Breaking Technology

Breaking Technology
Training Experts Level 2

Ph. PICOT
2011-09-28
Contents
● Some basics about current breaking (switching)
● Reminder about the main breaking technologies in MV switchgear
● The possible causes of failure to break in service

● Consequences of failure to break
● Some examples of failures
● Some useful references

●CT 193 – MV breaking techniques – Serge Theoleyre
●CT 198 – Vacuum switching – Philippe Picot
Schneider Electric - Division - Name – Date 2

Some basics about current breaking
(switching)
Behaviour of switchgear in the electrical network
● The different types of switchgear : definitions and applicable standards
● Interaction between switchgear and network at current making or

breaking
● the different types of current to make/break (active load, capacitive,
inductive, short-circuit)
● transient phenomena
● the arc phase (pre-arc, post-arc …), influence of arc voltage on the network
in LV, MV …
Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

The different types of switchgear

The different types of switchgear :
definitions and applicable standards
IEC 62271-103
IEC 62271-102
IEC 62271-100
IEC 62271-106

Interaction between switchgear and
network at current making or breaking
● The different types of current to make/break (active load, capacitive,

inductive, short-circuit)
● resistive : current in phase with voltage (cos ϕ close to 1)
● inductive : current lagging behind the voltage by about 90°
● capacitive : current leading the voltage by about 90°
● Transient phenomena
● Recovery voltages
● Overvoltages
● Inrush currents
● The arc phase (pre-arc, post-arc …), influence of arc voltage on the
network in LV, MV …

Recovery voltages
● Steady state : voltage imposed by the

network at the terminals of switchgear
after current interruption
● Transient state : reaching new

equilibrium (steady state) from initial
conditions at current zero (change from
conductive to insulating condition)
● See next slides for shapes and

magnitudes of the different recovery
voltages according to the circuits :
- resistive
- capacitive
- inductive and short-circuit
Resistive TRV
kV
kV
A
A
I
I
stop
Resistive U: slow rate of rise,

amplitude 1 p.u. in steady state
Slides 8 to 10: adapted from file pptproposeevolis_072010.zip, available on Pl@net for Evolis CB
Inductive TRV
kV
A
Inductive U:U fast rate of rise of TRV,

peak of TRV close to 2 p.u., amplitude
I
1 p.u. in steady state

Capacitive TRV
kV
A
Capacitive U
U: very slow rate of rise,
amplitude 2 to 2.5 p.u. in steady state
Inductive U: fast rate of rise of TRV, peak of
TRV close to 2 p.u., amplitude 1 p.u. in steady
I state

Overvoltages (1/3)
● Some are unavoidable, they are caused by the oscillations of the TRV
● They can be increased by current chopping in the case of inductive
circuits, see figure F4 of –100 and figure 17 of CT 198 below

Overvoltages (2/3)
● They can be increased by furtive reignitions in the TRV period
(larger oscillations)
● Successive reignitions phenomenon (with risk of voltage escalation) in the

case of inductive load switching by vacuum interrupters

Overvoltages (3/3)
● Voltage doubling in case of restrike in

capacitor switching (see CT 189)
● Can lead to further restrikes and

damage to the capacitor banks, by
voltage escalation (see next slide)
● Hence requirement for “restrike-free”

switchgear for frequent capacitor
switching

Explanation of voltage escalation
process in case of restrike
R2 C2
R1 C1
Current
50 Hz current R2
interruption
Capacitor voltage
R1
R1
C2
Voltage across the breaker C1
Slide from file EPChina08_Capacitor bank switching with vacuum circuit-breakers.ppt

Making currents (1/3)
● In the case of short-circuit

Making current of 50 Hz short-circuit with
standardized time constant of 45 ms
3
-4,08561678
2,5
0
5
2 10
15
1,5 20
25
1 30
35
40
0,5
I
45
50
0 55
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
60
-0,5 65
70
-1 75
80
85,91438322
-1,5
90
-2
Schneider Electric - Division - Name – Date t (ms)
16
Peak value of short-circuit
making current according to -100
4.103 Rated short-circuit making current
● The rated short-circuit making current (see Figure 8) of a circuit-
breaker having simultaneity of poles is that which corresponds to the
rated voltage and the rated frequency. The following values apply:
● for a rated frequency of 50 Hz and the standard value of the time
constant of 45 ms (see 4.101.2) it is equal to 2,5 times the r.m.s. value of
the a.c. component of its rated short-circuit breaking current (see 4.101);
● for a rated frequency of 60 Hz and the standard value of the time
constant of 45 ms (see 4.101.2) it is equal to 2,6 times the r.m.s. value of
the a.c. component of its rated short-circuit breaking current (see 4.101);
● for all special case time constants (see 4.101.2) it is equal to 2,7 times
the r.m.s. value of the a.c. component of its rated short-circuit breaking
current, independent of the rated frequency of the circuit-breaker (see
4.101).

