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13th International Conference On Gas Discharges And Their Applications Glasgow, Scotland, 3. -8.

September 2000

SWITCHING CAPABILITY OF DOUBLE AND SINGLE- BREAK VACUUM INTERRUPTERS EXPERIMENTS ON REAL HIGHVOLTAGE DEMONSTRATION-TUBES
S. Giere*, H. C. Krner*, H. Knobloch** *Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany **Siemens AG, Berlin, Germany
ABSTRACT This paper describes switching experiments with vacuum demonstration tubes for the 84 kV voltage level. The investigations were performed with two different tube designs. The difference between these objects is the number of breaker units per tube. The tubes were tested under different switching conditions, especially terminal fault, short-line fault, capacitive and inductive current switching. The switching results of single and double-break units were discussed. In addition to the pure switching experiments, the dielectric strength after these tests was determined. 1. INTRODUCTION Medium-voltage switchgear applications often use vacuum to cope with the demands. The outstanding characteristics of this medium in terms of control of short-circuit currents (SCC), in combination with good dielectric properties and the minimal maintenance effort required in such systems, have almost completely displaced other switching media from the medium voltage range. Today it is becoming increasingly interesting to find out whether this concept is transferable to the highvoltage level or not. Up to now this level has been dominated by gas-blast systems with SF6 as insulating and arc-extinguishing medium. Experiments in the past have shown that it is possible to extend the positive vacuum-properties from the medium-voltage to the high-voltage range [1]. Thus, for several years now vacuum tubes for 72.5 kV and 40 kA, and for 84 kV and 31.5 kA respectively, have been available [2]. This paper deals with test results gained on real vacuum demonstration tubes for 84 kV and 40 kA SCCs, considering the requirements of the new IEC standard [3]. Modern switchgear applications call for not only a high breaking capability; capacitive and low inductive current switching are also important duties. 2. BASIC CONSIDERATIONS The good breaking capability of vacuum switchgear is the reason for its prominent position in the mediumvoltage range. AMF (Axial Magnetic Field) contacts assure the highest possible breaking capability in vacuum. The breaking capability of AMF contacts is primarily dependent on their diameter [4]. With the aid of this contact geometry and special CuCr contact

materials it is possible to break currents of up to 200 kA [5]. With increasing contact separation the ability of the AMF contacts to keep the arc diffuse is lowered, but to control the TRV (Transient Recovery Voltage) sufficiently large contact separation is absolutely essential. The contradictive nature of these two demands was the reason for testing and comparing the suitability of a single and a double-break unit for the high-voltage level. This consideration leads to the assumption already that the double-break unit has certain advantages in terms of breaking capability.
1 6

2 3

4 3 2 2 3 4 5

5 4

6 1

= Movable contact = AMF contacts = Fixed contact = Insulating ceramic = Vapor condensation shield = Bellows

Fig. 1: Vacuum tube with Fig. 2: Vacuum tube with double-break unit single-break unit

Figs. 1 and 2 show the principal designs of the two vacuum tubes. For the double-break unit a contact separation of 2x20 mm was created, and for the single-break unit a separation of 50 mm. The intended contact separation results primarily from the dielectric requirements. The advantages of the double-break unit regarding the relatively small contact separation (and stronger axial magnetic field) lead to a more complicated mechanical tube design. The design of the single-break unit is simpler but it might be necessary to create a special sequence of motions to ensure the necessary axial magnetic field. Another important advantage of the double-break unit is the recovery of dielectric strength (after current zero) for switching SCCs, because the relative rate of rise of dielectric strength is higher at lower contact separation figures [6].

