POWER CIRCUIT BREAKER

Power Circuit
Breakers (PCB)
Are mechanical
switching devices
designed to open
and close a circuit
under normal
conditions and to
open the circuit
automatically on
an abnormal
condition, such as
short circuit
without injury to
itself when
properly applied
within its rating.
The Power Circuit Breaker can be
operated at its operating box and plant
control room. The normal mode is to
operate it from remote.
Operating box - can only be done
during maintenance and possibly
during emergencies.
Plant control panel the operation
is initiated remotely at plant control
panel. Interlocking and closing
requirements must be satisfied.
Remote Operation the operation is
initiated remotely at Plant DCS.
Interlocking and closing requirements
must be satisfied.
Note:
Any change in status (Open /
Close) will be indicated at the
PCB drive at the Plant DCS
Power Circuit Breakers (PCB) cont.
It is connected in series with the circuit it is expected to protect and to be
capable of successfully :
Interrupting
- any level of current passing through its contact from a few amperes
to its full short-circuit currents at a specified voltage.
- up to 25% of full short circuit currents at twice the phase voltage.
Closing up to full short-circuit at phase voltage and 25% of full making
currents at twice the phase voltage;
Switching inductive, capacitive and reactor currents without producing
excessive overvoltages tp avoid overstressing the dielectric withstand
capabilities of a system;
Performing opening and closing operations whenever required;
Carrying the normal current assigned to it without overheating any joints or
contacts.
Classification of Circuit
Breaker
Based on Voltage
Low - less than 1 kV
Medium - 1 kV to 52 kV
High and Extra High - 66 kV to 765 kV
Ultra High - above 765 kV
Based on Location
Indoor GIS, indoor low voltage switchgears
Outdoor - Substations and switchyards
Based on External Design
Dead Tank - the switching unit is located within a metallic container which
is kept at earth potential.
Live Tank - the circuit breaker the switching unit is located in an insulator
bushing which is live at line voltage
Based on Interrupting Mode
Air
Oil
Vacuum
SF6 Gas Insulated
Air Circuit Breaker
Definition
- is those kind of circuit breaker which operates in air at atmospheric
pressure.
Types of Air Circuit Breaker
Plain air circuit breaker
Air blast Circuit Breaker.
Plain Air Circuit Breaker
- Operates within 1 kV level and does not require any arc control device
Air Blast Circuit Breaker
- used for the system voltage of 245KV, 420KV and even more, especially
where faster breaker operation was required.
Oil Circuit Breaker
Definition
- is the one of the oldest type of circuit breakers. Whenever there is a
separation of current carrying contacts in the oil, the arc is initialized at the
moment of separation of contacts, and due to this arc the oil is vaporized
and decomposed in mostly hydrogen gas and ultimately creates a
hydrogen bubble around the arc. prevents re-striking of the arc after current
reaches zero crossing of the cycle
Types of Air Circuit Breaker
Minimum Oil Circuit Breaker
Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker
Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker
- where oil is used as arc quenching media as well as insulating media
between current carrying contacts and earthed parts of the breaker
Minimum Oil Circuit Breaker
- places the interrupting unit in insulating chamber at live potential. The
insulating oil is available only in interrupting chamber.
Vacuum Circuit Breaker
Definition
- the arc quenching takes place in vacuum and used in medium voltages.
The operation of opening and closing of current carrying contacts and
associated arc interruption take place in a vacuum chamber in the breaker
which is called vacuum interrupter. The vacuum pressure inside a vacuum
interrupter is normally maintained at 10
6
bar.
Advantages of vacuum circuit breaker or VCB
Service life of Vacuum Circuit Breaker is much longer than other types of
circuit breakers. There is no chance of fire hazard as oil circuit breaker. It is
much environment friendly than SF6 Circuit breaker. Beside of that
contraction of VCB is much user friendly. Replacement of Vacuum
Interrupter (VI) is much convenient.
SF6 Circuit Breaker
Definition
- the current carrying contacts operate in Sulphur Hexafluoride or SF6 gas
is known as an SF6 Circuit Breaker. These circuit breakers are available
for the voltage ranges from 33KV to 800KV and even more.
Disadvantages of SF6 Circuit Breakers
- The SF6 gas is identified as a greenhouse gas, safety regulation are
being introduced in many countries in order to prevent its release into
atmosphere.
Types of SF6 Circuit Breaker
1) Single Interrupter SF6 CB applied for up to 245KV(220KV) system
2) Two Interrupter SF6 CB applied for up to 420KV(400KV) system
3) Four Interrupter SF6 CB applied for up to 800KV(715KV) system
SF6 PCB MAIN
COMPONENT
PCB MAIN COMPONENT
Power Circuit Breaker Selection
Carry the full load current without overheating
Switch and isolate or disconnect the load from
the source at the system voltage
Interrupt any possible abnormally high
operating current or short-circuit current likely to
be encountered during operation
Requirement of Power Circuit Breaker
Should be a perfect conductor in closed position
Should be a perfect insulator in open position
Should be fast when closing (Slow Closure can damage the
contact)
Should be fast when opening
Note:
Must not extinguish the current before its Zero Crossing and must not produce
overvoltages
Essential Properties of SF
6
SF
6
gas has high dielectric strength which is the most important quality
of a material for use in electrical equipments and in particular for breaker it
is one of the most desired properties. Moreover it has high Rate of Rise of
dielectric strength after arc extinction. This characteristics is very much
sought for a circuit breaker to avoid restriking.
SF
6
is colour less, odour less and non toxic gas.
SF
6
is an inert gas. So in normal operating condition the metallic parts in
contact with the gas are not corroded. This ensures the life of the breaker
and reduces the need for maintenance.
SF
6
has high thermal conductivity which means the heat dissipation
capacity is more. This implies greater current carrying capacity when
surrounded by SF
6
.
The gas is quite stable. However it disintegrates to other fluorides of
Sulphur in the presence of arc. but after the extinction of the arc
the SF
6
gas is reformed from the decomposition.
SF
6
being non-flammable so there is no risk of fire hazard and
explosion.
Power Circuit
Breakers (PCB)
Breaker Important Parts
REMOTE/LOCAL
SWITCH
TRIP / CLOSE
SWITCH
REMOTE/LOCAL
SWITCH
TRIP / CLOSE
SWITCH
MOTOR
SELECTOR
SWITCH
HEATER
SWITCH
Rated Voltage 245 kV
Rated Current 3150 A
Operating Type/Phase BLG 352C
Manufacturer/ Year ABB / 1991
Closing Time 90 ms
Opening Time 23 +/- 2 ms
Contact Resistance 55
SF6 Gas Pressure 0.5 MPa
SF6 Gas Purity (new) 97%
SF6 Gas Purity (inside the PCB) 99%
BGI 230 kV Power Circuit Breaker
end