High Voltage Circuit Breakers PDF

ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 1 -
General
High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 2 -
GENERAL
Introduction/ Physics of the electric arc
Breaking an alternate current
Circuit breaker characteristics
BREAKER TYPES
Breaker technologies
Oil circuit breakers
Sf6 circuit breakers
Vacuum circuit breakers
MAINTENANCE/ DRIVING/ TESTS
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 3 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
Introduction
The circuit breaker is the last, larger and more important
element of the system constituted by the protection
equipment.
It is responsible of the ultimate clearance of all present

disturbances and of the switching manoeuvres involved in
normal operation of the system.
All this tasks must be performed without the insertion of

secondary disturbances by the breaker.
In order to fulfil these requirements, the breaker must be

highly reliable, both electrically and mechanically.

1_114Q07- 4 -
Introduction

1_114Q07- 5 -
The switching of the configuration of an electrical system operating a

circuit breaker is not generally a simple process.
The operation of a breaker in a circuit with a current flow, implies the

necessity of extinguishing the electric arc which appears between
the contacts.
The arc extinction, which must be done under very severe physical
and time conditions, may itself provoke transient phenomena
accompanied with overvoltages.
According to the standard IEC 265-1:1983, a circuit breaker is a

mechanical device of connection, capable of establish, withstand
and break the current under the normal operation of the circuit and
occasionally, under specific overload in-service conditions, as well
as endure specific abnormal circuit currents (e. g. short circuit
currents) during a given time (generally fractions of second).
Introduction
The main function of circuit breakers is hence to interrupt currents.
Its operation consist of:

1_114Q07- 6 -
The physical separation of two points named contacts.
The extinction of the arc which inevitably appears, taking the

opportunity of the zero pass of the current (AC).
Finally the circuit breakers must:
When open, to endure the voltage among contacts without

restriking.
At closing, to withstand the making load or fault currents.
When closed, to withstand the permanent flow of load current
At opening, to interrupt currents without failure
Nevertheless it is not usual that circuit breakers visibly isolate

zones for working, hence something else is necessary.
Physics of the electric arc
In order to turn gases into electric conductors their temperature should reach a certain limit.
Thus, their molecules and atoms begin to lose electrons and the gases become conductors.
Metals have their own conductive properties due to the existence of free electrons in their
inside.
In their surface there is a potential barrier produced by a layer of positive ions in the metals
inside, which prevents electrons from escaping the surface, unless their kinetic energy is greater
than its charge multiplied by the potential barrier.
When the temperature in the metal is raised, energy is transmitted to electrons that may
lead them to overcome the potential barrier, thus causing the thermionic emission.
Other forms to extract electrons from a metal is to expose it to a strong electric field or to a
luminous radiation (photoionic emission)

1_114Q07- 7 -
Discharge phenomena in a gas
When the electric arc appears, the electrons are released due to the thermoelectric
emission of the cathode.
The electric field in front of the cathode accelerates the positive ions;
this process heats the metal in the cathodic electrode and generates the necessary
temperature in the cathode (22000k).
This electric field leads to the release of electrons in the cathode.
The electric arcs present the properties of great mobility and easy shifting due to the
effect of air currents, magnetic fields, etc.
The voltage drop in the arc may be expressed by AYRTONs formula:
Where A and B are linear functions of the

B arc length
For i
For strong currents: Ua = A

1_114Q07- 8 -
= A+
a
o; UA = Ue (extinctionU
voltage)
Arc temperature
The curve in Fig. shows the temperature of
the medium surrounding the arc as a function
of the distance to its axis. The temperatures
depend on the contacts material.
The arcs shows up as an incandescent gas

column with an almost straight-line trajectory
between the electrodes, which core reaches
temperatures between 6,000 and 10,0000 C.
The surface of contact of the arc with the
electrodes appears incandescent.
The collision of the molecules with the

electrons emitted by the cathode generates
the ions of the arc column.

1_114Q07- 9 -
Voltage drop in the arc

1_114Q07- 10 -
The arc can be divided in three zones.
Close to the electrodes, there are two very short zones with high gradients
and pronounced voltage drops: UA (anodic) y Ue (cathodic).
The third zone presents a smaller voltage drop, U, proportional to the length
of the rest of the distance between electrodes.
The cathodic drop is lower than the anodic and includes a very small zone.
UA and Ue depend on the current intensity (Fig. 1).
Voltage drop in the arc
In the zone of the cathodic drop there are

metallic vapours proceeding from the cathode with
many positive ions and few electrons.

1_114Q07- 11 -
These electrons have great mobility and they are

able to transport from 10% to 20% of the current.
In the arc zone, the shifting of electrons gives

place to intense currents.
When the ions go toward the electrodes of opposite

sign they accumulate toward the nearby zones
causing the voltage drops shown in Fig. 1.
These voltage drops are associated to powerful fields

that provide the ions enough energy to release new
ions.
In the anodic zone, a negative charge generates a

voltage drop.
Power and energy in the arc
The power absorbed by the arc is equal to multiply the current of the arc Ia by the voltage
drop in the column:
Pa = I a U a
The energy absorbed by the arc is the integral of the former product, extended to the
whole duration of the arc:

1_114Q07- 12 -
dt to
transformed W
in =heat
is dissipated
o Pand
a dt =
o IaUa
This energy is
the environment due to
conduction, radiation and convection. Part of this heat is absorbed by the dissociation of
the flow that surrounds the arc.
A high thermal conductivity and an improvement of the refrigeration conditions will reduce the
temperature and increase the voltage drop.
The rise of the pressure also produces an increase in the voltage drop.
Characteristics of the arc
The relationship among voltage and

current in an electric arc is very different
from that of metallic conductors.
In metallic conductors, the voltage is

proportional to the current, and its
characteristic is a straight line er.
The voltage UA between the electrodes of

the arc decreases when the current rises
to a limit value and then it rises again
when the current decreases.
The initial breakdown of the space between electrodes requires a high
voltage of ignition for i = o.

1_114Q07- 13 -
The growth of current increases t and the ionisation of the medium

that surrounds the arc, consequently raising the conductivity of the
column of the arc, which decreases the voltage of the arc.

When the current increases, the
curve shows a very considerable
decline at the beginning and then it
decreases more slowly.
This is because the arc subsists at a

constant current density, which
implies a section growth when the
current rises and an increase of the
air conductivity.
If the current of the arc decreases under a given value, the points of the curve do
not match, but they are below the curve.
This phenomenon is due to the calorific inertia of the arc.

1_114Q07- 14 -
The surface of the cathodic stain, the arc diameter, the ionisation current and the
t do not adapt instantly to the new values of current and they give place to a
lesser voltage of the arc.

1_114Q07- 15 -
The extinction voltage is smaller than the

restriking voltage, because when the
extinction takes place (following an
instant of strong dissipation of heat due
to thermal inertia), the column of the arc
has thermodynamic and conductive
conditions superior to those preceding
the restriking.
The restriking occurs after a very short

time without arc, of about millionths of
second, in which a cooling and an intense
deionisation of the arc take place.
The arc restriking, with the current in the opposite direction, is produced
when the inverse voltage of recovery applied between the electrodes is
higher than the restriking voltage.
The value of the restriking voltage depends on the separation between

electrodes, the pressure of the medium and the concentration of charge
carriers, influenced by the refrigeration and thermal conductivity of the
medium and the electrodes.
The arc in alternate current

In an AC circuit the current passes through zero twice in a cycle. If the voltage and current of the
arc are registered by an oscillograph, the obtained voltage-current curves present forms that
depend on the kind of gas, the material of the electrodes, the arc length and the frequency of the
current.
The difference of ordinates between the curve of rising current and the curve of decreasing current
is due to the thermal capacity of the electrodes and of the gas of the arc and, in particular, of the
calorific inertia of the arc (arc hysteresis).

1_114Q07- 16 -
The arc in alternate current
RESTRIKING VOLTAGE (Ur)

1_114Q07- 17 -
It is the voltage between electrodes needed to restrike the arc after it extinguishes when the current
naturally crosses zero. If the voltage between electrodes is lower than the restriking voltage of the arc, the
circuit stays definitely open.
EXTINCTION VOLTAGE (Ue)
It is the peak voltage of the arc when the current reaches zero value.
The decreasing shape of the characteristic of the arc and the smaller concentration of charge carriers
(resultant from the current decrease) justify the rise of the arc voltage Ua, which peak is the extinction
voltage Ue.
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 18 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
If the circuit breaker is capable to open its contacts at the instant when the current
crosses zero fast enough so that the voltage between contacts does not reach the
restrike voltage, the circuit remains open and, since the electromagnetic energy is
null in that instant, no overvoltages are present between contacts.
For this to happen in 50 Hz networks, the circuit breaker should be able to open in less
than ten thousandth of second.
urd
i
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t
1_114Q07- 19 -
ua
i
In fast medium-voltage circuit breakers, the current breaks after two or

more hundredth of second. Actually, the current breaking always has
place through an arc, with the exception of very weak currents or
extremely small voltages.
The breaker goes from

conductive
condition
to
insulating condition with a
given puncture voltage or
dielectric strength, which
grows with time.

