TERMI NOLOGI ES CI RCUI T BREAKERS

ARC VOLTAGE
The voltage that appears across the contacts of circuit breaker during
the arcing period is known as arc voltage. It is usually 2 to 3 % of
system voltage and is always in-phase with the fault current.
TERMI NOLOGI ES CI RCUI T BREAKERS
RESTRIKING VOLTAGE
It is the transient voltage that appears across the contacts at or
near current zero during arcing Period. This voltage is caused by
rapid distribution of energy between magnetic and electric fields
associated with plants and transmission lines of the system.
Current interruption depends on this voltage. If the restriking voltage
raises more rapidly than dielectric strength of medium arc persists for
another half cycle else arc will fail to restrike and current will be
interrupted.
TERMI NOLOGI ES CI RCUI T BREAKERS
RECOVERY VOLTAGE
It is the power frequency R.M.S voltage that appears across the breaker
poles after the final arc extinction and all oscillations are died out.
ACTI VE RECOVERY VOLTAGE
Factors affecting active recovery voltage
Power factor
Armature reaction
Circuit conditions ( earthed neutral/ isolated neutral)
Factors affecting active recovery voltage
Power factor
Armature reaction
Circuit conditions ( earthed neutral/ isolated neutral)
EFFECT OF POWER FACTOR
= 90; cos=0
Active Recovery voltage = AB
= 60; cos=0.5
Active Recovery voltage = CD
CD < AB ; Active recovery voltage 1/Power factor
EFFECT OF ARMATURE REACTI ON
The fault current flowing is inductive in nature and has
demagnetizing effect. Hence the terminal voltage is less
than the system voltage.
In general, the recovery voltage is less than the normal
system voltage.
The fault current flowing is inductive in nature and has
demagnetizing effect. Hence the terminal voltage is less
than the system voltage.
In general, the recovery voltage is less than the normal
system voltage.
EFFECT OFCI RCUI T CONDI TI ON
Recovery voltage in phase R = V+ 0.5 V = 1.5 V
EXPRESSI ON FOR ACTI VE RECOVERY
VOLTAGE (V
ar
)
V
ar
=K
1
K
2
K
3
V
m
(volts)
K
1
= power factor co. efficient=sin.
K
2
= armature reaction co. efficient.
K
3
= Earthed fault co. efficient=1 for earthed
fault & 1.5 for un-earthed faults.
V
m
= maximum value of phase voltage =
V
ar
=K
1
K
2
K
3
V
m
(volts)
K
1
= power factor co. efficient=sin.
K
2
= armature reaction co. efficient.
K
3
= Earthed fault co. efficient=1 for earthed
fault & 1.5 for un-earthed faults.
V
m
= maximum value of phase voltage =
L
V
3
2
RESI STANCE SWI TCHI NG
RESI STANCE SWI TCHI NG
CRI TI CAL RESI STANCE-RESI STANCE
SWI TCHI NG
CURRENT CHOPPI NG
The phenomenon of interrupting the current before
natural zero is called Current chopping.
reactor Shunt
furnace) lag(Arc pf zero at Arc
currents g Magnetisin
load - no on ers transform of ion Disconnect
: conditions following on the Arises
. voltage e prospectiv
2
1
2
1
m equilibriu
2
1
capacitor across discharged
2
1
2 2
2
2
volts
C
L
i e v
Cv Li
At
Cv be to Energy
Li field magnetic in stored Energy

. voltage e prospectiv
2
1
2
1
m equilibriu
2
1
capacitor across discharged
2
1
2 2
2
2
volts
C
L
i e v
Cv Li
At
Cv be to Energy
Li field magnetic in stored Energy

