4 CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING

MECHANISM
On completion of this lesson, the trainee will be able
to:
 Describe the operation of hydraulically operated
mechanism of circuit breakers
 Describe the operation of pneumatically operated
mechanism of circuit breakers
 Describe the operation of spring operated mechanism
of circuit breakers and the associated control circuit
and interlocks
 Describe the features and operation of nitrogen filling
pump
 4.1 HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED MECHANISM

The oil hydraulic operating mechanism consists of 4

elements:
1. A pump unit as the pressure generating device.
2. An accumulator basic having the function of instantaneously
transmitting oil pressure and preserving the energy.
3. An operating valve to accomplish the operating duties assigned
to the circuit breaker and to control.
4. An oil cylinder to drive the circuit breaker contact.
The oil hydraulic circuit for all circuit breakers consists of a
combination of these 4 elements.
OIL-HYDRAULIC OPERATING UNIT
FOR SF6 GAS CIRCUIT BREAKER

2 3

1
Oil-hydraulic circuit of SFg gas circuit breake
(3 poles simultaneously operating type}
 2 4
1

Oil-hydraulic circuit of SF6 gas circuit breaker

3 (each pole separately driven)

Principles of Operation
The oil cylinder is differential type and the circuit breaker is closed and opened entirely oil
hydraulically. That is, when pressurized oil is supplied to the side opposite to the rod side, the
cylinder, performs the closing operation and when this pressurized oil is discharged to the oil
tank through the operating valve, the cylinder performs the opening operation.
‫ت‬88‫ر الزي‬88‫م توفي‬88‫ا يت‬8‫ه عندم‬88‫ي أن‬88‫ أ‬.‫ل هيدروليكيا‬88‫ه بالكام‬88‫ع الدائرة وفتح‬88‫م إغالق قاط‬88‫ي ويت‬88‫ي نوع تفاضل‬88‫ت ه‬88‫طوانة الزي‬88‫أس‬
‫ت المضغوط‬8‫غ هذا الزي‬8‫م تفري‬8‫ا يت‬8‫ة اإلغالق وعندم‬8‫طوانة بعملي‬8‫ تقوم األس‬، ‫ل‬8‫ب عمود التشغي‬8‫ل لجان‬8‫ب المقاب‬8‫ى الجان‬8‫المضغوط إل‬
‫ تقوم األسطوانة بتنفيذ عملية الفتح‬، ‫إلى خزان الزيت من خالل صمام التشغيل‬
That is, the operation is performed by simply feeding the oil to or removing it from the side
opposite to the rod side, thus greatly simplifying the principle of operation.
‫يط مبدأ‬8‫ي تبس‬8‫ وبالتال‬، ‫ل‬8‫ب عمود التشغي‬8‫ل لجان‬8‫ب المقاب‬8‫ن الجان‬8‫ه م‬8‫و إزالت‬8‫ت أ‬8‫ة الزي‬8‫ق تغذي‬8‫ن طري‬8‫اطة ع‬8‫م ببس‬8‫ة تت‬8‫ن العملي‬8‫ي أ‬8‫أ‬
.‫التشغيل إلى حد كبير‬
 Circuit Breaker Operating Mechanism
GIS Gas-insulated Switchgear ELK-04
The hydro-mechanical spring operating mechanism of the circuit
breaker combines optimally the wear-free force transmission of a
hydraulic system with the robustness of a mechanical spring
operating mechanism.
3.Operating piston 2.Spring column
1.Hydraulic pump

4.Spring travel switch 5.Changeover valve

Operating mechanism in position “OPEN” position,
springs not charged
The operating mechanism for triple pole operation comprises
several functional modules:
Recharging module
1. Recharging module (Hydraulic pump)
2. Storage module with (Disk spring) assembly
3. Working module with (Operating piston) and integrated end-
position damping
4. Monitoring module with (Spring limit switch)
5. Control module with open-close pilot valves (Change over
valve)
3

