Unique solution for pumped

storage power plants

HECPS Generator
circuit-breakers
Table of contents

004 Increasing operational availability,

safety and reliability

005 Standard, quality and tests

006  Customer benefits

007 Technical data

008  Generator circuit-breaker in

pumped storage power plants

010  Generator circuit-breaker system

and modules

014  Monitoring system

016 Our footprint

018 Dimension drawings

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Increasing operational availability,
safety and flexibility
At Hitachi Energy we use leading open digital platforms to bring our grids into the age of
the sustainable energy future. We are contributing pioneering solutions that are making
the world’s power grids stronger, smarter and greener.
Hitachi Energy is a leader in the design and manufacturing
of generator circuit-breakers (GCBs) since 1954 with more than
8,000 deliveries in over 100 countries. We offer the widest and
most modern portfolio of GCBs in SF6 and vacuum technology
with a range of short-circuit current ratings from 50 kA to
300 kA and nominal currents from 3,150 A to over 50,000 A
to meet the demand of all types of power plants around
the globe.
GCBs protect the important assets in power plants such as
generators and transformers by clearing potential harmful
short-circuit faults in tens of milliseconds preventing severe
damages and possibly lengthy plant downtime.
01 HECPS Generator circuit-breaker power plant structure
H E C P S G E N E R AT O R C I R C U I T- B R E A K E R U N I Q U E S O LU T I O N F O R P U M P E D S TO R AG E P O W E R P L A N T S | 5
Standards, quality
and tests
The generator circuit-breaker system HECPS is one integrated
solution which provides all functions required by pumped stor-
Standards and quality Further tests such as temperature rise, extended mechanical
endurance, low temperature, high temperature, sound level,
age power plants (PSPP) in one system and from a single
The generator circuit-breaker system type HECPS fulfils degree of protection and reaction force tests were carried out
manufacturer and is available with the following ratings:
the requirements of all relevant standards, i.e. IEEE C37.013, with all the related components within the system to verify the
• Up to 130 kA rated system-source short-circuit current
IEC/ IEEE 62271-37-013, IEC 62271-1, IEC 62271-102, liability and compliance with the requirements of the relevant
• Up to 25.3 kV rated voltage
IEC 61869-2, IEC 61869-3, IEC 60358, IEC 60099-4, standards.
• Up to 17,500 A rated normal current at 50 Hz/ 60 Hz
IEC 62271-300, IEC 60480 and IEC 60529. The HECS system
• Full 180° out-of-phase current switching capability
is tested according to the standard that were valid at the time Routine and factory acceptance tests
of testing. Prior to dispatch, the generator circuit-breaker system is sub-
The interrupting chamber of HECPS is fully type tested
jected to an extensive test program defined in accordance with
according to IEEE C37.013 and designed to meet the
The production of generator circuit-breakers in Switzerland is the standards IEC/ IEEE 62271-37-013:2015 and
requirements of IEC/ IEEE 62271-37-013.
continuously endeavored to improve its quality systems and is IEC 62271-102:2018, including:
awarded by Bureau Veritas for management system with the • Power frequency withstand voltage tests on major insulation
certificate for ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and components and insulation of enclosures (HV tests)
ISO 45001:2018. • Electrical resistance of current path across circuit-breaker
and the disconnecting switch
• Mechanical timing test on generator circuit-breaker
Tests • Mechanical test on other components
• Tests on auxiliary and control circuits
Type tests
• Tightness test
The generator circuit-breaker type HECPS has been designed
• Design and visual checks
to meet the requirements of IEC/ IEEE 62271-37-013 and in
some respects, its performance even exceeds the minimum
requirements of this standard. The interrupting capability of the
HECPS generator circuit-breaker system was fully type tested
by the High-Power Laboratory of KEMA/ Netherlands in
accordance to the standard IEEE C37.013.
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Customer benefits Technical data

