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Dr.

Muhammad Shahzad
Assistant Professor
MNS-UET, Multan
Operating Principle
1. Transformer(C.T.) is connected with its
primary winding in series with the line
to be protected.

2. The secondary winding of the current


transformer is connected in series with
the relay coil.

3. The relay contacts are the part of a trip


circuit of a circuit breaker.

4. The trip circuit consists of a trip coil


and a battery, in addition to relay
contacts. The trip circuit can operate
on a.c. or d.c.
6. If the fault occurs, Then current through the line connected to A increases
to a very high value. Then the current transformer senses this current.

7. Secondary current of CT increases which is nothing but the current through


a relay coil.

8. Thus the relay contacts get closed mechanically under the influence of such
a high fault current. Thus the trip circuit of a circuit breaker gets closed and
current starts flowing from battery, through trip coil, in a trip circuit.

9. The trip coil of a circuit breaker gets energized. This activates the circuit
breaker opening mechanism, making the circuit breaker open. This isolates
the faulty part from rest of the healthy system.
Arc Phenomenon:

 When a short circuit occurs,


the contacts of circuit
breaker begin to separate
 The p.d between the
contacts is sufficient to
ionize the air or oil or gas.
Formation of Arc when circuit is broken
 This ionized air acts as by moving away moving contacts from
conductor and arc is fixed contacts
struck between them even
though contacts of breaker
are opened
Methods of Arc Extinction:
 High resistance method.
 Low resistance or current zero method.
High Resistance Method:
Disadvantage: Enormous energy is dissipated in the arc, therefore it is limited
to only DC Circuit breakers & low capacity AC circuit breakers.
The resistance of the arc can be increased by:
 Lengthening the arc.
 High Pressure
 Cooling the arc.
 Reducing X-section of the arc.
 Splitting the arc /blast effect.
Arc Phenomenon:
 During the arcing period, the current flowing between the
contacts depends upon the arc resistance.

o The greater the arc resistance, the smaller the current


that flows between the contacts.

Degree of
ionization.
The Arc
Length of the
resistance
arc.
Depends upon:
Cross section
of arc.
Principle of Arc Extinction:

The factors responsible for the maintain the arc between


the contacts:

 p.d. between the contacts.

 Ionized particles between contacts.


Low Resistance or Current Zero Method:
 If the dielectric strength increases more rapidly than the restriking
voltage, the arc will be extinguished.

 All modern high power AC circuit breakers employ this method for arc
extinction.

The rapid increase of dielectric strength of the medium near


current zero can be achieved by:
 Caused the ionized particles in the space between contacts to
recombine into neutral molecules.
 Sweeping the ionized particles away and replacing them by
un-ionized particles.
The de-ionization of the medium can be achieved by:
 Lengthening of the gap.
 High pressure.
 Cooling.
 Blast effect.
Important Terms:
Arc Voltage:
It is the voltage that appears
across the contacts of the
circuit breaker during the arcing
period.

Restriking Voltage:
It is the transient voltage
that appears across the
contacts at or near current
zero during arcing period.

Recovery Voltage:
It is the normal frequency r.m.s
voltage that appears across the
contacts of the circuit breaker
after final arc extinction. It is
approximately equal to the
system voltage.
RATE OF RISE OF RESTRIKING VOLTAGE (R.R.R.V.):
Transformer C.B.
 The unit of RRRV is kV/m sec.

Busbar
Feeder
 The Figure showing the Fault
opening of circuit breaker under Short circuit on a feeder beyond
the location of C.B.
fault conditions.

 Before current interruption,


the capacitance C is short
circuited by the fault and the
short circuit current through the
breaker is limited by inductance
L of the system. Equivalent circuit, where L & C are the
inductance & capacitance per phase of the
system up to the point of C.B. location
respectively.
 The short circuit current will lag the
voltage by 90° as shown in fig, where i
represents the short circuit current and ea
represents the arc voltage.
 Under short circuit condition the entire
generator voltage appears across
inductance L. when the contacts are
opened and the arc finally extinguishes at
some current zero, the generator voltage  It is R.R.R.V, which decides whether
e is suddenly applied to the inductance the arc will re-strike.
and capacitance in series. This L-C  If R.R.R.V is greater than the rate of
rise of dielectric strength between the
combination forms an oscillatory circuit
contacts, the arc will re-strike.
produces a transient of frequency;
 The arc will fail to re-strike if R.R.R.V
fn= 1/ * 2π(LC)1/2] is less than the rate of increase of
Which, appears across the capacitor and dielectric strength between the contacts
hence across the contacts of the circuit of the breaker.
breaker.  The value of R.R.R.V depends on:
 This transient voltage is known as 1.Recovery voltage
restriking voltage and may reach an 2.Natural frequency of oscillations
instantaneous peak value twice the peak
phase neutral voltage i.e. 2 Em.
Calculations for R.R.R.V.
L di/dt+ 1/C ∫ i dt = E
With initial conditions: vc (t=0) & i(t=0) = 0.
Where, E is the system voltage at the instant of arc inturruption. As the
the transient oscillation is a fast phenomenon, E can be regarded as a
constant for a short duration.
In Laplace’s domain of s, we have:
E/s = sL I(s) + 1/sC I(s)
E= Ls2 I(s)+I(s)/C
E = (Ls2 + 1/C) I(s) or, I(s) = E /L (s2 + 1/LC)
=E / ωnL X ωn / (s2 + 1/LC)
I(s) = E/ωn L . ωn / (s2 + ωn2) (Where, ωn = Resonant frequency = 1/ √LC)
After inverse transform:
i(t) = E √C/L tsinωnt
Vc (t) = 1/C ∫ i(t) dt =E (1-cos ωnt) = E (1 – 1/ √LC t)
0
= Restriking Voltage
The Maximum value of Restriking voltage = 2 Epeak
= 2 X peak value of system voltage.

