Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) : General

General Gas insulated
Switchgear (GIS)
© ABB Power Technology
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AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 ADVANTAGES OF SF6-INSULATED INSTALLATIONS
 SWITCHGEAR CHARACTERISTICS
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 Earthing switches
 Circuit breakers
 Instrument transformers for gis substations
 TESTS
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AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 3 -
Introduction
 At normal atmospheric conditions, the insulation distances determine
the main sizes of the classic distribution substation.
 For a long time, the development in substation construction concentrated
simply in combining existing devices to obtain the arrangement more
adequate for exploitation and supply security.
 On the other hand, the increasing needs to convey electric energy,
at higher voltages, towards the regions with grand population density
and the industrial centres, causes great difficulties due to the size of
the involved installations.
 Official prescriptions and the town-planning requirements complicate the
construction.
1_114Q07- 4 -
Introduction
 Due to the troubles caused by pollution in insulators, the tendency is
to build indoors installations.
 However, the cost increasing in construction leads to reduce, as much as
possible, the dimensions of the installation.
 Hence, to solve this problem, smaller installations are needed, which
should also comply the following requirements:
 They shall be insensible to climatic influences.
 They can be raised outdoors, inside a building or underground.
 They require reduced maintenance.
 They are silent.
 They should not generate radioelectric disturbances.
 They shall not imply danger for the nearby populated zones.
1_114Q07- 5 -
Introduction
 As a solution for this problem, metal-enclosed installations with SF6
insulation are used.
1_114Q07- 6 -
Introduction
 In this system, the parts of the main current circuit (such as the
circuit breaker, the disconnector, the buses, etc.) are mechanically
integrated in a set that can be called coupling group.
 The compact manufacturing and the highly developed wiring
technique allow the free determination of the site, and ensure the
independence regarding climatic conditions.
 Some possible applications of this very high voltage metal-enclosed
stations:
 Main distribution stations inside cities.
 Main distribution stations for important customers.
 Main distribution stations in zones with pollution, salt, or risk of explosion.
 Main distribution stations with special characteristics (underground
stations, shelters of reinforced concrete, etc.).

 Classic installation expansion, in case of reduced space.
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 Mobile transformation stations.

Introduction
 The gas-insulated substations utilize the same switchgear of
conventional substations, but with design and characteristics slightly
different.
 The whole station is integrated inside a grounded aluminium enclosure
filled with SF6, which ensures the insulation to ground.
 Diagram of a 220 kV gas-insulated substation.
1_114Q07- 8 -
Introduction
 Fig. presents some basic layouts of the assorted types of gas-
insulated substations, which will vary according to the requirements
of each installation
1_114Q07- 9 -
AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 10 -
Advantages of SF6-insulated installations
 Reduced required space
 Outlook compatible with surroundings without altering architectural
or natural beauty.
 Reduced erection and assembly times.
 The installations are dielectrically and totally tested in-site (unlike
conventional substations).
 Reduced maintenance and consequently, lower costs.
 From 30 kV to 500 kV they might result cheaper than conventional
units.
 Up to 170 kV, tripolar design is used (three phases in the same
casing). For upper voltages, each phase is separately insulated,
enclosed and compartmentalized.
1_114Q07- 11 -
AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 12 -
Surge arresters
 When the connection with the network is performed through an
overhead line, the surge arrester is located at the entrance of the
gas-insulated substation.
 The surge arrester can be conventional or SF6-insulated.
 In this last case, if distances in the substation are higher than the
protection distance of the surge arrester, it is convenient to install,
besides, a surge arrester inside the metal-enclosed substation.
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Surge arresters
 When the substation is connected to the network through a high
voltage cable, it is advisable to integrate the surge arrester inside the
substation casing.
 This advice becomes mandatory if the conductor is longer than 50 m, or
if the substation occupies a very extended surface.
 The surge arresters are also encapsulated and their discharge
voltage is lower than in conventional arresters, due to the lack of
pollution and to the direct coupling to the breaking device (not
necessarily connected to the line).
1_114Q07- 14 -
Surge arresters. Metallic casing
 The cylindrical metallic casing is comprised of concentric sheets of
aluminium, welded as a tube.
 The clamps are also aluminium pieces.
 The rated values of filling pressure (Pats) for the SF6 are 420540 kPa
at 20 º C.
 If the surge arrester needs accessories, such as gas valves,
densimeter or manometer, discharge counter or breaking disks
(pressure lever), they will be mounted in its top.
 As mentioned before, up to 170 kV the three phases are located in
the same casing. For upper voltages, each phase is mounted in
individual compartments.
1_114Q07- 15 -
Surge arresters. Metal-Oxide Disks
 The surge arresters insulated in
SF6, alike conventional arresters,
are constituted by columns with
several piled up metal-oxide disks of
variable resistance.
 These columns are concentrically
mounted in the metallic casing.
1_114Q07- 16 -
 The flat contact surfaces are manufactured
with a conductive metallic layer and the
cylindrical sides are elaborated with a
hermetic layer of passivated crystal
(neutral metal that prevents corrosion).
 This design allows that the disks can be in
direct contact with the SF6, which
increases the capability of heat evacuation
during, for example, repetitive strong
discharges.
 To avoid the excessive size of surge
arresters for voltages upper than 170 kV,
the disks are piled up in three columns,
forming a triangle, electrically connected in
series.
1_114Q07- 17 -
 Each column consists of fibreglass axles

