Sub-Station Equipment , their Operations

and Maintenance
(33 kV and below)
 SUB-STATION OVERVIEW

• A substation is a part of an electrical generation,

transmission, and distribution system. Substations
transform voltage from high to low, or vice-versa.
Between the generating station and consumer, electric
power may flow through several substations at
different voltage levels.
• Definition: A set of equipment reducing the high
voltage of electrical power transmission to that
suitable for supply to consumers.
 Main Functions of Substation
• The transfer of power in a controlled manner as well
as to make it possible to perform the necessary
switching operations in the grid (energizing and de-
energizing of equipment and lines ) and provide the
necessary monitoring, protection and control of the
circuit under its supervision.
• A substation is a high voltage electric system facility.
It is used to switch the generators, equipment, and
lines in and out of the system. It is also used to
change AC voltages from one level to another
 PRIMARY/SECONDARY/DISTRIBUTION
SUBSTATION
• Primary Substation: It receives power from EHV
lines at 400KV, 220KV, 132KV and transform the
voltage to 66KV, 33KV or 22KV (22KV is
uncommon) to suit the local requirements in respect
of both load and distance of ultimate consumers.
These are also referred to ‘EHV’ Substations.
• Secondary Substation: It receives power at 66/33KV
which is stepped down usually to 11KV.
• Distribution Substation: It receives power at 11KV,
6.6 KV and step down to a volt suitable for LV
distribution purposes, normally at 415 volts.
 Substation Equipments
• 33kV sub-station can have outdoor 33kV switchyard or Indoor 33kV switchgear (which can
be Air Insulated or Gas Insulated Switchgear).

• Major Equipments in 33 kV Substation are:

1. 33kV/11kV Power Transformers
2. Outdoor Switchyard:
o 33kV Outdoor bus-bar ( Double bus-bar arrangement or single bus-bar arrangement )
o Outdoor Circuit Breakers (CBs)
o Isolators ( with earth switch and without earth switch)
o Potential Transformers (PTs)
o Lightening Arrestors (LAs)
If Indoor then, Indoor Switchgear (consisting of Bus bar, CT, PT, Circuit Breaker etc.)
3. 11kV Indoor Switchgear (with Bus bar, Circuit breakers, resin cast CTs , PTs)
4. Battery Bank, Charger and DC Distribution Board
5. AC Distribution Board (ACDB)
6. Local or Station Transformer(11kV/440V)
7. Control Relay Panels (For 33 kV O/D Switchyard)
8. Control Cables and Circuitry
9. Station Earth
10. RTU and communication panels ( for SCADA – optional)
33kV Outdoor Switchyard
Control and Relay panel for 33kV Switchyard
 Definition of Switchgear
• In an electric power system , switchgear is the combination 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 important because
it is directly linked to the reliability of the electricity supply.

• The very earliest power stations used simple open knife switches, mounted on
insulating panels of marble or asbestos. Power levels and voltages rapidly
escalated, making opening manually operated switches too dangerous for anything
other than isolation of a de-energized circuit. Oil-filled equipment allowed 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 SF6equipment, allowing large
currents and power levels to be safely controlled by automatic equipment
incorporating digital controls, protection, metering and communications.
Switchgears continued…
• Typically, the switchgear in substations is located on both the high voltage and the
low voltage side of large power transformers. The switchgear on the low voltage
side of the transformers may be located in a building, with medium-voltage circuit
breakers for distribution circuits, along with metering, control, and protection
equipment.
• Switch Gear include Equipments which are used to isolate / break the circuit in
normal operating condition , under Fault Condition .
• Under fault condition the switchgear breaks the circuit to isolate the faulty portion
of the network from healthy one thereby preventing whole system failure.
Switches are mainly of two types:
This is mainly of two types:
1. Circuit Breaker(ON-LOAD SWITCH)
2. Isolator(OFF-LOAD SWITCH)
Switchgear is mainly having these components:
• Bushings: When a high voltage conductor passes through a metal sheet or frame
which is at earth potential, the necessary insulation is provided in the form of
bushings.

• Circuit Breaker: A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch

designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short
circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and interrupt current flow.

• Instrument Transformers: Instrument transformers are high accuracy class electric

devices used to isolate from high voltage lines for metering and protection
purposes.

• Bus-Bar and Conductors: The current carrying members in a circuit breaker consist
of fixed and moving contacts and conductors connecting these of the points
external to the breaker. If the outdoor switchyard is there, these connections are
connected directly to the overhead lines. In case of indoor switchgear, the
incoming conductors to the circuit breaker are connected to the bus bars.
11-kV Switchgear Panel
Panel Requirements:
• Sheet steel construction
• Dust & vermin proof
• Metal clad compartmentalized
design
• Compartments separated by
metallic partitions
• Pressure relief flaps for exit of
gas due to internal arc
• Accessible for maintenance &
inspection
• Doors & removable covers with
gaskets all round ( neoprene
cork gaskets)
• Thermostat controlled space
heater with on off switch

11-kV Switchgear Panel at

Haiderpur
Applicable Standards for Indoor Switchgear Panels
 Gas Insulated Switchgear(GIS)
Metal Enclosed Switchgear: This type of electrical switchgear has essentially an earthed
metallic enclosure consisting of three compartments, the front compartment is for circuit
breaker, the top compartment is for bus bar assembly and back or rear compartment for
current transformer and cable connection.
• An essential feature of this type of switch gear is that there is a proper interlocking
arrangement between different components ensuring most safe operation.
GIS is a metal enclosed switchgear all the equipments of the electrical switchgear are
enclosed by gas tight metal enclosure and SF6 gas is used as insulation between live parts of
the equipments and earthed metal enclosure. This type of switchgear, means, gas insulated
switchgear is available from 12 KV system to 800 KV system.
• The main Characteristic of GIS is full insulation of every live part It means that the
ambient conditions such as dust or condensation do not affect any of the active parts in
the panel.
• GIS maximizes continuity of service and avoids the need of programmed power outages
to perform the maintenance.
• Complete insulation of equipment’s with SF6 gas increases the reliability compared to
air insulated withdraw able cubicles that needs programmed maintenance.
• It is very compact as compared to air insulated switchgear. This is very important
feature and in cities where space constraint is main issue, GIS is the option.
• Safety in GIS switchgear is very high as compared to air insulated switchgear. The every
compartment of switchgear is internal arc tested.
• The GIS consists of circuit breaker (usually having a vacuum interrupter), dis connectors,
earthing switch, CTs and PTs etc.
 Circuit Breaker
• A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect
an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. Its basic
function is to detect a fault condition and interrupt current flow. Unlike a fuse,
which operates once and then must be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset
(either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation. Circuit breakers
are made in varying sizes, from small devices that protect an individual household
appliance up to large switchgear designed to protect high voltage circuits feeding
an entire city.
Operation:
• In low voltage circuit breaker, fault is detected within the circuit breaker enclosure.
Circuit breakers for large currents or high voltages are usually arranged with
protective relay pilot devices to sense a fault condition and to operate the trip
opening mechanism. The trip solenoid(coil) that releases the latch is usually
energized by a separate battery, although some high-voltage circuit breakers are
self-contained with current transformers, protective relays and an internal control
power source.
33 kV Circuit Breaker
Operation continued..
• As shown in circuit diagram, in case
of high voltage circuit breaker, it is
opened up when the trip coil
energizes due to closing of relay
contacts. When current exceeds the
permissible limits, relay operates and
the relay contacts are closed to
energize the trip coil.
• The circuit breaker contacts must
carry the load current without
excessive heating, and must also
withstand the heat of the arc
produced when interrupting
(opening) the circuit.
• Contacts are made of copper or
copper alloys, silver alloys and other
highly conductive materials. Service
life of the contacts is limited by the
erosion of contact material due to
arcing while interrupting the current.
Arcing Phenomenon
• When a current is interrupted, an arc is generated. This arc must be contained,
cooled and extinguished in a controlled way, so that the gap between the contacts
can again withstand the voltage in the circuit.
What is Arc?
• During opening of current carrying contacts in a circuit breaker the medium in
between opening contacts become highly ionized through which the interrupting
current gets low resistive path and continues to flow through this path even the
contacts are physically separated. During the flowing of electric current from one
contact to other the path becomes so heated that it glows. This is called arc.
Why arc is formed?
• Thermal Ionization of gas(surrounding medium): The gas present in the
surrounding gets ionized at high temperature due to intermolecular collision
between molecules of gas. This state of gas is called plasma.
• Ionization due to electron collision: When a high voltage comes across the CB
contacts, electric field is there, which aligns electrons in particular direction
causing their collision and hence arc is formed.
• Ionization of CB contacts: CB contacts are mainly made up of copper and alloys
which get ionized(eroded) when circuit breaker contacts are opened.
 Role of ARC:
• If arc in circuit breaker is absent during opening of current carrying contacts, there
would be sudden and abrupt interruption of current which will cause a huge switching
over voltage sufficient to severely stress the insulation of the system. On the other
hand, the arc provides a gradual but quick, transition from the current carrying to the
current breaking states of the contacts.
Arc Interruption:
Different techniques are used to extinguish the arc including:
• High Resistance Method: Arc resistance is made to increase with time so that current is
reduced to a value insufficient to maintain arc. Main disadvantage is that enormous
energy is dissipated in the arc. This can be done by:
 Lengthening the arc
 Cooling the arc
 Splitting the arc
• Zero point quenching (Contacts open at the zero current time crossing of the AC
waveform, effectively breaking no load current at the time of opening. The zero
crossing occurs at twice the line frequency, i.e. 100 times per second for 50 Hz and 120
times per second for 60 Hz AC)
Generally zero point quenching is used.
Finally, once the fault condition has been cleared, the contacts must again be closed to
restore power to the interrupted circuit.
Arc Interruption Theory
• Some Terms:
1. Arc voltage : It may be defined as the voltage that appears across the contact during the
arcing period, when the current flow is maintained in the form of an arc. It is very low in
amplitude (about 3% of system’s voltage).
2. Restriking voltage: It may be defined as the voltage that appears across the breaking contact
at the instant of arc extinction.
3. Recovery voltage : It may be defined as the voltage that appears across the breaker contact
after the complete removal of transient oscillations and final extinction of arc has resulted in
all the poles.

