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http://www.cigre.org 13-101 Session 2002

© CIGRÉ

GENERATOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS : SF6 BREAKING CHAMBER – INTERRUPTION OF

CURRENT WITH NON-ZERO PASSAGE - INFLUENCE OF CABLE CONNECTION ON
TRV OF SYSTEM FED FAULTS

by

D. DUFOURNET* J.M. WILLIEME

Alstom T&D

(France)

Summary Keywords
The last ten years have seen the development of Generator circuit breaker – Self blast – TRV –
the self-blast technique of interruption for SF6 HV Delayed current zero – Cable connection
circuit breakers. This technique has proved to be
very efficient and has been widely applied for high
voltage circuit breakers up to 800 kV. The paper 1 Introduction
shows the application of the same technique to
the development of SF6 generator circuit breakers Generator circuit breakers, located between the
with spring-operated mechanisms. generator and the step-up transformer, have
proved to be an economical and efficient solution
A particular characteristic of generator circuit
for the protection of generators and transformers.
breakers is their mandatory capability to interrupt
They are widely used nowadays for generator
short-circuit currents with delayed current zeros.
ratings ranging from 100 MVA to 1300 MVA.
This requirement of ANSI/IEEE Standard C37-013
is explained in section 3 of this paper with SF6 circuit breakers are generally applied when
examples of breaking tests and simulations of interrupting capabilities of 63 kA to 120 kA are
current interruption. specified, while air-blast generator circuit breakers
are dominant when a higher interrupting capability
In 1997 the IEEE Switchgear Committee has
is required.
issued a new edition of its standard C37-013 for
generator circuit breakers, which covers mainly the The last ten years have seen the development of
applications with power transformers rated the self-blast technique of interruption for SF6
100MVA and above [1]. A revision of this standard breaking chambers. It has allowed the
is done by the IEEE Switchgear Committee in development of new ranges of circuit breakers
order to extend its scope to applications of less operated by low energy spring-operated
than 100MVA rated power. This paper presents mechanisms [1] [2].
calculations that have been made to calculate
The same technique has led to the development of
TRVs for system fed faults in the case of small
generator circuit breakers connected to the step-up SF6 generator circuit breakers with spring-operated
mechanisms (Figure 1)
transformer by cables.

ALSTOM T&D , 130 rue Leon Blum 69611 ViLLEURBANNE Cédex

 2 Self blast interrupting chamber
2.1. General
New types of SF6 breaking chambers, which
implement innovative interrupting principles, have
been developed over the course of the past 15
years, with the objective of reducing the operating
energy of the circuit-breaker. One aim of this
evolution was to increase the reliability by reducing
dynamic forces in the pole and its mechanism.
The reduction of operating energy was mainly
achieved by lowering energy used for gas
compression and making a larger use of the
energy of the arc to produce the pressure
necessary to obtain current interruption.
Low current interruption, up to about 30% of rated
short-circuit current, is obtained mainly by a puffer
blast where the overpressure necessary to quench
the arc is produced by gas compression in a
volume limited by a fixed piston and a moving
cylinder. This technique is well known and has
been used successfully for more than 40 years.
High current interruption is obtained by an efficient
Fig 1. Generator circuit breaker applied at 17,5
blast produced by the thermal expansion of gas
kV, 63 kA, 50/60 Hz
contained in a constant volume and connected to
These developments have been largely facilitated the compression volume by a one-way valve (see
by the use of digital simulations to optimise the fig 2). This technique, known as “self blast” has
geometry of the interrupting chamber and the now been used extensively for the development of
linkage between the poles and the mechanism. many types of interrupting chambers.
The description of the new interrupting techniques
is made in section 2. 2.2. Interrupting chamber with rear exhaust
A particular characteristic of generator circuit Among the many embodiments of the self-blast
breakers is their mandatory capability to interrupt technique, the “rear exhaust princi
short-circuit currents with delayed current zeros. figure 2, has been selected for a new generator
This requirement of ANSI/IEEE Standard C37-013 circuit-breaker because, on one hand, it requires
is explained in section 3 of this paper. less part than other solutions and, on the other
hand, it does not need pressure limiting valves on
In order to prove this interrupting capability, short-
the piston.
circuit interrupting tests have been performed on a
Generator circuit breaker in EDF High Power In the first phase, between positions 1 and 2, the
Laboratories (Les Laboratoires de Génie relative movement of the piston and the blast
Electrique, Les Renardières, France). They are cylinder is used to compress the gas in the
described in section 3.2. compression volume Vc. This overpressure opens
the valve C and is then transmitted to expansion
These tests can be simulated by ATP or equivalent
volume Vt.
programs, using a specific arc model for the
interrupter. Validation of the program is done by In the second phase, between positions 2 and 3,
comparison of current and arc voltage waveforms gas in volume Vc is exhausted to the rear through
obtained by calculation and measured during openings (1).
laboratory tests.
Gas compression is sufficient for interruption of low
A revision of the ANSI/IEEE standard C37.013 for currents.
Generator circuit-breakers is done by the IEEE
Switchgear Committee in order to extend the
scope to applications of less than 100MVA rated During high short-circuit current interruption,
power. This paper presents calculations that have volume Vt is pressurised by the arc thermal
been made to calculate TRVs for system fed faults energy. This high pressure closes valve C, the
in the case of small generator circuit breakers pressure in volume Vc is limited by exhaust
connected to the step-up transformer by cables. through openings (1). The high overpressure
generated in volume Vt produces the quenching
blast necessary to extinguish the arc at current
zero.

