1.

TECHNICAL PARTICULARS OF 33KV INDOOR TYPE VCB

AND SWITCHGEAR PANEL
1

SYSTEM DETAILS

kV

33

1.1

Rated system voltage

kV

36

1.2

Earthing of system neutral

1.3

System frequency

INSULATION
site altitude)

2.1

Lightning impulse voltage

withstand level, positive and
negative polarity

2.2

2.3

2.4
2.5

2.6

LEVEL

solid
Hz

50

(at

Switching impulse voltage

withstand level of insulation
to ground, positive and
negative polarity
dry
wet
Power frequency withstand
voltage
dry
wet
Voltage below which corona
shall not be visible
Maximum radio interference
voltage level measured at
1.1 times Us/3 at 1 MHz
Minimum creepage to earth
over insulation on rated
service voltage (to IEC 815)

kVp

170

kVp
kVp

kV
kV

70
70

kV

mm
/kV

25

3. SWITCHGEAR DETAILS

Item
No

Description

Particulars
kV

TYPE OF SWITCHGEAR

3.1

Type of switchgear
GIS or Open terminal

Open terminal

3.2

Installation

Indoor

SHORT
CAPACITY

4.1

All equipment 3 seconds

4.2

Maintenance
3 seconds

CIRCUIT BREAKER

5.1

Normal current rating

5.2

Fault rating

5.2.1

TIME

36.3

Indoor
CURRENT
kA

25

kA

25

1250

Making current

kA
p

62..5

5.2.2

Breaking current (symmetrical)

kA

25

5.2.3

Breaking
(asymmetrical)

current

5.2.4

Breaking current
phase conditions

under

5.2.5

earthing

devices,

% DC/kAp
out

of

IEC 56

kA

6.25

Rated line charging current

10

5.2.6

Rated cable charging current

50

5.2.7

Rated inductive current

1 to 10 - 50 - 100 - 200

5.2.8

Maximum overvoltage factor on

any switching duty

pu

<2.0

Item
No

Description

Particulars

5.3

Operating sequence

5.3.1

Normal

0-10 s - CO-3 min - CO

5.3.2

Auto re-closing

0-0.3 s - CO-3 min - CO

5.3.3

Delayed three phase auto re-close

cycle adjustable dead time range

High speed single phase auto reclose cycle adjustable dead time

6.1

2-30

6.2

Number of closing operations

under out of synchronous
conditions

(2.0
pu)

6.3

Transient recovery voltage

6.4

First phase to clear factor

6.5

Recovery voltage parameter for 3

phase unearthed terminal fault

IEC 56

6.6

Short line fault parameter

IEC 56

6.7

Surge impedance for short line

fault test

6.8

Minimum voltage to earth when

switching
capacitive
currents,
(1.4 times rated phase to earth
voltage)

6.9

6.10

Voltage across circuit breaker

under out of phase switching
conditions
Electro
performance

mechanical

1.5

ohm
s

kV

29

pu

Item
No
6.11

6.12

6.13

6.14

6.15

Description
Maximum
total
break
time
throughout complete rating, ie trip
coil initiation to final arc extinction

ms

50

Maximum time interval between

closure of first and last phase of
three phase circuit breakers

ms

Maximum time interval between

closure of interrupters of one
phase of the circuit breaker

ms

ms

10

ms

kV

36.3

Maximum time interval between

opening of first and last phase of
three phase circuit breaker
Maximum time interval between
opening of interrupters of one
phase of the circuit breaker

6.6

Insulation level (IEC 694)

6.6.1

Lightning impulse withstand

(1.2/50 wave) - positive and
negative
a. To earth, closed contacts
b. Across, open contacts

6.
6.2

Particulars

kVp
kVp
kVp +
kVACp

Switching impulse withstand

(250/ 2500 wave) - positive
and negative
a. To earth, closed contacts
b. Across, open contacts

kVp
kVp
kVp +
kVACp

Item
No

Description

6.6.3

Power frequency withstand

Particulars
Dry/wet

a. To earth, closed contacts 1 minute

kV

b. Across, open contacts - 1

minute

kV

70
80

6.7

Ancillary equipment

6.7.1

Number of trip coils required

6.7.2

Number
required

6.7.3

Degree of protection

of

closing

coils

IP 56

1.1.

