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ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION


P.K.PATTANAIK
ASST. MANAGER (ELECT.)
GRID CORPORATION OF ORISSA LTD. BURLA

Introduction: -

during power flow in the

spark/arc and damage to the

circuit.

equipment with interruption

Interlocks are generally

Grid sub-stations are the


integral

parts

of

power

explained as

conditional

of

power

supply

to the

consumers.
In

important

sub-

system in a network, where

operations of any equipment

powers from different regions

in

the

stations, these equipments are

are controlled to maintain

situation of an isolator if

generally operated on remote

stability

system.

required to be operated in

switches at control room.

Isolator and Switch Gears are

series to the breaker in the

Some cases like automatic

the two important equipments

system, then this isolator

and SCADA controlled sub-

in the grid sub-station, which

must not be operated when

stations

play the important role for

circuit breaker is in closed

operated/controlled

at

correct and smooth operation

condition

power

Central

Stations

of power flow in a circuit. To

interruption or reconnection

(CCS).

avoid

should not be done through

in

the

improper

switching

the

system.

i.e.

For

the

these

Control

are
the

In this article various

operations, inter locks are

isolator.

this

interlock

schemes

with

provided

equipment is considered as a

practical

design

for

and

switch, that operated in air

supervision of the schemes

breakers that are involved

medium. Switching action in

have been discussed. Study to

air medium may result severe

Common

among

in
the

the

system,

isolators

Because

Bus

Bar

Arrangements have also been

to clear the fault through

operated in parallel unless

dealt

circuit breaker.

their tap changer settings are

with

relevant

advantages

and

5. The rating of the

in identical positions.

disadvantages.

equipments that involved for

Common

Conditions of Interlocks:

the

Arrangements: -

For performing an
operation of any isolator /
breaker / contact switch etc.,

interlocking

scheme

Bus

Bar

should be proper and suitable

Single bus Arrangement

to the operation.

Ring or Mesh Arrangement

6. A circuit breaker

Main and Transfer Bus

are

must not be operated, when

Arrangement

required to be maintained.

an isolator in the circuit

Double

These conditions have been

series to that breaker is in

Arrangement

explained below.

motion

Double Bus and Transfer

logical

conditions

1. An isolator in series

7. For parallel paths,

to the circuit breaker should

opening of one path must not

be operated only if the circuit

cause overloading of the

breaker

other circuits remaining in

remains

in

OFF

the system.

condition.
2.

The

power

8.

An

isolator

for

operation must be interlocked

should not be done through

with Earth Switch also.


9.

3. A load break switch

Two

connected

current interruption.

synchronization.

Proper

protection

schemes should be provided

10.

Bus Bar Arrangement


1. Single

bus

arrangement (Fig. A)
This

arrangement

is

different

without

Similarly

loads, like rural feeders. The


disadvantages of this system
are that for the fault on the

power systems must not be

must not be used for fault

4.

Bar

generally used to cater minor

interruption or reconnection

isolator.

Bus

bus or on the equipments


(Breakers or Isolators), the
power flow is affected. But
use

two

transformers should not be

bus

section

isolator

partially solves the problem.

Interlock Scheme:
29

(Main

Interlock Scheme: Bus

2. Main and Transfer bus

1.Bus isolator can only

system: - (Fig. C)

operated,

Isolator) and 29 L (Line

be

Isolator) can be operated,

adjacent breaker in series to it

most common used system

only

remains in OFF condition.

for 33KV, 66 KV and 132

when

52L

(Line

Breaker) remains in OFF


condition.

when

the

2. Line isolator must

KV

This is one of the

sub-station.

This

be interlocked with both of

combines

This scheme is very

the Circuit breakers, present

operation

simple and easily understood.

on either side of the isolator,

maintenance

Basically these isolators are

feeding the power flow. The

interruption

manually

Earth

be

incorporates the concept of

interlocks are not provided in

included to the scheme if

Bus coupler. But in this

the system.

present in the system.

method, the main bus is

.2.Ring and mesh system:

Example: 1. B1, B2, can be

always used as loading

operated only when '52B1,

bus. The total shut down

remains in OFF condition.

of

operated.

So,

- (Fig. B)
It helps the continuity

must

this

with

in
ease

without
and

bus,

without

2. L1 isolator can be

interruption of loads does

operated when 52 B1 and 52

not become possible for

B2 remains in OFF condition.

the event of a bus fault.