Rate of rise of resrtiking voltage = dE/dt (1 – cos ωn t)


= ωn E sin ωn t
The maximum value of RRRV = ωn E
= ωn Epeak
Example: For a 132 kV, 50 Hz system, the reactance and the
capacitance up to the location of the circuit breaker is 3 ohms and
0.015 μF respectively,. Calculate the following:
(a) The frequency of transient oscillation.
(b) The maximum value of restriking voltage across the contacts of the
circuit breaker.
(c) The maximum value of RRRV.
Solution:
(a)The frequency of transient oscillation
L = 3 / 2π 50 = 0.00954 H
fn = 1 /2π √LC = 1 / 2π √0.00954 X 0.015 X 10-6 = 13.291 kHz

(b)The maximum value of restriking voltage = 2 Epeak


= 2 X 132 √2 /√3 = 215.56 kV
(C)The maximum value of RRRV = ωn Epeak
= 2π fn X 132 √2 /√3 = 2π X 13.291 X 1000 X 132 √2 /√3 X 1000 V/s
= 9.01045 kV/μs
Current Chopping:

It is the phenomenon of current interruption before the natural current zero is


reached. In air-blast circuit breakers because they retain the same extinguishing power
irrespective of the magnitude of the current to be interrupted.
Suppose the arc current is i when it is chopped down to zero value as shown by point a in
Fig. As the chop occurs at current i, therefore, the energy stored in inductance is L i2/2. This
energy will be transferred to the capacitance C, a prospective voltage e given by :
Current Chopping Phenomenon
The prospective voltage e is very high as compared to the dielectric strength
gained by the gap so that the breaker restrikes. As the de-ionising force is still
in action, therefore, chop occurs again but the arc current this time is smaller
than the previous case. This induces a lower prospective voltage to re-ignite
the arc. In fact, several chops may occur until a low enough current is interrupted
which produces insufficient induced voltage to re-strike across the breaker gap.
Consequently, the final interruption of current takes place.
Excessive voltage surges due to current chopping are prevented by shunting the
contacts of the breaker with a resistor (resistance switching) such that reigniting
is unlikely to occur.
For example

 For a 66KV system if L and C are 4mH and 0·001 μF respectively, a current
chop of magnitude 50 A would induce a voltage of:
Capacitive current breaking
Another cause of excessive voltage surges in the circuit breakers is the interruption
of capacitive currents. Examples of such instances are opening of an unloaded
long transmission line, disconnecting a capacitor bank used for power factor improvement etc.
Capacitive current breaking
The description relates to the worst possible conditions, it is
obvious that if the gap breakdown strength does not increase
rapidly enough, successive re-strikes can build up a dangerous
voltage in the open circuit line. However, due to leakage and
corona loss, the maximum voltage on the line in such cases is
limited to 5 Vgm.
Resistance Switching
The current chopping, capacitive current breaking etc. give rise to severe
voltage oscillations. These excessive voltage surges during circuit interruption can
be prevented by the use of shunt resistance R connected across the circuit
breaker contacts as shown in the equivalent circuit in Figure. This is known as
resistance switching.
Working RS
 a part of arc current flows through this resistance.
 This results in the decrease of arc current and an increase in the rate of
de-ionisation of the arc path.
 Consequently, the arc resistance is increased. The increased arc resistance
leads to a further increase in current through shunt resistance.
 This process continues until the arc current becomes so small that it fails to
maintain the arc.
 Now, the arc is extinguished and circuit current is interrupted.
Resistance Switching for Limiting
Oscillatory Growth of Restriking Voltage
 The shunt resistor also helps in limiting the oscillatory growth of re-striking
voltage.
 Mathematically:

The effect of shunt resistance R is to prevent the oscillatory growth of re-striking


voltage and cause it to grow exponentially upto recovery voltage. This is being most
effective when the value of R is so chosen that the circuit is critically damped. The
value of R required for critical damping is 0·5 √( L / C) .
To sum up, resistors across breaker contacts may be
used to perform one or more of the following functions
 To reduce the rate of rise of re-striking voltage and the peak value of re-
striking voltage.
 To reduce the voltage surges due to current chopping and capacitive current
breaking.
 To ensure even sharing of re-striking voltage transient across the various
breaks in multibreak circuit breakers.