13.1 General
Circuit breakers shall be of three pole air break design, horizontal
draw out type in accordance with IEC 947-2. In particular, evidence
shall be provided of the performance when switching currents in the
critical current range. They shall be capable of the ratings specified in
the Schedules, when mounted in the switchboard.
Circuit breakers shall be fitted with trip-free, spring-operated
mechanisms of the independent manually operated type and be
provided with making and over current release facilities. A pushbutton shall be provided to trip the breaker electrically.
The breaker shall be provided with `OPEN'. `CLOSE', `SERVICE',
`TEST' and `SPRING CHARGED' position indicators and shall be
provided with the necessary number of auxiliary contacts for
interlocking, indication and tripping purposes plus two spare.
Each incoming circuit shall be provided with thermal overload relays
and short circuit protection relays; they shall also be provided with an
undervoltage relay to trip breaker in the event of a supply failure.
There shall be `SERVICE', `TEST' and fully withdrawn positions for
the breakers. It shall be possible to close the door in TEST position.
Movement of a circuit breaker between SERVICE and TEST
positions shall not be possible unless it is in OPEN position.
Attempted withdrawal of a closed circuit breaker shall not trip the circuit breaker.
Closing of a circuit breaker shall not be possible unless it is in
SERVICE, TEST or fully withdrawn positions.
A breaker of particular rating shall be prevented from insertion in a
cubicle of a different rating.
Circuit breakers shall be provided with electrical anti-pumping and trip
free feature.
Means shall be provided to slowly close the circuit breaker in
withdrawn position if required for inspection and setting of contacts. In
service position slow closing shall not be possible.
Circuit breakers shall be provided with the following mechanism as
specified in the Bill of Material.

All relays and timers in protective circuits shall be flush mounted on

panel front with connections from the inside.
They shall have
transparent dust tight covers removable from the front. All protective
relays shall have a drawout construction for easy replacement from the
front. They shall either have built-in test facilities, or shall be provided
with necessary test blocks and test switches located immediately
below each relay. Auxiliary relays and timers may be furnished in nondrawout cases.
All AC relays shall be suitable for operation at 50 Hz with 110 volts VT
secondary and 1A or 5A CT secondary.
All protective relays and timers shall have at least two potential free
output contacts. Relays shall have contacts as required for protection
schemes. Contacts of relays and timers shall be silver faced and shall
have a spring action.
Adequate numbers of terminals shall be
available on the relay cases for applicable relaying schemes.
All protective relays, auxiliary relays and timers shall be provided with
hand reset operation indicators (flags) for analysing the cause of
operation.
All relays shall withstand a test voltage of 2kV (rms) for one minute.
Motor starters shall be provided with three element, ambient
temperature compensated, time lagged, hand reset type terminal
overload relays with adjustable settings. The setting ranges shall be
properly selected to suit the motor ratings. These relays shall have a
separate black coloured hand reset push button mounted on
compartment door and shall have at least one changeover contact.
All fuse protected, contactor controlled motors shall have single
phasing protection, either as a distinct feature in the overload relays
(by differential movement of bi-metallic strips), or as a separate
device. The single phasing protection shall operate with 80% of the
set current flowing in two of the phases
2.

SCOPE

This technical specification is applicable to circuit breakers (AIS) for

use on 36kV,rated system voltages corresponding to the nominal
system voltages of 33kV, 50 Hz systems for all substation layout
configurations.