and springs that compress the disks.
 A device that evenly distributes the voltage among all disks is located
in the top of the columns.
 Fig.compares arresters with and without such device.
1_114Q07- 18 -
AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 19 -
Disconnectors
 Slide-in disconnectors are used in gas-insulated substations,
capable to break the capacitive currents that take place during the
coupling manoeuvres in the installation, and to break commutation
currents caused by changes in the buses configuration.
 To optimise the operation of the disconnectors in different points of
the distribution station, the active parts are encased separately,
reducing to minimum the number of flanged joints.
1_114Q07- 20 -
Disconnectors
 The disconnector consist of the main contact (6) and the casing of
the sliding contact (9), in which interior is located the coupling of the
sliding contact (12).
 The conductor is connected to both contacts by sheet contacts.
 The sliding contact (12) is tripolar-operated by the drive (10), which
comprises lever, pitman and insulating rotary bar (8) with motorised
drive.
1_114Q07- 21 -
Disconnectors
 Each disconnector can include one or two earthing switches (4).
 The receiving earthing contacts (5) are mounted in the casings of the
main and sliding contacts (6, 9).
 The gas compartment of the disconnector, usually jointed to other
parts of the installation, is enclosed in the casing (3) and surveyed
by means of densimeters (7).
 The discharging plate (1) protects the casing against excessive
overpressure, and the absorber (2) keeps the gas dry.
1_114Q07- 22 -
Disconnectors
 Each disconnector has a spyhole to observe the position of the
contacts and allows checking their condition.
 The disconnectors shall be opened solely for inspection works.
 For maintenance or expansion of the installation, the disconnectors
can be mechanically interlocked in the desired ended position, and
locked by means of a padlock or any other locking device.
 The interlocking with circuit breakers, other disconnectors or earthing
switches is electric.
1_114Q07- 23 -
Disconnectors
 There might be
variations in the
design, linear or
angular, according
1. Casing
to the requirements
2.
3.
Insulator
Fixed contact in the installation
4. Mobile contact
5. Mobile contact casing configuration.
6. Fixed contact
7. Insulating rotary bar
8.
9.
Drive
Earthing switch (optional)
 Fig. shows different
possibilities.
1. Fixed contact
1_114Q07- 24 -
2. Fixed contact casing

3. Mobile contact
4. Insulating rotary bar
5. Support of the contact
6. Drive
7. Insulator
8. Casing
AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 25 -
Earthing switches
 The earthing switches can be adapted to
diverse components, and according to the
layout and the buyer specifications, can be
mounted in any point of the installation, as
maintenance earthing switches or as fast-
closing earthing switches.
 Locking bolts provided with padlocks or similar
devices ensure the locking in the desired
position.
 The maintenance earthing switches endure
short-circuit currents in the closed position.
 They comprise the casing of the mechanism
with sliding contact incorporated and contact
bar by lever and pitman.