Note: It may be noted that value of resistance required to perform each function
is usually different. However, it is often necessary to compromise and make one
resistor do more than one of these functions.
Classification of Circuit Breakers:

 Oil Circuit Breakers.


Employ some insulating oil for arc extinction.

 Air-Blast circuit Breakers.


High pressure air-blast is used for extinguishing the arc.

 Sulphur Hexa Fluoride Circuit Breakers.


Sulphur Hexa Fluoride gas is used for arc extinction.

 Vacuum Circuit Breakers.


Vacuum is used for arc extinction.
Parting contact
Oil Circuit Breakers

The arc extinction is facilitated Oil


mainly by two processes: Arc

 Firstly, the hydrogen gas has high


heat conductivity and cools the arc,
thus aiding the de-ionization of the Bubble of oil vapour Contacts
medium between the contacts.
 Secondly, the gas sets up
turbulence in the oil and forces it
into the space between contacts,
thus eliminating the arcing products
from the arc path.
 The result is that arc is extinguished
and circuit current interrupted.
Advantages:
The advantages of oil as an arc quenching medium are:
1. It absorbs the arc energy to decompose oil into gases
which have excellent cooling properties.
2. It acts as an insulator and permits smaller clearance
between live conductors and earthed components.
3. The surrounding oil presents cooling surface in close
proximity to the arc.
Disadvantages:
1. It is inflammable.
2. It may form an explosive mixture with air.
3. The arcing products (e.g. carbon) remain in the oil and
its quality deteriorate with successive operation. This
necessitate periodic checking and replacement of oil.
Types of Oil Circuit Breakers:

Oil Circuit
Breakers

Bulk Oil CBs Low Oil CBs

Plain Break Arc Control Self Blast Oil


CBs
Oil CBs Oil CBs

Forced Blast Oil


CBs
OIL CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Bulk oil circuit breakers

 Which use a large quantity of oil. The oil has to serve two
purposes.
1. it extinguishes the arc during opening of contacts and ,
2. it insulated the current conducting parts from one another
and from the earthed tank.

Types:
(a) Plain break oil CB
(b) Arc control oil CB
Plain Break oil CBs

 It is the earliest type from Terminal Terminal


which all other breakers are
developed.
 No special means is
available for controlling the
arc.
 Contacts are directly
exposed to the whole of the
oil in the tank.
 Because of a number of Cross sectional view
disadvantages these are used Of
only for low-voltage Plain Break oil CB
applications.
Advantages: Disadvantages:
1. The hydrogen gas bubble 1. There is no special control
generated around the arc over the arc other than the
column and aids the de- increase in length by
ionization of the medium separating the moving
between the contacts. contacts. Therefore, for
successful interruption, long
2. The gas sets up turbulence in arc length is necessary.
the oil and helps in
eliminating the arcing 2. These have long and
products from the arc path. inconsistent arcing times.

3. As the arc lengthens due to 3. These do not permit high


the separating contacts, the speed interruption.
dielectric strength of the
medium is increased.
Arc Control Oil CBs
In this type special arc control devices are employed to get the
beneficial action of the arc as efficiently as possible.

Self Blast Oil CBs


 In such CBs arc control is provided by internal means i.e. the arc itself is
employed for its own extinction efficiently.

 In this type of CBs gases produced during arching are confined to a small
volume by the use of an insulating rigid pressure chamber or explosion pot
surrounding the contacts.

 The space available for the arc gases is restricted by the chamber so a very
high pressure In this type of breakers is developed to force the oil and gas
through or around the arc to extinguish it.

 The magnitude of the pressure depends upon the value of fault current to
be interrupted.
 The arc itself generates the pressure so such breakers are also
called self-generated pressure oil circuit breakers.

 The pressure chamber is relatively cheap and gives reduced


final arc extinction gap length and arcing time as against the
plain oil breaker.

Some of the designs of the pressure chambers, some times


called explosion pots, have been developed and are discussed in
the following slides:
Plain explosion pot:
 It is a rigid cylinder of insulating material
and encloses the fixed and moving contacts.
 The moving contact is a cylindrical rod
passing through a restricted opening called
throat at the bottom.
 When fault occurs the contacts get
separated and an arc is struck between them.
The heat of the arc decomposes oil into a gas
at very high pressure in the pot. This high
pressure forces the oil and gas through and
around the arc to extinguish it.
 If the arc extinction will not take place
when the moving contact is still within the
pot, it occurs immediately after the moving Plain Explosion Pot
contact leaves the pot. Its because,
emergence of moving contact will be
followed by violent rush of gas and oil
through the throat producing rapid
extinction.
 Limitation of this type of pot is that it cannot be used for very low or
very high fault currents.

