Electrical Equipments Interlocks

(Concepts)
.
Standards for the interlocks
 IEC-62271: High-voltage switchgear and control
gear
Interlocks.

 Interlocks in a substation are used to ensure the safety of the

equipments , operating personals and to prevent the wrong
sequence of operations.
Why interlocks are used?
 Suppose interlocks are not present and an operating person close
the earth switch without opening the isolator then it can be the
cause of phase to earth fault. Which is an example of wrong
sequence of operation or human error this is also hazardous for
human life and equipments.

 Opening of isolator without opening of circuit breaker cause

damage to the isolator.

“hence interlocks are required and used”

Bay operation/Switching.

 Bay opening

 Bay closing

 Protection trip(Bay opening due to protection)

Substation bay switching(Operation)
 De-energization of a bay (Opening of a bay)
I. Circuit breaker open
II. Isolator open
III. Earth switch close

 Energization of a bay(Closing of a bay)

I. Earth switch open
II. Isolator close
III. Circuit breaker close

 Protection trip
At the time of fault circuit breaker will open instantaneously .
Interlocks are required for following
equipments.

 Isolator

 Circuit breaker

 Earth switch
 .

Isolator.
Bus isolator close interlocks:

I. Bus earth switch open

II. Associated earth switch open
III. Circuit breaker open
IV. Earth switch after CB open
V. Isolator switch in remote position
. Continued…..

Bus isolator open

interlocks: .
I. Circuit breaker open
II. Associated earth switch
open
III. Earth switch after CB
open
IV. Isolator switch in
remote position
. Continued…..

Line isolator close

interlocks: .
I. Associated earth switch
open
II. Circuit breaker open
III. Earth switch after CB
open
IV. Isolator switch in
remote position
. Continued…..

Line isolator open .

interlocks:
I. Circuit breaker open
II. Associated earth switch
open
III. Earth switch after CB
open
IV. Isolator switch in
remote position
Circuit breaker interlock
Circuit breaker close interlocks:
I. Close permit received
II. Circuit breaker not lockout
III. Protection trip not issued
IV. Switch in remote position
V. Charging conditions

a. Dead bus and dead line

b. Live bus and dead line
c. Dead bus and live line
d. Live bus and live line
.
Continued…..
Circuit breaker open interlocks:

 Direct open command from the BCU

or
 Through TNC switch available in panels
Earth switch interlock
Bus earth switch close .
interlocks:
 All the isolator associated
to that particular bus are
open.
. Continued…..

Line earth switch close .

interlocks:
 Associated line isolator
open
 Line under voltage
Thank
you