Circuit breakers are to be supplied complete with pole control cabinets

where the type of circuit breaker requires them, local control cabinets,
foundation bolts, support structures, piping, fittings, pipe supports for
inter pole, pipe work, pumps for hydraulic mechanisms and
compressed air plant for pneumatic mechanisms.
The circuit breaker assembly includes provision of all inter pole and
pole to control cabinet cabling and all cable accessories such as
ferrules, glands and terminals.
The circuit breaker shall conform in all respects to high standards of
engineering, design, workmanship and the latest revisions of relevant
standards at the time of offer and Purchaser shall have the power to
reject any work or material, which, in his judgement, is not in full
accordance therewith.
3.

STANDARDS

All circuit breakers and associated equipment shall comply with the
latest editions of the relevant Indian Standards (IS), International
Electro-Technical Commission (IEC) standards and any other standard
mentioned as here under.

STANDARD

TITLE

IEC 56/IS 13118

General requirements HV open terminal circuit

breakers above 1000 V.

IEC 694/IS 12729

General requirements (common specifications)

for switchgear and control gear for voltages
exceeding 1000 V.

IEC 427/IS 13516

Method of synthetic testing of high voltage

alternating current circuit breakers.

IEC 56/IS 9135

Guide for testing of circuit breakers with

respect to out-of-phase switching.

IEC 144/IEC 529/IS Degree of protection provided by enclosure

13947
(IP Code).
IEC 1233

High voltage alternating current circuit breaker

inductive load switching.

IEC 17A (Sect) 438

High voltage alternating current circuit breaker

capacitive current switching.

IEC 815

Guide for the selection of insulators in respects

of polluted condition.

IEC 71/IS 3716/IS Application guide for insulation co-ordination.

2165
IEC 71/IEC 694/IS Guide for evaluation of insulation systems.
11182
Common clauses for high-voltage switch gear
and control gear standards.
IEC 376/IS 13072

Sulphur hexa-fluoride for electrical purposes.

IEC 233/IS 5621

Hollow insulators for use in electrical

equipment (CENELEC doc. EN 560062).

IEC 273/IS 5350

Dimensions of indoor and outdoor porcelain

post insulator units for system with nominal
voltage greater than 1000 V.

IEC 137/ IS 2099

Bushings
1000 V.

IS 4379

Identification of contents of industrial gas

cylinders.

IS 7311

Seamless high carbon steel cylinders for

permanent and high pressure liquifiable gases.

for

alternating

voltages

above

IEC 157/IS 13032

Miniature circuit breaker boards for voltage up

to and including 1000 V.

IS 2959 / 337

Specification for contactors for voltages not

exceeding 1000 V ac or 1200 V dc.

IS 2629/BS 729

Specification for hot dip galvanised coatings on

iron and steel articles.

IEC 34/IS 325

Specification for three phase induction

motors/rotating electrical machines (motors).

IEC 72

Dimensions and output series for rotating

electrical machines.

IS 6005

Code of practise for phosphating.

IEC 227

PVC insulated cables of rated voltages up to

and including 450/750V

IEC 617

Graphical symbols for drawings

IS 5

Colours for ready mixed paints and enamels

4.