 With low fault currents, the pressure developed is small, thereby


increasing the arcing time. And with high fault currents, the gas is
produced so rapidly that the pot may burst due to high pressure.

 So this pot is used on moderate short circuit currents only where rate
of gas evolution is moderate
Cross jet explosion pot:
 The cross jet pot which is made of
insulating material and has channels on
one side that acts as arc splitters.
 The arc splitters help in increasing
the arc length, thus facilitating arc
extinction.
 When fault occurs, the moving
contacts of the circuit breaker begins to
separate and arc is struck in the top of
the pot.
 The gas generated by the arc exerts
pressure on the oil in the back passage.
 When the moving contact uncovers
the arc splitter ducts, fresh oil is forced Cross Jet Explosion Pot
across the arc path. The arc is therefore
driven sideways into the arc splitters,
which increase the arc length, causing
arc extinction.
 The cross jet explosion pot is used for interrupting heavy fault currents.
For low fault currents the gas pressure is small and consequently the pot
does not give a satisfactory operation.
Self compensated
explosion pot:

This pot is a combination of plain


explosion pot and cross jet
explosion pot. So it can interrupt
low as well as heavy short circuit
currents.

Self Compensated
Explosion Pot
Forced Blast Oil CBs: Advantages:
o In these CBs the arc itself generated
the necessary pressure to force the oil 1. Since oil pressure developed
across the arc path. is independent of the fault
current to be interrupted,
o In this type of circuit breaker there is the performance at low
a piston attached to a moving contact .
currents is more consistent
o When fault occurs the moving than with self-blast oil
contact moves and hence the piston circuit breakers.
associated with it also moves producing
pressure inside the oil chamber. So the 2. The quantity of oil required
oil gets movement or turbulates and
quenches the arc. is reduced considerably.
Low Oil Circuit Breakers

 A low oil circuit breaker employs solid material for insulation purposes and
uses a small quantity of oil which is just sufficient for extinction of arc.
 The arc extinction can be further facilitated by using suitable arc devices.
 It can be self-blasted type or external-blasted type or a combination of the
two.
 In case of self-blasted type the gas pressure developed depends upon the
current to be interrupted. The higher the current to be interrupted the
larger is the gas pressure developed and hence more effective is the
breaker for arc quenching.
 But, this has to put a limit on the design of the arc chamber for mechanical
stresses.
 With the use of better insulating materials for arcing chambers such as
glass fiber, reinforced synthetic resins etc., these days most of the low oil
circuit breakers are of the self-blast type.
Construction
1. There are two chambers in a low oil
circuit breaker, the oil in each
chamber is separated from each
other.
2. The main advantage of this is that
low oil is required and oil in second
chamber won't get polluted.
3. Upper chamber is called the circuit
breaker chamber and lower one is
called the supporting chamber.
4. Circuit breaking chamber consists of
moving contact and fixed contact.
Moving contact is connected with a
piston. It is just for the movement of
the contact and no pressure build
due to its motion.
5. Turbulator is an arc control device and consists of oil-impregnated
vulcanized fiber plates which are held under compression.
6. In terms of the venting provided, two different designs of arcing
chambers provided are:
• Axial venting
• Radial venting
7. In case of axial venting the gases produced sweep the arc in
longitudinal direct ion and ensures the interruption of low currents.
8. In case of radial venting they sweep the arc in transverse direction
and ensures the interruption of heavy currents..
9. Many times a combination of both is used so that the arc chamber is
equally efficient at low as well as at high currents. Such chambers,
however, suffers from the disadvantages of longer arcing periods
which can be eliminated by providing oil injection devices in addition
to the self-blast.
10. This circuit breaker is available up to 8000 kV with a total break time
of 3 to 5 cycles.
11. The whole device is covered using Bakelite paper and porcelain for
protection.
Operation
1. Under normal operating
conditions, the moving contacts
remain engaged with the upper
fixed contact.
2. When a fault occurs, the moving
contact is pulled down by the
tripping springs and an arc is
struck.
3. The arc vaporizes oil and produces
gases under high pressure. This
action constrains the oil and gas
through the respective passages of
the turbulator.
4. The process of turbulation is
orderly one, in which the sections
of arc are successively quenched
by the effect of separate streams
of oil ,moving across each section
in turn and bearing away its
gases.
1. Vent valve
2. Terminal pad
3. Oil level indicator
4. Moving contact
5. Lower fixed contact
6. Separating piston
7. Terminal pad
8. Upper drain valve
9. Lower drain valve

Minimum Oil Breaker (A. Reyrolle & Co.)