1
2

4
5
Operating mechanism in “OPEN” position, springs charged
 Operating mechanism in “CLOSED” position, springs charged
When the OPENING magnet is actuated, the changeover valve switches over to
its original position. Now the area beneath the operating piston rod is loaded
with low pressure. The piston rod is again securely held in position “OPEN”.
‫ة الموجودة‬8‫ل المنطق‬8‫م تحمي‬8‫ن يت‬8‫ اآل‬.‫لي‬8‫ه األص‬8‫ى موضع‬8‫ر إل‬8‫مام التغيي‬8‫ يتحول ص‬،‫ح‬8‫ف الفت‬8‫ل مل‬8‫د تشغي‬8‫عن‬
‫ع‬8‫ي الموض‬8‫ن ف‬8‫ل آم‬8‫س مرة أخرى بشك‬8‫بيت عمود المكب‬8‫م تث‬8‫ يت‬.‫ط منخفض‬8‫ل بضغ‬8‫س التشغي‬8‫فل عمود مكب‬8‫أس‬
."OPEN"
Hydraulic Operating Mechanism
Hydraulic Schematic of Operating Mechanism for Close Operation
Hydraulic Schematic of Operating Mechanism for Open Operation
 PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED MECHANISM
The control mechanism is provided with a controller, link mechanism
for controlling the interrupter (blast chamber-CB), closing spring, and
oil dashpot for each phase
 Interrupting Operation:
When the opening coil is energized in Fig.-36 a, chamber A in the main
valve is filled with compressed air, thus causing the main valve piston to
relocate to the position shown in Fig.-36 b.
‫ في الصمام الرئيسي بالهواء المضغوط‬A ‫ تمتلئ الغرفة‬، ‫ أ‬36- ‫عندما يتم تنشيط ملف الفتح في الشكل‬
.‫ ب‬36- ‫ مما يتسبب في انتقال مكبس الصمام الرئيسي إلى الموضع الموضح في الشكل‬،
Closing coil

Opening coil

Chamber B in the operating cylinder is filled with compressed air from

the operating air receiver; hence, the operating position is driven rapidly.
The operating rod connected to the operating piston is pulled in the
opening direction as shown by arrow to drive the puffer cylinder at a
high speed.
‫ع‬8‫هم لدف‬8‫ح بالس‬8‫و موض‬8‫ا ه‬8‫ح كم‬8‫ي اتجاه الفت‬8‫ل ف‬8‫س التشغي‬8‫ل بمكب‬8‫ل المتص‬8‫حب عمودالتشغي‬8‫م س‬8‫يت‬
.‫أسطوانة البخاخ بسرعة عالية‬
The reset cam (not shown) rotates with the interrupting operations,
causing the opening electromagnetic valve to return to the position
shown in Fig.-36 c.
‫مام‬8‫ي عودة الص‬8‫بب ف‬8‫ا يتس‬8‫ مم‬،‫ل‬8‫ع عمليات الفص‬8‫ة) م‬8‫ر المعروض‬8‫ط (غي‬8‫تدور كام إعادة الضب‬
.‫ ج‬36- ‫الكهرومغناطيسي المفتوح إلى الموضع الموضح في الشكل‬
Thus, compressed air in chamber A is exhausted and at the same time
the main valve piston returns to its initial position.
‫مام‬8‫س الص‬8‫ه يعود مكب‬8‫ت نفس‬8‫ي الوق‬8‫ وف‬A ‫ة‬8‫ي الغرف‬8‫تنفاد الهواء المضغوط ف‬8‫م اس‬8‫ يت‬، ‫ي‬8‫وبالتال‬
.‫الرئيسي إلى موضعه األولي‬
Same time compressed air in chamber B is also exhausted, so that an
opening state is maintained by the link mechanism attached to the
end of the operating piston.
‫ بحيث يتم الحفاظ على حالة‬، ‫ أيضا‬B ‫في نفس الوقت يتم استنفاد الهواء المضغوط في الغرفة‬
.‫الفتح بواسطة آلية الربط المرفقة بنهاية مكبس التشغيل‬
 Closing Operation:
When the closing coil is energized, the armature is attracted to rotate, Fig.36c, causing
the hook to be disengaged.
.‫ مما يتسبب في فصل الخطاف‬، 36c ‫ الشكل‬، ‫ ينجذب المحرك للدوران‬، ‫عندما يتم تنشيط ملف اإلغالق‬

