IDMT grading calculator
Plot the trip curves of inverse-time overcurrent relays.
Inputs
Worked example with the default inputs. The live calculator replaces it when the page loads.
- Fault current
- 1,200 A
- Relays
- 2 rows
Downstream trip time
0.27s
- Upstream trip time
- 0.96s
- Margin Downstream to Upstream
- 0.68s
This result is a design aid. Verify it against the current standard.
Calculation steps
- Fault current1,200A
- Relays graded2
- Downstream (IEC-SI) trip time0.27sIEC 60255-151:2009
- Upstream (IEC-SI) trip time0.96sIEC 60255-151:2009
- Grading margin Downstream to Upstream0.68s
Questions
Each answer describes what this tool calculates. The result is a design aid. Verify against the current standard.
What does the IDMT calculator do?
The tool plots the trip curve of up to four inverse time overcurrent relays. It reports the trip time of each relay at the fault current you enter. It also reports the grading margin between each pair of relays in the list.
Which curves are available?
The tool offers the standard inverse, very inverse, extremely inverse and long time inverse curves of IEC 60255-151:2009. It also offers the moderately inverse, very inverse and extremely inverse curves of IEEE C37.112. Each curve has its own constants, so the same settings give different trip times.
Which inputs matter most?
The curve type, the pickup current and the time multiplier set the curve's shape and position. The fault current sets where the trip time is read. An instantaneous setting is optional. Relay order in the list sets which pairs are compared for grading.
What are the common gotchas?
A relay does not trip below its pickup current, so the tool reports no pickup there. An instantaneous setting overrides the curve above its threshold. A warning appears when a grading margin falls below 0.3 seconds, which is the default the tool uses. Relay settings sit in the page address.
Clauses and tables this tool reads
- IEC 60255-151:2009 / IEEE C37.112-2018Inverse-time overcurrent curves
- IEC 60255-151 Table 1 / IEEE C37.112 Table 1IDMT overcurrent curve constants
Every clause and table, with how each was verified
Tables last checked on 26 Sept 2026.
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