THEORY OF HIGH VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKERS 1.

0 ELECTRIC ARC:

The electric arc is a type of electric discharge between two electrodes. In circuit breakers the arc persists during the brief period after separation of current carrying contacts. The circuit breaker should be capable of extinguishing the arc without getting damaged. The arc plays an important role in the behaviour of the circuit breaker. In the physical world, the matter manifests itself in various states known as solid, liquid and gaseous states. Each substance consists of molecules formed of atoms with their nucleus and orbiting electrons. Normally the molecules and atoms are electrically neutral, i.e. the positive and negative charges are equal. However the matter can be ionized. The ionized matter consists of charged particles such as ions and electrons. At temperatures of the order of 3000 K the molecules breakup in to simpler forms such as simpler molecules and atoms. This process is called dissociation. If the temperature is further increased to about 6000 K, the internal forces, which hold the electrons to the atoms are affected and some electrons manage to escape. The atom becomes truly charged and the electrons may attach a neutral atom or may remain free. The matter is thus ionized. Further increase in temperature enhances the process of ionization and Plasma State is reached. The plasma consists of charged particles. The conductivity of plasma depends upon number of ions per unit volume. Plasma is conducting medium for electric current, through current can flow. Figure 1.1 shows the temperature zones of the arc. The electric arc is a self-sustained discharge of electricity between electrodes in gas or vapour, which has a voltage drop at cathode of the order of minimum ionizing or minimum exciting potential of gas or vapour. 1.1 ARC FORMATION IN CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

As discussed earlier, the separation of contacts leads to local temperature on the contact surface. The electrons are emitted from contact surface by thermal, secondary, field and photoemission. The gases between contact space are ionized by thermal ionization by collision. Because of these aspects, the space between the contact is in the state of plasma and, therefore is conducting. Thereby, arc discharge takes place between contacts as the current carrying contacts separate.

1.1.1 Modes of Arc Extinction: In circuit breakers two modes of arc interruption can be identified. (1) High resistance interruption (2) Low resistance or zero point interruption 1.1.2 High Resistance Interruption: The high resistance interruption is obtained by increasing resistance of the arc.

rarc

Varc = -----iarc

The arc voltage, hence the arc resistance can be increased by increasing length of the arc. In high resistance interruption method, the length of the arc is increased so as to increase the voltage across the arc. The voltage of the arc is increased till it is more than the system voltage across the contacts. At this point, the arc gets extinguished. This method is used in D.C. Circuit Breakers, and low and medium voltage a.c. circuit breakers. The arc resistance is increased by the following methods: (i) Lengthening the arc by means of arc runners:

Arc runners are horn like blades of conducting material, which are connected to arcing contacts with their tips radiating upwards in 'V' shape. The arc originates at the bottom and blows upwards by electromagnetic force. The tips of the arc are forced upwards along arc runners or arc horns rapidly. The length of the arc increases and the arc is extinguished. (ii) Splitting of Arc:

The arc is elongated and split by arc splitters. These are specially made plates of resin bounded fibre glass. These are placed in the path perpendicular to the arc and the arc is pulled into them by electromagnetic force experienced by the arc by means of magnetic field applied in proper direction so as to pull the arc upwards. When the arc is pulled in space between the plates, it gets elongated, constrained and split. Further it gets cooled too. By virtue of these effects the arc gets extinguished. In special cases air blast is provided to extinguish the arc.

(c)

Cooling of Arc:

