HV Circuit Breaker’s

Breaker Types and Maintenance

AGENDA
• GENERAL
• Introduction/ Physics of the electric arc
• Breaking an alternate current
• Circuit breaker characteristics
• BREAKER TYPES
• Breaker technologies
• Oil circuit breakers
• Sf6 circuit breakers
• Vacuum circuit breakers
• MAINTENANCE/ DRIVING/ TESTS
• Maintenance
• Driving systems
• Tests
 Introduction
• The circuit breaker is the last, larger and more important
element of the system constituted by the protection equipment.
• It is responsible of the ultimate clearance of all present
disturbances and of the switching manoeuvres involved in
normal operation of the system.
• All this tasks must be performed without the insertion of
secondary disturbances by the breaker.
• In order to fulfil these requirements, the breaker must be highly
reliable, both electrically and mechanically.
 Introduction
◼ The switching of the configuration of an electrical system operating a
circuit breaker is not generally a simple process.
◼ The operation of a breaker in a circuit with a current flow, implies the
necessity of extinguishing the electric arc which appears between
the contacts.
◼ The arc extinction, which must be done under very severe physical
and time conditions, may itself provoke transient phenomena
accompanied with overvoltages.

◼ According to the standard IEC 265-1:1983, a circuit breaker is a

mechanical device of connection, capable of establish, withstand
and break the current under the normal operation of the circuit and
occasionally, under specific overload in-service conditions, as well
as endure specific abnormal circuit currents (e. g. short circuit
currents) during a given time (generally fractions of second).
Introduction
◼ The main function of circuit breakers is hence to interrupt currents.
◼ Its operation consist of:
◼ The physical separation of two points named contacts.
◼ The extinction of the arc which inevitably appears, taking the
opportunity of the zero pass of the current (AC).
◼ Finally the circuit breakers must:
◼ When open, to endure the voltage among contacts without
restriking.
◼ At closing, to withstand the making load or fault currents.
◼ When closed, to withstand the permanent flow of load current
◼ At opening, to interrupt currents without failure
◼ Nevertheless it is not usual that circuit breakers visibly isolate
zones for working, hence something else is necessary.
Physics of the electric arc
• In order to turn gases into electric conductors their temperature should reach
a certain limit.
• Thus, their molecules and atoms begin to lose electrons and the gases become
conductors.
• Metals have their own conductive properties due to the existence of free
electrons in their inside.
• In their surface there is a potential barrier produced by a layer of positive ions in the
metal’s inside, which prevents electrons from escaping the surface, unless their
kinetic energy is greater than its charge multiplied by the potential barrier.
• When the temperature in the metal is raised, energy is transmitted to
electrons that may lead them to overcome the potential barrier, thus causing
the thermionic emission.
• Other forms to extract electrons from a metal is to expose it to a strong electric
field or to a luminous radiation (photoionic emission)
Discharge phenomena in a gas
• When the electric arc appears, the electrons are released due to the
thermoelectric emission of the cathode.
• The electric field in front of the cathode accelerates the positive ions;
• this process heats the metal in the cathodic electrode and generates the necessary
temperature in the cathode (22000k).
• This electric field leads to the release of electrons in the cathode.
• The electric arcs present the properties of great mobility and easy shifting due
to the effect of air currents, magnetic fields, etc.
• The voltage drop in the arc may be expressed by AYRTON’s formula:
B
U a = A+
I
• Where A and B are linear functions of the arc length
• For i o; UA = Ue (extinction voltage)
• For strong currents: Ua = A
Arc temperature
• The curve in Fig. shows the temperature of
the medium surrounding the arc as a function
of the distance to its axis. The temperatures
depend on the contacts material.
• The arcs shows up as an incandescent gas
column with an almost straight-line trajectory
between the electrodes, which core reaches
temperatures between 6,000 and 10,0000 ºC.
The surface of contact of the arc with the
electrodes appears incandescent.
• The collision of the molecules with the
electrons emitted by the cathode generates
the ions of the arc column.
Voltage drop in the arc
• The arc can be divided in three zones.
• Close to the electrodes, there are two very short zones with high gradients and
pronounced voltage drops: UA (anodic) y Ue (cathodic).
• The third zone presents a smaller voltage drop, U, proportional to the length of the
rest of the distance between electrodes.
• The cathodic drop is lower than the anodic and includes a very small zone. UA and Ue
depend on the current intensity (Fig. 1).
Voltage drop in the arc
• In the zone of the cathodic drop there are
metallic vapours proceeding from the cathode
with many positive ions and few electrons.
• These electrons have great mobility and they are
able to transport from 10% to 20% of the current.
• In the arc zone, the shifting of electrons gives
place to intense currents.
• When the ions go toward the electrodes of
opposite sign they accumulate toward the nearby
zones causing the voltage drops shown in Fig. 1.
• These voltage drops are associated to powerful
fields that provide the ions enough energy to
release new ions.
• In the anodic zone, a negative charge generates a
voltage drop.
Power and energy in the arc
• The power absorbed by the arc is equal to multiply the current of the arc Ia by
the voltage drop in the column:

Pa = I a U a
• The energy absorbed by the arc is the integral of the former product, extended
to the whole duration of the arc:
T T
W = o Pa dt = o I a U a dt
• This energy is transformed in heat and is dissipated to the environment due to
conduction, radiation and convection. Part of this heat is absorbed by the
dissociation of the flow that surrounds the arc.
• A high thermal conductivity and an improvement of the refrigeration conditions will
reduce the temperature and increase the voltage drop.
• The rise of the pressure also produces an increase in the voltage drop.
Characteristics of the arc
• The relationship among voltage and current in
an electric arc is very different from that of
metallic conductors.
• In metallic conductors, the voltage is
proportional to the current, and its
characteristic is a straight line er.
• The voltage UA between the electrodes of the
arc decreases when the current rises to a limit
value and then it rises again when the current
decreases.

◼ The initial breakdown of the space between electrodes requires a high

voltage of ignition for i = o.
◼ The growth of current increases tª and the ionisation of the medium
that surrounds the arc, consequently raising the conductivity of the
column of the arc, which decreases the voltage of the arc.
Characteristics of the arc
• When the current increases, the curve
shows a very considerable decline at the
beginning and then it decreases more
slowly.
• This is because the arc subsists at a
constant current density, which implies a
section growth when the current rises
and an increase of the air conductivity.

◼ If the current of the arc decreases under a given value, the points of the
curve do not match, but they are below the curve.
◼ This phenomenon is due to the calorific inertia of the arc.
◼ The surface of the cathodic stain, the arc diameter, the ionisation current
and the tª do not adapt instantly to the new values of current and they
give place to a lesser voltage of the arc.
Characteristics of the arc
• The extinction voltage is smaller than the
restriking voltage, because when the
extinction takes place (following an instant of
strong dissipation of heat due to thermal
inertia), the column of the arc has
thermodynamic and conductive conditions
superior to those preceding the restriking.
• The restriking occurs after a very short time
without arc, of about millionths of second, in
which a cooling and an intense deionisation of
the arc take place.

◼ The arc restriking, with the current in the opposite direction, is produced
when the inverse voltage of recovery applied between the electrodes is
higher than the restriking voltage.
◼ The value of the restriking voltage depends on the separation between
electrodes, the pressure of the medium and the concentration of charge
carriers, influenced by the refrigeration and thermal conductivity of the
medium and the electrodes.
The arc in alternate current
• In an AC circuit the current passes through zero twice in a cycle. If the voltage and current of
the arc are registered by an oscillograph, the obtained “voltage-current” curves present forms
that depend on the kind of gas, the material of the electrodes, the arc length and the
frequency of the current.

• The difference of ordinates between the curve of rising current and the curve of decreasing
current is due to the thermal capacity of the electrodes and of the gas of the arc and, in
particular, of the calorific inertia of the arc (arc hysteresis).
 The arc in alternate current
• RESTRIKING VOLTAGE (Ur)
• It is the voltage between electrodes needed to restrike the arc after it extinguishes
when the current naturally crosses zero. If the voltage between electrodes is lower
than the restriking voltage of the arc, the circuit stays definitely open.

• EXTINCTION VOLTAGE (Ue)

• It is the peak voltage of the arc when the current reaches zero value.
• The decreasing shape of the characteristic of the arc and the smaller concentration of
charge carriers (resultant from the current decrease) justify the rise of the arc voltage
Ua, which peak is the extinction voltage Ue.
 Breaking an alternate current
• If the circuit breaker is capable to open its contacts at the instant when the
current crosses zero fast enough so that the voltage between contacts does not
reach the restrike voltage, the circuit remains open and, since the
electromagnetic energy is null in that instant, no overvoltages are present
between contacts.
• For this to happen in 50 Hz networks, the circuit breaker should be able to open in
less than ten thousandth of second.

u urd
i

t
ua

i
 Breaking an alternate current
• In fast medium-voltage circuit breakers, the current breaks after two or more
hundredth of second. Actually, the current breaking always has place through
an arc, with the exception of very weak currents or extremely small voltages.

