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ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION

P.K.PATTANAIK
ASST. MANAGER (ELECT.)
GRID CORPORATION OF ORISSA LTD. BURLA

during power flow in the spark/arc and damage to the

Introduction: - circuit. equipment with interruption

Grid sub-stations are the Interlocks are generally of power supply to the

integral parts of power explained as conditional consumers.

system in a network, where operations of any equipment In important sub-

powers from different regions in the system. For the stations, these equipments are

are controlled to maintain situation of an isolator if generally operated on remote

stability in the system. required to be operated in switches at control room.

Isolator and Switch Gears are series to the breaker in the Some cases like automatic

the two important equipments system, then this isolator and SCADA controlled sub-

in the grid sub-station, which must not be operated when stations these are

play the important role for circuit breaker is in closed operated/controlled at the

correct and smooth operation condition i.e. the power Central Control Stations

of power flow in a circuit. To interruption or reconnection (CCS).

avoid improper switching should not be done through In this article various

operations, inter locks are isolator. Because this interlock schemes with

provided in the system, equipment is considered as a practical design for

among the isolators and switch, that operated in air supervision of the schemes

breakers that are involved medium. Switching action in have been discussed. Study to

air medium may result severe Common Bus Bar

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Arrangements have also been to clear the fault through operated in parallel unless

dealt with relevant circuit breaker. their tap changer settings are

advantages and 5. The rating of the in identical positions.

disadvantages. equipments that involved for Common Bus Bar

Conditions of Interlocks: the interlocking scheme Arrangements: -

For performing an should be proper and suitable Single bus Arrangement

operation of any isolator / to the operation. Ring or Mesh Arrangement

breaker / contact switch etc., 6. A circuit breaker Main and Transfer Bus

logical conditions are must not be operated, when Arrangement

required to be maintained. an isolator in the circuit Double Bus Bar

These conditions have been series to that breaker is in Arrangement

explained below. motion Double Bus and Transfer

1. An isolator in series 7. For parallel paths, Bus Bar Arrangement

to the circuit breaker should opening of one path must not

1. Single bus
be operated only if the circuit cause overloading of the
arrangement (Fig. A)
breaker remains in OFF other circuits remaining in
This arrangement is
condition. the system.
generally used to cater minor
2. The power 8. An isolator for
loads, like rural feeders. The
interruption or reconnection operation must be interlocked
disadvantages of this system
should not be done through with Earth Switch also.
are that for the fault on the
isolator. 9. Two different
bus or on the equipments
3. A load break switch power systems must not be
(Breakers or Isolators), the
must not be used for fault connected without
power flow is affected. But
current interruption. synchronization.
use bus section isolator
4. Proper protection 10. Similarly two
partially solves the problem.
schemes should be provided transformers should not be
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Interlock Scheme: Interlock Scheme: - 2. Main and Transfer bus

29 M (Main Bus 1.Bus isolator can only system: - (Fig. C)

Isolator) and 29 L (Line be operated, when the ` This is one of the

Isolator) can be operated, adjacent breaker in series to it most common used system

only when 52L (Line remains in OFF condition. for 33KV, 66 KV and 132

Breaker) remains in OFF 2. Line isolator must KV sub-station. This

condition. be interlocked with both of combines simplicity in

This scheme is very the Circuit breakers, present operation with ease

simple and easily understood. on either side of the isolator, maintenance without

Basically these isolators are feeding the power flow. The interruption and

manually operated. So, Earth Switch must be incorporates the concept of

interlocks are not provided in included to the scheme if Bus coupler. But in this

the system. present in the system. method, the main bus is

.2.Ring and mesh system: Example: 1. B1, B2, can be always used as loading

- (Fig. B) operated only when '52B1, bus. The total shut down

It helps the continuity remains in OFF condition. of this bus, without

2. L1 isolator can be interruption of loads does

of power supply even for
operated when 52 B1 and 52 not become possible for
the case of fault on any of
B2 remains in OFF condition. the event of a bus fault.
the breaker or part of the
3.Similarly the case But since bus faults are
bus system. But protection
of other isolators can be very rare, so this system
of the equipments in the
explained for the interlock becomes economical and
system sometimes
scheme. This scheme is also commonly used in our
becomes complicated. very simple and easily country.

