Electrical Standard Products

Switchgear Training Centre, Coonoor

Electrical

Standard

Products

UNDERSTANDING SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY

Switchgear Training Centre, Coonoor

UNDERSTANDING SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY W h a t i s S w i t c h g e a r ?

Switchgear Training Centre, Coonoor

UNDERSTANDING SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY WhatisSwitchgear? A device or a combination of devices, primarily intended for the purpose of making, carrying and breaking electric currents in circuits during normal circuit conditions as well as under abnormal (faulty) circuit conditions Switchgear Training Centre, Coonoor

L o w Vo l ta ge Switchgear Terminology
WhataretheLVSwitchgearTerminologies? TheLVSwitchgearTerminologiesaregenerallywith respecttothefollowingparameters: Voltages Currents BehaviorunderNormal&OverloadConditions BehaviorunderShortCircuitConditions Utilisationcategories

Switchgear Training Centre, Coonoor

L O W V O LTA G E T E R M I N O L O G Y

S W I T C H G E A R V O L T A G E S

RATEDOPERATIONALVOLTAGE(Ue) RATEDINSULATIONVOLTAGE(Ui) RATEDIMPULSEVOLTAGE(Uimp) Switchgear Training Centre, Coonoor

LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY V O L T A G E S Rated Operational Voltage (Ue): This is the voltage that would normally be available continuously across the terminals of different phases of the switchgear. Unless otherwise specified, this rating will be 415V for LV Switchgear. This implies that even while 415V @50Hz is present between the terminals, there will not be any flashover (i.e.) the insulation between phases is sufficient to tolerate a potential difference of 415V continuously.

LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY V O L T A G E S Rated Insulation Withstand Voltage (Ui): Then, one might ask, at what voltage the interphase insulation would fail, if it would not fail for 415V. What is be the probability of such a happening, that the system voltage can go beyond 415V?

LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY V O L T A G E S There are two possibilities (viz.) transformer tap changers & the system fluctuation on the upper side. One can go by the permissible fluctuations in the supply voltage (+10%) and the worst probable tap ratios in transformers (+/ 12.5%). Considering that the worst condition of the transformer tap in the maximum position and at the same time, the system voltage too fluctuates on the plus side, there could be a net system voltage variation of +25% + +10% on the switchgear.

LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY V O L T A G E S If the switchgear is exactly rated for 415V, then under the above conditions, it would fail. So, another rating called Ui is specified. Normally this would be 690V for LV Switchgear. Even under the worst condition as described above, the 415V system voltage would not go beyond 595V. So, a switchgear rated for an Ui of 690V would very well withstand the above condition.

LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY V O L T A G E S Rated Impulse Withstand Voltage (Uimp): There could be impulse voltages striking the system either a Lightning Impulse (LI) or a Switching Impulse (SI). These are very high magnitude but very short duration voltage waves. Typically, they are high frequency. They can strike our system and our switchgear might fail. So, this rating is also given for switchgear.

Rated

Impulse

Voltage

(U

i m p

Impulse voltage values are selected based on Rated voltage range Installation category Parameters considered for selection Internally generated Overvoltage Ability to withstand externally applied Overvoltage Both to conform to values given in the table Use of surge suppressors, if necessary

I n s t a l l a t i o n ( O v e r v o l t a g e
CategoryI

C a t e g o r y c a t e g o r y )

Speciallyprotected level Load(Appliancesor Equipment level) DistributionCircuit level Originofinstallation i.e.serviceentrancelevel

CategoryII

CategoryIII CategoryIV

I m p u l s e
System Voltage Vrms 50 100 150 300 600 1000

v o l t a g e
Cat.I Vimp 330 500 800 1500 2500 4000 Cat.II Vimp 500 800 1500 2500 4000 6000 Cat.III Vimp 800 1500 2500 4000 6000 8000

l e v e l s
Cat.IV Vimp 1500 2500 4000 6000 8000 12000

LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR TERMINOLOGY C U R R E N T S