CIRCUIT BREAKER

HV circuit breakers shall be designed and tested in accordance with

IEC 56, 17A/474/CD, 694, 529, 427, 1233 and with the requirements
of this Specification. All type tests shall be carried out by an
independent testing laboratory or witnessed by independent observers.
The design of the circuit breaker shall be such that inspection and
replacement of contacts, nozzles and any worn or damaged
components can be carried out quickly and with ease. The terminal
pads on the circuit breaker shall have silver plating of at least
50 micron thickness.
The circuit breaker shall be suitable for three-phase operation, unless
single-phase auto-reclose is specified in Clause 11 of this section. The
maximum pole scatter across the three poles shall not exceed 3.3 ms
during an opening operation.
The circuit breakers shall be of the Vaccum types, suitable for indoor
installations in case of . The inherent design of these circuit breakers
shall be such that they shall satisfactorily interrupt all short circuit test
duties, including short-line faults and out-of-phase duties and produce
very low over voltages (<2.0 pu) on all, capacitive, inductive and
reactor current switching circuits. One set of contacts and nozzles shall
be capable of successfully interrupting at least twenty, 100 per cent
short circuit currents.
The type and profile of the porcelain insulator sheds shall be in
accordance with IEC 815 and shall be suitable for the worst
environmental conditions specified in the clause 11 of this section. The
creepage distance across the interrupting chambers shall be at least
equal to the creepage distance to earth and shall be suitable for hot
line washing in compliance to latest version of IEC-694.
External parts of the circuit breakers, which are under continuous
electrical stress, shall be of hollow porcelain. The creepage and
flashover distances of the insulators shall be dimensioned to suit the
outdoor service conditions specified in the Schedules. High strength
hollow porcelain shall be used on the circuit breaker. It shall be of
single length one piece, without any joint and shall comply with
IEC 233 and CENELEC document EN 50062. It shall be made of
homogeneous material, brown in colour and of high quality smooth
finish. It shall withstand the maximum expected dynamic loads
(including the seismic) to which the circuit breaker may be subjected
during its 40/45 years service life.

The sound pressure levels of the breaker during the mechanical

operations shall comply with the local and national health and safety
regulations. It shall not exceed 90 dB at 1.2 meters above ground, at a
distance of 25 meters from the circuit breaker.
The number of auxiliary switches required may vary for different site
conditions in which case, provision shall be made for 30 NO and 30 NC
auxiliary switches on each circuit breaker.
Provision shall be made for the connection of an analyser to enable
determination of the circuit breaker mechanical operating parameters.
5.

INTERUPTING MEDIA

For 36kV class breakers the interrupting media could be either be

vacuum. The interrupting media shall confirm the following
requirements:
5.1.

Vacuum
In vacuum circuit breakers, facilities shall be provided for monitoring
the contact erosion and any contact gap. The vacuum bottles shall be
easily replaceable and the mechanism shall be conveniently calibrated
to permit resetting the contact gap when open
The vacuum circuit breakers poles shall be sealed to prevent
contamination of the spaces surrounding the interrupters. The bidders
shall be required to demonstrate how this is achieved by supplying
technical details along with the bid.
6.

6.1.

CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISMS

General

The operating mechanism of the circuit breaker shall be one of the

three types: spring, hydraulic or pneumatic. Each mechanism shall be
fitted with an anti-pumping device. All working parts in the mechanism
shall be of corrosion resistant material. Sealed for life bearings shall be
provided in the mechanism and any other bearings which require
greasing, shall be equipped with pressure grease fitting.

The mechanism shall fully close the circuit breaker and sustain it in the
closed position against the forces of the rated making current and shall
fully open the circuit breaker without undue contact bounce at a speed
commensurate with that shown by tests to be necessary to achieve the
rated breaking capacity in accordance with IEC 56. The mechanism
shall be capable of being locked in either the open or closed position.
When auto-reclosing is specified, it shall be suitable for multi-shot high
speed duty. The mechanism shall be capable of fully closing and
opening again after the auto-reclose time interval specified. Evidence
shall be submitted to show that the design of the mechanism has
given satisfactory service experience in tropical climatic conditions for
at least three years.
The mechanism and the connected interrupters shall satisfy the
mechanical endurance requirements of IEC 56 and all additional
requirements specified herein.
A positively driven open/closed indication device, clearly visible without
the necessity to open the mechanism door, shall be provided. The
drive for the device shall be positive in both directions.
Means shall be provided to prevent the mechanism from responding to
a close signal when the trip coil is energised, or to reclosing from a
sustained close signal either after opening due to a trip signal or
failure to hold in the closed position. Any relays to accomplish these
provisions shall be continuously rated and mounted at the circuit
breaker.
Duplicate trip coils with independent trip circuits and phase
discrepancy remote indication shall be provided. Trip circuits shall be
suitable for trip circuit supervision in both open and closed positions.
For single phase mechanisms pole discrepancy scheme shall be an
integral feature of circuit breaker control system to detect any
discrepancy of one or more phases during an opening or closing
operation. In the event of occurrence of a pole discrepancy, the
scheme shall apply a trip signal to the circuit breaker with an alarm.
A mechanical open push button shall be provided on the circuit breaker
which shall be shrouded and shall be lockable.
The following facilities shall be provided at each circuit breaker local
control point:
LOCAL/REMOTE selector switch. The selection of local operation
shall inhibit the operation of the breaker from any remote source
including the protection scheme.