Interruption at Current Zero(assuming arc voltage zero)

• The expression for re-striking voltage comes out :

Where V = The max. value of system’s voltage

L and C = Value of inductance and capacitance up to fault point
The voltage oscillates with the natural frequency fn= 1/2pi* L*C.

Problems in Current Interruption:

• Rate of rise of re-striking voltage: It is the rate of increase in re-striking voltage. It is the
parameter which decides whether the arc will restrike again or not. If RRRV is greater
than dielectric strength between contacts, the arc will restrike. It depends upon
following:
 Recovery Voltage
 Natural Frequency
For the short circuits near the bus bars, C is very small , hence RRRV becomes very large. So,
it becomes difficult to interrupt arc under these conditions.
• Current Chopping(Due to interruption before zero current)
• Capacitive Current switching(due to opening of unloaded t/m line or disconnecting
Capacitor bank)
These problems can be overcome by using resistance in parallel with the circuit breaker.
By choosing the apt(critical) value of resistance(R), oscillations can also be eliminated.
Operation Continued…
• Opening and closing distance, as well as stroke between contacts and velocity of
moving contacts during operation, are the most important parameters to be
considered during designing circuit breaker.

• X axis represents time in milli seconds and y axis represents distance in milli meter
• Closing Operation: At time T0 current starts flowing through the closing coil. After
time T1 the moving contact starts traveling towards fixed contact. At time T2
moving contact touches fixed contact. At time T3 the moving contact reaches at its
close position. T3 - T2 is overloading period of these two contacts (moving and
fixed contact). After time T3 the moving contact bounce back little bit and then
again comes to its fixed closed position, after time T4.
• Requirements: After hitting fixed contact, the moving contact may bounce back,
due to repulsive force which is not at all desirable. Hence sufficient mechanical
energy to be supplied to overcome repulsive force due to closing operation on
fault. In spring - spring mechanism, generally tripping or opening spring is charged
during closing operation. Hence sufficient mechanical energy also to be supplied
to charge the opening spring.

• Opening Operation: At time, T5 current starts flowing through trip coil of the
circuit breaker. At time T6 moving contact starts traveling backward for opening the
contacts. After time T7, the moving contact finally detaches the fixed contact. Time
(T7 - T6) is over lapping period. Now at time T8 the moving contact comes back to
its final open position but here it will not be at rest position since there will be
some mechanical oscillation of moving contact before coming to its final rest
position. At time T9 the moving contact finally comes to its rest position.
 Types of Circuit Breaker
• The type of the Circuit breakers are classified based on the following:
 Medium of arc quenching (Air, Air Blast, Vacuum,SF6)
 Voltage level. (low voltage up to 1000V, Medium voltage, High voltage)
 Mounting arrangement (Fixed, Draw out)
 No. of Poles (Single, Two Pole, Three Pole & Four Pole)
 Method of operation(manual/automatic)

 Based on medium of arc quenching:

1. Air Circuit Breakers : Voltage & Current Rating 440 Volts, 2500 Amps.
2. Vacuum Circuit Breakers: 11, 33 kV & 2500 Amps.
3. SF6 Gas Breakers: 33-66- 132- 220 kV up to 2500 Amps.
4. Bulk Oil Circuit Breakers: Old Generation( 11-33-66-132 kV) , 1250 Amp.
5. Air Blast Circuit Breaker: 132-220-400 kV, up to 2500 Amp.
 Air Circuit Breaker(440V-1100V)
The air circuit breaker, operated within the voltage
level 1 KV, does not require any arc control device.
Mainly for heavy fault current on low voltages (low
voltage level above 1 KV) ABCs with appropriate arc
control device, are good choice. These breakers
normally have two pairs of contacts. The main pair of
contacts carries the current at normal load and these
contacts are made of copper. The additional pair is
the arcing contact and is made of carbon. When
circuit breaker is being opened, the main contacts
open first and during opening of main contacts the
arcing contacts are still in touch with each other. The
arcing is only initiated when finally the arcing contacts
are separated. The each of the arc contacts is fitted
with an arc runner which helps, the arc discharge to
move upward due to both thermal and
electromagnetic effects as shown in the figure. As the
arc is driven upward it enters in the arc chute,
consisting of splitters. The arc in chute will become
colder, lengthen and split hence arc voltage becomes
much larger than system voltage at the time of
operation of air circuit breaker, and therefore the arc
is quenched finally during the current zero.
 Vacuum Circuit Breaker(11kV-66kV)
A vacuum circuit breaker is such kind
of circuit breaker where the arc
quenching takes place in vacuum. The
technology is suitable for mainly
medium voltage application. For
higher voltage vacuum technology has
been developed but not commercially
viable. The operation of opening and
closing of current carrying contacts
and associated arc interruption take
place in a vacuum chamber in the
breaker which is called vacuum
interrupter. The vacuum interrupter
consists of a steel arc chamber in the
center symmetrically arranged
ceramic insulators. The vacuum
pressure inside a vacuum interrupter
is normally maintained at 10 - 6 bar.
 VCB continued…
The main aim of any circuit breaker is to quench arc during
current zero crossing, by establishing high dielectric strength in
between the contacts so that reestablishment of arc after current
zero becomes impossible. The dielectric strength of vacuum is
eight times greater than that of air and four times greater than
that of SF6 gas. This high dielectric strength makes it possible to
quench a vacuum arc within very small contact gap. For short
contact gap, low contact mass and no compression of medium
the drive energy required in vacuum circuit breaker is minimum.
When two face to face contact areas are just being separated to
each other, they do not be separated instantly, contact area on
the contact face is being reduced and ultimately comes to a point
and then they are finally de-touched. Although this happens in a
fraction of micro second but it is the fact. At this instant of de-
touching of contacts in a vacuum, the current through the
contacts concentrated on that last contact point on the contact
surface and makes a hot spot. As it is vacuum, the metal on the
contact surface is easily vaporized due to that hot spot and create
a conducting media for arc path. Then the arc will be initiated and
continued until the next current zero.
At current zero this vacuum arc is extinguished and the
conducting metal vapor is re-condensed on the contact surface.
At this point, the contacts are already separated hence there is no
question of re-vaporization of contact surface, for next cycle of
current. That means, the arc cannot be reestablished again. In
this way vacuum circuit breaker prevents the reestablishment of
arc by producing high dielectric strength in the contact gap after
current zero.
11-kV Vacuum Circuit Breaker
 SF6 Circuit Breaker(33kV-800kV)
• A circuit breaker in which the current carrying contacts operate in sulphur hexafluoride or SF6
gas is known as an SF6 circuit breaker. SF6 has excellent insulating property. SF6 has high
electro-negativity. That means it has high affinity of absorbing free electron. Whenever a free
electron collides with the SF6 gas molecule, it is absorbed by that gas molecule and forms a
negative ion.
• The attachment of electron with SF6 gas molecules may occur in two forms:

• These negative ions obviously much heavier than a free electron and therefore over all
mobility of the charged particle in the SF6 gas is much less as compared other common gases.
We know that mobility of charged particle is majorly responsible for conducting current
through a gas.
• Hence, for heavier and less mobile charged particles in SF6 gas, it acquires very high
dielectric strength. Not only the gas has a good dielectric strength but also it has the
unique property of fast recombination after the source energizing the spark is removed.
The gas has also very good heat transfer property. Due to its low gaseous viscosity
(because of less molecular mobility) SF6 gas can efficiently transfer heat by convection.
So due to its high dielectric strength and high cooling effect SF6 gas is approximately 100
times more effective arc quenching media than air. Due to these unique properties of
this gas SF6 circuit breaker is used in complete range of medium voltage and high
voltage electrical power system. These circuit breakers are available for the voltage
ranges from 33KV to 800KV and even more.
 Difference between SF6 and Vacuum technologies
• SF6 Circuit Breaker: SF6 Gas pressure monitoring possible. Vacuum
Circuit Breaker: Vacuum cannot be monitored.
• Fall in pressure can be annunciated in SF6 CB. Loss of vacuum will
be known with CB failure in VCB
• SF6 breaker can interrupt rated current even after gas pressure falls
down to atmospheric pressure. Vacuum CB has to be taken out for
replacement of poles.
• Good Electrical endurance for both
• Interrupting chambers can be maintained in SF6 breakers.
Interrupters to be replaced( Cost of replacement 40% of cost of CB)
in Vacuum CB
• SF6 CBs are rugged. Sensitive to rough handling well suited to
motor duty operations. Vacuum CBs are relatively inferior to motor
switching. Surge protection essential
• Vacuum CB is relatively less smooth in switching compared to SF6
CB
 Selection criterion(Ratings) of Circuit Breaker
Rated Short Circuit Breaking Current:
Short circuit breaking current of circuit breaker is defined as maximum electric current that
can flow through the breaker from time of occurring short circuit to the time of clearing the
short circuit without any permanent damage in the CB.
• The value of short circuit breaking current is expressed in RMS. During short circuit, the
CB is not only subjected to thermal stress, it also suffers seriously from mechanical
stresses. So during determining short circuit capacity, the mechanical strength of the CB
is also considered. So for choosing suitable circuit breaker it is obvious to determine the
fault level (The prospective maximum current or power, which will flow in a circuit that
is subject to a fault) at that point of the system where CB to be installed.
• Once the fault level of any part of electrical transmission is determined it is easy to
choose the correct rated circuit breaker for this part of network.

Rated Short Circuit Making Current:

At the instant of switching on a circuit breaker in faulty condition of system(the short circuit
portion of the system connected to the source), the first cycle of the electric current during
a circuit is closed by circuit breaker, has maximum amplitude. This is about twice of the
amplitude of symmetrical fault current waveform. The breaker’s contacts have to withstand
this highest value of current during the first cycle of waveform when breaker is closed
under fault. This maximum(Peak) value of current is called short circuit making current.
Normally value of short circuit making current is 2.5 times more than short circuit breaking
current.
Rated Short Time Current:
The circuit breakers do not clear the short circuit current as soon as any fault occurs in
the system. There always some unintentional and an intentional time delays present
between the instant of occurrence of fault and instant of clearing the fault by CB. This
delays are because of time of operation of protection relays, time of operation of
circuit breaker and also there may be some intentional time delay imposed in relay for
proper coordination of power system protection.
If the summation of all time delays is not more than “t” seconds, then a circuit
breaker should be capable of carrying a maximum faulty current for at least this short
period of time.
 The rated short time current of a circuit breaker is at least equal to rated short
circuit breaking current of the circuit breaker.
Rated Voltage:
Rated voltage of circuit breaker depends upon its insulation system. For below 400 KV
system, the circuit breaker is designed to withstand 10% above the normal system
voltage. For above or equal 400 KV system the insulation of circuit breaker should be
capable of withstanding 5% above the normal system voltage.
• A CB is subjected to two other types of High voltage conditions:
1) Power Frequency over voltage: Due to sudden disconnection of huge load, a power
frequency voltage of high amplitude comes in the system. A CB is designed to
withstand this overvoltage for a short duration of time nearly 60 sec.
2) Impulse Voltage Level: A CB is designed to withstand over voltages due lightening
impulses for a very short duration of time(in microseconds).

Other parameters:
• Rated Normal Current
• Climatic Conditions(Ambient Temperature)
• Selection of Transient Recovery Voltage
• Duration of Circuit Breaker
• Selection of Capacitive Current switching
• Selection of type of Circuit Breaker
 Name Plate Details of CB
• Architecture: Metal-clad air insulated
(IEC 298)
• Internal Arc Protection: As per IEC
• Degree of protection: IP 4X
• Normal service condition: Indoor
(IEC 294)
• Temperature category: Min. –5 Deg
C, Max. 50 Deg C, Ave. +38 Deg. C
• Rated Capacity : 500 MVA
• Rated Voltage: 12 kV
• Service Voltage: 11 kV
• Rated Frequency: 50 Hz
• Short circuit Current with stand
capacity: 26.3 Amp for 3 seconds.
• Peak with stand current rating: 66 kA
• Bus bar continuous rated
current:1600 A
• Bus bar material: Copper
 Electrical Fuse
• A fuse is a part of the circuit which consists of conductor which melts easily and
breaks the connection when electric current exceeds the predetermined value.
This increase in current can be either because of overload or short circuit.
• The materials used for fuse wires are mainly tin, lead, zinc, silver, antimony,
copper, aluminum etc.

Operation: Whenever the current

exceeds the permissible value
either due to overload or due to
short circuit, the fuse wire melts
due to rise in temperature. After
breaking of fuse wire there will be
an arcing between both melted tips
of the wire which will be
extinguished at the current zero.
The time accounted from the
instant of arc initiated to the instant
of arc being extinguished is known
as arcing time of fuse.
Types:
• Rewirable (Kit-Kat) Fuse: This is most commonly used in homes. This fuse is
Rewirable, once blown, it can be rewired again.
• Cartridge Fuse: In cartridge fuse the fuse wire is enclosed in a transparent glass
tube or bulb, the whole unit is sealed off. In case the fuse blows, it is to be
replaced by new one as the cartridge fuse can not be rewired due to its sealing.
• Lead-Tin Alloy Fuse: It is preferred for small value of current interruption. It has the
high hardness and has less tendency to spread over. The alloy used in this is
homogeneous. It has one disadvantage that, its wire should not be touched with
porcelain outer structure which can destroy its characteristics.
• HRC( High Rupturing Capacity) Fuse: In that type of fuse, the fuse wire or element
can carry short circuit heavy current for a known time period. During this time if
the fault is removed, then it does not blow off otherwise it blows off or melts.

