The IEC/ANSI Dual-Standard for Generator Circuit-Breakers: Background, Characteristics and How it Changes the Game

The continuously growing energy demand worldwide combined with the distributed electrical power generation structure has brought a rapid spread of generator applications.The natural and essential need for utilities or independent power producers to ensure safety, continuous operation and full protection of the generation assets with potential unique fault conditions, make a better definition of the performances that a generator breaker must fulfill necessary.The latest IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 Standard, also called Dual Logo Standard, aims to define and regulate the circuit breakers used to protect these assets. This paper presents the main characteristics between this latest standards, the previous IEEE C37.013 (now superseded) and the IEC 62271-100 for distribution circuit-breakers, in terms of requirements including short circuit conditions, typical electrical parameters and selectivity logic.Finally, the impact on the generator circuit breakers market is shown, in terms of consequences on available products, main players’ GCB offerings and why their customers should care.