 OPEN/NEUTRAL/CLOSE control switch or open and close push

buttons. Where push button controls are provided the selector
switch shall have a neutral position.
EMERGENCY TRIP DEVICE suitable for manual operation in the
event of failure of electrical supplies. The device shall be
accessible without opening any access doors and distinctively
labelled and protected against inadvertent operation.
For maintenance purposes, means shall be provided for manual
operation including the slow closing and opening of those circuit
breakers whose moving contacts are mechanically coupled to the
direct linkage mechanism. Such operation shall be possible without the
necessity of gaining access to the interior of the power unit, and shall
not require excessive physical effort.
Mechanical counters, to record the number of closing operations and
an indicator to show the close/open position of the circuit breaker shall
be provided for each circuit breaker mechanism. Circuit breakers
arranged for single-pole operation shall be provided with a counter for
each pole.
The operating mechanism control, electrical circuitry, compressor unit,
hydraulic pump and all other equipment required for the mechanism
shall be housed in an out door type, hot-dip galvanised steel enclosure
with IP 55 degree of protection to IS 13947/IEC 529.
The mechanism shall be provided with sufficient stored energy to carry
out at least one O-CO operation in the event of power failure to the
operating mechanism.
The circuit breaker operating mechanism shall be such that the
contacts shall not close automatically upon a low gas pressure.
6.2.

Spring mechanism
Provision should be made for remote indication of Spring charged
and Spring charge fail conditions.
The mechanism shall be complete with spring charging motor, closing
and opening springs with limit switches for automatic charging and
with all necessary accessories to make a complete operating unit.
A spare normally open spring-drive limit switch shall be provided.

It shall be possible to hand charge the operating springs with the

circuit breaker in either the open or closed positions. In normal
operation, recharging of the operating springs shall commence
immediately and automatically upon completion of the closing
operation. Closure whilst a spring charging operation is in progress
shall be prevented and release of the springs shall not be possible until
they are fully charged.
The state of charge of the operating springs shall be indicated by a
mechanical device which shows SPRING CHARGED when operation
is permissible and SPRING FREE when operation is not possible. A
local manual spring release device shall be provided and arranged to
prevent inadvertent operations.
6.3.

Pneumatic, pneumatic/spring, hydraulic and

hydraulic/spring mechanisms
Operating pressure shall be maintained automatically, a gauge being
provided to give indication of the pressure. The pressure gauge shall
be suitably damped to ensure that it is not subject to transient
pressure oscillations either during pumping or during operation of the
circuit breaker.
Pneumatic mechanisms shall be complete with compressed air system
and all necessary accessories to make a complete operating unit.
Hydraulic mechanisms shall be complete with power cylinder, control
valves, pressure reservoirs, motor/hand pump set and all necessary
accessories to make a complete operating unit.
A lock-out device with provision for remote alarm indication shall be
incorporated in each circuit breaker to prevent operation whenever the
pressure of the operating medium is below that required for
satisfactory subsequent operation at the specified rating. Such facilities
shall be provided for the following conditions:
a).

Trip lock-out pressure.

b).

Close lock-out pressure.

c).

Auto re-close lock-out pressure.

Alarm contacts shall be provided to indicate conditions a), b) and c). If

two trip systems are specified, then trip lockout shall apply to both
systems.