1_114Q07- 20 -
The conductive condition is

provoked by the ionisation of
the gas that surrounds the
arc. The ionisation is due to
the high temperature that the
gas reaches and by the
electrons released by the
cathode.
u
i
urd
Em
i
u
ua
urd

The voltage drop in the arc brings the power required to keep the high
temperatures (due to the Joule effect), balancing the heat losses of the arc
due to conduction, convection and radiation.
As the current decreases when it approaches to zero, the thermal power of

the Joule effect is lower than the thermal power given to the environment.
This leads to the cooling of the arc and produces a recombination of ions
and electrons, which diminish the conductance of the path of the arc.
If the curve Up is constantly above the curve Utr , the arc will not restrike and
the circuit opening will be definitive. Nevertheless, if the voltage curve Utr
crosses the curve Up, at that instant the dielectric puncture of the medium
will occur and a new arc suddenly restrikes.

1_114Q07- 21 -

The final extinction of the arc will be possible in one of the instants when the
current crosses zero, providing that the voltage between contacts in those instants
is unable to restrike a new arc toward the remainder plasma (between contacts),
more or less deionised.
The possibility of an arc restrike or its definitive extinction depends on the rate of
rise of the TRANSIENT RECOVERY VOLTAGE (TRV), and of the dielectric
strength of the zone surrounding the arc at such time.
The dielectric strength is a function of t and the fractional ionisation of the plasma
in the instant of the zero crossing of the current.
The arc trajectory should acquire briefly a dielectric strength enough to resist the
recovery voltage between electrodes.
The rate of rise of the transient recovery voltage (TRV) is very important for the
value of the breaking capacity of a circuit breaker. In the high voltage circuits, the
TRV may reach initial values of around kV/Ts.

1_114Q07- 22 -

The rate of recovery of the dielectric strength of the arcs medium
is an attribute of the circuit breaker, since it depends on the
refrigeration conditions, the deionisation rate of the zone of the arc
and the speed of the separation of the contacts.
The problem consists in a race between two voltages: the dielectric

strength and the transient recovery voltage. If the second does not
reach the first, the breaking is definitive and happens when the
current crosses zero

1_114Q07- 23 -
Arc extinction process

1_114Q07- 24 -
When a circuit breaker is

closed, a pressure among
contacts exists and the current
density is minimal.

1_114Q07- 25 -
At the opening maneuver, at

the moment of contact
parting, the thin layer of fluid
(air, oil, SF6, etc) between
them is crossed by the
current, which implies a very
fast rising of the temperature
in the contacts originating
metallic vapours.
The
isolating
medium
surrounding the arc suffers a
violent
heating
which
originates its transformation
into conductor.

1_114Q07- 26 -
The
gaseous
column
strongly ionised turns into
plasma
Its ionisation and electrical

conductivity extremely rise
with temperature

1_114Q07- 27 -
The renewal of the quenching

medium and the zero cross of
the current extinguish the arc
Arc extinction process. Load current interruption
The simplest case of current interruption is the one corresponding to

the normal load current.
They are small currents, compared to the high short circuit currents,
and its phase angle is close to zero (cos aprox. 0,8).
The interruption will take place at the first zero cross of the current.
u
urd
i
u

1_114Q07- 28 -
t
ua
i
Arc extinction process. Fault current interruption
The case of close-in faults is characterized by a high current, with a

high phase angle close to 90 (load strongly inductive).
It can lead to several arc restrikings and the arc extinction does not
take place before the 2 or 3 zero cross of the current.
u
i
The arc is established by contact parting.

The voltage drop is Ua.
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i
u
At the first zero cross the TRV rises very

quickly trying to reach the grid voltage but
a restrike occurs because the dielectric
strength is not high enough.
ua

1_114Q07- 29 -
urd
At this zero cross, the dielectric strength is

higher than the TRV and the arc is finally
extinguished.

1_114Q07- 30 -
Arc extinction process. Other cases
When the short circuit is at the far end of the line, a transient
overvoltage may add to the TRV, which can cause restrikings even
though the current is not very high.
The case of interrupting small inductive currents may also cause some
troubles since the arc may extinguish even before the zero cross of the
current, hence generating voltage peaks by induction effect, and
consequent restrikings.
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 31 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
Circuit Breakers

1_114Q07- 32 -
According to the standard IEC 265-1:1983, a circuit

breaker is a mechanical device of connection,
Capable of establish, withstand and break the current

under the normal operation of the circuit
Occasionally,
conditions,
Endure specific abnormal circuit currents (e. g. short

circuit currents) during a given time (generally
fractions of second).
under
specific
overload
in-service
Circuit Breakers

1_114Q07- 33 -
The main nominal characteristics of circuit breakers are:
Rated voltage
Insulation level
Rated current
Rated frequency
Breaking capacity
Making capacity
Short-time current
Sequence of operation
Thermal short-time current rating
Mechanical short-time current rating
Rated voltage
The rated or nominal voltage of a network (Un) is the standard value of voltage for
which the networks operation and insulation have been designed.
The limit values of a networks voltage (excluding all transitory or abnormal

conditions) are the highest and lowest value of voltage that may be present in the
network at a given instant or place under normal operation conditions.

1_114Q07- 34 -
Generally, those limit values are around 10% from the nominal voltage of the network.
The highest voltage for a circuit breaker is the maximum specified for it related to:
Its insulation
Other attributes associated to this voltage
Insulation level
The insulation level of a circuit breaker is given

by:
Nominal power-frequency withstand voltage
Nominal lightning withstand voltage
And eventually by:

1_114Q07- 35 -
Nominal switching withstand voltage
These values characterize the devices insulation

regarding its aptitude to withstand overvoltages
at power frequency, lightning overvoltages and
switching overvoltages of steep wavefront.

1_114Q07- 36 -
Insulation level. Lightning wave
Lightning overvoltage waves in overhead lines may have several

forms, but those registered by a cathode-ray oscillograph during
storms had shown that they might be represented by a non-periodic
unidirectional wave of steep front, attenuated afterwards.
In order to typify the insulation of a given device, this wave can be

standardized as a 1.2/50 waveform;
this is, a waveform which front has a conventional duration T1 = 1.2 s,
and the conventional duration of the waveform afterwards until it

reaches half its amplitude in the tail is of 50 s, according to the
standard DIN VDE 0432.
Insulation level. Switching wave

In high and medium voltage lines, the breaking of the current in a
circuit provokes overvoltages, with an unidirectional wave of steep
front, attenuated afterwards, that be standardized as a 250/2500 shock
wave, this is, a waveform which front has a conventional duration T1 =
250 s and T2 = 2500 s.
These shock voltages are generally triggered by an arrangement in

which a given number of capacitors are charged in parallel by a highvoltage direct current source and then discharged in series over a
circuit composed by the tested device in parallel with a pure resistance
R and a linear inductance L.

1_114Q07- 37 -
Nominal or rated current
It is the current assigned by the manufacturer that the device can endure indefinitely (or for a
given time) under normal operation conditions, without suffering any heating higher than that
fixed by the standards, and without undergo any modification in its functional features.
PART

1_114Q07- 38 -
LIMITS OF RISE OF TEMPERATURE IN C

Other circuit breakers
Contactors in air
30
35
-Contactors in oil
30
-Oil
30
Voltage coils with insulation type 0*
35
35
Seriesincoils
insulation
type 0*
50
The values
thewith
former
table
are for circuit breakers operating
outdoors. For50circuit breakers
Series
and voltage
coils with
insulation
type A
50
50
operating
indoors,
these
limits
of temperature
rise are related
to the temperature
indoors and
Series and voltage coils with insulation type B
70
70
should not
exceed
40ofC
the breaker
circuit breaker contacts are
copper.
All the
other parts
the if
circuit
70 made of silver or silvery
70
Symmetrical and asymmetrical breaking current
When a sudden short-circuit takes place, the initial current reaches a

high value that progressively diminish until it attains the steady state
short-circuit value.
Besides, the delay of the relays (which

send the opening signal to the breaker
after the short-circuit starts) should be
taken into account.
For this the actual value of the current

cleared by the breaker is lower than
the initial value of the short-circuit
current.
The IEC defines breaking current as follows:
The breaking current of a circuit breaker pole is the value of the

current in the pole in the instant of contact separation and is
expressed by two values:

1_114Q07- 39 -
Symmetrical current
Asymmetrical current
The symmetrical current is the effective value of the AC component in

the pole at the instant of contact separation and its value is given by:
x
I sim =
2
The asymmetrical current is the RMS value of the total current

composed by the AC and DC components in a pole in the instant of
contact separation and its value is given by :

1_114Q07- 40 -
x
2
=
+
(Y
)
I asim
2
The extent of the asymmetrical period and its importance of the asymmetry
depend, for each phase, on the instantaneous value of the electromotive force
(e.m.f.) in the initial moment of the short-circuit and its maximum value when the
initial instant corresponds with a zero of the e.m.f.
Usually the relationship between the symmetrical and asymmetrical short-circuit

currents is expressed by a factor of asymmetry K:

