Areva PIX VCB Cassette Switchgear: Description and Guide To Operations

Areva PIX
VCB Cassette
Switchgear
DESCRIPTION AND
GUIDE TO OPERATIONS
Actions and Information
Red arrow/text indicates an instruction
Blue arrow/text indicates additional information

INDEX SCREEN
Click on the link to move to the required section
General description of the switchgear
Procedure to OPEN, establish Points of Isolation and Earth a Feeder

Circuit Breaker
Procedure to remove Circuit Earth, restore Points of Isolation and CLOSE

a Feeder Circuit Breaker
Procedure to Earth a Busbar
Procedure to remove a Busbar Earth
Procedure to earth a circuit through a test cassette

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
OF THE SWITCHGEAR
FRONT PANELS
This illustration shows a typical PIX Feeder

Circuit Breaker, comprising three main
panels. The upper panel contains the
protection equipment, controls and lamp
indications. The centre panel comprises a
door over the VCB cassette housing
together with mechanical OPEN and
CLOSE buttons (the CLOSE button is
permanently disabled), facilities for VCB
cassette racking and emergency
mechanism manual charging. The lower
panel is a removable door which covers the
VT compartment (not all units are fitted with
a VT). Note that although local operating
facilities are provided, it is company
policy to open and close Circuit
Breakers remotely
UPPER PANEL
The upper panel contains the

local/remote and CB trip/close
rotary controls, together with CB
ON, CB OFF, Trip Circuit Healthy
and CB Tripped indicator lamps.
An Areva M231 display unit is
located at the centre of the panel
whilst the protection relays are
located at the top (layout of
controls and indications varies)
CENTRE PANEL
The centre panel door contains

a viewing window, allowing
observation of the mechanical
ON/OFF semaphore, operations
counter and the mechanism
spring condition indicator, all of
which are located on the VCB
cassette. This panel also
contains the VCB cassette
racking socket and the socket
cover control, together with
mechanical CLOSE and TRIP
buttons (LOCAL CLOSE
BUTTONS ARE
INOPERATIVE!)
CENTRE PANEL WINDOW
The spring condition semaphore for

the operating mechanism is located on
the right hand side of the window.
When the arrow points to the right, the
mechanism spring is charged. A
charged mechanism has enough
energy for one CLOSE and one OPEN
operation
CENTRE PANEL WINDOW
The same window also allows

viewing of the VCB cassette
status semaphore. OPEN is
indicated by a black horizontal
line on a white background
CENTRE PANEL WINDOW
CLOSED is indicated by a black

vertical line on a white background
HANDLE AND KEY
The upper handle is used to

raise and open the centre panel
door and is retained when the
door is lifted off its latches. The
lower D ring key is used to
unlock the centre panel door
and is retained when the door is
unlocked. Both are stored in the
substation
KEY CABINET
This key cabinet is one of three that are located adjacent to each other
within the substation. They are used to store operational keys for the
switchgear
CENTRE PANEL
Company policy is to trip and

close Circuit Breakers remotely,
however a local mechanical trip
button is provided for
emergency use (the close
button is permanently
inoperative). Both buttons are
protected by hinged and
lockable plastic covers,
however locks are not applied in
normal service. The lever on the
left is held in the up position as
shown by gravity acting on the
heavier internal part of the
mechanism; it must be pressed
down for the trip button to be
effective
BUTTON EXTENSION
MECHANISM
This mechanism is located on the

rear of the centre panel door,
controlled by the lever identified on
the previous screen. It is shown in
the lowered (retracted) position.
When raised (extended), it allows
the mechanical trip button on the
front panel door to connect to the
equivalent button on the front of the
VCB cassette
SHUTTER MECHANISM
Automatic shutter operating

mechanisms are located
within the centre housing. The
circuit shutter mechanism is
on the left hand side and the
busbar shutter on the right
hand side. Both mechanisms
are provided with locking
points (arrowed) – it is vital
that locks are removed
before inserting VCB
cassettes
VCB CASSETTE
This illustration shows a VCB

cassette fully removed from its
housing. The socket for the
secondary wiring (Harting) plug is
located at the upper left. Always
move the VCB cassette using the
folded metal grips on either side
of the blue panel, never by
gripping the polymeric moulded
cases or the bushings
HARTING PLUG AND SOCKET
Low voltage supply and control

connections between the
housings and the VCB cassettes
are implemented by this plug and
socket. The plug must be
disconnected before a VCB
cassette can be removed from its
housing and reconnected when a
VCB cassette is restored. Note
the interlocked over clip
TEST CASSETTE
A special test cassette is

required to make contact
with the circuit isolating
contacts. It is inserted and
removed using the special
trolley in a similar manner to
a standard VCB cassette.
The test cassette may be
reconfigured for busbar
testing by inverting the
horizontal bars
CASSETTE TROLLEY
VCB and test cassettes must be