◼ The breaker goes from u

urd
i Em
conductive condition to
insulating condition with a i
u
given puncture voltage or
ua
dielectric strength, which
grows with time.
◼ The conductive condition is t
urd
provoked by the ionisation
of the gas that surrounds
the arc. The ionisation is
due to the high temperature
that the gas reaches and by
the electrons released by
the cathode.
 Breaking an alternate current
• The voltage drop in the arc brings the power required to keep the high
temperatures (due to the Joule effect), balancing the heat losses of the arc due
to conduction, convection and radiation.
• As the current decreases when it approaches to zero, the thermal power of the
Joule effect is lower than the thermal power given to the environment. This
leads to the cooling of the arc and produces a recombination of ions and
electrons, which diminish the conductance of the path of the arc.
• If the curve Up is constantly above the curve Utr, the arc will not restrike and the
circuit opening will be definitive. Nevertheless, if the voltage curve Utr crosses
the curve Up, at that instant the dielectric puncture of the medium will occur
and a new arc suddenly restrikes.
 Breaking an alternate current
• The final extinction of the arc will be possible in one of the instants when the
current crosses zero, providing that the voltage between contacts in those
instants is unable to restrike a new arc toward the remainder plasma (between
contacts), more or less deionised.
• The possibility of an arc restrike or its definitive extinction depends on the rate
of rise of the TRANSIENT RECOVERY VOLTAGE (TRV), and of the dielectric
strength of the zone surrounding the arc at such time.
• The dielectric strength is a function of tª and the fractional ionisation of the
plasma in the instant of the zero crossing of the current.
• The arc trajectory should acquire briefly a dielectric strength enough to resist
the recovery voltage between electrodes.
• The rate of rise of the transient recovery voltage (TRV) is very important for the
value of the breaking capacity of a circuit breaker. In the high voltage circuits,
the TRV may reach initial values of around kV/Ts.
 Breaking an alternate current
• The rate of recovery of the dielectric strength of the arc’s medium is an
attribute of the circuit breaker, since it depends on the refrigeration conditions,
the deionisation rate of the zone of the arc and the speed of the separation of
the contacts.

• The problem consists in a race between two voltages: the dielectric strength
and the transient recovery voltage. If the second does not reach the first, the
breaking is definitive and happens when the current crosses zero
Arc extinction process
◼ When a circuit breaker is
closed, a pressure among
contacts exists and the current
density is minimal.
Arc extinction process
◼ At the opening maneuver, at
the moment of contact
parting, the thin layer of fluid
(air, oil, SF6, etc) between
them is crossed by the
current, which implies a very
fast rising of the temperature
in the contacts originating
metallic vapours.
◼ The isolating medium
surrounding the arc suffers a
violent heating which
originates its transformation
into conductor.
Arc extinction process
◼ The gaseous column
strongly ionised turns into
plasma
◼ Its ionisation and electrical
conductivity extremely rise
with temperature
Arc extinction process

◼ The renewal of the quenching

medium and the zero cross of
the current extinguish the arc
Arc extinction process. Load current interruption
◼ The simplest case of current interruption is the one corresponding to
the normal load current.
◼ They are small currents, compared to the high short circuit currents,
and its phase angle is close to zero (cosΦ aprox. 0,8).
◼ The interruption will take place at the first zero cross of the current.

u urd
i

t
ua

i
Arc extinction process. Fault current interruption
◼ The case of close-in faults is characterized by a high current, with a
high phase angle close to 90º (load strongly inductive).
◼ It can lead to several arc restrikings and the arc extinction does not
take place before the 2º or 3º zero cross of the current.

u
urd
The arc is established by contact parting.
Em
i The voltage drop is Ua.
i
u
At the first zero cross the TRV rises very
ua
quickly trying to reach the grid voltage but
a restrike occurs because the dielectric
strength is not high enough.
t
urd

At this zero cross, the dielectric strength is

higher than the TRV and the arc is finally
extinguished.
Arc extinction process. Other cases

◼ When the short circuit is at the far end of the line, a transient
overvoltage may add to the TRV, which can cause restrikings even
though the current is not very high.

◼ The case of interrupting small inductive currents may also cause some
troubles since the arc may extinguish even before the zero cross of the
current, hence generating voltage peaks by induction effect, and
consequent restrikings.
 Circuit Breakers
• According to the standard IEC 265-1:1983, a circuit breaker is a
mechanical device of connection,
• Capable of establish, withstand and break the current under the
normal operation of the circuit
• Occasionally, under specific overload in-service conditions,
• Endure specific abnormal circuit currents (e. g. short circuit
currents) during a given time (generally fractions of second).
 Circuit Breakers
• The main nominal characteristics of circuit breakers are:

Rated voltage
Insulation level
Rated current
Rated frequency
Breaking capacity
Making capacity
Short-time current
Sequence of operation
Thermal short-time current rating
Mechanical short-time current rating
 Rated voltage
• The rated or nominal voltage of a network (Un) is the standard value of voltage
for which the network’s operation and insulation have been designed.
• The limit values of a network’s voltage (excluding all transitory or abnormal
conditions) are the highest and lowest value of voltage that may be present in
the network at a given instant or place under normal operation conditions.
• Generally, those limit values are around ± 10% from the nominal voltage of the
network.
• The highest voltage for a circuit breaker is the maximum specified for it related
to:
• Its insulation
• Other attributes associated to this voltage
 Insulation level
• The insulation level of a circuit breaker
is given by:
• Nominal power-frequency withstand
voltage
• Nominal lightning withstand voltage
• And eventually by:
• Nominal switching withstand voltage
• These values characterize the device’s
insulation regarding its aptitude to
withstand overvoltages at power
frequency, lightning overvoltages and
switching overvoltages of steep
wavefront.
Insulation level. Lightning wave
• Lightning overvoltage waves in overhead lines may have several forms, but
those registered by a cathode-ray oscillograph during storms had shown
that they might be represented by a non-periodic unidirectional wave of
steep front, attenuated afterwards.
• In order to typify the insulation of a given device, this wave can be
standardized as a 1.2/50 waveform;
• this is, a waveform which front has a conventional duration T1 = 1.2 s,
• and the conventional duration of the waveform afterwards until it reaches half
its amplitude in the tail is of 50 s, according to the standard DIN VDE 0432.
 Insulation level. Switching wave
• In high and medium voltage lines, the breaking of the current in a circuit
provokes overvoltages, with an unidirectional wave of steep front, attenuated
afterwards, that be standardized as a 250/2500 shock wave, this is, a waveform
which front has a conventional duration T1 = 250 s and T2 = 2500 s.
• These shock voltages are generally triggered by an arrangement in which a
given number of capacitors are charged in parallel by a high-voltage direct
current source and then discharged in series over a circuit composed by the
tested device in parallel with a pure resistance R and a linear inductance L.
 Nominal or rated current
• It is the current assigned by the manufacturer that the device can endure
indefinitely (or for a given time) under normal operation conditions, without
suffering any heating higher than that fixed by the standards, and without undergo
any modification in its functional features.
PART LIMITS OF RISE OF TEMPERATURE IN ºC
Oil circuit breakers Other circuit breakers
Contactors in air 30 35
Contactors in oil 30 --
Oil 30 --
Voltage coils with insulation type 0* 35 35
Series coils with insulation type 0* 50 50
Series and voltage coils with insulation type A 50 50
Series and voltage coils with insulation type B 70 70
All the other parts of the circuit breaker 70 70

• The values in the former table are for circuit breakers operating outdoors. For
circuit breakers operating indoors, these limits of temperature rise are related to
the temperature indoors and should not exceed 40 ºC if the circuit breaker contacts
are made of silver or silvery copper.
Symmetrical and asymmetrical breaking current
◼ When a sudden short-circuit takes place, the initial current reaches a
high value that progressively diminish until it attains the steady state
short-circuit value.
• Besides, the delay of the relays (which send
the opening signal to the breaker after the
short-circuit starts) should be taken into
account.
• For this the actual value of the current
cleared by the breaker is lower than the
initial value of the short-circuit current.