Generator circuit-breakers system type HECPS-3S HECPS-5S HECPS-5Sp

General

Rated maximun voltage kV 25.3 25.3 25.3

INTEGRATED SOLUTION WITH
ALL REQUIRED FUNCTIONS Rated frequency Hz 50/ 60 50/ 60 50/ 60
Rated normal current 50 Hz A rms up to 13500 up to 13500 up to 17500
HECPS is one integrated solution Rated normal current 60 Hz A rms up to 12500 up to 12500 up to 16500
which provides all functions required by
Rated insultation level
pumped storage power plants in one
system and from a single manufacturer. Rated power frequency withstand voltage
ON-SITE AND REMOTE FAT
to earth and across circuit-breakers/ switch contacts kV rms 60 (80) 60 (80) 60 (80)
across isolating distance of disconnector kV rms 70 (88) 70 (88) 70 (88)
Customers are welcome to attend the
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at our Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage

factory where we will complete all the to earth and across circuit-breakers/ switch contacts kV peak 125 (150) 125 (150) 125 (150)

test procedures and issue the relevant across isolating distance of disconnector kV peak 145 (165) 145 (165) 145 (165)
SIMPLIFIED AND EFFICIENT test protocols. If customers are not able Circuit-breaker
LIFETIME MANAGEMENT to join us in the factory, through our
Remote Factory Acceptance Test (RFAT) Rated peak withstand current kA peak 300 360 360
HECPS is fully integrated with Hitachi they can witness the testing of their GCB Rated short-time withstand current kA, 3s 100 130 130
Energy GCB digital monitoring system in our factory without actually leaving Rated short-circuit making current kA peak 300 360 360
GMS600, the state-of-the-art monitoring their office living a real-time customer Rated short-circuit breaking current kA rms 100 130 130
system that enables simplified and effi- event experience. Rated operating sequence CO-30min-CO
cient lifetime management in order to Opening time ms 34 ± 5 34 ± 5 34 ± 5
optimize the use of the GCB in power
Rated interrupting time ms 68 68 68
plants. GMS600-A offers the possibility
Mechanical endurance life CO 20000 20000 20000
to perform a direct contact erosion mea-
surement with high accuracy without Disconnector
taking the GCB out of service, thus
Rated peak withstand current kA peak 300 360 360
increasing the availability of the OUTSTANDING RELIABILITY
Rated short-time current kA, 3s 100 130 130
power plant.
Operating time s 2 2 2
Based on the modern, robust and
streamlined design of the HECS-platform Earthing switch
with more than 2000 installed breakers
Rated peak withstand current kA peak 300 360 360
worldwide, HECPS is built around well
proven components that ensure its Rated short-time current kA, 1s 100 130 130