inserted and removed from
housings using this special
trolley, which is normally stored
in the substation. Note the
braked wheels. The handle is
used to raise and lower twin
spigots at the front of the trolley,
which lock into matching
sockets at the edge of the
housing. The button is used to
release the cassette from the
trolley when re-inserting
EARTHING PANEL
Between the centre

and lower panels is an
area containing an
earth switch (on the
left) and its associated
semaphore (on the
right). A circuit live
indicator system to
IEC 61598 is located
at the centre
EARTHING PANEL
This enlarged view of a

feeder earthing panel
shows two keys – the
Proof of Isolation key on
the right is not released
unless the VCB cassette
is racked to the isolated
position. The Proof of
Earthing key on the left
may be removed only
when the earth switch is
closed
EARTHING PANEL
Some Circuit Breaker

earthing panels are fitted
with an additional
Permissive Earth lock at
the location arrowed.
When the key is present, it
allows the earth shutter to
open. The key is normally
located at the remote end
of the circuit but it is not
interlocked. The remote
end must be isolated and
the key collected, before
earth on the PIX Circuit
Breaker may be applied
and the key should be
returned to the remote end
when not in use
EARTH SWITCH
HANDLE
Earthing operations are carried out using this handle, which

is stored in the substation
LOWER PANEL
If a VT is fitted it will be
located inside the lower
compartment – note that
units fitted with a VT do not
have a window in the lower
panel. Under safe
operational circumstances
the panel may be
unfastened and lifted off to
reveal the VT fuses,
instruction labels, locks
and withdrawal handles.
The function of the handles
and locks is explained in
the operational sections of
this presentation
REMOTE CONTROL
PANEL
It is company policy to open and

close Circuit Breakers remotely
from control panels located in an
adjacent room. Incomer and
Interconnector Circuit Breaker
remote control panels are
additionally fitted with an
emergency trip button, which trips
both the specified local Circuit
Breaker and an associated Circuit
Breaker on another switchboard.
These trip buttons must be rotated
to release after use
KEY EXCHANGE BOX
Certain procedures require use of key exchange boxes, as described

in the operational sections of this presentation. They are mounted on
the substation wall
Operating Instructions
Areva PIX
Procedure to OPEN, establish Points of

Isolation and Earth a Feeder Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker
 Ensure that you have

identified the correct Panel by
reference to the nameplate.
The Circuit Breaker ON lamp
indicator on the upper panel
and the Neon indicators
between the centre and lower
panels should both be
illuminated
Circuit Breaker
 Identify the VCB status

semaphore through the
viewing window and ensure
that it indicates CLOSED
Circuit Breaker
 Post HV Warning
notices on the
local/remote controls
of adjacent Panels
Circuit Breaker
 Ensure that the rotary

LOCAL/REMOTE control of
the Circuit Breaker to be
opened is selected to
REMOTE. This is the normal
setting for the control. Post a
HV Prohibition notice
Circuit Breaker
 In an adjacent room,
identify the correct remote
control panel for the
Circuit Breaker to be
opened. Apply a HV
Prohibition notice over the
trip/close control of the
Circuit Breaker to be
opened and HV Warning
notices over the trip/close
controls of the adjacent
Circuit Breakers
Circuit Breaker
 Trip the Circuit Breaker at

the remote position
Circuit Breaker
 Ensure that the green CB

OPEN lamp indicator is
illuminated
Circuit Breaker
 On the upper panel of the

selected Circuit Breaker
ensure that the green
OPEN lamp indicator is
illuminated. Note that the
M231 display unit may still
indicate voltage present
Circuit Breaker
 Ensure that the Neon indicators

panels have extinguished
Circuit Breaker
 In the viewing window

of the centre panel,
ensure that the
mechanical semaphore
indicates OPEN
Circuit Breaker
 Identify the local/remote

control on the upper panel
and select it to local
Circuit Breaker
 Identify the racking

handle socket on the
centre panel
Circuit Breaker
 Open the socket shutter by rotating the

adjacent button
Circuit Breaker
 Open the socket shutter by rotating the

adjacent button
Circuit Breaker
 Insert the racking handle and

rotate it approximately 21
turns anticlockwise to move
the VCB cassette to the
ISOLATED position. The
handle will automatically
ratchet when the VCB
cassette reaches the
ISOLATED position. Remove
the handle on completion
and close the shutter
Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker
 Obtain the D ring key from storage and insert it into the keyway at
the base of the centre panel door. Rotate the key anticlockwise to
Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker
 Obtain the door handle from

storage and insert it into the
lock on the left hand side.
Rotate the handle
anticlockwise to lift the door
from its latches
Circuit Breaker

