PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR

• Introduction

In an electric power system, switchgear is composed of electrical disconnect switches,

fuses or circuit breakers used to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment. Switchgear is
used both to de-energize equipment to allow work to be done and to clear faults downstream.
This type of equipment is directly linked to the reliability of the electricity supply.

• History

The earliest central power stations used simple open knife switches, mounted on
insulating panels of marble or asbestos. Oil-filled switchgear equipment allow arc energy to be
contained and safely controlled. By the early 20th century, a switchgear line-up would be a
metal-enclosed structure with electrically operated switching elements, using oil circuit
breakers. Today, oil-filled equipment has largely been replaced by air-blast, vacuum, or SF6
equipment, allowing large currents and power levels to be safely controlled by automatic
equipment. High-voltage switchgear was invented at the end of the 19th century for operating
motors and other electric machines. The technology has been improved over time and can now
be used with voltages up to 1,100 kV.

• Working

The switchgear system is directly linked to the supply system. It is placed in both the
high and low voltage side of the power transformer. It is used for de-energizing the equipment

PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR

 PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR

for testing and maintenance and for clearing the fault. When the fault occurs in the power
system, heavy current flow through equipment due to which the equipment get damaged, and
the service also get interrupted.

So to protect the lines, generators, transformers and other electrical equipment from
damage automatic protective devices or switchgear devices are required. The automatic
protective switchgear mainly consists of the relay and circuit breaker. When the fault occurs in
any section of the system, the relay of that section comes into operation and close the trip circuit
of the breaker which disconnects the faulty section. The healthy section continues supplying
loads as usual, and thus there is no damage to equipment and no complete interruption of
supply.

PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR

 PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR

Figure: GIS & Hybrid Switchgear

Switchgear includes switching & protecting devices like fuses, switches, relays, circuit
breakers, etc. This device allows operating devices like electrical equipment, generators,
distributors, transmission lines, etc. Once the short circuit occurs within the power system, then
a huge current will flow through the devices. So that the equipment can be damaged & the
interruption will occur to the operators. To overcome this problem, it is used to detect the fault
in the power system. In this way, this is works to protect the equipment from the damage.

• Functions
1. It protects the equipment from short-circuits & fault currents.
2. This device gives isolation to the circuits from power supplies.
3. It increases the availability of the system by allowing more than one source to feed a
load.
4. It can open & close the electrical circuits under the conditions of normal & abnormal.
5. In normal conditions, it can operate manually so it ensures the safety of the operator &
also proper electrical energy utilization.
6. In abnormal conditions, it operates mechanically. Once a fault happens this device
detects the fault & detaches the damaged part in the power system. So it protects the
power system from damage.

Switchgear is often inspected using thermal imaging to assess the state of the system and
predict failures before they occur. Other methods include partial discharge (PD) testing, using

PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR

 PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR

either fixed or portable testers, and acoustic emission testing using surface-mounted
transducers (for oil equipment) or ultrasonic detectors used in outdoor switchyards.
Temperature sensors fitted to cables to the switchgear can permanently monitor temperature
build-up. SF6 equipment is invariably fitted with alarms and interlocks to warn of loss of
pressure, and to prevent operation if the pressure falls too low.

The increasing awareness of dangers associated with high fault levels has resulted in
network operators specifying closed-door operations for earth switches and racking breakers.
Many European power companies have banned operators from switch rooms while operating.
Remote racking systems are available which allow an operator to rack switchgear from a
remote location without the need to wear a protective arc flash hazard suit. Switchgear systems
require continuous maintenance and servicing to remain safe to use and fully optimized to
provide such high voltages

PARTH KELKAR – S 64 – Q3 - SWITCHGEAR