Fig. 3. Three-phase short-circuit current with

delayed current zeros
Fig 2. Interrupting chamber with rear exhaust

During an interrupting operation by a SF6 gas

In this way the energy that has to be delivered by circuit breaker, arc voltage (and arc resistance)
the operating mechanism is limited and a low modifies the evolution of the short circuit current,
energy spring operated mechanism can be used. so that current passages through zero occur
sooner than without the circuit-breaker operation.
It follows that gas circuit-breakers, which have a
3 Interruption of delayed current zero by significant arc voltage as will be seen in 3.2., have
Generator circuit breakers shorter arcing times than those which don’t have
the capability to force the current through zero.
3.1 General
In addition, circuit breakers which use arc energy
If a short circuit occurs between the generator to generate the gas blast, have the capability to
circuit breaker and the step-up transformer at the quench the arc during a long period, even after the
time when the voltage is close to zero, an moving contacts have reach the fully open
asymmetrical current with a dc component is position. This is demonstrated by the tests
obtained. presented in the following section.
The ac component of the short circuit current 3.2 Interrupting tests of short-circuit with
decreases exponentially with the short circuit sub- delayed current zeros
transient and transient time constants of the
generator. At the same time, the dc component of In order to verify the capability of the Generator
the short circuit current decreases also circuit breaker to interrupt short-circuits with
exponentially with a time constant of about 150 ms. delayed current zeros, as described in 3.1, tests
have been performed in EDF High Power
Depending on the relative values of these time Laboratories in Les Renardières.
constants, it is possible that in some cases the ac
component decreases more rapidly than the dc Single phase interruptions of 40 kA under 18/ 3 kV
component. It follows that the short circuit current were performed with a dc component ranging from
does not go through zero during several periods. 125% and 155% of the ac component, i.e.with
delayed passages of current through zero.
This is illustrated in figure 3 taken from IEEE
Standard C37.013-1997 for AC High-Voltage Tests conditions were according to ANSI/IEEE
Generator Circuit Breakers [3]. C37-013, in particular the condition of the circuit
breaker after tests was verified by dielectric tests
(55 kV at power frequency without disruptive
discharge).
Many tests were done with different values of
current asymetry (figure 4) in order to check the
maximum current that the circuit breaker is able to
force to zero due to the influence of arc voltage.
- Test n° 9:
Fig. 4 shows the inherent condition (circuit breaker
closed) of test n° 9.

Fig. 6 Test n°9 : arc voltage

- Test n°10.
Fig. 4 Inherent short-circuit current of test n°9 If the setting of contacts separation is delayed, arc
has less influence on current evolution, as arc
The percentage dc component is equal to 150%, voltage is smaller when current reaches its
the first current zero occurs 40 ms after initiation of minimum value. It follows that arc voltage could be
short circuit. insufficient to force current through zero. Figure 7
The oscillogram of fig. 5 shows that the Generator shows that in this case interruption is obtained
circuit breaker is able to force the current through after the second loop of current. This test shows
zero and to interrupt with an arcing time of 18 ms. that this Generator circuit breaker can interrupt
with long arcing times, thanks to the prolonged
blast produced by thermal blast.