1_114Q07- 41 -
K depends on the relationship between the inductive reactance and the resistance of
K I sim
I asim =
the circuit where the circuit
breaker
will be mounted. It is generally tabulated in tables.
The breaking capacity of a circuit breaker is calculated as:
x
K= f
R
Pcc SIM = 3 U n I SIM

Pcc ASIM = 3 U n I ASIM
Pcc ASIM = K Pcc SIM
Short circuit making current
This value distinguishes the capacity of a circuit breaker to close its

contacts under short-circuit conditions in the system.
The making current of a breaker when its contacts close under shortcircuit conditions is the value of the total current (including alternate
and direct components) and which are measured from the envelope of
the current waveform in its first peak value.
The making current of a breaker is that associated to its closing at

service voltage. If this value is not present in the nameplate, should be
calculated as follows:

1_114Q07- 42 -
Making current = 1,8 Isim = 2,55 Isim
Permissible rated short-time current
The permissible rated duration of the short-circuit current is the time

during which the closed circuit breaker can endure a current equal to
its rated breaking capacity under short-circuit conditions.
The rated value of the permissible rated duration of the short-circuit is

1 second, or, if a superior value is needed, 3 seconds.
For short-circuits that last more than one second, the relationship
between current and duration, unless the manufacturer specifies it
otherwise, complies with the following expression:

1_114Q07- 43 -
2
I t = constant
Rated sequence of operation
The rated sequence of operation of a circuit breaker consists in a number of

operations established in a certain succession and in given ranges of time.
According to the IEC standards, the sequence of operation of a circuit
breaker not specified as a recloser can be expressed as follows:
o - t - co - t' - co
o - t - co
Where:
o=
opening operation,
c = closing operation
co =
closing operation followed by an opening operation
t, t', t time ranges, t y t' expressed in minutes, t expressed in seconds

1_114Q07- 44 -
For example, a circuit breaker with a double operation sequence o - 0,15seg

co, means than when the fault takes place, the circuit breaker opens, waits
0,15seg, closes and, if the fault continues, it opens again.
Breaker

1_114Q07- 45 -
Types
High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 46 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
Breaker types
The main way to distinguish the

different types of breakers is
that related with the mediun they
use as a dielectric and to break
the current.
In accordance with that we can

distinguish :
Oil breakers
Dead tank

1_114Q07- 47 -
Low content
Magnetic blast breakers
Air blast breakers
SF6 breakers
Vacuum breakers
Voltage Puncture in OIL,

AIR and SF6
Breaker technologies. History. OIL

1900
Contacts in oil without breaking chamber

Breaking chamber
Oil as dielectric and isolation
Dead tank, reaches ratings of 330 kV 63 kA
1930
Low content of oil

1_114Q07- 48 -
Porcelain isolator
1973
Low content oil reaches 765 kV y 63 kA
1979
At HV becomes not competitive against SF6
Breaker technologies. History. AIR BLAST
1930 Breaking with single and multiple chambers

1955 Very well accepted and introduced into the market

1_114Q07- 49 -
1965 Becomes not so

compressors, noise, etc.
popular
because
maintenance,
Breaker technologies. History. VACUUM
1920
First development at laboratory

Difficulties with manufacturing
1963
Still manufacturing difficulties
1973
17 breakers installed at U.S.A

6 Chambers for 138 kV 40 kA

1_114Q07- 50 -
1990
Becomes rather popular at MV
Breaker technologies. History. SF6

1950
Beginning of instalation with GIS
1973 Hidro-Quebec complete an instalation with GIS for 765 kV

1984 Beyond 123 kV becomes the most popular technology
with auto-puffer breakers

1_114Q07- 51 -
1990 Continues expansion at M.V. y H.V.. New designs with

low energy operating mechanisms
Selection of the breaking technology

1_114Q07- 52 -
In order to select the appropriate breaking technology, the following

aspects should be taken into account:
The highest security for personnel and material
The fewer requirements of maintenance
The best treatment of switching overvoltages in order to keep them

into secure levels (less risk for the material)
The best economical conditions, considering cost of acquisition and

assembling, as well as maintenance yearly expenses, cost of
renewal of damaged material (due to repeated arcs) and cost of
indispensable auxiliary systems (like air compression systems in
airblast circuit breakers)
Predictable future of each technology

1_114Q07- 53 -
Accordingly to experience it
is possible to establish:
The continued monopoly

of air breaking for all low
voltage applications.
The expected decrease

(that has already started)
of two formerly successful
technologies:
airblast
breaking and oil breaking.
The predictable development of vacuum breaking, even when it has been

long an uncertainty.
The impressive development of SF6 breaking, which dominates nowadays

the hole range of medium to high voltage (from 3 kV to 800 kV)
The hypothetical birth of static breaking, with a promising but doubtful future.
Predictable future of each technology

Number of breakers by Voltage and thecnology used
K.V.
AIRE
G.V.A.
P.V.A.
SF6
380
10
47
14
71
220
66
260
147
475
132
43
73
443
451
1010
66
143
582
433
1158
45
44
900
62
20
1035
30
77
486
33
29
631
20
43
3261
2920
216
6442
15,13,11
20
233
1320
15
1597
197
574
7299
4075
274
12419

1_114Q07- 54 -
TOTAL
%TOTAL
AO 2000
1,59
AO 1997
4,62
5,85
VACO
TOTAL
58,77
32,81
2,21
100
64,75
25,79
1,61
100

1_114Q07- 55 -
Magnetic blast circuit breakers
Arc extinction by means

of a magnetic field
created by the current to
interrupt
The arc is displaced and

elongated by the effect
of that magnetic field
Only used in LV and MV
No flammability hazard

1_114Q07- 56 -
El principio del soplado magntico consiste

en producir, por la accin de un campo
magntico excitado por la propia corriente
a cortar, un ms rpido alargamiento del
arco, el cual es canalizado hacia el interior
de una cmara de extincin de material
aislante, refractario, de gran capacidad
calorfica.
En base a este principio, es posible lograr
la ruptura de muy elevadas corrientes en
baja tensin y an en media tensin,
siempre y cuando se cuente con una
potencia de refrigeracin suficiente en la
zona del arco como para impedir el
embalamiento trmico post-arco.
Interruptores de A..T. Interruptores para el Interior.

1_114Q07- 57 -
Es condicin fundamental, en un
interruptor de soplado magntico, que el
arco se extinga dentro de la cmara de
extincin, sin salirse de ella. La misin de
esta cmara es laminar el arco y enfriar
enrgicamente el plasma de gases
ionizados, al paso por cero de la corriente.
Conviene destacar que el soplado
magntico en los interruptores de corriente
alterna, es nulo en el momento de
extinguirse el arco (paso por cero de la
corriente), no ejercindose en estos
instantes accin electromagntica alguna
sobre los iones y electrones presentes en
la columna del mismo, lo cual limita la
utilizacin de este tipo de aparatos para
tensiones muy altas.
Interruptores de A..T. Interruptores para el Interior.

1_114Q07- 58 -
SECCIN DE UN POLO DEL INTERRUPTOR AUTOMATICO
Interruptores de A..T. Interruptores para el Interior. Ruptura con solapado Magntico

1_114Q07- 59 -
SECUENCIA DE CORTE DE UN
POLO DEL INTERRUPTOR
AUTOMATICO

Ua
e
i
ra
=Tensin de arco
= F.E.M. del circuito
= Corriente
= Resistencia del aire
La figura ilustra este proceso, en el caso de un circuito de corriente

alterna. La tcnica utilizada en estos interruptores no pretende cortar
bruscamente el arco al paso por cero de la corriente, sino que aprovecha
los instantes que preceden y suceden a ese instante para cambiar el
rgimen de funcionamiento del interruptor, pasando de un arco de
pequea resistencia a un arco de elevada resistencia. La ruptura
sobreviene a continuacin, al incrementarse esta resistencia hasta el
infinito, tal como se tiene en los interruptores de corriente continua.

