CBR 25

Outdoor Circuit Breaker for Railway

Technical description
Products Business Unit

January 2010
1 General presentation
CBR is an outdoor pole mounted single-phase circuit breaker for railway applications,
based on the combination of vacuum switching together with low-pressure gas insulation
technology.

CBR is available in one-pole or two-pole versions. The two-pole version is for the double
supply system catenary + feeder.

All pole components are mounted inside a fully welded stainless steel tank providing a
sealed-for-life gasket free enclosure. No maintenance is required.

Remotely controlled, CBR has also a mechanical and manual opening command for
emergency or security purposes. A position indicator clearly visible from the ground gives a
reliable status of the contact.

CBR has been designed and tested to meet or exceed the requirements of all relevant
standards:
‰ IEC 62271-100, 60376, 60529, , 60694, 60815
‰ CENELEC EN 50124, 50125, 50152-1, 50163, 60529, 60721-3&4

CBR is manufactured in AREVA’s ISO 9001 and 14001 certified workshops

2 Scope of supply

Item Description

1 One-pole outdoor circuit breaker for railway network : 25kV-50Hz– breaking

capacity : 25kA, rated current: 2000A type CBR 25-25-20 / V1 with a control
cabinet

2 Two-pole outdoor circuit breaker for railway network : 25kV-50Hz– breaking

capacity : 25kA, rated current: 2000A , type CBR 25-25-20 / V2 with a
control cabinet

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3 Description
CBR has been developed jointly with leading Railway Companies, to achieve reliability and
security for the feeders or catenaries supply.

CBR is available in single pole or two pole versions. A two-pole version has two identical
poles to operate in synchronization (for example feeder and catenary autotransformer).

Equipment is made up of:

• One or two poles according the selected version
• Support frames for Sub station or catenary pole
• A control cabinet

Installation

Two-pole version on catenary structure One pole on substation structure

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Electrical pole

Sealed-for-life tank
The vacuum switch is mounted in a fully welded anti-corrosion stainless steel tank
providing a sealed-for-life gasket free enclosure.
Insulation gas is SF6 at low pressure (0.5 bar relative). The low level of gas leakage gives
a lifetime over 30 years.
For safety of personnel, a pressure relief device is welded on the tank in the event of
internal arc fault.

Pressure sensor
CBR is equipped with a SF6 pressure monitoring device. The low pressure level (0.3bar) is
signalled through contacts normally closed when pressure is correct.
This information is transferred to the Central Control Centre.

Vacuum interrupter
Load interruption is achieved using the latest generation of AREVA vacuum interrupters:
axial magnetic field arc control for better performance.

Actuator
Operation is by a magnetic actuator, an efficient bistable mechanism with permanent
magnets installed in the sealed-for-life tank. This arrangement replaces the motor-operated
spring type. Figure here below illustrates the operating sequences. In closed or open
position, the field of the permanent magnet ensures two stable positions. For a command,
a current discharge in a coil creates a high magnetic field to move the contact. The opening
operation is guaranteed by an extra spring to ensure independent speed whatever the
energy on the coil.

OPEN position Closed command CLOSED Position Open Command

No maintenance is required. Mechanical and electrical endurance is guaranteed to 10 000

operations.
Flexible stainless steel bellows permits a manual opening operation of the circuit breaker
without compromising the integrity of the welded tank structure. No mechanical closed
command is available.

Auxiliary contacts
Auxiliary contacts are directly linked with the moving part of the vacuum bottle. Three pairs
(3NO+3NC) of auxiliary contacts are available for customer purpose. Additional contacts
through relays can be added in the control unit.

Bushings
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A pole is equipped with patented EPDM bushings giving long term life, even in hostile
environments. The bushings are welded on the tank to eliminate all risk of leakage.

Pressure tight connector and control cable

A pressure tight plug and socket arrangement enables simple connection. A shielded cable
which length depends on the elevation of the pole links the pole-top circuit breaker to the
down-pole control unit.
Elevation of the pole Cable length
H<3m 3.5m or 4 m
3.5 < H < 5.5 m 6.5 m
5.5 < H < 7 m 8m

For the VL Version, another cable is installed for the CT’s terminals.

Indicator

One position indicator for each pole (« O » / « I » on

green/red background) is clearly visible from the ground
and provides a reliable status of the contact for each pole.

Manual opening

Each pole can be manually operated from the ground with

a hook stick. For such purpose, a ring attached on the
mechanical rod of the command allows the manual
opening.

VL version option

In the VL version, one of the bushing is on the top of the

product. This design reduces the overall width. It could
facilitate the installation on gantry.
A specific support frame exists in order to respect the
clearance distance.

On the vertical bushing, toroidal CT’s can be installed.