Fig.7. Breaking test n° 10 with evolution of

current (upper trace) and recovery voltage (lower
trace)
Fig.5. Breaking test n° 9 with evolution of current
These tests, as well as others performed in similar
(upper trace) and recovery voltage (lower trace)
conditions, demonstrate the capability of this
Generator circuit breaker to interrupt short circuits
The arc voltage shown on figure 6, reaches a
with delayed current zeros.
maximum value of nearly 10 kV before passage of
current through zero.
3.3 Simulation of current interruption with
delayed current zeros
Breaking tests with delayed current zeros can be
simulated by calculation, using an appropriate arc
model.
The evolution of short circuit current is calculated
by simulating a circuit, with a single or three phase
short circuit, where the circuit breaker is Essai n°10
represented by an arc model. This circuit is a [kA] [kV]
representation of test circuits or users’ systems.

The evolution of arc voltage, which must be

correctly reproduced in this type of simulation, is
obtained with the model hereafter[4].

Uarc
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 [ms] 70
(file 8013B.pl4; x-var t) v:SIMARC-OUTARC c:SIMARC-OUTARC

Uarc0 Fig. 8-b. Simulation of test n° 10 with evolution of

current (upper trace) and recovery voltage (lower
t trace
Tapp

Uarc = Uarco . C1 . (C2 + C3)

4 Influence of cable connection on system fed
With C1 and C2 ramp function fault TRV
C3 peak voltage function In 1997 the IEEE Switchgear Committee has
issued a new edition of its standard C37.013 for
generator circuit breakers which covers mainly the
Validation of this model has been done by applications with power transformers rated
performing many simulations with ATP program. 100MVA and above [3].
A revision of this standard is currently prepared by
As an example, figures 8a and 8b show the IEEE Switchgear Committee in order to
simulations corresponding to the tests of 3.2. broaden its scope to all generator circuit breakers.
This paper presents calculations that have been
It can be verified that there is a good agreement
between test and simulation values of arc voltage. made to calculate TRVs for system fed faults in the
case of small generator circuit breakers connected
Essai n°9 to the step-up transformer by cables
[kA] [kV] The faults which are fed by the system (or
network) have the highest short circuit currents,
combined with the most severe transient recovery
voltages (TRV) applied across the circuit-breaker
terminals at current interruption.
The reason is that the TRV frequency is given by
the characteristics of the power transformer and is
generally much higher than TRV frequencies
produced by other types of faults.
As a consequence the dimensioning of a generator
circuit breaker is essentially defined by system
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 [ms] 70 source fault requirements. In practice the other
(file 8012B.pl4; x-var t) c:SIMARC-OUTARC v:SIMARC-OUTARC types of faults, such as those fed by the generator
only, are less severe in terms of current magnitude
Fig. 8-a. Simulation of test n° 9 with evolution of and TRV parameters (rate of rise and peak value),
current (upper trace) and recovery voltage (lower and one can consider that circuit-breakers which
trace are able to interrupt system source faults, have
also the capability to clear generator fed faults and
out-of phase faults.
Therefore this paper concentrates on TRV
requirements for system-source faults.
One particularity of small generator applications is The calculation of the TRV is made by simulating
the fact that there is often a cable connection the passage of one loop of power frequency
between the circuit breaker and the step-up current (60Hz) with interruption at current zero.
transformer. The TRV is then greatly influenced by The program then calculates the transient recovery
the characteristics of this cable connection (length, voltage across the circuit breaker as well as other
surge impedance, etc.). transients in the circuit. Calculations are made with
a power frequency of 60 Hz. They are also
The determination of the TRV parameters must be
applicable to 50 Hz systems as it is already the
done by simulating a circuit comprising the voltage
case in the present IEEE standard C37.013-1997.
source, the transformer, the cable(s) and the
generator circuit breaker. The cable is represented Simulations are made using the SABER program
by distributed elements or models, which take into which has a time step for calculations adapted
account propagation of transients. A similar study automatically in order to have the required
of short-circuit interruption by MV circuit breakers precision. Computation time is less than 7
in cable connected networks has already been seconds.
done by one author as member of CIGRE-CIRED
In figure 9, Xs represents the sum of the
Working Group CC03 [5]
transformer reactance and the system reactance.
This paper presents in a first step the program For a given system voltage, in practical
used to calculate the TRV requirements for system applications, transformer and system
source faults, the results of calculations are then characteristics determine the short circuit current.
presented for very low (≤ 50 MVA) and low (50
The other circuit components are calculated
MVA < P ≤ 100 MVA) transformer ratings. automatically in the program from the values of the
In each case the TRV parameters, rate of rise of inherent (without cable) TRV parameters of the
recovery voltage (RRRV or du/dt) and peak value system, i.e. its amplitude factor and frequency. A
(or E2), are calculated as function of the cable delay capacitor is added to represent the local
capacitance and the short circuit current. capacitance on the system side of the circuit
breaker.
TRV can then be defined by a set of figures which
give these two parameters as function of cable A model defined by the cable characteristics
capacitance and transformer rated power. simulates the cable connection between the circuit
breaker and the transformer: length, surge
4.1 Simulation program impedance (35 ohm) and the propagation speed of
In IEEE Standard C37-013 three-phase transients.
ungrounded faults are the basis for specification, 4.2 Power transformers rated 50 MVA or less
as usual for medium voltage applications. It follows
that the first pole to clear factor (ratio of the power In such a case the inherent system TRV has been
frequency voltage across the first pole to clear defined by the IEEE Working Group on generator
before current interruption in the other poles, to the circuit breakers as follows:
power frequency voltage occurring across the pole - Peak value E2 = 1.84 V
after interruption) is equal to 1.5.
- with V = rated maximum voltage
The TRV on the first pole to clear is the most
severe one for a three-phase circuit breaker. It is - Rate of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV) =
determined, and obtained in testing, in many 3.2kV/µs
cases, by using a single-phase circuit with a In the following, calculations are presented for two
source voltage equal to the phase to ground
values of the rated maximum voltage (V). From
voltage of the system multiplied by 1.5.
these results TRV parameters can be deduced by
interpolation for other values of V.
Xs Rd Cable GCB
In order to cover a wide range of applications,
short-circuit currents of 7 kA to 28 kA, consistent
Rs
with the transformer rating, and cable(s)
capacitance up to 6800pF are considered. Figure
System Cs
Cd 10 shows one example of TRV obtained in a case
with I = 20 kA, V = 13.8 kV and a cable
capacitance of 2280pF.

