LV & HV Switchgears PRESENTATION

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Table of Contents
1) Definitions a) b) c) d) Switchgear Disconnector Switch Circuit Breaker

2) 3) 4)

Types of LV Circuit Breakers Types of HV Circuit Breakers Ring Main Unit (RMU)

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Switchgear
A general term covering switching devices with associated control, measuring and protection equipment, and assemblies of equipment with support structures, connections, enclosures.

Switchgear functions
Allow network control and disconnecting of circuits. Protect the network from faults (Circuit Breaker) Allow safe access to circuits Provide system monitoring (i.e. voltage and current)

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Disconnector (Isolator)
A device used to create a safe, insulated gap in an electrical system and generally intended to be operated off load. Able to withstand system over-voltages. Can carry rated fault current when closed. Cannot be used to break fault or load current.

Switch
A device capable of breaking load current, up to a defined level of overload. Also able to CLOSE fault current up to a defined current and time limit (rating) but not BREAK fault current. Often used for the same safety function as a Disconnector when it is then referred to as a Switch Disconnector.

Three position combined disconnector and earthing switch

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Circuit Breaker
A device capable of MAKING and BREAKING fault current up to a defined limits of current and time. Capable of automatic operation when the protection system detects a system fault. The maximum operating time for CB is 65 milliseconds

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Types of LV Circuit Breaker

1) 2) 3) 4) Current Limiting Withdrawable Moulded Case CB (MCCB) Miniature CB (MCB)

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Types of HV Circuit Breaker

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Oil Circuit Breaker Air Circuit Breaker Air Blast Circuit Breaker SF6 Circuit Breaker Vacuum Circuit Breaker

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Oil Circuit Breaker

This is the basic action of oil circuit breakers

The arc is stretched and cooled until it is extinguished

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Oil Circuit Breaker

Small oil volume circuit breaker action

The oil in the lower compartment is normally separate from that in the upper compartment, but it is pumped through to the upper compartment, to clear the arc, when the CB operates

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Air Circuit Breaker

The Air Circuit Breaker was once popular, now superseded by SF6 or Vacuum for applications above 1kV. This is the magnetic blow out principle

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The Air Blast Circuit breaker is still widely used at transmission voltages

Arc splitter plates Blast nozzle Blast valve Air tank

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Method of operation Air Blast CB

This isolator must be capable of closing fault current

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Air Blast Circuit Breaker

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SF6 Circuit Breaker

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Vacuum Interrupter

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Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Ring Main Unit (RMU)

A three element device combining two Switch disconnectors and a Circuit Breaker (sometimes a Switch Fuse) in the same enclosure. Used widely in distribution systems.

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CB OPEN

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And a three position switchdisconnector/ earthing switch

CLOSED

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And a three position switchdisconnector/ earthing switch

OPEN

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And a three position switchdisconnector/ earthing switch

EARTH

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Important The circuit is not earthed until the CB is also closed

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The vacuum Circuit Breaker is not a POINT of ISOLATION; the disconnector is the POINT of ISOLATION

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The Ring Switches comprise a three position switch disconnector/ earthing switch

CLOSED

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The Ring Switches comprise a three position switch disconnector/e arthing switch

OPEN
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The Ring Switches comprise a three position switch disconnector/e arthing switch

EARTH

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Test access to the circuit may be obtained by removing the lower panel, opening these sockets and using the operating handle to remove the star bar (otherwise known as the EARTH LINK) from the earth contacts

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Although network diagrams appear complex, they are made up of simple elements

Consider the circuit shown in red

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Although network diagrams appear complex, they are made up of simple elements

Consider the circuit shown in red

It comprises circuit breakers at A and B

And an open point at C

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The circuit breaker at A protects the network shown in green

The circuit breaker at B protects the network shown in brown

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The non automatic switches (disconnectors) out on network allow different parts of the network to be isolated, if faulty, and then repaired

This arrangement is known as a RADIAL NETWORK

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Only the circuit breakers at A and B operate automatically to disconnect faults. The remainder of the network switchgear is non automatic but it has the capability to OPEN load current and CLOSE fault current

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At each substation, the local transformer is protected by a circuit breaker or switch fuse

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In radial networks, the restoration time after a fault or damage incident is normally:

For most of the substations, the time needed to carry out manual switching In the worst case, the repair time on the cable or overhead line

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WHY DO THE NETWORK SWITCHES NEED A FAULT MAKING CAPABILITY? Consider a fault occurring on the network controlled by circuit breaker A

At this stage, it is not possible to know where the fault is located, only that circuit breaker A has tripped and supplies are lost

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WHY DO THE NETWORK SWITCHES NEED A FAULT MAKING CAPABILITY? Begin restoration by opening at the first substation and closing the circuit breaker Next close the switch to the branch circuit Close the switch towards the open point C At this point we have reenergised the fault; the network switch has closed fault current, circuit breaker A should open 1-2 seconds later

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THANK YOU
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