When the over rated current flows

through the fuse element of high
rupturing capacity fuse the element is
melted and vapourized. The filling powder
is of such a quantity that the chemical
reaction between the silver vapour and
the filling powder forms a high electrical
resistance substance which very much
help in quenching the arc.
 Circuit Breaker Classification on basis of Poles
• Poles are the number of completely separate circuits that can be simultaneously
protected by a circuit breaker.
• Single Pole CB: Single-pole breakers are an important part of electrical distribution
as a safe way to manage branch circuits from a circuit breaker panel. Single-pole
circuit breakers supply 120-volt power to circuits, while double-pole circuit
breakers supply 240-volts to circuits. Single-pole breakers come in a wide range of
amperage ratings, with 15-, 20-, and 30-amp circuit breakers being the most
commonly used in most household installations. Single-pole circuit breaker is
designed to trip if the amperage rating labeled on the handle is exceeded. This
occurs when the circuit is either overloaded or a short circuit occurs somewhere
within the branch circuit that it is connected to. An overload occurs when too
many things or to great a load is connected to any one circuit. A short circuit
occurs when the hot wire is forced to connect to either the neutral or ground wire
within a circuit.
• Double Pole CB: Double-pole circuit breakers, often called two-pole breakers, are
used to supply 240-volt circuits with power. These breakers have a combination
handle that enables both legs of the circuit breaker to trip if either side has a
short. Double pole circuit breakers feed household items like electric dryers, water
heaters, well pumps, electric ranges, central air conditioning, electric heating,
welders, and subpanels. These devices all require 240-volt power.
Single Pole Circuit Breaker Wiring Diagram of Single Pole
MCB(Miniature Circuit Breaker) :
• MCB has replaced fuses in low voltage electrical network because of some advantages.
MCB is more sensitive and quick restoration of supply can be done. More over, it is
electrically safer than fuse.
Principle: There are two arrangement of operation of miniature circuit breaker. One due to
thermal effect of over current and other due to electromagnetic effect of over current. The
thermal operation of miniature circuit breaker is achieved with a bimetallic strip whenever
continuous over current flows through MCB, the bimetallic strip is heated and deflects by
bending. This deflection of bimetallic strip releases mechanical latch. As this mechanical
latch is attached with operating mechanism, it causes to open the miniature circuit breaker
contacts. But during short circuit condition, sudden rising of electric current, causes
electromechanical displacement of plunger associated with tripping coil or solenoid of
MCB. The plunger strikes the trip lever causing immediate release of latch mechanism
consequently open the circuit breaker contacts. This was a simple explanation of miniature
circuit breaker working principle.
Operating Mechanism: The operating mechanism of miniature circuit breaker provides the
means of manual opening and closing operation of miniature circuit breaker. It has three-
positions "ON," "OFF," and "TRIPPED". The external switching latch can be in the "TRIPPED"
position, if the MCB is tripped due to over-current. When manually switch off the MCB, the
switching latch will be in "OFF" position. In close condition of MCB, the switch is positioned
at "ON". By observing the positions of the switching latch one can determine the condition
of MCB whether it is closed, tripped or manually switched off.
 Isolators
• Isolator is a manually operated mechanical switch which separates a part of the
electrical power system normally at off load condition.
Features:
• Electro-mechanical Switching device.
• Open/Close possible when there is negligible current.
• Capable of carrying current under normal/abnormal conditions.
• Isolators do not have any sensing device.
Types:
There are different types of isolators available depending upon system requirement such as
1) Double Break Isolator
2) Single Break Isolator

Depending upon the position in power system, the isolators can be categorized as

1) Bus side isolator – the isolator is directly connected with main bus
2) Line side isolator – the isolator is situated at line side of any feeder
3) Transfer bus side isolator – the isolator is directly connected with transfer bus.
 Constructional Features:
• Isolators are 3-pole stacks of insulators mechanically coupled with each other.
• Conducting parts are supported on post insulators.
• Conducting parts consists of AL or Cu rod , Fixed and moving contacts.
Double-Break Isolators:
These have three stacks of post insulators as
shown in the figure. The central post insulator
carries a tubular or flat male contact which can
be rotated horizontally with rotation of central
post insulator. This rod type contact is also
called moving contact.

The female type contacts are fixed on the top of

the other post insulators which fitted at both
sides of the central post insulator. The female
contacts are generally in the form of spring
loaded figure contacts. The rotational
movement of male contact causes to come
itself into female contacts and isolators
becomes closed. The rotation of male contact
in opposite direction make to it out from female
contacts and isolators becomes open.
Rotation of the central post insulator is done by
a driving lever mechanism at the base of the
post insulator and it connected to operating
Single-Break Isolators:
The contact arm is divided into two parts one
carries male contact and other female
contact. The contact arm moves due to
rotation of the post insulator upon which the
contact arms are fitted. Rotation of both post
insulators stacks in opposite to each other
causes to close the isolator by closing the
contact arm. Counter rotation of both post
insulators stacks open the contact arm and
isolator becomes in off condition.

Single Break Isolator

Earthing Switch:
Earthing switch connect the live parts/ line
conductors and earth. This switch is
normally open. Earthing switch is used to
earth the live parts during maintenance
and during testing.
During maintenance although circuit is
open still there are some voltages on line ,
due to which capacitance between line and
earth is charged. Before proceeding to
maintenance work the voltage s discharged
to earth, by closing the earth switch.
• The earthing arms are so interlocked
with main isolator moving contacts that
it can be closed only when the main
contacts of isolator are in open position.
Similarly the main isolator contacts can
be closed only when the earthing arms
are in open position.
Difference between single
break and double break
isolator:

There are two point of views:

1. Current gain Capability: In
single break isolators, the
contact resistance is very
low due to only one
contact, so it is having high
current gain capability
while switching on the
circuit.
2. Safety: Double break
isolators are safer to use
than single break isolators
because of having two
contacts.
Isolator/Dis connector
 Lightening Arrestors
• The lightning arrester is a device which provides very low impedance path to the
ground for high voltage travelling waves.
• This device behaves like a nonlinear electrical resistance. The resistance decreases
as voltage increases and vice-versa, after a certain level of voltage.
Functions:
• Under normal voltage level, these devices withstand easily the system voltage as
electrical insulator and provide no conducting path to the system current.
• On occurrence of voltage surge in the system, these devices provide very low
impedance path for the excess charge of the surge to the ground.
• After conducting the charges of surge, to the ground, the voltage becomes to its
normal level. Then lightning arrester regains its insulation properly and prevents
regains its insulation property and prevents further conduction of current, to the
ground.
Features:
• It is generally connected in parallel.
• It is maintenance free throughout its life.
• It should have ability to withstand heat from few joules to the order of Kilojoules.
Types:
1. Rod Gap Arrestor
2. Horn-Gap Arrestor
3. Expulsion type Arrestor
4. Metal-oxide Arrestor

Rod Gap Arrestor:

It is a very simple type of diverter and consists of two 1.5 cm rods, which are
bent at right angles with a gap in between as shown in Fig. One rod is
connected to the line circuit and the other rod is connected to earth. The
distance between gap and insulator (i.e. distance P) must not be less than one
third of the gap length so that the arc may not reach the insulator and damage
it. The string of insulators for an overhead line on the bushing of transformer
has frequently a rod gap across it. Fig. shows the rod gap across the bushing of
a transformer. Under normal operating conditions, the gap remains non-
conducting. On the occurrence of a high voltage surge on the line, the gap
sparks over and the surge current is conducted to earth. In this way excess
charge on the line due to the surge is harmlessly conducted to earth.
Rod Gap Arrestor
Horn Gap Arrestor:
• Horn gap arrester consists of a horn shaped metal rods A and B separated by a
small air gap. The horns are so constructed that distance between them
gradually increases towards the top. The horns are mounted on porcelain
insulators. One end of horn is connected to the line through a resistance and
choke coil L while the other end is effectively grounded.
• The resistance R helps in limiting the follow current to a small value. The choke
coil is so designed that it offers small reactance at normal power frequency
but a very high reactance at transient frequency. Thus the choke does not
allow the transients to enter the apparatus to be protected. The gap between
the horns is so adjusted that normal supply voltage is not enough to cause an
arc across the gap.
• Under normal conditions, the gap is non-conducting i.e. normal supply voltage
is insufficient to initiate the arc between the gap. On the occurrence of an
over voltage, spark-over takes place across the small gap G. The heated air
around the arc and the magnetic effect of the arc cause the arc to travel up
the gap. The arc moves progressively into positions 1, 2 and 3.
• At some position of the arc (position 3), the distance may be too great for the
voltage to maintain the arc; consequently, the arc is extinguished. The excess
charge on the line is thus conducted through the arrester to the ground.
Horn Gap Arrestor
Expulsion Type Arrestor:

This type of arrester is also called ‘protector tube’ and is commonly used on
system operating at voltages up to 33kV. It essentially consists of a rod gap
AA’ in series with a second gap enclosed within the fiber tube. The gap in the
fiber tube is formed by two electrodes. The upper electrode is connected to
rod gap and the lower electrode to the earth. One expulsion arrester is placed
under each line conductor. On the occurrence of an over voltage on the line,
the series gap AA’ spanned and an arc is stuck between the electrodes in the
tube. The heat of the arc vaporizes some of the fiber of tube walls resulting in
the production of neutral gas. In an extremely short time, the gas builds up
high pressure and is expelled through the lower electrode, which is hollow. As
the gas leaves the tube violently it carries away ionized air around the arc.
This deionizing effect is generally so strong that the arc goes out at a current
zero and will not be re-established.
Metal Oxide Arrestor:

• The metal oxide arresters are without gaps, unlike the SIC arrester. This
“gap-less” design eliminates the high heat associated with the arcing
discharges. A metal-oxide surge arrester utilizing zinc-oxide blocks
provides the best performance, as surge voltage conduction starts and
stops promptly at a precise voltage level, thereby improving system
protection. Failure is reduced, as there is no air gap contamination
possibility; but there is always a small value of leakage current present at
operating frequency.
• It is important for the test personnel to be aware that when a metal oxide
arrester is disconnected from an energized line a small amount of static
charge can be retained by the arrester. As a safety precaution, the tester
should install a temporary ground to discharge any stored energy.
Rating of MOA:
• Duty cycle rating: The silicon carbide and MOV arrester have a
duty cycle rating in KV, which is determined by duty cycle
testing. Duty cycle testing of an arrester is performed by
subjecting an arrester to an AC rms voltage equal to its rating
for 24 minutes. During which the arrester must be able to
withstand lightning surges at 1-minute intervals.