Cooling of the arc brings about recombination of ionized particles. Cooling removes the heat from the arc. Cooling is brought about by bringing the arc in contact with cooler air. 1.1.3 Low Resistance or Zero Point Arc Extinction: This method is employed in a.c. arc interruption. Actually the alternating current passes through zero 100 times per second for a 50 cycles current wave. At every current zero the arc vanishes a brief moment. However, the arc appears again with the rising current wave. In a.c. circuit breakers the arc is interrupted at current zero. At current zero, the space between contacts is deionized quickly by introducing fresh unionized dielectric medium such as oil or fresh air, or SF 6 gas between the contacts. The dielectric strength of the contact space increases to such an extent that the arc does not restrike after current zero. Following the current zero, a high restriking voltage viz ; transient recovery voltage (TRV) appears across the contacts. This restriking voltage may re-establish the arc if the dielectric strength of gap is less than the restriking voltage. In that case the arc continues for another half cycle and may get extinguished at next current zero. 1.1.4 Arc Extinction in Electronegative Gases: In plasma, most of the current is carried by electrons. Certain atoms and molecules e.g. sulphur hexaflouride, have the property of attracting electrons to form negative ions. Negative ions are heavier than electrons and move slowly, thereby the resistance of plasma increases rapidly. Therefore, electronegative gas like SF6 is an excellent arc extinction medium. 1.1.5 Arc Extinction in Vacuum: When the contacts of vacuum interrupter are separated, the arc is drawn between them. The current leaves the electrodes from small, intensely hot spots. The metal vaporizes from the spot. The vapour stream constitutes the plasma in vacuum arc. The vapour formed is proportional to rate of vapour emission, which is proportional to the current in arc. Therefore, at current zero the plasma may vanish. Therefore, the arc is interrupted at current zero. The vacuum has high dielectric strength, hence the arc may not restirke. The contact material is a most important factor in vacuum arc. As discussed earlier, the separation of contacts leads to local temperature on the contact surface. The electrons are emitted from contact surface by thermal, secondary, field and photoemission.

2.0

CIRCUIT BREAKING

When the contacts of a circuit breaker start separating under short circuit conditions the temperature at the points of contacts and their surroundings rises. The high rise in the temperature over 6000C results in the melting of the contact metal forming a bridge across the same. The voltage across the contact causes large electric stresses in the microscopic gap between the contact surfaces. This results in further ionization of the gases in the space as well releases of free electrons from the contact surfaces. The electrons thus freed attach themselves to neutral atoms forming negative ions. The process of ionization leads to the formation of what is known as " Plasma" . The plasma being a good conductor of electric current, an electric arc therefore strikes across the contacts. At the end of each half cycle in a AC circuit, there is a brief period when the current is practically zero. At these instances of current zero, the energy fed to the ionized column ceases and the arc gets extinguished. The ionized particles cannot however just disappear instantaneously. A residual column of ionized gases therefore exists between the contacts, where the arc has just burned resulting in the flow of what is known as " Post- Arc Current". 2.1 Function of a circuit breaker Frequent switching of an electrical net work On and Off of electrical circuit under normal load condition. On and Off of transmission line, cable network, Capacitor bank and reactors. Interruption of high short circuit current during fault condition. 2.2 Requirement of a circuit breaker To withstand number of switching operation under different conditions. To withstand high over voltages due to lightning, charging of power transformers and Ferranti effect and switching on of a lightly loaded transmission line. To clear the short circuit current as fast as possible to avoid damages to the net work and connected loads. Breakers need to be Mechanically robust and trouble free. Types of Circuit Breakers: Bulk oil circuit breaker Minimum oil circuit breaker Air blast circuit breaker SF6 circuit breaker Vacuum circuit breaker

2.3 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

2.3.1 Bulk Oil Circuit Breakers: Oil circuit breakers are widely used for voltages upto 66kV. In older installations oil circuit breakers upto 220 kV are used. The oil circuit breakers use the mineral oil (transformer oil) as an arc extinguishing medium and dielectric material. The contact separation takes place in steel tanks, filled with oil. The gases formed due to the heat of the arc expand and set the turbulent flow in the oil. The arc is extinguished by the virtue of the following processes: (1) gas. (2) (3) (4) Turbulent flow of oil. Rapid building up of dielectric strength. High-pressure gas has better dielectric strength. Cooling of arc: The heat of the arc is carried away by the

