Operation and maintenance of switchgear

Switchgear is designed to ensure the desired operation and to facilitate maintenance of its parts in order to ensure reliability. Normally switchgear is installed away from the equipment to which power is being supplied. Depending upon the requirement, switchgear may be stand-alone as inthe case of an outdoor switchyard or in board formation as in case of a power plant. in most of theswitchgears, the facility for local as well as remote operation is provided. For convenience, eachswitchgear is operated from remote. In this case, all switchgear operations like close and tripcommands along with relevant indications are provided on the remote control panel.During the operation of the electrical equipment, the safety of man and machine is of primeimportance. It must be ensured that any operation does not energize a part of the system that isnot meant to be energized. This is achieved by the proper designing of both mechanical interlocksand electrical interlocks in the control scheme.No one should work on the switchgear or other equipment without obtaining permission fromthe person responsible for operating it in the form of a work permit. Once work has started, itshould not be possible to connect supply to the system without the permission of the properauthority. Various interlocks and padlocking features are provided on the switchgear to achievethese safety requirements.No one should work on the switchgear or other equipment without obtaining permission fromthe person responsible for operating it in the form of a work permit. Once work has started, itshould not be possible to connect supply to the system without the permission of the properauthority. Various interlocks and padlocking features are provided on the switchgear to achieve these safety requirements.The operating personnel should read and understand thoroughly the operation and maintenance manual provided along with the equipment. On the basis of this manual, a written set ofrules governing operating safety principles should be drawn and displayed. This written setshould preferably be bilingual, with one regional language to be used for enabling local personsto understand the instructions well.

Operation Of Switch
The major functions of switchgear are to protect, control and maintain the electrical network, including the switchgear itself. Safe operation means ensuring that any operation does not energize part of the system or plant that is not intended to be energized. The system is to be operated insuch a way that the safety of both human beings and the plants is ensured.The switchgear operating conditions are classied as: (a) Normal Operating Condition In normal operating conditions, the switchgear is operated (i.e. close/Open operation is

Performed) for load shifting or for normal operational checking. These operations can beperformed manually using controls on the mechanism or electrically from local or remotecontrol panel. (b) Abnormal Operating Condition The abnormal operating conditions occur when the circuit breaker (CB) operates to clearvarious system faults after receiving a tripping command from the protective equipment. The two major functions of switchgear are: Closing operation for switching on downstream side load; and Tripping Operation in normal /abnormal condition for cutting off the power supply to the Downstream side load. These two operations are performed by the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The operating mechanism may be spring operated, hydraulic, pneumatic or of solenoid type dependingupon the design of switchgear. In spring-operated, hydraulic or pneumatic type mechanism. Theoperating energy is stored in the mechanism and a latching device is provided for releasing theenergy for the closing tripping operation. In a solenoid type mechanism, the closing operation isperformed by a heavy closing solenoid, which directly pushes the moving contact of the CBwithout using any spring and latches. However, the tripping operation is normally performed bya spring.The amount of energy to be stored depends upon several factors, viz., the type of mechanism,Arc-quenching medium and most importantly the voltage/current ratings of the switchgear.As the system voltage and current increase, the operating energy requirement also increases.For both the operations, energy is stored by using a latching device. As soon as the latch isreleased manually or electrically, the desired operation is performed by the circuit breaker.Switchgear should be designed and operated in such a way that the following potentiallyunsafe mal-operations are avoided: closing onto fault (allowed in case of auto closure), switching on an earthed bus bar, inadvertent paralleling of two sources, operation of a no-load isolator without switching the CB off, earthing a live busbarcable, closing the CB when connected load is undergoing maintenance, etc. Proper mechanical and electrical interlocks should be used to avoid the above-mentioned mal operations. The interlocking requirements should be decided at the design stage of switchgear. During operation also, the interlocking requirements should be strictly adhered to.

Switch gear maintenance Like any other major component of the electrical
network, switchgear also needs maintenance schedules for trouble-free operation during its llfecycle. No one should work on the system itself or on any plant controlled by it, without obtaining authorization/work permit iron the responsible person. Once such work has started, then itshould not be possible for someone to re-connect the supply accidentally to the associated system or plant. Re-connection of supply should be done only after the work permit

has been taken back by the concerned authority. In order to ensure that this safety precaution is implemented, inter-lock and padlocking features are provided on the switching devices.

Maintenance RequirementsMaintenance covers a wide range of activities, all of which

