Disconnector (ISOLATOR)

HIGH VOLTAGE DISCONNECTOR

In electrical engineering, a disconnector, disconnect switch or isolator switch is

used to ensure that an electrical circuit is completely de-energized for service or
maintenance. Such switches are often found in electrical distribution and
industrial applications, where machinery must have its source of driving power
removed for adjustment or repair. High-voltage isolation switches are used in
electrical substations to allow isolation of apparatus such as circuit
breakers, transformers, and transmission lines, for maintenance. The disconnector
is usually not intended for normal control of the circuit, but only for safety
isolation. Disconnectors can be operated either manually or automatically.

Disconnectors for medium voltage

Unlike load switches and circuit breakers, disconnectors lack a mechanism for
suppression of electric arcs, which occurs when conductors carrying high currents
are electrically interrupted. Thus, they are off-load devices, intended to be opened
only after current has been interrupted by some other control device. Safety
regulations of the utility must prevent any attempt to open the disconnector while it
supplies a circuit. Standards in some countries for safety may require either local
motor isolators or lockable overloads (which can be padlocked).
Disconnectors have provisions for a lockout-tag out so that inadvertent operation is
not possible. Lockout-tag out (LOTO) or lock and tag is a safety procedure
which is used in industry and research settings to ensure that dangerous machines
are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of
maintenance or servicing work. It requires that hazardous energy sources be
"isolated and rendered inoperative" before work is started on the equipment in
question. The isolated power sources are then locked and a tag is placed on the
lock identifying the worker who has placed it. The worker then holds the key for
the lock ensuring that only he or she can start the machine. This prevents
accidental startup of a machine while it is in a hazardous state or while a worker is
in direct contact with it. In high-voltage or complex systems, these locks may be
part of a trapped-key interlock system to ensure proper sequence of operation. In
some designs, the isolator switch has the additional ability to earth the isolated
circuit thereby providing additional safety. Such an arrangement would apply to
circuits which inter-connect power distribution systems where both ends of the
circuit need to be isolated.
A switch disconnector combines the properties of the disconnector and the load
switch, so it provides the safety isolation function while being able to make and
break nominal currents.

Integrated disconnecting switch

In a disconnecting circuit breaker the disconnectors are integrated in the breaking
chamber, which eliminates the need for separate disconnectors. The intention of
this combined device is to decrease maintenance and
increase availability and reliability. The usage of this device instead of a
disconnector is limited due to the fact that the open gap is not clearly visible and
many doubts in term of safety arise during maintenance activities. Where it is
adopted the earthing switch must be used and the performance must be increased
by the typical value.
The open-air disconnecting switches typically need maintenance every five years
(every two years under much polluted conditions) while circuit breakers have
maintenance intervals of 15 years.
Pilot cables are used for control, protection, signaling, telecommunications and
data transmission purposes associated with power distribution and transmission
systems.