To assist the arc extinction process, arc control devices are fitted to the contact assembly. These are semi-enclosed chambers of dielectric materials. The performance of oil circuit breaker depends on the effectiveness of the arc control devices. Fig.2.1 illustrates the principle of a tank type oil circuit breaker. Both diagrams show the circuit breaker in open position and the arc is not yet extinguished. . The arc is extinguished by the free oil. The length of the arc is more. The tension rod (7) is raised by the operating mechanism, while closing the circuit breaker. The opening and closing is obtained by lowering and raising the tension rod. As the contacts separate, an arc is drawn (11). This arc is extinguished by the oil and by the gases formed by the decomposition of the oil. The arc control devices (5) are normally connected to the fixed contact assembly, such that contact separation takes place inside this semi-enclosed device. The gas produced in the device (4) produce high pressures in it. Thereby the arc extinction is quick. As the moving contacts leave the arc control device, the trapped gas gets released from the arc control device, while doing so, the arc is extinguished by the blast effect. Arc control devices are fitted to all modern circuit breaker rated 3.3kV and above. 2.3.2 Minimum Oil Circuit Breaker This type is also known as poor oil or small oil circuit breaker. These circuit breakers do not have a steel tank like bulk oil circuit breakers. In tank type (bulk oil) circuit breaker large quantity of oil is required for the clearance between the contacts and the tank. In high voltage circuit breakers the volume of oil may reach some thousand gallons. This oil needs replacement when it is deteriorated. Further, at higher voltages the tank type circuit breaker becomes too bulky and

occupies large space. To avoid these drawbacks minimum oil circuit breaker was introduced. One pole of a 3 pole minimum oil circuit breaker is illustrated in Fig.2.2 in simplified form. There are two chambers (3) and (4) separated from each other, but both filled with oil. The upper chamber (3) is arc extinction chamber. The oil from this chamber does not mix with that in the lower chamber. Lower chamber acts like a dielectric support. Arc extinction device (6) is fitted to the upper fixed contact. The lower fixed contact (7) is ring shaped. The moving contact (2) makes a sliding contact with the lower fixed contact. A resin bonded bakelized paper cylinder (8) encloses the contact assembly. This cylinder (8) is also filled with oil but this oil does not mix with the oil outside the cylinder. Porcelain cylinder (3) encloses the bakelized cylinder (8). Other provisions are similar to the bulk oil circuit breaker. The operating rod is operated by operating mechanism. The three poles operate simultaneously. Minimum oil circuit breakers have been developed for a wide range of voltages and ratings ranging from 3.3 kV to 750 kV. For voltages upto 11 kV, the breakers can be indoor type and can be incorporated in metal-enclosed draw-out type switchgear. 2.4 Properties of Insulating Oil used for Circuit Breakers

The type of oil that has been used in virtually all oil circuit breakers is one where naphthenic base petroleum oils have been carefully refined to avoid sludge or corrosion that may be produced by sulfur or other contaminants. The resulting insulating oil is identified as type 10-C transformer oil. It is characterized by an excellent dielectric strength, by a good thermal conductivity ( 2.7 x 10 -4 cal/sec cm C) and by a high thermal capacity ( 0.44 cal/g C) Flash Point: 146 C, Viscosity: 37 cS . The fresh dielectric oil has pale clear yellow colour. A dark colour or cloudy appearance indicate deterioration of the oil. The colour change of the oil indicates carbonization due to electric arc. The fresh dielectric oil will have atleast a dielectric strength of more than 35 kV. 3.0 Air Blast Circuit Breaker:

In air blast circuit breaker (also called compressed air circuit breaker) high pressure air is forced on the arc at the instant of contact separation. The ionized medium between the contacts is blown away by the blast of the air. After the arc extinction the chamber is filled with high pressure air, which prevents restrike. In some low capacity circuit breakers, the isolator is an integral part of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker opens and immediately after that the isolator opens,