3.Similarly the case

But since bus faults are

of other isolators can be

very rare, so this system

explained for the interlock

becomes economical and

scheme. This scheme is also

commonly used in our

very

country.

of power supply even for


the case of fault on any of

Switch

simplicity

the breaker or part of the


bus system. But protection
of the equipments in the
system

sometimes

becomes complicated.

simple

understood.

and

easily

Interlock Scheme for Main and Transfer bus system:


Isolators

Equipments Involved

Remarks

For interlock
Main Bus isolator (29M)

Line breaker (52L)

Line isolator (29L)

1.Line breaker (52L)

Applicable when earth switch is present

2. E/switch (29E)
Transfer isolator (29T)

* Suppose transfer

1.B/C breaker (52B

1. To use only one feeder through bus

2. All other transfer

B/C

isolator in the system

2. * To avoid direct flow of load current

3. E/S (29E)

without protection

required to be avoided.

emergency shut down for the

isolator of Transformer/Main

3.Double Bus bar system:

event of fault on any bus. The

incomer feeder is closed,

(Fig. D)

by pass isolator helps to


the

undertake the maintenance

transfer bus isolator of any

problem of continuous use of

work of circuit breaker. The

distributing feeder, and then

one bus as the main bus and

bus-coupler scheme is also

power

other as the reserve bus. The

available for the system,

directly without involvement

system

two

which introduces the transfer

of any breaker or any proper

independent main buses in

of system load of any feeder

protection in the system. So,

the service, which becomes

for the case of fault on any

this kind of operation is

convenient

breaker.

along with close of another

flow

will

result

It

eliminates

offers

to

take

any

Interlock Scheme for Double Bus bar system:


Isolators

Equipments Involved

Remarks

For interlock
Line isolator (29L1)

1.Line breaker (52L)


2. E/switch (29E)

Line isolator (29L2)

By pass Isolator (29B)

1.Line breaker (52L)

Applicable when earth switch is

2. E/switch (29E)

present

1.B/C breaker (52B

1. To use only one feeder through

2. All other By pass Isolators in the

bus B/C

system

2. * To avoid direct flow of load

3. E/S (29E)

current without protection

Main Bus Isolator

1.Line breaker (52L)

(29M1)

2.B/C breaker (52B)

** Detail logic is explained

By pass Isolator (29B) 0f own


feeder.
Main Bus Isolator

1.Line breaker (52L)

(29M2)

2.B/C breaker (52B)

** Detail logic is explained

By pass Isolator (29B) 0f own


feeder.

** Detail logic
The

Main

Bus

Isolator (29M1) & (29M2)

from the bus system. Because

system,

the

required

power flow will occur from

isolator remains in closed

either of the bus system

condition.

The

bus

three

for this system become the

So, during the power

important equipments (line

common path of power flow

flow according to the bus

breaker 52L, B/C breaker

52B and own by-pass isolator

the usual circuits has been

29B) play the vital role for

explained for the interlock

interlocking scheme. One of

scheme is drawn below:

I/L for 29M1


Isolators of other
Feeders

(a) Path
52L

52B

29B
(b) path

29M2
52B

Isolators of other
Feeders

29M2

(c) Path

29B

52B

52L

29B

29M2

29M2

29M2(Own)

29M1

(d) path

29M2

29M2

52B
52B

Note: -

N/O Contact of the Equipment


N/C Contact of the Equipment

1.

29M1 Main Bus Isolator I

4. 52L Main Line Breaker

2.

29M2 Main Bus Isolator II

5. 52B

3.

29B By- Pass Isolator

Bus

Coupler

Breaker

I/L for 29M2


Similarly

the

isolator can be explained by

as like the scheme shown

interlock scheme for 29M2

replacing the 29M2 by 29M1

above for 29M1.