understood.
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Interlock Scheme for Main and Transfer bus system:

Isolators Equipments Involved Remarks

For interlock

Main Bus isolator (29M) Line breaker (52L)

Line isolator (29L) 1.Line breaker (52L) Applicable when earth switch is present

2. E/switch (29E)

Transfer isolator (29T) 1.B/C breaker (52B 1. To use only one feeder through bus

2. All other transfer B/C

isolator in the system 2. * To avoid direct flow of load current

3. E/S (29E) without protection

* Suppose transfer required to be avoided. emergency shut down for the

isolator of Transformer/Main 3.Double Bus bar system: event of fault on any bus. The

incomer feeder is closed, (Fig. D) by pass isolator helps to

along with close of another It eliminates the undertake the maintenance

transfer bus isolator of any problem of continuous use of work of circuit breaker. The

distributing feeder, and then one bus as the main bus and bus-coupler scheme is also

power flow will result other as the reserve bus. The available for the system,

directly without involvement system offers two which introduces the transfer

of any breaker or any proper independent main buses in of system load of any feeder

protection in the system. So, the service, which becomes for the case of fault on any

this kind of operation is convenient to take any breaker.

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Interlock Scheme for Double Bus bar system:

Isolators Equipments Involved Remarks

For interlock

Line isolator (29L1) 1.Line breaker (52L)

2. E/switch (29E)

Line isolator (29L2) 1.Line breaker (52L) Applicable when earth switch is

2. E/switch (29E) present

By pass Isolator (29B) 1.B/C breaker (52B 1. To use only one feeder through

2. All other By pass Isolators in the bus B/C

system 2. * To avoid direct flow of load

3. E/S (29E) current without protection

Main Bus Isolator 1.Line breaker (52L)

(29M1) 2.B/C breaker (52B) ** Detail logic is explained

By pass Isolator (29B) 0f own

feeder.

Main Bus Isolator 1.Line breaker (52L)

(29M2) 2.B/C breaker (52B) ** Detail logic is explained

By pass Isolator (29B) 0f own

feeder.

** Detail logic from the bus system. Because system, the required bus

The Main Bus power flow will occur from isolator remains in closed

Isolator (29M1) & (29M2) either of the bus system condition. The three

for this system become the So, during the power important equipments (line

common path of power flow flow according to the bus breaker 52L, B/C breaker
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52B and own by-pass isolator the usual circuits has been

29B) play the vital role for explained for the interlock

interlocking scheme. One of scheme is drawn below:

I/L for 29M1

Isolators of other
Feeders

(a) Path

52L 52B 29B

29M2 (b) path

52B Isolators of other

29M2 Feeders
(c) Path

29B 52B 29M2 29M2 29M1

52L 29M2(Own) (d) path 29M2 29M2

29B 52B
52B
Note: - N/O Contact of the Equipment

N/C Contact of the Equipment

1. 29M1 – Main Bus Isolator I 4. 52L – Main Line Breaker

2. 29M2 – Main Bus Isolator II 5. 52B –Bus Coupler Breaker

3. 29B – By- Pass Isolator

I/L for 29M2

Similarly the isolator can be explained by as like the scheme shown

interlock scheme for 29M2 replacing the 29M2 by 29M1 above for 29M1.
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DIFFERENT BUS SYSTEMS GENERALLY USED

L1

B1 52B1 B2 52B2
29M

52L

29L

Fig. A Fig. B

29M 29M1

52L 52B 52B

29L

29T 29M2

Fig.C Fig. D

29L1

29B 52L
29A 29TBC-A

52B

29B 29TBC-B

52L
52TBC
29TBC-C
29D 29C

Fig. E
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5. Double main bus and transfer bus (Fig. E)

For this system an quite advantageous for using through transfer bus system.

