Product brochure

Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV

Pioneering technology for extra-high voltage
applications
2 Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV | ABB
ABB and 50 years of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) innovation

ABB is a leader in power and The ABB Group of companies

automation technologies that operates in around 100
enable utility and industry countries and employs about
customers to improve their 135,000 people.
performance while lowering
environmental impact.

ABB offers a wide range of high-voltage products up to
1200 kV (kilovolt) that help enhance the reliability, efficiency
and quality of power in transmission and distribution grids,
power plants and industries while minimizing environmental
impact.
In a power system, switchgear controls, protects and isolates
electrical equipment to boost the reliability of power supply.
With the GIS technology, key components including breakers,
switches, contacts and conductors are protected with
insulating gas.
GIS is a compact metal encapsulated switchgear consisting
of high-voltage components such as circuit-breakers and
disconnectors.
In the early stages of extra-high voltage GIS, ABB delivered
the first generation ELK-4, 800 kV GIS to South Africa to
ESKOM in 1987. The substation was one of the first ever
commissioned 800 kV GIS worldwide and continues to
provide excellent service.

ABB has always been and continues to drive innovation in

GIS technology in ratings, operations, switching technology,
smart control and supervision, and compactness. It provides
a complete range of products for all ratings and applications
from 72.5 kV to 1200 kV matching current and future
requirements for modern switchgears. As a market leader in
high-voltage GIS technology, ABB has a global installed base
of more than 25,000 bays.

ABB | Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV 3

ELK-4, 800  kV
Performance that addresses future power demands
New generation ELK-4 series
for 800 kV is designed to
increase performance and
enhance reliability for future
power demand.
4 Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV | ABB
Well proven and reliable technology
GIS technology is based on over 50 years of pioneering
innovation. ABB commissioned one of the world‘s first
800 kV GIS to ESKOM in South Africa in 1987. The substation
continues to provide excellent service.
High performance ratings for future power demands
Circuit-breaker can be equipped with pre-insertion closing
resistor (PIR) in separate enclosures to provide maximum
thermal capacity that is designed for the most demanding
switching cycles of 300 Ohm and above. High dielectric
margins enhance the reliability for future power demands.
Modular and flexible design
Separate enclosures for PIR enables replacement of the
interrupter without disassembly in case of maintenance and
overhaul. Design with buffer gas compartment guarantees
highest availability and easy maintenance while adjacent bays
remain in service.
Simple and reliable Benefits
Single-phase encapsulated assures minimal dielectric and Well proven and reliable technology
dynamic stresses. Fewer and simpler parts in conductors and High performance ratings for future power demands
contacts reduce complexity. Current transformers are located Modular and flexible design
outside the gas compartments without the need for a Simple and reliable
gas-tight feed to the secondary terminals. Optimized and compact layouts
Advanced features for digital substation
Optimized and compact layouts
Full sets of standardized connection elements allows for all
possible configurations and building optimization, including
integration into existing buildings, giving you utmost flexibility
in the shortest possible delivery time.

Advanced features for digital substation

ELK-4 can be equipped with monitoring, measurement,
control, protection and communication features for smooth
integration into substation automation system using
IEC 61850.

ABB | Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV 5

ELK-4, 800  kV

SF6-air bushing
See page 11

Connecting elements
See page 11

Circuit-breaker with operating mechanism

See page 8

6 Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV | ABB

 Fast-acting earthing switch
See page 9

Current transformer Disconnector and maintenance earthing switch

See page 10 See page 9

ABB | Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV 7

ABB’s high-voltage circuit breaker
Reliable, well-proven technology

At the heart of the ELK-4 GIS is the circuit-breaker with
three interrupters in series to provide reliable switching and
protection. Each circuit-breaker comprises three
single-phase breaker poles. Each pole consists of the
hydraulic spring operating mechanism, the interrupter column
with three interrupting chamber and the enclosure with the
basic support structure. During overhauls, the interrupter unit
can be removed easily from the enclosure or replaced by a
new unit.
The PIR, which is placed in a separated enclosure and in
parallel to the interrupting chamber, reduces over voltages
effectively during closing operation of long overhead
transmission lines. When the circuit-breaker closes, the
resistor switch closes first to insert the resistor into the circuit.
After the pre-insertion time, the interrupter contacts close and
bypass the closing resistor parts.

