Ibrahim Ahmed Saad Al-Shamrani

Engineering & Design Department – EHV Division

KSA, Dammam –HQ Office
Saudi Electricity Company

SF6 Gas Insulated Switchgear

(GIS)
August 16, 2009
Contents
Abstract

Acknowledgements …………………………………………………..….. 3

Introduction …………………………………….…………………...………..4

Comparison between GIS & AIS...…………………………….…………...5

GIS Components ………………………………………………………..7

 Circuit Breaker…….………………………………………………….9
 Disconnectors ……………………………………………………….11
 Earthing Switch ……………………………………………………..13
 Voltage Transformer ………………………………………………..15
 Current Transformer ………………………………………………..17
 Cables Compartment ……………………………………………….19
 Local Control Cubicles LCC ………………………………………..21

SF6 Gas Sulphur Hexafluoride …………………………………………….23

Relief Device ………………………………………………………….…….24

Tests of GIS …………………………………………………………………25

 Type Test ……………………………………………………………25

 Routine Test ………………………………………………………...27
 Site Test ……………………………………………………………..30

Conclusion …………………………………………………………………31

Reference ………………………………………………………………….32

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Abstract

In 1960 the first gas insulated metal-enclosed switchgear went into service in
the German 110 kV network. Today GIS technology is successfully used for
voltages up to 800 kV. GIS is an attractive alternative to conventional air
insulated substations (AIS) because of the increased availability, reliability and
the reduced life cycle costs. This report discusses the following aspects of SF6
GIS: enclosures; circuit breakers; disconnectors and earthing switches; voltage
and current transformers; connection modules; type testing.

The high voltage GIS is highly reliable, three-phase encapsulated GIS

equipment dedicated to 72.5 kV up to 145 kV applications. It can be assembled
on site very quickly, and it’s compact and flexible design saves space as well as
reduces civil work.

Up to ratings of 170 kV, the three phases of GIS are generally in a common
enclosure at higher voltages the phases are segregated. The encapsulation
consists of non-magnetic and corrosion-resistance cast aluminum or welded
aluminum sheet. After general study and search this report represented the
most aspects of GIS 145 kV Type respect to the Manufacturers Manual and
International Standards.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to all those who gave me the possibility to
complete this report. I want to thank the Engineering & Design – Extra High
voltage Division for giving me permission to commence this report in the first
instance, and to do the necessary research work and to use departmental data
and for their corporation and friendly assistance.

This was a very nice experience for me to have a training course on the Areva
Factory – GIS 145 kV Yard, and I am sure it will be useful for my future career.
Appreciate the effort of my colleagues from several Departments those attend
with me this course for their commitment and assist to deliver the material of
this course to be useful for all of us. I will not forget to give all my respect to
our instructor Mr. Moisés FORTES - Project Manager of Gas Insulated
Substation-Areva - Araua, Switzerland for his help and kind behave.

I would like to express special thanks to Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Wayel, EHV Division
Manager, not only because he is my manager but because he is helping all
engineers to achieve their successes and I am really appreciating his infinite
support and cooperation for offering me this opportunity to attend this
training course.

I am deeply indebted to my supervisor Mr. Mohammed Al Mubark whose help,

stimulating, suggestions and encouragement helped me in all the time of
research for and writing of this report.

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Introduction

The increasing demand of electrical power in cities and industrial centers

necessitates the installation of a compact and efficient distribution and
transmission network. High voltage gas insulated switchgear (GIS) is ideal for
such applications.

The range of application of SF₆ Gas Insulated Switchgear extends from voltage
ratings of 72.5 kV up to 800 kV with breaking currents of up to 63 kA, and in
special cases up to 80 kA. Both small transformer substations and large load-
center substations can be designed with GIS technology.

The distinctive advantages of SF₆ Gas Insulated Switchgear are: compact, low
weight, high reliability, safety against touch contact, low maintenance and long
life. Extensive in-plant preassembly and testing of large units and complete
bays reduces assembly and commissioning time on the construction site.

GIS equipment is usually of modular construction. All components such as

busbars, disconnectors, circuit-breakers, instrument transformers, cable
terminations and joints are contained in earthed enclosures filled with sulphur
hexafluoride gas (SF₆).

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Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) that uses compresses sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
gas overcomes many of the limitations of the conventional open type AIS, as it
offers the following advantages:

1. The space occupied by the switchgear is greatly reduced.

2. It is totally unaffected by atmospherically conditions such as polluted or

saline air in industrial and coastal areas, or desert climates.