Fig. 9. Circuit used for calculations

The circuit used for the calculation is shown in
figure 9.
 capacitance increases, so the rate of rise of TRV
decreases. This is verified on figure 11.
Even for the highest current a cable length of 10
meters (about 3000pF) reduces significantly the
rate of rise of TRV.
- Peak value E2
When a cable is introduced between the circuit
breaker and the system, the capacitance is
increased and the critical resistance of the circuit is
then reduced (as it is proportional to √ L/ C). It
follows that the damping of the TRV is decreased
and higher values of E2 are obtained.
Fig. 10. TRV in case with I = 20 kA V = 13.8 kV In a similar way, when the short-circuit current is
cable length = 2280 pF increased, the supply inductance Ls is decreased
and the critical resistance is reduced, leading to a
The rate of rise of TRV (or maximum slope of the
lower damping of the TRV and higher values of E2.
tangent drawn from the instant of current
interruption) and the peak value of TRV are These influences can be taken into account by
determined directly by using SABER’s plot tools. introducing a multiplying factor of the TRV peak
value E2. Figure 12 gives the multiplying factor of
4.2.1 Rated maximum voltage V = 13.8 kV.
E2 as a function of the cable capacitance and for
- TRV rate of rise. three values of the short circuit current.
Interpolations are possible for other values of the
Figure 11 gives the rate of rise of TRV as function short circuit current.
of the short-circuit current and the cable
capacitance.
TRV rate TRV rate for system-source faults : Case Ur= 13,8kV
kV/µs Issf = 10-15-20kA Transformer <= 50MVA E2 Multiplier E2 Multiplier for system-source faults : Case Ur= 13,8kV
3,4 p.u. Issf = 10kA-15kA-20kA Transformer <= 50MVA
1,3

3,2 1,25

Issf=10kA
3 1,2
Issf=20kA Issf=15kA
2,8 1,15

1,1
2,6
1,05 Issf=20kA
Issf=10kA Issf=15kA
2,4
1
2,2
0,95

2 0,9
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

Cable capacitance (pF) Cable capacitance (pF)

Fig. 11. TRV rate : Case V = 13.8 kV I = 10-15- Fig. 12. E2 Multiplier : Case V = 13.8 kV I = 10-
20kA P≤ 50MVA 15-20 kA P≤ 50 MVA

