circuit breakers which can interrupt a circuit under

normal and abnormal conditions.

HIMER
Classification and type

Low tension switchgears up to 1000V.
High-tension switchgears above 1000V.

HIMER
SF6 CIRCUIT BREAKER
VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER
AIR CIRCUIT BREAKER
AIR BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER
OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER


High tension switchgears
The circuit breakers are automatic switches which
can interrupt fault currents.
In some applications like single-phase traction
system, single pole circuit breakers are used.
The part of the circuit-breakers connected in one
phase is called the pole.
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High tension switchgears
A circuit-breaker suitable for three phase system is
called a triple-pole circuit-breakers.
Each pole of the circuit-breaker comprises one or
more interrupter or arc extinguishing chambers.
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High tension switchgears
The interrupters are mounted on support
insulators.
The interrupter encloses a set of fixed and moving
contact.
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High tension switchgears
The moving contacts can be drawn apart by
means of the operating links of the operating
mechanism.
The operating mechanism of the circuit-breakers
gives the necessary energy for opening and
closing of contacts of the circuit-breakers.
HIMER
High tension switchgears
The arc produced by the separation of current
carrying contacts is interrupted by a suitable
medium and by adopting suitable techniques for
arc extinction.
The circuit-breaker can be classified on the basis
of the arc extinction medium.
HIMER
Trip Circuit.
HIMER
High tension switchgears
Trip Circuit
The protected circuit x is shown by dashed line.
When a fault occurs in the protected circuit, the
relay (2) connected to the CT and PT actuates
and closes its contacts (6).
Current flows from the battery (5) in the trip circuit
(4).
HIMER
High tension switchgears
Trip Circuit.
As the trip coil of the circuit breaker (3) is
energised, the circuit-breaker operating
mechanism is actuated and it operates for the
opening operation.
Auxiliary switch is an important item in the circuit.
HIMER
Arc extinction
HIMER
Arc examination in vacuum
When the contact of vacuum interrupter are
separated, the arc is drawn between them.
The current leaves the electrodes from small,
intensely hot spot (or spots).
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Arc extinction in vacuum...
The metal vaporizes from the spots. The vapour
stream constitutes the plasma in vacuum arc.
The vacuum has high dielectric strength, hence
the arc may not re-strike.
Arc time constant of vacuum is lowest.
HIMER
Construction and working principle
Air-break circuit-breaker
Cassette mounted horizontal draw out ACB (as in figure
which follows)
The air at atmosphere pressure is used as an arc
extinguishing medium in air-break circuit-breakers.
These circuit-breakers employ the high resistance
interruption principle.
HIMER
Construction and working principle
Air-break circuit-breaker
Cassette mounted horizontal draw out ACB (as in figure
which follows).
The arc is rapidly lengthened by means of the arc
runners and arc chutes and the resistance of the
arc is increased by cooling, lengthening and
splitting the arc.
HIMER
Construction and working principle
Air-break circuit-breaker
Cassette mounted horizontal draw out ACB (as in figure
which follows).
The arc resistance increases to such an extent that
the voltage drops across the arc becomes more than
the supply voltage and the arc extinguished.
HIMER
Contact opening sequence

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Isolating contacts
Insulating pushing
Carriage
Arc runner
Arc splitters
Contacts
Operating solenoid
Operating mechanism
Operating lever
Cover with vents
Link
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Parts of shows truck-mounted air-break
circuit-breaker in closed position (one pole)
Vacuum interrupter
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Vacuum interrupter.
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Vacuum circuit-breaker
The vacuum circuit-breaker comprises one or
more sealed vacuum-interrupter units per pole.
The moving contact in the interrupter is connected
to insulating operating rod linked with the
operating-mechanism.
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Vacuum circuit-breaker.
The contact travel is of the order of a few
millimeters only. The movement of the contacts
within the sealed interrupter unit is permitted by
metal-bellows.
The insulators (2,6) are made of metallized
aluminium oxide ceramics, which permits them to
be brazed to metal.
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Vacuum circuit-breaker.
There are no replaceable seals and the interrupter
has a permanently sealed construction.
Vacuum tightness. All parts are either brazed or
welded.
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Vacuum circuit-breaker.
Joints made in this way are not subject to aging
and the interrupter therefore remains vacuum tight
throughout its working life.
The arcing chamber (3) acts as a vapour shield.
On opening, a metal vapour arc is drawn between
the contact pieces (4,5) and is extinguished at
current zero.
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Vacuum circuit-breaker.
Vacuum interrupters rated 3.6/7.2/12/36 kV for
indoor metalclad switchgear.
Vacuum contactors rated 1.2/3.6/7.2 kV for indoor
metal enclosed control gear.
Vacuum interrupters rated 3.6/7.2/36 kV for
outdoor porcelain housed, single interrupter per
pole, circuit-breaker.
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Vacuum

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Interrupter Contact gap
Minimum Practice
12 kV interrupter 6 10 mm 8 20 mm
3.6 kV interrupter 2 3 mm 3 5 mm

Insulator = metalized aluminium oxide ceramics
Vacuum pressure - 10
-7
torr
Contact travel
HIMER
Opening 0.5 to 0.8 mm / ms (10ms)
Closing 0.5 to 2 mm / ms
Merits of VCBs
VCB is self contained and does not need filling of
gas or oil. They do not need auxiliary air system,
oil handling system etc. No need of periodic
refilling.
No emission of gases, pollution free.
HIMER
Merits of VCBs.
Modest maintenance of the breaker, no
maintenance of interrupters. Hence economical
over long period.
Breaker forms a unit which can be installed at any
required orientation. Breaker unit is compact and
self contained.
HIMER
Merits of VCBs.
Non-explosive.
Silent operation.
Large number of operations on load or short-
circuit. Suitable for repeated operating duty. Long
life.
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De-merits of VCBs
The vacuum interrupter is more expensive than
the interrupting devices in other types of
interrupters and its cost is affected by production
volume. It is uneconomical to manufacture
vacuum interrupters in small quantities.
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De-merits of VCBs.
Rated voltage of single interrupter is limited to
about 36/=20kV. Above 36kV, two interrupters are
required to be connected in series. This makes the
breaker uneconomical for rated voltages above 36
kV.
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Safety
Follow the safety rules faithfully.
Obtain work permit from authority concerned.
Isolate the part from live parts during the period of
maintenance. No switching on by mistake.
Display caution notice board such as do not
operate.
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