(a) three phase circuit breaker
(b) cross-section through a single phase
Advantages: Disadvantages:

 1.It requires smaller space for  1. The degree of


installation. carbonization is increased
due to less quantity of oil.
 2.Maintenance problems are  2.Difficulty of removing the

reduced. gases from the contact space


in time.
 3.Possibility of explosion.
 3.Requires less quantity of oil.
 4.The dielectric strength of
the oil deteriorates rapidly
 4.Risk of fire is reduced. due to high degree of
carbonization.
MAINTENANCE OF OIL CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Inspection of circuit breakers at regular intervals of 3 to 6
months is necessary & during inspection the following
points should be kept in mind:

o check the current carrying parts & arcing contacts. If the burning
is sever, the contact should be replaced.

o check the dielectric strength of the oil. If the oil is badly


discolored, it should be changed or reconditioned. The oil in good
condition should d withstand 30kV for one minute in standard oil
testing cup with 4 mm gap between electrodes.

o check the insulation for possible damage. Clean the surface &
remove carbon deposits with a strong and dry fabric.

o check the oil level.

o check closing & tripping mechanism.


AIR BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKERS
These type of breakers employ ‘air blast’ as the quenching
medium. The contacts are opened by air blast produced by
the opening of blast valve. The air blast cools the arc and
sweeps away the arcing products to the atmosphere. This
rapidly increases the dielectric strength of the medium
between contacts and prevents from re-establishing the arc.
Consequently the arc is extinguished and the flow of current
is interrupted.
Air blast circuit breakers are finding wide applications in high
voltage installations. Majority of circuit breakers for voltages
beyond 110 kV are of this type.
Other gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hyrdogen can also be used. The circuit breaking properties
of nitrogen are about similar to air and there is no added advantage of using it. Carbon dioxide
tends to freeze and hydrogen gas is very costly. Therefore, air is used as the circuit breaking medium.
AIR BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKERS
 Compressed air between 20-30
kg/cm2 is used for arc
extinction.
 A compressor is needed for
maintaining the air preserving.
 Arc is blown away by the blast
of air under pressure.
 After the arc extinction the
arcing chamber is filled with
compressed air again to prevent
restriking of the arc.
 The air gap (1.75cm) is very
small between the contacts after
separation.
THERE ARE 3 TYPES OF AIR BLAST CB’S
Depending upon the direction of air blast in relation to the
arc, air circuit breakers are classified as:
Axial-blast type Cross-blast type Radial-blast type

Air blast is directed Air blast is directed at Air blast is directed


along the arc path. right angles to the arc radially the arc path.
path.
Axial-blast type
Axial-blast air circuit breaker

 The fixed and moving contacts are


held in closed position by spring pressure
under normal conditions.
 The air reservoir is connected to the
arcing chamber through an air valve.
 This valve remains closed under
normal conditions but opens
automatically by tripping impulse when a
fault occurs on the system.
 When a fault occurs, the tripping
impulse causes the opening of the air
valve which connects the circuit breaker
reservoir to the arcing chamber.
 The high pressure air entering the arcing chamber pushes away the moving
contact against spring pressure.
o The moving contact is separated and an arc is struck.
o At the same time, high pressure air blast flows along the arc and
takes away the ionised gases along with it.
o Consequently, the arc is extinguished and current flow is interrupted.

 It may be noted that in such circuit breakers, the contact separation required
for interruption is generally small about 1.75 cm. Such a small gap may
constitute inadequate clearance for the normal service voltage. Therefore, an
isolating switch is incorporated as part of this type of circuit breaker. This
switch opens immediately after fault interruption to provide necessary
clearance for insulation.
Cross-blast type

In this type of breaker an air blast is directed at right angles to


the arc. The cross blast lengthens and forces the arc into a
suitable chute (Arc splitters) for arc extinction.
The size &
number of
these plates
are
determined by
the breaking
capacity of the
breaker.

When the moving contact is withdrawn, an arc is struck between the fixed
and moving contacts. The high pressure cross-blast forces it into a chute
consisting of an arc splitters and baffles. The splitters serve to increase the
length of the arc and baffles give improved cooling. The result is that arc is
extinguished and flow of current is interrupted. The final gap for interruption
is great enough to give normal insulation clearance so that series isolating
switch is not necessary.
Radial-blast type
Advantages

1. The risk of fire is eliminated.


2. The arcing products are completely removed by the blast whereas the oil
deteriorates with successive operations & the expense of regular oil
replacement is avoided.
3. The growth of dielectric strength is so rapid that final contact gap needed
for arc extinction is very small, this reduces the size of device.
4. The arcing time is very small due to the rapid build up of dielectric strength
between contacts. Therefore, the arc energy is only a fraction that results
in less burning of contacts.
5. Due to lesser arc energy air blast circuit breakers are very suitable for
conditions where frequent operation is required.
6. The energy supplied for arc extinction is obtained from high pressure air
and is independent of the current to be interrupted.
Disadvantages

1. Air has relatively inferior arc extinguishing properties.

2. Air blast circuit breakers are very sensitive to the variations


in the rate of restriking voltage.