Thus, the sector link rotates in the arrow direction to release the roller, and the
operating piston is driven in the arrow by force of the closing spring. Upon
completion of closing, the link mechanism is held in the state shown in Fig.-36 a
to bready for the subsequent interrupting operation.
‫هم بقوة‬8‫ي الس‬8‫ل ف‬8‫س التشغي‬8‫ل مكب‬8‫م تشغي‬8‫ ويت‬، ‫طوانة‬8‫ر األس‬8‫تحري‬8‫هم ل‬8‫ي اتجاه الس‬8‫ط القطاع ف‬8‫ يدور راب‬، ‫ي‬8‫وبالتال‬
‫ أ‬36- ‫ل‬8‫ي الشك‬8‫ة ف‬8‫ة الموضح‬8‫ي الحال‬8‫ط ف‬8‫ة الرب‬8‫م االحتفاظ بآلي‬8‫ يت‬، ‫ن اإلغالق‬8‫د االنتهاء م‬8‫ عن‬.‫برك اإلغالق‬8‫زن‬
‫لالستعداد لعملية الفتح الالحقة‬
The circuit breaker adopts an electrically and pneumatically trip free system.
 4.3 SPRING OPERATED MECHANISM

Fig.-37 Spring Operated Mechanism (ABB – Type BLG)

Operating principles
Closed position
1 B
In the normal service position of the
circuit breaker (B), the contacts are in
closed position, with closing- (5) and
opening spring (A) charged.
The breaker is kept in the closed position
by the opening latch (1), which takes up
A
the force from the charged opening
spring.
The mechanism is now ready to open
upon an opening command and can carry
out a complete fast auto-reclosing (O -
5 0.3 s - CO) cycle.
1 Opening operation
When the breaker is being opened, the
latch (1) is released by the tripping coil.
The opening spring (A) pulls the breaker
(B) towards the open position. The
operating lever (2) moves to the right and
finally rests against the cam disc (3).
The motion of the contact system is
damped towards the end of the stroke by
an oil-filled damping device (4).
Closing operation
When the breaker is being closed, the closing
latch (6) is released by the closing coil.
The sprocket (7) is locked to prevent rotation
where upon the operating energy in the closing
springs is transferred via section (8) of the endless
chain to the sprocket (11) belonging to the cam
disc (3).
The cam disc then pushes the operating lever (2)
towards the left where it is locked in its end
position by the tripping latch (1).
The last part of the rotation of the cam disc is
damped by the damping device (9) and a locking
latch on the sprocket (11) again takes up the
initial position against the closing latch (6).
Charging of the closing springs
The breaker has closed; the motor starts
and drives the sprocket (7).
The sprocket (11) belonging to the cam
disc (3), has its catch locked against the
closing latch (6), whereupon the sections
of the chain (8) raise the spring bridge
(10).
The closing springs (5) are thereby
charged and the mechanism again takes
up its normal operating position.
Control circuits K9, K10 Interlocking relay, trip,
BD Signal contact of density close
switch K25 Signal relay, low gas
BG Auxiliary contact M, M.1 Motor
BT1 Thermostat Q1, Q1.1 Contactor
BW Limit switch S1 Switch, trip/close
E1, E2 Heater S4 Selector switch
F1, F1.1 Direct-on-line motor (local/remote/disconn.)
starter (MCB) Y1, Y2 Tripping coil
F2 Miniature circuit breaker, AC Y3 Closing coil
auxiliary circuit Y7 Blocking contact (Hand crank
K3 Anti-pumping relay adapted)
Control switch
Mode switch