CURRENT CHOPPI NG
CURRENT CHOPPI NG
I NTERRUPTI ON OF CAPACI TI VE
CURRENTS
Opening a long transmission line on no-
load, disconnecting a capacitor bank etc.,
HVDC CI RCUI T BREAKI NG
HVDC CI RCUI T BREAKER
RATI NGS OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS
A circuit breaker is required to perform the following
during faulty conditions:
It must be capable of being closed on to a fault.
It must be capable of opening the faulty circuit & breaking the fault
currents.
It must be capable of carrying fault current for a short period of
time while another circuit breaker in series is clearing the fault.
A circuit breaker is required to perform the following
during faulty conditions:
It must be capable of being closed on to a fault.
It must be capable of opening the faulty circuit & breaking the fault
currents.
It must be capable of carrying fault current for a short period of
time while another circuit breaker in series is clearing the fault.
Based on the above the CB has 3 Main Ratings
Breaking Capacity
Making Capacity
Short-time Rating/Capacity
BREAKING CAPACITY is the rms current that a circuit breaker
is capable of breaking at given recovery voltage and under
specified conditions.
component dc of
presence the to due current fault in the asymmetry le considerab a is
there , occurs fault When . seperation contact of instant at the
current fault of value rms as stated is capacity breaking The
2
I
components ac of value rms current breaking l symmetrica
BC component dc
AB component ac of value maximum
cycle. per 0.8 being
factor decrement typical a rapidly, away dies component dc The
sym
x
y
x

,
_

+
|

2
2
asym
2
I y
x
Asymmetrical breaking current = rms value of total current
If I is the rated breaking current in A and V is the rated service
line voltage in volts, then for a 3-phase circuit,
( )( )( ) MVA I V
6
10 3

Breaking capacity =
MAKING CURRENT is defined as the peak value
of the current (including the dc component) in the
first cycle at which a breaker can be closed onto a
short-circuit.
The capacity of a circuit breaker to be closed onto a
short-circuit depends upon the ability to withstand
the effects of electromagnetic forces.
current. breaking l symmetrica x 8 . 1 x 2 current Making
account. into component dc the take to 1.8 by again and
peak value obtain to is 2 by tion multiplica The
capacity breaking l symmetrica x 2.55
capacity breaking l symmetrica x 1.8 x 2 capacity Making

capacity breaking l symmetrica x 2.55

capacity breaking l symmetrica x 1.8 x 2 capacity Making

SHORT-TI ME RATI NG
The short-time current rating is based on
thermal & mechanical limitations.
The circuit breaker must be capable of
carrying short-circuit current for a short
period of time while the other breaker in
series is clearing the fault.
The rated short-time current is the rms
value (total current, both ac and dc
components)of current that the breaker can
carry for a specified short period.
The short-time current rating is based on
thermal & mechanical limitations.
The circuit breaker must be capable of
carrying short-circuit current for a short
period of time while the other breaker in
series is clearing the fault.
The rated short-time current is the rms
value (total current, both ac and dc
components)of current that the breaker can
carry for a specified short period.
SHORT-TI ME RATI NG
According to British standard,
the time is 3 seconds if
The time is 1 second if
40
current normal rated
current breaking l symmetrica

According to British standard,

the time is 3 seconds if
The time is 1 second if
40
current normal rated
current breaking l symmetrica

