110.9 Interrupting rating
Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels must have an interrupting rating at the circuit’s nominal voltage that is at least equal to the available fault current at its line terminals. Think: available fault current ≤ interrupting rating.
110.10 Available fault current, SCCR
The overcurrent protective devices, equipment short-circuit current ratings, and other circuit characteristics must be selected and coordinated with the available fault current so a fault is cleared without extensive damage to the electrical equipment.
The example from Daily Code Talk
Available fault current = 22 kA. Breaker interrupting rating = 35 kA. Equipment SCCR = 10 kA. The breaker may interrupt the fault. The equipment SCCR is still below the available fault current. That equipment is not adequately rated for that location.
Field tip
For VFDs, control panels, HVAC equipment, and pump packages, compare available fault current vs equipment SCCR vs OCPD interrupting rating. All three matter. Hub: SCCR hub. Next: 110.11–110.13.
Code basis
NEC 2026 Article 110 education from the owner-provided Daily Code Talk. Confirm adopted edition and the project short-circuit study. Not a coordination study.