CT’s outputs are connected in the LV cabinet. A
dedicated plug is installed on the tank

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Support structure

For a substation installation, a dedicated support structure (2.5m height) allows the CBR
installation above the structure for a one-pole version or at 1.5m distance for a two-pole
version.

One pole substation structure Two-pole substation structure

For a mounting on an existing catenary structure, brackets are designed

to provide an efficient and secure mounting method.

Brackets for a two-pole model Brackets for CBR VL

Control cabinet

Located at the bottom of the pole, the control cabinet monitors the following functions
• Indication of Circuit Breaker position
• Indication of capacitor charge (closing)
• Operation counter
• Control Interface
• Local or remote operation

The door can be locked by a padlock (Ø 10)

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Control interface

The control of the Circuit Breaker can be achieved remotely from the CTCC (Central Traffic
Control Centre).
1. Local / remote function
A switch selects the function. In option, this switch can be locked by key in both
positions or by padlock.
2. Opening operation:
ƒ Remotely from the Central Traffic Control Centre: direct electric connection to
the opening coil.
ƒ Tripping from the protection relay
ƒ Locally from the push button (option)
ƒ Manually pulling an accessible ring on the support with a hook stick.
ƒ Automatically in case of loss of dc supply.
3. Closing operation:
The closing coil energy is provided by a capacitor. The capacitor voltage is
permanently monitored. A low voltage prevents all operations. Capacitor charge
status is displayed on the man machine interface. Closing command is achieved if
all conditions are fulfilled (open position, capacitors voltage, no alarm)
4. Capacitor discharge Switch
This switch allows the discharge of the capacitors before any intervention inside the
electronic control.

The control is provided with an anti pumping function

Supplies of the control cabinet

The cabinet has three circuits to be supplied
- The Uc supply (110Vdc) for the automatism module (relay, PCB card) and for the
Open / close command
- The Um supply (110Vdc) for the opening coil of the circuit breaker
- The 230Vac supply for the heating devices.

Permanent consumption of the cabinet:

- 10W @110Vdc
- 16W @230Vac +55W @230Vac when thermostat is ON.
Peak current of a half-sine wave on Um (110Vdc) when tripping
- 7A @60ms for a single pole version
- 14A @60ms for a two-pole version

Supplies protection
The three circuits are protected by fuses with following ratings:
- 2A for Uc
- 6A for Um
- 10A for 230Vac
In option, fuses can be replaced by mini circuit breakers

Remote command – Cable size vs distance

The opening coil is directly connected to the dc power source. So the power cable has to
be sized according the voltage drop along the cable. The table here below gives for a one-
pole circuit breaker, the maximum distance between source and equipment for a 5% drop
of voltage during the inrush current.

Cable size in mm² for a one-pole circuit 2,5 4 6

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 breaker type CBR
Distance between source and equipment 15m 20m 30m
48Vdc
Distance between source and equipment 65m 100m 150m
110- 127Vdc

Switching performance of the contacts

Auxiliary contacts from the CB 15A @250Vac/dc resistive load

10A @48Vdc L/R = 10ms
4A @125Vdc L/R = 10ms
1A @220Vdc L/R = 20ms

Pressure sensor 2A @250Vac

0.1A @220Vdc

Alarm contacts 6A @250Vac

3A @ 48Vdc
0.5A @ 125Vdc
0.4A @220Vdc

4 Options
Open / close operation in local mode
The push buttons “Open” and “Close” are working only if the local mode is activated.
The local / remote control could be one of the three possibilities:
Push button to validate the local open / close operation
Switch “local / remote” - two positions
Switch “Local / remote” - two positions locked by key or padlock in both position.
In local mode, all electrical orders from the Central Control Centre are deactivated.

Security window for closing command: To avoid all wrong information on closing operation
(interference or permanent signal), the closing order operates if its pulse length is between
0.3s and 2s and will activated on the dropping edge of the pulse. A pulse longer than 5s
raises an alarm.
0.3s< pulse length <

Closing operation
The circuit breaker closes on the
dropping edge of the signal.

Circuit breaker closed position

Open position

Tripping function on undervoltage dc supply

This module is added to the electronic control to open the circuit breaker in case of loss of
dc voltage (<70% of rated voltage). It includes capacitors and connectors for plug-in
installation and has a specific input (terminal 42) for the voltage to be controlled. This
module works for 48 to 127Vdc supply.

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Heater for control cabinet
For ambient temperature lower than -5°C, a heater is mandatory in the control cabinet.
This heater is controlled by a thermostat.
The heater resistor is defined according to the lowest temperature
ƒ 55W up to -25°C
ƒ 110W up to -40°C

Additional contacts
To increase the 3NO + 3NC contacts originally provided, one or two relays can be installed
in the cabinet to get either 4NO+4NC or 8NO+8NC contacts.
Switching performance of additional auxiliary contacts 15A @230Vac
2A @ 220Vdc

CT’s terminals
The CT’s cable is connected to dedicated terminals which can
ensure the short circuit of the secondary.