1_114Q07- 60 -
El xito de esta tcnica, inicialmente aplicada a los interruptores de baja tensin y muy especialmente en los interruptores
de corriente continua ultrarrpidos hasta 3 kV, llev a los constructores a extrapolar su utilizacin a los aparatos de alterna
de media tensin, hasta tensiones de 24 kV.
Como sea que, para alcanzar una tensin de arco del orden de la tensin de la red, la longitud de aquel debe ser muy
importante; y una elevada tensin de arco con corrientes fuertes sera causa de un considerable desarrollo de energa (por
defecto Joule), que adems de intil sera perjudicial. Es necesario que en tanto la corriente sea fuerte el arco sea corto,
forzando su alargamiento nicamente al ir aproximndose la corriente a cero. Esto se ha conseguido jugando con las
secciones de paso ofrecidas al arco, por ejemplo, disponiendo en las pantallas de las cmaras de ruptura rendijas de
anchura variable.
Air blast circuit breakers
Arc extinction by high pressure air blast
Advantages:

1_114Q07- 61 -
No flammability hazard
Disadvantages:
Compressed air system is needed
Noisy operation
Expensive maintenance
It was competitive at high voltages and high

breaking capacities
Other characteristics:
Always multiple breaking
Dielectric strength rises with pressure
It must be re-closed to prevent emptying.
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 62 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
Breaking an alternate current in oil

1_114Q07- 63 -
In the instant of electrodes separation, a considerable resistance named

appears between them. Since the current cannot change
instantaneously, a voltage takes place between electrodes, forming an
arc.
This arc is constituted by a mixture of metallic particles and volatilised oil,

hence forming a blend of gases partially dissociated and ionised and
becoming a conductor path of weak resistance when the arc is stable.
This resistance gets weaker when the current gets higher, and increases
when the arc is enlarged.
Breaking an alternate current in oil

When the electrodes start to separate, as soon as the arc is established, the
resistance is very low and does not sensibly modify the condition of current I,
which follows its normal variation and until it reaches zero.
The arc extinguishes at this instant, but the gaseous path does not disappear and
the arc restrikes when the voltage between electrodes reaches the appropriate
value.
The phenomenon repeats with every change of sign of the current; however, as
the arc enlarges, the resistance of the arc grows, the current amplitude diminishes
slightly, and the restriking voltage increases noticeably.
Finally, the restriking voltage gets to be higher than the voltage between
electrodes, hence the arc does not restrike anymore and the circuit is opened.

1_114Q07- 64 -
Arc extinction using oil blast
To extinguish an arc it is required to deionise its path in a very

short time (s). Then, the blast of turbulent gases should be
thrown to the ionised files that constitute the arc.
Consider two electrodes A and B inside an insulating

enclosure cross by a transversal channel. If a given amount of
oil is thrown through the channel in the direction of the arrow,
the oil will penetrate the arc. At the instant when the current
passes through zero, the voltage will stay at its normal value,
since an insulating layer had been introduced between
electrodes, and this layer would be able to stand that voltage.
For the extinction to be ultimate, it is also required that the

insulating layer would be capable to endure the recovery
voltage Ur for as long as it is present.

1_114Q07- 65 -
This is, the fluid speed must be proportional to the gradient of the
recovery voltage.
Arc extinction using oil blast

The dielectric strength Ur to be introduced is that of the
fluid relative to the shock voltages. For oil, even if it is
highly contaminated, it is around 220 kV/cm.
In the circuit breakers with transversal blast, the

extinction of the arc is aided by the fact that the
dielectric strength of oil, under shock voltage, is
greater than the dielectric strength of the arc column at
the instant of extinction, which is around 7 kV/cm.
The speed of the oil is inevitably limited (20 to 40 m/s),

however, when the gradient g gets too large, after the
voltage rise in a circuit of a given frequency fo, the
artifice of multiple channels in parallel is used.

1_114Q07- 66 -
Operation of low oil content CB
When the mobile contact

moves away from the fixed
contact, the oil provokes a fast
cooling of the arc between
contacts. The procedure of arc
extinction has two stages:
Enlargement and cooling of

the arc
Self-extinction of the arc.
The extinction of the arc happens in the breaking chamber, in which a

blast takes place due to the pressure generated by the arc itself.
The breaking chambers present the property that the breaking effect
rises as the current to be interrupted increases.

1_114Q07- 67 -
The breaking power is limited only by the pressure of the gases product
of the arc which must be endured by the breaking chamber.
This is manufactured with an insulating material, epoxy resin, built up with

fibreglass. The insulation from ground is obtained by standoff insulators.
Interrupting chambers. Axial blowout

In this kind of chambers, the gases
escape through the passage gap of the
fixed contact.
Since the section of the opening is small,

the pressure in the chamber is high even
with small currents.

1_114Q07- 68 -
Interrupting chambers. Transverse blowout
In this kind of chambers, the gases

escape through side gaps.
The heat of the arc vaporises the oil and

the gases formed (mainly hydrogen)
increase in pressure and force the arc to
bow into the vents.
G as

1_114Q07- 69 -
e v a c u a t io n
Interrupting chambers. Mixed blowout

For high breaking capacities, the blowout of
gases towards the arc is perpendicular to
the contacts axis; meanwhile for low
capacities, the blowout is axial.
Gas
The contacts of these circuit breakers can
stand, according to the statistics provided by evacuation
the manufacturers, the following number of
operations without need of replacement.

1_114Q07- 70 -
At rated current
4000 operations.
At half of the maximum short-circuit power

8 operations.
At full short-circuit power
3 operations.
The most used since 1900
Advantages:

1_114Q07- 71 -
Lower arc length than in air
Better isolation
Disadvantages:
Flammability hazard
Oil contamination by arc effect
Explosive mixture of gases and air
Bulk oil/ Dead tank:
Oldest technology and obsolete
Big oil tank where the contact parting off takes place
Arc extinction by oil pressure on gasses bubble
Improvement with arc extinction chamber
Low content oil circuit breakers

Reduced chamber containing the
contacts and the oil
Oil blast at pressure in the arc
Several chambers used as voltage

rises
Advantages:

1_114Q07- 72 -
Self-regulation (Higher blasting for

higher arc intensity)
High breaking capacity
Fast deionization
Low overvoltages
Reduced energy dissipation
Reduced carbonization
Reduced contact wearing
Breaker Types

1_114Q07- 73 -
SF6
High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 74 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
The sf6 as a dielectric gas
Under a few bars of pressure its dielectric strength reaches 5 times that of air. This is due to
two reasons:
First, the dimension of its molecule, which effective section of collision with an accelerated electron inside
an electric field is higher to that of the nitrogen or oxygen, for example. This means that the electron will
endure statistically a greater number of collisions in SF6 than in air.
But mainly, the second, which results from the property of the SF6 molecule to capture an electron in an
electron-molecule collision, thus forming a negative ion.
This property of capturing electrons comes from the extraordinarily electronegative nature of the fluorine
atom. When this atom lacks an electron to complete its external layer, it generates an elevated level of
attraction towards any electron inside its influence field. This provides this element its well-known chemical
reactivity.
This point will be further developed when analysing the deionisation phenomena..
Hence, in the field of current breaking, SF6 is the ideal gas, as it will be analysed below.

1_114Q07- 75 -
The SF6 as the breaking gas. Thermal features
In the breaking process of an electric arc, two main

qualities are required from the dielectric used as a
breaking agent:
the cooling capacity
the capacity of deionisation of the arc.
The application of SF6 for this purpose is evident

under two features: Thermal and Electronic
Given an electric arc formed inside a cylindrical tube

containing a gas and crossed by a constant current, it
can be demonstrated that the temperature of this arc is
maximum in the axis of the tube, and it decreases
towards the walls until it reaches the temperature of the
tube in the walls.

1_114Q07- 76 -
The SF6 as the breaking gas. Thermal features

When the current increases, it can be observed in most gases
the appearance of a thermal threshold and the development in
the centre of the tube of a cylindrical zone in which the
temperature rapidly rises, called central core.
The thermal conductivity of SF6 presents a peak near the thermal

threshold that translates in an important heat release.

1_114Q07- 77 -
In SF6 the temperature of the threshold (2.200K) is close to the

temperature of recombination of the SF6 atoms in molecules.
Therefore, there is an important absorption of energy that causes a

new descend in temperature, which goes below 2100K.
At this temperature, the SF6 is basically an insulator and impedes

the restrike after the current crosses zero.
The SF6 as the breaking gas. Deionisation
SF6 has another notable feature, related to the strongly electronegative nature of
fluorine.
In fact, the atom of fluorine lacks an electron to fulfil its external layer, which creates a high level
of attraction over any electron inside its influence field.
There is a noticeable decrease in the number of free electrons (responsible of the arc
conductivity) below 6,000K.
Such electrons are captured by the fluorine atoms to form negative ions F-, 185 times slower.
Hence, for every captured electron, the current is automatically divided by 185.
Therefore, in the temperature range of 6,000 and 3,000K, in which almost all free
electrons had been captured, the conductance decreases very faster than in gas
without the electronegative properties of fluorine.
Summarizing, in SF6, even before the central core has completely disappear while
the cooling of the arc, its conductance is almost null, due to the capture of the free
electrons by the fluorine atoms, which become electrons traps below 6,000K.

1_114Q07- 78 -
Breaking technologies in sf6 . Self-compression

The breaking technology of self-compression in
SF6 was first used in high voltage circuit breakers,
and then it moved on medium voltage, following
its own evolution.
The active elements are mounted inside the

sealed terminal boxes that constitute the poles.

1_114Q07- 79 -

1 Lid
3 Driving axle
The current breaking is performed

through the contacts of the arc:
4 Crankshaft
The fixed contact is rigidly

mounted above the bottom tap.
The mobile contact has two parts:
2 Gastightness system
5 Insulating rod
6 Conical roller bearing
7 Top current tap
8 Casing
9 Bottom
10 Spring
11 Valve
12 Piston
13 Mobile arc contact
14 Mobile main contact
15 Fixed arc contact
16 Insulating nozzle
17 Fixed main contact
18 Molecular sieve

1_114Q07- 80 -
19 Bottom current tap
The contact in the centre
A contact rod that slides inside

a fixed base leaned against the
top tap.

