Introduction

Fuses are need to be replaced after they operate

Circuit Breakers are designed to open automatically
when the current exceeds a threshold.
Can be opened and closed manually. Not destroyed
by its normal operation

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Switchgear and Protection/Control-Panels are installed at

each voltage levels at each switching point for

1. Normal routine switching, control and monitoring

and
2. Automatic switching during abnormal and faulty
operating conditions such as short circuits, under-voltage,
overloads.

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The main function of circuit breaker is

1. Switching during normal operating conditions

for the purpose of operation and maintenance.
2. Switching during abnormal conditions such as
short circuits and interrupting the fault currents.

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Circuit Breakers
Basically, an AC circuit breaker is a piece
of switchgear that can
withstand the momentary short-circuit current
interrupt the short-circuit current at the current
zero following contact parting
withstand the transient recovery voltage across
its open contacts

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Interrupting time
Contact parting time
Tripping
delay

Opening
time

Arcing
time

t
Initiation
of short
circuit

Trip
circuit
energized

Primary
contacts
part

Arc on
primary
contacts
extinguished

Sequence of events in AC circuit breaking: after relays

detect fault and energize trip coil, breaker contacts open,
arc is established and then extinguished at a current zero
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Types of Circuit Breakers

Low voltage (less than 1000 V) or
medium and high voltage. Molded case or
power circuit breakers
Operating medium
Low-voltage circuit breakers use air
Higher-voltage circuit breakers can use oil,
SF6 gas, or a vacuum

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Ways to Control Arcing

Arc chutes

Parallel plates placed above the contacts to

divert the arc
Arc forced into the arc chutes
Small arcs travel up the chutes Use other
mediums
Medium and high voltage
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Mediums of arc quenching

Air blast.

Force air between the contacts to

lengthen the arc.
Oil to quench the arc formation.

SF6.
Vacuum Quenches the arc.

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Arcing Problems
Inductive loads will cause substantial arcs
when knife switches are used
Arcs consist of ionized air through which
currents flow
Arcs are extinguished when the contacts are far
apart

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Ways to Limit Arcing

Speed

Springs to quickly force the contacts apart

Limits the duration and severity Arcing
contacts
Arcing leads to pitting of the contacts

Two sets of contacts

Main contacts with good conduction
Arcing contacts with heavy-duty surface
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METHODS OF ARC EXTINCTION

1. High resistance Interruption:

a. Lengthening the arc by means of arc runners.
b. Splitting of Arc.
c. Cooling of Arc.
2. Current Zero Interruption or Low resistance method.
3. Artificial current zero Interruption.

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TYPES OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

1. AIR CIRCUIT BREAKER
a. Plain Break type
b. Magnetic blow out type
c. Air blast circuit breaker.
2. OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER
a. Bulk oil circuit breaker
b. Minimum or small oil circuit breaker.
3. SULPHUR HEXA FLORIDE CIRCUIT BREAKER
4. VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER.
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AIR CIRCUIT BREAKER

Principle:
Arc interruption process is based on natural
DEIONISATION of gases by COOLING ACTION

VARIOUS TYPES OF ACB

PLAIN BREAK TYPE

MAGNETIC BLOW-OUT TYPE

ARC SPLITTER TYPE
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PLAIN BREAK TYPE

The circuit breaker contacts are made in
shape of horn.
Arc strikes across the shortest distance
between
horns.

As contacts go on separating, gap

between them
increases.
when horns are fully separated arc is
lengthened and cooled arc is extinguished.
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DIS ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS

SLOWNESS OF PROCESS
ARC IS SPREADING TO ADJACENT METAL
WORK

APPLICATION:
VOLTAGE IS 500V, APPLICABLE TO LOW POWER
CIRCUITS

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MAGNETIC BLOW-OUT TYPE

Extinction of arc is carried out by means of
magnetic blast.
The arc is subjected to the magnetic field set
up by coils connected in series with circuit
being interrupted.
The magnetic blow out coils help the arc being
magnetically blown out.
Arc is blown into magnetically into arc chutesarc is lengthened, cooled and extinguished.
Arc shield prevents spreading of arc to
adjacent metal work.
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ARC CHUTE
It confines the arc within a restricted space.
It provides magnetic control of the
movement of arc, so that extinction occurs
within the device.
Provides rapid cooling of gases to ensure
extinction by DEIONISATION.