Inrush currents of capacitors
● See Annex H of -100 and CT 189
● Cases to be considered
● single capacitor bank
● back-to-back capacitor banks

● Magnetizing current of transformers

The arc phase, influence of arc voltage
on the network in LV
● Limiting effect in LV, see CT 163

The arc phase, influence of arc voltage
on the network in MV
● Weak limiting effect, except

for “air magnetic” circuit-
breakers, see opposite figure
● See also Annex F of -100 for

influences of arc voltage and
post-arc current on TRV

Reminder about the main breaking
technologies in MV switchgear (1/2)
The main principles used for breaking in gas (SF6, air)
● Blow fresh gas on the arc to cool it and deionise the plasma column
● Puffer
●SF, RM6 switch, PM6, Unisarc (old ranges: F, FB, FC, FG2, VM6,
Isolarc …)
● Rotating arc
●Rollarc, LF, SM6 (old range: FG1)
● Self-expansion
●LF, RM6 CB (old range: FG2 HP)
● Split the arc between metal plates to cool it and increase the arc voltage
● LV air CBs, FBX switch
● Increase length of the arc against refractory or degassing material to
cool it and increase the arc voltage
● Old ranges: Solenarc DSE, Intersec G
Reminder about the main breaking
technologies in MV switchgear (2/2)
The principle used for breaking in vacuum
● Allow fast condensation of metal vapour at current zero to recover

vacuum insulating strength
● Rotating arc (Radial or Transverse Magnetic Field contacts, RMF/TMF)
●VG1, VG2, Matrix, Eaton VIs
● Keeping the arc in diffuse mode (Axial Magnetic Field contacts, AMF)
●Evolis VIs, VG3, VG4, VG5, Eaton VIs

Historical background
Vacuum circuit
breaker
Creation of Merlin Gerin 2000: Evolis 17kV
2004: Evolis 24kV
SF6 circuit breaker

1972: Fluarc
1978: Rollarc (contactor)
1989: SF1
Magnetic (air) circuit breaker 1995: SF2
1996: LF
1949: Solenarc (7.2kV- 24kV)
Oil circuit breaker
1920 1949 1955 1972 1978 19861989 1996 2000 2004
Slides 24 to 29: from file pptcircuitbreakersmv_062010.zip, available on Pl@net for Evolis CB

Two breaking techniques
● Breaking in a SF6 arc-chamber
Breaking by Breaking by
autoexpansion autocompression
● Breaking in a vacuum interrupter

Breaking with Breaking with
external coil internal coil

SF6 breaking by autoexpansion
●The principle of autoexpansion
Circuit breaker
Opening
Separationof of
closed
main
arc
opencontacts
contacts

SF6 breaking by autocompression
●The principle of autocompression ("puffer" technique)
Circuit breaker
Opening
Separationof of open
closed
main
arc contacts
contacts

Breaking in a vacuum interrupter
●Principle of vacuum breaking (“artist’s view” of the vacuum arc)
17.5 kV vacuum
interrupter with
external coil
Real arc movies
24 kV vacuum
interrupter with
internal coil
Vacuum and SF6: two complementary
technologies
Vacuum SF6
● Protection and control of standard loads and

● e.g. cables, MV lines, oil-type transformers
SF6
● Protection of inductive and capacitive loads sensitive

to overvoltages
● e.g. cast resin-type transformers, MV motors
Vacuum
● Protection of frequently switched loads
● e.g. arc furnaces, frequently started motors
(with surge arrester protection)
Choice of vacuum breaking technique
● Two techniques are used to overcome the problems created by a

constricted arc phase in achieving the conditions for successful
interruption ...
● the Radial or Transverse Magnetic Field technique (RMF or TMF) ...
● and the Axial Magnetic Field technique (AMF) ...
● between which the designer will choose according to their respective

advantages.
Slides 30 to 34: from file introcoupvide_AP_E.ppt

Two techniques are used to overcome the problems
created by a constricted arc phase in achieving the
conditions for successful interruption ...
● the diffuse mode has good intrinsic ability for current interruption :
● low neutral density
● fast disappearance of residual plasma
● arc energy spread over the whole anode surface
● but the constricted mode causes serious problems if arc is immobile :

