Earth-Leakage Protection by VigiPacT Add-on

Introduction

Earth-leakage protection by VigiPacT Add-on provides protection against very low insulation fault currents. If there is an insulation fault, the VigiPacT Add-on causes the circuit breaker to trip very rapidly by acting directly on the circuit breaker mechanism.

The two VigiPacT versions for earth-leakage protection are as follows:

The VigiPacT Add-on measures the earth-leakage current and the circuit breaker trips when earth-leakage is detected.
The VigiPacT Add-on Alarm measures the earth-leakage current and indicates an earth-leakage fault on the front face (ALARM LED flashing red).

VigiPacT Add-on Front Face

The settings and controls are on the front face of the VigiPacT Add-on.

VigiPacT Add-on	VigiPacT Add-on Alarm

A Protective cover for settings

B Intentional delay adjustment dial: Δt

C Sensitivity pickup adjustment dial: IΔn

D Protective cover for connections

E Test pushbutton

F Reset pushbutton

G Faceplate label

H Alarm LED

Installation

The VigiPacT Add-on must be installed directly downstream terminals of the ComPact NSX circuit breaker. Install the VigiPacT Add-on on the trip unit.

For more information about installation, consult the instruction sheets on the Schneider Electric website:

PHA60738, VigiPacT Add-on for ComPact NSX100-250
PHA60739, VigiPacT Add-on for ComPact NSX400-630

Use an intermediate terminal shield to provide protection against direct contact with the circuit breaker downstream connection block.

VigiPacT Add-on and VigiPacT Add-on Alarm can be installed on ComPact NSX100-630 circuit breakers with the following characteristics:

3P or 4P
Fixed, plug-in, or withdrawable
Equipped with a magnetic, thermal-magnetic, or MicroLogic 2, 5, or 6 trip unit.
Circuit breakers with toggle handle, rotary handle, or motor mechanism

NOTE: VigiPacT Add-on and VigiPacT Add-on Alarm are not compatible with ComPact NSX circuit breakers with R, HB1, HB2 or K breaking performances.

A circuit breaker with VigiPacT Add-on can be installed on a mounting plate, chassis, or base.

For the circuit breaker plug-in base version:

The VigiPacT Add-on Alarm can be mounted under the plug-in base. Do not mount a VigiPacT Add-on under the plug-in base.
It is mandatory to mount short terminal shields (commercial reference LV429515 or LV429516) on the circuit breaker and VigiPacT Add-on.

In a 3-phase installation with an uninterrupted neutral, a 4-pole VigiPacT Add-on with connection of the neutral cable can be installed by using an adaptation accessory (commercial reference LV429214).

The VigiPacT Add-on can be equipped with an auxiliary contact (SDV) to remotely signal tripping due to an earth-leakage fault.

Setting the Earth-Leakage Sensitivity

The VigiPacT Add-on helps to protect personnel and equipment.

DANGER
HAZARD OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, EXPLOSION, OR ARC FLASH Setting adjustments to the VigiPacT Add-on must be done only by qualified electrical personnel. Failure to follow these instructions will result in death or serious injury.

Set the sensitivity (IΔn) using the dial on the front face. The sensitivity value is in amperes.

The sensitivity can be set on the VigiPacT Add-on and on the VigiPacT Add-on Alarm.

Pickup IΔn

0.03 A

0.1 A

0.3 A

0.5 A

1 A

3 A

10 A

30 A

NOTE: The VigiPacT Add-on (trip version only) for South Africa has a different range of setting values, as follows:

Pickup IΔn (RSA)

0.03 A

0.06 A

0.25 A

0.375 A

0.5 A

3 A

10 A

30 A

Setting the Intentional Delay

Set the intentional delay (Δt) using the dial on the front face.

The intentional delay can be set on the VigiPacT Add-on only.

When IΔn is set to 30 mA, the intentional delay Δt is always 0 ms regardless of the position of the dial (instantaneous tripping).

When IΔn is set above 30 mA, the time delay Δt can be adjusted to the following values:

0 ms
60 ms
150 ms
300 ms
500 ms
800 ms
1.2 s
4 s

Testing the Earth-Leakage Protection

DANGER
HAZARD OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, EXPLOSION, OR ARC FLASH Take all measures necessary to avoid the risk of electrocution when the external power supply voltage is greater than 30 Vac. Failure to follow these instructions will result in death or serious injury.

A test pushbutton (T) is on the front of the VigiPacT Add-on and VigiPacT Add-on Alarm. Pressing the test button creates a real ground fault that fully tests the circuit breaker.

In the case of the VigiPacT Add-on, pressing the test button trips the circuit breaker and the pushbutton (R) pops out.
In the case of the VigiPacT Add-on Alarm, continuously pressing the test button for 1 second causes the ALARM earth-leakage LED to flash red and the reset pushbutton (R) pops out. The LED turns off after releasing the test button.

If the circuit breaker does not trip, or the ALARM earth-leakage LED does not flash red, check that the circuit breaker is energized. If the circuit breaker is energized correctly, and has not tripped or indicated the earth-leakage fault, replace the VigiPacT Add-on or VigiPacT Add-on Alarm.

Test the earth-leakage protection at regular intervals. Schneider Electric recommends that the test is carried out:

Every three months in case of absence of local regulation.
Once a month for devices in corrosive, dusty, or harsh environments.

Resetting the Circuit Breaker After an Earth-Leakage Fault Trip

After an earth-leakage fault trip, the circuit breaker cannot be closed again until the VigiPacT Add-on or VigiPacT Add-on Alarm has been reset by pressing the reset pushbutton (R).

Insulation and Dielectric Strength Tests

There is a specific procedure for carrying out the insulation and dielectric strength tests on equipment with a VigiPacT Add-on.

Sealing Accessories for Earth-Leakage Protection

Use sealing accessories to prevent the following operations:

Seal	Description	Prohibited operation
	Seals VigiPacT Add-on mounting screw	Dismantling of the VigiPacT Add-on
	Seals transparent protective cover for the settings	Modification of the VigiPacT Add-on settings