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ARC SPLITTER TYPE

The blow out consists of steel inserts in the
arching chutes
It is arranged so that the magnetic field
induced in them by the current in the arc
moves upwards still faster.
Steel plates divide the arc into number of
short arc in series.
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ARC SPLITTER TYPE(cont..)

Distribution of voltage along length of arc
across plates are not linear and have large
voltage drop.
Voltage drop helps for quick extinction.
Arc come in contact with cool surface are of
steel plates, it gets rapidly and effectively
cooled.
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TRANSIENT RECOVERY VOLTAGE

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MERTIS OF ABCB
Can be used at high pressure.
Reliable operation due to external source of
extinguishing energy.
Free from decomposition.
Freely available everywhere.
At high pressure, small contact travel is
enough.
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MERTIS OF ABCB(contd..)
Same air serves the purpose of moving the
contact and arc extinction.
Demerits:
Complex design of arc extinction champer
and OM
Problems due to switching over voltages
(reduced by inserting pre-closing resistors).
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DEMERITS OF ABCB
Auxiliary Hi-pressure air system is
necessary. Cost increases with several
breakers in the switch yard.
Problem arising out of compressed air
system.

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OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER

Absorption of Arc energy by
DECOMPOSITION.
Arc cooling by hydrogen gas- has high
diffusion rate and good heat absorption in
changing from diatomic to non atomic state.
Ability of cold oil of high electric strength
to flow into the arc space after current zero.
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OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER(contn..)

Natural insulation value of oil enabling
clearness to be minimized.
Demerits:
Flammability
Possible formation of explosive due to airgas mixture.
Maintenance (change of oil sludge,
purifying)
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SULPHUR HEXA FLORIDE

Merits:
Less number of interrupter per pole than ABCB and
MOCB - outdoor SF6 is simple.
Less costly- maintenance free and compact.
Gas is non-inflammable, chemically stable.
Hi dielectric - insulating properties of gas.
Excellent extinguishing ability.

Non corrosive.
Odour less and colour less.
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 Toxicity is almost zero for all practical purposes.

Heavier than air and considered to be an

advantageous.
Same gas is re circulated and hence, requirement of
SF6 gas is less. ( 30Kg - 145KV, no replacement for 5
years).
Silent and does not make sound like ABCB.
Maintenance is minimum (For electro pneumatic
control system).
Sealed construction avoids contamination by
moisture, dust, sand etc.
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 Size and dimentsions are smaller as compared with

ABCB/OCB fo rsame KV rating- no over voltage
problems.

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LIQUEFACTION OF SF6 GAS

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ARC EXTINCTION BY SINGLE-FLOW AND DOUBLE

FLOW

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VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER

ADVANTAGES:

High Interrupting speed.

Extremely low contact erosion.
Stable contact resistance.
Low operation power.
Freedom from catastrophic failures
Long life

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VCB-CONT..
Dramatic reduction in size and weight.
Little maintenance.
Economical in long run.
Non-inflammable and non-toxic.
Environmental safety.

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BREAKDOWN CHARACTERISTIC OF VACUUM GAP

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TYPES OF ARC
DIFFUSED ARC
CONSTRICTED ARC
DESIGN OF INTERRUPTER CONTACTS:

It should withstand the following:High short circuit breaking capacity

High dielectric strength
Small chopping current
Minimal contact piece erosion
Small contact resistance.
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Plain butt contacts are used when the short-circuit current is above
4KA.It will avoid the constricted arc and give diffused arc.
Segmented or Contrate contacts

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Segmented or Contrate contacts

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Self-magnetic field in segmented contact:

When the short-circuit breaking current is 10 and 50kA, the diffused
arc covers the entire surface of the contact and overheat the contact
pieces. To avoid it, slotted contact pieces are used which create
additional radial magnetic field that produces a field which drives the
arc round the arcing ring.

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VACUUM INTERRUPTERS CONTACT

MATERIAL

COPPER-BISMUTH ALLOY
COPPER-CHROMIUM ALLOY
COPPER-BERRYLIUM ALLOY

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