3. BREAKING CAPABILITY For breaking high currents two cases have to be considered, short-line fault and terminal fault switching. Short-line fault tests are expressive regarding the thermal switching capability, and terminal fault tests describe the dielectric switching capability. To test the breaking capability a synthetic test circuit was used. In accordance with IEC [3], the rate of rise of recovery voltage for short-line fault testing is much higher than for terminal fault testing. 3.1 TERMINAL FAULT TESTS The requirements imposed on the vacuum switchgear in terms of TRV are in accordance with the IEC standard [3]. Only the rate of rise of recovery voltage was tested 25 % higher than IEC standard (T100, 100kV) [3]. Up to a certain limit of contact separation the switching behavior of vacuum tubes with AMF contacts is uncritical. If the limit is reached the mode of the vacuum arc changes. The diffuse arc mode migrates to a constricted arc mode. In this way the maximum breaking capacity of a vacuum tube with AMF contacts is reached with the contraction of the arc. The constricted vacuum arc is characterized by an oscillating arc voltage with relatively high voltage values. Fig. 3 shows the change from the diffuse to the constricted vacuum arc.
20 V 0 -20 -40 arc voltage -60 -80 -100 -120 constricted arc -140 -160 0 2 4 6 8 time 10 12 14 16 ms 18 -700 -800 diffuse arc pre-current current loop 100 kA 0 -100 -200 current -300 -400 -500 -600

the two gaps, the duplication of the arc voltage could be expected theoretically. The direct comparison of the arc voltage (between single and double-break unit) makes clear that the arc voltage of the double-break unit is not only twice as high as the values gained with the single-break unit, but also that a smaller time sequence of the constricted arc occurs. This leads to the statement that the double-break unit copes more easily with high currents and high arcing times than the single-break unit. Considering the different arc voltage behavior (Figs. 3 and 4), reflecting the limit breaking capability which will be confirmed by test results, the conclusion can be made that the double-break unit can master the SCCs much more effectively. The constricted arc phase of the single-break unit is longer than that of the doublebreak unit. This could be a result of the different contact motions. Figs. 5 and 6 show results of breaking tests under terminal fault conditions for different arcing times and SCCs. A distinction is made between successful and failed tests. Generally three areas become apparent in the diagrams. These areas characterize regions of failed and successful tests. For small arcing times up to 5 ms the insufficient contact separation causes restrikes (minimum arcing time). The electrical field between the contacts is too high; a failure is unavoidable because of the field emission. With longer arcing times corresponding to larger contact separations the tests are successful for the present.
50 kA 45 r.m.s. terminal fault current 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 arcing time 12 14 16 18 ms 20 successful tests failed tests

Fig. 3: 40 kA (r.m.s.) current and arc voltage for different arcing times of a single-break unit The constricted arc occurs at arcing times between 13 ms and 15 ms where a pre-stress of the contacts with a pre-current becomes necessary.
20 V 0 -20 -40 arc voltage -60 -80 -100 -120 constricted arc -140 -160 0 2 4 6 8 time 10 12 14 16 ms 18 -700 -800 diffuse arc pre current current loop 100 kA 0 -100 -200 -300 -400 -500 -600 current

Fig. 4: 40 kA (r.m.s.) current and arc voltage for different arcing times of a double-break unit Fig. 4 shows the arc voltage of a double-break unit in comparison to Fig. 3. Due to the series connection of

Fig. 5: Terminal fault test results of the single-break unit With increasing arc duration, also the thermal stress of the contacts rises. At extended arcing times this results in failures. The failures are caused by a thermal overloading of the AMF contacts. This point marks the maximum arcing time for the arrangement which is due to the contact geometry and the current. A clear sign of a thermal overload of the contacts is the strongly oscillating arc voltage (Figs. 3 and 4). The maximum arcing time in connection with the height of the SCC represents a characteristic critical charge for each contact system. This critical charge is higher for the double-break unit which is able to master 40 kA and 45 kA SCCs with relatively large arcing times. With this, the higher arc-extinguishing capability of the double-break unit, which was already expected from the arc voltage courses, is confirmed. Fig. 6 shows the characteristic of vacuum switchgear

to create late restrikes which can occur some ms after current zero. Two restrikes occurred at 37 kA and around 15 ms arcing time.
50 kA 45 r.m.s. terminal fault current 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 arcing time 12 14 16 18 ms 20 successful tests failed tests late restrikes