CONVENTIONALFREEAIRTHERMALCURRENT (Ith) CONVENTIONALENCLOSEDTHERMAL CURRENT(Ithe) RATEDOPERATIONALCURRENT(Ie) RATEDUNINTERRUPTEDCURRENT(Iu) RATEDCURRENT(In)

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Currents

Rated Free Air Thermal Current (Ith): The current rating for any equipment given based on the temperature rise only. As such, the heating current is important. This specification implies the maximum current that the switchgear can carry continuously for a period of 8 hours, without the temperature rise of any part reaching beyond permissible limits. This test is conducted in openair conditions.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Currents

Rated Enclosed Thermal Current (Ithe): But no LV switchgear is used in open air. Most of the LV switchgear is used under enclosed conditions. The heat dissipation will be poor. So, a more precise rating would be the Ithe. This implies the maximum current that the switchgear can carry continuously for a period of 8 hours, without the temperature rise of any part reaching beyond permissible limits. This test is conducted in enclosed conditions.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Currents

Rated Uninterrupted Current (Iu): Again, electrical equipment are utilized, not in intermittent loading periods of 8 hours each. Rather they are used and loaded continuously, much beyond 8 hours. This rating obviously implies the maximum current the switchgear can carry continuously for periods extending to even hours, weeks & months, without the temperature rise of any part reaching beyond permissible limits. Unless otherwise specified, this will be equal to the rated operational current of the switchgear.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Currents

Rated Operational Current (Ie): All the above three currents take into account only one function the carry function of the Switchgear. But, a switchgear must also make & break. The making and breaking capacities would vary depending upon the application of the switchgear and are normally specified as a multiple of the rated continuous current. So, the continuous current of a switchgear would also vary depending upon the application and the making & breaking capacities expected in that application. Such a rating is the Ie rating.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Currents

Rated Current (In): This rating is similar to the Rated Operational Current Rating, but is applied to Fuses & Circuit Breakers.

CHARAC TERISTIC

QUANTITIES

RATED BREAKING CAPACITYCHARACTERISTICS NORMAL LOAD & OVERLOAD RATED MAKING CAPACITY

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Normal C o n d i t i o n B e h a v i o r

Rated Normal Condition Making Current: Even during the normal conditions, a switchgear may be expected to switchon more than its rated current. For example, while switching on an induction motor. The switchgear should not fail then. This specification implies the maximum current told as a multiple of Ie, that the switchgear can safely make, without causing any damage to itself or to the installation or to the operator.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Normal C o n d i t i o n B e h a v i o r

Rated Normal Condition Breaking Current: Even during the normal conditions, a switchgear may be expected to switchoff more than its rated current. For example, while the overload relay of an induction motor senses a overload and trips the switchgear. The switchgear should not fail then. This specification implies the maximum current told as a multiple of Ie, that the switchgear can safely break, without causing any damage to itself or to the installation or to the operator.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Short C i r c u i t C o n d i t i o n B e h a v i o r

RATEDSHORTCIRCUITMAKINGCAPACITY(Icm) RATEDSHORTTIMEWITHSTANDCURRENT(Icw) RATEDSHORTCIRCUITBREAKINGCAPACITY(Icn)

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Behavior under Short Circuit Condition

Rated Short Circuit Making Current: It might be possible that the switchgear might be closing on to a fault. (i.e.) there might be an existing fault and unaware of the same, an attempt is made to close the switchgear. Quite a huge electro dynamic force is developed under such conditions and the switchgear shall not explode. It should withstand such stresses too. This capacity of the switchgear is called the rated short circuit making capacity. This will tell the maximum current that the switchgear can safely make, under short circuit conditions, without causing any damage to itself or to the installation or to the operator.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Behavior under Short Circuit Condition