DIFFERENT BUS SYSTEMS GENERALLY USED


L1
B1

52B1

B2

52B2

29M
52L
29L
Fig. A

Fig. B

29M

29M1

52L

52B

52B

29L
29T

29M2

Fig. D

Fig.C

29L1

29B
29A

29TBC-A
52B

29B

29TBC-B

52L
52TBC
29TBC-C
29D

29C
Fig. E

52L

5. Double main bus and transfer bus (Fig. E)


quite advantageous for using

through transfer bus system.

additional bus is used, with

two

Similarly the bus shut down

two main buses. In similar

(systems), simultaneously in

can

manner Bus coupler is also

two buses. For the event of

emergency requirement.

used for coupling of the two

fault on any breaker, the

buses. This system becomes

same load can be transferred

For this system an

different

sources

also

be

availed

Interlock Scheme Double main bus and transfer bus: Isolators

Equipments Involved

Remarks

For interlock
Main Bus Isolator (29A)

52L, 29B, 52B

To allow the specific Bus


System for Power flow

Main Bus Isolator (29B)

52L, 29A, 52B

To allow the specific Bus


System for Power flow

Transfer Bus Isolator

29A, 29B, 29C, 29D, 29TBC-A,

(29C)

29TBC-B, 29TBC-C, 52L, 52TBC

1. To use only one feeder


through bus TBC

Trip Transfer Switch. All other Transfer

2. * To avoid flow of load

Bus Isolators in the system

current without protection.


3. To Provide all possible path
of power flow

Line isolator (29D)

52L, 29E, 29C, 29TBC-A, 29TBC-B,

To maintain all possible path

29TBC-C

of power flow

for

29A- Main Bus Isolator-I,

29TBC-A Transfer B/C Main

Transfer Bus Isolator

29B- Main Bus Isolator-II,

Bus Isolator-I

52B B/C Beaker

29C-Transfer Bus Isolator

29TBC-B Transfer B/C Main

52L Line Breaker

29D- Line isolator

Bus Isolator-II

52

29E- Earth Switch

29TBC-C

Transfer

B/C

Interlock for 29A

TBC-

Transfer

Breaker

Interlock for 29B

2
9
2

10
1

10

Interlock for 29C

11

11

12

Interlock for 29D

7
Number Notation in the circuit
1- 29A
4-29D
6-29TBC-A

2-29B
5-29E

3-29C

7- 29TBC-B 8- 29TBC-C 9- 52L


10-52B
11-52TBC
12- TBC Multiplication Relay.

B/C

10

Practical Difficulties of the I/L Schemes as described above


1. Such schemes involve the

3. The cable connections and

5. The auxiliary contacts do

hardware concepts of the

contact multiplication of the

not work properly after few

contacts and cables etc.

equipments

days of the operations.

2. Bunch of cables and

complex, that also involve

number of physical auxiliary

high cost.

contacts from the associated

4. Because of the complexity

equipments are brought to the

circuit, the schemes do not

controlling station.

become reliable in long run.

become

very

Design of ISR (Interlock Supervision Relay)


To avoid the above difficulty

designed to study the status

supervises the system and

an

of

extends the permissive output

Interlock

Supervision

the

interlocks.

By

of

considering the status of the

signals

for

microprocessor based being

interlocks and the status logic

smooth

operation

simulated with contacts and

of the related equipments in

equipments.

logic of operation has been

the

Relay

(ISR)

network,

this

correct
of

and
the

relay

Basic design
For the development

2. Availability of auxiliary

factors the available contacts

of any interlock schemes.

contacts of those equipments.

are brought to the relay and

The following factors are to

3. Requirement of power

simulated for the software

be considered.

contacts

design,

1. Involvement of equipments

contacts.

requirement of the systems.

for the condition of power

4. Feasibility of the system.

From

flow.

and

From

these

ordinary

above

as

every

per

the

involved

equipment in the total system

11

of the interlocking scheme,

provided for the software

about

only one pair of N/O Contact

design. For any operation of

problems in the circuits if

and N/C Contact is brought

the

relay

occurs during the operation

for the relay design instead of

studies the logic of the

of any equipments in the

the multi number of contacts

operation circuit and extends

system.

as described in the above

the permissive out put contact

problems are displayed in the

schemes. The logic equations

for the operation. This design

screen of the ISR.

as

are

also helps the user to know

Interlock Scheme is

adopt this scheme for its

operation can be avoided.

considered as a safety tool for

system.