• Maximum continuous operating voltage rating: The MCOV

rating is usually 80 to 90% of the duty cycle rating.
Special type of metal oxide arrestor is Gap less ZnO:

Construction Features:
• This type of arrester comprises of numbers of solid zinc oxide disc. This
discs are arranged one by one to form a cylindrical stack.
• The number of zinc oxide discs used per lightning arrester depends upon
the voltage rating of the system.
• This stack is kept inside a cylindrical housing of polymer or porcelain. Then
the stack is placed inside the housing and highly pressed by heavy spring
load attached to end cap at top.
• The equipment connection terminal for line is projected from top cap and
connection terminal for earth is projected from the bottom cap.
• The ZnO disc consists of mainly zinc oxide (90 to 95%) with relatively small
amounts of several additives of other metal oxide (5 to 10%) like alumina,
antimony tri-oxide, bismuth oxide, cobalt oxide, zirconium etc.
 ZnO Lightening
Arrestor
The zinc oxide has highly non-uniform current voltage (I – V) characteristics.
This makes it very suitable for the LA operation. This can be represented as:

Where Vr and Ir are the reference voltage and current beyond which it starts
operating.
Working:
• When the normal conditions are there, there is no
current in the LA as it offers high resistance to it.
Current in milli A flows through it.
• When the voltage in the line exceeds the reference
voltage , LA starts operating and current in the KA
flows through it.
• Due to increase in current, temperature rises and
due to non linear characteristic of ZnO, resistance of
material decreases and it offers low impedance path
to fault current(in KA).
• This is the basic working of ZnO LA.
 Instrument Transformers
• Instrument transformers are high accuracy class electric devices used to
isolate from high voltage lines for metering and protection purposes.
• These are of two types:
 Current Transformer
 Voltage Transformer

Current Transformer:
Current Transformers, as defined in IS:2705, is
“an instrument transformer in which the secondary current under normal
circumstances of use, is substantially proportional to the primary current and
differs in phase from it by an angle approximately equal to zero”.
The purpose of CT, as used in power system, is of two kinds:
a) Protection and relaying;
b) Metering and indication.
The CTs of both these types are different in construction and purpose, though
their characteristics are one and the same.
Vector Diagram of CT
Some Terms:
Phase Error: The current transformer works on the principle of variable flux. In the ideal
current transformer, secondary current would be exactly equal (when multiplied by the
turns ratio) and opposite to the primary current.
But, as in the voltage transformer, some of the primary current or the primary ampere-
turns are utilized for magnetizing the core, thus leaving less than the actual primary ampere
turns to be transformed into the secondary ampere-turns. This naturally introduces an error
in the transformation. The error is classified into current ratio error and the phase error.
Composite Error:
The RMS value of the difference between the instantaneous primary current and the
instantaneous secondary current multiplied by the turns ratio, under steady state
conditions.
Rated primary current:
Rated primary current of current transformer is an optimum value of primary current at
which, error of the CT are minimum and losses in the CT are also less.
Rated secondary current:
The current in the secondary circuit on which the performance of the CT is based. Typical
values of secondary current are 1 A or 5 A.
Rated burden:
The apparent power of the secondary circuit in Volt-amperes expressed at the rated
secondary current and at a specific power factor. Typical burden ratings for IEC CTs are 1.5
VA, 3 VA, 5 VA, 10 VA, 15 VA, 20 VA, 30 VA, 45 VA and 60 VA.
Accuracy Class of CT:
There is always some difference in expected value and actual value of output of an
instrument transformer current error and phase angle error count in CT, as because
primary current of current transformer has to contribute the excitation component of
CT core. Accuracy class of current transformer is the highest permissible percentage
composite error at rated current. The standard accuracy classes of current transformer
as per IS-2705 are 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 3 & 5 for metering CT.
• The accuracy class or simply class of measuring current transformer is 0.1, means
the maximum permissible limit of error is 0.1%, more clearly, if we try to measure
100 A with a 0.1 class CT, the measured value may be either 100.1 or 99.9 A or
anything in between these range.
The standard accuracy class for the protection current transformer, as per IS-2705 are
5 P, 10 P, 15 P.
• Here in the protection current transformer, 5 P means 5%, 10 P means 10%, and
15 P means 15% error and ′P′ stands for protection.
 The accuracy class for the protection CT is always more, because during short
circuit , high current flows and CT should be capable of step down this much
amount of current easily. So, its accuracy class is kept high.
Instrument Security Factor
ISF or instrument security factor of current transformer is defined as the ratio of instrument
limit primary current to the rated primary current. The instrument limit primary current of
metering CT is the value primary current beyond which CT core becomes saturated.
Accuracy Limit Factor
For protection current transformer, the ratio of accuracy limit primary current to the rated
primary current is called accuracy limit factor of current transformer.
Knee Point Voltage of Current Transformer
Knee point voltage of current transformer is significance of saturation level of a current
transformer core mainly used for protection purposes. The sinusoidal voltage of rated
frequency is applied to the secondary terminals of CT, with other winding being open
circuited which increased by10%, cause the exiting current to increase by 50%.

Application of CT according to their class

 Significance of Knee Point Voltage
• The knee point voltage is defined to understand the significance of saturation of
core while being used in differential or restricted earth fault protection of
Transformer. The core is generally made up of CRGO(Cold Rolled Grain Oriented)
steel which is electrical grade steel. C.R.G.O Steel grains are much larger than the
size of regular steel; 2mm-5mm where regular steel is about 0.5mm. This size
difference helps to reduce hysteresis loss.
• We know that, excitation current have a non linear relationship with flux(B-H
curve) and induced voltage is directly proportional to flux according to equation
E=4.44*phi*f*N. So, a direct relation is found in excitation current and induced
voltage as shown.
• In differential and restricted earth fault (REF) protection scheme, accuracy class
and ALF of the CT may not ensure the reliability of the operation. It is desired that,
differential and REF relays should not be operated when fault occurs outside the
protected transformer. When any fault occurs outside the differential protection
zone, the faulty current flows through the CTs of both sides of electrical power
transformer The both LV & HV CTs have magnetizing characteristics. Beyond the
knee point, for slight increase in secondary emf a large increasing in excitation
current is required. So after this knee point excitation current of both current
transformers will be extremely high, which may cause mismatch between
secondary current of LV & HV current transformers. This phenomena may cause
unexpected tripping of power transformer. So the magnetizing characteristics of
both LV & HV sides CTs, should be same that means they have same knee point
voltage Vk as well as same excitation current Ie at Vk/2. It can be again said that, if
both knee point voltage of current transformer and magnetizing characteristic of
CTs of both sides of power transformer differ, there must be a mismatch in high
excitation currents of the CTs during fault which ultimately causes the unbalancing
between secondary current of both groups of CTs and transformer trips.
• So for choosing CT for differential protection of transformer, one should consider
current transformer PS class rather its convectional protection class. PS stands for
protection special which is defined by knee point voltage of current transformer Vk
and excitation current Ie at Vk/2.
Comparison chart for CT
CT Selection Criterion
1. Service Conditions: Pollution Levels-- Normal, Heavy
2. Rated Primary Current
3. Rated Short Time Current
4. Number of Ratios
5. Number of Cores
6. Output, Accuracy, Accuracy limit factor etc. of Individual Cores
7. Rated Voltages:
 Highest System Voltage

 Rated Insulation Level:

This is of two kinds:
Power Frequency Withstand Level.
Lightning/ Surge Impulse Withstand Level.