A piston is rigidly mounted over the contact rod with the
purpose of compress the SF6 during the opening of the
contacts.
A Teflon nozzle tightly jointed to the piston has the

purpose of channelling the SF6 towards the breaking
zone.
The permanent current crosses the main contacts.
The fixed main contact, mounted around the arc

contact, is constituted by a ring of silvery fingers that
are articulated and assembled over springs.
The springs exert a strong centrifugal force, assuring a

good contact.

1_114Q07- 81 -

The mobile main contact has an almost
truncated-cone shape, is silvered and firmly
linked to the piston.
This contact technology has the double

purpose to avoid corrosion in the main
contacts due to the arc and to keep the device
features after a high number of breaks.

1_114Q07- 82 -
Breaking technologies in Sf6. Self-compression

In the first phase of current break, the
main contacts separate, while the spring
keeps the pressure over the arc contacts,
which remain closed.
This separation of contacts is simply a

sectioning and works without arc forming.
At the same time, the relative movement

of contacts generates a compression of
SF6.

1_114Q07- 83 -

In the second phase of current break, the
separation of the arc contacts takes place
and an arc appears between them.
The compressed SF6 is released and

channelled towards the zone between
contacts, sweeping away the arc extremes,
rapidly deionisating the zone.
When the current crosses zero, the arc

extinguishes.

1_114Q07- 84 -

1_114Q07- 85 -
Once the arc contacts are separated, an electrical arc is established

among them with a temperature higher than 10,000K, which keeps
the current flow.
During this period, it is essential to evacuate the thermal energy of

the arc, given by the network. The evacuated energy will be higher
as the gas density and its specific heat increase.
The heat evacuation during the arc duration is obtained mainly by

convection, due to the replacement of a given quantity of hot gas
by cold gas.
Due to the high temperatures, an important heat exchange by

radiation could be expected.

1_114Q07- 86 -
During the closing manoeuvre, the

valve rigidly attached to the piston
is opened to allow the gas
exchange among the different
parts of the pole, aiding the
movement of pieces.
The empty tubular contacts ease the fast circulation of hot gases and lead to instability in
the arc extremes, which avoid the wearing out of arc contacts.
The breaking process by self-compression is especially effective, since it works with the
injection of a small quantity of gas between contacts.
In the case of a break of 25 kA at 20 kV, the energy to be evacuated is of around 30,000 Jules,
which is the energy provided by the arc to keep it at a temperature from 10,000 to 15,000K.
1 g of SF6 will be enough to achieve this.
The break by self-compression in SF6 is used in high voltage in outdoor circuit breakers up
to 800 kV and in gas-insulated sealed substations (GIS), where the SF6 is used not only as
the break medium but also as the insulator in buses and switches.
In medium voltage, the self-compression in SF6 is used in circuit breakers up to 36 kV.

1_114Q07- 87 -
Extinction chambers with a low consumption of

driving energy
Recent technological advances allow to obtain extinction chambers of
automatic circuit breakers in SF6 which require 40% less mechanical energy
to disconnect than the former self-compression chambers based in the
pressure generated between a mobile cylinder and a fixed piston.
The arc extinction is currently achieved by the following effects:

1_114Q07- 88 -
Self-compression.
Arc thermal effect.
Effect of assistance to disconnection by expansion gases, patented by

GEC ALSTHOM.

driving energy
Beginning of Disconnection:
Thermal Effect:

1_114Q07- 89 -
The parallel contacts 3 are separated from the mobile contact 4

and the current is commuted to the arc contacts 7.
When the contacts 7 separate, the arc takes place and its energy
causes the pressure rise of volume Vt closed by contact bar 8 and
insulating nozzle 9.
Effect of Assistance to Disconnection

1_114Q07- 90 -

driving energy
When the contact bar 8 exits the throat of nozzle 9, the thermal overpressure
present in volume Vt is released, which creates a blowout just before the zero
crossing of the current, ensuring the arc extinction.
At the same time, the rise of pressure originated close to the arc spreads
towards piston 10, exerting a driving force over the mobile system, providing the
required energy for the manoeuvre in the disconnection springs.

driving energy
The arc extinguishes and the molecules of SF6 dissociated by the arc are instantly recombined.
The secondary products of the breaking end up deposited in the molecular sieve 11 without
affecting negatively the circuit breaker.
In the particular case of breaking weak currents, such as those present in switching capacitor banks
or unloaded lines or transformers, the thermal energy of the arc is too small to generate enough
overpressure. To obtain the adequate blowout of the arc, the classical effect of self-compression that
takes place in volume Vp is used.
Consequently, these chambers have a blowout that depends on the current to be opened, causing:

1_114Q07- 91 -
Maximum blowout in case of short-circuit currents.
Reduced blowout in case of small currents; hence, the extinction of such currents generates weak
overvoltages.
Advantages of the use of Sf6
Lack of maintenance.
Electrical and mechanical endurance.
Great reliability
Reduced size and weight related to its features
Adaptable to all kind of installations.
Public and industrial networks
Motor switching
Capacitors switching and protection
Reduced prices.
The SF6 appears as a technology favourably applied to the whole range of electric
installations.

1_114Q07- 92 -
Disadvantages of the use of SF6
At pressures higher than 3.5 bars an temperatures lower than 40C the gas
becomes liquid.

1_114Q07- 93 -
Due to this, in the case of circuit breakers of two pressures, it is required to heat the gas of
the extinction chamber to keep the equilibrium at room temperatures lower than 15C.
The gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless.
In closed places, care should be taken to avoid leaks, since it may provoke suffocation in
personnel by lack of oxygen (due to its higher density, the gas is displaced by air).
In some places it may be convenient to set up extractors that should operate before the
personnel entry.
The secondary products of the arc are toxic, and combined with humidity produce
hydrofluoric acid, which attacks porcelain and the cement that seals the nozzles.
Effect of the impurities in SF6
This impurities come from the manufacturing technique or the deposits

pollution.
Test most be performed to detect the different impurities specifying the limits
of its content in the gas and the methods to control such impurities (see IEC
376).
Nature of impurities

1_114Q07- 94 -
Toxic impurities
Impurities that affect the apparatus security
Impurities that dilute the product
Impurities and odour
Impurities have an unnoticeable effect over the dielectric strength of the

sulphur hexafluoride
Breakdown in SF6 circuit breakers
The main breakdowns in this type of circuit breakers are the gas leaks,
which require special devices to be detected.
In case of total loss of the gas pressure and due to the high dielectric
strength of SF6 the voltage that the contacts can bear when opened is
equal to double the phase-to-ground voltage.

1_114Q07- 95 -
In a well-installed apparatus, the gas losses should be less than 2% annual

of the total volume of the gas inside the apparatus.
Anyways, it is not convenient to operate an SF6 circuit breaker when its

pressure has been reduced by a leak and the control circuit should be
blocked to avoid an accident.
Breaker Types

1_114Q07- 96 -
SF6 Dead tank
High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 97 -
GENERAL
Physics of the electric arc
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
SF6 Dead tank circuit breakers

The design of this type of
circuit breakers, called deadtank, consists in three
aluminium tanks mounted in
a sole support. Inside the
tanks are included SF6
breaking chambers.
The switching drives can be

mechanical (by springs) or
hydraulic for higher voltages,
and are located inside a
control cabin placed in the
circuit breaker support

1_114Q07- 98 -

The SF6 gas has rated conditions of 6 bars at 20C and each SF6 chamber has a
densimeter associated. The use of SF6 technology in sealed chambers causes that this
type of circuit breakers requires low maintenance.
The compact and simple design of the dead-tank circuit breaker considerably reduces the
support structure and the space required for its location in the installation. Besides, this
design allows factory assembling and testing, noticeably diminishing mounting time and
complexity.
Another feature to consider is the low level of noise at normal operation, which added to the
reduced required space, the low needed maintenance and the utilisation of non-toxic
materials, convert this type of circuit breakers in an important alternative to diminish visual
and environmental impact.
The dead tank circuit breakers can be used for rated voltages from 38 kV up to 550 kV.

1_114Q07- 99 -

The dead-tank circuit breakers utilise, in every breaking chamber, the
principle of autopufferTH, which consists in a combined system of
blowout, called pufferTH, and of self-blast (arc overpressure). Besides,
they add a zip gearing system of double speed. This design turns the
breaking chamber into a compact and relatively small device, which
permits the breaking of capacitive currents.
There are main contacts and arc contacts, which execute the current
break. The main contacts, separated from the arc contacts, open first
and do not endure the arc erosion. By means of this system the deadtank circuit breakers present the same maintenance requirements and
durability of the conventional circuit breakers.

1_114Q07- 100 -

When breaking low currents, the circuit breaker utilizes the SF6 blowout
system; when breaking high currents, the nozzle design leads to a gas
overpressure in the arc zone when the contacts arc begin to separate.
This overpressure, added to the gearing system of double speed, makes
possible the breaking of current using a small amount of energy and a
simple mechanical system.
The nozzle design and the zip gearing system of double speed cause that
the arc contacts move at double speed, using a small amount of energy.
This reduces mechanical stresses, since the speed required to move the
connections and the switching mechanism are cut by half, in comparison
with a conventional circuit breaker of the same rated voltage.

