T155

420 550 kV Gas-insulated Substations

Transmission networks are evolving into Smart Grids, integrating multiple

energy sources, optimising energy efciency, and providing higher reliability and
availability. Alstom Grid T155 GIS offer solutions to face these new challenges.
The ALSTOM GRID T155 gas-insulated
switchgear (GIS) is ideal for such applications on 420 and 550 kV networks.
The T155 derives its extensive benets from
ALSTOM GRID's active involvement in
SF6 switchgear technology for over 44 years,
during which over 20 000 GIS bays have
been sold and installed around the world
to the entire satisfaction of operators.
The T155 is continuously being upgraded,
reliably achieving all guaranteed ratings and
providing state-of-the-art technology.

Sustained improvements
ALSTOM anticipates the new requirements
resulting from changing market conditions
and customer priorities.
Research and development continuously
aims at improving the quality, performance
and reliability of products.

Customer benets
High operational reliability
Superior availability
Excellent accessibility
Modular design
Increased compactness

Using internationally recognised KEMA,

CESI and CERDA test laboratories, ALSTOM
closely follows-up technological developments and contributes to the technological
transformations of the future.

GRID

The ALSTOM quality-assurance system is

assessed and certied according to ISO 9001
and EN 29001 standards. It is subject
to unceasing improvements and is considered
an essential management tool throughout
the company.
Machining and manufacturing facilities use
the most modern technologies and ensure
the highest quality levels. From receipt of
order to delivery, thorough production and
engineering-ow planning associated with
computerised data-processing ensures that
deadlines and commitments are fully met.

GAS-INSULATED SUBSTATIONS

T155

Key system advantages

Proven design
T155 switchgear, based on its proven and
reliable ancestors, provides key customer
benets. The main implemented technologies for enclosures, gaskets, insulators
and conductors have been validated by
several decades of eld experience.

design principles
Field-proven
Long-term experience over 44 years
with
GIS and over 50 years with circuit
breaker (CB) spring mechanisms

ISO 9001 certied quality assurance

system
Comprehensive development and labora tory
testing.

Proper sizing of transport units allows

convenient
handling
Most low voltage cables are tted with
plug-in
connectors
Comprehensive factory tests ensure that
equipment
is ready-to-operate.

Accessible components
Optimal solutions
T155 switchgear is optimally suitable for all
types of single-line diagrams, arrangements,
building dimensions, environments and site
constraints.
All components have been designed to give
the T155 the highest exibility:
Individual customer solutions
Clear and simple layouts
Minimum space requirements
Reduced substation construction costs.

Reliable operation
The T155's reliability can be attributed to
the following reasons:
Professional experience and training of all
people involved in the industrial process,
from research and development designers
to site installation supervisors
Minimum number of components and parts

Life cycle costs are dropped down to the

lowest.

Short manufacturing,
installation and commissioning
times
T155 advanced concepts make it possible to
reduce engineering, manufacturing, installation and commissioning times. Amongst
other reasons for these time reductions, the
following points deserve mentioning:
Components and arrangements are highly
standardised, thus reducing engineering
lead times
Support frames are simply bolted to the
concrete slab or oor by means of classical anchoring bolts, with no need of
embedded sectional rails, thanks to minimum dynamic stresses
Very little structural steelwork is necessary

The switchgear arrangement and the location of the operating mechanisms (circuitbreakers, disconnectors and earthing
switches) denitely provide the highest
degree of accessibility, thus bringing many
advantages:
Safe operation
Easy servicing with no use of heavy
equipment
Convenient retrots, changes and further
extensions
Short dismantling and equipment adjustment times, thanks to busbar coupling
elements.

Adaptability
Not only is the T155 the ideal product to
design substations according to any singleline diagram (single busbar, double busbar,
one circuit-breaker and a half, etc.), but it is
also optimal for gas-insulated modules.
OPTIGIM T155 gas-insulated modules
enable the creation and/or extension of airinsulated substations with lower space
requirements, while benetting from safer
and more reliable gas-insulated switchgear.
The T155 GIS is also suitable for future
modications and extensions, thus optimising capital costs.