additional bus is used, with two different sources Similarly the bus shut down

two main buses. In similar (systems), simultaneously in can also be availed for

manner Bus coupler is also two buses. For the event of emergency requirement.

used for coupling of the two fault on any breaker, the

buses. This system becomes same load can be transferred

Interlock Scheme Double main bus and transfer bus: -

Isolators Equipments Involved Remarks

For interlock

Main Bus Isolator (29A) 52L, 29B, 52B To allow the specific Bus

System for Power flow

Main Bus Isolator (29B) 52L, 29A, 52B To allow the specific Bus

System for Power flow

Transfer Bus Isolator 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D, 29TBC-A, 1. To use only one feeder

(29C) 29TBC-B, 29TBC-C, 52L, 52TBC through bus TBC

Trip Transfer Switch. All other Transfer 2. * To avoid flow of load

Bus Isolators in the system current without protection.

3. To Provide all possible path

of power flow

Line isolator (29D) 52L, 29E, 29C, 29TBC-A, 29TBC-B, To maintain all possible path

29TBC-C of power flow

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29A- Main Bus Isolator-I, 29TBC-A Transfer B/C Main Transfer Bus Isolator

29B- Main Bus Isolator-II, Bus Isolator-I 52B –B/C Beaker

29C-Transfer Bus Isolator 29TBC-B Transfer B/C Main 52L – Line Breaker

29D- Line isolator Bus Isolator-II 52 TBC- Transfer B/C

29E- Earth Switch 29TBC-C Transfer B/C Breaker

Interlock for 29A Interlock for 29B

9 2
9 1
2 10

1 10
Interlock for 29C

4 9 2 7 11 8 12

1 6

5 11 9 3
Interlock for 29D

5 9 3

3 8 6

7
Number Notation in the circuit

1- 29A 2-29B 3-29C 7- 29TBC-B 8- 29TBC-C 9- 52L

4-29D 5-29E 10-52B 11-52TBC
6-29TBC-A 12- TBC Multiplication Relay.
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Practical Difficulties of the I/L Schemes as described above

1. Such schemes involve the 3. The cable connections and 5. The auxiliary contacts do

hardware concepts of the contact multiplication of the not work properly after few

contacts and cables etc. equipments become very days of the operations.

2. Bunch of cables and complex, that also involve

number of physical auxiliary high cost.

contacts from the associated 4. Because of the complexity

equipments are brought to the circuit, the schemes do not

controlling station. become reliable in long run.

Design of ISR (Interlock Supervision Relay)

To avoid the above difficulty designed to study the status supervises the system and

an Interlock Supervision of the interlocks. By extends the permissive output

Relay (ISR) of considering the status of the signals for correct and

microprocessor based being interlocks and the status logic smooth operation of the

simulated with contacts and of the related equipments in equipments.

logic of operation has been the network, this relay

Basic design

For the development 2. Availability of auxiliary factors the available contacts

of any interlock schemes. contacts of those equipments. are brought to the relay and

The following factors are to 3. Requirement of power simulated for the software

be considered. contacts and ordinary design, as per the

1. Involvement of equipments contacts. requirement of the systems.

for the condition of power 4. Feasibility of the system. From every involved

flow. From these above equipment in the total system

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of the interlocking scheme, provided for the software about the interlocking

only one pair of N/O Contact design. For any operation of problems in the circuits if

and N/C Contact is brought the equipment, the relay occurs during the operation

for the relay design instead of studies the logic of the of any equipments in the

the multi number of contacts operation circuit and extends system. The interlocking

as described in the above the permissive out put contact problems are displayed in the

schemes. The logic equations for the operation. This design screen of the ISR.

as per the scheme are also helps the user to know

Conclusion: -

Interlock Scheme is adopt this scheme for its operation can be avoided.

considered as a safety tool for system. Because of the Moreover operators become

every power flow system. So, Interlock Scheme the human conscious for doing the

every organization should error at the time of equipment operation

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SYNOPSIS: - operations of any equipment switches at control room.

