ABB 3BHE030579R0003 UNITROL 1020 excitation system control unit
Semiconductor fuses (F1)
Aspects of fusing for the armature and field circuit of DC drives.
Unit configuration
Protection elements such as fuses or overcurrent trip circuits are required in all cases to protect against further
damage. In some configurations, this will entail the following questions:
1. Where to place which protective element?
2. In the event of what faults will the element in question provide protection against damage?
The figure shows the arrangement of the switchoff elements in the armature-circuit. Further
information is available in the Technical guide.
Conclusion for the armature circuit
Never use standard fusing instead of semiconductor fusing in order to save money on the installation. In the
event of a fault condition, the small amount of money saved can cause the semiconductors or other devices to
explode and cause fires. Adequate protection against short circuit and earth fault, as depicted in the EN50178
standard, is possible only with appropriate semiconductor fuses.
Use DC fuses (2 of them) for all regenerative drives of sizes H1 ... H4 to protect the motor in case of a fault
during regeneration. DC fuses must be rated for the same current and voltage as AC fuses, thus follows DC
fuses = AC fuses.
Typical selection of DC fuses / high speed DC-breakers.
Operation mode H1 ... H4 H5 ... H8
No regeneration - -
Seldom regeneration (< 10 %) - -
Regeneration (10 % ... 30 %) DC fuses
recommended
High speed DC-breaker
recommended
Often regeneratio (> 30 %) DC fuses strongly
recommended
High speed DC-breaker
strongly recommended

Conclusion for the field circuit
Basically, similar conditions apply for both field and armature circuit. Depending on the converter used
(half controlled bridge, fully controlled bridge), some of the fault sources may not always be applicable. Due to
special system conditions, such as supply via an autotransformer or an isolating transformer, new protection
conditions may occur.
The following configurations are very often used:
In contrast to the armature circuit, fuses are never used on the DC side of the field circuit, since a fuse trip
might lead to additional damage e.g. small, but long-lasting overcurrent, contact problems, explosions, fires, etc.
Semiconductor fuses F3.1 (super-fast acting) should be used, in case of similar conditions compared to the
armature circuit (4-Q operation). E.g. protection of the field circuit and the field winding.
Configuration for field circuit.
Fuses F3.2 and F3.3 are used as line protectors and cannot protect the field supply unit. Only pure HRC fuses or
miniature circuit-breakers must be used. Semiconductor fuses will be tripped, for example, by the transformer’s
inrush current.
Configurations for field circuit.
Semiconductor fuses (F1) and fuse holders for armature circuit
The converters are subdivided into two groups:
– Units size H1, H2, H3 and H4 with rated currents up to 1000 A require external fuses.
– In units size H5, H6, H7 and H8 with rated currents from 900 A to 5200 A, branch fuses are internally installed
(no additional external AC or DC fuses are needed).
The fourth column of the table below assigns the AC fuse to the unit. In case the converter should be equipped
with DC fuses, use the same type of fuse as on the AC side.
No fuse holder is available; attach the fuses directly to the busbar.
Fuses and fuse holders for armature circuit (details see chapter Fuses and fuse holders IEC).
Size Converter type (2-Q) Converter type (4-Q) Fuse Fuse holder Fuse type Fuse holder
North AmericaH1
DCS880-S01-0020-04/05 DCS880-S02-0025-04/05 50A 660V UR OFAZ00 S3L FWP-50B 1BS101
DCS880-S01-0045-04/05 DCS880-S02-0050-04/05 80A 660V UR OFAZ00 S3L FWP-80B 1BS101
DCS880-S01-0065-04/05 DCS880-S02-0075-04/05 125A 660V UR OFAZ00 S3L FWP-125A 1BS103
DCS880-S01-0090-04/05 DCS880-S02-0100-04/05 125A 660V UR OFAZ00 S3L FWP-125A 1BS103H2
DCS880-S01-0135-04/05 DCS880-S02-0150-04/05 200A 660V UR OFAZ1 S3 FWP-200A 1BS103
DCS880-S01-0180-04/05 DCS880-S02-0200-04/05 250A 660V UR OFAZ1 S3 FWP-250A 1BS103
DCS880-S01-0225-04/05 DCS880-S02-0250-04/05 315A 660V UR OFAZ1 S3 FWP-300A 1BS103
DCS880-S01-0270-04/05 DCS880-S02-0300-04/05 500A 660V UR OFAZ2 S3 FWP-500A 1BS103H3
DCS880-S01-0315-04/05 DCS880-S02-0350-04/05 500A 660V UR OFAZ3 S3 FWP-500A 1BS103
DCS880-S01-0405-04/05 DCS880-S02-0450-04/05 700A 660V UR OFAZ3 S3 FWP-700A See Note 1
DCS880-S01-0470-04/05 DCS880-S02-0520-04/05 700A 660V UR OFAZ3 S3 FWP-700A See Note 1H4
DCS880-S01-0610-04/05 DCS880-S02-0680-04/05 900A 660V UR 3x 170H 3006 FWP-900A See Note 1
DCS880-S01-0740-04/05 DCS880-S02-0820-04/05 900A 660V UR 3x 170H 3006 FWP-900A See Note 1
DCS880-S01-0900-04/05 DCS880-S02-1000-04/05 1250A 660V UR 3x 170H 3006 FWP-1200A See Note 1
H3 DCS880-S01-0290-06 DCS880-S02-0320-06 500A 660V UR OFAZ3 S3 FWP-500A See Note 1
H4 DCS880-S01-0590-06 DCS880-S02-0650-06 900A 660V UR 3x 170H 3006 FWP-900A See Note 1