Premium Membership Cet access to premium HVIMVILY slectcal guides, tecnica atiles, EE studies and much more. (20% off avallable) More information Low Vatlag / Medium Votage/ Protection Major components you can spot while looking at opened LV and MV switchboards Home 1 Techical Arles / Major components you can spot whl looking at opened LV and MV ewishboards MVILV Switchboards in general Depending on the siz ofthe building or factory se and whether the supply is high votlage or low votage, there may be requirements for both @ main high voltage switchboard and one or more ow voltage swichboards or just asingl low vokage swichboard. The preferred name forthe switchboard unit is & "Switchgear and Contolgear Assembly” (SCA). Major components you can spot white looking at opened LV and MV switchboard {on photo: Siemans gas insulated switchgear, S8KV, 1250 on left; LV switchboard ‘ang eloctcian performing testing on right), ‘The basic aim of the swtehbosrd i to take the electrical power ftom the main supply source and then to feed or distribute power to the appropriate circus win the bulling. The switchboard has to perform tis function in such @ way that there Is proper contra af power flow and proper electrical protection against the damaging eects of faut. ‘This protection is necessary to prevent personnel hazards and also equipment hazards and possible ‘section In the minimum possible time consistent with the fault severity. It should be able to operate to Isolate faulty ‘Tho switchboard should also be designed to present no danger of electric shock or injury to tho operating personnel inthe vicinity during normal or ‘abnormal operation. Explosions in swtenbosrds are a not infrequent occurence which can cause significant injury to personnel, In many eases, work's performed on the switchboard components while they ae stil ive. Components of MV and LV Switchboards LV and MI are diferent despite they mey look vary similar. One Iovel. AV wil always supply LY swltehbord, never vice versa ing they do the same is that they dstibute electrical energy, but using diferent voltage 1. The major components of a MV switchboard: 1. The incoming cables 2. Outgoing creut conductors 2. Koa tan 5. Eathing swtch 6, Geul baker 7. Esa 8, Protection cols 2. The major components of @ LV switchboard! 1. Incoming and autgaing cablesibushars 2 Isolate switch 3 internat busbars 4, Load-break ate 5, Girul bw s1 eupment 9, Surge protection device 1. MV switchboard 4.4 The Incoming Cables ‘These may be eler high voltage (HV) oF meclum or low vottage (MV or LV). Fo high voltage, they wil normally be ether impregnated paper Insuation {untkely these days), cross tnked polyethylene (XLPE) or ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) insulated cable ‘The last two types are the preferred types fr new installations, with XLPE being the most comman. EPR cables are more flexible and are prefered for specializes applications such a8 taling leads in mines, For low voltages the cables may be XLPE oF ‘lastomer (EPR) type cat In some cases busbars can be used instead of cables. This option is far more expensive than cables, but Was offers bel prefer busbar systems, where applicable of course reliably, you ask me, Figure 1 ~ 33 KV incoming and outgoing eables (photo credit: ‘woottenandwooton.co.ck) 4.2 Outgoing circult conductors. ‘Those may be any of the following types: 4. Insulated cables, 2. insulated busbars 2. Busbar trunking systems 4, Mineral insulated metal-sheatned (MIMS) cables 5. Fire-esistant cables sep 5Panel#| 1 Bus-bar ) 4 Outgoings = 5 5 2% outgoings g 2 8 €8 t —\— 5 22 8 3 3 Incoming utgoings i i Sectio #1 Sectio #2 (a) (b) Figure 2~ Switchgear layout (a) Switchboard with one incoming feeder. (b) Switcnboaré with two incoming feeders. Go back to contents 1.3 Knife Switch Krife-sitches are used in MV switchgear to isolate specific equipment or feeders for maintenance or other purposes such a8 earthing. They operate at ad conditions by hand, on tomote-contolied instalation, they are actuated by motor or comprossed a ‘Blades of knifo-ewitch, mounted standing or suspended, must be prevented from moving spontaneously Under their ovm weight The physical sizeof this ‘ype of switches must be taken into consideration when deciding the dimensions of the switchgear Usually the svitchgear requires greater dept. Figure 3 ~ MI Kriflo Switch (photo ered nor com) Go back to contents 444 Load-break switch Load-break switches are increasingly being used in MV dstibuton systems. For instance, ing main unis use load-orek switches inthe two incoming {feeders that connect the consumers substation to the network. Loco 3k switches can be operated on load conditions. They have full making capacity and can handle al fau-ee routine switching operations. ‘Two mechanisms can be used for load-break switch operation: 1. Shap-Aetion Mechanism: A spring is tensioned that is released shortly before the switching angle is completed. Its force Is used to move the contacts, “The procedure is employed for bath closing and opening, 2. Stored-Energy Mechanism: It has one sping for closing and another fr opening. During closing eperation, the opening sping is tensioned and latched, The stored energy fr opening operation is released by moans of a magnet tp of fue, sep 5