Rated Short Circuit Breaking Current: Similarly, a switchgear is also expected to break short circuit currents. The capacity of the switchgear to break short circuit currents is called the rated short circuit breaking capacity. This will tell the maximum current that the switchgear can safely break, under short circuit conditions, without causing any damage to itself or to the installation or to the operator.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Behavior under Short Circuit Condition

Rated Short time withstand Current (Icw): When there is a short circuit, the nearest switchgear to the fault shall trip and isolate the fault. In case, it doesnt trip, the next upstream breaker would trip after a time delay, and so on. This is called discrimination. In the worst case of the uppermost stream breaker only tripping on a downmost stream fault, all the breakers in series, would have to carry the fault current for the entire duration, without any damage.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Behavior under Short Circuit Condition

The ability of the switchgear to carry the short circuit current for the coordinated short circuit time, is called Icw. Obviously, the more Icw, that a switchgear has got, the more coordination interval that one has got. This is normally specified as, say, 50kA for 1 sec. Many switchgear may have making and breaking capacities of, say, 50kA, but their oneminute Icw will be lower at, say, 35kA only. So, this specification must also be paid attention to, while specifying switchgear.

Low Voltage Switchgear Terminology Utilisation c a t e g o r y

Switchgear is a switching device. As such, it could be employed for any kind of switching operation. But, its characteristics like the operational current, the making & breaking currents will greatly depend on the application. Based on the applications, switchgear are categorized under different Utilization categories.

NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
MAXIMUM 40C AVERAGE OVER 24 HRS NOT MORE THAN 35C MINIMUM 5C ALTITUDE DOES NOT EXCEED 2000m

NORMAL SERVICE CONDITION

HUMIDITY RELATIVE HUMIDITY DOES NOT EXCEED 50% AT MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 40 C POLLUTION DEGREE POLLUTION DEGREE 3

POLLUTION

DEGREE

(LIGHT)

Areas without industries and with low density of houses equipped with heating. Areas with low density of industries or houses but subjected to winds and/or rainfall. Agricultural areas Mountainous areas These areas shall be situated at least 20 km from the sea and thus not exposed to wind from the sea.

POLLUTION DEGREE 2 (MEDIUM)

Areas with industries not producing particularly polluting smoke and / or with average density of houses equipped with heating. Areas with high density of houses and / or industries but subjected to frequent winds and / or rainfall. Areas exposed to wind from the sea but not too close to the coast.

POLLUTION

DEGREE

(HEAVY)

Areas with high density of industries and suburbs of large cities with high density of heating plants producing pollution. Areas close to the sea or in any case exposed to relatively strong winds from the sea.

P O L L U T I O N ( V E R Y

D E G R E E H E A V

4 )

Areas generally of moderate extent, subjected to conductive dusts and to industrial smoke producing particularly thick conductive deposits. Areas generally of moderate extent, very close to the coast and exposed to sea-spray or very strong and polluting winds from the sea. Desert areas, characterized by no rain for long periods, exposed to strong winds carrying sand and salt, and subject to regular condensation.

POLLUTION DEGREE
Pollution Degree 1- No Pollution or only dry non-conducting
pollution

Pollution Degree 2- Normally non-conductive pollution, but

occasionally temporary conductivity caused by condensation must be expected

Pollution Degree 3- Conductive pollution or dry nonconductive pollution which becomes conducting due to condensation

Pollution Degree 4- Pollution generates persistent conductivity

caused by conductive dust and/or rain or snow

P o l l u t i o n
Guidelines: A/c and/or dry dustfree areas Household & similar areas Normal industrial environment Outdoor Installation

d e g r e e

Degree 1 Degree 2

Degree 3 Degree 4

P O L L U T I O N
Pollutionlevel

D E G R E E S

Minimumnominal specificcreepage distance(mm/kV) 16 20 25 31

Light

II Medium III Heavy IV Very Heavy

Classification of Insulating materials Group I Group II Group III a Group III b 600 < CTI 400 < CTI < 600 175 < CTI < 400 100 < CTI < 175

(CTI = Comparative Tracking Index)

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