Circuit-breaker with operating mechanism

8 Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV | ABB

ABB’s disconnectors and earthing switches
Convenient operations and operational safety
The angular disconnector integrated in the busbars ensures
the highest degree of flexibility in layouts. It is also possible
to accommodate a maintenance earthing switch in the same
enclosure.
The modular design of the operating mechanism enables
rapid replacement of complete modules, thus ensuring greater
service friendliness and excellent access for maintenance and
repair. Feeder terminals are often equipped with fast-acting
earth switch to provide access. The fast-acting earthing
Disconnector with maintenance earthing switch
switch includes a spring operated mechanism that is is either
charged by a motor or by a hand crank.
Similar to disconnectors, the operating mechanism of the
maintenance earthing switch and the fast-acting earthing
switch is located in the equipment itself and controlled via
the control cubicle. In certain cases, an interposed insulation
is fitted between the earthing switch and the enclosure
to provide access to the active parts without opening the
enclosure.
Fast-acting earthing switch
ABB | Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV 9
ABB’s voltage and current transformers
Highly reliable metering, control and protection functions
Our maintenance-free voltage and current transformers
provide highly reliable metering, control, and protection
functions. Used for system protection, our powerful
transformers offer years of trouble-free service even for
heavy-duty applications.
The single-pole inductive voltage transformers are connected
to the GIS with a standardized connecting flange and a
partition insulator. The primary winding is coiled on top of the
core and the secondary windings. The latter are connected to
the terminals in the external terminal box through a gas-tight
Voltage transformer
10 Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV | ABB
multiple bushing.The inductive current transformers are of
ring core type. The cores concentrically enclose the primary
conductor and are located outside the gas compartment
eliminating the need for a gas-tight feed to the secondary
terminals. Each current transformer may contain multiple
cores for metering and protection. An insulation gap in the
basic flange prevents the return current of the enclosure from
flowing through the inside of the current transformer cores,
thereby correct current readings are guaranteed.
Current transformer
ABB‘s terminals and connecting elements
Maximum flexibility
Our versatile terminal and connecting elements enable the
GIS to be customized to fit your project requirements. Our
connecting elements are available in various shapes and sizes
including T-elements, cross-shaped and straight sections.
The ELK-4, has a parallel compensator to allow for heat
expansion, vibrations during operation and tolerances in the
lengths of specific components. Moreover, lateral dismantling
units guarantee hassle-free assembly and dismantling.
Lateral dismantling unit Angle element
A complete range of connecting elements for peripherals,
such as SF6 air bushings, and enclosures for direct
transformer connections are available. Our lightweight SF 6
air bushings are available in two variants – with porcelain
insulators or in the standard version, with composite
insulators and silicon sheds.
The bushings are maintenance-free with self-cleaning silicon
sheds and protection against sandstorms.
T-element SF6-air bushing with silicon insulator
ABB | Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV 11
ELK-4, 800 kV
Configurations

1½-breaker arrangement (2 diameter zigzag with PIR)

1½-breaker arrangement (2 diameter zigzag without PIR)

12 Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV | ABB

1½-breaker arrangement (2 diameter zigzag with PIR)

1½-breaker arrangement (2 diameter in-line with PIR)