◼ The IEC defines breaking current as follows:

◼ The breaking current of a circuit breaker pole is the value of the
current in the pole in the instant of contact separation and is
expressed by two values:
◼ Symmetrical current
◼ Asymmetrical current
Symmetrical and asymmetrical breaking current
◼ The symmetrical current is the effective value of the AC component in
the pole at the instant of contact separation and its value is given by:

x
I sim =
2

• The asymmetrical current is the RMS value of the total current composed by
the AC and DC components in a pole in the instant of contact separation and
its value is given by :

2
 x 
 
2
I asim = + (Y )
 2
Symmetrical and asymmetrical breaking current
◼ The extent of the asymmetrical period and its importance of the
asymmetry depend, for each phase, on the instantaneous value of the
electromotive force (e.m.f.) in the initial moment of the short-circuit and
its maximum value when the initial instant corresponds with a zero of
the e.m.f.
◼ Usually the relationship between the symmetrical and asymmetrical
short-circuit currents is expressed by a factor of asymmetry K:
I asim = K I sim
◼ K depends on the relationship between the inductive reactance and the
resistance of the circuit where the circuit breaker will be mounted. It is
generally tabulated in tables. x
K= f  
R
◼ The breaking capacity of a circuit breaker is calculated as:

Pcc SIM = 3 U n I SIM

Pcc ASIM = K Pcc SIM
Pcc ASIM = 3 U n I ASIM
Short circuit making current
◼ This value distinguishes the capacity of a circuit breaker to close its
contacts under short-circuit conditions in the system.
◼ The making current of a breaker when its contacts close under short-
circuit conditions is the value of the total current (including alternate
and direct components) and which are measured from the envelope of
the current waveform in its first peak value.
◼ The making current of a breaker is that associated to its closing at
service voltage. If this value is not present in the nameplate, should be
calculated as follows:

Making current = 1,8 Isim = 2,55 Isim

 Permissible rated short-time current
◼ The permissible rated duration of the short-circuit current is the time
during which the closed circuit breaker can endure a current equal to
its rated breaking capacity under short-circuit conditions.
◼ The rated value of the permissible rated duration of the short-circuit is 1
second, or, if a superior value is needed, 3 seconds.
◼ For short-circuits that last more than one second, the relationship
between current and duration, unless the manufacturer specifies it
otherwise, complies with the following expression:

2
I t = constant
 Rated sequence of operation
◼ The rated sequence of operation of a circuit breaker consists in a
number of operations established in a certain succession and in given
ranges of time. According to the IEC standards, the sequence of
operation of a circuit breaker not specified as a recloser can be
expressed as follows:
o - t - co - t' - co
o - t² - co
◼ Where:
o= opening operation, c = closing operation
co = closing operation followed by an opening operation
t, t', t² time ranges, t y t' expressed in minutes, t² expressed in seconds

◼ For example, a circuit breaker with a double operation sequence o -

0,15seg – co, means than when the fault takes place, the circuit
breaker opens, waits 0,15seg, closes and, if the fault continues, it
opens again.
 High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
Breaker
Types
Breaker types
◼ The main way to distinguish the Voltage Puncture in OIL, AIR and SF6
different types of breakers is that
related with the mediun they use
as a dielectric and to break the
current.
◼ In accordance with that we can
distinguish :
◼ Oil breakers
Dead tank
Low content

◼ Magnetic blast breakers

◼ Air blast breakers
◼ SF6 breakers
◼ Vacuum breakers
Breaker technologies. History. OIL

1900 Contacts in oil without breaking chamber

Breaking chamber
Oil as dielectric and isolation
Dead tank, reaches ratings of 330 kV 63 kA

1930 Low content of oil

Porcelain isolator
1973 Low content oil reaches 765 kV y 63 kA

1979 At HV becomes not competitive against SF6

Breaker technologies. History. AIR BLAST

1930 Breaking with single and multiple chambers

1955 Very well accepted and introduced into the market

1965 Becomes not so popular because maintenance,

compressors, noise, etc.
Breaker technologies. History. VACUUM

1920 First development at laboratory

Difficulties with manufacturing
1963 Still manufacturing difficulties

1973 17 breakers installed at U.S.A

6 Chambers for 138 kV 40 kA

1990 Becomes rather popular at MV

Breaker technologies. History. SF6

1950 Beginning of instalation with GIS

1973 Hidro-Quebec complete an instalation with GIS for 765 kV

1984 Beyond 123 kV becomes the most popular technology

with auto-puffer breakers

1990 Continues expansion at M.V. y H.V.. New designs with

low energy operating mechanisms
 Selection of the breaking technology
◼ In order to select the appropriate breaking technology, the following
aspects should be taken into account:
◼ The highest security for personnel and material
◼ The fewer requirements of maintenance
◼ The best treatment of switching overvoltages in order to keep them
into secure levels (less risk for the material)
◼ The best economical conditions, considering cost of acquisition and
assembling, as well as maintenance yearly expenses, cost of
renewal of damaged material (due to repeated arcs) and cost of
indispensable auxiliary systems (like air compression systems in
airblast circuit breakers)
Predictable future of each technology
◼ Accordingly to experience it
is possible to establish:
◼ The continued monopoly
of air breaking for all low
voltage applications.
◼ The expected decrease
(that has already started)
of two formerly successful
technologies: airblast
breaking and oil breaking.

◼ The predictable development of vacuum breaking, even when it has been

long an uncertainty.
◼ The impressive development of SF6 breaking, which dominates nowadays
the hole range of medium to high voltage (from 3 kV to 800 kV)
◼ The hypothetical birth of static breaking, with a promising but doubtful future.
Predictable future of each technology
Number of breakers by Voltage and thecnology used
K.V. A I RE G.V.A . P.V.A . SF6 VA CÍ O TO TA L

380 10 0 47 14 0 71

220 66 2 260 147 0 475

132 43 73 443 451 0 1010

66 0 143 582 433 0 1158

45 9 44 900 62 20 1035

30 6 77 486 33 29 631

20 43 2 3261 2920 216 6442

1 5 ,1 3 ,1 1 20 233 1320 15 9 1597

TO TA L 197 574 7299 4075 274 12419

%TO TA L
1 ,5 9 4 ,6 2 5 8 ,7 7 3 2 ,8 1 2 ,2 1 100
AÑO 2000

AÑO 1997 2 5 ,8 5 6 4 ,7 5 2 5 ,7 9 1 ,6 1 100

Magnetic blast circuit breakers

◼ Arc extinction by means

of a magnetic field
created by the current to
interrupt
◼ The arc is displaced and
elongated by the effect
of that magnetic field
◼ Only used in LV and MV
◼ No flammability hazard
Air blast circuit breakers
◼ Arc extinction by high pressure air blast
◼ Advantages:
◼ No flammability hazard
◼ Disadvantages:
◼ Compressed air system is needed
◼ Noisy operation
◼ Expensive maintenance
◼ It was competitive at high voltages and high
breaking capacities
◼ Other characteristics:
◼ Always multiple breaking
◼ Dielectric strength rises with pressure
◼ It must be re-closed to prevent emptying.
Breaking an alternate current in oil
◼ In the instant of electrodes separation, a considerable resistance named
 appears between them. Since the current cannot change
instantaneously, a voltage takes place between electrodes, forming an
arc.
◼ This arc is constituted by a mixture of metallic particles and volatilised oil,
hence forming a blend of gases partially dissociated and ionised and
becoming a conductor path of weak resistance when the arc is stable.
◼ This resistance gets weaker when the current gets higher, and increases
when the arc is enlarged.
Breaking an alternate current in oil
◼ When the electrodes start to separate, as soon as the arc is established,
the resistance is very low and does not sensibly modify the condition of
current I, which follows its normal variation and until it reaches zero.
◼ The arc extinguishes at this instant, but the gaseous path does not
disappear and the arc restrikes when the voltage between electrodes
reaches the appropriate value.
◼ The phenomenon repeats with every change of sign of the current;
however, as the arc enlarges, the resistance of the arc grows, the
current amplitude diminishes slightly, and the restriking voltage
increases noticeably.
◼ Finally, the restriking voltage gets to be higher than the voltage between
electrodes, hence the arc does not restrike anymore and the circuit is
opened.
Arc extinction using oil blast
◼ To extinguish an arc it is required to deionise its
path in a very short time (µs). Then, the blast of
turbulent gases should be thrown to the ionised
files that constitute the arc.
◼ Consider two electrodes A and B inside an
insulating enclosure cross by a transversal
channel. If a given amount of oil is thrown
through the channel in the direction of the arrow,
the oil will penetrate the arc. At the instant when
the current passes through zero, the voltage will
stay at its normal value, since an insulating layer
had been introduced between electrodes, and
this layer would be able to stand that voltage.
◼ For the extinction to be ultimate, it is also
required that the insulating layer would be
capable to endure the recovery voltage Ur for as
long as it is present.
◼ This is, the fluid speed must be proportional to the
gradient of the recovery voltage.
Arc extinction using oil blast
◼ The dielectric strength Ur to be
introduced is that of the fluid relative to
the shock voltages. For oil, even if it is
highly contaminated, it is around 220
kV/cm.
◼ In the circuit breakers with transversal
blast, the extinction of the arc is aided
by the fact that the dielectric strength of
oil, under shock voltage, is greater than
the dielectric strength of the arc column
at the instant of extinction, which is
around 7 kV/cm.
◼ The speed of the oil is inevitably limited
(20 to 40 m/s), however, when the
gradient g gets too large, after the
voltage rise in a circuit of a given
frequency fo, the artifice of multiple
channels in parallel is used.
Operation of low oil content CB
◼ When the mobile contact Current collector

moves away from the fixed

contact, the oil provokes a fast Fixed contact
cooling of the arc between Breaking chamber
contacts. The procedure of arc Mobile contact
extinction has two stages: Insulating material

◼ Enlargement and cooling of Oil

the arc Current collector

◼ Self-extinction of the arc.

