Description of Equipment

SF6 Gas-insulated Switchgear ELK SP-14 / 2120

Retrofit circuit-breaker with operating mechanism, 300 kV

A new level of performance

Retrofit means upgrading an existing system with modern components, in order to optimize technical, safety relevant,
economical and ecological factors. The ABB retrofit solution covers exchange of the components which have been
subject to the most wear during the many years in operation. One of the core switchgear components is the circuit
breaker. Consequently, a retrofit circuit breaker solution is a cost efficient method to upgrade and extend the life of
switchgear. The result is a major improvement in reliability, safety, maintenance reduction and performance -
an outstanding way to optimize the return on investment.

Retrofit benefits Main product features

−− SF6-gas as insulating and arc-quenching
Reliability medium
−− Significant life time extension −− Separate contact systems for continuous
−− Lower maintenance requirements current and short-circuit current interruption
−− Long term availability of spare parts −− Reliable making and breaking capacity
−− Short lead time of spare parts of heavy load and short-circuit currents
−− High capability of carrying rated current
Safety and short-circuit currents
−− Fault risk reduction −− Short break times for all switching duties
−− Additional embedded safety features −− High specific breaking capacity with low
−− Improved operator protection drive energy
−− Switching sequence O-CO or CO-CO
Technology −− Single or three phase auto-reclosing
−− Latest circuit-breaker generation −− Puffer principle for arc quenching
−− Upgrading of technical ratings −− High dielectic withstand strength due to
−− Type-tested according to latest large contact gap in the open position
IEC & ANSI standards −− Meets the dielectric requirements applying
for disconnectors
Project execution −− Potential-free auxiliary contacts
−− Short implementation time for replacement
−− Minimum outage time
−− Smooth site activity

Investment
−− Fixed capital investment
−− Minimization of further maintenance costs
−− Warranty for retrofit components
Design and Layout
An important feature of the circuit-breaker (Fig. 1) is its simple
and robust layout for horizontal and vertical installation. The
circuit-breaker comprises three identical single-phase meta-
lenclosed circuit-breaker poles.
Fig. 1: Circuit breaker installation options
Each pole consists of an operating mechanism, a circuit-
breaker column with one interrupting chamber and an en-
closure with the basic support structure. In each of the three
single-phase aluminium enclosures, the interrupting chambers
are mechanically connected to the operating mechanisms and
are operated simultaneously. The gas compartment of the cir-
cuit-breaker is separated from the other parts of the installa-
tion by partition insulators. The SF6-gas density is supervised
by a density monitor. Humidity and SF6-gas decomposition
products produced in the arc are captured by an adsorption
filter within the circuit-breaker enclosure.
The circuit-breaker is of the single-pressure type and works
on the puffer principle. During an interruption, a compression
piston inside the chamber generates the SF6-gas pressure
required to extinguish the arc between the contacts. At very
high short-circuit currents, a substantial amount of the requi-
red pressure is generated by gas heating due to the arc.
1 2 3 4 5 2
10 9 8 7
Fig. 2: Section view of circuit-breaker
2 ELK SP-14 / 2120 | ABB
Hydro-mechanical spring operating mechanism
Each circuit-breaker pole is equipped with a hydro-mechani-
cal spring operating mechanism. The operating mechanism
(Fig. 3) is of modular design and consists of:
−− Housing
−− Position indicator
−− Power pack for energy storage without any kind of
external pipe
−− Monitoring module for control purpose
It combines the advantages of the hydraulic operating me-
chanism with those of the spring energy storage type. Due to
this combination of working principles it enjoys the following
advantages:
−− Interrupting guaranteed even if disc spring is broken
−− Working principle guarantees additional safety margins for
circuit-breaker performance in service
The design enables rapid replacement of complete sub-
modules for greater ease of service and excellent access for
maintenance and repair. The cover of the operating mecha-
nism housing assures access to the internal components with
a minimum of effort. The position indicator is mounted on the
housing and is mechanically coupled to the operating rod.
The working module comprises an output cylinder with a
piston rod and an integrated damping system. The output
cylinder is the key part of the operating mechanism, all the
other modules being radially flanged to it. The modules are
interconnected via sealed couplings, without any piping (block
design).
Hydraulic principle
The hydraulic pump moves oil from the low-pressure reservoir
to the high-pressure side of the energy storage pistons. The
output piston, which works on the differential piston principle
and is driven via a change-over valve, is mechanically connec-
ted to the circuit-breaker contacts.
1 Limit switches
2 Partition insulator
3 Interrupting chamber
4 SF6-gas
5 Enclosure
6 Pressure relief device
7 Operating rods
8 Auxiliary switches
9 Power pack
10 Disk spring column
6
Interruption/Opening
After actuation of the trip coil, the change-over valve is swit-
ched hydraulically to its open position, thereby connecting
the bottom side of the output piston with the low-pressure
reservoir. The output piston now moves the circuit-breaker to
its open position. The hydraulic force retains the output piston
in the open position.