The cable introduces a capacitance between the 4.2.2 Rated maximum voltage V = 25.7 kV
system and the circuit breaker, which lowers the
frequency of the TRV. - TRV rate of rise

With decreasing short-circuit currents, and as the Figure 13 gives the rate of rise of TRV as a
system frequency is assumed to be constant, the function of the short-circuit current and the cable
supply capacitance Cs is decreasing. For a given capacitance.
cable, the ratio of cable capacitance/source
TRV rate TRV rate for system-source faults : Case Ur= 25,7kV
kV/µs Issf = 7-10-13kA Transformer <= 50MVA
3,4

3,2

3
Issf=13kA
2,8

2,6 Issf=10kA

Issf=7kA
2,4

2,2

2
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

Cable capacitance (pF)

Fig. 13 TRV rate: Case V = 25.7 kV I = 7 – 10 – TRV RATE FOR SYSTEM FED FAULTS TRANSFORMER <=50MVA

13kA P≤ 50MVA
3,4

3,2
- Peak value E2
3

Figure 14 gives the multiplying factor of E2 as a 2,8

function of the cable capacitance and for three

TRV RATE (kV/us)
2,6
50MVA
values of the short circuit current. 2,4
43,5MVA

33,4MV
2,2
E2 Multiplier E2 Multiplier for system-source faults : Case Ur= 25,7kV
p.u. Issf = 7kA-10kA-13kA Transformer <= 50MVA 2
1,3
26,6MVA
1,8
1,25
1,6
Issf=7kA
1,2
1,4
Issf=10kA
1,15
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
1,1 CABLE CAPACITANCE (pF)

1,05

1
Issf=13kA Fig15. TRV rate as function of transformer power
0,95
and cable capacitance, P ≤ 50MVA.
0,9
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 Figure 16 gives the corresponding values of the
Cable capacitance (pF) peak voltage multiplier.

Fig. 14 E2 Multiplier: Case V = 25.7 kV I = 7-

10 - 13 kA P≤ 50MVA
E2 MULTIPLIER FOR SYSTEM FED FAULTS TRANSFORMER <=50MVA
4.2.3 TRV parameters as function of transformer
rated power 1,3

26,5MVA
If a short-circuit p.u. reactance of 14% is assumed, 1,25

as in Annex A of ANSI/IEEE C37.013, figure 15 33,5MVA

50MVA
E2 MULTIPLIER (p.u.)

gives the TRV rate as function of the transformer 1,2

rated power and cable capacitance. 43,5MVA

1,15

1,1

1,05

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000

CABLE CAPACITANCE (pF)

Fig 16 E2 Multiplier as function of transformer

power and cable capacitance, P ≤ 50MVA
4.3 Power transformers 50MVA < P ≤ 100MVA TRV RATE FOR SYSTEM FED FAULTS TRANSFORMER 50MVA<<=100MVA

The inherent system TRV has been defined by the 3,6

IEEE Working Group on generator circuit-breakers 3,4

as follows : 3,2

TRV RATE (kV/µs)

- Peak value E2 =1.84 V 3

81MVA
100MVA
2,8
with V = rated maximum voltage
2,6

- Rate of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV) = 65,5MVA

2,4
3.5kV/µs
2,2

4.3.1 Rated maximum voltage V = 13.8 kV 2

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
CABLE CAPACITANCE (pF)
- TRV rate of rise
Figure 17 gives the rate of rise of TRV as function
Fig 19. TRV rate as function of transformer power
of the short circuit current and the cable
and cable capacitance, 50MVA< P ≤ 100MVA.
capacitance.
TRV rate TRV rate for system -source faults : Case Ur= 13,8kV Figure 20 gives the corresponding values of the
kV/µs Issf = 25-31.5-45kA Transformer 50<<= 100MVA
3,6
peak voltage multiplier.
3,4 E2 MULTIPLIER FOR SYSTEM FED FAULTS TRANSFORMER 50MVA<<=100MVA
Issf=45kA
3,2 1,3

3
1,25

2,8 Issf=31.5kA E2 65,5MVA

M
Issf=25kA
2,6 UL 1,2
TI 81MVA
2,4 PL
IE 1,15
R 100MVA
2,2 (p.
u.) 1,1
2
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
1,05

Cable capacitance (pF)

