Vacuum Breaker Simulation for Switching

Overvoltage Study
Daniil I. Ivanchenko and Nikita G. Novozhylov

Abstract—Overvoltage is one of the most common types of

electrical interferences in power supply systems. Significant
part of overvoltages is caused by switching off the high induc-
tive load, such as transformers, reactors and electrical ma-
chines. This paper is dedicated to vacuum circuit breakers
switching off process modeling in Simulink MATLAB for the
purpose of power quality problems estimation. Model of the
vacuum circuit breaker implements simulation of transient
recovery voltage, current chopping and electrical arc. Devel-
oped model was used for simulation of overvoltage on example
of mine electric power system. Obtained results were compared
to available experimental data.

Index Terms—Vacuum circuit breaker, electrical arc, over-

voltage, transient voltage recovery.

I. INTRODUCTION
Vacuum circuit breaker switching off overvoltage is one
of the most common reasons of overvoltages in electric
power supply systems. These kinds of overvoltages are
caused by switching off the high inductive or capacitive
load, such as transformers, reactors and electrical machines.
Those overvoltages are especially relevant for ungrounded
neutral systems without phase-controlled switching which
are typical for mine power supply systems.
Problem of overvoltage is especially critical for under-
ground coal mine electric power supply systems. Over-
voltage causes the degradation of insulation, which is fol-
lowed by electric faults and in worst case by fire and
explosion of methane or coal dust. Underground power
supply systems are usually ungrounded and have long
6–10 kV cable lines supplying clustered electric drives
connected. Power consumption of underground excavation
site may exceed 3–5 MVA [1].
Main consumers are electric drives of conveyor lines,
coal plough-machine, ventilators and pumps. Simplified
structure of mine section electric power supply is repre-
sented in Fig. 1. Mine is supplied by 100 kV aerial line.
Energy is distributed from main transformer station
110/6 kV to surfaced and underground facilities. Under-
ground consumers are supplied by two cable lines through
mine section transformers rated 6/0.6 kV. Mine section
transformer station № 1 supplies three asynchronous drives
of conveyor rated 500 kW each, cutting-loading machine
rated 536 kW and pumping station rated 1000 kW. There
are two vacuum circuit breakers QF at the beginning and the
end of line. Vacuum circuit breakers are used because of
their reliability and fire-explosions safety, but usually do not
D. I. Ivanchenko and N. G. Novozhylov are with the Electrical
Engineering department, National state mineral resources university
(University of Mines), 21st line 2, 199106 St.Petersburg, Russia (e-mail:
dan87332@mail.ru, nikita_novozhilov@mail.ru).
Fig. 1. Diagram of mine power supple sustem.
have phase-controlled switching and prone to overvoltages
due to current chopping.
In order to address possible electric power quality
problems caused by breaker switching off, estimation of
possible overvoltage is required. Experimental analysis of
this process is difficult to establish, so the most applicable
way to solve this problem is by means of mathematical
modeling circuit breaker operation. Developed model must
represent main processes during the breaker switching off,
such as arc ignition, existence of chopping current electric
arc and arc re-ignition in case then circuit breaker is unable
to withstand the transient recovery voltage.
There are model of vacuum breakers [2], [3] in
EMPT/ATP environment, but there is no similar works for
Simulink MATLAB. Authors of papers [4], [5] provided
simulation of transient recovery voltage of vacuum
breakers, but did not simulate electric arc. Also, available
simulations of electric arc in Simulink MATLAB [6]–[8]
are based on controlled current source model and are not
applicable for breaker modeling. This paper represents an
attempt to simulate all vacuum circuit breaker switching off
processes for the purpose of power quality estimation.
II. VACUUM BREAKER MODELING
Modeling the vacuum breaker switching off is
complicated by difficulty of physical processes and their
mathematical description. In order to represent them in
SimPowerSystem Simulink MATLAB two models were
made: one-phase vacuum circuit breaker model simulates
dynamic arc current-voltage characteristic; breaker control
model simulates transient voltage recovery and chopping
current.