Closing
After actuation of the closing coil, the change-over valve is
hydraulically switched to its closed position, thereby introdu-
cing high pressure to the bottom side of the output piston.
The system pressure is now on both sides of the output pis-
ton. The output piston moves the circuit-breaker to its closed
position because the area on the bottom side of the output
piston is greater than on the top (differential piston principle).
Through the choice of pressure/area ratio, the opening and
closing energy of the operating mechanism is optimally mat-
ched to the requirements of the circuit-breaker. The hydraulic
force retains the output piston at the closed position. In case
of insufficient hydraulic pressure an interlock pin prevents the
circuit-breaker from moving towards the open position.
Fig. 3: Operating mechanism
The energy storage is achieved through the use of a disk
spring which is charged by three equal storage cylinders
loaded by a disk spring column. The stored operation sequen-
ces are O-CO or CO-CO. The spring column of the operating vates the pump motor following switching operations
mechanism has eight springs mounted in pairs to achieve a to immediately recharge the energy. The combined
high-spring force. The three pistons of the storage cylinders pressure release/pressure limiting valve is located
engage the disk spring column directly. The advantages of above the spring limit switch assembly. This valve can
this mechanical energy storage are long-term stability, reliabili- be operated manually, as well as automatically in case
ty and independence from temperature effects. of overpressure. The position of the operating rod is
supervised by mechanical auxiliary contacts.
Recharging
The recharching of stored energy, e.g. after a switching ope-
ration, is performed by a hydraulic pump. The compact hyd-
raulic pump unit, consisting of pump motor, gears, pump and
an oil drain valve, is externally flanged to the output cylinder.
The oil gauges are situated on both sides of the lowpressure
reservoir for easy viewing.

The monitoring module permanently monitors the ener-

gy stored in the spring column by means of limit switches.
Due to the direct coupling of the limit switches to the spring
motion, the energy content is measured directly. The mea-
surement is independent of temperature. The limit switches
interlock the close and trip coils of the pilot valves to prevent
operating sequences from occurring when the required energy
is not yet stored in the spring column. Another switch acti-

ABB | ELK SP-14 / 2120 3

Technical data
Rated voltage kV up to 300
Rated power-frequency withstand voltage, 1 min. to earth kV 460
Rated power-frequency withstand voltage, 1 min. across open contacts kV up to 595
Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage, 1.2/50 μs to earth kV 1050
Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage, 1.2/50 μs across open contacts kV 1050 + 170
Rated switching impulse withstand voltage, 250/2500 μs to earth kV 850
Rated switching impulse withstand voltage, 250/2500 μs across open contacts kV 700 + 245
Rated frequency Hz 50/60
Rated continuous current A 4000

© Copyright ABB, 1HC0080519 E01 /AA

Rated short-time withstand current, 3s kA 63
First-pole-to-clear factor 1.3/1.5
Rated short-circuit breaking current kA 63
Rated short-circuit making current, peak value kA 170
Rated filling pressure of SF6-gas (20 °C) kPa 680
Minimum functional pressure of SF6-gas (20 °C) kPa 600
Rated opening time ms 19 (+0/-5)
Rated break time ms < 39
Rated closing time ms 60 (+0/-10)
Auto reclosing dead time ms ≤ 300
Rated operating sequence O-0.3s-CO-1min-CO or CO-15s-CO
High-speed auto-reclosing single or three phase
Design ambient temperature °C -30/+55
Weight per pole (incl. operating mechanism) kg 940

Energy storage
Type disk springs
Number pcs 8

Pump drive
Motor type brushless DC motor
Rated voltage VDC 110-125/220-225
Operating current A 6/3
Start-up current A 30/20
Power consumption W 660

Operating mechanism heating

Anti-condensation heating W 70

Protection class
Protection class of operating mechanism housing IP 54

The above data are not limiting values. Additional data on request. We reserve the right to alter data and technical details without notice.

ABB Switzerland Ltd

Service High Voltage Products
Brown Boveri Strasse 5 24-hour Call and Support Center
CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland Phone: +41 844 845 845
Phone: +41 58 588 35 50 Fax: +41 58 588 17 26
Fax: +41 58 588 17 22 e.mail: retrofit.support@ch.abb.com

www.abb.com