◼ The extinction of the arc happens in the breaking chamber, in which a
blast takes place due to the pressure generated by the arc itself.
◼ The breaking chambers present the property that the breaking effect
rises as the current to be interrupted increases.
◼ The breaking power is limited only by the pressure of the gases product
of the arc which must be endured by the breaking chamber.
◼ This is manufactured with an insulating material, epoxy resin, built up with
fibreglass. The insulation from ground is obtained by standoff insulators.
Interrupting chambers. Axial blowout
◼ In this kind of chambers, the gases
escape through the passage gap of the
fixed contact.
◼ Since the section of the opening is small,
the pressure in the chamber is high even
with small currents.
Interrupting chambers. Transverse blowout
◼ In this kind of chambers, the gases
escape through side gaps.
◼ The heat of the arc vaporises the oil and
the gases formed (mainly hydrogen)
increase in pressure and force the arc to Gas
bow into the vents.
evacuation
Interrupting chambers. Mixed blowout
◼ For high breaking capacities, the
blowout of gases towards the arc is
perpendicular to the contacts axis;
meanwhile for low capacities, the
Gas
blowout is axial.
evacuation
◼ The contacts of these circuit breakers
can stand, according to the statistics
provided by the manufacturers, the
following number of operations without
need of replacement.
◼ At rated current 4000 operations.
◼ At half of the maximum short-circuit
power 8 operations.
◼ At full short-circuit power
3 operations.
Oil circuit breakers
◼ The most used since 1900
◼ Advantages:
◼ Lower arc length than in air
◼ Better isolation
◼ Disadvantages:
◼ Flammability hazard
◼ Oil contamination by arc effect
◼ Explosive mixture of gases and air
◼ Bulk oil/ Dead tank:
◼ Oldest technology and obsolete
◼ Big oil tank where the contact parting off takes place
◼ Arc extinction by oil pressure on gasses bubble
◼ Improvement with arc extinction chamber
Low content oil circuit breakers
◼ Reduced chamber containing the
contacts and the oil
◼ Oil blast at pressure in the arc
◼ Several chambers used as voltage
rises
◼ Advantages:
◼ Self-regulation (Higher blasting for
higher arc intensity)
◼ High breaking capacity
◼ Fast deionization
◼ Low overvoltages
◼ Reduced energy dissipation
◼ Reduced carbonization
◼ Reduced contact wearing
 High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
Breaker Types
SF6
 The sf6 as a dielectric gas
◼ Under a few bars of pressure its dielectric strength reaches 5
times that of air. This is due to two reasons:
◼ First, the dimension of its molecule, which effective section of collision with
an accelerated electron inside an electric field is higher to that of the
nitrogen or oxygen, for example. This means that the electron will endure
statistically a greater number of collisions in SF6 than in air.
◼ But mainly, the second, which results from the property of the SF6 molecule
to capture an electron in an electron-molecule collision, thus forming a
negative ion.
◼ This property of capturing electrons comes from the extraordinarily
electronegative nature of the fluorine atom. When this atom lacks an
electron to complete its external layer, it generates an elevated level of
attraction towards any electron inside its influence field. This provides this
element its well-known chemical reactivity.
◼ This point will be further developed when analysing the deionisation
phenomena..
◼ Hence, in the field of current breaking, SF6 is the ideal gas, as it will
be analysed below.
 The SF6 as the breaking gas. Thermal features
◼ In the breaking process of an electric arc,
two main qualities are required from the
dielectric used as a breaking agent:
◼ the cooling capacity
◼ the capacity of deionisation of the arc.
◼ The application of SF6 for this purpose is
evident under two features: Thermal and
Electronic
◼ Given an electric arc formed inside a
cylindrical tube containing a gas and crossed
by a constant current, it can be demonstrated
that the temperature of this arc is maximum in
the axis of the tube, and it decreases towards
the walls until it reaches the temperature of
the tube in the walls.
 The SF6 as the breaking gas. Thermal features
◼ When the current increases, it can be
observed in most gases the appearance of
a thermal threshold and the development
in the centre of the tube of a cylindrical
zone in which the temperature rapidly
rises, called central core.
◼ The thermal conductivity of SF6 presents a
peak near the thermal threshold that
translates in an important heat release.
◼ In SF6 the temperature of the threshold
(2.200ºK) is close to the temperature of
recombination of the SF6 atoms in
molecules.
◼ Therefore, there is an important absorption
of energy that causes a new descend in
temperature, which goes below 2100ºK.
◼ At this temperature, the SF6 is basically an
insulator and impedes the restrike after the
current crosses zero.
 The SF6 as the breaking gas. Deionisation
◼ SF6 has another notable feature, related to the strongly
electronegative nature of fluorine.
◼ In fact, the atom of fluorine lacks an electron to fulfil its external layer, which
creates a high level of attraction over any electron inside its influence field.
◼ There is a noticeable decrease in the number of free electrons (responsible
of the arc conductivity) below 6,000ºK.
◼ Such electrons are captured by the fluorine atoms to form negative ions F-,
185 times slower. Hence, for every captured electron, the current is
automatically divided by 185.
◼ Therefore, in the temperature range of 6,000 and 3,000ºK, in which
almost all free electrons had been captured, the conductance
decreases very faster than in gas without the electronegative
properties of fluorine.
◼ Summarizing, in SF6, even before the central core has completely
disappear while the cooling of the arc, its conductance is almost
null, due to the capture of the free electrons by the fluorine atoms,
which become electrons traps below 6,000ºK.
 Breaking technologies in sf6 . Self-compression
◼ The breaking technology of self-compression in
SF6 was first used in high voltage circuit
breakers, and then it moved on medium voltage,
following its own evolution.
◼ The active elements are mounted inside the
sealed terminal boxes that constitute the poles.
Breaking technologies in sf6 . Self-compression
1 Lid ◼ The current breaking is
2 Gastightness system performed through the
3 Driving axle contacts of the arc:
4 Crankshaft
5 Insulating rod ◼ The fixed contact is rigidly
6 Conical roller bearing mounted above the bottom
7 Top current tap tap.
8 Casing ◼ The mobile contact has
9 Bottom two parts:
10 Spring
11 Valve
◼ The contact in the
12 Piston
centre
13 Mobile arc contact ◼ A contact rod that
14 Mobile main contact slides inside a fixed
15 Fixed arc contact base leaned against
16 Insulating nozzle the top tap.
17 Fixed main contact
18 Molecular sieve
19 Bottom current tap
 Breaking technologies in sf6 . Self-compression

◼ A piston is rigidly mounted over the contact rod

with the purpose of compress the SF6 during
the opening of the contacts.
◼ A Teflon nozzle tightly jointed to the piston has
the purpose of channelling the SF6 towards the
breaking zone.
◼ The permanent current crosses the main
contacts.
◼ The fixed main contact, mounted around the arc
contact, is constituted by a ring of silvery fingers
that are articulated and assembled over
springs.
◼ The springs exert a strong centrifugal force,
assuring a good contact.
 Breaking technologies in sf6 . Self-compression

◼ The mobile main contact has an almost

truncated-cone shape, is silvered and firmly
linked to the piston.
◼ This contact technology has the double
purpose to avoid corrosion in the main
contacts due to the arc and to keep the device
features after a high number of breaks.
 Breaking technologies in Sf6. Self-compression
◼ In the first phase of current break, the
main contacts separate, while the spring
keeps the pressure over the arc contacts,
which remain closed.
◼ This separation of contacts is simply a
sectioning and works without arc forming.
◼ At the same time, the relative movement
of contacts generates a compression of
SF6.
 Breaking technologies in Sf6. Self-compression
◼ In the second phase of current break, the
separation of the arc contacts takes place
and an arc appears between them.
◼ The compressed SF6 is released and
channelled towards the zone between
contacts, sweeping away the arc extremes,
rapidly deionisating the zone.
◼ When the current crosses zero, the arc
extinguishes.
 Breaking technologies in Sf6. Self-compression
◼ Once the arc contacts are separated, an electrical arc is established
among them with a temperature higher than 10,000ºK, which keeps the
current flow.
◼ During this period, it is essential to evacuate the thermal energy of
the arc, given by the network. The evacuated energy will be higher
as the gas density and its specific heat increase.
◼ The heat evacuation during the arc duration is obtained mainly by
convection, due to the replacement of a given quantity of hot gas by
cold gas.
◼ Due to the high temperatures, an important heat exchange by
radiation could be expected.
 Breaking technologies in Sf6. Self-compression