outstanding reliability. Operating time s 2 2 2

MINIMIZED INSTALLATION AND Starting switch

COMMISSIONING TIME AT SITE

Rated peak withstand current kA peak 450 450 450
Rated short-time current kA, 3s 160 160 160
The integrated solution HECPS is
Operating time 6 2 2 2
delivered fully assembled to minimize
the installation and commissioning time
at site. The control, monitoring and inter-
locking functions of the complete system
are integrated in a single control cubicle.
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GCB in pumped storage
power plants
Pumped storage power plants are of great importance for the
economical operation of a power system as they make use of
electrical energy during off-peak hours to pump water from a
lower reservoir to a higher reservoir for the use in the generation
of electrical energy during system peak periods. Generator
circuit-breakers are widely used in PSPPs because the use of
such circuit-breakers allows the electrical scheme to be greatly
simplified, which provides operational advantages and lead to
an increased power plant reliability.
In addition to the generator circuit-breaker, the following
specific components are employed for transition between
generating and pumping modes:
• Static frequency converter (SFC) and back-to-back (BTB)
starting switches
SFC and BTB starting switches are used during the starting
process of rotating machines in pumping mode, when genera-
tors or static frequency converters are used to provide power
with voltage at variable amplitude and frequency from 0 Hz up
to power frequency.
• Five phase disconnector and phase reversal module
The disconnector module consists of 5 poles and serves the
purpose of isolating the unit from the system and interchang-
ing two phases to reverse the rotation of the machine to use it
alternatively in generator mode or motor mode of the unit.
• Braking switch
An important issue in all hydro power plants and therefore
also in pumped storage power plants is the braking of the
machine after it has been disconnected from the system.
Electrical braking by short-circuiting the stator and
H E C P S G E N E R AT O R C I R C U I T- B R E A K E R U N I Q U E S O LU T I O N F O R P U M P E D S TO R AG E P O W E R P L A N T S | 9
The HECPS integrated system is designed
for the needs of pumped storage power
plants. The system equipment is covering
all basic and extended operational functions
of most pumped storage power plants
worldwide. Because of their ability to inter-
rupt fault current with delayed current zero
re-excitation of the rotor is attractive because it assists
and also at frequencies below 50/ 60 Hz
hydraulic braking at lower speed and allows to substantially Hitachi Energy generator circuit-breakers
reduce the wear of the mechanical braking system and hence
to increase the maintenance intervals and to decrease the
ensure an adequate protection of power
associated costs. The braking switch serves the purpose of plant equipment.
short-circuiting the stator.
• PSPPs employing doubly-fed induction machines
Doubly-fed induction machines (DFIMs) have gained increas-
ing importance in large pumped storage installations since
they provide the advantages of variable-speed operation and
four-quadrant active and reactive power capabilities using
converters rated only a small fraction (ca. 20-30%) of the
rated power. A major drawback with DFIMs is their behavior
during grid faults. Faults in the power system cause a voltage
dip at the connection point of the machine, which induces
very large currents in the windings due to the direct magnetic
coupling between stator and rotor. To protect the rotor-side
converter, the most common solution is to short-circuit the
rotor via so called crowbar resistors. This additional resistor
decreases the time constant the time constant of decay of the
AC component of the current, which, depending on the crow-
bar’s resistance value, can decay much faster than the DC
component. When this occurs, the resulting current waveform
can exhibit delayed current zero (DCZ), meaning that there is
no natural zero-crossing of the current for several cycles.
These conditions are extremely severe for a GCB to cope with
and must be thoroughly investigated when assessing the suit-
ability of a circuit-breaker for a given application.
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Circuit-breaker module
Generator circuit-breaker
system and modules The generator circuit-breaker module is the one containing
the SF6 circuit-breaker. It consists of a three-phase system
in single-phase enclosures, supplied fully assembled on a
common frame with operating mechanisms and capacitors.

In addition to the circuit-breaker, the generator circuit-breaker

The integrated solution HECPS is unique in the market providing
all functions required by pumped storage power plants in one
system and from a single manufacturer.
HECPS consists of three individual modules:
• Generator circuit-breaker module with SFC and BTB
starting switches
• Five phase disconnector and phase reversal module
• Braking switch module
The complete system includes circuit-breaker, disconnector,
capacitors and control cubicle, and offers a wide selection of
additional components, such as earthing switches, current and
voltage transformers, and surge arresters. It is delivered fully
assembled to minimize the installation and commissioning time
at site. The control, monitoring and interlocking functions of the
complete system are integrated in a single control cubicle.
module is available with earthing switches and capacitors,
current and voltage transformers, and can be equipped as well
with extensions for an SFC starting switch and a BTB starting
switch which are designed to be employed to start-up the
machine in motor mode.
The single line diagram of a generator circuit-breaker module
is depicted in the figure 04.
03 Generator circuit-breaker module

Based on the modern generator circuit-breaker type HECS, with

short circuit ratings of up to 130 kA and nominal currents of up
to 17,500 A, HECPS satisfies the requirements of the largest
pumped storage power plants around the globe.

Braking switch Circuit-breaker module Disconnector module

module
4 5
4 5
1 Circuit-breaker

8 8 83 Earthing 8switches
8 8 8 8 1
1 7 7 7 2 7
7 7 7 2 7
4 Starting switch for SFC connection

5 Back-to-back starting switch

3 3 6 9 6 3 6 3 Surge3 capacitor 6 9
6 3

7 Current transformers
2 7
2 7 04 Typical single line diagram of HECPS generator circuit-breaker module
8 Voltage transformers