1_114Q07- 101 -

1_114Q07- 102 -
Fig. shows a diagram of the

breaking chamber in closed
position, open position and low
and high currents breaking.
Breaker
Types

1_114Q07- 103 -
VACUUM
High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 104 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests

The vacuum, meaning the air at a vacuum level of around 10-4 to 10-5
Pa (10-6 to 10-7 mmHg) reaches a dielectric strength superior to 199
kV/cm.
Such exceptional dielectric strength, in addition to the fact that the arc
at vacuum presents a quite low voltage (since the electrons released
by the cathode find no obstacles in their path towards the anode) and
that the dielectric regeneration of the medium is almost instantaneous
(since there are not ionised gas molecules between electrodes),
motivated the research of the application of vacuum to circuit breakers.

1_114Q07- 105 -

1_114Q07- 106 -
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Even when the technology was

presented around 1920, the first
vacuum circuit breakers were not
in the market until 30 years later.
The process of vacuum breaking

its quite simple: it is enough to
separate the contacts, in a
vacuum of 10-4 to 10-5 Pa, to have
a vacuum circuit breaker.
Insulating casing
Fixed contact
Mobile contact
Piston rod of mobile contact
Insulating guide
Metallic membrane
Metallic screen
Research was first oriented to obtain isolating breaking chambers able

to permanently maintain the vacuum, in which inside the contacts
would be located.

1_114Q07- 107 -
The contacts should be able to cross the chamber keeping an absolute

tightness in the gaskets.
Once solved these problems, the research was oriented to the

breaking technology, based in the two exceptional properties of
vacuum:
Its very elevated dielectric strength.
The

1_114Q07- 108 -
fast deionisation of the space between contacts after the

breaking.
The strike of a high-current arc in vacuum entails an unavoidable

vaporisation of the electrodes that rapidly leads to a dynamic pressure
between contacts that can be equal to the atmospheric pressure.

1_114Q07- 109 -
Initially this arc is alike to that present in other devices, with the particularity
of presenting a conductor column strongly concentrated and originating a
unique and incandescent cathodic stain, which boiling surface emits
plentiful metallic vapours.

1_114Q07- 110 -
When the current decreases, the pressure of these metallic vapours

quickly diminishes, due to its fast diffusion towards zones farther from the
arc, condensing over metallic screens positioned with that purpose.

1_114Q07- 111 -
When the current reaches zero, such

as in the case of the vacuum diode, the
electrons stop travelling through the
space between electrodes; hence, the
resistance of this space becomes
infinite, facing a inverse voltage, while
the anode, now cold, is incapable to
emit electrons when acting as a
cathode.

1_114Q07- 112 -
The
automatic
vacuum
circuit
breakers are distinguished by the
reduced travel of the mobile contacts
from 15 to 25 mm, according to the
voltage, and by the rather small
switching energy.
Originally the technology of vacuum

breaking was applied to switches and
medium voltage circuit breakers with
limited functional features.
Recently this technology has been

applied to automatic circuit breakers
up to 36 kV or 50 kV

1_114Q07- 113 -
1. Fixed contact support

2. Fixed contact terminal
3. Fixed contact
4. Mobile contact
5. Insulating body
6. Mobile contact terminal
7. Mobile contact support
8. Angular connecting rod
9. Insulating arm
10. Contact pressure spring
11. Connection trigger
12. Metallic bellows
Maintenance
Driving systems

1_114Q07- 114 -
Tests
High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 115 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
Maintenance of circuit breakers
The manufacturer must provide information related to the

maintenance measures to be observed under normal service
conditions.
It is desirable that the manufacturer indicates the number of

switchings (or time) following which it is convenient to perform the
maintenance of the different parts of the circuit breaker.
Besides, the manufacturer must provide the information related to the

circuit breakers inspection after:

1_114Q07- 116 -
A) Short-circuit operation
B) Normal service operation
This information must include the number of switchings according to

A) and B) following which the circuit breaker should be checked.

1_114Q07- 117 -
Main Circuit
Inspection, adjustment and renovation of contacts.
Instructions to measure the transition resistance of the main circuit.
Prescriptions of the admissible wear in the contacts.
Information about the tolerances of opening and closing times.
Oil (or any other liquid) and gas for insulation or extinction of the arc
Samples, tests, drying, filling and/or substitution of the liquid or gas.
Recommendations related to quality and absence of pollution. Indication of

the required quantity of oil or liquid.
Driving mechanism
Maintenance and adjustment
Whenever possible during the inspection the circuit breaker must be

operated a few times with the assistance of the drives, to ensure that the
drive mechanism operates smoothly and that everything works correctly
before the start off of the circuit breaker.
Control circuits, auxiliary circuits, auxiliary equipment
Bearings and similar pieces

1_114Q07- 118 -
Indication in the instructions of the parts to verify.
Connections
Verification of coils, relays, interlocking gears, adjustable electrical

devices, heating and drying devices.
Indication in the instructions of the points to verify
Compressed air and hydraulic systems
Verification of the pneumatic and hydraulic valves. Inspection and

substitution of joints. Instructions to inspect the inner of the pressurized
containers regarding pollution, periodical inspection and substitution of the
air-drying devices and humidity absorption.
It is advisable to periodically open the purge valve of the air containers to

eliminate condensed water.
Resistances and capacitors
Lubrication and greasing

1_114Q07- 119 -
Verification of resistances and capacitors. The allowed tolerances must be

indicated.
Specification of the quantity of oil and grease
Cleaning
Instructions regarding the cleaning methods.
It is recommended to indicate that the insulating parts should be treated

with special care and in case of abnormal conditions, such as saline
deposits, cement powder or acid vapours, it might be needed to clean
frequently in order to avoid possible flashovers
Spare parts and materials
List of spare parts and materials that should be stored (in warehouse).
Special tools
List of special tools required to assembly or inspection (when not provided

with the circuit breaker).
Maintenance of circuit breakers. Low oil content

Each delivery of circuit breakers includes detailed instructions
regarding their assembly, start off and maintenance.
Care should be taken that the circuit breaker, the driving mechanism
and the steel structures fit perfectly among them, in order to reduce to
minimum the on-site labour.
The assembly consist mainly in place in-site the different pieces and
fit them together with bolted joints.
Manufacturers recommend to perform maintenance in the circuit

breaker after 12 to 16 years of service.

1_114Q07- 120 -
Before that it is advisable to check the bolted joints and lubricate the
mobile parts every 2 to 4 years.
The conditions of the contacts should be checked after switching under

loads up to 10 times the short-circuit current.
The maintenance of the circuit breaker must be easily performed on-site.
The instructions should carry complete information about inspection and

maintenance.
Maintenance of circuit breakers. SF6
For the circuit breaker to require slight maintenance, it is

indispensable that its extinction chamber is very simple and has few
mobile pieces.
The secondary products of decomposition that do not completely

recombine precipitate as metallic fluorides, or deposit in a static filter that
also absorbs the residual humidity. This diminish the maintenance costs.
The inspection of circuit breakers must be performed considering the

accumulated value of the interrupted currents, the number of
switchings executed and the time in operation.
The following criteria are valid as guiding values:

1_114Q07- 121 -
An inspection should be performed, at least:
Every ten years
After 2,000 switching cycles or
After breaking an accumulated short-circuit current of 600 kA.
Maintenance of circuit breakers. SF6

In the inspection a diagnosis measurement is
performed with the extinction chamber closed,
besides general works such as visual control,
check of the high and low voltage joints and
verification of all screws in the rack.
Thus, it should be checked:

1_114Q07- 122 -
Operation times.
Transition resistance of the main breaking

space.
Absorbed currents of the driving coils.
Humidity content and acids concentration in

SF6.
Gastightness of the SF6 enclosures and the

driving system.
Maintenance of circuit breakers. Extinction chamber
Chamber disassembly
When the resistance between terminals is high it is time to repair the

chamber. If there is a spare chamber stored, it can be completely replaced.
To disassembly the chamber the gas must be drained through the filling
valve or to the atmosphere until the pressure is equal to 1 bar.
If the gas is drained to the atmosphere, it is required to use mask and rubber
gloves, because the used gas might content harmful decomposition
products.
Substitution of the fixed contact

1_114Q07- 123 -
It is performed with the pole in open position. The screws that joint the
contact to the terminal plate must be removed. It can be entirely replaced or,
in case of slight deterioration, it can be cleaned with fine sandpaper.
Substitution of the mobile contact
It requires the disassembly of nozzles and arc contacts, and then the
dismounting of the crown of the mobile contact.
Driving maintenance
It involves the substitution of the closing/opening valves of compressed air.
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 124 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests

1_114Q07- 125 -
Driving systems of circuit breakers

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
.Drivingaxle
.Openingspring
.Dampeningdevice
.Draggingspring
.Tierod
.Gearing
.Holdingarm
.Striker
.Cam
.Strikerdamper
.Freetrippingdevice
.Closingcoil
.Tierod
.Freetrippingdevice
.Suddentrippingdevice
.Closingsprings
.Openingcoil
.Couplingbar
.Motor
.Draggingspring
.Star
.Tighteningaxle
.Draggingarm
.
Driving systems of circuit breakers

1_114Q07- 126 -
The main driving systems are the following:
By energy accumulation.
By compressed air.
By pressurized liquid.
Driving systems of CB. Energy accumulation

In this system, the closing drive has a previously accumulated energy,
by means of a manually tightened spring or an electrical motor.
This device consist in powerful springs that accumulate the energy

required for the connection. With this purpose they are tightened
manually with a lever or by an electrical motor.
This drive always operate with a constant closing force, since during the
closing manoeuvre is totally independent from any external source of
energy.