S4 R,L,S

CB aux contact
Density switch
Interlocking

Anti pump
relay

Limit switch
Tripping coil
Closing coil

Circuit diagram shows operating mechanism when circuit

SPO = Single-pole operated breaker is in normal service condition, i.e. pressurized
TPO = Three-pole operated closing spring charged, in closed position, in motor charging
position, and with selector switch in remote position.
Density Interlock Trip, close

MCB

Mode Main

CB Aux contacts Limit Contactor

Low gas

Blocking contact

Two motors are used in the BLG when larger

spring energy is required.
 4.4 NITROGEN FILLING PUMP
The nitrogen accumulator is maintained under a certain pressure;
this pressure is indicated on the name plate (approx. 21 MPa). The
hydraulic accumulator contains a heating element to prevent the
temperature of the nitrogen gas from falling too low. If the N2
pressure falls below 21 MPa, the accumulator should be topped
up with N2 using the nitrogen filling pump. The nitrogen filling
pump unit is consists of:
‫ة‬8‫ى لوح‬8‫ط عل‬8‫ى هذا الضغ‬8‫ن ؛ يشار إل‬8‫ط معي‬8‫ت ضغ‬8‫ن تح‬8‫م النيتروجي‬8‫ى تراك‬8‫م الحفاظ عل‬8‫يت‬
‫ع‬8‫خين لمن‬8‫ر تس‬8‫ى عنص‬8‫ي عل‬8‫م الهيدروليك‬8‫ يحتوي التراك‬.)‫كال‬8‫ا باس‬8‫ ميج‬21 ‫ي‬8‫بيان (حوال‬8‫ال‬
‫ن‬8‫ل م‬8‫ى أق‬8‫ إل‬N2 ‫ط‬8‫ض ضغ‬8‫ إذا انخف‬.‫ن االنخفاض الشديد‬8‫ن م‬8‫ة حرارة غاز النيتروجي‬8‫درج‬
.‫ باستخدام مضخة تعبئة النيتروجين‬N2 ‫ فيجب تعبئة المركم ب‬، ‫ ميجا باسكال‬21
The Pilot nitrogen filling pump unit is consists of:
a) A nitrogen pump unit
b) A nitrogen compressor unit
c) A dedicated filling valve and pressure gauge
d) Various connecting hoses of the prescribed nominal widths
e) A manifold connecting N2 bottles
f) A class-2 dial pressure gauge, 0-5000 psi.
a e
c
b
f