◼ During the closing manoeuvre, the

valve rigidly attached to the piston
is opened to allow the gas
exchange among the different
parts of the pole, aiding the
movement of pieces.
 Breaking technologies in Sf6. Self-compression
◼ The empty tubular contacts ease the fast circulation of hot gases and
lead to instability in the arc extremes, which avoid the wearing out of
arc contacts.
◼ The breaking process by self-compression is especially effective, since
it works with the injection of a small quantity of gas between contacts.
◼ In the case of a break of 25 kA at 20 kV, the energy to be evacuated is of
around 30,000 Jules, which is the energy provided by the arc to keep it at a
temperature from 10,000 to 15,000ºK.
◼ 1 g of SF6 will be enough to achieve this.
◼ The break by self-compression in SF6 is used in high voltage in outdoor
circuit breakers up to 800 kV and in gas-insulated sealed substations
(GIS), where the SF6 is used not only as the break medium but also as
the insulator in buses and switches.
◼ In medium voltage, the self-compression in SF6 is used in circuit
breakers up to 36 kV.
 Extinction chambers with a low consumption of driving
energy
◼ Recent technological advances allow to obtain extinction chambers of
automatic circuit breakers in SF6 which require 40% less mechanical
energy to disconnect than the former self-compression chambers
based in the pressure generated between a mobile cylinder and a fixed
piston.
◼ The arc extinction is currently achieved by the following effects:
◼ Self-compression.
◼ Arc thermal effect.
◼ Effect of assistance to disconnection by expansion gases, patented
by GEC ALSTHOM.
 Extinction chambers with a low consumption of driving
energy
◼ Beginning of Disconnection:
◼ The parallel contacts 3 are separated from the mobile contact 4 and
the current is commuted to the arc contacts 7.
◼ Thermal Effect:
◼ When the contacts 7 separate, the arc takes place and its energy
causes the pressure rise of volume Vt closed by contact bar 8 and
Beginning of Disconnection
insulating nozzle 9.

CLOSED BEGINNING OF THERMAL EFFECT OF ASSISTANCE OPEN POSITION

POSITION DISCONNECTION EFFECT TO DISCONNECTION
 Extinction chambers with a low consumption of driving
energy
◼ Effect of Assistance to Disconnection
◼ When the contact bar 8 exits the throat of nozzle 9, the thermal
overpressure present in volume Vt is released, which creates a blowout
just before the zero crossing of the current, ensuring the arc extinction.
◼ At the same time, the rise of pressure originated close to the arc
spreads towards piston 10, exerting a driving force over the mobile
system, providing
Beginning of the required energy for the manoeuvre in the
Disconnection
disconnection springs.

CLOSED BEGINNING OF THERMAL EFFECT OF ASSISTANCE OPEN POSITION

POSITION DISCONNECTION EFFECT TO DISCONNECTION
 Extinction chambers with a low consumption of driving
energy
◼ The arc extinguishes and the molecules of SF6 dissociated by the arc
are instantly recombined.
◼ The secondary products of the breaking end up deposited in the
molecular sieve 11 without affecting negatively the circuit breaker.
◼ In the particular case of breaking weak currents, such as those present
in switching capacitor banks or unloaded lines or transformers, the
thermal energy of the arc is too small to generate enough
overpressure. To obtain the adequate blowout of the arc, the classical
effect of self-compression that takes place in volume Vp is used.
◼ Consequently, these chambers have a blowout that depends on the
current to be opened, causing:
◼ Maximum blowout in case of short-circuit currents.
◼ Reduced blowout in case of small currents; hence, the extinction of
such currents generates weak overvoltages.
 Advantages of the use of Sf6
◼ Lack of maintenance.
◼ Electrical and mechanical endurance.
◼ Great reliability
◼ Reduced size and weight related to its features
◼ Adaptable to all kind of installations.
◼ Public and industrial networks
◼ Motor switching
◼ Capacitors switching and protection
◼ Reduced prices.

◼ The SF6 appears as a technology favourably applied to the whole

range of electric installations.
 Disadvantages of the use of SF6
◼ At pressures higher than 3.5 bars an temperatures lower than –40ºC
the gas becomes liquid.
◼ Due to this, in the case of circuit breakers of two pressures, it is required to
heat the gas of the extinction chamber to keep the equilibrium at room
temperatures lower than 15ºC.
◼ The gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless.
◼ In closed places, care should be taken to avoid leaks, since it may provoke
suffocation in personnel by lack of oxygen (due to its higher density, the
gas is displaced by air).
◼ In some places it may be convenient to set up extractors that should
operate before the personnel entry.
◼ The secondary products of the arc are toxic, and combined with
humidity produce hydrofluoric acid, which attacks porcelain and the
cement that seals the nozzles.
 Effect of the impurities in SF6
◼ This impurities come from the manufacturing technique or the deposits
pollution.
◼ Test most be performed to detect the different impurities specifying the
limits of its content in the gas and the methods to control such
impurities (see IEC 376).
◼ Nature of impurities
◼ Toxic impurities
◼ Impurities that affect the apparatus security
◼ Impurities that dilute the product
◼ Impurities and odour
◼ Impurities have an unnoticeable effect over the dielectric strength of
the sulphur hexafluoride
 Breakdown in SF6 circuit breakers
◼ The main breakdowns in this type of circuit breakers are the gas leaks,
which require special devices to be detected.
◼ In a well-installed apparatus, the gas losses should be less than 2% annual
of the total volume of the gas inside the apparatus.
◼ In case of total loss of the gas pressure and due to the high dielectric
strength of SF6 the voltage that the contacts can bear when opened is
equal to double the phase-to-ground voltage.
◼ Anyways, it is not convenient to operate an SF6 circuit breaker when its
pressure has been reduced by a leak and the control circuit should be
blocked to avoid an accident.
 High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
Breaker Types
SF6 Dead tank
 SF6 Dead tank circuit breakers
◼ The design of this type of
circuit breakers, called “dead-
tank”, consists in three
aluminium tanks mounted in
a sole support. Inside the
tanks are included SF6
breaking chambers.
◼ The switching drives can be
mechanical (by springs) or
hydraulic for higher voltages,
and are located inside a
control cabin placed in the
circuit breaker support
 SF6 Dead tank circuit breakers
◼ The SF6 gas has rated conditions of 6 bars at 20ºC and each SF6
chamber has a densimeter associated. The use of SF6 technology in
sealed chambers causes that this type of circuit breakers requires low
maintenance.
◼ The compact and simple design of the dead-tank circuit breaker
considerably reduces the support structure and the space required for its
location in the installation. Besides, this design allows factory
assembling and testing, noticeably diminishing mounting time and
complexity.
◼ Another feature to consider is the low level of noise at normal operation,
which added to the reduced required space, the low needed
maintenance and the utilisation of non-toxic materials, convert this type
of circuit breakers in an important alternative to diminish visual and
environmental impact.
◼ The dead tank circuit breakers can be used for rated voltages from 38
kV up to 550 kV.
 SF6 Dead tank circuit breakers
◼ The dead-tank circuit breakers utilise, in every breaking chamber, the
principle of “autopufferTH”, which consists in a combined system of
blowout, called “pufferTH”, and of self-blast (arc overpressure). Besides,
they add a zip gearing system of double speed. This design turns the
breaking chamber into a compact and relatively small device, which
permits the breaking of capacitive currents.
◼ There are main contacts and arc contacts, which execute the current
break. The main contacts, separated from the arc contacts, open first
and do not endure the arc erosion. By means of this system the dead-
tank circuit breakers present the same maintenance requirements and
durability of the conventional circuit breakers.
 SF6 Dead tank circuit breakers
◼ When breaking low currents, the circuit breaker utilizes the SF6 blowout
system; when breaking high currents, the nozzle design leads to a gas
overpressure in the arc zone when the contacts arc begin to separate.
This overpressure, added to the gearing system of double speed, makes
possible the breaking of current using a small amount of energy and a
simple mechanical system.
◼ The nozzle design and the zip gearing system of double speed cause
that the arc contacts move at double speed, using a small amount of
energy. This reduces mechanical stresses, since the speed required to
move the connections and the switching mechanism are cut by half, in
comparison with a conventional circuit breaker of the same rated
voltage.
 SF6 Dead tank circuit breakers
◼ Fig. shows a diagram of the
breaking chamber in closed
position, open position and low
and high currents breaking.
 High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
Breaker
Types
VACUUM
 Vacuum circuit breakers
◼ The vacuum, meaning the air at a vacuum level of around 10-4 to 10-5
Pa (10-6 to 10-7 mmHg) reaches a dielectric strength superior to 199
kV/cm.