1_114Q07- 127 -
Besides, the closing can not start until the springs are totally tightened.
Given that the energy is stored in the springs before the closing manoeuvre,
the tightening mechanism requires a moderated power, even when the
closing force has to be high and the closing, fast.
After any closing manoeuvre, the springs are automatically tightened again;
hence, the mechanism is always ready to operate immediately, after an
opening manoeuvre.
The closing manoeuvre is rapidly started by

a sudden impulse, moderately strong, sent to
the closing coil, and is always completed with
any impulse duration.
A voltage drop in the driving conductors or a

total lack of driving voltage have no effect over
an already-started manoeuvre.
The springs of the closing mechanism can

also be tightened by a lever.
The driving voltage can be either DC or AC.
The driving mechanism can be combined

with a simple relay set for the fast automatic
reclosing, with a minimal dead time up to
only 0.3 seconds.

1_114Q07- 128 -
The springs store elastic energy and are capable to return it without
losses from the moment of storing it until it has to be released.
Consequently, the energy to connect and disconnect is always ready to be

used according to the demands of the operation or protections of the
electrical system.
It is evident that, if a system of energy storage has no losses, it is not

required any surveillance system about the storage.
The loading of the energy required for the switchings is obtained by

electrical or mechanical means. In case of emergency, the mechanical
drives allow to manually storage the springs energy.
The energy is transmitted towards the mobile contacts (between which

the arc is established and extinguished) by means of secure mechanical
transmissions.

1_114Q07- 129 -
During the circuit breaker assembly, there is no need to connect

pressurized fluids tubes, valves or any other element for the drive
service. All that is required are electrical connections.
Driving systems of CB. Compressed air
The driving system can be manually

commanded directly by means of a
valve or an electric valve.

1_114Q07- 130 -
The disconnection springs are tightened

during the connection manoeuvre, this
means, the compressed air is solely
used to connect the circuit breaker.
The driving device is activated by a

valve that operates during connection
and that can be open manually or by
means of an electromagnet, remotely.
Manometer
Deposit of air
The connection of the circuit breaker is

performed
very
rapidly
using
compressed air.
Security
valve
Drain valve
Holding
valve
Compressor
Pressure relay
Motor
FOR UNIPOLAR CIRCUIT BREAKER

The electrical command of connection is transmitted to the coil of the
driving valve "CON" (4). The outlet for air evacuation (5) in the valve
"CON" is closed; the compressed air can directly pass from the
pressurized deposit (3) to the driving through a tubular joint.
The driving piston (7) moves from position "DES" (O) to position "CON"
(C) and the circuit breaker is connected.

1_114Q07- 131 -
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
SF6 enclosure
Driving bar
Pressurized deposit
"
Driving valve "CON
Outlets for air evacuation
Driving valve
"DE S"
Driving piston
Driving cylinder
Auxiliary circuit breaker with position indicator

All drives are equipped with two disconnection coils "DES" independent
from one another.
The disconnection command is electrically transmitted to the coils of the

driving valve "DES" (6). Trough the open valve "DES" the compressed
air arrives to the driving of the circuit breaker pole. Simultaneously the
outlet for air evacuation (5) is closed in the valve "DES" and the driving
valve "CON" (4) is retained pneumatically-mechanically using a blocking
system. The driving piston (7) moves from position "CON" (C) to position
"DES" (O) and the circuit breaker is disconnected.

1_114Q07- 132 -
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
SF6 enclosure
Driving bar
Pressurized deposit
"
Driving valve "CON
Outlets for air evacuation
Driving valve"DES"
Driving piston
Driving cylinder
Auxiliary circuit breaker with position indicator
Driving systems of CB. Pressurized liquid

The pressurized liquid most commonly
used is oil. The highly pressurized oil
circulates through a closed circuit. The
high
pressure
is
provided
by
pressurized nitrogen.
The use of gastight gaskets at high

pressure in the connected position
allows removing the mechanical
holding devices (interlocking triggers).
The piston rod of the mobile contact is

directly coupled to the receiving
device; hence, the intermediate
mechanisms disappear, eliminating
any mechanical link.

1_114Q07- 133 -

1_114Q07- 134 -
Connection
The coil 14 opens the valve 1 and the

pressure of the accumulator 11 passes
to piston 10, which closes valve 2 and
opens valve 3.
When opening valve 3, the pressure

goes through piping 7 to valve 5.
The high pressure passes to receiving

piston 20, which leads the mobile
contact to its connected position,
compressing the springs M.
Disconnection

1_114Q07- 135 -
When the coil 15 opens the valve 6, the high

pressure over piston 10 disappears, the valve
2 is opened and the valve 3 is closed,
removing the high pressure in piping 7. The
valve 5 is opened, emptying piston 20 to the
deposit 22 through the piping 8, by means of
the spring M that activates the mobile contact
17 to its disconnected position.
A surveillance pressure relay automatically

connects and disconnects the pump-andengine set that keeps the pressure in the
accumulators between normal levels.
Another pressure relay blocks the operation
of the circuit breaker when the pressure
descends below the admissible level. The
connection interlocking works under a
pressure higher than the disconnection
interlocking, so any connection manoeuvre
can be followed by a immediate
Driving systems of CB. Reliability

The following table shows a statistic analysis performed in the Mexican
network.
It can be clearly observed that the failure level for the circuit breakers
with spring-based drives is inferior to the failure level for circuit breakers
with other kinds of drives.

1_114Q07- 136 -
Type of
400 kV
230 kV
drive
N interruptions N failures
N interruptions
N failures
Pneumatic
87
26 (29,8%)
131
31 (23,6%)
Hydraulic
50
24 (48%)
191
16 (8,4%)
Springs (1)
47
2 (4,25%)
100
0 (0%)
Oil-pneumatic
46
5 (10,8%)
25
0 (0%)
AGENDA

1_114Q07- 137 -
GENERAL
BREAKER TYPES
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
Tests on high and medium voltage circuit breakers

1_114Q07- 138 -
The type tests comprise:
Mechanical behaviour.
Mechanical operation.
Heating of any of the parts does not exceed the specified limits.
Insulation is according to the specified limits.
Capability to establish and break the short-circuit currents.
Capability to endure its permissible rated short-time current.
Capability to break currents on unloaded cables.
Capability to break currents on capacitors banks.
Capability to break small inductive currents.
The results of all type tests are recorded in type tests registries that
contain all required data to demonstrate its compliance to standards.
They also include the data needed to identify the essential
characteristics of the tested automatic circuit breaker.
Each of the type tests should be performed on a new and clean
automatic circuit breaker, and the different type tests can be carried out
Mechanical Tests on circuit breakers
The mechanical tests exclusively comprise the execution of

manoeuvres of opening/closing, without voltage or current in the main
circuits.
Usually, 1,000 switching cycles are carried out, 10% of them are carried out
based on opening/closing cycles.
The opening is driven by closing the main contacts, being the circuit breaker
equipped with its usual switching device.
In these manoeuvres the heating of the electrical components should

not exceed those specified by the standards.
During this test lubrication is allowed, but mechanical adjustments are

not.
After the test, all pieces must be in good condition and must not present
excessive wear-out.

1_114Q07- 139 -
Any permanent deformation that could be present in the mechanical

parts must not negatively influence the circuit breaker operation; neither
impedes the correct placement of the spare parts.
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers

One of the main features of switchgear is the insulation level, defined
by the values of nominal power-frequency withstand voltage and
nominal lightning withstand voltage and, in switchgear for 300 kV or
higher, by the value of nominal switching withstand voltage.
The standards set the effective (rms) values and the peak values in kV
for the test (nominal) voltages, as a function of the most elevated
voltage of the material.

1_114Q07- 140 -
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers.
The voltage will be applied as following:
Closed position:

1_114Q07- 141 -
Among all parts of the main circuit of each pole and the frame,
successively. All parts of the main circuit of the rest of the poles (if any)
have to be connected to the frame.
Open position:
Among all parts of the main circuit of all poles connected among
themselves and the frame.
Between the terminals of each pole successively and the frame, being
all parts of the main circuit of the rest of the poles (if any) connected to
the frame.
Between the terminals of a side connected among themselves and

terminals of the opposite side connected among themselves and
frame. The tests will be repeated inverting the connections that link
terminals with the source and the frame, unless the distribution of
terminals of a pole is symmetrical regarding the frame.
the
the
the
the
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers. Shock waves
They lie on subjecting the circuit breakers to shock waves of 1.2/50 s.
During each test, five consecutive shock waves are applied.

