next to
a substation.
In the case of low ground fault currents,
by selecting an ASL with minimum
pick-up current at or below the minimum
trip current of the auto-recloser,
where possible, these ground faults
will result in operation of the ASL on the
faulty lateral, thus preventing lockout
of the recloser and wide loss of supply
to customers. To achieve the optimum
level of coordination and to take
account of tolerances, the lowest rat-
ing of ASL should be 80% of the
ground fault or sensitive ground fault
settings, dependent on the scheme
employed.
ASL 2 COUNT ASL
ASL 2 COUNT ASL

SELECTION
When selecting an ASL for a specific
installation, a number of factors
should be considered.
System Voltage
The ASL is insensitive to system
voltage, and being in effect a solid
conductor, has no insulation require-
ments. Hence the sole criterion
concerning voltage is that the ASL fits
into a mount of the appropriate voltage
rating, meeting the dielectric values
required (BIL and power frequency).
Pick-Up Current
(Actuating Current)
For optimum coordination the lowest
rating of the ASL should be 80% of
the minimum ground fault or sensitive
ground fault settings allowing auto-
recloser operations.
However, depending on the position of
the ASL, it must be chosen to withstand
the possible transformer magnetizing
inrush currents.
When a recloser switches in and out
attempting to clear a fault on one
branch circuit, all the non-faulted
circuits experience surge currents
due to magnetizing inrush determined
by the transformer KVA.
The anti-magnetizing inrush circuit in
the ASL ensures against spurious
operation, provided both positive and
negative going half cycles are below
the pick-up value. If the ratio of trans-
former capacity/pick-up settings is
made too small, then even the smaller
loops of the highly asymmetrical
magnetizing inrush current may be
of sufficient value to override the
inhibiting circuit and allow operation
to occur.
IEEE Standard C37.63 for mainline
sectionalizers allows a ratio of 1.6:1
for pick-up current to total available
transformer current.
Present experience suggests that this
is satisfactory for most applications of
2 and 3 count ASLs. For 1 count ASLs
and applications where the transformer
KVA is dominated by one large trans-
former, (i.e. more than 60% of the
total), a ratio of 2.5:1 is recommended.
For example: for 2 and 3 count ASLs
a 40 A pick-up setting allows for maxi-
mum installed transformer capacity of
up to 25 A. Even though the maximum
loading on the line might be 5 A, a small
percentage of the maximum available,
magnetizing inrush dependent on the
installed KVA is the determining factor.
240-93
Number of Counts Load Breaking
The number of counts to operate is The ASL is designed for deadbreak
factory preset. The ASL should be operation only. If the unit is manually
chosen with at least one less count opened under live line conditions, an
than the up-stream recloser. For exam- arc will be drawn across the contacts
ple, a 4 shot recloser should be exactly as in the case of an expulsion
matched with a maximum of a 3 count fuse. If the current is low enough and
ASL downstream. To reduce the if conditions are favorable, the arc may
number of recloser operations, a 2 extinguish as the unit drops down to
count ASL unit would be the most the isolating position. Therefore, the
common. Where ASLs are used in same operating procedures will apply
series, the downstream ASL should for the ASL as for expulsion fuses with
be one less count than the upstream regard to breaking load.
ASL. 1 count ASLs are also available NEMA interchangeable mounts are
for applications such as underground
fitted with hooks, for use with a load-
cables where transient faults are break tool. To open the ASL under
unlikely. Choice of an ASL over a load, use an appropriate load break
fuse eliminates the coordination
tool designed for use with interchange-
issues discussed previously.
able cutouts and follow instructions
Maximum Fault Current provided with the tool.
Be sure the ASL has a short time-
current withstand equal to or greater
than the available fault current (See
Table 1 Performance Characteristics).
Continuous Current
The ASLs continuous current rating
must be equal to or greater than the
system load current. This is normally
not an issue, as all ASLs are rated at
200 A continuous.
Reclaim Time
The reclaim time is the time that the
memory of the ASL retains prior counts
and is nominally 25 seconds. However
in practice this time will vary with the
value and duration of fault current
pulses. For high values of fault current,
particularly where the upstream
recloser is operating in delayed
mode, the ASL reclaim time may
extend by up to 15% while for instan-
taneous tripping operation at lower
values of current near the pick-up
value, reclaim times will be reduced.
For details see Performance
Characteristics. For these reasons it
is recommended that the maximum
reclose time (dead time between
shots) of the recloser be 15 seconds,
as this must be shorter than the ASL
reset time for correct coordination. If
the auto-recloser is operating in the
instantaneous region of the trip char-
acteristic near the pick-up current of
the ASL, the auto-recloser dead time
should not exceed 10 seconds.
Overvoltage Withstand
Cooper Bussmann ASLs have been
tested to withstand 65 kA lightning
surge current as defined in IEEE
Standard C37.63, IEEE Standard
C62.11 and IEC 60099 for surge
arresters.
5
Automatic Sectionalizing Link