 The switching is either unipolar by hand or
1_114Q07- 26 -
tripolar by motor.
Earthing switches
 The fast-closing earthing switches are used to ground parts of the
installation under supply normal conditions.
 Their tripolar switching mechanism is capable to make short-circuit
currents.
 During the closing manoeuvre, the closing spring (10) is tightened by
the linkage (6) and the manoeuvring lever (5), through a motorised
drive.
1_114Q07- 27 -
Earthing switches
 Once tightened the spring, the trigger (11) releases the manoeuvring
lever (9), and the manoeuvring bar (2) closes rapidly by means of the
coupling bar (8), the axle and the pitman.
 The receiving contact (1) is a standardised piece of these devices, as
well as in the maintenance earthing switches in the corresponding
device.
1_114Q07- 28 -
AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 29 -
Circuit breakers
 Likewise in conventional installations, the automatic circuit breakers
ensure the break of short-circuit currents.
 The gas in the breaking chamber is injected by means of a piston
mechanically coupled to the mobile contact, which compress the gas at a
pressure two or three times higher than the supply pressure, in order to
generate the blowing, enlargement and cooling of the arc, and its
extinction at the zero crossing of the current wave.
 They can be arranged horizontally or vertically to minimize the size of
the substation.
 The number of chambers depends on the rated voltage and the
breaking capacity of the circuit breaker.
 The drive can be mechanical or hydromechanical.
1_114Q07- 30 -
Circuit breakers
 Fig. shows a circuit breaker in horizontal position for 245 kV, with
mechanical drive.
 In the pole enclosure (2), the truncated-cone insulator (1) supports the
main fixed contact (5), which is jointed to the expansion casing (3).
 The other truncated-cone insulator (1) carries, in its vertical axis, a
clamp contact (8) that links the breaking device to the fixed part of the
installation.
1_114Q07- 31 -
Circuit breakers
 This allows, with inspection and revision purposes, to unplug and

extract the active part fixed to the lid by means of two cylindrical
insulators (9).
 The energy required to generate the extinction flux in the blowing
cylinder (7) and nozzle (6) is conveyed by the gear (14) and the
insulating pitman of traction (11).

1_114Q07- 32 -
 The densimeter (4) surveys the gas compartment of the pole,

protected against excessive overpressure by a discharging plate
(12).
Circuit breakers
 The following figure
shows a circuit
breaker in vertical
position for 245 kV
with hydromechanical
drive.
1_114Q07- 33 -
1. Hydromechanical drive, 2. SF6, 3. Breaking chamber

4. Casing, 5. Input feeder connection,
6. Output feeder connection
Circuit breakers. Breaking chamber
1. Main fixed contact, 2. Arc fixed contact