d
Before starting the pump, the oil level should be checked using the oil-level
gauge located on the pump unit cover inside face located adjacent to the
integral air filter.
4.4.1 CHECKING ACCUMULATOR CHARGE PRESSURE
 Unscrew Fill-Valve Locking-Screw (containing a relieving bore hole)
located on the Hydraulic Accumulator (Fig.-41).
 Screw-in (fit) Fill-Valve tightly until its hits stop.
 Ensure that the Fill Relief Valve is closed (clockwise to close).
 Connect a rated pressure gauge to the Fill-Valve (Fig.-40) via the
dedicated connection, using a suitable high-pressure hose.
 Operate the Relief Valve (Fig.-40) at the accumulator by opening the
Fill- Valve to its stop. The existing gas pressure in the accumulator
may now be read on the gauge.
‫م‬88‫ى الراك‬88‫ف) موجود عل‬88‫ف مخف‬88‫ب تجوي‬88‫ى ثق‬88‫ة (يحتوي عل‬88‫مام التعبئ‬88‫ل ص‬88‫ي قف‬88‫ك برغ‬88‫ ف‬
.)41- ‫الهيدروليكي (الشكل‬
.‫ ثبت صمام تعبئة (مناسب) بإحكام حتى تتوقف ضرباته‬
.)‫ تأكد من إغالق صمام تخفيف التعبئة (في اتجاه عقارب الساعة لإلغالق‬
،‫صة‬8‫لة المخص‬8‫بر الوص‬8‫) ع‬40- ‫ل‬8‫ة (الشك‬8‫مام التعبئ‬8‫ب بص‬8‫ط مناس‬8‫يل مقياس ضغ‬8‫م بتوص‬8‫ ق‬
.‫باستخدام خرطوم مناسب عالي الضغط‬
.‫ى توقفه‬8‫ة إل‬8‫مام التعبئ‬8‫ح ص‬8‫ق فت‬8‫ن طري‬8‫م ع‬8‫ي المرك‬8‫) ف‬40- ‫ل‬8‫س (الشك‬8‫مام التنفي‬8‫ل ص‬8‫م بتشغي‬8‫ ق‬
.‫يمكن اآلن قراءة ضغط الغاز الموجود في المجمع على المقياس‬
 If the pressure is too high, then the excess pressure may be bled via
the Relief Valve located on the side of the Fill-Valve.
 Close the Fill-Valve to its stop.
 Gradually open the pressure Relief Valve on the side of the Fill-
Valve body to bleed to the required pressure.
 Do not attempt to dismantle any connections until the fill-valve,
gauges, and hose have been completely depressurized.
 Remove the Fill-Valve and screw in the original locking screw on
the accumulator gas-tapping, and seal.
‫ى‬8‫ة الموجود عل‬8‫مام اإلغاث‬8‫بر ص‬8‫د ع‬8‫ط الزائ‬8‫د ينزف الضغ‬8‫ فق‬، ‫ا جدا‬8‫ط مرتفع‬8‫ إذا كان الضغ‬
.‫جانب صمام التعبئة‬
.‫ أغلق صمام التعبئة حتى التوقف‬
‫ط‬8‫ى الضغ‬8‫ة لتنزف إل‬8‫مام التعبئ‬8‫م ص‬8‫ب جس‬8‫ى جان‬8‫ا عل‬8‫ط تدريجي‬8‫ف الضغ‬8‫مام تخفي‬8‫ح ص‬8‫ افت‬
.‫المطلوب‬
‫س والخرطوم‬8‫ة والمقايي‬8‫مام التعبئ‬8‫ط ص‬8‫ل ضغ‬8‫م تقلي‬8‫ى يت‬8‫يالت حت‬8‫ي توص‬8‫ك أ‬8‫ ال تحاول تفكي‬
.‫تماما‬
‫م غاز‬8‫ى منظ‬8‫لي الموجود عل‬8‫ل األص‬8‫مار القف‬8‫ي مس‬8‫مار ف‬8‫ة والمس‬8‫مام التعبئ‬8‫ة ص‬8‫م بإزال‬8‫ ق‬
.‫ وقم بإغالقه‬،‫المجمع‬
4.4.2 FILLING ACCUMULATOR WITH NITROGEN GAS SYSTEM