● considerable vaporization
● localized heating of anode

the Radial or Transverse Magnetic Field
technique (RMF or TMF) ...
● similar to the rotating arc technique in SF6 circuit-breakers :

interaction between radial B-field and axial I creates rotating motion of
the constricted arc, thus spreading the arc energy dissipated in the
contacts at the arc roots
● radial B-field is created by ad hoc geometry :
● spiral type contacts
● "contrate cup“ or “folded petal” contacts
● properties : efficient cooling of electrodes but high erosion

and the Axial Magnetic Field technique (AMF) ...
● axial B-field parallel to I leads to confinement of the plasma by the effect
of B on electrons :
● helicoid path around B-field lines
● keeps plasma neutrality up to anode vicinity
● opposes plasma constriction by the Hall effect
● and keeps the arc in a “diffuse columnar” mode which is advantageous
compared to the constricted mode
● conditions that must be met :
● critical ratio B / I exceeded
● contact surface / I large enough
● axial B-field is created by :
● coils incorporated in contacts structure
● magnetic circuits (Holec)
● external coil around the vacuum interrupter
● properties of vacuum arc under axial B-field :
● ≈ immobile : erosion is reduced
● but contacts cooling is slower
... between which the designer will choose
according to their respective advantages
table of comparative advantages :
Ability : RMF AMF

high rated normal current +++ +
high rated voltage + +++
electrical endurance + +++
breaking capacity ++ ++
caption : +++ : very good ++ : good + : average

Some possible causes of failure to break
in service
● Loss of interrupting medium
● Leakage of SF6 or vacuum
● Defective assembly or components in interrupting chamber
● De-brazing of contact tips (SF6 or vacuum), of AMF coil arms
● Breakage of puffer system components, etc.
● Excessive wear resulting in loss of insulating properties
● PTFE nozzle (SF6) or ceramic wall (vacuum)
● Abnormal operating speeds due to mal-operation of drive mechanisms
● Slow opening (case of Evolis: lack of excess closing energy or full trip-free)
● Contact welding, etc.
● Special service application outside type tested scope of the switchgear
● Frequent back-to-back capacitor switching (Evolis)
● Distribution circuit-breaker applied for generator protection (delayed current
zero, higher RRRV), etc.

Consequences of failure to break
● Can remain unnoticed if failure limited to one phase in ungrounded

network, or limited by fast operation of upstream protection
● But usually will result in internal arc in the switchgear and heavy
damage to the equipment
● This can make it difficult to ascertain the cause of failure due to the
destruction of interrupting chambers
● Note that consequences of failure to break can be more dangerous in

SF6 CB than in vacuum ones (explosion of pressurized vessel, longer
arc resulting in higher internal fault energy)

Some examples of failures where
breaking issue is involved or suspected
● Evolis – Hangzhou – capacitor switching

● Evolis – Optimum Colliery – motor switching
● Evolis – Air Liquide Fujairah – motor switching
● SF – Argentina – capacitor switching
● SM6 IM – Obernai, France
● Flusarc RMU – GE Wind – Turkey
● SF2 – Canada – capacitor switching
● LF – Egypt – motor switching

Evolis - Hangzhou - capacitor switching
● Internal arc following O order given to

Evolis CB controlling capacitor bank
in back to back configuration (2 banks
in // per half-busbars)
● 3000 operations at time of failure
● Damage to contact surface by inrush
currents
● Welding of contacts in one VI
● Incomplete opening in the other 2
phases, capacitive load current not
interrupted, burning arcs overheat VIs
and destroy them
● Phase to phase fault between CB
poles

Evolis - Optimum Colliery - motor switching
● Failure of opening motor circuit due to

welded contacts in 2 VIs
● Coal dust contamination in
mechanism plus additional position
indicator fitted in GenieEvo have
reduced available excess closing
energy
● Incomplete closing followed by very
slow opening of contacts by motor
charging has resulted in contacts
weld
● (more a mechanical failure than a

breaking failure)

Evolis - Air Liquide Fujairah - motor
switching

SF - Argentina - capacitor switching
◆ Equipment : MV circuit breaker SF1-T1 type
List of the defective circuit breakers and situation :
Serial number Operation Status

numbers
S1SE9932018 ( poles 98 ) 2243 High resistance
S1SE9932014 ( poles ?? ) 1988 Exploded
S1SE9831130 2389 Exploded
S1SE9831046 1760 Exploded
S1SE9831053 2300 High resistance
S1SE9831045 2479 High resistance
Load : Capacitor bank from Rectiphase, Qn = 6000kVar / Un = 13,3kv / In = 263A
◆ Customer / site : EDENOR - ARGENTINA
The pole explosion is caused by the increasing of SF6 gas pressure due to an over heating of the main contact.
Caused by the degradation of the contact resistance, a significant temperature rise follow up by a thermal runaway
is at the origin of the pole explosion.
Retained hypothesis: short-circuited limiting