Fig. 6: Terminal fault test results of the double-break unit The repetition of each test with such a late restrike led to successful interruptions. With an increasing test frequency it was possible to reduce the number of late restrikes. The cause of these restrikes might be particles which occurred in combination with mechanical vibrations of the drive mechanism. For both systems a minimal arcing time of 4 ms is needed to ensure successful tests. The requirement of an arcing time window of 10 ms at 40 kA is met by both the single and the double-break unit.
100 % 90 80 70 mid potential 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 ms 18 arcing time

short arcing times. With the test setup used, asymmetrical currents were produced by the overlapping of two sinusoidal current half-waves. The basis of the circuit used was the same voltage injection circuit like for symmetrical terminal fault tests. An additional capacitor bank was connected in parallel with a time delay of 3.4 ms, in order to extend the current flow. The DC (Direct Current) component was fixed at 50 %. This resulted in a length of the current loop of 13.4 ms. For the first investigations the current maximum peak was fixed at a peak value of 52 kA. The rate of current rise before current zero was 10 A/s. The minimum arcing time for the tested tube is the same like Fig.5. The investigations indicate that the asymmetrical current with appropriate test conditions leads to a comfortable arcing time window of 11 ms. 3.3 SHORT-LINE FAULT TESTS The following values were applied for 40 kA shortline fault conditions with the synthetic test circuit. In accordance with the IEC standard the short-line fault was tested with a 90 % rated short-circuit breaking current, i.e. 36 kA. The rate of rise of voltage after current zero is 20 % higher than required in IEC standard [3]. The short-line fault test results for 50 Hz and 60 Hz are more than sufficient. The minimum arcing time for both switches is 3 ms. Up to 17 ms it was not possible to reach the maximum arcing time. Both tested arrangements show a comfortable arcing time window. It is obvious that this duty is not limiting the breaking behavior of the vacuum switch. 4. DIELECTRIC STRENGTH AFTER BREAKING TESTS The new IEC standard [3] requires an 80 % value of the original dielectric strength after breaking tests.
140 % 120 r.m.s. breakdown voltage (50 Hz) 100 100 % is the dielectric limit 80 60 after switching tests 40 20 0 0 5 10 test-number 15 20 before switching tests

Fig. 7: Mid potential of the double-break unit in 40 kA tests For the double-break unit it is of interest to know if the voltage distribution is symmetrical on the two contact gaps. Fig. 7 shows the mid potential of the double-break unit for various arcing times at 40 kA. The mid potential was measured with a capacitive probe. Grading capacitors for a steady voltage distribution were not used. It is obvious that the mid potential of the double-break unit could not be exactly 50 % of the TRV. Most values are located between 30 % and 50 %. That means that the upper gap carries more than half of the TRV which is due to the influence of the stray capacitances. With the use of grading capacitors a more symmetrical voltage distribution could be expected [7], which permits a further increase of the breaking capability of the double-break unit. 3.2 ASYMETRICAL SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT Asymmetrical SCCs play an important role (especially for vacuum switchgear); they are notable for their

Fig. 8: Dielectric strength of single-break unit before and after current switching tests Fig. 8 shows the dielectric test results (50 Hz) before and after the current switching tests at the single-break unit. The conditioning effects of the contact surfaces are nearly the same, but after the breaking tests the values for the switched contacts are higher. The contact plates were melted on by the high SCCs and this gives rise to a better dielectric strength. With the high current, micro protrusions were molten down, causing a microscopic smoother surface.