to provide additional gap. In EHV circuits of today, isolators are generally, independently mounted. Fig.3.1 shows typical air blast circuit breaker. Description: High pressure air, at a pressure between 20 to30 kg/cm2 is stored in the Air reservoir. Air is taken from compressed air system . Three Hollow Insulator Columns are mounted on the reservoir with valves at their base. The double arc extinguishing chambers are mounted on the top of the hollow insulator chambers. The current carrying parts connect the three arc extinction chambers to each in series and the pole to the neighboring equipment. Since there exists a very high voltage between the conductors and the air reservoir, the entire arc extinction chamber assembly is mounted on the insulators. The moving contacts can move axially so as to open or close. Its position , open or close depends on air pressure and spring pressure. The operating mechanism operates when it gets a pneumatic or electrical signal. The pneumatic valves open so as to send the high pressure air in the hollow of the insulator. The high pressure air rapidly enters the double arc extinction chamber. As the air enters into the arc extinction chamber the pressure on the moving contacts becomes more than spring pressure and contacts open. The contacts travel through a short distance against the spring pressure. At the end of contact travel the port for outgoing air is closed by the moving contact and the entire arc extinction chamber is filled with high pressure air, as the air is not allowed to go out. However, during the arcing period the air goes out through the arc vents and take away the ionized air of arc. The opening is fast because the air takes negligible time to travel from the reservoir to the moving contact. The arc is extinguished within a cycle. Therefore, air blast circuit breaker is very fast in breaking the current. Closing is also fast because the pressure in the arc extinction chamber drops immediately as the pneumatic valve operates and the contacts close by the virtue of the spring pressure. Air blast circuit breakers require an auxiliary compressed air system. Air blast circuit breakers for 11kV etc. are generally have a different type of construction. Air blast circuit breakers are preferred for Arc-Furnace Duty and traction system, because they are suitable for repeated duty. Whereas oil circuit breakers are not satisfactory for such duties. Typical ratings of Air Blast circuit breakers are: 11 kV, 250 MVA 22 kV, 500MVA

4.0

110 kV, 3500 MVA 220 kV, 7500 MVA 400 kV, 35000 MVA

Sulphur Hexafluoride Circuit Breaker (SF6 Circuit Breaker)

Sulphur hexafluoride gas is a boon to the electrical industry. This gas has almost all properties by an arc extinction medium. SF6 gas is now being used in the gas filled cables, capacitors, switchgear etc.,) In SF6 breaker , the arc extinction chamber is mounted on insulator pillars. The SF6 gas from the high pressure tank is released in the arc extinction chamber at the instant of contact separation The arc is extinguished by the blast SF6 gas. The unit is completely sealed from the atmosphere. Hence the weather, pollution, moisture, atmospheric pressure has no effect on the breaker capacity. The breaker gives a noiseless operation. A puffer type EHV SF6 circuit breaker is shown in Figure 4.1 SF6 circuit breakers have been developed in Europe, U.S.A and Japan during last fifteen years. They have been developed for a wide range of capacities, between 11 kV and 500 kV. Another interesting development is that of SF 6 filled switchgear, which comprises metal enclosed switchgear filled with SF6 gas. The metal enclosure encloses the various components such as circuit breakers, isolators, bus-bars, earthing-switches, CTs, PTs, etc. The SF6 gas acts like insulation as well as arc extinction medium. Such installation are very much compact and have been developed for voltages upto 750 kV. 5.0 Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Extreme low gas pressure, approaching perfect vacuum has a high dielectric strength, low dielectric loss and other desirable properties for arc interrupter such as: (1) High speed of dielectric strength recovery. (2) Rapid and quiet operation. (3) No explosion hazards. (4) No effect of atmospheric conditions. (5) Low maintenance. (6) Extremely long life. However, vacuum interrupter manufacturing is very difficult. To maintain vacuum and permitting movement of electrode requires special manufacturing techniques. 11 kV and 22 kV & 33 kV vacuum interrupters are already marketed Fig.5.1 illustrates a typical vacuum interrupter. This interrupter consists of a ceramic insulating envelope that is sealed at both ends by metallic (stainless steel) plates brazed to the ceramic body so that a high vacuum container is created. The operating ambient pressure inside of the evacuated chamber of a vacuum interrupter is generally between 10-6 and 10-8 torr.