Nitrogen Filling
4.4.3 OPERATION OF NITROGEN FILLING PUMP
As the hydraulic pump unit runs, the hydraulic oil gets pumped into
the oil side of nitrogen compressor. This results in a slug of gas in
the compressor being compressed and ejected out of the central
port, which in turn feeds the gas chamber of the Hydraulic
Accumulator via the hose connection. With the pump running, the
reading indicated on the pressure gauge near the compressor is
nominally 20 to 25 bar higher than the pressure in the piston
accumulator. This is due to pressure drops, temperature differentials
and gas compression.
‫ يتم ضخ الزيت الهيدروليكي في جانب الزيت من‬،‫أثناء تشغيل وحدة المضخة الهيدروليكية‬
‫ن‬8‫ا م‬8‫ا وإخراجه‬8‫م ضغطه‬8‫ط يت‬8‫ي الضاغ‬8‫ن الغاز ف‬8‫بيكة م‬8‫ك س‬8‫ن ذل‬8‫ج ع‬8‫ ينت‬.‫ط النيتروجين‬8‫ضاغ‬
‫ال‬8‫بر اتص‬8‫ي ع‬8‫ع الهيدروليك‬8‫ي المجم‬8‫ة الغاز ف‬8‫ والذي بدوره يغذي غرف‬، ‫ذ المركزي‬8‫المنف‬
‫ن‬8‫ط بالقرب م‬8‫ى مقياس الضغ‬8‫ا عل‬8‫ة المشار إليه‬8‫ تكون القراء‬، ‫ة‬8‫ل المضخ‬8‫ع تشغي‬8‫ م‬.‫الخرطوم‬
‫ى‬8‫ك إل‬8‫ع ذل‬8‫ ويرج‬.8‫ع المكبس‬8‫ي مجم‬8‫ط ف‬8‫ن الضغ‬8‫ بارا م‬25 ‫ى‬8‫ إل‬20 ‫ن‬8‫ى م‬8‫ميا أعل‬8‫ط اس‬8‫الضاغ‬
.‫انخفاض الضغط وفروق درجة الحرارة وضغط الغاز‬
The compression stroke is controlled by a time-lag relay and it lasts 35
to 38 s. When the pump switches off at the end of the compression
stroke, the oil side of the compressor is free of pressure. The gas flows
from the bottles into the compressor and the oil is forced back into the
pump unit due to the inherent differential pressure. During the return
cycle, a slug of N2 gas (gas volume at gas temperature) is established
in the compressor due to the positive pressure of the N2 bottle manifold
with respect to the hydraulic pressure. The reverse gas flow from
accumulator is not possible due to the in-line non-return valves (Fig.-
40).
‫ا‬8‫ عندم‬.‫ ثانية‬38 ‫ى‬8‫ إل‬35 ‫ن‬8‫تمر م‬8‫ي ويس‬8‫ر الزمن‬8‫ل التأخ‬8‫طة مرح‬8‫ط بواس‬8‫ي شوط الضغ‬8‫م ف‬8‫م التحك‬8‫يت‬
‫ن‬8‫ا م‬8‫ط خالي‬8‫ن الضاغ‬8‫ت م‬8‫ب الزي‬8‫ يكون جان‬،‫ط‬8‫ة شوط الضغ‬8‫ي نهاي‬8‫ل ف‬8‫ن العم‬8‫ة ع‬8‫ف المضخ‬8‫تتوق‬
‫ى وحدة‬8‫ى العودة إل‬8‫ت عل‬8‫م إجبار الزي‬8‫ط ويت‬8‫ى الضاغ‬8‫طونات إل‬8‫ن االس‬8‫ق الغاز م‬8‫ يتدف‬.‫الضغط‬
N2 ‫بيكة من غاز‬8‫م إنشاء س‬8‫ يت‬، ‫ خالل دورة العودة‬.‫ل‬8‫ي المتأص‬8‫ط التفاضل‬8‫بب الضغ‬8‫ة بس‬8‫المضخ‬
‫طوانة‬8‫ب االس‬8‫ي لمشع‬8‫ط اإليجاب‬8‫بب الضغ‬8‫ط بس‬8‫ي الضاغ‬8‫ة حرارة الغاز) ف‬8‫د درج‬8‫م الغاز عن‬8‫(حج‬
‫بب‬88‫ن بس‬88‫ر ممك‬88‫ع غي‬88‫ن المجم‬88‫ي م‬88‫ق الغاز العكس‬88‫ تدف‬.‫ط الهيدروليكي‬88‫ق بالضغ‬88‫ا يتعل‬88‫ فيم‬N2
.)40 - ‫صمامات عدم العودة في الخط (الشكل‬