1 Circuit breaker
2 Spring-operated mechanism
3 Disconnector
4 High-speed earthing switch
5 Low-speed earthing switch
6 Current transformer
7 Cable connection
2

GAS-INSULATED SUBSTATIONS

T155

Components
Adapted aluminium enclosures

Safe insulators

Adequate SF6 accessories

Enclosures are made of aluminium alloys,

cast or welded, each material being selected
for different reasons:
Low electrical resistance, which minimises touch voltage, creates an efcient
electromagnetic shielding (return current
and primary current are nearly equal) and
reduces resistive losses
Non-magnetic behaviour which entails
no magnetic losses
High resistance to corrosion, making it
unnecessary to paint enclosures and
internal surfaces and ensuring long-term
gas tightness and ange-to-ange contact resistance quality (despite there
being no technical need to do so, external
surfaces are painted regardless, for a
long-lasting attractive look)
Light weight, which makes handling easy,
minimises static loads and reduces civil
works.

Conductors and live parts are tted to cast

epoxy-resin insulators, made of special
high-quality materials and manufactured
in ALSTOM's own workshops. Optimized
shapes and long creepage distances jointly
ensure the highest long-term voltage withstand, within resin and gas.

Each SF6 compartment has a lling valve,

moisture absorber, safety pressure relief
valve and a temperature-compensated
density switch or sensor. Density thresholds
can be tested without depressurising the
main gas compartment. Digital monitoring
systems offer valuable solutions for SF6
management and trend analysis.

State-of-the-art circuit breaker

Each T155 circuit breaker pole is equipped
with its own spring mechanism. Each
pole contains two breaking chambers. The
chambers use high-performance breaking
technology with an optimum combination
of both puffer and thermal effects. The
use of two interrupting units per pole ensures
full compliance with the IEC's latest and
most stringent standards, even for high-level
ratings such as 550 kV and 63 kA. The
circuit breaker has been fully type-tested
under all operating conditions and consequently can be used for all types of networks
and applications.
Grading capacitors ensure uniform voltage
distribution between the interrupting elements.

Perfect SF6 sealing

The ALSTOM sealing system uses original
patented gaskets, which actually provide
three concentric seals and ensure that substations gas leakage rate is less than
0.5% per year.
Design, manufacturing and testing is performed in accordance with most stringent
international standards, ensuring the
highest mechanical withstand and degree
of safety.
Technical data
Rated voltage
Rated frequency
Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage
Rated power frequency withstand voltage
Rated current
for busbars
or feeders
Rated short time current (3 s)
Rated breaking current
Application

kV
Hz
kV
kV
A
A
kA
kA

420 550
50/60
1425 1550
650 710
up to 6300
up to 4000
up to 63
up to 63
Indoor/ Outdoor

Design, manufacture, assembly and

quality control provide the highest levels of
both mechanical and electrical endurance,
which means that no reconditioning is
required before at least 25 years, under
normal operating conditions.

High quality conductors

Connecting conductors are made of tubular
aluminium with high-grade, silver-plated
contacts at the ends. The sliding feature
allows thermal expansion without transmitting mechanical stress to insulators.
Specic design provides ample angular
deection for easier and shorter assembling
or dismantling operations.

Other values on request

3

GAS-INSULATED SUBSTATIONS

T155

Superior spring mechanisms

Control of switching surges

High power earthing switches

ALSTOMs experience with circuit breaker

spring mechanisms spans over 70 years
and amounts to more than 90000 units
produced customers have repeatedly
expressed their deep satisfaction with them.

Depending on overhead line (OHL) parameters and network ratings, OHL switching
surges may be mitigated by using one or
several of the following means:
Synchronising relay
Additional surge arresters
Insertion closing resistor.

