14.11.

2014

Switch Gear Room : Humidity Problems and Our Solution

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How does Moisture Play Havoc with your Switchgears ?

Frequent flash over in switchgear requires expensive repairs and leads to power
outage resulting in huge losses in revenue. Power distribution substations have to
handle high voltages. High voltage indoor switch boards are generally installed in the
Switch Rooms of the Sub-stations. The switch gears distribute power at various
voltage level.
Switchboards contain a lot of insulated conductors like Busbars. The insulations
currently used in the modern day switchboards are usually of the following types :

a. Condenser type: This type of insulation is generally made from synthetic resin
bonded paper (SRBP) and conducting aluminum foil in alternating layers.
The paper, usually used in condenser type insulation, is highly hygroscopic,
and thus absorbs moisture from the surrounding air. This leads to the
degeneration of the insulation with time, as is evident by the increase in Tan
Delta (loss angle) values. This results in failure of the insulation as well as in a
flashover and, ultimately in the failure of the switchgear itself.

b. Cast resin encapsulated type : Alternatively, cast resin component is also used for insulation instead of SRBP. In
this case moisture makes the dust inside the switch room to become sticky and settle over the switch gears. This
leads to severe electrical insultation problem and failure.

c. Insulating sleeve type: In case of insulating sleeve, the high humidity along with dust lead to surface tracking and
thus, cause a flashover.
Humidity control by dehumidifying such switch rooms ensures that the insulating components do not fail as it eliminates
flashover in the case of SRBP insulation, and in the case of cast resin or insulated sleeve insulation, dehumidification
keeps the dust dry so that it can be wiped off easily from time to time.
Most switch gear rooms are non air conditioned. However, the current trend indicates that more and more switch gear rooms
with hi-tech, state-of-the art PCB controlled switch gears are air-conditioned as the sophisticated controls of the switchgear
need temperature control also.
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14.11.2014

Switch Gear Room : Humidity Problems and Our Solution

Control Moisture levels in your Switch gear room to avoid Short circuiting
Irrespective of the fact whether switch gear rooms are non air conditioned or air conditioned, humidity control is a must in
the Switch Gear Rooms. Unfortunately, the whole switchgear needs to be replaced once it is damaged due to short
circuiting. This leads to a huge financial loss as these are extremely high value equipment. Additionally, there is also
revenue loss due to power outage.
Uncontrolled humidity/moisture in the switch gear rooms is the single major cause for all such losses.
Switch gear failure due to short circuiting can be avoided by controlling the moisture levels to less than 50% RH at ambient
condition in the room or in conjunction with an air-conditioner, if the switchgear needs temperature controlled environ also.
The simplest and the most cost effective method to control humidity is to install a Bry-Air dehumidifier. Irrespective of the
make of switchgear either imported or indigenous like SIEMENS/ABB or any type of switch gear e.g. Bulk Oil/Vacuum/SF6,
dehumidification is needed for all.
Enter Bry-Air, Exit Moisture.
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