978-1-5090-1564-1/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE

A. Transient Voltage Recovery Simulation
After physical separation of breaker’s contacts the electric
arc is ignited. Arc exists until current drops to the chopping
current value Ic. It varies from 3 A to 15 A depending on a
contact surface material and is approximately 2÷5 A for
Cu-Cr contacts [4]. After arc extinguishing the recovery
voltage Ur is formed between the contacts of the breaker:
Ur = U g − Ul , (1)
where Ug – electric grid voltage, Ul – load voltage.
Load voltage Ul depends on energy that is stored in
inductive load in switched off part of circuit, can be
calculated according to formula:
L0 I c2 ,
W= (2)
2
where L0 – inductance of switched off part of circuit,
Ic – chopping current.
Stored energy is transferred from inductance L0 to
capacitance C0 and back causing the oscillations with
frequency fo:
1 . (3)
fo =
2π L0C0
Maximum overvoltage corresponds with peak value Up of
oscillating load voltage Ul. It can be calculated as:
L0 I c2 .
Up = (4)
C0
If recovery voltage exceeds discharge voltage between
contacts of breaker, electric arc will re-ignite and the
process will be repeated multiple times. The recovery
voltage increase in accordance with contacts movement
speed and availability of electrical charge in arc extinguish-
ing chamber [9].
This process was modeled in Simulink Matlab as a
breaker state control subsystem represented in Fig. 2. It is
activated for closing operation when Breaker control
singular signal is recieved and formulates Arc control signal
in accordance with measured recovery voltage, breaker
current and previous state of breaker. Breaker state control
subsystem generates singular Arc control signal for two
cases. First is then recovery voltage is higher than discharge
voltage. Second is then recovery voltage is lower than
discharge voltage, but arc current is higher than chopping
current. Otherwise this signal is equal to 0.
by variable initial gap Lo between contacts. Electric strength
of the gap between contacts was considered 50 MV/mm,
chopping current was considered 5 A.
B. Electric Arc Simulation
As the one of the main processes during the breaker
switching off is an occurrence of electric arc between the
main contactors, it also was simulated.
There are different approaches for electric arc modeling.
Thermodynamic based models of arc were proposed by
various authors such as Mayer, Cassie, Schwarz, Schave-
maker, Habedank and many over [6]–[8].
All models implement arc with non-linear electric
conductance, where momentary arc conductance is a func-
tion of power, supplied through the arc plasma channel, but
are based on different concepts of arc column. As Mayer
model is best applied for a low current arc and conductivity
decay near current zero, it was considered as more suitable
for vacuum circuit breaker simulation case.
Simulation is based on the generalized model of the pro-
cess in electrical arc, described in static with equation [9]:
U arc st (iθ )
u arc = Rst (iθ )i + U c = i + Uc , (5)
iθ
where uarc – arc column voltage, i – arc column current, iθ –
arc state current, Rst – static arc column resistance, Uarc st (iθ)
– static arc current-voltage characteristic, Uc – voltage drop
at contactors.
For low current arc voltage loss at contacts can be
neglected and current-voltage characteristic can generally
approximated for static process as follows:
n
i 
U arc (iθ ) = U 0  θ  , (6)
 I0 
where U0, I0 – are reference points of static arc current-
voltage characteristic, n – parameter based on the type of an
arc characteristic.
For the case of static arc with characteristic (6) for Mayer
arc model the arc conductance is assumed to vary with a
passage of time around current-zero, in accordance with
1 dg  u arc i  1 , (7)
= − 1
g dt  P τ
where τ – Mayer arc time constant, P – arc power losses,
g – momentary conductivity of arc.
Results of analytical calculation of (7) with assumption of
di/dt being constant when arc current is equal to zero are as
follows [9].
Momentary arc column voltage:
P t /τ
uarc = . (8)
τ k (t / τ ) − 2(t / τ ) + 2
2

Dynamical arc column resistance:

P 1
Rdyn = . (9)
τ k (t / τ ) − 2(t / τ ) + 2
22 2

Fig. 2. Circuit breaker state control subsystem. Dynamical arc column resistance when arc current i = 0:
In order to simulate this process several assumptions were P 1
made. It was considered, that contacts movement and Rdyn 0 = . (10)
dielectric strength of gap are constant so discharge voltage
τ k (t / τ ) − 2(t / τ ) + 2
2
2 2

increases linearly. Initial dielectric withstand was modeled

 These equations are representing inertial model of electric
arc which makes simulation of the dynamical processes of
breaker switching off with higher precision possible, as it
allows to estimate possible harmonic distortions [10].
In order to simulate breaker with arc ignition in Simulink
SimPowerSystem the model represented in Fig. 3 was
developed in accordance with (7).

Fig. 4. Arc voltage (a) and current (b) simulation result.

Fig. 3. Circuit breaker model with electric arc implementation.