◼ Such exceptional dielectric strength, in addition to the fact that the arc
at vacuum presents a quite low voltage (since the electrons released
by the cathode find no obstacles in their path towards the anode) and
that the dielectric regeneration of the medium is almost instantaneous
(since there are not ionised gas molecules between electrodes),
motivated the research of the application of vacuum to circuit breakers.
Vacuum circuit breakers

◼ Even when the technology was

presented around 1920, the first
vacuum circuit breakers were not
in the market until 30 years later.
◼ The process of vacuum breaking
its quite simple: it is enough to
separate the contacts, in a
vacuum of 10-4 to 10-5 Pa, to
have a vacuum circuit breaker.

1. Insulating casing
2. Fixed contact
3. Mobile contact
4. Piston rod of mobile contact
5. Insulating guide
6. Metallic membrane
7. Metallic screen
 Vacuum circuit breakers
◼ Research was first oriented to obtain isolating breaking chambers able
to permanently maintain the vacuum, in which inside the contacts
would be located.
◼ The contacts should be able to cross the chamber keeping an absolute
tightness in the gaskets.
 Vacuum circuit breakers
◼ Once solved these problems, the research was oriented to the
breaking technology, based in the two exceptional properties of
vacuum:
Its very elevated dielectric strength.
The fast deionisation of the space between contacts after the
breaking.
 Vacuum circuit breakers

◼ The strike of a high-current arc in vacuum entails an unavoidable

vaporisation of the electrodes that rapidly leads to a dynamic pressure
between contacts that can be equal to the atmospheric pressure.
◼ Initially this arc is alike to that present in other devices, with the particularity
of presenting a conductor column strongly concentrated and originating a
unique and incandescent cathodic stain, which boiling surface emits
plentiful metallic vapours.
 Vacuum circuit breakers
◼ When the current decreases, the pressure of these metallic vapours
quickly diminishes, due to its fast diffusion towards zones farther from the
arc, condensing over metallic screens positioned with that purpose.
Vacuum circuit breakers

◼ When the current reaches zero, such

as in the case of the vacuum diode, the
electrons stop travelling through the
space between electrodes; hence, the
resistance of this space becomes
infinite, facing a inverse voltage, while
the anode, now cold, is incapable to
emit electrons when acting as a
cathode.
Vacuum circuit breakers
◼ The automatic vacuum circuit
breakers are distinguished by the
reduced travel of the mobile contacts
from 15 to 25 mm, according to the
voltage, and by the rather small
switching energy.
◼ Originally the technology of vacuum
breaking was applied to switches and
medium voltage circuit breakers with
limited functional features.
◼ Recently this technology has been
applied to automatic circuit breakers
up to 36 kV or 50 kV
Vacuum circuit breakers

1. Fixed contact support

2. Fixed contact terminal
3. Fixed contact
4. Mobile contact
5. Insulating body
6. Mobile contact terminal
7. Mobile contact support
8. Angular connecting rod
9. Insulating arm
10. Contact pressure spring
11. Connection trigger
12. Metallic bellows
 High Voltage
Circuit Breakers
Maintenance
Driving systems
Tests
Maintenance of circuit breakers
◼ The manufacturer must provide information related to the maintenance
measures to be observed under normal service conditions.
◼ It is desirable that the manufacturer indicates the number of switchings
(or time) following which it is convenient to perform the maintenance of
the different parts of the circuit breaker.
◼ Besides, the manufacturer must provide the information related to the
circuit breakers inspection after:
◼ A) Short-circuit operation
◼ B) Normal service operation

◼ This information must include the number of switchings according to

A) and B) following which the circuit breaker should be checked.
Maintenance of circuit breakers
◼ Main Circuit
◼ Inspection, adjustment and renovation of contacts.
◼ Instructions to measure the transition resistance of the main circuit.
◼ Prescriptions of the admissible wear in the contacts.
◼ Information about the tolerances of opening and closing times.
◼ Oil (or any other liquid) and gas for insulation or extinction of the arc
◼ Samples, tests, drying, filling and/or substitution of the liquid or gas.
◼ Recommendations related to quality and absence of pollution. Indication
of the required quantity of oil or liquid.
◼ Driving mechanism
◼ Maintenance and adjustment
◼ Whenever possible during the inspection the circuit breaker must be
operated a few times with the assistance of the drives, to ensure that the
drive mechanism operates smoothly and that everything works correctly
before the start off of the circuit breaker.
Maintenance of circuit breakers
◼ Control circuits, auxiliary circuits, auxiliary equipment
◼ Verification of coils, relays, interlocking gears, adjustable electrical
devices, heating and drying devices.
◼ Bearings and similar pieces
◼ Indication in the instructions of the parts to verify.
◼ Connections
◼ Indication in the instructions of the points to verify
◼ Compressed air and hydraulic systems
◼ Verification of the pneumatic and hydraulic valves. Inspection and
substitution of joints. Instructions to inspect the inner of the pressurized
containers regarding pollution, periodical inspection and substitution of the
air-drying devices and humidity absorption.
◼ It is advisable to periodically open the purge valve of the air containers to
eliminate condensed water.
Maintenance of circuit breakers
◼ Resistances and capacitors
◼ Verification of resistances and capacitors. The allowed tolerances must be
indicated.
◼ Lubrication and greasing
◼ Specification of the quantity of oil and grease
◼ Cleaning
◼ Instructions regarding the cleaning methods.
◼ It is recommended to indicate that the insulating parts should be treated
with special care and in case of abnormal conditions, such as saline
deposits, cement powder or acid vapours, it might be needed to clean
frequently in order to avoid possible flashovers
◼ Spare parts and materials
◼ List of spare parts and materials that should be stored (in warehouse).
◼ Special tools
◼ List of special tools required to assembly or inspection (when not provided
with the circuit breaker).
Maintenance of circuit breakers. Low oil content
◼ Each delivery of circuit breakers includes detailed instructions
regarding their assembly, start off and maintenance.
◼ Care should be taken that the circuit breaker, the driving mechanism
and the steel structures fit perfectly among them, in order to reduce to
minimum the on-site labour.
◼ The assembly consist mainly in place in-site the different pieces and fit
them together with bolted joints.
◼ Manufacturers recommend to perform maintenance in the circuit
breaker after 12 to 16 years of service.
◼ Before that it is advisable to check the bolted joints and lubricate the
mobile parts every 2 to 4 years.
◼ The conditions of the contacts should be checked after switching under
loads up to 10 times the short-circuit current.
◼ The maintenance of the circuit breaker must be easily performed on-site.
◼ The instructions should carry complete information about inspection and
maintenance.
Maintenance of circuit breakers. SF6
◼ For the circuit breaker to require slight maintenance, it is
indispensable that its extinction chamber is very simple and has few
mobile pieces.
◼ The secondary products of decomposition that do not completely
recombine precipitate as metallic fluorides, or deposit in a static filter that
also absorbs the residual humidity. This diminish the maintenance costs.
◼ The inspection of circuit breakers must be performed considering the
accumulated value of the interrupted currents, the number of
switchings executed and the time in operation.
◼ The following criteria are valid as guiding values:
◼ An inspection should be performed, at least:
◼ Every ten years
◼ After 2,000 switching cycles or
◼ After breaking an accumulated short-circuit current of 600 kA.
Maintenance of circuit breakers. SF6
◼ In the inspection a diagnosis measurement is
performed with the extinction chamber closed,
besides general works such as visual control,
check of the high and low voltage joints and
verification of all screws in the rack.
◼ Thus, it should be checked:
◼ Operation times.
◼ Transition resistance of the main breaking
space.
◼ Absorbed currents of the driving coils.
◼ Humidity content and acids concentration in
SF6.
◼ Gastightness of the SF6 enclosures and the
driving system.
Maintenance of circuit breakers. Extinction chamber
◼ Chamber disassembly
◼ When the resistance between terminals is high it is time to repair the
chamber. If there is a spare chamber stored, it can be completely replaced.
◼ To disassembly the chamber the gas must be drained through the filling
valve or to the atmosphere until the pressure is equal to 1 bar.
◼ If the gas is drained to the atmosphere, it is required to use mask and rubber
gloves, because the used gas might content harmful decomposition
products.
◼ Substitution of the fixed contact
◼ It is performed with the pole in open position. The screws that joint the
contact to the terminal plate must be removed. It can be entirely replaced or,
in case of slight deterioration, it can be cleaned with fine sandpaper.
◼ Substitution of the mobile contact
◼ It requires the disassembly of nozzles and arc contacts, and then the
dismounting of the crown of the mobile contact.
◼ Driving maintenance
◼ It involves the substitution of the closing/opening valves of compressed air.
Driving systems of circuit breakers
1. .Driving axle
2. .Opening spring
3. .Dampening device
4. .Dragging spring
5. .Tie rod
6. .Gearing
7. .Holding arm
8. .Striker
9. .Cam
10. .Striker damper
11. .Free tripping device
12. .Closing coil
13. .Tie rod
14. .Free tripping device
15. .Sudden tripping device
16. .Closing springs
17. .Opening coil
18. .Coupling bar
19. .M otor
20. .Dragging spring
21. .Star
22. .Tightening axle
23. .Dragging arm
24. .Dragging arm
Driving systems of circuit breakers