inductors due to condensation, higher inrush
current, premature ageing of SF

SM6 IM – Obernai, France
● Internal arc at (remote) opening of

SM6 switch
● 5 min later explosion of the switch
tank
● Hypothesis
● defective cable terminations have
caused flashover at switching surge
● fire in cable compartment has
overheated SF6 tank and caused
explosion
● Not a failure to break fault, more an

insulation failure

Flusarc RMU – GE Wind – Turkey
● … circuit breakers in the tower 1
(RMU) and the main circuit breaker of
the MV network both tripped due to
the failure of the tower 1 transformer.
● It is very possible, as a result of this
original fault … that very high
transient voltages could have been
created on L1 and L2 during the fault.
● This overvoltage could have caused
an earth discharge on L2 in the tower
6 RMU switchgear, causing the safety
valve to open with the resulting
expulsion of the SF6 gas from the
tank.
● Other hypothesis: leakage of SF6 due

to stress applied to the steel tank
during transportation of tower …

SF2 – Canada – capacitor switching
● Internal arc following restrike at

overload switching of capacitor bank
● Broken fixation of pole following
improper racking operations
● Damage to rotating seal of same pole
● Suspected leakage of seal oil into
pole causing pollution of SF6 and
restrike

LF – Egypt – motor switching
● Failure to break motor current in

starting phase, resulting in explosion
of the poles tank
● Suspected leakage of SF6 gas due to
cracks in epoxy resin at the level of
fixing insert (change of tightening
stress due to RoHS modification)

Annex
● RMF
● Internal AMF
● AMF Holec VI
● contacts with « horse-shoe » magnetic circuit
● External AMF coil
● Diffuse arc mode (with applied AMF)
● Constricted arc mode (between spiral type TMF contacts)
● Axial Magnetic Field – AMF
● Internal or external coil segments create B-field parallel to the arc, forcing it
to become diffuse and distributed throughout the gap

RMF

Internal AMF

AMF Holec VI : contacts with « horse-
shoe » magnetic circuit

External AMF coil

Diffuse arc mode (with applied AMF)

Constricted arc mode (between spiral
type TMF contacts)

Axial Magnetic Field – AMF
Internal or external coil segments create B-field parallel to the arc, forcing
it to become diffuse and distributed throughout the gap

Breaking Technology

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Breaking Technology

Training Experts Level 2

● Some basics about current breaking (switching)

● Reminder about the main breaking technologies in MV switchgear

● The possible causes of failure to break in service

● Some examples of failures

● Some useful references

Schneider Electric - Division - Name – Date 2

Behaviour of switchgear in the electrical network

● The different types of switchgear : definitions and applicable standards

● Interaction between switchgear and network at current making or

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

● The different types of current to make/break (active load, capacitive,

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

● Steady state : voltage imposed by the

● Transient state : reaching new

● See next slides for shapes and

Resistive U: slow rate of rise,

Inductive U:U fast rate of rise of TRV,

Resistive U: slow rate of rise,

Resistive U: slow rate of rise,

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

● Successive reignitions phenomenon (with risk of voltage escalation) in the

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

● Voltage doubling in case of restrike in

● Can lead to further restrikes and

● Hence requirement for “restrike-free”

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

Voltage across the breaker C1

Slide from file EPChina08_Capacitor bank switching with vacuum circuit-breakers.ppt

● In the case of short-circuit

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

Inrush currents of capacitors

● See Annex H of -100 and CT 189

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

● Magnetizing current of transformers

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

● Limiting effect in LV, see CT 163

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

● Weak limiting effect, except

● See also Annex F of -100 for

Slides 3 to 21: translation from file formation_coupure.ppt

The principle used for breaking in vacuum

● Allow fast condensation of metal vapour at current zero to recover

Schneider Electric - Division - Name – Date 23

SF6 circuit breaker

1920 1949 1955 1972 1978 19861989 1996 2000 2004

Slides 24 to 29: from file pptcircuitbreakersmv_062010.zip, available on Pl@net for Evolis CB

● Breaking in a vacuum interrupter

Slides 24 to 29: from file pptcircuitbreakersmv_062010.zip, available on Pl@net for Evolis CB

●The principle of autoexpansion

Slides 24 to 29: from file pptcircuitbreakersmv_062010.zip, available on Pl@net for Evolis CB

Slides 24 to 29: from file pptcircuitbreakersmv_062010.zip, available on Pl@net for Evolis CB

Real arc movies

● Protection and control of standard loads and

● Protection of inductive and capacitive loads sensitive

● Two techniques are used to overcome the problems created by a

● the Radial or Transverse Magnetic Field technique (RMF or TMF) ...

● and the Axial Magnetic Field technique (AMF) ...