8DA/B

SF6-Insulated, Metal-Enclosed and

Metal-Clad Medium-Voltage
Switchgear

Technical Description
Maintenance-free Design

Number of document: 864-5136.9 Siemens AG, IC LMV MV 2 PPM Page 1 of 5

Issue: 03-2012
Maintenance of Siemens gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear 8DA and 8DB

1.1 Maintenance-free design

A switchgear assembly can only claim the predicate "maintenance-free" for itself if
absolutely no scheduled maintenance work is required to preserve its technical
properties.
Gas-insulated switchgear 8DA and 8DB is maintenance-free under normal
operating conditions according to IEC 62271-1. This means that no inspections or
work operations are required on the high-voltage part (primary part) of the
switchgear throughout the service life.

Under normal operating conditions, the switching devices in the high-voltage part
of gas-insulated switchgear 8DA and 8DB (circuit-breaker, three-position
disconnector) from Siemens and their operating mechanisms work without
relubrication and without readjustment throughout the entire service life, in
accordance with the stipulations of IEC 62271-1, both for frequent operation and
after long standing times without switching, and they are maintenance-free.

Visual inspection is recommended after 5 years. The gas filling is enough for the
service life of the switchgear without restrictions; therefore, refilling is not
necessary. Nevertheless, the gas pressure must be checked via the manometers
during the visual inspection.
After 10 years it is advisable to verify the quality of the insulating gas (gas pressure
and composition) within the scope of a state check.

For the secondary part of the switchgear, the specific recommendations of the
respective manufacturers for preventive maintenance, general maintenance and
inspection apply.

For maintenance, the associated safety rules and regulations as well as

additionally local and plant-internal standards have to be observed.

1.2 Manufacturer's measures for maintenance-free design

The maintenance-free design of Siemens gas-insulated switchgear 8DA and 8DB is
achieved by special constructional measures such as:
- Corrosion-proof switchgear housings
- Use of components with minimum tolerances preventing impermissible play at long
term
- Low-wear bearing material combinations
- Few points of adjustment
- Use of corrosion-resistant materials for functionally important parts of the operating
mechanism
- Preferred application of lubricant-free dry bearings in the operating mechanism
- Where used, long-time resistant state-of-the-art lubricants
- Assurance of adherence to constructional definitions by recurring type tests on
switchgear from the running production.

Number of document: 864-5136.9 Siemens AG, IC LMV MV 2 PPM Page 2 of 5

Issue: 03-2012
The maintenance-free design is supported by manifold accompanying measures of
the Siemens quality assurance. These are, among others:
- Use of machined parts with a constant quality from highly automated pre-
production
- Routine testing of the complete switchgear panel incl. mechanical function test of
the contacts to prove that the switching devices meet the confirmed operational
requirements
- Computer-aided routine test with assessment of the dynamic switching behavior of
the interrupter in combination with the circuit-breaker operating mechanism
- Comparison of the individual measured values from the routine test with the
associated nominal values ("electronic fingerprint")
- Mechanical long-time tests according to the specified (endurance) class M
- Climatic tests according to IEC/TS 62271-304: Dielectric strength of the high-
voltage insulation in severe climatic conditions (ageing under humidity)
- Use of an insulating gas that satisfies the high demands placed on insulation
tasks, keeping these properties for lifetime.

1.3 Service life

Under normal operating conditions, the expected service life of gas-insulated
switchgear 8DA and 8DB is at least 35 years, probably 40 to 50 years, taking the
tightness of the enclosed high-voltage parts into account. The service life is limited
by the maximum number of operating cycles of the switchgear devices installed:
- For circuit-breakers, according to the (endurance) class E or M defined in IEC
62271-100
- For three-position disconnectors and earthing switches, according to the
(endurance) class E or M defined in IEC 62271-102.

1.4 Normal operating conditions

The normal operating conditions are defined in IEC 62271-1. In the edition 1.0
(October 2007) of this standard, they are identified for indoor switchgear as
follows:
- Maximum ambient air temperature 40°C; 35°C not exceeded in the 24-h mean
- Negligible sun radiation
- Maximum site altitude 1,000 m above sea level
- No significant amounts of dust, smoke, flammable and/or corroding gases, vapors
or salt
- Maximum air humidity 95% in the 24-hour mean; 90% not exceeded in the monthly
mean
- Maximum water vapor pressure 2.2 kPa in the 24-hour mean; 1.8 kPa not
exceeded in the monthly mean
- Vibrations or impacts are negligible as against those caused by normal switchgear
operation.

Number of document: 864-5136.9 Siemens AG, IC LMV MV 2 PPM Page 3 of 5

Issue: 03-2012
The enclosed high-voltage part of the switchgear is tight (IP65) to ingress of
foreign objects such as dust, pollution, small animals, and the installation is
independent of the site altitude.

In the period of time after installation of the switchgear and before commissioning,
the above ambient conditions are applicable.

1.5 Further operating conditions

The high-voltage part of 8DA and 8DB switchgear is suitable for use in ambient
conditions such as saline air, air humidity, dust, condensation, and atmosphere
containing sulfur and chlorine. In accordance with the climatic category 3C2
defined in IEC 60721-3-3, no additional measures are required for environmental
conditions according to the following table:

Mean value Limit value

Sea salt Appearance of saline fog (2 mg/dm2)

Sulfur dioxide SO2 mg/m³ 0.3 1.0
Hydrogen sulfide H2S mg/m³ 0.1 0.5
Chlorine Cl mg/m³ 0.1 0.3
Hydrogen chloride HCl mg/m³ 0.1 0.5
Ammonia NH3 mg/m³ 1.0 3.0
Ozone O3 mg/m³ 0.05 0.1
Nitrogen oxides NO2 mg/m³ 0.5 1.0
Places of use with thoroughly supervised and regulated atmosphere
(clean room category)
Places of use with continuously regulated atmosphere

Places of use in rural or congested areas with little industry and only
moderate traffic density
Places of use in congested areas with industry and high traffic
density

In case of differing particular atmospheres, special measures may have to be

taken.

Number of document: 864-5136.9 Siemens AG, IC LMV MV 2 PPM Page 4 of 5

Issue: 03-2012
1.6 Intermediate storage
In the period of time between delivery and installation (intermediate storage) the
indications of the operating instructions apply. In particular, this means:
- In original packing as far as possible
- Permissible storage temperature from -25°C to +70°C. The permissible limit
temperatures (specified by the respective device manufacturers) must be
additionally observed for the electronic components
- In a weatherproof place
- Protected against damages
- Not in corroding and/or flammable gases (e.g. combustion fumes) or vapors
- Not in humid or saline atmosphere.

Number of document: 864-5136.9 Siemens AG, IC LMV MV 2 PPM Page 5 of 5

Issue: 03-2012