Dead Time PERFORMANCE TESTS are inappropriate, only those applica-

ble have been carried out.
The time for an ASL to drop open to a The only fully applicable standard for
safe isolating distance (from the ASLs is the Electricity Supply Industry In addition to those listed in the
instant when the line goes dead after (ESI) standard 41-27 Part 5. There Performance Characteristics, a number
the correct number of counts) is also exists an ANSI Standard of other tests have been performed to
approximately 250 milliseconds. To C37.63, which covers traditional demonstrate the suitability of the ASL.
prevent any possibility of the unit enclosed tank-type sectionalizers. In These include load make, mechanical
attempting to open under live condi- verifying the performance of the ASL, operation, icing, salt fog (corrosion)
tions the upstream recloser should as listed in the Performance and other environmental tests including
have a dead line time of not less than Characteristics, these two standards thermal cycling, rain-UV, and ozone.
0.5 seconds. have provided the basis for evaluation. Details of all these tests are available
As many of the test clauses of C37.63 on request.
Every ASL is functionally tested at
TABLE 1 least twice during manufacture.
Performance Characteristics Current pulses of 10% below nominal
pick-up value and 10% above nominal
Rated maximum voltage: 15 kV (110 kV BIL), 27 kV (150 kV BIL), 38 kV (170 kV BIL) pick-up value are applied. ASLs are
Maximum thermal rating: 200 A checked to ensure that they do not
react to the lower value but operate at
Rated frequency: 60 Hz the higher value.
Pick-up current: 60 Hz operation (+/-10%) 16, 24, 40, 56, 80, 112, 160, 224, 320 A
ORDERING INFORMATION
Number of counts: 1, 2 or 3
To order a Cooper Bussmann
Hold off current: 250 milliamperes Automatic Sectionalizing Link, first
choose the voltage rating and pick-up
Current withstand: Continuous 200 A
current from available options in
Momentary 1st peak 16,000 A Table 1. Then build part number as
shown in the example in Table 2.
1 sec 8,000 A Symmetrical
The part number for a replacement
10 sec 2,600 A Symmetrical
actuator is E2906.
Reclaim times: 25 seconds (+/- 15%)
Contact your Cooper Power Systems
Response time: representative for further information.
Minimum duration of current pulse 30 msec @ 1.5 X pick up setting
for overcurrent memory response: (reclaim time 10 seconds)
60 msec @ 1.3 X pick up setting
(reclaim time 15 seconds)
Circuit breaker dead time range: 0.5 sec to 15 sec
Minimum time of dead line after fault pulse for count: 80 msec to 120 msec
Ambient temperature limits: -22F to 176F
Surge current withstand: 65 kA per ANSI C37.63, IEEE Standard 62.11 and
IEC EN 60099-1

TABLE 2
Ordering Codes: First Select the Part Code from the Table Below
Symbol
Voltage Product Pick-up Mounting Number System
Rating Type Current (A) Type of Counts Frequency Definition
15 Sectionalizer to
be used in 15 kV Cutouts
ASL Automatic
Sectionalizing Links
112 Pick-up current set
at 112 Amperes
C Type C is for NEMA
interchangeable cutout
mount
2 Number of current
shots unit will accept
before operating
(1, 2, or 3)
US US for 60 Hz
(no mark for 50 Hz)
15 ASL 112 C 2 US Total Part No.*
* In the Example above the Part Number would be 15ASL112C2US

6
 2005 Cooper Power Systems or its affiliates.
Bussmann is a registered trademark of the Cooper Industries, Inc.
IEEE Standard C37.63, IEEE Standard C62.11 and IEEE C57.109 are 1045 Hickory Street
trademarks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer, Inc. Pewaukee, WI 53072 USA
ANSI is a registered trademark of the American National Standards Institute. www.cooperpower.com
MI
7/05