Page 
7 
For ambient conditions above 40°C and where the 
maximum ampere rating plug has been installed, derating 
of the circuit breaker frame should be considered to avoid 
exceeding a safe terminal temperature operating range. 
Consult Cutler
-
Hammer for recommendations. 
4.1 General 
The Digitrip RMS 31 
0 
Trip Unit provides a tripping signal 
to the flux transfer shunt trip when current and time delay 
settings are exceeded. This is accomplished by employing 
the Cutler
-
Hammer custom designed integrated circuit 
SpreTMchip, which includes a microcomputer to perform 
its numeric and logic functions. 
In the Digitrip RMS 31 
0 
Trip Unit, all required sensing and 
tripping power to operate its protection function is derived 
from the current sensors in the circuit breaker. The 
secondary currents from these sensors provide the 
correct input information for the protection functions, as 
well as tripping power, whenever the circuit breaker is 
carrying current. These current signals develop analog 
voltages across the appropriate calibrating resistors. 
The microcomputer, in cyclic fashion, repeatedly scans 
the voltage values across each calibrating resistor and 
enters these values into memory. These data are used to 
calculate true RMS current values, which are then repeat
- 
edly compared with the protection function settings and 
other operating data stored in the memory. The software 
program then determines whether to initiate protection 
functions, including tripping the breaker through the flux 
transfer shunt trip device in the circuit breaker. 
4.2 Overload Trip: 
In accordance with standards require
- 
ments, the trip unit initiates a trip of the circuit breaker 
within two hours for an overload of 135 percent, and will 
trip in less time for higher overload currents. 
A
 
“Thermal Memory” effect prevents the breaker from 
being re
-
energized immediately after an overload. 
A 
“cooling off” period of up to 
5 
minutes is required, which 
allows time for cabling to cool off. 
4.3 Short Delay InstantaneousTrip: 
For short circuit 
conditions that exceed the short delay pick
-
up settings, 
the trip unit initiates a trip after a delay prescribed by the 
I2t ramp function for trip units with catalog number suffixes 
LS, LSE, LSP, and LSG. 
A
 
flat response time delay action 
is provided by trip units with catalog number suffixes LSI, 
LSIE, 
LSIP, and LSlG unless the instantaneous 
(I) 
setting 
is selected. 
4.4 Ground Fault Protection: 
When selected, ground 
fault pick
-
up and time delay settings shown in Table 1
-
2 
allow selective ground fault coordination with other circuit 
protection devices. 
Effective 
March 2003
 
I.L. 29C615E
CAUTION
5.0 PROTECTION SETTINGS 
5.1 General 
Prior to placing any circuit breaker in operation, each trip 
unit protection setting must be set to the values specified 
by the engineer responsible for the installation. The 
available settings along with the effect of changing the 
settings are illustrated in Figures 12-1 to 12-3. 
The installed rating plug establishes the maximum 
continuous current rating (I,) of the circuit breaker. Short 
delay current settings are defined in multiples of I,. 
One to four time and pick-up adjustment settings are 
available depending on the particular trip unit purchased. 
A rotary switch is provided for each setting. The rotary 
switch is adjusted using a small flatblade screwdriver 
(Figure 11). 
A green status light on the face of the trip unit 
indicates the operational status of the trip unit.  If 
the load current through the circuit breaker exceeds
approximately 20% of the maximum current rating
of the trip unit, the status light will blink on and off
once each second.  A blinking status light is an 
indication of a properly functioning trip unit.  If the 
status light is not blinking, the current through the   
breakers may be less than 20% of the maximum.  If
the current exceeds 20% and the status light is not 
blinking, use the STK2 test kit to investigate (see 
section 6.1).
MESxxxLSI, and -LSIG, Instantaneous Pickup is achieved 
For catalog number LESxxxLSI, -LSIG, -LSIP, -LSIE, 
5.4 Instantaneous Pickup Setting 
with no intentional delay (Instantaneous).  
(see Figure 12-2).  The "I" setting gives a trip response 
response.  Four settings (I, .1, .2, .3 second) are available 
MESxxxLSI, and -LSIG, the short time delay is a flat 
For catalog number LESxxxLSI,-LSIG, LSIP, -LSIE, 
5.3 Short Delay Time Settings
Digitrip RMS 31 0 Trip Units. 
shown in Figure 12-1. This feature is included on all 
Seven settings are available that range from 2 to 8 (I,)  as 
5.2 Short Delay Pick-Up Setting
LACK OF ILLUMINATION OF THE STATUS LIGHT
DOES 
NOT
 INDICATE THE TERMINALS OF THE 
BREAKER ARE DEENERGIZED.
trip current involved. 
configuration with the actual time delay a function of the 
For catalog number LESxxxLS,-LSG,-LSP,-LSE,
MESxxxLS and -LSG the short time delay is an I²t ramp 
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