The model is based on controlled voltage source and

represents voltage drop at closed, open and arc conditions of
vacuum breaker. Breaker switch is triggered by Breaker
control signal and turns breaker from closed state to open
state if control signal is 0. Arc switch is triggered by signal
from Arc control subsystem and turns breaker from closed
state to arc state if control signal is 1. Arc inertia is
modelled by means of Transfer Fcn block. In order to avoid
singularity at current zero crossing, viscous friction function
was used.
Results of calculation of arc current and voltage dynamics Fig. 5. Three phase vacuum circuit braker model.
are shown in Fig. 4. Distortion of current, caused by non-
linear arc resistance can be observed. Results of arc simula- lated by means of SimPowerSystems Simulink MATLAB.
tion correspond with experimental data obtained by various Purpose of experiment was to investigate processes in
authors [8], [11]. circuit breaker switching off. Disconnection of mine section
Developed models were integrated into singular three- with belt conveyor shown in Fig. 1 was taken as an example.
phase vacuum circuit breaker model, represented in Fig. 5. Deenergized part of the circuit consists of underground
It consists of three one-phase breakers and breaker control transformer station Tr-r2 with three transformers 6/0.66 kV
subsystems, one per phase. It is activated by Breaker control rated 630 kW each, cable line 0.66 kV L-3, and motors (IM)
signal and provides measurement of recovery voltage Ur and of conveyor electric drive. All other consumers were repre-
breaker current I. sented by equivalent RLC load (Load). Line section is
switched off by vacuum circuit breaker (VB) on command
III. BREAKER SIMULATION RESULTS by breaker control block (BC). Phase currents and circuit
Developed model of vacuum circuit breaker was tested in breaker voltage measurements are presented on oscilloscope
electric circuit of underground mine section (Fig. 6) simu- (Osc.).

Fig. 6. Model of mine power supply system.

 Model also includes three-phase power source, aerial line
110 kV (L-1), and main power transformer 110/6 kV (Tr-r1)
and cable line 6 kV (L-2). Capacitance of cable and aerial
lines was modeled by conductance C1, C2, C3.
Main parameters in model of power supply system are:
Power source: Ul–l = 110 kV; f = 50 Hz.
Areal line 110 kV: R0 = 0.414 Ohm/km; L0 = 9⋅10–4 H/km;
C0 = 10–8 F/km; L = 20 km.
Main power transformer: 16 MVA, 110/6 kV (Y – D11).
Cable line 6 kV: R0 = 0.0845 Ohm/km; L0 = 22⋅10–5 H/km;
C0 = 8.7⋅10–9 F/km; L = 12 km.
Underground section transformer: 630 kVA,
6/0.66 kV (Y – D11).
Cable line 0.66 kV: R0 = 0.0405 Ohm/km;
L0 = 113⋅10–6 H/km;
C0 = 8.7⋅10–9 F/km; L = 1.5 km.
Induction motors: 4 × Pn = 250 kW, Un = 666 V.
Other load: Pn = 6000 kW; Qn = 2764 kvar.
At the time 0.4 s breaker control block sends switching
off signal. Fig. 7 represents oscillograms of breaker voltage
rated to nominal line voltage 6 kV for vacuum breaker with
phase-controlled switching and without it.
Fig. 7. Simulation of voltage on vacuum breaker without controlled
switching off (a) and with controlled switching off (b).
As it can be seen in Fig. 7, in case of phase-controlled
switching, overvoltage on circuit breaker exceeds nominal
line voltage 2 times. For the case without phase-controlled
switching, overvoltage are 6 times higher than nominal
voltage. High level of overvoltage is caused by switching of
high power motors with low nominal voltage and requires
the usage of surge arresters and other means of limitation.
Results of measurements correspond with experimental data
provided in [12], [13].
IV. CONCLUSION
This paper presented modeling techniques of vacuum
circuit breaker in Simulink Matlab. Following processes
corresponding to the breaker switching off were simulated:
ignition of electric arc with nonlinear current-voltage
characteristic; overvoltages, caused by existence of chop-
ping current; electric arc re-ignition in case then circuit
breaker is unable to withstand the transient recovery
voltage.
Vacuum circuit breaker model was tested for the case of
switching off mine section circuit, including high powered
conveyor electric drives. Simulation results indicated
possibility of overvoltage in mine power supply system,
and correspond with available experimental data.
Developed model could be applied for vacuum circuit
breaker switching simulations in order to estimate possible
effect on power quality in power supply systems.
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Ivanchenko Daniil Ivanovich was born in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR
in 1987. He received the M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from
National state mineral resources university in 2010. He received candidate
of science degree in electrical engineering from National state mineral
resources university in 2013. He works as a Teacher in Energy department
of National state mineral resources university.
Novozhilov Nikita Gennadievich was born in Kirishi, RSFSR, USSR
in 1990. He received the M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from
National state mineral resources university in 2013. He studies as a
Postgraduate Student in Energy department of National state mineral
resources university.