Attached to one of the end plates is the stationary contact, which at the other end the moving contact is attached by means of metallic bellows. The bellows used may be either seamless or welded, however the seamless variety is usually the preferred type. A metal vapor condensation shield is located surrounding the contacts either side of the ceramic cylinder, or in series between two sections of the insulating container. The purpose of the shield is to provide a surface where the metal vapor condenses thus protecting the inside walls of the insulating cylinder so that they do not become conductive by virtue of the condensed metal vapor. A second shield is used to protect the bellows from the condensing vapor to avoid the possibility of mechanical damage. In some designs there is a third shield that is located at the junction of the stationary contact and the end plate of the interrupter. The purpose of this shield is to reduce the dielectric stresses in this region. Vacuum is finding increasing use in switching devices such as isolators, making switches, circuit breakers for railway, circuit breakers for arc furnace duty, circuit breakers for electrical power distribution systems ( up to 33 kV level). power systems, etc. 6.0 Common problems in operation of Circuit Breakers Sluggish operation of mechanism Jamming of mechanism Gas leakage in SF6 Circuit breakers Oil leakage in oil circuit breakers Failure of trip and closing coils Problems in spring charging circuit Problems in cam and auxiliary switches

7.0 Maintenance of Circuit Breakers Periodic inspection as recommended by the manufacturer, general cleaning More detailed inspection in case the breaker operates under short-circuit condition. Inspection of the arc control devices Checking of air leakages and compressed air pipe lines in case air blast circuit breakers. Checking of gas leakage in case of SF6 circuit breakers

Lubrication of operating mechanism Periodic measurement of contact resistance, no load timings & contact travel. Measurement of tripping and closing coil resistances Regular inspection of cam switch & auxiliary switch Regular inspection of insulating parts, porcelain supports, any holes or undue gaps on the metallic kiosks Checking of manual, remote operation Replacement of oil in MOCBs, bulk oil circuit breakers 8.0 Reference: 1. Switchgear and protection By Sunil S.Rao 2. High Voltage Circuit Breakers Design and Applications. By Ruben D. Garzon. 3. Power circuit breaker theory and design by C.H.Flurschem

Fig 1.1 Temperature zones in the arc

Fig. 2.1 Principle of operation of bulk oil circuit breaker

Fig. 2.2 View of minimum oil circuit breaker

Fig. 3.1 Air blast circuit breaker

Interrupter Terminals Support insulator

Fig. 4.1 Puffer type SF6 Circuit breaker

Metallic shield Contacts Porcelain housing

Bellow

Fig. 5.1 Cross sectional view of Vacuum interrupter

APPENDIX I TESTING AND MAINTENANCE OF INSULATING OIL TESTING OF OIL SAMPLE : The oil sample is taken in a standard oil test cell { 3 x 2 cross section area x 4 high}. Electrodes are polished brass spheres 12.7 mm dia mounted horizontally. The gap spacing is 4 mm 0.02 mm. A sample of insulating oil is taken from the bottom of the circuit breaker tank. The oil is tested by means of portable oil- testing set which consists of a autotransformer, voltmeter, tripping device etc. The voltage can be gradually increased. Oil in good condition should withstand 40 kV rms for one minute in a standard oil testing cup with 4 mm gap between electrodes. A gap of 2.5 mm should have break down value above 40 kV The oil should be tested during the periodic check-up and whenever the circuit breaker clears a fault. MAINTENANCE OF INSULATING OIL : Oil maintenance is carried out in accordance with the standards ( IS 335,IS1866 ) titled Code, Practices of Maintenance of Insulating oils. These standards give the procedure of treatment of oil at site. Centrifugal separations are effective in removing free water and fine solid impurities. Filters are used to remove the solid impurities. The oil is heated to about 60 C by means of electric heater. The purification set consists of purifier, heater, de-airator, oil pumps, strainer and other accessories. The oil is circulated through the purifier till the desired dielectric strength is obtained. The dielectric oil should never contain suspended particles, water soluble acids, and bases, active sulphur or colloidal carbon. These impurities accelerate deterioration of the insulating properties of the dielectric oil resulting in internal flashovers. Moisture in oil lowers the dielectric strength, thereby causing internal flash over. Moisture is introduced in the circuit breaker by defective seals. Viscosity indicates fluidity. Oil with low viscosity has more fluidity and gives better cooling and shorter opening time. At lower ambient temperature the viscosity sharply rises and the speed of contact travel reduces. High flash point (145C) is preferred. Flashpoint indicates tendency to evaporate. For flash points lower than 135 C, the oil tends to evaporate rapidly, thereby the viscosity rises and total volume of oil reduces.

