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Medium Voltage Switchgear Basics of

Switching Devices

Medium Voltage Switchgear (1) Basics of Switching Devices

Introduction to Medium Voltage

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According to international rules, there are only two voltage levels:

1. Low voltage: up to and including 1kV AC (or 1,500V DC).
2. High voltage: above 1kV AC (or 1,500V DC).
Most electrical appliances used in household, commercial and industrial applications work with low
voltage. High voltage is used not only to transmit electrical energy over very large distances, but also
for regional distribution to the load centers via fine branches.
However, because different high voltage levels are used for transmission and regional distribution, and
because the tasks and requirements of the switchgear and substations are also very different, the term
medium voltage has come to be used for the voltages required for regional power distribution that are
part of the high voltage range from 1kV AC up to and including 52kV AC.
Most operating voltages in medium voltage systems are in the 3kV AC to 40.5kV AC range.
The electrical transmission and distribution systems not only connect power stations and electricity
consumers, but also, with their meshed systems, form a supraregional backbone with reserves for reliable
supply and for the compensation of load differences.
High operating voltages (and therefore low currents) are preferred for power transmission in order to
minimize losses. The voltage is not transformed to the usual values of the low voltage system until it
reaches the load centers close to the consumer.
In public power supplies, the majority of medium voltage systems are operated in the 10kV to 30kV
range (operating voltage). The values vary greatly from country to country, depending on the historical
development of technology and the local conditions.

1. Medium voltage equipment

Apart from the public supply, there are still other voltages fulfilling the needs of consumersin
industrial plants with medium voltage systems; in most cases, the operating voltages of the motors
installed are decisive.
Operating voltages between 3kV and 15kV are frequently found in industrial supply systems.
In power supply and distribution systems, medium voltage equipment is available in:
1. Power stations, for generators and station supply systems.
2. Transformer substations of the primary distribution level (public supply system or systems of large
industrial companies), in which power supplied from the high voltage system is transformed to
medium voltage.
3. Local supply, transformer or customer transfer substations for large consumers (secondary
distribution level), in which the power is transformed from medium to low voltage and distributed
to the consumer.
Power distribution network scheme

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2.

Basics of Switching Devices

Switching devices are devices used to close (make) or open (break) electrical circuits.
The following stress can occur during making and breaking:
No-load switching
Breaking of operating currents
Breaking of short circuit currents

What can the different switching devices do?

Circuit breakers:
Make and break all currents within the scope of their ratings, from small inductive and capacitive load
currents up to the full short circuit current, and this under all fault conditions in the power supply
system, such as earth faults, phase opposition, and so on.

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Switches:
Switch currents up to their rated normal current and make on existing short circuits (up to their rated short
circuit making current).
Disconnectors (isolators):
Used for no-load closing and opening operation. Their function is to isolate downstream devices so they
can be worked on.
Three-position disconnectors:
Combine the functions of disconnecting and earthing in one device. Three-position disconnectors are
typical for GIS Gas insulated switchgear.
Switch disconnectors (load break switches):
The combination of a switch and a disconnector, or a switch with isolating distance.
Contactors:
Load breaking devices with a limited short circuit making or breaking capacity. They are used for high
switching rates.
Earthing switches:
To earth isolated circuits.
Make-proof earthing switches (earthing switches with making capacity):
Are used for the safe earthing of circuits, even if voltage is present, that is, also in the event that the
circuit to be earthed was accidentally not isolated.
Fuses:
Consist of a fuse base and a fuse link. With the fuse base, an isolating distance can be established when
the fuse link is pulled out in de-energized condition (like in a disconnector). The fuse link is used for one
single breaking of a short circuit current.
Surge arresters:
To discharge loads caused by lightning strikes (external overvoltages) or switching operations and earth faults
(internal overvoltages). They protect the connected equipment against impermissibly high voltages.
Will be continued very soon
References: SIEMENS Power Engineerind Guide Switchgear and Substations

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