3. It possesses a high degree of operational reliability and safety to

personal.

4. It is easier to install in difficult site conditions ( e.g. on unstable ground

or in seismically active areas)

5. In addition to having a dielectric strength much greater than that of air,

SF6 has the advantages of being nontoxic and non flammable.

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Comparison between GIS & AIS

GIS Substation AIS Substation

Comparison of Required Area between 220 kV GIS S/S and AIS

S/S

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GIS Components

In GIS all live parts are enclosed in compressed gas system which is divided
into a number of compartments. This division enables the isolation of one
compartment for maintenance or repair purpose while the other
compartments remain pressurized. In figure below the single-line diagram of a
double bus-bar arrangement is shown.

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In figure below the diagram shows a typical gas GIS circuit breaker Bay. Basic
components that make up any one GIS bay are as follow:
1. Circuit Breaker
2. Disconnectors
3. Earthing Switch
4. Current Transformer
5. Voltage Transformers
6. Cables Compartment
7. Control Cubical

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 Circuit Breaker
Circuit breakers differ from switches in that they not only manually
make and break the circuit while carrying their normal currents, but are
also capable of making and breaking the circuit under the severest
system conditions. Breaking or making the circuit under load conditions
represents no real problem for a circuit breaker since the interrupted
current is relatively low and the power factor is high. Under short circuit
conditions, however, the current may reach tens of thousands of
amperes at a power factor as low as 0.1. It is duty of a circuit breaker to
interrupt such currents as soon as possible to avoid equipment damage.
Loss of system stability is consequence of slow fault clearance. Fault
clearance time has been reduced during the last 50 years due to the
high technology adopted in circuit breaker design and the use of static
relays.

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Basic components of the circuit breaker are shown in the figure below as
follow:

1. Cover
2. Support insulator
3. Barrier insulator
4. Interrupter
5. Cast enclosure
6. Pressure relief devices
7. Fixed contact assembly
8. Bottom plate

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 Disconnectors
Disconnectors are made up from insulators, enclosures, and conductors
of different geometrical shapes to give an optimum layout. They are
equipped with copper contacts that are spring loaded to give the
disconnector high electrical efficiency and high mechanical reliability.

Disconnectors must be carefully designed and tested to be able to break

small charging current without generating too-high overvoltage,
otherwise flashover to earth may occur.

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 The operation mechanisms of the disconnectors and earthing switches
are of the same design for most GIS. The main features are motorized or
manual operation, electrical interlocking against incorrect operation,
and mechanically lockable end positions

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Earthing Switch
Two different types of earthing switch are normally used, the slow-operating
earthing switch and the fast-closing (high speed) earthing switch. Slow-
operating earthing switch are used for protection purpose when work is being
done in the substation, but are operated only when it is certain that the high-
voltage system is not energized. The fast-closing earthing switch can close
against full voltage and short circuit power. The high speed earthing switch is
achieved by means of a spring-closing device.

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The advantages of Make-proof earthing switch (high speed) are as follows:
 High speed closing and opening by mechanical spring charged
mechanism.
 Induced current switching of overhead lines.
 Insulated by removable earth link for measurement on individual phases
of the primary circuit without gas handling.

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Voltage Transformer
The most commonly used voltage transformer VT is of the inductive type. In
three-phase enclosed GIS designed, three voltage transformers are placed in
one enclosure. It is also possible to design a voltage transformer consisting of a
low-capacitive voltage divider connected to an electronic amplifier. The
capacitance between the inner conductor and a concentric measuring
electrode near the enclosure is then used as the high-voltage capacitor. This
design is suitable only for the highest system voltages.

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The advantages of the voltage Transformer as follow:
 Variable location on feeder and busbars.
 Integrated disconnecting facility for GIS and power cable testing without
dismantling and gas handling.
 Flexible gas compartment allocation for optimal service oriented gas
supervision.

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Current Transformer

In the single-phase enclosed GIS; the core of a current transformer is located

outside the enclosure, thus ensuring a completely undisturbed electrical field
between the enclosure and the conductor. The return current in the enclosure
is broken by an insulating layer. In three-phases enclosed GIS design the cores
of the current transformers are normally located inside the enclosure. They
are preferably placed outside on the SF6 busing or on cables.

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The advantages of the three-phase Current Transformer as follow:
 Cores in air outside the SF6
 Gas compartment to reduce access of moisture and to suppress gas-
tight bushings for secondary connections.
 Variable length for optimal.