APPENDIX I I CHOICE BETWEEN VACUUM OR SF6 CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR DIFFERENT SWITCHING APPLICATION A fair comparative assessment of vacuum or SF6 circuit breakers can only be made for medium voltage circuit breakers where both types of technologies can be used interchangeably. The choice between vacuum, or SF6 is mostly a matter of preference. The basic performance of both technologies is essentially the same because both are designed and tested to meet the same performance standards. There may be however some specific applications where one technology may be deemed more appropriate. Vacuum circuit breakers have a very long and relatively maintenance free life which represents a desirable attribute and a significant advantage for this technology. The main disadvantage for vacuum interrupters, on the other hand, is their noticeable tendency for initiating over-voltages which may be harmful to other equipment. Although for most applications there is no need for concern, it is recommended that for applications involving the switching of transformers and rotating machinery, due consideration be given to the use of surge arresters and better yet to the use of surge suppressers which consist of a resistor and a capacitor in series. This components combination not only reduces the frequency of the transient voltage but it also reduces the magnitude of the voltage. Another advantage of this protection is that it serves to detune the circuit and prevents the possibility of having a resonant circuit. For applications where a large number of operations under load, or fault conditions are required or where high rates of rise of recovery voltage are expected such as in the case of reactor switching, vacuum circuit breakers may be the better choice. But in the other hand for applications on capacitor switching or the switching of transformers, SF6 circuit breakers may be advantageous. In either of the last two mentioned applications the addition of capacitors or surge suppresser will serve the equalize the applicability of both technologies, Another factor that may influence the choice is still unknown are the possible future environmental restrictions and liabilities that may be imposed on the use of SF6.

QUESTIONNAIRE
. OPERATION & MAINTENANACE OF CIRCUIT BREAKER

1. Electrons are emitted from the contact surface due to a) b) c) Thermionic emission. Electric field between contact space. Both the phenomena

2. The current interruption in a.c circuit breakers takes place a) b) c) At the zero crossing of the voltage wave. At the peak of the current wave. At the zero crossing of the current wave.

3. Arc extinction in circuit breakers is achieved a) b) c) d) When the arc is sufficiently cooled. When the contact space is completely de-ionised. When sufficient di-electric strength is achieved between the contacts. All the above.

4. The quenching of arc in oil circuit breakers is achieved by a) b) c) d) Re combination process. Arc diffusion. Increasing arc resistance None of the above.

5. The flash point of the oil used in circuit breakers should be a) b) c) Very low. No significance Very high.

6. Circuit breakers are used a) b) c) d) To switch on &off of an electrical network under loaded condition. To switch on & off of an electrical network under no load condition. To interrupt short circuit currents as quickly as possible For all the above duties.

7. For repeated operation ,most suitable circuit breaker will be a) b) c) d) MOCB Vacuum circuit breaker Air blast circuit breaker None of the above.

8) Under short circuit condition ,the power factor of an electrical network will be a) b) c) Unity. Very small & lagging. Capacitive & leading.

9. The high frequency over voltage appearing across the breaker contacts immediately after current interruption is called a) b) c) System voltage. Transient recovery voltage. Lightning impulse voltage.

10.The interruption capability of a circuit breaker is expressed in terms of a) b) c) Kilo amperes MVA Both.

11.A 33 kV, 3 phase vacuum circuit breaker can interrupt a fault current up to 25 kA, then its MVA capacity will be, a) b) c) 1429 MVA 2475 MVA 825MVA

12. For capacitor switching application, the most suitable circuit breaker will be a) b) c) Air blast circuit breaker SF6 circuit breaker MOCB

13. Current chopping is a phenomenon in circuit breaker a) b) c) d) It is pre-mature current interruption. It triggers over voltage. It is prominent in vacuum circuit breaker breakers & air blast circuit Breakers. All the above.

14. The arcing time in oil circuit breakers is a) b) c) Inversely proportional to magnitude of short circuit current. Directly proportional to the value of the short circuit current Not dependant on the value of the short circuit current

15. Present Day EHV SF6 circuit breakers have an arcing time of about a) b) c) Two to three cycles Less than half a cycle 13 to 16 milli seconds