current normal rated

current breaking l symmetrica
40
TESTI NG OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS
Circuit Breaker Testing
Routine test Type test
*Performed on every
piece of CB in the
premises of the
manufacturer.
*To confirm the
proper functioning of
CB
Performed on
sample pieces in
high voltage
laboratories.
To confirm their
characteristics &
ratings according to
their design.
*Performed on every
piece of CB in the
premises of the
manufacturer.
*To confirm the
proper functioning of
CB
Performed on
sample pieces in
high voltage
laboratories.
To confirm their
characteristics &
ratings according to
their design.
TESTI NG OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS
Few examples of type tests on CB
Breaking capacity, Making capacity,
Short-time rating.
Short-circuit testing stations
Few examples of type tests on CB
Breaking capacity, Making capacity,
Short-time rating.
Short-circuit testing stations
Field type testing
station
Laboratory type
testing station
TESTI NG OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS
Components of laboratory type testing
station:
1. Short-circuit Generator
(low reactance, maximum short-circuit output,
braced windings to withstand electromagnetic
forces, fly-wheel to supply K.E and for speed
regulation.
Impulse excitation/Super excitation is
employed to counteract the demagnetizing
effect of armature reaction)
2. Short-circuit transformer
( low reactance to withstand repeated short-
circuits. Windings are arranged in sections to
get desired voltages)
Components of laboratory type testing
station:
1. Short-circuit Generator
(low reactance, maximum short-circuit output,
braced windings to withstand electromagnetic
forces, fly-wheel to supply K.E and for speed
regulation.
Impulse excitation/Super excitation is
employed to counteract the demagnetizing
effect of armature reaction)
2. Short-circuit transformer
( low reactance to withstand repeated short-
circuits. Windings are arranged in sections to
get desired voltages)
TESTI NG OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS
Components of laboratory type testing
station:
3. Master circuit breaker
(Used as back-up CB, MCB is set to operate
after a predetermined time after the
initiation of SC. Capacity is more than that
of test CB)
4. Making Switch
(Used to apply SC current at the desired
moment during the test. MS is closed after
closing MCB & TCB. High speed and kept in
high pressure chamber)
Components of laboratory type testing
station:
3. Master circuit breaker
(Used as back-up CB, MCB is set to operate
after a predetermined time after the
initiation of SC. Capacity is more than that
of test CB)
4. Making Switch
(Used to apply SC current at the desired
moment during the test. MS is closed after
closing MCB & TCB. High speed and kept in
high pressure chamber)
TESTI NG OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS
Components of laboratory type testing
station:
5. Capacitors
(Used to control RRRV & for voltage
measurement)
6. Reactors & Resistors
(They are used to control SC test current
and power factor. Resistors control the
decay of dc component and TRV)
Components of laboratory type testing
station:
5. Capacitors
(Used to control RRRV & for voltage
measurement)
6. Reactors & Resistors
(They are used to control SC test current
and power factor. Resistors control the
decay of dc component and TRV)
SYNTHETI C TESTI NG OF CB
SYNTHETI C TESTI NG-PARALLEL CURRENT
I NJ ECTI ON METHOD
Two sources : high current, low voltage
source to supply SC current & high
voltage, low current source to provide re-
striking and recovery voltages.
SYNTHETI C TESTI NG-PARALLEL CURRENT
I NJ ECTI ON METHOD
M-G set-High current source-injects SC
current I
1
at a relatively reduced voltage
V
g
.
L
1
controls SC current
SYNTHETI C TESTI NG-PARALLEL CURRENT
I NJ ECTI ON METHOD
MCB & TCB are tripped before the
current I
1
reaches zero.
They are fully opened by the time t
0
.
SYNTHETI C TESTI NG-PARALLEL CURRENT
I NJ ECTI ON METHOD
C
1
provides recovery voltage and charged
prior to the test, to the voltage
,which is equal to peak power
frequency voltage .This voltage appears
across the contacts at the moment the
TCB interrupts the current.
s
V 2
SYNTHETI C TESTI NG-PARALLEL CURRENT
I NJ ECTI ON METHOD
L
2
& C
2
control TRV and RRRV.
The triggered gap is fired at t
1
, slightly before the SC
current I
1
reaches its natural zero.
It is done to properly simulate the pre-current zero zone
during the test.
There is a triggered spark gap at the appropriate
moment.
L
2
& C
2
control TRV and RRRV.
The triggered gap is fired at t
1
, slightly before the SC
current I
1
reaches its natural zero.
It is done to properly simulate the pre-current zero zone
during the test.
There is a triggered spark gap at the appropriate
moment.
WAVEFORMS-SYNTHETI C TESTI NG
SELECTI ON OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS
TYPES OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TYPE ARC QUENCHING MEDIUM VOLTAGE RANGE & BREAKING
CAPACITY
Miniature CB Air at atmospheric pressure 400 - 600 V;
for small current rating.
Air-break CB Air at atmospheric pressure 400 V- 11 kV;
5 - 750 MVA.
400 V- 11 kV;
5 - 750 MVA.
MOCB Transformer oil 3.3 kV 220 kV;
150 -25000 MVA.
VCB Vacuum 3.3 kV 33 kV;
250 -2000 MVA.
SF
6
CB SF
6
at 5 kg/cm
2
pressure 3.3 kV 765 kV;
1000 -50000 MVA.
ABCB Compressed air at high
pressure( 20-30 kg/cm
2
)
66 kV 1100 kV;
2500 -60000 MVA.
SELECTI ON OF CI RCUI T BREAKERS