 E.G. In case of 11 kV Line CT, the values are 12/28/75 kV respectively.

 Live Tank and Dead Tank CT
• In a switchyard, live tank current transformers have a substantial part of
their enclosure energized at the line voltage and must be mounted on
insulators. Dead tank current transformers isolate the measured circuit
from the enclosure.
Difference:
1. Live tank CTs are useful because the primary conductor is short, which
gives better stability and a higher short-circuit current rating.
2. The primary of the winding can be evenly distributed around the magnetic
core, which gives better performance for overloads and transients.
3. Since the major insulation of a live-tank current transformer is not
exposed to the heat of the primary conductors, insulation life and thermal
stability is improved.
Dead Tank Current Transformer
Potential Transformer: Potential Transformers, as defined in IS:3156, is
“an instrument transformer in which the secondary voltage, under normal
circumstances of use, is substantially proportional to the primary voltage and differs in
phase from it by an angle approximately equal to zero”.

Circuit Diagram of PT
• Phasor Diagram:
Some Terms:
Voltage Error or Ratio Error:
The difference between the ideal value Vp/KT and actual value Vs is the voltage error or ratio error in a
potential transformer, it can be expressed as,

Phase Error or Phase Angle Error:

The angle ′β′ between the primary system voltage Vp and the reversed secondary voltage vectors KT.Vs is
the phase error.
Rated primary voltage: This is the rated voltage of the system whose voltage is required to be stepped
down for measurement and protective purposes.

Rated secondary voltage: This is the voltage at which the meters and protective devices connected to
the secondary circuit of the voltage transformer operate.

Rated burden: This is the load in terms of volt-amperes (VA) posed by the devices in the secondary
circuit on the VT. This includes the burden imposed by the connecting leads. The VT is required to be
accurate at both the rated burden and 25% of the rated burden.

Accuracy class required: The transformation errors that are permissible, including voltage (ratio) error
and phase angle error. Phase error is specified in minutes. Typical accuracy classes are Class 0.5, Class 1
and Class 3. Both metering and protection classes of accuracy are specified. In a metering VT, the VT is
required to be within the specified errors from 80% to 120% of the rated voltage. In a protection VT, the
VT is required to be accurate from 5% up to the rated voltage factor times the rated voltage.
Rated voltage factor:
Depending on the system in
which the VT is to be used, the
rated voltage factors to be
specified are different.

• The table is showing the

selection criterion for the
PT on basis of connection of
primary winding.
 Residual Voltage Transformer
• RVTs are used for residual earth fault protection and for discharging capacitor
banks. The secondary residual voltage winding is connected in open delta. Under
normal conditions of operation, there is no voltage output across the residual
voltage winding. When there is an earth fault, a voltage is developed across the
open delta winding which activates the relay. When using a three phase RVT, the
primary neutral should be earthed, as otherwise third harmonic voltages will
appear across the residual winding. 3 phase.

• In CT, core balance current transformer(CBCT) is used for earth fault.

 Testing of instrument transformer
For Current Transformer:
• Ratio & Polarity Test: - on all phases & cores
• CT secondary winding resistance
• Insulation Resistance by IR tester
• Capacitance & Tan Delta Measurement: for
outdoor CTs
• Excitation characteristic/ knee point voltage

For Potential Transformer:

• Ratio & Polarity Test
• Insulation Resistance by IR tester
 Bus-Bar
• In electrical power distribution, a bus bar is a strip or bar of
copper, brass or aluminium that conducts electricity within a
switchboard, distribution board, substation, battery bank or
other electrical apparatus. Its main purpose is to conduct a
substantial current of electricity, not to function as a
structural member.

• An aluminum or copper conductor supported by insulators

that interconnects the loads and the sources of electric power
in an electric power system. A typical application is the
interconnection of the incoming and outgoing transmission
lines and transformers at an electrical substation.
Selection of the Bus Bar system depends upon:

• Simplicity of system
• Easy maintenance of different equipments
• Minimizing the outage during maintenance
• Future provision of extension with growth of demand
• Optimizing the selection of bus bar arrangement scheme so
that it gives maximum return from the system
 Bus Bar Arrangement
Single Bus System:
• Single Bus System is simplest and
cheapest one. In this scheme all the
feeders and transformer bay are
connected to only one single bus as
show.
• This System is very simple in design
, cost effective and easy to operate.
• One but major difficulty of these
type of arrangement is that,
maintenance of equipment of any
bay cannot be possible without
interrupting the feeder or
transformer connected to that bay.
Single Bus Bar System with
Sectionalizer:

If any of the sources is out of

system, still all loads can be fed
by switching on the sectional
circuit breaker or bus coupler
breaker. If one section of the
bus bar system is under
maintenance, part load of the
substation can be fed by
energizing the other section of
bus bar.
 I /C RAMA ROAD I /C RAMPURA I /C ROHTAK ROAD O/G
I /C- U/G GULABI BAGH(U/G)
(ROHTAK ROAD O/H +U/G(NEAR GRID) CKT- II(U/G)
SABZI MANDI
CKT – 1) (O/H)

ABB ABB BHEL CG

ABB
SF6 SF6 MOCB VCB
SF6
BUS SECTION

NC
ABB
SF6
ABB BHEL
BHEL
SF6 MOCB
MOCB

33/11 KV 33 /11 KV
25 MVA 20 MVA 33/11 KV
CROMPTON BHARAT BIJEE 16 MVA TR -1
TR -III TR -II BHARAT BIJLEE
GULABI BAGH PUMPING

SUBHADRA COLONY
GULABI BAGH PUMPING
7.2 MVAR CAP BANK-1

DSIDC JJ COLONY

7.2 MVAR CAP BANK

E2- SHASTRI NAGAR
DDA COMPLEX - 2

TRANSFORMER
100 KVA LOCAL

RAILWAY STATION
CAP BANK-2
KANHIYA NAGAR

5.04 MVAR

PUMPING STN 1
NAAG MANDIR
KALA PAHAR

GULABI BAGH
CSA COLONY
DAYA BASTI

DAYA BASTI
11 KV I/C - 1

11/ KV I/C- 3
11 KV I/C 2
STN -6
STN -2
SZB NO -6
SZB NO 7

NORTH DELHI POWER LIMITED DRG NO DATE DRAWN BY CHECKED BY 33 /11 KV SHAHZADA BAGH GRID STATION
POWER SYSTEM CONTROL RANI BAGH PSC - 37(R) 04/12/06 TB.,SJ RN APPROVED BY
SC.,DS
CAN

33kV Grid SLD with single bus bar

arrangement
 33KV I/C O/G
FROM REWARI LINE
220KV NARAINA CKT
33KV XLPE CABLE

750-500/5-5-5A

33KV BUS PT-1 33KV BUS PT-2

33KV SF6
1250A ,1500MVA

33KV SF6
1250A ,1500MVA

33 / 11 KV
33 / 11 KV 25 MVA
25 MVA TRF -2
TRF -1

12KV SF6
600A ,26.3KA

11 KV ,1600A 500MVA
FOR 3 SEC,3W,50HZ CU BUS BAR
7.2 MVAR CAP BANK -1

7.2 MVAR CAP BANK -2

250 KVA LOCAL TRF

KHURANA S/ST

I/C TRF NO 1

I/C TRF NO 2
MARUTI O/H

FEEDER -8
MEHTA S/S
HVDS O/H

FEEDER -5

FEEDER -6

FEEDER -7
NORTH DELHI POWER LIMITED DRG NO DATE DRAWN BY CHECKED BY 33 /11 KV PAYAL GRID STATION
P S & T – PITAMPURA PSC - 01(R) 04/08/07 TRUSHA APPROVED BY JAYANTA CHATTERJEE

33kV Grid SLD with indoor 33kV

bus
 BUS-2 33 KV INDOOR BHEL GIS BUS-1

33/11 KV 33/11 KV
16 MVA TR -2 16 MVA TR -1
33/11 KV (CG) VOLTAMP
16 MVA TR -3 SPARE I /C REWARI LINE -1
I /C REWARI LINE -2
SHUNT CAPACITOR BANK-2