3. Considerable maintenance is required for the compressor


plant which supplies the air blast.
ABCB With Air Cross Jets &
Blast-With Isomaker Switch

 A spring holds the fixed & moving


contacts & arc chamber is fixed with
the reservoir.

 Air entering the arc chamber exerts


pressure on the moving contacts that
moves when air pressure exceeds the
spring force.

 Nozzle is made strong enough to


carry the air with sonic velocity.

 Arc is kept in high velocity blast of


air which converges into nozzle throat.
 An auxiliary switch for isolating the contact gap is also used.
This isolating switch is necessary because small contact gap
after interruption constitute inadequate clearance for the
normal system volt.

 Isolating switch is arrange to open immediately after fault


interruption which provides required insulation clearance.

 Air pressure on the moving contact should be continuously


maintained till the isolator fully opens the circuit.

 As air pressure in the chamber falls below the spring


pressure moving contact returns to engage the fixed contact.

 Arcing time depends on the value of breaking current. For


higher breaking current, arcing time is smaller.
SULPHUR HEXAFLUORIDE (SF6) CB
 In this circuit breaker, sulphur hexaflouride
( SF6 ) gas is used as the arc quenching
medium.
 The SF6 gas is an electro negative gas and
has a strong tendency to absorb free
electrons.
 The contacts of the breaker are opened in a
high pressure flow of SF6 gas and an arc is
struck between them.
 The conducting free electrons in the arc are
rapidly captured by the gas to form
relatively immobile negative ions. This loss
of conducting electrons in the arc quickly
builds up enough insulation strength to
extinguish the arc.
 The SF6 circuit breakers are very effective
for high power and high voltage service.
Properties of SF6 Gas:
 Colorless.
 Odorless.
 Nontoxic __Pure SF6 gas is harmless for health.
 Non-inflammable.
 Density __ Heavy gas, density 5 time that of air at 20o C and
atmospheric pressure.
 Inert gas __ The life of metallic parts, contacts is longer in
SF6 gas. The components do not get oxidized or
deteriorated. Hence, the maintenance
requirements are reduced.
 Does not react with structural material.
 Electronegative gas.
 At high pressure the dielectric strength of the gas increases.
CONSTRUCTION:

 It consists of fixed and moving contacts enclosed in a


chamber called arc interruption chamber containing SF6 gas.
This chamber is connected to SF6 gas reservoir.
 When the contacts of breaker are opened the valve
mechanism permits a high pressure SF6 gas from the reservoir
to flow towards the arc interruption chamber.
 The fixed contact is a hollow cylindrical current carrying
contact fitted with an arc horn.

 The moving contact is also a hollow cylinder with rectangular


holes in the sides to permit the SF6 gas to let out through these
holes after flowing along and across the arc.

The tips of fixed contact, moving contact and arcing horn are
coated with copper-tungsten arc resistant material.

 Since SF6 gas is costly, its reconditioned and reclaimed by a


suitable auxiliary system after each operation of the breaker.
WORKING:
 In the closed position of the breaker the contacts remained
surrounded by SF6 gas at a pressure of about 2.8 kg/cm2.
 When the breaker operates the moving contact is pulled
apart and an arc is struck between the contacts. The
movement of the moving contact is synchronized with the
opening of a valve which permits SF6 gas at 14 kg/cm2
pressure from the reservoir to the arc interruption chamber.
 The high pressure flow of SF6 rapidly absorbs the free
electrons in the arc path to form immobile negative ions
which are ineffective as charge carriers. The result is that
the medium between the contacts quickly builds up high
dielectric strength and causes the extinction of the arc.
 After the breaker operation the valve is closed by the action
of a set of springs.
o The gas is made to flow from a high
pressure to a low pressure zone through
a convergent-divergent nozzle.
o The nozzle is located such that the
flow of gas covers the arc.
o the gas flow attains almost
supersonic speed in the divergent
portion of the nozzle, thereby the gas
takes away heat from the periphery of
Arc extinction in gas flow circuit breaker
the arc, causing reduction in the
(gas flow from high pressure P1 to low
diameter of the arc.
pressure P2 .
o finally the arc diameter becomes
Single flow pattern is used in single
almost zero at current zero and the arc
pressure puffer type SF6 circuit breaker.
is extinguished.
o the arc space is filled with fresh SF6
gas and the dielectric strength of the
contact space is rapidly recovered due
to the electro negativity of the gas.
Fixed Moveable
Contact
Double
flow gives
lengthening
of arc
through
hollow
contacts &
removes
heat of arc
more
efficiently

Double flow pattern is used in Double pressure puffer type SF6


circuit breaker. Double flow gives higher breaking current.
Single Pressure Puffer Type SF6 Circuit Breaker

