Isolator

Isolator is a mechanical switch which isolates a part of circuit from system as when required. Electrical
isolators separate a part of the system from rest for safe maintenance works. Isolator is a manually
operated mechanical switch which separates a part of the electrical power system normally at off load
condition.

Types of Isolators

Double Break Isolators

Single Break Isolators

Construction of Double Break Isolators

These have three stacks of post insulators as shown in the figure. The central post insulator carries a
tubular or flat contact which can be rotated horizontally with rotation of central post insulator. This rod
type contact is also called moving contact. The fixed contacts are fixed on the top of the other post
insulators which are located at both side of central post insulator. The fixed contacts are generally in the
form of spring loaded figure contacts. The rotational movement of moving contact causes to come itself
into fixed contacts and isolators becomes closed. The rotation of moving contact in opposite direction
make to it out from fixed contacts and isolators becomes open. Rotation of the central post insulator is
done by a driving lever mechanism at the base of the post insulator and it connected to operating handle
(in case of hand operation) or motor (in case of motorized operation) of the isolator through a mechanical
tie rod.

Fig: Double break isolator Fig: Double break isolator in use

Construction of Single Break Isolators

The contact arm is divided into two parts; one carries rod or tubular shape contact and other carries
hollow type contact. The contact arm moves due to rotation of the post insulator upon which the contact
arms are fitted. Rotation of both post insulators stacks in opposite to each other causes to close the
isolator by closing the contact arm. Counter rotation of both post insulators stacks open the contact arm
and isolator becomes in off condition. This motorized form of this type of isolators is generally used but
emergency hand driven mechanism is also provided

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Operation of Electrical Isolator

As no arc quenching technique is provided in isolator, it must be operated when there is no current
flowing through the circuit. No live circuit should be closed or open by isolator operation. A complete
live closed circuit must not be opened by isolator operation and also a live circuit must not be closed by
isolator operation to avoid huge arcing in between isolator contacts. That is why isolators must be open
after circuit breaker is open and these must be closed before circuit breaker is closed.

Isolator can be operated by hand locally as well as by motorized mechanism from remote position.
Motorized operation arrangement costs more compared to hand operation; hence decision must be taken
before choosing an isolator for system whether hand operated or motor operated economically optimum
for the system. For voltages up to 145KV system hand operated isolators are used whereas for higher
voltage systems like 245 KV or 420 KV and above motorized isolators are used.

Application

Isolators and circuit brekers

CB

Bus-bar

Isolators
 Fig: Application of isolator Fig: Application of isolator

Isolators are used at the both side of circuit breaker in case of supply from both side. In case of supply
from one side only the isolators are used at the downstream of circuit breaker this means at the receiving
end (load side).

Contactor

A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used for switching a power circuit. It is similar to
a relay except with higher current ratings. A contactor is controlled by a circuit which has a much lower
power level than the switched circuit.

Contactors are used to control electric motors, lighting, heating, capacitor banks and other electrical loads.
Construction

A contactor has three components. The contacts are the current carrying part of the contactor. This
includes power contacts, auxiliary contacts, and contact springs. The electromagnet (or "coil") provides
the driving force to close the contacts. The enclosure is a frame for housing the contact and the
electromagnet. Enclosures are made of insulating materials like Bakelite and thermosetting plastics to
protect and insulate the contacts and to provide some measure of protection against personnel touching
the contacts. Open-frame contactors may have a further enclosure to protect against dust, oil, explosion
hazards and weather.

Magnetic blowouts use blowout coils to lengthen and move the electric arc. These are especially useful in
DC power circuits. AC arcs have periods of low current, during which the arc can be extinguished with
relative ease, but DC arcs have continuous high current, so blowing them out requires the arc to be
stretched further than an AC arc of the same current.

A basic contactor has a coil input, which may be driven by either an AC or DC supply depending on the
contactor design. The coil may be energized at the same voltage as a motor the contactor is controlling, or
may be separately controlled with a lower voltage.

Fig: Inner view of contactor Fig: Magnetic blowout coil

Operation

When current passes through the electromagnet, a magnetic field is produced, which attracts the moving
core of the contactor. The moving contact is propelled by the moving core; the force developed by the
electromagnet holds the moving and fixed contacts together. When the contactor coil is de-energized,
gravity or a spring returns the electromagnet core to its initial position and opens the contacts.

Because arcing and consequent damage occurs just as the contacts are opening or closing, contactors are
designed to open and close very rapidly.

Fig: Contactor coil supply diagram Fig: Contactor supplying a motor

“NO” and “NC” auxiliary contacts

NO - Normally open contact

NC – Normally close contact

Fig: NO and NC contacts Fig: NO and NC contacts

Application

Lighting control

Contactors are often used to provide central control of large lighting installations, such as an office
building or retail building. To reduce power consumption in the contactor coils, latching contactors are
used, which have two operating coils. One coil, momentarily energized, closes the power circuit contacts,
which are then mechanically held closed; the second coil opens the contacts.

Motor control

Contactors are intensively used to supply motors.