CAPACITOR BANK -1
C -BLK KIRTI NAGAR
E -BLK KIRTI NAGAR

F -BLK MS GARDEN

G -BLK KIRTI NAGAR

LOCAL TRF 100 KVA

5.04 MVAR
RAJDHANI S/STN
I/C TRF NO 2
SHARDA PURI

SARASWATI

DSIDC NO-1
I/C TRF NO 1
5.04MVAR

GARDEN

DLF NO -3
NORTH DELHI POWER LIMITED DRG NO DATE DRAWN BY CHECKED BY 33 /11 KV SARASWATI GARDEN GRID STATION
POWER SYSTEM CONTROL RANI BAGH PSC - 35(R) 04/12/06 TB.,SJ PC APPROVED BY CAN
SC.,DS

33kV Grid with GIS – Single bus arrangement

Double Bus Bar System:
• In double bus bar system two identical bus bars are used in such a way
that any outgoing or incoming feeder can be taken from any of the bus.
• By closing any of the isolators one can put the feeder to associated bus.
Both of the buses are energized and total feeders are divided into two
groups, one group is fed from one bus and other from other bus.
• Any feeder at any time can be transferred from one bus to other. There is
one bus coupler breaker which should be kept close during bus transfer
operation.
• For transfer operation, one should first close the bus coupler circuit
breaker then close the isolator associated with the bus to where the
feeder would be transferred and then open the isolator associated with
the bus from where feeder is transferred.
• Lastly after this transfer operation he or she should open the bus coupler
breaker.
• This system increases the flexibility but maintenance of breaker can not be
done without switching off the supply.
Double Breaker System:

In double breaker bus bar system

two identical bus bars are used in
such a way that any outgoing or
incoming feeder can be taken
from any of the bus similar to
double bus bar system. Only
difference is that here every
feeder is connected to both of
the buses in parallel through
individual breaker instead only
isolator as shown in the figure.
 I/C I/C O/G
220 KV SMB 220 KV SMB WP-2(O/H)
U/G CKT CKT-2(O/H)

BUS
PT

CGL CGL CGL

CGL
VCB VCB VCB
VCB

REAR

BUS COUPLER
NC NC

NC NC
NC
FRONT

CGL
CGL
VCB

BUS
PT
33/11 KV
20 MVA 33 / 11 KV
VOLTAMP 16 MVA
TRF-2 APEX
TRF -1
11 KV BUS - 2
11 KV BUS - 1

CAPACITOR BANK
TRANSFORMER
400 KVA LOCAL

PRAGYA MALL
10 -B SMB FEEDER

13 -B S/S SMB
8 -B S/S SMB

5 B S/S SMB

6 B S/S SMB

I /C TRF -2
I /C TRF -1

SPARE-2

SPARE-3

SPARE-5
7-B S/S
NORTH DELHI POWER LTD DRG NO DATE DRAWN BY CHECKED BY 33 /11 KV SHALIMAR BAGH GRID STATION
P S & T – PITAMPURA PSC - 39(R) 16/08/07 TRUSHA APPROVED BY JAYANTA CHATTERJEE

33kV Grid SLD with double bus bar arrangement

One and Half Breaker System:
• This is an improvement on the double breaker scheme to effect
saving in the number of circuit breakers. For every two circuits only
one spare breaker is provided. The protection is however
complicated since it must associate the central breaker with the
feeder whose own breaker is taken out for maintenance.
• For the reasons given under double breaker scheme and because of
the prohibitory costs of equipment even this scheme is not much
popular.
• As shown in the figure that it is a simple design, two feeders are fed
from two different buses through their associated breakers and
these two feeders are coupled by a third breaker which is called tie
breaker.
• Normally all the three breakers are closed and power is fed to both
the circuits from two buses which are operated in parallel. The tie
breaker acts as coupler for the two feeder circuits.
Main and Transfer Bus System:
• This is an alternative of double bus system. The main conception of
Main and Transfer Bus System is, here every feeder line is directly
connected through an isolator to a second bus called transfer bus.
The said isolator in between transfer bus and feeder line is
generally called bypass isolator.
• The main bus is as usual connected to each feeder through a bay
consists of circuit breaker and associated isolators at both side of
the breaker. There is one bus coupler bay which couples transfer
bus and main bus through a circuit breaker and associated isolators
at both sides of the breaker.
• If necessary the transfer bus can be energized by main bus power
by closing the transfer bus coupler isolators and then breaker. Then
the power in transfer bus can directly be fed to the feeder line by
closing the bypass isolator.
• If the main circuit breaker associated with feeder is switched off or
isolated from system, the feeder can still be fed in this way by
transferring it to transfer bus.
Ring Bus System:
• The schematic diagram of the system is given in the figure. It
provides a double feed to each feeder circuit, opening one
breaker under maintenance or otherwise does not affect
supply to any feeder.
• This system has two major disadvantages. One, as it is closed
circuit system it is impossible to extend in future and hence it
is unsuitable for developing system. Secondly, during
maintenance or any other reason if any one of the circuit
breaker in ring loop is switch off, reliability of system becomes
very poor as because closed loop becomes opened. Since, at
that moment for any tripping of any breaker in the open loop
causes interruption in all the feeders between tripped breaker
and open end of the loop.
 Factors affecting Switchgear life
• Pollution: It mainly affects the insulation properties of Insulators
along with deterioration of Metallic Parts ( Corrosion of the
Equipments installed in Industrial areas , nearby Drains which
generate Acidic Fumes).
• Climate: It also affects the insulation of the equipment if the
equipment is installed in humid atmosphere. ( Major impact on
Insulators if Space heaters are not ON).
• Loading of Equipment: If Equipment is loaded within safe loading
condition then the same is having good life span. If Equipment is
under loaded/ overloaded the life of equipment is deteriorated
accordingly.
• Maintenance Practices : Maintenance Practices play a major and
crucial role in determining the life of Equipment , on one side a
good maintenance practice enhances the life span of equipment on
the other side improper maintenance practice deteriorates the
equipment life.
 Maintenance of Switchgear
Purpose :
• To Maintain our Equipments always in service/ready for catering the power supply.
• To maintain the healthiness of the equipments resulting into long service of the
equipment without any deterioration of their characteristics, along with reduction
in Downtime in case of any fault, resulting in increased efficiency.
• Overall purpose of Maintenance practices is to supply Quality and Reliable Power
to the consumers, by keeping all the electrical equipments in healthy condition.
Maintenance of electrical equipment outcome is a well maintained Equipment free
from following defects:
• Dust
• Rust
• Oil Leaks
• Cracked/ Damaged Insulators
• Corroded Metallic parts and accessories
• Rust free Current Take Off Contacts
• Rusted Nut Bolts and Fasteners
• Corroded Cable Glands
• Defective operating mechanism
• Improper earthling joints and connections
• Deteriorated/ damaged Foundations/ fixtures
• Poor Joints resulting in to Hot Spot
Maintenance Includes:
• Checking and Cleaning
• Checking and Tightening
• Measurements
• General Checks
1. Checking and Cleaning: It includes VISUAL INSPECTION of the equipment under
maintenance for following parts:
• Insulators, Connections, Cable Joints, Gaskets , Corroded Nuts and Bolts , Control Wiring
, Rusted Surface of the Equipment and thereafter its cleaning.
• It also covers inspection of electrical joints visually for their condition ( Overheated /
Sulphation etc. )
• After inspection now it covers the cleaning of whole equipment so that equipment can
be made free from dust/dirt/oil debris etc.
• Removal of dust /dirt/debris from equipment is necessary because most of the
equipments are oil insulated/ oil cooled and for easy heat dissipation from equipment it
is necessary to keep the equipment surface free from dust/ dirt.
• A neat and clean surface of the equipment gives enhanced life of the equipment along
with its increased efficiency.
• Once Step 1st is completed now equipment is ready for the second step.
2. Checking and Tightening:
• It includes checking and tightening of Power Connections, Auxiliary Connections,
Earthing Connections , Foundation/ Coupling / Mountings/ accessories / Control Wiring
/ A C / D C Supply / Nuts and Bolts.
• This Step is having a major importance as the equipment life is entirely affected if this
part is not taken care. A bad/ loose/ Sulphated Power Contact or Joint may result in to
Hot Spot/ Burnt Current Take Off Contact which can’t be reused.
• Earthing Connection is also having same importance as in case if earthing contact is
loose and if there is any fault existing in the equipment then the leakage current may
result in to loss of equipment insulation/personal injury to operator etc. as the fault
current or leakage current is not passing to earth due to poor earthing connection.
3. General Checks:
The Major importance of general checks is determining the life of equipment it includes:
• Physical inspection of insulators for cracks/abnormality.
• Checking of mechanical couplings/ joints/ shutters/ accessories .
• Checking of vermin proofing which is most vital part of maintenance., so as to prevent
entry of reptiles/rats/ lizards inside Indoor Switchgear where there is very much
compact system and clearances are maintained accordingly.
• Checking and Tightening of L T Connections .
• Checking for the exposed area of equipment for corrosion resistant paint application.
• Possibility of water accumulation on the Top of equipment which later on create
corrosion , need to be corrected immediately.
4.Measurements:
• Includes Testing of the equipment based on the guide lines by O E M /
previous experience.
• Standard checklist are maintained, for testing records.