◼ The main driving systems are the following:

◼ By energy accumulation.
◼ By compressed air.
◼ By pressurized liquid.
Driving systems of CB. Energy accumulation
◼ In this system, the closing drive has a previously accumulated energy,
by means of a manually tightened spring or an electrical motor.
◼ This device consist in powerful springs that accumulate the energy
required for the connection. With this purpose they are tightened
manually with a lever or by an electrical motor.
◼ This drive always operate with a constant closing force, since during the
closing manoeuvre is totally independent from any external source of
energy.
◼ Besides, the closing can not start until the springs are totally tightened.
◼ Given that the energy is stored in the springs before the closing manoeuvre,
the tightening mechanism requires a moderated power, even when the
closing force has to be high and the closing, fast.
◼ After any closing manoeuvre, the springs are automatically tightened again;
hence, the mechanism is always ready to operate immediately, after an
opening manoeuvre.
Driving systems of CB. Energy accumulation
◼ The closing manoeuvre is rapidly started by a
sudden impulse, moderately strong, sent to
the closing coil, and is always completed with
any impulse duration.
◼ A voltage drop in the driving conductors or a
total lack of driving voltage have no effect over
an already-started manoeuvre.
◼ The springs of the closing mechanism can
also be tightened by a lever.
◼ The driving voltage can be either DC or AC.
◼ The driving mechanism can be combined
with a simple relay set for the fast automatic
reclosing, with a minimal dead time up to
only 0.3 seconds.
Driving systems of CB. Energy accumulation
◼ The springs store elastic energy and are capable to return it without
losses from the moment of storing it until it has to be released.
◼ Consequently, the energy to connect and disconnect is always ready to be
used according to the demands of the operation or protections of the
electrical system.
◼ It is evident that, if a system of energy storage has no losses, it is not
required any surveillance system about the storage.
◼ The loading of the energy required for the switchings is obtained by
electrical or mechanical means. In case of emergency, the mechanical
drives allow to manually storage the springs energy.
◼ The energy is transmitted towards the mobile contacts (between which
the arc is established and extinguished) by means of secure mechanical
transmissions.
◼ During the circuit breaker assembly, there is no need to connect
pressurized fluids tubes, valves or any other element for the drive
service. All that is required are electrical connections.
Driving systems of CB. Compressed air
◼ The driving system can be manually Security Manometer
valve
commanded directly by means of a
valve or an electric valve. Deposit of air

Drain valve
◼ The connection of the circuit breaker is
performed very rapidly using
compressed air.
◼ The disconnection springs are tightened Holding Pressure relay
valve
during the connection manoeuvre, this
Compressor Motor
means, the compressed air is solely
used to connect the circuit breaker. FOR UNIPOLAR CIRCUIT BREAKER

◼ The driving device is activated by a

valve that operates during connection
and that can be open manually or by
means of an electromagnet, remotely.
Driving systems of CB. Compressed air
◼ The electrical command of connection is transmitted to the coil of the
driving valve "CON" (4). The outlet for air evacuation (5) in the valve
"CON" is closed; the compressed air can directly pass from the
pressurized deposit (3) to the driving through a tubular joint.
◼ The driving piston (7) moves from position "DES" (O) to position "CON"
(C) and the circuit breaker is connected.

1. SF6 enclosure
2. Driving bar
3. Pressurized deposit
4. Driving valve "CON"
5. Outlets for air evacuation
6. Driving valve "DES"
7. Driving piston
8. Driving cylinder
9. Auxiliary circuit breaker with position indicator
Driving systems of CB. Compressed air
◼ All drives are equipped with two disconnection coils "DES" independent
from one another.
◼ The disconnection command is electrically transmitted to the coils of the
driving valve "DES" (6). Trough the open valve "DES" the compressed air
arrives to the driving of the circuit breaker pole. Simultaneously the outlet
for air evacuation (5) is closed in the valve "DES" and the driving valve
"CON" (4) is retained pneumatically-mechanically using a blocking
system. The driving piston (7) moves from position "CON" (C) to position
"DES" (O) and the circuit breaker is disconnected.
1. SF6 enclosure
2. Driving bar
3. Pressurized deposit
4. Driving valve "CON"
5. Outlets for air evacuation
6. Driving valve "DES"
7. Driving piston
8. Driving cylinder
9. Auxiliary circuit breaker with position indicator
Driving systems of CB. Pressurized liquid
◼ The pressurized liquid most commonly
used is oil. The highly pressurized oil
circulates through a closed circuit. The
high pressure is provided by
pressurized nitrogen.
◼ The use of gastight gaskets at high
pressure in the connected position
allows removing the mechanical
holding devices (interlocking triggers).
◼ The piston rod of the mobile contact is
directly coupled to the receiving
device; hence, the intermediate
mechanisms disappear, eliminating
any mechanical link.
Driving systems of CB. Pressurized liquid
◼ Connection
◼ The coil 14 opens the valve 1 and the
pressure of the accumulator 11 passes
to piston 10, which closes valve 2 and
opens valve 3.
◼ When opening valve 3, the pressure
goes through piping 7 to valve 5.
◼ The high pressure passes to receiving
piston 20, which leads the mobile
contact to its connected position,
compressing the springs M.
Driving systems of CB. Pressurized liquid
◼ Disconnection
◼ When the coil 15 opens the valve 6, the high
pressure over piston 10 disappears, the valve
2 is opened and the valve 3 is closed,
removing the high pressure in piping 7. The
valve 5 is opened, emptying piston 20 to the
deposit 22 through the piping 8, by means of
the spring M that activates the mobile contact
17 to its disconnected position.
◼ A surveillance pressure relay automatically
connects and disconnects the pump-and-
engine set that keeps the pressure in the
accumulators between normal levels.
Another pressure relay blocks the operation
of the circuit breaker when the pressure
descends below the admissible level. The
connection interlocking works under a
pressure higher than the disconnection
interlocking, so any connection manoeuvre
can be followed by a immediate
Driving systems of CB. Reliability
◼ The following table shows a statistic analysis performed in the Mexican
network.
◼ It can be clearly observed that the failure level for the circuit breakers
with spring-based drives is inferior to the failure level for circuit breakers
with other kinds of drives.