Earthing switches (ES) may have switching

capabilities or not. Those with these capabilities are fast-operated (high-speed type),
not only on closing but also on opening, by
means of a spring released at the end of
both operations. High-speed ES are therefore capable, not only of making the full
short-circuit current, but also of interrupting
(according to most stringent standard specications) currents associated with parallel
overhead lines. The latter capability is widely
and reliably achieved thanks to the specic
high-speed opening feature of the T155
earthing switch. Properly selected ES, either
high or low-speed, may be electrically
insulated from the enclosures by removing
an external link, thus conveniently enabling
current or voltage injection tests for timing,
resistance measurement or protection check
purposes.

These mechanisms are called full-spring

mechanisms since they have no pressurised
(hydraulic or pneumatic) driving uid.
Contrary to hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms (even when the uid is used for
transmission only), ALSTOMs spring
mechanisms are not likely to leak, they
forever store their energy and do not prematurely age due to frequent motor starts and
pressure top-ups. Operation times do not
depend on temperature and pressure, thus
making the right use of synchronising relays
(see below). The use of a spring mechanism
at such voltages and ratings is only possible
due to ALSTOM's long-term experience in
the elds of spring-operated mechanisms
and circuit breakers.

For reactor switching, a synchronising relay

may be associated with the mandatory
surge arresters required for protection of
this sensitive equipment.
Thanks to its spring mechanism, the T155
circuit breaker features perfect timing
stability, a pre-requisite to its association
with a synchronising relay.

Safe disconnectors
All three disconnector (DS) poles are connected to a common 3-pole electrical
mechanism via a sturdy mechanical linkage.
Clear and safe indication of the main contacts position is provided by a reliable indicator directly tted to the linkage. This indicator is well-visible from the operating level.
Totally safe insulation between energised
and de-energised sections of the substation
is provided thanks to long gaps between
open contacts and proper dielectric design.

ALSTOM spring mechanisms have few

moving parts, require almost no maintenance,
need no on-site adjustment and stand
out due to their long service life. Sturdy
design assures superior reliability. Adapted
travel curve and damping entail low dynamic
loads on the oor and adjacent GIS components. Therefore, mechanical ageing is
sharply reduced and civil works are less
expensive.
4

Disconnectors reliably switch capacitive

currents which occur when switchgear sections are energised or de-energised, as well
as commutation currents caused by busbar
transfers. All performances have been
demonstrated according to the latest applicable standards.

All three ES poles are connected to a common 3-pole electrical mechanism via a
sturdy mechanical linkage. The contact
position indicator, which is common to the
three poles of low-speed ES and tted to
each pole of high-speed ES, is reliable and
clearly visible at operating level.

Field-proven busducts
Tens of kilometres of ALSTOM gas-insulated
busducts are installed around the world,
thus demonstrating an unsurpassable eld
experience. Not only can these busducts
match all physical constraints, but the GIS
and its high voltage terminations can also
be arranged in the most suitable way.

GAS-INSULATED SUBSTATIONS

Busducts can be installed either above

ground, or in trenches, tunnels, or shafts. This
makes it possible to locate HV substations
within underground power plants for instance,
thus enabling operators to locate step-up
power transformers underground too.
Thermal expansion is dealt with by means
of suitable sliding supports, bellows, special
steel frames, etc.

Customised current and

voltage transformers
T155 current and/or voltage transformers
are suitable for all protection and metering
purposes and cover a very large range of
ratings. Most often, instrument transformers
are conventional, inductive types.
Non-conventional instrument transformers (NCIT)
can also be provided. The
ALSTOM non-conventional current transformer
is based on the Rogowski
principle, which avoids
any magnetic saturation
concerns. Thanks to ALSTOM's original
design, even the most demanding metering
ratings, up to 0.2 accuracy class, can be
achieved with very low primary currents.
The non-conventional voltage transformer
is a capacitive-type and may even be combined with the CT. The ALSTOM NCIT delivers standard analog and/or digital signals.

Integrated surge arresters

Gas-insulated surge arresters minimise substation footprints, improve equipment
reliability and reduce the number of outdoor
insulators. Thousands of units are installed
in high and extra-high voltage air and
gas-insulated substations. T155 zinc-oxide
resistors have very high ratings which minimise residual voltages, thus perfectly protecting the equipment and dissipating the
very high energies associated with the
longest lines and cables. Proper grading
of the electrical eld inside the enclosure is
achieved with special stress shields. A
leakage current meter and/or a discharge
counter may also be connected.

