SWITCH GEAR

Definition of Switchgear
A switchgear or electrical switchgear is a generic term which
includes all the switching devices associated with mainly power
system protection. It also includes all devices associated with
control, metering and regulating of electrical power system.
Assembly of such devices in a logical manner forms switchgear. In
other words apparatus used for switching, controlling and
protecting the electrical circuits and equipment is known as
switchgear. This is very basic definition of switchgear.
We are all familiar with low voltage switches and re-wirable fuses
in our home. The switch is used to manually open and close the
electrical circuit in our home and electrical fuse is used to protect
our household electrical circuit from over current and short
circuit faults.
In same way every electrical circuit including high voltage
electrical power system needs switching and protective devices.
But in high voltage and extra high voltage system, this switching
and protective scheme becomes complicated one for high fault
current interruption in safe and secure way. In addition to that
from commercial point of view every electrical power system
needs measuring, control and regulating arrangement.
Collectively the whole system is called switchgear and
protection of power system. The electrical switchgear has been
developing in various forms.
Switchgear protection plays a vital role in modern power system network, right
from generation through transmission to distribution end. The current interruption
device or switching device is called circuit breaker in switchgear protection system.
The circuit breaker can be operated manually as when required and it is also
operated during over current and short circuit or any other faults in the system by
sensing the abnormality of system. The circuit breaker senses the faulty condition
of system through protection relay and this relay is again actuated by faulty signal
normally comes from current transformer or voltage transformer.

The switchgear has to perform the function of carrying, making and breaking the
normal load current like a switch and it has to perform the function of clearing the
fault in addition to that it also has provision of metering and regulating the various
parameters of electrical power system. Thus the switchgear includes circuit
breaker, current transformer, voltage transformer, protection relay, measuring
instrument, electrical switch, electrical fuse, miniature circuit breaker, lightening
arrester or surge arrester, electrical isolator and other associated equipment.
Electric switchgear is necessary at every switching point in the
electrical power system. There are various voltage levels and
hence various fault levels between the generating stations and
load centers. Therefore various types of switchgear assembly are
required depending upon different voltage levels of the system.
Besides the power system network, electrical switchgear is also
required in industrial works, industrial projects, domestic and
commercial buildings.

Low Voltage Switchgear or LV Switchgear

Generally electrical switchgear rated upto 1KV is termed as low
voltage switchgear. The term LV Switchgear includes low voltage
circuit breakers, switches, off load electrical isolators, HRC fuses,
earth leakage circuit breaker, miniature circuit breakers (MCB) and
molded case circuit breakers (MCCB) etc i.e. all the accessories
required to protect the LV system.
Medium Voltage Switchgear
From 3 KV to 36 KV switchgear system is categorized as medium voltage switchgear
or MV switchgear. These switchgears are of many types. They may metal enclosed
indoor type, metal enclosed outdoor type, outdoor type without metal enclosure,
etc. The interruption medium of this switchgear may be oil, SF6 and vacuum. The
main requirement of MV power network is to interrupt current during faulty
condition irrespective of what type of CB is used in the MV switchgear system.
Although it may be capable of functioning in other conditions also.
Medium voltage switchgear, should be capable of,
Normal ON/OFF switching operation.
Short circuit current interruption.
Switching of capacitive currents.
Switching of inductive currents.
Some special application.
All the above mentioned function must be carried out with high degree of safety
and reliability.
High Voltage Switchgear
The power system deals with voltage above 36KV, is referred as
high voltage switchgear. As the voltage level is high the arcing
produced during switching operation is also very high. So, special
care is to be taken during designing of high voltage switchgear.
High voltage circuit breaker, is the main component of HV
switchgear, hence high voltage circuit breaker (CB) should have
special features for safe and reliable operation. Faulty tripping and
switching operation of high voltage circuit are very rare. Most of
the time these circuit breakers remain, at ON condition, and may
be operated after a long period of time. So CBs must be reliable
enough to ensure safe operation, as when required.
SWITCH GEAR