Conditional Monitoring:
Generally we have a maintenance schedule for the maintenance of switch gear
depending on the operating conditions, previous test results and age of equipment .
Other methods are used in addition to maintain the healthiness of the equipment as
below:
• Thermal Imaging(often used)
• Partial Discharge Testing
• Acoustic Emission Testing(by using surface mounted transducers or
ultrasonic detectors)
• SF6 equipment(invariably fitted with alarms and interlocks to warn of loss
of pressure)
 These techniques are the preventative maintenance techniques.
 Thermal Imaging
• In this technique, a thermal imaging
camera is used.
• Thermal cameras detect the changes in
heat in the area at which they are pointed.
The device can use these variations in heat
to build a picture on a screen.
• These devices are fast becoming an
essential tool for preventative maintenance
work because they show where heat is
leaking from pipes or where electrical
equipment is giving off more heat than it
should. For example, in the case of using a
thermal imaging camera for circuit
breakers, the technician would point the
device at all the circuit breakers. If the
resulting image on the screen suggests that
a high amount of heat is being generated
from a specific breaker then it may indicate
that there is some damage. The cost for
replacing the breaker at this point is small;
however, if the issue will be left for an
extended period of time, it will lead to
damage of equipment, there by cost will
increase.
 Installation of Circuit Breaker
General:
• All adjustments are made in factory, all moving parts are already
positioned correctly and fastened.
• It is advisable to keep the transport packings of the pole columns, thereby
facilitating eventual transport on subsequent overhaul work.
• To prevent the absorption of any moisture, in case of SF6 breaker , the
pole columns are filled with insulating gap abs(1.5 bar).
Erection Requirements:
• An erection crane with a carrying capacity of about 850 kg and a crane
hook height of at least 4mabove the floor.
• A lifting Sling
• Dimension Drawings, Circuit Drawing and Circuit Diagrams
• Torque wrench for a range of 6-200 Nm and socket tool 24 mm
• Open end wrenches for bolts M6-M16 and 0.5” UNC and open end wrench
for 36mm
• A Thermometer for ambient temperature.
• Gas filling equipment in case of SF6 Circuit Breaker
Erection Procedure:
1. Lift the complete assembled circuit breaker with crane
2. In case of SF6 breaker: Check SF6 pressure by pressing the disc of the
check valve inwards with pin of approx. 5 mm. diameters, when a hissing
sound is heard. The circuit breaker is supplied with a gas pressure of 1.5
bar absolute to prevent the ingress of moisture in then interrupting
chamber. When this hissing sound is not heard, then there is a leak which
must be attended to.
3. Place supports on the prepared foundation. The upper bearing surface
for the pole support must be horizontal and must lie in one level. Screw
supports tight to the foundation.
4. The exact location can be obtained from the installation layout plan.
During erection, make sure that the fixation holes for the earthing
connection are positioned correctly.
5. Mount frame with the assembled poles on supports with fasteners
6. Place cubicle in the correct mounting position between the supports on
wooden under layments.
7. To mount mechanism on the frame lift the operating mechanism upward
by lifting bolts, insert stay bolts in the holes provided for them and
fasten with the accompanying fasteners .Be careful, the pole in the
middle must not be damaged by lifting ropes. Ensure that there is no
washer between frames and stay bolts. During mounting of mechanism
ensure that the upper joint head of the connecting rod is inserted in to
the fork of the actuating lever.
8. Fitting of connecting rod, the operating mechanism and the CB are to be
coupled together in the open position. The connecting rod is already
adjusted in the factory. Adjust connecting rod so it can move freely in the
joint heads.
9. Fitting of the density monitor for SF6 breaker : Connect density monitor,
cables and possible pressure gauge
10. Complete the Hi-voltage connections.
Commissioning:
• All data which are checked or measured are to be entered in a
commissioning record and preserved for future compare. The
SF6 breaker, SF6 gas pressure can be seen from CB name
plate.
• For SF6 breaker: Filling of SF6 gas to the nominal filling pressure. As the
circuit breaker is supplied vacuum processed and filled with SF6 gas at
transport pressure of 0.15 MPa abs, during commissioning only one filling
of SF6 gas is required, to top up pressure up to the filling pressure given
on the rating plate. In the filling process the dependence of the nominal
pressure on temperature must definitely be taken in to account. After
temperature equalization period of approx. 1 hour, check the pressure and
correct if necessary by adding or releasing the gas. Check all the sealing
joints on the breaker poles and the gas supply system for leaks with leak
detector / soap solution. Repair any leak, if found.
• Connect proper earthing to the terminals provided.
• Test charging to be done after complete testing and clearance from
protection and maintenance / projects group.
 Testing of Circuit Breaker
Following major tests are conducted on CB:
• Operational Checks (checking min/max pick up and drop out coil voltages, proper operation
for safety interlocks)
• Insulation resistance Test
• Contact Resistance measurement
• Spring Charging motor resistance, current and time
• Operation Time (Close, open, close-open time)
• Notch Point of VCB ( on moving Contact Rod of Vacuum Interrupter)

Insulation Resistance Test: In insulation resistance test, a high DC voltage is applied across,
conductor and ground more specifically. The voltage is applied across the insulator. Due to this
applied high DC voltage there will be a current through the electrical insulator. By dividing the
applied voltage by this current, we get the actual resistive value of the insulator.
• This test is generally done by means of megger.
• Megger gives required direct (dc) voltage across the insulator an it also shows the resistive
value of insulator directly in Mohm range. The megger are generally of 500 V, 2.5 KV an 5 KV.
• This test includes:
 Phase to phase measurement
 Phase to Ground measurement
 Across pole(in open conditions)
Contact Resistance Measurement: This involves injecting a fixed current, usually around
300 A through the contacts and measuring the voltage drop across it. This test is done with
a special contact resistance measuring instrument.
Then, using Ohm's law, the resistance value is calculated. The resistance value needs to be
compared with the value given by the manufacturer. The value should also be compared
with previous records.

Operational Checks : It includes min/max pick up and drop out coil voltages of relay, safety
operation for interlocks(closing and tripping interlock) and operation for rack in/out.
Pick up voltage: As the voltage of a de-energized relay is increased, the value at or below
which all contacts must function.
Drop out Voltage: As the voltage on an energized relay is decreased, the value at or above
which all contacts must return to their de-energized position.
• Pick up voltage and drop out voltage values are simple to measure. A power supply and
a digital multi-meter are the only two components needed.
Spring Charged motor Test: In this, a voltage source of particular voltage is applied to
motor to charge up the spring. Then charging time is calculated using stop watches
and charging current is calculated using ohm’s law. Lastly, it is compared with previous
measurements.

Operation Time: Circuit Breaker is made to go through various operations. The basic
operations are “Close” when joining and “trip” when parting the contacts. These are
not the only operations that the breaker is meant to do. In most of the cases it has to
execute on demand a combination of the basic operations, called cycles. The most
popular are the following:
• Trip-Free(C-O) : It indicates a trip on short circuit after a close. The breaker must
open instantly.
• Reclose-open(O-C): It indicates a fast close after short circuit trip to re-establish
the current.
Operating time is calculated using digital pulse counter technique. The instrument is
connected across main contacts and the time gets measured when circuit breaker
operates. This time is compared with the reference operating time.
Maintenance Checklist for CB
Continued…
Maintenance Checklist for Isolator
Thermo Scanning Checklist