are required to keep the switchgear in ready condition at all times to enable it perform its functions satisfactorily. The parts subjected to normal wear and aging need to be serviced for ensuring full reliability of the operations. These parts may be mechanical components or electrical components. The major mechanical components comprise the mechanism and pole unit where mechanical wear and aging are caused by frequent operations. The electrical components are worn out due to arc interruption and heating. If oil or SF6 is used as an arcquenching medium, then these also need replacement after a certain number of operations. The interval at which the maintenance should be carried out depends upon the following factors: - The number of short-circuit interruptions. The switching frequency. - The actual service time. The actual conditions of use in terms of the frequency of operations, environment and severity of switching duty vary so much that it is impossible for the manufacturer to give detailed guidelines to the user concerning the frequency of maintenance. A distinction needs to be made be- tween the basic switching device with its moving parts. Andthe rest of the equipment which performs the supporting role of connection. The latter components are likely to need periodic inspection and servicing only, to ensure that the equipment is free from dirt, dampness and deterioration, such as corrosion of metal work and contamination of insulation. The maintenance of the basic switching unit should be the rst priority. For vacuum interrupters, however, no such maintenance is needed. Applicable standards draw attention to the importance of the methods for determining when various maintenance procedures need to be carried out. As an example, with vacuum circuitbreakers the most likely criterion that needs to be monitored occasionally is contact wear, and thetiming of the opening operation. The O&M manual of the manufacturer normally describes howto perform these operations and the acceptable levels of performance before putting the switchgear back into service. The O6rM manual of the manufacturer also gives special instructions for the design of switchgear from maintenance point of view, apart from general switchgear practices. For example, the proper method to release any stored energy in the closing mechanism before beginning an examination is spelt out.

Inspection Schedule The following guidelines must be included while formulating

inspection schedules for switchgeary Once a year, a general visual inspection should be carried out and insulators wiped clean.

y y

Morefrequentchecks arenecessaryifthebreakersareexposedto dust-laden atmosphere. The operating mechanism should be lubricated after two years or on completion of 2,000make-break operation at lubrication points shown in Fig. 18.1 for a typical mechanism. Aftera speci ed number of operations, the mechanism should be overhauled. The number of operations may vary with the type of breaker. Hence instructions given in the O&M manualof the switchgear should be followed in this regard. y Constructions of the interruption unit are different for oil, SP6 or vacuum switchgear. Undernormal service conditions, vacuum interrupters need no maintenance but in the case ofother arc-interrupting media, special care needs to be taken as per the manufacturer's instructions. y Vacuum interrupters must be replaced after the stipulated number of mechanical operationsor when the contact erosion has reached its limit, whichever is earlier.

An inspection should be carried out after an examination or overhaul to ensure that the overallcondition of the equipment has been restored after completion of the work An operation check.or preferably a series of operation checks, must be carried out to establish that the correct performance has been achieved and that the equipment may safely be restored to service. In the case offully sealed vacuum circuit breakers, manufacturers do not normally recommend examination oroverhaul of the pole unit during the economic life of the installation. Moreover, the latest trend isto use gas insulated switchgear (GIS), which is sealed for life. In Slldt designs, carrying out of anymaintenance by the staff of the user is not recommended. ln the unlikely event of G15 needing anoverhaul, this task should be entrusted to the manufacturer. Maintenance should be carried outby trained staff and guidelines provided in the O&M manual should be followed. Earthing beforemaintenance is very important.

Preparation Before MaintenanceSafety features need to be planned before switchgear

units are ordered. 'I he requirement oflocking off parts of the system (for carrying out maintenance work on the associated plant) shouldbe nalised. Proper interlocking arrangements should be provided for this purpose. All metal-enclosed switchgears are designed so that all live conductors are placed behind either metalenclosures or locked / bolted doors.In order to ensure safe operation of the plant, a written set of rules governing these operatingsafety principles should be available. It is the responsibility of the plant-in-charge to frame suchrules. Further, the rules must be understood by all who work in the environment, which necessitates a positive training programme.The use of switchgear to gain access to the system for earthing conductors, for testing cablesand other equipment, along with maintaining the switchgear itself is covered below.The general safety rules mentioned above must also be followed in maintenance of theswitchgear. The person responsible for authorising the action must be identi ed so that all thoseconcerned know the co-ordinator for each procedure. For example, when the system needs to beearthed at a point, all possible supply routes to that point

should be locked off. The earthingshould not open inadvertently till work on the earthed equipment is being carried out.

Maintenance Procedure
There are many standards on the subject pertaining to different voltage levels of switchgear,which normally de nes four separate as per of maintenance, with each new stage based on the preceding one, e.g. inspection, servicing, examination and overhaul. These are dealt with in detailbelow.

Inspection
This is a maintenance action, which calls for a careful scrutiny of a switchgear component. Theinspection is carried out without dismantling the component from its assembly. The inspectionshould be carried out by using all the available diagnostic methods for detecting potential mal-functional failure. It may include an operational check.

ServicingServicing implies work that is carried out for ensuring that the equipment is kept in
an acceptablecondition. It does not involve any dismantling. and is typically limited to cleaning, lubricationand adjustments as speci ed in the operation and maintenance (O&.M) instructions of theswitchgear.

ExaminationThis is an inspection carried out with partial dismantling, as required,

supplemented by meanssuch as measurement and non-destructive tesb in order to arrive at a reliable conclusion aboutthe condition of a particular switchgear component.

OverhaulWork done with the objective of repairing or replacing parts, which are found to be
belowstandard by examination, so as to restore a particular component or the entire equipment to anacceptable condition, is referred to as overhauling.A study of above definitions indicates the possibility of an interference in the form of maintenance. lnspection may lead to the conclusion that servicing is needed. The maintenance engineermay sense a problem and call for a detailed examination. After examination, an overhaul may beneeded. One of the major reasons for employing new switchgear technologies, such as vacuum, isto eliminate the examination and overhaul procedures from the switchgear maintenanceprogramme as vacuum interrupters are sealed for life. However.proper spares must be availableat site for safe operation of switchgear units to their full rating.