1 Circuit-breaker 6 Surge capacitor

2 Line disconnect switch 7 Current transformers

3 Earthing switches 8 Voltage transformers

4 Starting switch for SFC connection 9 Surge arrester

5 Back-to-back starting switch

02 Typical single line diagram of HECPS generator circuit-breaker system

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Five phase disconnector and Braking switch module

phase reversal module
This module consists of five poles and serves the purpose of
isolating the unit from the system and interchanging two phases
to reverse the rotation of the machine. The disconnector is a
tubular telescopic unit and operated through a mechanical
linkage with a drive. In the open position of the disconnector,
the isolating air distance can be clearly seen through an
inspection window. The view of a disconnector being in the
open position is depicted in the figure 05.
In addition to the disconnector and capacitors, the five
phase disconnector and phase reversal module is available with
earthing switches, current and voltage transformers, and surge
arresters.
The braking switch serves the purpose of electrically braking a
machine in a hydro or pumped storage power plant after it has
been disconnected from the system. Electrical braking is attrac-
tive because it allows to substantially reduce the wear of the
mechanical braking system and hence to increase the mainte-
nance intervals and to decrease the associated costs. Electrical
braking typically sets in at 50% to 60% of the rated speed of the
machine and mechanical braking is then applied only at 10% or
less of the rated speed. In order to electrically brake a machine
a short-circuit is applied to its terminals by closing the braking
switch. In pumped storage power plants employing DFIMs, the
braking switch is also used to short-circuit the stator terminals
during the machine start-up.

The single line diagram of the five phase disconnector Arrangement of the braking switch module
05 Disconnector in open position and phase reversal module is depicted in the figure 06. The braking switch module is connected to the generator main 07 Braking switch module

busbar between the terminals of the generator and the genera-

tor circuit-breaker. • The generator is excitated again so that the necessary braking
current of the generator is flowing in the circuit, thereby elec-
NOTE: A braking switch is not intended for protection purposes; therefore no trical braking takes place
protection signals shall be wired to the opening coils of the braking switch.
• At 10% or less of the rated speed mechanical braking is also
applied and the machine finally comes to a complete standstill
Sequence of the electrical braking of a machine
5 • After reaching the standstill position the excitation current
The sequence of the electrical braking of a machine in a hydro
is reduced to zero and the braking switch is opened
8 8 2 Line disconnect switch
or pumped storage power plant is as follows:
(without current) 4
7
• The input of mechanical power to the turbine is interrupted
7 2 7
3 Earthing switches • The generator is disconnected from the system by opening
the generator circuit-breaker
6 Surge capacitor
• The speed of the machine is reduced due to the friction of the
3 3 6 9 7 Current transformers runner in water or air (depending of the type of the turbine) 8
8 Voltage transformers
• The generator is de-excitated; depending on the degree of 7
2 7 de-excitation the residual voltage at the generator terminals
9 Surge arrester typically lies between 5% and 25% of the rated voltage
• At about 50% to 60% of the rated speed of the machine the
braking switch is closed and hence a short-circuit is applied 08 Typical single line diagram of HECPS braking switch module