Moreover operators become

every power flow system. So,

Interlock Scheme the human

conscious

every

error at the time of equipment

operation

per

the

scheme

equipment,

the

the

The

interlocking

interlocking

Conclusion: -

organization

should

Because

of

the

for

doing

the

12

operations of any equipment

switches at control room.

in

the

Some cases like automatic

power

situation of an isolator if

and SCADA controlled sub-

system in a network, where

required to be operated in

stations

powers from different regions

series to the breaker in the

operated/controlled

at

are controlled to maintain

system, then this isolator

Central

Stations

stability

system.

must not be operated when

(CCS).

Isolator and Switch Gears are

circuit breaker is in closed

the two important equipments

condition

power

interlock

schemes

with

in the grid sub-station, which

interruption or reconnection

practical

design

for

play the important role for

should not be done through

supervision of the schemes

correct and smooth operation

isolator.

have been discussed. Study to

of power flow in a circuit. To

equipment is considered as a

Common

avoid

switching

switch, that operated in air

arrangements have also been

operations, inter locks are

medium. Switching action in

dealt

provided

air medium may result severe

advantages

and

spark/arc and damage to the

disadvantages.

breakers that are involved

equipment with interruption

during power flow in the

of

circuit.

consumers.

SYNOPSIS: Grid sub-stations are the


integral

among

parts

in

of

the

improper

in
the

the

system,

isolators

Interlocks are generally


explained as

conditional

the

system.

power

In

i.e.

For

the

Because

supply

important

this

to the

sub-

stations, these equipments are


generally operated on remote

these

Control

are
the

In this article various

Bus

with

Bar

relevant
and

13

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ARTICLE


ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION

this

the electrical sub-stations.

supervision of the schemes

mentioned

But focus has been given

used for the Common Bus

various interlock schemes

for the fundamental design

Bar arrangements.

that adopted in different

of an Interlock Supervision

bus bar arrangements in

Relay

Author
article

has

of

(ISR)

for

14

Letter No. 141/Tech/2003

Dtd. 21.07.2003

From
P.K.PATTANAIK
Asst. Manager (Elect.)
E&MR Divn. BURLA
GRIDCO, Sambalpur-768017
Email ppk110 @ rediffmail.com
prasanta_ pattanaik@yahoo.com

Contacts
Ph. (0663)-2430514,2430512(O)
- 2431232 (R )
FAX- (0663)- 2430160 (O )

To,
The Editor, IEEMA Journal
501,Kakad Chambers,
132, Dr. A.Besant Road
WORLI, MUMBAI-400018

Sub:- Article is for publication in IEEMA Journal


Sir,
Please find enclosed here with the a article titled ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK
DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION for publication of the same in IEEMA
Journal with other relevant documents.
Receipt of the letter with enclosures may kindly be acknowledged on the Fax- (0663)2430160 or e-mail to the above address.
Thanking You
Yours faithfully
Enclosures: 1. 2 (Two) hard copies of the article
2. A floppy with contents of the article
3. Two copies of the photographs
4. Declaration in respect of the Article.

P. K. Pattanaik

15

From
P.K.PATTANAIK
Asst. Manager (Elect.)
E&MR Divn. BURLA
GRIDCO, Sambalpur-768017
Email ppk110 @ rediffmail.com
prasanta_ pattanaik@yahoo.com

Contacts
Ph. (0663)-2430514,2430512(O)
- 2431232 (R )
FAX- (0663)- 2430160 (O )

To,
The Editor, IEEMA Journal
501,Kakad Chambers,
132, Dr. A.Besant Road
WORLI, MUMBAI-400018

Sir,
Sub: - Regarding the Declaration in respect of the Article ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK
DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION.

1. I confirm that this article is original and has not been earlier published in any
journal/magazine or any other publication in India. The article has also not been
presented in any seminar/ conference held in India.
2. I confirm that this article has not been sent by me to any other
journal/magazine/publication for publishing the same.
3. I am aware, that IEEMA pays honorarium to every published article. On payment of such
honorarium, the copyright of the article rests with IEEMA Journal. Therefore, the same
cannot be published elsewhere without express permission from IEEMA Journal.
4. I confirm that I am responsible for Correctness of data/experimental results presented,
Opinions expressed in the article, and Infringement, if any, of copyrights/ ownership
rights.
5. I am aware, that IEEMA journal publishes articles on good faith basis. Hence I will be
solely responsible for contents, violation of any law in the contents or actions arising
from contents or illustrations.
Thanking You.
Yours faithfully

P. K.PATTANAIK.

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