SIRIUS 3RV2 motor starter protectors 
  4.5 Configuration 
SIRIUS Innovations 
System Manual, 01/2011, A8E56203870002-03 
393 
4.5.6  Transformer protection 
Protection against inrush currents 
When control transformers are protected on the primary side, the high inrush currents 
generated at the time the transformers are switched on often cause spurious tripping in the 
protective devices. 3RV24 MSPs for transformer protection therefore have short-circuit 
releases which are factory-set to a fixed value of approx. 20 times the rated current (upper 
value on the setting scale). This enables transformers whose inrush current peak values can 
reach up to 30 times the rated current to be protected on the primary side by means of motor 
starter protectors.  
4 AM control transformers 
This version of motor starter protector is not necessary in the case of 4 AM control 
transformers with low inrush current (e.g. Siemens control transformers). In such cases 
3RV20 motor starter protectors can be used for motor protection. 
4.5.7  Main switch 
3RV2 motor starter protectors satisfy the features of main switches according to 
IEC 60947-2. 
3RV20 and 3RV21 motor starter protectors are also suitable for protecting systems. 
To prevent premature tripping caused by phase loss sensitivity, the load applied to each of 
the three current paths must always be the same. With single-phase loads, the current paths 
must be connected in series. 
4.5.8  Use in IT systems 
3RV2 motor starter protectors are suitable for use in IT systems according to IEC 60947-2. 
In the event of a 3-pole short circuit, they respond in exactly the same way as other systems: 
For this reason, the same short-circuit breaking capacity I
cu
 and I
cs
 applies. 
Function 
In the case of IT systems the first fault (ground fault) does not necessarily lead to the 
immediate disconnection of the system. A second unrelated fault (ground fault) can reduce 
the switching capacity of the motor starter protector. 
This is the case specifically if both ground faults occur in different phases and if one of the 
two ground faults is on the motor starter protector's input side and the other is on its outgoing 
side. 
To maintain the motor starter protector's short-circuit-protection function even in the case of 
two separate ground faults (known as a double line-to-ground fault), the reduced short-circuit 
breaking capacity for double ground faults in IT systems I
cuIT
 has to be taken into account. 
Detecting a ground fault when it occurs (ground-fault monitoring) and dealing with it quickly 
can significantly reduce the risk of a double ground fault and, as a result, that of a reduced 
short-circuit breaking capacity I
cuIT
. 
Reference 
More information ...  Can be found in the chapter titled ... 
About short-circuit breaking capacity  Technical data (Page 453)