5. CAPACITIVE CURRENT SWITCHING For modern switchgear a voltage factor of k = 1.7 for capacitive current switching is necessary to cope with the demands. The difference between forbidden restrikes and uncritical reignitions is the time of their occurrence. From the start of the TRV up to 5 ms (50 Hz) a reignition is concerned without any problems for disconnection. If a breakdown occurs later than 5 ms after current zero it is a restrike with the option of an inadmissible voltage escalation. The tests were performed only with the single-break unit because the dielectric results of this system are weaker than those of the double-break unit.
10 successful tests 8 6 4 arcing time 2 0 1 -2 -4 re-ignition -6 neg. pol. -8 -10 test number 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 re-ignions pos. pol. re-ignition

distribution of chopping currents for the single and double-break units. The investigations were carried out with an inductive current of 60 A and an arc duration of 8 ms. There is no significant difference between the single and double-break unit. They both show values that do not suggest problems for inductive current switching. 7. CONCLUSIONS Both systems perform the duties for 84 kV/40 kA high-voltage switchgear applications. The arc voltages show that at high SCCs it is only for a short period that the arc leaves the diffuse mode. The arc returns from the constricted to the diffuse mode before the maximum of the current loop. For terminal fault conditions the switching limit of the double-break unit is higher than the switching limit of the single-break unit, but both vacuum tube systems reach the required breaking capability of 40 kA at symmetrical and asymmetrical currents. During short-line fault tests, no early restrike some s after current zero was discerned, as are known from common gas-blast systems. Short-line fault tests are not a problem for vacuum switchgear. The vacuum switchgear is able to break a higher number of SCCs than comparable gas-blast circuitbreakers. More than 100 SCC interruptions are possible with a vacuum tube. The investigations on capacitive switching show good results also with a voltage factor of k = 1.7. The measured values of chopped current in inductive current switching represent no problem. There are no significant differences between the two tube concepts. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to express their gratitude to the divisions R VSE, ZT EN3 and EV HS23 of Siemens AG; without their support and knowledge this work would have been impossible. REFERENCES [1] H Himi et al., 84/72 kV Outdoor Vacuum Circuit Breakers, MEIDEN REVIEW Series No. 48, August 1976, No. 2 [2] S Yanabu; H Ikeda: Maximum interruption ability of SF6 puffer and vacuum circuit breaker, Proc. GD Conference, Swansea 1992, pp. 230-232 [3] IEC 60056: High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers, 17A/542/CDV, 1999 [4] R Renz, D Smann, Entwicklungstendenzen bei Vakuumschaltern, etz Bd. 112, H. 15, 1991 [5] S Yanabu et al., Vacuum arc under an axial magnetic field and its interrupting ability, Proc. IEEE, Vol. 126, No. 4, April 1979 [6] G A Farrall, Recovery of dielectric strength after current interruption in vacuum, IEEE Trans. on Plasma Science, Vol. PS-6, No. 4, December 1978 [7] T Betz, Ausschaltverhalten von in Serie geschalteten Vakuumschaltkammern unter Bercksichtigung der Potentialaufteilung, VDI Reihe 21, Nr. 270, VDI Verlag 1999

Fig. 9: Capacitive switching tests with a single-break unit and a current of 40 A Some of the results of the capacitive switching tests are shown in Fig. 9. During the test sequence the arcing time and the polarity of the TRV were regarded as parameters. The vacuum tubes are able to fulfil the requirements for capacitive switching. Out of 49 switching tests, 46 are without any problems, and 3 allowed re-ignitions occurred at very short arcing times of clearly less than 1 ms. 6. INDUCTIVE CURRENT SWITCHING Vacuum switchgear is characterized by chopping currents just before current zero. This phenomenon applies especially for low inductive currents.
25,0% 20,0%

double-break unit single-break unit

15,0% distribution

10,0%

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0,0% 0,71 0,76 0,80 0,84 0,88 0,92 0,97 1,01 1,05 1,09 1,13 1,18 1,22

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chopping cur rent / averag

e of chopping

current (single

-break unit)

Fig. 10: Distribution of chopping currents Due to the high di/dt of the chopped current it is possible for overvoltages to occur at inductivities of the circuit (e.g. electrical machines). The kind of contact material used influences mainly the magnitude of the chopping current. Both designs use a CuCr material. This is well known from medium voltage applications. Low chopping current and high breaking capability are contrary demands. Fig. 10 shows the

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