High-voltage terminations
The T155 can be directly connected to high
voltage cables, transformers and/or overhead lines.

Reliable SF6-air bushings

The GIS connects to overhead lines by
means of busducts and SF6-air bushings,
the insulator of which, (porcelain or composite) is lled with SF6 at substation rated
pressure. Electric eld grading is natural,
based on sole SF6 insulation, which provides an excellent voltage surge withstand.
This limits the risk of ageing too. A range
of insulators allows external creepage
distances to meet specic customer requirements.

T155

Composite insulators are also explosionproof and thus bring a valuable safety
feature.

Direct connection
to power transformers
In order to remove any air-insulated part,
the T155 can be directly connected to
power transformers and reactors by means
of gas-insulated busducts and a specic
enclosure which houses the gas-tight
oil-SF6 bushing. The latter is provided by
the transformer or reactor manufacturer
and must be as per IEC standards. Proper
design easily manages the positioning tolerances of the power transformer or reactor.
The transformer or reactor may be disconnected from the substation via a removable
connection during GIS high voltage tests.

Standard HV cable connection

A specic enclosure is used to connect the
switchgear to the cable termination, whose
insulator provided by the cable supplier
must be as per IEC standards. Such a termination ts any type of HV cable, irrespective of insulation type (XLPE, paper-oil,
etc.) or conductor section.
The cable can be disconnected from the
switchgear via a removable conductor,
to allow separate GIS and cable high voltage
tests. Tools and testing means for HV cable
testing must be provided by the cable supplier.

GAS-INSULATED SUBSTATIONS

T155

Condition monitoring
Monitoring

UHF monitoring

Despite its superior reliability, T155 switchgear availability can be further enhanced by
means of condition monitoring systems
which have the following features:
Predictive, instead of preventive maintenance
Early warnings
Time-tagged event recording.

Internal partial discharges may be signs of

possible problems. It may be therefore
useful to monitor the ultra-high frequency
(UHF) electromagnetic waves generated by
the partial discharges. Associated with the
high voltage tests, this is the most effective
way to ensure full GIS integrity after installation or heavy maintenance. UHF sensors
transmit electromagnetic waves, the frequency of which may reach 1 GHz. Sensors

SF6 , circuit breaker and partial discharge

monitoring are the most valuable systems.

Precise
circuit breaker monitoring
Circuit breaker monitoring can be provided
too. Travel curves and electrical wear are
recorded and can report on circuit-breaker
conditions in order to trigger servicing only
when it is strictly necessary.
For both SF6 and CB monitoring, ALSTOM
deploys modular electronic devices, whose
reliability is supported by hundreds of
thousands in operation around the world in
all types of critical industrial processes. These
devices are permanently self-monitoring
and any failure is immediately signalled.
These devices have successfully undergone
extremely severe and extensive qualication
tests. Due to their proximity to high voltage
and high current equipment, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) withstand is
thoroughly checked: not only do these devices fully comply with the upper class of the
tests (electromagnetic elds, fast transients,
electrostatic discharges, radiated radio
waves, etc.) dened in IEC 1000/EN 61000
standards, but they also experience no
misoperation during the same tests. Display
is provided by user-friendly human-machine
interfaces.

(i.e. antennas) are properly located inside

the enclosures. On commissioning staged
and regular inspections, sensors are connected to a portable UHF analyser.
A trained operator may then observe the
signals and determine switchgear status.
A more sophisticated online monitoring
system may also be supplied for more
critical installations, for the permanent
supervision of switchgear dielectric conditions.

Complete SF6 monitoring

Apart from the usual density
thresholds (relling request
and minimum operating
density), ALSTOM SF6 monitoring can also provide many
valuable functions:
Accurate density display
Filling overpressure alarm
SF6 liquefaction detection
Sensor status control
Early warning
Calculation of leakage rate
Internal failure detection
Historical record.

