Electrical Switching

Devices
Course presentation
2015-2016

Background information
Every time you open or close a circuit,
some transient phenomena occur.
Such transients:
- Have to be described by specific
means
- Can be very stressful for electrical
systems
e.g. think of fault and fault current
interruption

Specific devices have to be designed

Background information
In the first half of the 1900s, limitations in
switching technology was the main difficulty
in the diffusion and growth of electrical
power.
(similar situation today with high voltage DC)
Switching devices are employed everywhere
in power systems (high, medium, low
voltage) for protection and / or switching.
Protection means that safety is at stake!

Background information
Electrical switching devices are a
complex topic, involving:
- Circuit theory
(calculation of currents, voltages, )

- Standards and laws

(ensure safety, prevent accidents, limit risks)

- Industry and economics

(electrical switching devices are industrial
products)

Background information
Politecnico di Milano had this course
since 1967
Taught until 2005 by Prof. Franco
Pardini, one of the world experts in the
field.
2012-2013: first version of course in
English

Learning targets for the

course
Understand switching phenomena in circuits
i.e., what happens when you open / close a circuit?

Understand how switching devices work and

grasp the basic issues involved
Know the basic technical data of a device
e.g. circuit breaker, switch

Design skill: basic sizing / selection of a

device
Based on application data

Professor
Enrico Ragaini, Ph.D
Not full-time academic, holds position in
industry.
Trying to do both research and engineering.
Contacts:
enrico.ragaini@polimi.it
enrico.ragaini@it.abb.com
+39 035 395 435 (office)
+39 335 784 9688 (mobile pls mind day and time)

Topics
The course gives the basic notions of
how and why switching devices are
employed in electrical installations, and
of what technologies are involved in
their operation.
1. Switching transients in circuits
Current making and breaking
Ideal circuit breaker
Opening and closing transients in circuits

Topics
2. Real-world circuit breakers
Definitions
Technical data
Testing
The roles of standards

3. Current Interruption
Processes associated with breaking of currents
Electric arc
Interrupting means
Contact operation
Typical circuit breaker designs

Topics
4. Protection devices for Low voltage
networks
Low voltage circuit breaker technology
Short circuit protection of Low Voltage circuits

5. Electromechanical actuators
Basics of magnetic actuation systems
Basics of magnetic circuit design
Electromagnets as actuators in switching
devices
Contactors

Topics
For each topic, about 25% of time will
be dedicated to applications /
engineering cases
e.g., substation architecture
transients in distribution networks
fault protection of motors

SW tools
Matlab
ABB DOC
Some exercise sessions dedicated to
learning

SW tools
Classroom N13 has electric outlets
Please bring your own PCs - we will use
Matlab (and possibly other sw) during
lesson
Matlab license: you can use student
license OR PoliMI virtual desktop

Schedule and calendar

Mon, 11:15 13:15 and 14:15 16:15
room B52
Thu, 14:30 18:30 room N13
Flexible arrangement of Classes and
Exercise
Calendar: if possible lessons will finish by
1st week of June

Interaction
e-mail and BeeP website will be used
for notices!
e.g.:
Some classes may be canceled due to
teachers business trips
Possible change with other courses

please check your e-mail @mail.polimi.it

Be sure to link to BeeP 2015-2016 course
page!

Material
Class material will be posted as course proceeds
Reference textbooks:
- Allan Greenwood, Electrical Transients in Power Systems,
Wiley-Interscience 1991
- Lou van Der Sluis, Transients in Power Systems, John
Wiley and Sons, 2001
- Franco Pardini, Apparecchi Elettrici: Teoria, costruzione,
applicazione, Pitagora Editrice, 2007 [ in Italian ]

More references will be added,

Industry documentation will be used too

Exercises
1. Exercises shown and solved in
classroom
2. Self-evaluation exercises and
questions
3. Homework exercises

1-2 exercises to be solved on your own

must be delivered before exam

Lab sessions
2 lab sessions
transient in AC circuit
protection of LV circuit

in groups of 3-4 students

report has to be delivered before
exam

Possible additional activities

Visit to ABB circuit breaker production plant
Visit to external labs CESI/RSE:
Seminars by expert from industry on
special topics, e.g.:
Circuit breakers for protection of large
generators
Circuit breaker and other switching devices
for wind power plants

Exam
1. Exercises and lab reports delivered in
advance
2. Written assignment -> initial mark
3. Discussion (mandatory if mark is low)
. It is possible to define different/additional
topics
. Discussion can be in English or Italian (or
Spanish)

Possibility of
Thesis/Internship
There are often opportunities of
thesis topics with industry (ABB or
possibly others)
Typical start on last course semester
Please contact professor in advance
if you are interested (it can take 2-3
months to arrange)