Rotate the handle
from its latches
Circuit Breaker
 Open the door and identify

the VCB cassette locking
point in the lower left hand
corner
Circuit Breaker
 Fit an isolock, lock and HV

Prohibition notice to the
locking point
 The Point of Isolation is

established. This lock
prevents complete removal
of the VCB cassette
Circuit Breaker
 Latch the door and post a

magnetic HV Prohibition
notice. Remove the handle
on completion
Circuit Breaker

on completion
Circuit Breaker

on completion
Circuit Breaker
 Rotate the D ring key

clockwise to lock the panel
door closed. Remove the key
and return it to storage
Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker
 Identify the Proof of

Isolation key, rotate
and remove it
Circuit Breaker

and remove it
Circuit Breaker

and remove it
 The VCB cassette

cannot now be racked
into the service
position
Circuit Breaker
 If the Circuit Breaker is fitted with a VT, identify the

two threaded fasteners at the base of the panel and
release them. Lift and remove the panel
Circuit Breaker
 If the Circuit Breaker is fitted with a VT, identify the

two threaded fasteners at the base of the panel and
release them. Lift and remove the panel
Circuit Breaker
 Identify the two keys at the top

of the VT compartment
(illustration shown cut away)
Circuit Breaker
 Rotate the left hand key

clockwise and the right hand
key anticlockwise. Press down
and pull the bronze handle
outward to the notch position to
isolate the VT
Circuit Breaker

and pull the bronze handle
outward to the notch position to
isolate the VT
Circuit Breaker
 Rotate both keys to the vertical

position and remove the right
hand key
Circuit Breaker

hand key
Circuit Breaker

hand key
 The VT Point of Isolation is

established
Circuit Breaker
 Apply a HV Prohibition notice

to the bronze handle
Circuit Breaker
 Ensure that the Proof

of Earthing key is set
to the horizontal
position, if it is not
already horizontal
Circuit Breaker
 If the Circuit Breaker

requires a Permissive
Earth key, obtain this
from the associated
remote end location,
insert and rotate it to
the horizontal position
Circuit Breaker
 Lift the shutter control

pin and insert the
earth switch operating
handle
Circuit Breaker
 Rotate the handle

clockwise to CLOSE
the earth switch
Circuit Breaker
 Circuit Earth is now

applied

clockwise to CLOSE
the earth switch
Circuit Breaker
 Remove the handle,

allowing the shutter
control pin to drop
Circuit Breaker
 Remove the handle,

allowing the shutter
control pin to drop
Circuit Breaker
 Ensure that the earth

switch semaphore
indicates EARTH ON
Circuit Breaker
 Rotate and remove

the Proof of Earthing
key
Circuit Breaker

key
Circuit Breaker

key
Circuit Breaker
 Apply a lock and HV

Prohibition notice to
the earth switch
socket
Circuit Breaker
 Identify the lock out box in the Substation, remove the LOB 500 lock and
open it. Place the key to the isolock/lock retaining the VCB cassette, the
Proof of Isolation key, the Proof of Earthing key, the key removed from the
earth shutter lock and the key removed from the VT lock (if a VT is fitted)
inside complete with their identity discs. Remove the LOB XX lock and key
stored inside the box and use it and the LOB 500 lock to secure the door
Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker
Operating Instructions
Areva PIX
To remove Circuit Earth, restore Points of

Isolation and CLOSE a Feeder Circuit Breaker
Procedure to remove Circuit Earth, restore Points of Isolation and
CLOSE a Feeder Circuit Breaker
 Identify the lock out box in the Substation, remove the LOB 500 and LOB
XX locks and open it. Remove the key to the isolock/lock retaining the VCB
cassette, the Proof of Isolation key, the Proof of Earthing key, the key for the
earth shutter lock and the key for the VT lock (if a VT is fitted) inside
complete with their identity discs. Replace the LOB XX lock inside the box
and secure the door with a LOB 500 lock
 Remove the lock and

fitted to the earth
switch socket, restore
and turn the Proof of
Earthing key

fitted to the earth
Earthing key

fitted to the earth
Earthing key
 Lift the shutter control

pin and insert the
earth switch operating
handle

anticlockwise to open
the earth switch

anticlockwise to open
the earth switch
 Circuit earth is now

removed
 Remove the handle

and return it to
storage. Allow the
shutter control pin to
drop
 Remove the handle

and return it to
storage. Allow the
shutter control pin to
drop
 Ensure that the earth

switch semaphore
indicates EARTH
OFF

is fitted with a
Permissive Earth
lock, the key may
now be rotated,
removed and
returned to its original
remote end location

is fitted with a
Permissive Earth
lock, the key may
now be rotated,
removed and
remote end location

is fitted with a
Permissive Earth
lock, the key may
now be rotated,
removed and
remote end location
 Insert and rotate the