1_114Q07- 142 -
It is considered that the automatic circuit breaker complies the test if during
which neither strikes nor punctures take place.
If some puncture or two or more strikes take place, it is considered that the
circuit breaker does not comply the test.
If only one strike takes place, ten additional shock waves will be applied,
and it will be considered that the circuit breaker complies successfully the
test solely if during the additional applications neither strikes nor punctures
take place.
The circuit breaker must be capable to comply the specified tests with
voltages of positive and negative polarity, even when it is enough to
carry out the test with one polarity if it is evident that such polarity
results in a lower strike voltage.
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers. Shock waves

The test voltages are usually obtained by means of a pulse generator,
composed by a given number of capacitors, all equal, that are
simultaneously charged in parallel through some resistances, using a
source of direct voltage (DC), and are later discharged in series through
a circuit that includes the tested device (Marx Principle).
The DC voltage is generally obtained from an alternate voltage source,

at 50 Hz, by means of metal rectifiers, until a spark is generated in the
spark-gaps e, all regulated at exactly the same distance, which is
related to the voltage to be applied to the device.

1_114Q07- 143 -
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers. Power freq.

The test voltage will be raised to the given value and will be maintained
by one minute. It is considered that the circuit breaker does not comply
the test if during which some strike or puncture takes place.
In the test, the voltage reached in the test circuit must be stable enough
so as not to be affected by the leakage current variations or by partial
discharges or pre-discharges.
This condition is complied if the total capacitance of the tested device

(including the additional capacitances of the circuit) is not higher than
1,000 pF, and the value of the current permanently delivered by the
transformer when the device is short-circuited at test voltage is not
lower than 1 A (rms value).
In the resonant circuit, the stability of the resonance conditions and the
constancy of the value of the test voltages depend on the constancy of
the circuit impedances and the frequency of the source.

1_114Q07- 144 -
Heating Tests on circuit breakers.

It must be ensured that the device and its main circuits do not become
excessively hot when the rated current is circulating through them.
The test must be performed over a new device, with clean contacts.
Before carrying out the test, the ohmic resistance of the main circuits
must be measured.
The test must be performed causing the circulation through all poles
(with the exception of high voltage switchgear higher to 72.5 kV, in
which only one pole is tested) of the rated current at steady state and at
power frequency if it is AC, during a time range enough for the heating
to be constant (when the variation does not exceed 1C by hour).

1_114Q07- 145 -
Heating Tests on circuit breakers.

For other conductors than those of coils, the t of the different parts will
be measured using thermometers or thermocouples located in the
available hottest point.
For the opening and closing coils that are excited solely during the
opening and closing manoeuvres, the heating test consists in feeding
these coils at their rated voltage ten successive times with a 2 s interval
between the excitation instants, supposing the circuit breaker has an
automatic device to open the control circuit at the end of the
manoeuvre, or feeding them ten successive times during 1 s being 2 s
the interval between excitations.
To perform the heating test an adjustable alternate current source is

required (exceptionally a DC source) with a capacity equal to the rated
current of the tested switchgear. The pertinent measurement devices
are also required: voltmeters, ammeters, millivoltmeters, double bridge
(Thomson), thermometers, thermocouples, low voltage or very low
voltage transformers, etc.

1_114Q07- 146 -
Short circuit Tests on circuit breakers. TRV

The rated transient recovery voltage (TRV) for terminals failure,
associated to the rated short-circuit breaking capacity, is the
predictable limit voltage of reference of the circuits that the circuit
breaker must be able to clear in case of a terminals short-circuit.
The waveform of the TRV changes accordingly the configuration of the

real circuits.
In networks with rated voltages higher than 100 kV and for important
short-circuit currents (with respect to the maximum short-circuit
current), the TRV presents an initial period during which the rising
speed is high and a subsequent period during which such speed is
reduced.
This waveform is well-enough defined by means of an envelope

formed by three straight-line segments determined by four parameters.

1_114Q07- 147 -
Short circuit Tests. Breaking and making cap.

Before accomplishing the tests of breaking capacity and making
capacity, it is required to carry out several switchings under no load,
during which the accurate operation of the automatic circuit breaker will
be verified and the travel speed, closing time and opening time will be
registered.
The generated overvoltages will not exceed the maximum admissible

and external flashover will not take place.
If the automatic circuit breaker has an electrical drive, these tests must
be performed feeding the closing device at 105% and 85% of the rated
voltage of operation of the drive.
In case of air-compressed or pressurized oil drives, the tests must be

performed at minimum pressure with the shunt triggers fed at 85% the
rated voltage of operation and repeated at nominal pressure at 100%
the rated voltage of operation and at maximum specified pressure at
110% the rated voltage of operation.

1_114Q07- 148 -
In case of energy accumulation drives (springs), the tests must be

performed with the shunt triggers fed at 110% and 85% the rated
voltage of operation.
Short circuit Tests. Breaking and making cap.

During the tests of breaking and opening inside the given limits of
breaking capacity and making capacity, the circuit breaker must not
present exaggerated signs of wear-out neither risk the operator
integrity.
After every sequence of tests, the mechanical parts and their insulators
will be practically in the same conditions that before the tests. After the
sequence of the short-circuit test, the automatic circuit breaker will be
capable to close and open its steady state rated current at rated
voltage, admitting that its possibilities to open and close the shortcircuit current will be considerably reduced after the tests.
It is considered that a circuit breaker does not comply the sequence of

short-circuit tests if the damages in the main insulation (that is
subjected to electrical stresses under normal operation conditions)
alter its insulating condition at rated voltage.

1_114Q07- 149 -
The fundamental short-circuit tests in the high voltage automatic circuit

breakers consist in a series of five basic sequences of short-circuit
tests.
Individual tests in circuit breakers

They have the purpose of evidence the imperfections of the material or
the manufacturing that would alter the properties and quality of the
tested device.
They are acceptance tests performed over a given number of samples

to determine by negotiation between the manufacturer and the user.
The test site can be the installation site of the apparatus.
These tests consist on:

1_114Q07- 150 -
Voltage tests at power-frequency.
Voltage tests of the driving and auxiliary circuits.
Measurement of the resistance of the main circuit.
Tests of mechanical sequence operations.
Routine tests in circuit breakers

The routine tests are performed in all circuit breakers. During these
tests, the circuit breaker is connected to its driving mechanism without
support and switching insulators. The inertia of the switching insulators
is compensated mounting special weights with equivalent inertias
before the test.
The routine tests include the following operations:

1_114Q07- 151 -
Adjustment of the driving mechanism.
Measurement of the limit values of the drive voltage and the motor
voltage.
Voltage test of the drive circuits
Verifying the times of opening and closing, the speeds of opening and
closing, and the dampening in the final position of the contacts.
Pressure tightness tests to each breaking unit.
Measurement of the resistance of the main path of current.
Voltage test to each breaking unit.

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ABB Power Technology

ABB Power Technology

Introduction/ Physics of the electric arc

Breaking an alternate current

Circuit breaker characteristics

Oil circuit breakers

Sf6 circuit breakers

Vacuum circuit breakers

MAINTENANCE/ DRIVING/ TESTS

ABB Power Technology

Introduction/ Physics of the electric arc

Breaking an alternate current

Circuit breaker characteristics

Oil circuit breakers

Sf6 circuit breakers

Vacuum circuit breakers

MAINTENANCE/ DRIVING/ TESTS

It is responsible of the ultimate clearance of all present

All this tasks must be performed without the insertion of

In order to fulfil these requirements, the breaker must be

ABB Power Technology

ABB Power Technology

The switching of the configuration of an electrical system operating a

The operation of a breaker in a circuit with a current flow, implies the

According to the standard IEC 265-1:1983, a circuit breaker is a

The main function of circuit breakers is hence to interrupt currents.

Its operation consist of:

ABB Power Technology

The physical separation of two points named contacts.

The extinction of the arc which inevitably appears, taking the

Finally the circuit breakers must:

When open, to endure the voltage among contacts without

At closing, to withstand the making load or fault currents.

When closed, to withstand the permanent flow of load current

At opening, to interrupt currents without failure

Nevertheless it is not usual that circuit breakers visibly isolate

Physics of the electric arc

ABB Power Technology

Discharge phenomena in a gas

This electric field leads to the release of electrons in the cathode.

The voltage drop in the arc may be expressed by AYRTONs formula:

Where A and B are linear functions of the

For strong currents: Ua = A

ABB Power Technology

The arcs shows up as an incandescent gas

The collision of the molecules with the

ABB Power Technology

Voltage drop in the arc

ABB Power Technology

The arc can be divided in three zones.

Voltage drop in the arc

In the zone of the cathodic drop there are

ABB Power Technology

These electrons have great mobility and they are

In the arc zone, the shifting of electrons gives

When the ions go toward the electrodes of opposite

These voltage drops are associated to powerful fields

In the anodic zone, a negative charge generates a

Power and energy in the arc

ABB Power Technology

Characteristics of the arc

The relationship among voltage and

In metallic conductors, the voltage is