ABB | Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV 13

ABB‘s local control cubicle (LCC)
Advanced features to enable digital substations
The local control cubicle (LCC) includes all required functions
for the control and supervision of the GIS bay. As an integral
part of the ELK-4 GIS, the LCC is factory tested before
shipment. This reduces installation and commissioning time to
a minimum and eliminates errors during site installation.
The LCC is based on the Bay Control Solution (BCS) concept
BCS as a comprehensive scalable solution for control
cubicles. The BCS includes all required functions for control
and supervision of a complete GIS as well as the marshalling
of all connections to and from the GIS bays.
The LCC is fitted with pre-wired interface terminal blocks
for the connection to feeder and station protection. This
interface includes all needed measuring values of the feeder
as well as protection trips and signals from the auto-reclose
system. Additional pre-wired terminal groups are provided for
the connection to remote control systems and remote alarm
systems. Standardized plug connections instead of terminal
connections are available.
To enable digital substation, the ELK-4 can be equipped
with control, protection and communication into substation
automation systems using IEC 61850.
14 Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV | ABB
Benefits
Integration into substation automation systems, using IEC 61850
interface to non-conventional instrument transformers (NCIT) via
IEC 61850-9-2LE process bus
All monitoring features are integrated into local control cubicle to
provide guided local control of all motorized switching objects via HMI
of ABB’s Relion® series bay control IED, or via conventional control
mimic. ABB’s Relion ® series of protection and control IEDs allows
flexible combination of control and protection functionality in one
device
Modular Switchgear Monitoring (MSM) supervises SF6 density within
the GIS
Primary and secondary system status supervision and alarm
visualization
Station wide interlocking and double-operation interlocking is
implemented via fail-safe IEC 61850 GOOSE, or via parallel wiring
ELK-4, 800 kV
Technical data
ELK-4, 800 kV Product ID 2GHV013559M0001
Rated voltage kV 800
Power-frequency withstand voltage, 1 min. kV 960
Power-frequency withstand voltage, 1 min. across open contacts kV 960 + 462
Lightning impulse withstand voltage kV 2,100
Lightning impulse withstand voltage across open contacts kV 2,100 + 650
Switching impulse withstand voltage kV 1,550
Switching impulse withstand voltage across open contacts kV 1,425 + 650
Rated frequency Hz 50/60
Rated continuous current A 5,000 / 6,300
Rated short-time withstand current kA 63
Rated withstand impulse current kA 171

Circuit-breaker
First pole-to-clear factor 1.3
Rated breaking current, 50/60 Hz kA 63
Rated making current, peak value kA 171
Drive type hydraulic-spring
Rated opening time ms < 26
Rated break time ms < 40
Rated closing time ms < 70
Reclosing time ms < 300
Rated operating sequence O - 0.3s - CO - 1min - CO
High-speed auto-reclosing single- and three-phase
Mechanical endurance test class M2, 10,000 CO
Capacitive current switching test class C2

Disconnector and earthing switch

Capacitive current switching capability mA 2,000
Bus transfer current switching capability A/V 1,600/100
Opening/closing time s < 2.5
Mechanical endurance of disconnector class M2, 10,000 CO
Mechanical endurance of earthing switch class M2, 10,000 CO

Fast-acting earthing switch

Switching performance making capacity: Current kA 63
Switching performance Inductive currents: Voltage kV 25
Switching performance Inductive currents: Current A 200
Switching performance capacitive currents: Voltage kV 100
Switching performance capacitive currents: Current A 50
Closing time s < 2.3
Opening time s < 1.3
Classification for mechanical endurance, exceed M1 CO 3,000
Classification for electrical endurance class E1

Voltage transformer
Rated output (total) VA 300
Rated accuracy class % 0.2
Rated thermal power (total) VA 2,000
Rated voltage factor VA 1.5/30 s
Number of secondary windings 3

Current transformer
Cores for metering as well as cores for protection

SF6-air bushing
Creepage distance: Composite | Porcelain mm 26,820 | 30,520
Altitude: Composite | Porcelain m 2,000 | 3,000

ABB | Gas-insulated switchgear ELK-4, 800 kV 15

Contact us

GIS global manufacturing network Note:

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