to the terminals of the generator. The residual voltage and the

sub-transient reactance of the generator thereby determine
the making current
06 Typical single line diagram of HECPS five phase disconnector and phase reversal module
6
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Monitoring system
The GMS600 (see figure 09(a)) is a novel monitoring system for
GCBs that has been specifically developed to support power
plant operators and maintenance engineers for a proactive and
cost-effective maintenance program, while improving diagnostic
capability through the recorded data and threshold levels.
Built on the well-proven technology, it offers unique features
such as SF6 gas monitoring and trending (GMS600-G),
temperature monitoring of primary conductors (GMS600-T)
and ablation monitoring (GMS600-A). In addition, it is also able
to provide operating mechanism supervision. GMS600 can be
integrated in new GCBs or retrofitted into existing GCB
applications.
The monitoring system provides precise indication of the GCB’s
remaining time-to- preventive maintenance based on cumulative
current interruptions, total number of mechanical operations
and time from last overhaul.
An important novel feature is temperature monitoring of the
current-carrying path. At such high currents as those normally
carried by a GCB, even a slight increase of electrical resistance
in the current-carrying path can lead to a large temperature
increase. The GMS600 reads out the measured data of all
temperature sensors at a rate of approximately one sensor
Digital outputs
IEC 61850
LAN
Web interface
09(a) GMS600 monitoring system and sensors
sample per second. This raw temperature data is processed by
a temperature evaluation module every minute, and a warning
or alarm is generated in case the temperature deviation of the
three sensors per phase exceeds the set limit or the tempera-
ture reaches the maximum tolerated level. All information is
displayed to the GCB operator locally by local human machine
interface as well as remotely by webserver and web client appli-
cation. Data can be transmitted over the power plant network
by the modern communication protocols IEC 61850 and
DNP3.
A recent advance in monitoring system led to the launch of the
global first online contacts erosion monitoring system for GCBs.
Predominantly during opening operations, some material is ab-
lated from the GCB arcing contact system resulting in reduced
overlapping times, i.e. the time elapsed between the opening of
the main and the arcing contacts during switching operations.
The wear on arcing contacts of GCBs can be better monitored
by measuring the overlapping time of the contacts. This time is
critical for the proper operation of a GCB, and overhaul be-
comes necessary if the overlapping time is shorter than a
minimum acceptable value which does not allow the current to
commutate from the main to the arcing contacts during an
opening operation.
Analog signals
MODBUS
(RS-485)
SF6
Temperature
Drive/ position
signals
Contacts ablation
H E C P S G E N E R AT O R C I R C U I T- B R E A K E R U N I Q U E S O LU T I O N F O R P U M P E D S TO R AG E P O W E R P L A N T S | 15
The overlapping time is typically measured using the dynamic The presented innovative solution offers the possibility to per-
contact resistance measurement (DRM) technique, which evalu- form a direct contact erosion measurement with high accuracy
ates the contact resistance during an operation of the GCB. The and does not need the GCB to be taken out of service, thus in-
measument consists in injecting a DC current in one phase of creasing the availability of the power plant. This enables new
the GCB and requires the GCB to be taken out of service and service concepts to be implemented, promoting the transition
isolated from the rest of the power plant. from the traditional reactive maintenance work to an optimized
maintenance planning based on residual lifetime prediction and
The innovative method to measure the contact overlapping time supported by faster response, higher flexibility and simplified in-
is based on a concept which transmits high-frequency signals spections and overhauls.
across the GCB (see figure 09(b)). A test signal is generated by
the phase module and is fed into the conductor via the capaci- The possibility to accurately measure the erosion of the GCB
tive voltage divider on the transformer side. The signal is then contacts is of special importance in applications which involve
received through a second capacitive voltage divider on the a high number of switching operations such as in pumped stor-
generator side. The amplitude of the received test signal varies age power plants. The use of a monitoring system to support
depending on the position of the GCB, i.e., closed, main the maximization of the usage of equipment plays a key role in
contacts open, or arcing contacts open. Evaluation of this optimizing system performance and reducing operating costs.
amplitude variation allows to calculate the overlapping time of
the two contact systems.
AMPLITUDE (a.u.)
1 2
3 4 5
6
3 4 5
7
G
3 4 5 8
TIME (a.u.)
Concept diagram Course of test signal during closing operation of GCB
1 Monitoring system 5 Transmitting capacitive voltage divider
2 Power supply and communication interface 6 Time at which the main contact system is closed
3 Receiving capacitive voltage divider 7 Time at which the arching contact system is closed
4 Phase module (electronic controller)
09(b) GMS600 concept diagram and test signal of closing operation
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Our footprint
Pumped storage power plant references

Hitachi Energy is
market leader in
pumped storage
applications.
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HECPS-5Sp — Circuit-breaker module

Dimension drawings
HECPS-3S/ 5S — Circuit-breaker module
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HECPS-3S/ 5S — Disconnector module HECPS-5Sp — Disconnector module

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HECPS-3S/ 5S/ 5Sp —

Braking switch module (HVR-EBCB)
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
Brown-Boveri-Strasse 5
8050 Zurich, CH
Switzerland

©Hitachi Energy 2021. All rights reserved.

Specifications subject to change without notice.