Proof of Isolation key
 Insert and rotate the

Proof of Isolation key
 Remove the HV Prohibition

notice from the centre panel
door
 Remove the HV Prohibition

notice from the centre panel
door

Rotate the handle
from its latches

Rotate the handle
from its latches
 Open the centre panel door

and identify the isolock, lock
and HV Prohibition notice
fitted to the VCB cassette
locking point. Remove these
items
 Open the centre panel door

and identify the isolock, lock
and HV Prohibition notice
fitted to the VCB cassette
locking point. Remove these
items
 Close the door and rotate the

handle clockwise to lower it
onto its latches. Remove the
handle on completion and
return it to storage


 Rotate the D ring key clockwise to lock the centre panel door,
remove it on completion and return it to storage
 If the unit is fitted with a VT,

identify the HV Prohibition
notice fitted to the bronze
handle. Remove this item
 If the unit is fitted with a VT,

identify the HV Prohibition
notice fitted to the bronze
handle. Remove this item
 Insert the right hand key into

the empty lock at the top of the
assembly

and push the bronze handle
fully inward to restore the VT to
service. Release the keys to
return to the vertical position on
completion

completion

completion

completion
 Restore the front panel and tighten the two

threaded fasteners
 Open the socket shutter by

rotating the adjacent button
and insert the racking handle

approximately 21 turns
clockwise to move the VCB
cassette to the SERVICE
position. The handle will
automatically ratchet when
the VCB cassette reaches
the SERVICE position.
Remove the handle on
completion and close the
shutter

shutter

shutter
 On the upper panel, select

the local/remote control to
remote
 Identify the correct unit on

the remote control panel in
an adjacent room by
reference to the
nameplate. Press the trip
circuit healthy push button
to ensure that the trip
circuit is functioning
 Remove the HV
Prohibition notice from the
rotary trip/close control
and close the CB to ON
 Remove the HV
 Remove the HV
 The circuit is now

energised
 Remove the Warning

notices from the adjacent
units
 Remove the Warning

notices from the adjacent
units

selected Circuit Breaker,
ensure that the red
CLOSED lamp indicator is
illuminated. Remove the
HV Prohibition notice from
the local/remote control

selected Circuit Breaker,
ensure that the red
CLOSED lamp indicator is
illuminated. Remove the
HV Prohibition notice from
the local/remote control
 Ensure that the Neon indicators

panels have illuminated
 In the viewing window

of the centre panel,
ensure that the
mechanical semaphore
indicates CLOSED
 Remove the HV
Warning notices from
the local/remote
controls of adjacent
Circuit Breakers on
completion
 Remove the HV
Warning notices from
the local/remote
controls of adjacent
Circuit Breakers on
completion

Areva PIX VCB Cassette Switchgear: Description and Guide To Operations

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Areva PIX VCB Cassette Switchgear: Description and Guide To Operations

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Areva PIX

Blue arrow/text indicates additional information

General description of the switchgear

Procedure to OPEN, establish Points of Isolation and Earth a Feeder

Procedure to remove Circuit Earth, restore Points of Isolation and CLOSE

Procedure to Earth a Busbar

Procedure to remove a Busbar Earth

Procedure to earth a circuit through a test cassette

This illustration shows a typical PIX Feeder

The upper panel contains the

The centre panel door contains

The spring condition semaphore for

The same window also allows

CLOSED is indicated by a black

The upper handle is used to

Company policy is to trip and

This mechanism is located on the

Automatic shutter operating

This illustration shows a VCB

Low voltage supply and control

A special test cassette is

VCB and test cassettes must be

Between the centre

This enlarged view of a

Some Circuit Breaker

Earthing operations are carried out using this handle, which

It is company policy to open and

Certain procedures require use of key exchange boxes, as described

Procedure to OPEN, establish Points of

 Ensure that you have

 Identify the VCB status

 Ensure that the rotary

 Trip the Circuit Breaker at

 Ensure that the green CB

 On the upper panel of the

 Ensure that the Neon indicators

 In the viewing window

 Identify the local/remote

 Identify the racking

 Open the socket shutter by rotating the

 Open the socket shutter by rotating the

 Insert the racking handle and

 Insert the racking handle and

 Insert the racking handle and

 Obtain the door handle from

 Obtain the door handle from

 Open the door and identify

 Fit an isolock, lock and HV

 The Point of Isolation is

 Latch the door and post a

 Latch the door and post a

 Latch the door and post a

 Rotate the D ring key

 Rotate the D ring key

 Rotate the D ring key

 Identify the Proof of

 Identify the Proof of

 Identify the Proof of

 The VCB cassette

 If the Circuit Breaker is fitted with a VT, identify the

 If the Circuit Breaker is fitted with a VT, identify the

 Identify the two keys at the top

 Rotate the left hand key