1
Fig. 17. TRV rate: Case V=13.8kV I= 25-31.5- 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
45kA , 50MVA < P ≤ 100MVA CABLE CAPACITANCE (pF)

- Peak value E2
Figure 18 gives the multiplying factor of E2 as a
function of the cable capacitance and for three Fig 20 E2 Multiplier as function of transformer
values of the short circuit current. power and cable capacitance, 50MVA< P ≤
100MVA
E2 Multiplier E2 Multiplier for sys tem-source faults : Case Ur= 13.8kV
p.u. Issf = 25 -31.5-45kA Transformer 50<<= 100MVA 4.4 Analysis of calculation results
1,3

1,25 The calculations performed show that, even in

1,2
cases with long cable connections between the
1,15
Issf=25kA circuit-breaker and the transformer, the TRV rate
1,1
of rise is more than two times higher than the value
specified in ANSI Standards C37.04 and 06 at
1,05
Issf=45kA
Issf=31,5kA 100% of the short-circuit interrupting capability of
1
High-Voltage A.C. Circuit Breakers.
0,95

0,9
This means that a higher performance is required
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 for generator circuit-breakers, and that circuit-
Cable capacitance (pF)
breakers rated according to ANSI C37.04 and
C37.06 (or IEC 62271-100) can only be applied as
generator circuit-breakers if they are used at a
Fig. 18. E2 Multiplier: Case V = 13.8 kV I = 25- reduced percentage of their rated short-circuit
31.5-45 kA , 50MVA< P ≤ 100MVA current (60% or less) or fitted with additional
4.3.2 TRV parameters as function of transformer capacitors. In addition such circuit breakers must
rated power be capable of interrupting short-circuit current with
delayed current zeros as required in the present
Figure 19 gives the TRV rate as function of the edition of Standard C37.013.
transformer rated power and cable capacitance
5 Conclusion [2] D.Dufournet, J.Ozil, F.Sciullo, A.Ludwig. New
interrupting and drive techniques to increase high
The last decade has seen great progress in
voltage circuit-breaker performance and reliability.
interrupting techniques and computation of many
(CIGRE Session 1998, Report 13-104) .
aspects of circuit breaker behaviour (dynamic
operation, gas flow in the interrupting chamber, [3] IEEE Std C37-013-1997. IEEE Standard for
interruption at current zero, arc voltage). It has lead AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated
to the development of new SF6 Generator circuit on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
breakers characterised by a high interrupting
[4] G.Seyrling, E.Thuries. Development of a
capability and a low operating energy.
generator circuit breaker using the SF6 interrupting
Generator circuit breakers have some features that technique. (GEC ALSTHOM T&D Technical review
distinguish them from other types of circuit N°11-1993) .
breakers. In particular, they must be able to
[5] D.Dufournet. Short-line-fault Interruption in
interrupt, in a relatively short time, short-circuit
Medium Voltage Networks. (Report 1.5 presented
currents with delayed current zeros. This
at CIGRE SC13 Colloquium in Florianopolis
performance must be demonstrated by tests and/or
(Brazil), September 1995) .
calculations supported by test evidence as
specified in ANSI/IEEE standard C37-013.
This paper has shown the tests performed to
demonstrate the capability of a Generator circuit-
breaker to interrupt short-circuit currents with
delayed current zeros, and calculations which
reproduced the arc voltage and current waveforms
due to arc-circuit interaction.
A study of TRV parameters has been done in the
case of system-source fault interruption by
generator circuit breakers connected by cable(s) to
the step-up transformer.
More than 70 simulations have been done to cover
many cases of applications for different rated
maximum voltages, short-circuit current ranging
from 7kA to 45kA and cable capacitances up to
12000 pF.
TRV parameters for cases not covered in this
document can be obtained easily by interpolation
or extrapolation.
Even in cases with long cable lengths, the rate of
rise of TRV is much higher than the value required
for standard circuit breakers rated and tested
according to IEC 62271-100 or ANSI-IEEE C37.04
and C07.06. Derating of such circuit breakers is
necessary if they are intended to be used as
generator circuit breakers.
Generator circuit breakers must also be able to
make and break in out-of phase conditions with a
TRV rate of rise higher than the value given in
ANSI C37.04/06 and IEC 62271-100 for other
types of circuit breakers.

6 References

[1] D.Dufournet. Recent evolution of high-voltage

SF6 circuit-breakers. (GEC ALSTHOM T&D
Review, 02/1995).