Breaker fully closed

Contacts separated, puffing action


in progress

The moving cylinder is coupled with the movable conductor against the fixed piston &
there is a relative movement between moveable cylinder & fixed piston & the gas is
compressed in the cavity. This trapped gas is released through the nozzle during the
extinction process. During the travel of the moving contact & moveable cylinder, the
gas puffs over the arc & reduces the arc diameter by axial convection & radial
dissipation. At current zero, the arc diameter becomes too small and the arc gets
extinguished. The puffing action continues for some time even after the arc extinction
& the contact space is filled with cool, fresh gas.
Single Pressure Puffer Type CB with Single-flow
of Quenching Medium

Contact separate Nozzle open Arc quenches


Contact closed Breaker fully
P1 = P2 Nozzle to about Flow starts
open open
Cross section of puffer type SF6 CB
Advantages

1. Due to superior arc quenching 5. Closed gas enclosure keeps


property, SF6 circuit breakers the interior dry so that there
have very short arcing time. is no moisture problem.
6. There are no carbon
2. Since the dielectric strength of deposits.
SF6 is 2 to 3 times than that of 7. Low maintenance cost, light
air , these breakers can foundation requirements and
interrupt larger currents. minimum auxiliary
equipment.
3. The SF6 circuit breaker gives
8. SF6 breakers are totally
noiseless operation due to its enclosed and sealed from
closed gas circuit. atmosphere, they are
4. Risk of fire is eliminated particularly suitable where
explosion hazard exists.
because SF6 gas is non-
flammable.
Disadvantages

1. SF6 breakers are costly due to high cost of SF6.


2. Sealing problems arise, imperfect joints give rise to
leakage of gases.
3. After every operation SF6 gas has to be reconditioned,
so additional equipment is required.

Applications

SF6 breakers have been used for voltages 115kV to 230 kV,
power ratings 10 MVA to 20 MVA and interrupting time less
than 3 cycles.
VACCUM CIRCUIT BREAKERS(VCB)
 In such breakers, vacuum degree of
vacuum being in the range from (10-6
to10-7 torr) is used as the arc quenching
medium.
 Since vacuum offers the highest insulating
strength, it has far superior arc quenching
properties than any other medium.

 When contacts of a breaker are opened in


vacuum, the interruption occurs at first
current zero with dielectric strength between
the contacts building up at a rate thousands
of times that obtained with other circuit
breakers i.e. the arc produced in vacuum, is
quickly extinguished due to the fast rate of
recovery of dielectric strength in vacuum.
PRINCIPLE:
 When the breaker operates, the
moving contact separates from the
fixed contact and an arc is struck
between the contacts.
 The arc is quickly extinguished
because the metallic vapors, electrons
and ions produced during arc are
diffused in a short time and seized by
the surfaces of moving and fixed
members and shields.
 Since vacuum has very fast rate of
recovery of dielectric strength, the arc
extinction in a vacuum breaker
occurs with a short contact separation
(say 0.0625 cm).
CONSTRUCTION:
 It consists of fixed contact, moving
contact and arc shield mounted inside a
vacuum chamber.
 The movable member is connected to
the control mechanism by stainless
steel bellows .This enables the
permanent sealing of the vacuum
chamber so as to eliminate the
possibility of leak.
 A glass vessel or ceramic vessel is
used as the outer insulating body.
 The arc shield prevents the
deterioration of the internal dielectric
strength by preventing metallic vapours
falling on the inside surface of the outer
insulating cover.
WORKING:
 When the breaker operates, the
moving contact separates from the
fixed contact and an arc is struck
between the contacts.
 The arc is quickly extinguished
because the metallic vapors,
electrons and ions produced
during arc are diffused in a short
time and seized by the surfaces of
moving and fixed members and
shields.
 Since vacuum has very fast rate of
recovery of dielectric strength, the
arc extinction in a vacuum
breaker occurs with a short
contact separation (say 0.0625 cm).
Advantages Disadvantages

 1. VCB are compact, reliable  1. Vacuum circuit breakers


and have longer life . are very expensive Production
 2. They have low arc energy. in small quantities is
uneconomical.
 3. Risk of fire is eliminated.
 2. For above 36KV VCB `s
 4. Maintenance is less. are not used.
 5. There is no generation of  3. They require high
gas during and after operation. technology for production.
 6. They can withstand  4. In case of loss of vacuum,
lightning surges. the entire breaker is useless .

