General Introduction

In this chapter, we shall present the general introduction to switchgear and protection. The chapter includes necessity, function, protective system equipments and different types of faults and their causes. 1. Necessity of Protective System The electricity requirements of the world are increasing at alarming stage and the power demand has been running ahead of supply. During abnormal condition, the fault causes considerable damage to the system which results in long time interruption of supply to the consumers. Therefore it is desirable and necessary to disconnect faulty section from the system and ensures maximum continuity of supply as quick as possible. Thus, the protective system is necessary in order to ensure continuity of supply and maintain the power system. 2. Definition of Switchgear The apparatus used to protect the power system from damage during abnormal condition and to ensure the maximum continuity of supply is known as Switchgear. The switchgear performs switching, controlling and protecting operations to ensure lot of stability of power system. 3. Equipments of Protective System Normally isolating switches, fuses, circuit breakers, protective relays are the equipments of protective system. Also in addition to this, instruments transformer, reactors, lightening arresters are used. The functions of each are given below. Isolating Switches Fuses Circuit Breakers Protective Relays Instrument Transformer Current limiting reactors

Current limiting reactors are the protective equipment which limits the flow of short circuit current under fault condition. Lightening Arresters 4. Concept of Faults, Types and their causes 1

A fault occurs when two or more conductors (that normally operate with a potential difference) come in contact with each other. Mainly the faults in a power system can be classified into two types. Symmetrical Faults As its name implies, this types of faults gives rise to symmetrical fault current i.e. equal fault current with 1200 displacement is called symmetrical faults. Unsymmetrical Faults As its name implies, this types of faults gives rise to unsymmetrical fault current i.e. unequal fault current with unequal displacement is known as unsymmetrical fault. Single line to ground fault, Line to line fault and Double line to ground fault are the unsymmetrical faults. The faults may be cause due to mainly two reasons, internal causes such as breakdown or failure of equipment, insulation failure, inadequate design improper installation and

maintenance etc and external causes such as lightening surges, overloading, temperature rise, manually damage etc. 5. Introduction to reactors The reactors are essentially short circuit current limiting equipment. As its name implies, reactors is the protective equipment which limits the flow of current under fault condition. Generally, the value of reactance of the system under fault condition is low and fault current may rise to a dangerously high value which damage to the circuit breakers, transmission lines and other equipments of the system. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the short circuit current to a value which is suitable for circuit breakers and other system equipments. For that purpose reactors are used in series with the system. The reactors have a large reactance as compared to its ohmic resistance and there is a little change in the efficiency of the system. 6. Types of current limiting reactors 2

The reactors are used in series with system at suitable points. Depending upon its location, the reactors are classified into three types. These are generator reactors, feeder reactors and bus bar reactors. 1. Generator reactors In this connection scheme, the reactors are connected in series with each generator. 2. Feeder reactors In this connection scheme, the reactors are connected in series with each feeder. 3. Bus bar reactors In this connection scheme, the reactors are connected in bus bars by ring main system or tie bar system. a) Ring main system b) Tie bar system