A sudden fall in pressure of the operating medium to a level below

which a safe operation is not possible shall not result in slow opening
or closing of the circuit breaker contacts. The mechanism shall be
locked in position and electrical trip and close signals shall be isolated
during this period. On a pneumatic mechanism with unit compressor,
the loss of air due to leakage shall not exceed one per cent of the unit
receiver volume per hour over the whole guaranteed service life of the
mechanism.
Facility shall be provided to enable the available operating energy
stored by the mechanism to be determined prior to operating the
circuit breaker, together with an alarm in the event of the potential
energy falling below a minimum rated level. Facility for hand charging
of hydraulic systems shall be provided. Each hydraulic mechanism shall
be fitted with a nitrogen leak detector.
Circuit breakers having independent operating mechanisms on each
phase shall block tripping, closing, and auto-re-closing of all phases if
the operating pressure is below a minimum rated level in one or more
of the mechanisms.
Hydraulic oil pipes and joints shall be leak free at up to 1.5 times
normal operating pressure.
6.4.

Mechanism housing
The heaters provided inside the housing to stop condensation, shall be
permanently connected. Where two stage heaters are provided, one
stage shall be permanently connected and the other switched.
Mechanism housings shall have an IP55 rating and means for locking
shall be provided for each door.

Supplier shall provide all necessary inter-pole cables and cabling from
individual poles to the local control cubicle, as well as all cable
accessories necessary to achieve proper installation.

The control cabinet shall be provided with 415 V, 3-phase and 240 V,
1-phase ac (50 Hz) and 220 V dc supplies. Separate terminal blocks
for terminating circuits of different voltages shall be provided. CT loads
shall be terminated on a separate block and shall have provision for
short circuiting the CT secondary terminals. All terminals shall be
adequately screened, insulated and marked with the phase colour.
DANGER notices shall be affixed to the terminal blocks and a danger
notice stating the voltages shall be fixed on the inside and outside of
the cabinet. The conductors of all current circuits shall be annealed
copper of cross sectional area of not less than 4 mm2 and that for
potential and control circuits shall not be less than 2.5 mm2 and shall
be insulated with PVC to IEC 227.

6.5.

Low current switching

The circuit breaker shall produce very low over voltages (< 2.0 pu) on
all switching circuits, inductive currents, including shunt reactor (up to
50 MVAr) switching and capacitive current switching. During the low
inductive and capacitive current switching duties, there shall be no
chopping or virtual current chopping. The circuit breaker shall be reignition and re-strike free for all switching duties.

6.6.

Capacitive current switching

Capacitive switching tests shall be performed in accordance with
IEC 17A/CD/474, clause 6.111.7.C on full pole, preferably by direct
test method or alternatively using synthetic method to IEC 427. The
test circuits shall simulate the most onerous site conditions.

6.7.

Inductive/reactor switching
In addition to the inductive current switching tests, the circuit breaker
shall also be tested for shunt reactor switching in accordance with
IEC 1233 and 17A/474/CD. Examination of the interrupter after the
tests shall not show any evidence of surface tracking or erosion of
nozzle.

6.8.

Insulation co-ordination
Insulation co-ordination shall be applied in accordance with IEC 71.
The Supplier is free to select appropriate rated levels from IEC 71 but
will need to provide test evidence to the Purchasers Representatives
satisfaction, by means of type tests, to verify that co-ordination of
insulation has been achieved.
Insulation co-ordination shall consider the following site conditions:

 Atmospheric discharges and lightning strokes.

Switching overvoltages
Fast transient overvoltages
Overvoltages caused by load shedding and switching In and Out
of the overhead lines
Resonant overvoltages generated by switching a short section of
busbar via an open circuit breaker
Power frequency voltage on one side of the open contact and the
transient
Withstand capability of the open contact gap.
6.9.

Mechanical endurance
In addition to the requirements of IEC 56, extended mechanical
endurance test is required to show that the circuit breaker is capable
of at least 10 000 operations in accordance with IEC 17A/474/CD
Clause 6.101.2.4.