These functions help

operators to make proper
decisions and dramatically
increase substation
availability.

remote
monitoring
communication
monitoring
gateway

Control room
LAN

bay
gateway
&
SF6
monitoring
module

condition
monitoring
module(s)

LCC
digital links

digital
position
sensors

A/D D/A
converters
digital
SF6
analogue sensors
sensors

on/off
inputs
on/off
Switchgear outputs

communication
with control
equipment

GAS-INSULATED SUBSTATIONS

Local control
A local control cubicle is generally associated to each T155 circuit breaker bay.
This cubicle may provide all or part of the
following functions:
Control, i.e. means of opening and closing
all switches (circuit breaker, disconnectors
and earthing switches)
LV supply protection
Display of switch position
Alarm display (SF6 thresholds, supply
voltage, etc.)
Safety electrical interlocks (using CB, DS
and ES auxiliary contacts)
Current / voltage meters
Interfacing terminals for remote control.

T155

The implemented technology can be conventional (based on electromechanical

relays) or digital (based on electronic microprocessors).
The ALSTOM local control cubicle may also
incorporate the bay control unit (BCU) of a
substation digital control system (DCS)
and/or the protection relays themselves.

Assembly & maintenance

Reliable type and routine tests
Type tests are carried out according to
latest IEC standards. For some features, IEC
requirements are even supplemented by
additional tests, or more severe conditions,
to meet ALSTOMs own superior standards
of quality. Despite our modern workshops,
which include a dustfree assembly hall, the
same rigorous policy is applied for routine
tests. For instance, partial discharge measurement is performed at a much higher
voltage than required by IEC standards.

Simple transport and

on-site tests
Shipping units are lled with SF6 or N2 gas
at a slight overpressure, to prevent moisture
and dust ingress during transport. After site
erection, the equipment undergoes rigorous
inspections to ensure all required performances. Site tests include severe resistance
measurements and mechanical and voltage
withstand tests.

Minimal maintenance
The T155 has a near-zero maintenance
concept where reliability and availability
mean inspections at distant intervals and
where long life duration for mechanical and
electrical parts is guaranteed. The ALSTOM
Service team remains at the customers
disposal for any assistance and service,
however. An inspection and maintenance
plan can also be established to support the
equipment throughout its entire life cycle.

Comprehensive services
ALSTOM provides a global service offer,
supported by local resources:
Network consulting
Equipment expertise and diagnosis
Erection and commissioning supervision
Maintenance and spare parts management
Repairs and emergency support
Renovation and refurbishment

Dedication to customer satisfaction is

ALSTOMs rst guideline to its employees,
a testimony to the will of shapping a better
future.
7

Double busbar layout with 6 feeders and 1 coupler

Building width 10 m, length 25 m

Hybrid module

Displayed OPTIGIM includes

one circuit breaker with:
1 current transformer
1 earthing switch
1 disconnector
1 SF6 -air bushing on both sides.
Length 10 m
Bushing terminal height 7.5 m

One circuit breaker and a half substation with 4 feeders

Building width 10 m, length 34 m

Alstom Grid Worldwide Contact Centre

www.grid.alstom.com/contactcentre/
Tel: +44 (0) 1785 250 070
www.grid.alstom.com

GRID

Grid-Products-L3-T155_Range-70627-2010_12 - EN Copyrights Alstom 2010, the Alstom logo and any alternative version thereof are trademarks and service marks of Alstom. The other names mentioned, registered or not, are the property of
their respective companies. The technical and other data contained in this document are provided for Information only. Neither Alstom, its ofcers nor employees accept responsibility for or should be taken as making any representation or warranty
(whether express or implied) as to the accuracy or compIeteness of such data or the achievements of any projected performance criteria where these are indicated. No liability is accepted for any reliance placed upon the information contained in this brochure.
AIstom reserves the right to revise or change these data at any time without further notice. Printed of paper made with pure ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) ecological cellulose produced from trees grown in production forests under responsible management,
and selected recycled three-layer bres.

GAS-INSULATED SUBSTATIONS
T155

Applications