Series Rated & Fully Rated - Equivalent?

[vue]

My consulting EE firm usually fully rates systems using a computer program. In looking over a contractor's shop dwgs for an office building, I saw that the 480v panels were *series rated* at 65kaic (ok) but the 208v panels are *fully rated* at 10kaic. Our calcs had the 208v panels at up to 20kaic. The manufacturer said that it was standard to rate 208v panels at 10kaic.
My question: is this a series rated system, and is it up to code? When the mfg's 3rd party tests for series rating, do they take voltage & transformers into account? Or in a series rated system, are all panels series rated @ 65kaic? Any input is helpful, thanks.

 

[templdl]

Reading between the lines you appear to be saying that the distribution system is 480Y/277 as supplied by by the service entrance. Then I'm may assume that the 208Y/120 is being supplied by 480delta-208Y/120 transfomers. If so you neglected to advise the KVA of those transformers and the available fault current of each separately derived system. The question would be what is the maximum KVA of a transformer with a 208Y/120 transformer before exceeding a 10ka fault current availability.

 

[vue]

templdl, you are correct in your assumptions and your response clears up a lot. So say my separately derived system has 20ka available. I have one distribution board immediately downstream (which must be rated 22kaic) and other panels further down the line. When we fully rate the system, we determine the available kaic at the sub-panels based on voltage & conductor size. How about when series rating? Do we say "22kaic series rated?" Or does the mfg. have smaller breakers (eg 10ka) that are known to handle any current that will flow thru the 22kaic distr. board?

 

[davidr43229]

Perhaps your eplaination needs more investigation. You mentioned Series Rating. Is that Series rating only within the 480volt panel, or is it Series Rating from the 480 panel to the 208 panel. You need to contact the breaker manufacturer and ask. After investigating the type of breakers within the 2 panels. Additionally are there any motors, and what are the HP of those motors. Series Rating can not be used if the motor FLA currents exceed 1% of the load side CB individual interupting rating.
If the Series rating is only within the 480 panel (main to Branch) then clearly the 10K 208 panel with 20K available, is another violation.
Additionally you may have violated other parts of the NEC if Series Rating is present and lack of Selective coordination if there is a disaster to a portion of the building. It is important for safety egress (exit signs)