Grid sub-stations are the in the system. For the Some cases like automatic

integral parts of power situation of an isolator if and SCADA controlled sub-

system in a network, where required to be operated in stations these are

powers from different regions series to the breaker in the operated/controlled at the

are controlled to maintain system, then this isolator Central Control Stations

stability in the system. must not be operated when (CCS).

Isolator and Switch Gears are circuit breaker is in closed In this article various

the two important equipments condition i.e. the power interlock schemes with

in the grid sub-station, which interruption or reconnection practical design for

play the important role for should not be done through supervision of the schemes

correct and smooth operation isolator. Because this have been discussed. Study to

of power flow in a circuit. To equipment is considered as a Common Bus Bar

avoid improper switching switch, that operated in air arrangements have also been

operations, inter locks are medium. Switching action in dealt with relevant

provided in the system, air medium may result severe advantages and

among the isolators and spark/arc and damage to the disadvantages.

breakers that are involved equipment with interruption

during power flow in the of power supply to the

circuit. consumers.

Interlocks are generally In important sub-

explained as conditional stations, these equipments are

generally operated on remote

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ARTICLE

“ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION”

Author of this the electrical sub-stations. supervision of the schemes

article has mentioned But focus has been given used for the Common Bus

various interlock schemes for the fundamental design Bar arrangements.

that adopted in different of an Interlock Supervision

bus bar arrangements in Relay (ISR) for

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Letter No. 141/Tech/2003 Dtd. 21.07.2003

From
P.K.PATTANAIK Contacts
Asst. Manager (Elect.) Ph. (0663)-2430514,2430512(O)
E&MR Divn. BURLA - 2431232 (R )
GRIDCO, Sambalpur-768017 FAX- (0663)- 2430160 (O )
Email ppk110 @ rediffmail.com
prasanta_ pattanaik@yahoo.com

To,

The Editor, IEEMA Journal

501,Kakad Chambers,
132, Dr. A.Besant Road
WORLI, MUMBAI-400018

Sub:- Article is for publication in IEEMA Journal

Sir,

Please find enclosed here with the a article titled “ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK
DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION” for publication of the same in IEEMA
Journal with other relevant documents.
Receipt of the letter with enclosures may kindly be acknowledged on the Fax- (0663)-
2430160 or e-mail to the above address.

Thanking You
Yours faithfully
Enclosures: -
1. 2 (Two) hard copies of the article P. K. Pattanaik
2. A floppy with contents of the article
3. Two copies of the photographs
4. Declaration in respect of the Article.
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From
P.K.PATTANAIK Contacts
Asst. Manager (Elect.) Ph. (0663)-2430514,2430512(O)
E&MR Divn. BURLA - 2431232 (R )
GRIDCO, Sambalpur-768017 FAX- (0663)- 2430160 (O )
Email ppk110 @ rediffmail.com
prasanta_ pattanaik@yahoo.com

To,

The Editor, IEEMA Journal

501,Kakad Chambers,
132, Dr. A.Besant Road
WORLI, MUMBAI-400018

Sir,

Sub: - Regarding the Declaration in respect of the Article ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK

DESIGNS FOR SUB-STATION OPERATION.

1. I confirm that this article is original and has not been earlier published in any
journal/magazine or any other publication in India. The article has also not been
presented in any seminar/ conference held in India.
2. I confirm that this article has not been sent by me to any other
journal/magazine/publication for publishing the same.
3. I am aware, that IEEMA pays honorarium to every published article. On payment of such
honorarium, the copyright of the article rests with IEEMA Journal. Therefore, the same
cannot be published elsewhere without express permission from IEEMA Journal.
4. I confirm that I am responsible for Correctness of data/experimental results presented,
Opinions expressed in the article, and Infringement, if any, of copyrights/ ownership
rights.
5. I am aware, that IEEMA journal publishes articles on “ good faith basis”. Hence I will be
solely responsible for contents, violation of any law in the contents or actions arising
from contents or illustrations.

Thanking You.
Yours faithfully

P. K.PATTANAIK.
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