Door opening signal

A door switch can be installed inside the cabinet to provide a free contact to give
information when the door is opened.
Switching performance of the contact 3A @240Vac
0.2A @ 250Vdc

Cabinet lighting
A fluorescent light of 6w @ 230Vac can be installed with an automatic switching at door
opening.

LV mini circuit breaker

To replace the LV fuses

Options Choice

Local mode by push button NO

Local mode by switch YES
Local mode by switch locked by padlock NO
Security window for closing command NO
Under voltage module NO
Heater with thermostat for -25°C YES
Heater with thermostat for -40°C NO
Door open signalling NO
Automatic lighting when door is opened NO
Additional auxiliary contacts 4NO + 4NC NO
Additional auxiliary contacts 8NO + 8NC NO
Supply protection by fuses YES
Supply protection by mini circuit breaker NO
Emergency trip button NO

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5 Tests
Type tests

Designation Test report

1 Power frequency withstand test KEMA 06-1327

2 Temperature rise ASEFA 025-05HT /CERDA 5312

3 Short circuit test

Short duration withstand – 3s CESI A6/027662 (27.5kV–25kA)
Breaking test CESI A6/027662
Out of phase CESI A6027663 (55kV- 10kA)
4 Line charging breaking test CESI A5-044691

5 Operating at low and high temperature CERDA 4356

6 Mechanical endurance DRCR00440/7

7 Leakage test This test is a routine test on each

product

Routine tests

On each product
• Visual control
• Marking
• Power frequency test (dry)
• Measurement of the main contact resistance
• Operating time control
• Mechanical tests (closing and opening operations)
• Leakage test
• Control cabinet operations

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6 Performances
Circuit breaker CBR 25
Electrical characteristics unit Value
Rated voltage kV 27.5
Maximum non permanent voltage kV 31.5
Frequency Hz 50 / 60
Rated current A 1250 / 2000
Breaking capacity Rated current kA 25
Out of phase under 55kV kA 10
Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage kVp 250
Power frequency withstand voltage – 1 min kV 95
Voltage withstand between open contact kV 55
Insulation level of auxiliary circuits kV 2
Insulating gas SF6
Relative filling pressure Bar 0.5
Gas loss per year % 0.1
Time from initiation Opening ms <70
Closing ms <90
Sequence O-T1-CO-T2-CO-T3-CO-T4-CO T1 0.3s or more
T2, T3;T4 More than 15s
Rated supply voltage
Auxiliary circuits Vdc 48, 110, 127, 220
Heating devices (option) Vac 120 / 230

Mechanical characteristics
Dimensions
Interrupter Switch Pole diameter mm 390
Overall width mm 1595
Depth mm 480
Height mm 1291
Height (VL version) mm 1950
Brackets for steel pole (catenary structure ) height mm 420
Support for s/station height mm 2500

Control cabinet Width mm 497

Depth mm 421
Height mm 740
Weight
One-pole kg 120
Control cabinet (including cables) kg 35
S/ Station Support - Single / Two pole kg 100 / 130
Pole mounted brackets kg 40
Endurance
Mechanical class M2
Mechanical and Electrical at Ir Cycles 10 000
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 Environment Unit Value

Installation Outdoor
Pole mounted or
S/Station
Altitude m 1000
Temperature range °C -25 to+40°C

Storage temperature °C -40 to +70

Protection and safety

Poles IP67
Control cabinet IP54
Pollution withstand level as per IEC 60815 IV
Creepage distance mm 1377
Clearance distance to earth mm 460
Static load on MV terminal in each direction N 1000

Number of interruptions vs short circuit current

Vacuum bottle for CBR 25
100000

'Nb of interruptions for vacuum bottle

'Limit of CBR mechanical operations
10000
Number of interruptions

1000

100

10
1000 10000 100000
Current in Amp

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7 Maintenance and spare parts
Pole interrupter: No maintenance

Control cabinet: we recommend a preventive maintenance on the capacitors: replacement

every 10 years.

List of recommended spare parts based on 10 installed cabinets

Spare parts designation Qty

Control cabinet
Capacitor 22000 µF - 1

Capacitor 10000µF 1

Green warning light 1

Red warning light 1

Relay 110Vdc 1

Contactor 110Vdc 1

ACE board card 110Vdc 1

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8 Dimensions
Drawing references for
One pole version DRCN 02682-01 rev0 (pole mounted) / DRCN02815-01 (substation)
DRCN 02886-01 (VL version)

Fig : One pole version on substation structure

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Fig: MV terminal plate – NEMA type

Fig: VL Version

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Fig: Two pole dimensions on s/station structure

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