Presentation

Metal-enclosed, factory-built equipment

Introduction
In order to design a medium-voltage cubicle, you need to know the following basic magnitudes:
c Voltage c Current c Frequency c Short-circuit power. The voltage, the rated current and the rated frequency are often known or can easily be defined, but how can we calculate the short-circuit power or current at a given point in an installation? Knowing the short-circuit power of the network allows us to choose the various parts of a switchboard which must withstand significant temperature rises and electrodynamic constraints. Knowing the voltage (kV) will allow us to define the dielectric withstand of the components. E.g.: circuit breakers, insulators, CT.

Disconnection, control and protection of electrical networks is achieved by using switchgear. c Metal enclosed switchgear is sub-divided into three types: v metal-clad v compartmented v block.

Presentation

Metal-enclosed, factory-built equipment

Voltage
Operating voltage U (kV)
This is applied across the equipment terminals.

Rated voltage Ur (kV)

Previously known as nominal voltage, this is the maximum rms. (root mean square) value of the voltage that the equipment can withstand under normal operating conditions. The rated voltage is always greater than the operating voltage and, is associated with an insulation level.

Insulation level Ud (kV rms. 1 mn) and Up (kV peak)

This defines the dielectric withstand of equipment to switching operation overvoltages and lightning impulse. c Ud: overvoltages of internal origin, accompany all changes in the circuit: opening or closing a circuit, breakdown or shorting across an insulator, etc It is simulated in a laboratory by the rated power-frequency withstand voltage for one minute. c Up: overvoltages of external origin or atmospheric origin occur when lightning falls on or near a line. The voltage wave that results is simulated in a laboratory and is called the rated lightning impulse withstand voltage.

N.B.: IEC 694, article 4 sets the various voltage values together with, in article 6, the dielectric testing conditions.

Example: c Operating voltage: 20 kV c Rated voltage: 24 kV c Power frequency withstand voltage 50 Hz 1 mn: 50 kV rms. c Impulse withstand voltage 1.2/50 s: 125 kV peak.

Merlin Gerin MV design guide

Schneider Electric

Presentation

Metal-enclosed, factory-built equipment

Standards
Apart from special cases, MERLIN GERIN equipment is in conformity with list 2 of the series 1 table in IEC 60 071 and 60 298. Rated voltage Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage 1.2/50 s 50 Hz kV peak
list 1 40 60 75 95 145 list 2 60 75 95 125 170

Rated power-frequency withstand voltage 1 minute kV rms.

20 28 38 50 70

Normal operating voltage kV rms.

3.3 to 6.6 10 to 11 13.8 to 15 20 to 22 25.8 to 36

kV rms.
7.2 12 17.5 24 36

Insulation levels apply to metal-enclosed switchgear at altitudes of less than 1 000 metres, 20C, 11 g/m3 humidity and a pressure of 1 013 mbar. Above this, derating should be considered. Each insulation level corresponds to a distance in air which guarantees equipment withstand without a test certificate. Rated voltage kV rms.
7.2 12 17.5 24 36

Rated impulse withstand voltage 1.2/50 s kV peak

60 75 95 125 170

Distance/earth in air cm
10 12 16 22 32

IEC standardised voltages

U Um 0.5 Um t

Rated voltage
Rated power frequency withstand voltage 50 Hz 1 mm

1.2 s

50 s

Rated lightning withstand voltage

20 7.2 28 12 38 50 70
Ud

60 75 95 125 170
Up

17.5 24 36
Ur

Schneider Electric

Merlin Gerin MV design guide