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Cables Compartment
It is sealing end box for underground cable termination which is suitable for
SF6 gas-filled for accommodating XLPE or LPOF single core copper cable
terminations. The boxes shall be designed to accept the cable along with its
terminations cone from below. The scope shall also include necessary cable
supports and cable terminations suppliers shall be made for proper electrical
and mechanical interface.

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Cables compartments have some features as follow:

1. Optimized solution for IEC dry-type (plug-in type) power cable

connection.
2. Adjustable support structures for minimum requirements for the
GIS floor.
3. Fixation to the GIS floor by cemented anchor bolts, no need for
special foundation (steel beams….etc).

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Local Control Cubicles “LCC”
LCC is the interface cubicles to all secondary systems of a substation which are
represent a station control and protection. LCC includes control and alarm
functions as well as the correct distribution of auxiliary power supply for the
relevant GIS bay. it is in charge for a safe and reliable operation and
monitoring of all switchgear elements.

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Main functions realized in the local control cubicles:

 AC-Supply
Motor drives, heating, panel lighting, and panel sockets.
 DC-Supply
Control and alarm indication
 General control functions
Remote & local control, interlocking bypass, and double action
prevention of the mechanisms.
 Control of Disconnectors & Earthing switches
ON/OFF control, supervision of operating times and intermediate
positions.
 Control of Circuit Breakers
Control of the closing and tripping coils, anti-pumping, interface to
synchronizing devices, interface to protection devices, and supervision
of spring charging time.
 Arc Detection System
 Interlocking
Interlocking between the high voltage mechanisms on the GIS
 Human Machine Interface (HMI)
Mimic equipped with control switches and position indictors.
 Alarm indication & Signalization
Alarm unit for alarm indication and signalization.
 Supervision of SF-6 Gas Compartments
Supervision of the gas pressure (stage 1, stage 2)
 Terminal Interface
1. Remote control
2. Interlocking
3. Metering
4. Measuring
5. protection

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SF6 Gas (sulphur hexafluoride)
The properties of SF6 gas are many and this is why GIS now being commonly
used more than AIS because pure SF6 gas is chemically very stable, inert,
almost water insoluble, non-inflammable, non-poisonous, odorless, colorless
and heavier than air.

Electrical discharges and arcs will decompose SF6 gas. On cooling, a large part
of the decomposed gas recombines. Reactions may. However, also occur with
design material (e.g. with vaporizing arcing contact material). This result in the
formation of gaseous sulphur fluoride and solid metallic fluoride are powder
and in the presence of water or moisture also in the development of
hydrogen-fluoride and sulphur dioxide. Some of these decomposition products
are conspicuous through their unpleasant piercing odour.

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Relief Device
It is a device which fitted in each gas compartment including GIS surge arrester
to relieve over pressure created by internal arcing faults automatically and
instantaneously.

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Tests of GIS

 Type Test

1. Capacitive Current Switching Test

2. Temperature Rise Test

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 3. Operating and Mechanical Endurance Test

4. Water Burst Test

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 5. Dielectric Test

 Routine (Production) Test

1. Supply of Casting

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 2. Checking the Dimensions

3. Surface treatment ( cleaned and painted )

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 4. Voltage Transformer HV Test

5. Pressure and Tightness Test

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 Site Test

1. HV Site Test

2. HV Test Equipment , Control Panel

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Conclusion

The GIS comprising of busbars, control gears (CB, DS/ES), CTs, VTs and other
protective devices (rupturing disc, pressure gauges, etc) enclosed in metallic
enclosure and filled with pressurized SF6 gas.

The new optimized gas-insulated switchgear unites progressive and futuristic

concepts and techniques. The use of vacuum circuit breakers ensures
unrestricted mechanical and electrical functionality throughout the service life
of the system.

Both appropriately rated sensors and conventional instrument transformers can

be used for the monitoring of current and voltage. In conjunction with the
computerized, digital bay control and protection system, operator convenience,
safety and system reliability are increased, and project planning, production and
commissioning are simplified. The plug-in technology reduces assembly times
at site to minimum.

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Reference

1. TRANSMISSION MATERIALS STANDARD SPECIFICATION

32-TMSS-02 (Revision no.0)

2. Gas-Insulated Switchgear GIS Areva Manual – Switzerland

3. CIGRE Working Group 15-03 CIGRE paper 15/23-01, 1992.

4. IEC 60044 “ Instrument Transformers”

5. IEC 60376 “Specification of Technical Grade Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)

for use in Electrical Equipment”

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