3. Arc mobile contact, 4. Main mobile contact.
5. Nozzle 6. SF6
1_114Q07- 34 -
Circuit breakers. Hydromechanical drive
High pressure
Low pressure
1_114Q07- 35 -
AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 36 -
Instrument transformers for GIS
 The measurement and protection transformers for SF6-insulated
substations are different from conventional transformers in their
especial constructive characteristics.
 Fig. shows the shape and location of voltage and current transformers
in an SF6-insulated substation.
1_114Q07- 37 -
Current transformers
 The one-phase current transformers are bushing type, with ring-shaped
core and toroidal secondary winding.
 The cores are externally stick on the metallic enclosure, outside the
SF6 container, separated from the high voltage region by a cylindrical
shield.
1. Insulator
2. Terminal box
3. Support of core
4. Casing
5. Cores
6. Main conductor (primary)
1_114Q07- 38 -
Current transformers
 The secondary winding is located above the core and connected to the
terminal box. The commutation of the transformation ratio is possible
through the secondary winding.
 The stresses caused by the inner overpressure of the gas and for the
current circulating through the casing are conveyed by the traction bars.
 The maximum number of cores that can be placed inside the casing
depends on the transformation ratio and on the characteristics of the
cores.
1. Insulator
2. Terminal box
3. Support of core
4. Casing
5. Cores
6. Main conductor (primary)
1_114Q07- 39 -
Voltage transformers
 The voltage transformer is one-phase
(phase-to-ground connection) and can
be inductive or capacitive.
 In the Inductive voltage transformer,
the active parts are enclosed in a
casing of melted aluminium.
 The stratified core supports the
primary and secondary windings.
1. Terminal box
2. Primary winding
3. Secondary winding
1_114Q07- 40 -
4. Core
5. High voltage terminal
 The insulation among the layers of the
primary winding is elaborated with plastic
sheets, and the insulation between the
primary winding, covered by a shielding
electrode, and the external casing is SF6.
 The voltage transformer is accommodated
in an independent gas compartment,
separated form the others by a conical
fastening insulator.
1_114Q07- 41 -
 The high voltage connection is performed
through an interconnection bolt.
 The opposite extreme of the primary
winding, connected to ground, as well as
the extremes of the secondary windings,
are carried in a gastight fashion out of the
transformer casing, and jointed to the
terminals for the external connections of
the connection box.
1_114Q07- 42 -
 In the capacitive voltage transformer, the core and the windings are
replaced by a capacitive divider, created between the metallic casing
and the conductor.
 The capacitive divider is coupled to an operational amplifier that
provides the signalling to the protection and measurement devices.
1_114Q07- 43 -
AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 Surge arresters
 Disconnectors
 TESTS
1_114Q07- 44 -
Tests
 The type tests performed in the gas-insulated switchgear
(disconnectors, circuit breakers, surge arresters and protection and
measurement transformers) follow the same standards and guidelines
than conventional switchgear.
 However, additional tests shall be carried out, based on the standard
IEC 62271-203 “Gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear for rated
voltages above 52 kV”, such as
 the gas tightness test and
 the test of internal failure arc.
 Besides, every manufacturer has its own testing protocol no prescribed
in the standards
1_114Q07- 45 -
Gas tightness test
 This test is performed to verify that the metal-enclosed substation
complies with the permitted value of gas losses, which shall be lower
than 1%.
 The test is divided in several steps:
 Individually, the porosity of the aluminium casing is verified, filling it
with helium.
 With the substation totally assembled, the air is extracted until a
pressure inferior to 100 Pa is reached. Then, the possible pressure
rises are observed.
 Finally, the substation is filled with SF6, in the nominal conditions of
the installation, and tests are performed in order to verify the
pressure specifications of every gasket and welding.
1_114Q07- 46 -
Test of internal failure arc
 The test consist in verifying that the metal-enclosed installation complies
the demands of endurance to arc, even in the unlikely cases of a failure
with the highest short-circuit current possible.
 Under these conditions, the following requirements shall be satisfied:
 No metal-enclosed part shall explode.
 The damages shall be exclusively restricted to the gas compartment.
 The arc should not puncture the shielding during the first step of
protection.
1_114Q07- 47 -

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) : General

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General Gas insulated

stations, shelters of reinforced concrete, etc.).

 Mobile transformation stations.

 Each column consists of fibreglass axles

2. Fixed contact casing

bar by lever and pitman.

 This allows, with inspection and revision purposes, to unplug and

insulating pitman of traction (11).

 The densimeter (4) surveys the gas compartment of the pole,

1. Hydromechanical drive, 2. SF6, 3. Breaking chamber

1. Main fixed contact, 2. Arc fixed contact

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