Maximum Let-Through Energy of Fuse Into Cable - Max at 5 Seconds Disconnect Time

Hi Folks

You might be able to assist me in relation to a query I have on the maximum let-through energy of fuse versus the thermal withstand energy of cable.

Basically my query revolves around the wording in the ETCI (Irish Regs) and IEE Wiring Regulations that state that fuse I² t let through energy is to be less than the cable k² S² thermal withstand capacity, for fault disconnection times up to 5 seconds

For example if you look up the time-current fuse characteristic for a 125A NH2 gG fuse and you calculate I² t for a fault of 630A with associated fuse operating time of 5 seconds we get a higher let-through energy (1984500 A²sec) than for a fault of 1800A with a shorter fuse operating time of 0.02 seconds (64800 A²sec). Yet the fuse manufacturers state the maximum let through energy of 125000 A²sec for a fault of 20 x In = 2500A for the 125A fuse. But if the wording in the IEE Regulations is correct in that the above adiabatic formula is valid for fault durations up to 5 seconds (as they say that the equation is considered to remain adiabatic for fault current durations up to 5 seconds, i.e., does not lose heat through insulation up to 5 secs. After 5 secs some heat will dissipate through the cable insulation into the air and so formula no longer applies), then a high resistance fault of 630A for longer duration would result in a greater energy let-through into the cable than for a high fault current of 2500A for durations less than 1/4 cycle (i.e. less than 0.01 secs).

So for example if we had a 10sq.mm Copper/PVC cable wired from above 125A fuse to a load where the fuse is providing short-circuit protection only (I know its not a practical example but it serves as a example of my above query). The cable has a thermal withstand capacity of 115² 10² = 1322500 A²sec, it seems that from a thermal capacity persepective this cable will heat up and reach it's insulation limit temperature for a 630A fault and not for a 1800A fault, as for a 630A fault the let through energy by fuse into cable (1984500 A²sec) is greater than cable withstand thermal energy (1322500 A²sec).

The fuse manufacturer's only seem to publish the I² t values for very high fault currents in the current limiting range, but as you can see from above example the largest thermal let-through energy into cable is for much lower currents. As someone put it 'a long slow blow is much more damaging for a cable than a quick high current disconnection' .

I can't understand why fuse manufacturers dont publish the let through energy for current corresponding to a 5 second disconnection time rather than for very high fault current levels ??

Regards Gilly