Applications: For outdoor applications ranging from 22 kV to


66 kV. Suitable for majority of applications in rural area.
Water Circuit Breaker:
In these types of CBs insulating cover divides
the chamber into two parts:
i. The lower part—Pressure chamber
ii. The upper part--Expansion chamber
The contacts are kept in water. When a fault
occurs, the moving contact is pulled up and
the water of the pressure chamber is
Changed into steam due to the heat of the
arc. The steam so produced reaches a
pressure of about 12 bar, lifts the cover &
Expands suddenly into the expansion
chamber. Consequently, there is a rapid fall
in pressure & temperature of steam in the
Pressure chamber, leading to interruption of
arc.
In case of fault not being severe & not sufficient to produce a steam of pressure
high enough to raise the cover, expansion & cooling take place as the moving
contact rod is withdrawn from the throat.
These circuit breakers are much smaller than oil circuit breakers when they are used
for interrupting small currents & operate within one or two cycles.
CIRCUIT BREAKER RATINGS
The rating of a circuit breaker is given according to the
duties that are performed by it. The circuit breaker is
required to perform following major duties:
1.A circuit breaker must be capable of breaking the circuit
and isolating the faulty section in case of faults. This is
described as of C.B.

2.It must be capable of being closed under faulty condition.


This is described as of C.B.

3.It must be capable of carrying fault current for a short


period of time.
This is described as .
BREAKING CAPACITY

It is current that a circuit breaker is


capable of breaking at a given
recovery voltage under specified
conditions. The breaking capacity is
always stated at the rms value of
fault current at the instant of
contact separation. When a fault
occurs there is considerable
asymmetry in the fault current due
to presence of dc component. The
dc component dies away rapidly.
The contacts are separated at DD’
as shown.
At this point, fault current has
x = max value of ac component
y = dc component
Therefore Symmetrical breaking current = rms value of ac
component
= x/√2
Asymmetrical breaking current = rms value of total current
=√(x/√2)2 + y2 ]
Breaking capacity is expressed in MVA by taking into account the
rated breaking current and rated service voltage. Thus if I is the
rated breaking current in amperes and V is rated service line
voltage in volts, then for a three phase circuit breaking capacity
= √ 3 * V * I * 10 –6 MVA
MAKING CAPACITY
The capacity of a breaker to make current depends upon its ability to withstand
and close successfully against the effects of electromagnetic forces. These forces
are proportional to the square of maximum instantaneous current on closing. So
making capacity is stated in terms of a peak value of current. The peak value of
current during the first cycle of current wave after the closure of circuit breaker
is known as making capacity. To find making capacity multiply symmetrical
breaking current by root 2 to convert from r.m.s to peak and then by 1.8 to
include the doubling effect of maximum asymmetry.
Making capacity = 2.55 * symmetrical breaking capacity.
SHORT TIME RATING
It is the period for which the circuit breaker is able to carry fault current while
remaining closed. The fault on the system of very temporary nature persist for 1
or 2 sec after which the fault will be cleared, so the breaker should not be
tripped in such situations. This means the circuit breakers should be able o carry
high current safely for some specified period while remaining closed. i.e they
should have short time rating. It depends on its ability to withstand
electromagnetic force effects and temperature rise.
OPERATING MECHANISM

Spring mechanism
For circuit breakers up to 245 KV, spring operating mechanism is used. The
closing spring gets charged by geared motor. During closing stroke the
closing spring is discharged. It closes the breaker and also charges the
opening springs. The C.B mechanism is basically very simple since it
compresses a motor reducer and two springs.
Hydraulic mechanism

The hydraulic cylinder is mounted at the base of interrupter


unit and the hydraulic rod is pushed up during closing stroke and
pushed down during opening stroke.
The hydraulic oil at atmosphere pressure from the low pressure
tank is pumped into accumulators at high pressure oil is used for
opening and closing operations.
PNEUMATIC MECHANISM
 The pressure of operating air produced by the self
enclosed motor compressor unit is supervised by a pressure
gauge and controlled by a pressure switch. This type of system
is providing for each pole of 420KV and 765KV.
 In EHV OCB, compressed air is used for closing and a
spring is used for opening. The spring is charged during the
closing stroke. In ABCB, compressed air is used for both
closing and opening. In some cases of ABCB, the moving
contact is held in closed position by a spring. When compressed
air enters the arc chamber and its pressure exceeds the spring
force, the contacts are opened. The contacts automatically come
in closed position by the spring action when the supply of
compressed air is stopped. Therefore, the supply of compressed
air must be maintained till the auxiliary CB switch is opened.
References:

1. Power System Protection & Switchgear, Badri Ram, D N Vishvakarma,


Tata MicGraw-Hill Publishing Company Ltd, 2006,ISBN 0-07-462350-8.
2. Switchgear & Protection, Sunail S. Rao, Khana Publishers, 1997.
3. Power System Protection & Switchgear, B Ravindarnath & M Chandar,
New Age Int. Publishers, 2008, ISBN-81-085226-758-4.
4. Principles of Power System, V K Mehata & Rohit Mehta, S. Chand &
Company Ltd, 2006, ISBN-81-219-0594-X.
5. A Text Book of Power System Engineering, R K Rajput, Laxmi Publication,
2006.
6. Switchgear & Power System Protection, Ravidra P. Singh, PHI Learning
Private Ltd, 2009, ISBN-978-81-203-3660-5.

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