Transmission & Distribution

The SF6 gas

tightness generalities

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
1

10-Jun-01

Tightness notion
The apparatus: use of the SF6 gas ==> isolanting, extinguishing fluid theirs performances ==> depend on the density of gas autonomous ==> no gaz supply from the necessity to maintain minimum density

the assemblies mecanical with gaskets, by weldings

the materials porosity absolute tightness does not exist

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
2

10-Jun-01

Tightness notion

Tightness

Tightness

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
3

10-Jun-01

Tightness notion
A leak ? a quantity of gas lost from a volume during a definite time Bar.cm3 / s

There are 2 methods to measure a leak rate by measuring the top of pressure by measuring the quantity of lost gas

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
4

10-Jun-01

Tightness notions
F1 F2
Drop of pressure

V
P

P'
t F3

P = P - P (<Pn - CR)

CR

F=

P .V t
The SF6 gas
tightness generalites
5

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

10-Jun-01

Tightness notions
Lost gas collection

V2 V1
t

V2 V1

C
C = C - C (<C maxi) F=
NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

C'

C.(V2-V1) t

HV Maintenance Training Center

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
6

10-Jun-01

Tightness level and global leak rates

The tightness level represents the time between two refillings 2 compartments of 50 and 200 litres witch have a refilling alarm after the same time, have the same tightness level The leak rate represents the quantity of lost gas for a same tightness level, the 200 litres compartment has a leak rate 4 times higher than the 50 litres compartment The global measure in factory is impossible because of time it is done on site during the life of the aparatus it is the purpose of the temperature compensated pressure switch

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
7

10-Jun-01

Tightness level and global leak rates

Then, we measure instantaneous elementary leak rates: by adding them, we will obtain the instantaneous global rate Thus, we defined elementary rates for each type of assembly and for the smallest compartment

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
8

10-Jun-01

Taux de fuite instantans

Volume of the compartment 1 enclosure 1 cover 1 cover O ring 1 bottom plate 1 bottom plate O ring 1 dynamic gasket 2 isolators 2 isolator O ring 1 safety disc 1 safety disc gasket 1 SF6 pressure switch 1 coupler gastek 1 cap O ring 1 coupler gastek 1 coupler gastek Instantaneous global rates
HV Maintenance Training Center
NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

litres 50 l 10x10-6 10x10-6 1.5x10-6 10x10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 3x10-6 3x10-6 1x10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 3x10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 52.10-6 200 l 10x10-6 10x10-6 1.5x10-6 10x10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 3x10-6 3x10-6 1x10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 3.10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 1.5x10-6 52.10-6
The SF6 gas
tightness generalites
9

0.3 bar/year

= global leak rate = 4.75x10-4 bar.cm3/s then, the security factor is : 4.75x10-4 52x10-6 9

10-Jun-01

Design : features
Adapted dimensions to guarantee a compression rate

A quality material new : ethylene - propylene (EPDM)

longest life time best compatibility with other materials

Some materials are corrosive and/or do not have the same hardness : respecting the quality and the dimensions, it is assuring the best tightness.

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
10

10-Jun-01

Design : assemblies
The cleanness of surfaces and gaskets The greasing silicone grease to make the sliding easier during gas treatments and protection against wearing The tools to hold them during assembly

Always change a used O ring it is to assure the best tightness

HV Maintenance Training Center
NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

The SF6 gas

tightness generalites
11

10-Jun-01

Design: double O ring

Two purpose to protect the internal O ring to make the leakage test possible

SF6
the tightness is realized with the internal O ring
The SF6 gas
tightness generalites
12

HV Maintenance Training Center

NAMEXYZ EN.PPT

10-Jun-01