Type of 400 kV 230 kV

drive Nº interruptions Nº failures Nº interruptions Nº failures
Pneumatic 87 26 (29,8%) 131 31 (23,6%)
Hydraulic 50 24 (48%) 191 16 (8,4%)
Springs (1) 47 2 (4,25%) 100 0 (0%)
Oil-pneumatic 46 5 (10,8%) 25 0 (0%)
Tests on high and medium voltage circuit breakers
◼ The type tests comprise:
◼ Mechanical behaviour.
◼ Mechanical operation.
◼ Heating of any of the parts does not exceed the specified limits.
◼ Insulation is according to the specified limits.
◼ Capability to establish and break the short-circuit currents.
◼ Capability to endure its permissible rated short-time current.
◼ Capability to break currents on unloaded cables.
◼ Capability to break currents on capacitors banks.
◼ Capability to break small inductive currents.
◼ The results of all type tests are recorded in type tests registries that
contain all required data to demonstrate its compliance to standards.
They also include the data needed to identify the essential
characteristics of the tested automatic circuit breaker.
◼ Each of the type tests should be performed on a new and clean
automatic circuit breaker, and the different type tests can be carried out
Mechanical Tests on circuit breakers
◼ The mechanical tests exclusively comprise the execution of
manoeuvres of opening/closing, without voltage or current in the main
circuits.
◼ Usually, 1,000 switching cycles are carried out, 10% of them are carried out
based on opening/closing cycles.
◼ The opening is driven by closing the main contacts, being the circuit breaker
equipped with its usual switching device.
◼ In these manoeuvres the heating of the electrical components should
not exceed those specified by the standards.
◼ During this test lubrication is allowed, but mechanical adjustments are
not.
◼ After the test, all pieces must be in good condition and must not present
excessive wear-out.
◼ Any permanent deformation that could be present in the mechanical
parts must not negatively influence the circuit breaker operation; neither
impedes the correct placement of the spare parts.
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers
◼ One of the main features of switchgear is the insulation level, defined by
the values of nominal power-frequency withstand voltage and nominal
lightning withstand voltage and, in switchgear for 300 kV or higher, by
the value of nominal switching withstand voltage.
◼ The standards set the effective (rms) values and the peak values in kV
for the test (nominal) voltages, as a function of the most elevated
voltage of the material.
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers.
◼ The voltage will be applied as following:
◼ Closed position:
◼ Among all parts of the main circuit of each pole and the frame,
successively. All parts of the main circuit of the rest of the poles (if any)
have to be connected to the frame.
◼ Open position:
◼ Among all parts of the main circuit of all poles connected among
themselves and the frame.
◼ Between the terminals of each pole successively and the frame, being
all parts of the main circuit of the rest of the poles (if any) connected to
the frame.
◼ Between the terminals of a side connected among themselves and the
terminals of the opposite side connected among themselves and the
frame. The tests will be repeated inverting the connections that link the
terminals with the source and the frame, unless the distribution of the
terminals of a pole is symmetrical regarding the frame.
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers. Shock waves
◼ They lie on subjecting the circuit breakers to shock waves of 1.2/50 µs.
◼ During each test, five consecutive shock waves are applied.
◼ It is considered that the automatic circuit breaker complies the test if during
which neither strikes nor punctures take place.
◼ If some puncture or two or more strikes take place, it is considered that the
circuit breaker does not comply the test.
◼ If only one strike takes place, ten additional shock waves will be applied,
and it will be considered that the circuit breaker complies successfully the
test solely if during the additional applications neither strikes nor punctures
take place.
◼ The circuit breaker must be capable to comply the specified tests with
voltages of positive and negative polarity, even when it is enough to
carry out the test with one polarity if it is evident that such polarity
results in a lower strike voltage.
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers. Shock waves
◼ The test voltages are usually obtained by means of a pulse generator,
composed by a given number of capacitors, all equal, that are
simultaneously charged in parallel through some resistances, using a
source of direct voltage (DC), and are later discharged in series through
a circuit that includes the tested device (Marx Principle).
◼ The DC voltage is generally obtained from an alternate voltage source,
at 50 Hz, by means of metal rectifiers, until a spark is generated in the
spark-gaps “e”, all regulated at exactly the same distance, which is
related to the voltage to be applied to the device.
Dielectric Tests on circuit breakers. Power freq.
◼ The test voltage will be raised to the given value and will be maintained
by one minute. It is considered that the circuit breaker does not comply
the test if during which some strike or puncture takes place.
◼ In the test, the voltage reached in the test circuit must be stable enough
so as not to be affected by the leakage current variations or by partial
discharges or pre-discharges.
◼ This condition is complied if the total capacitance of the tested device
(including the additional capacitances of the circuit) is not higher than
1,000 pF, and the value of the current permanently delivered by the
transformer when the device is short-circuited at test voltage is not
lower than 1 A (rms value).
◼ In the resonant circuit, the stability of the resonance conditions and the
constancy of the value of the test voltages depend on the constancy of
the circuit impedances and the frequency of the source.
Heating Tests on circuit breakers.
◼ It must be ensured that the device and its main circuits do not become
excessively hot when the rated current is circulating through them.
◼ The test must be performed over a new device, with clean contacts.
◼ Before carrying out the test, the ohmic resistance of the main circuits
must be measured.
◼ The test must be performed causing the circulation through all poles
(with the exception of high voltage switchgear higher to 72.5 kV, in
which only one pole is tested) of the rated current at steady state and at
power frequency if it is AC, during a time range enough for the heating
to be constant (when the variation does not exceed 1ºC by hour).
Heating Tests on circuit breakers.
◼ For other conductors than those of coils, the tª of the different parts will
be measured using thermometers or thermocouples located in the
available hottest point.
◼ For the opening and closing coils that are excited solely during the
opening and closing manoeuvres, the heating test consists in feeding
these coils at their rated voltage ten successive times with a 2 s interval
between the excitation instants, supposing the circuit breaker has an
automatic device to open the control circuit at the end of the
manoeuvre, or feeding them ten successive times during 1 s being 2 s
the interval between excitations.
◼ To perform the heating test an adjustable alternate current source is
required (exceptionally a DC source) with a capacity equal to the rated
current of the tested switchgear. The pertinent measurement devices
are also required: voltmeters, ammeters, millivoltmeters, double bridge
(Thomson), thermometers, thermocouples, low voltage or very low
voltage transformers, etc.
Short circuit Tests on circuit breakers. TRV
◼ The rated transient recovery voltage (TRV) for terminals failure,
associated to the rated short-circuit breaking capacity, is the
predictable limit voltage of reference of the circuits that the circuit
breaker must be able to clear in case of a terminals short-circuit.
◼ The waveform of the TRV changes accordingly the configuration of the
real circuits.
◼ In networks with rated voltages higher than 100 kV and for important
short-circuit currents (with respect to the maximum short-circuit
current), the TRV presents an initial period during which the rising
speed is high and a subsequent period during which such speed is
reduced.
◼ This waveform is well-enough defined by means of an envelope
formed by three straight-line segments determined by four parameters.
Short circuit Tests. Breaking and making cap.
◼ Before accomplishing the tests of breaking capacity and making
capacity, it is required to carry out several switchings under no load,
during which the accurate operation of the automatic circuit breaker will
be verified and the travel speed, closing time and opening time will be
registered.
◼ The generated overvoltages will not exceed the maximum admissible
and external flashover will not take place.
◼ If the automatic circuit breaker has an electrical drive, these tests must
be performed feeding the closing device at 105% and 85% of the rated
voltage of operation of the drive.
◼ In case of air-compressed or pressurized oil drives, the tests must be
performed at minimum pressure with the shunt triggers fed at 85% the
rated voltage of operation and repeated at nominal pressure at 100%
the rated voltage of operation and at maximum specified pressure at
110% the rated voltage of operation.
◼ In case of energy accumulation drives (springs), the tests must be
performed with the shunt triggers fed at 110% and 85% the rated
voltage of operation.
Short circuit Tests. Breaking and making cap.
◼ During the tests of breaking and opening inside the given limits of
breaking capacity and making capacity, the circuit breaker must not
present exaggerated signs of wear-out neither risk the operator
integrity.
◼ After every sequence of tests, the mechanical parts and their insulators
will be practically in the same conditions that before the tests. After the
sequence of the short-circuit test, the automatic circuit breaker will be
capable to close and open its steady state rated current at rated
voltage, admitting that its possibilities to open and close the short-
circuit current will be considerably reduced after the tests.
◼ It is considered that a circuit breaker does not comply the sequence of
short-circuit tests if the damages in the main insulation (that is
subjected to electrical stresses under normal operation conditions)
alter its insulating condition at rated voltage.
◼ The fundamental short-circuit tests in the high voltage automatic circuit
breakers consist in a series of five basic sequences of short-circuit
tests.
Individual tests in circuit breakers
◼ They have the purpose of evidence the imperfections of the material or
the manufacturing that would alter the properties and quality of the
tested device.
◼ They are acceptance tests performed over a given number of samples
to determine by negotiation between the manufacturer and the user.
◼ The test site can be the installation site of the apparatus.
◼ These tests consist on:
◼ Voltage tests at power-frequency.
◼ Voltage tests of the driving and auxiliary circuits.
◼ Measurement of the resistance of the main circuit.
◼ Tests of mechanical sequence operations.
Routine tests in circuit breakers
◼ The routine tests are performed in all circuit breakers. During these
tests, the circuit breaker is connected to its driving mechanism without
support and switching insulators. The inertia of the switching insulators
is compensated mounting special weights with equivalent inertias
before the test.
◼ The routine tests include the following operations:
◼ Adjustment of the driving mechanism.
◼ Measurement of the limit values of the drive voltage and the motor
voltage.
◼ Voltage test of the drive circuits
◼ Verifying the times of opening and closing, the speeds of opening and
closing, and the dampening in the final position of the contacts.
◼ Pressure tightness tests to each breaking unit.
◼ Measurement of the resistance of the main path of current.
◼ Voltage test to each breaking unit.