CIRCUIT BREAKER

WHAT IS A CIRCUIT BREAKER?

A circuit breaker is an equipment that breaks a circuit either manually or automatically under all conditions at no load, full load or short circuit.

Operating Principle
Two contacts called electrode remains closed under normal operating conditions. When fault occurs on any part of the system, the trip coil of the circuit breaker get energized and contacts are separated.

Arc Phenomenon
An arc is struck when contacts are separated. The

current is thus able to continue. Thus the main

duty of a circuit breaker is to distinguish the arc within the shortest possible time. The arc provides the low resistance path to the current and the current in the circuit remains uninterrupted.

Arc Extinction

Arc Voltage:
The Voltage drop across the arc is called Arc Voltage.

Arc Quenching: ( C.B )

The Arc Produced not only delays the current interruption process but it also generates enormous heat which may cause damage to the system or to the circuit breaker itself. Therefore main problem in a C.B is to extinguish the arc within the shortest possible time so the heat generated by it may not reach a dangerous value.

ARC PHENOMENON
During arcing period, the current flowing between the contacts depends upon the resistance. The greater resistance smaller the current that flows between the contacts. The arc resistance depends upon i) Degree of ionisation ( Arc resistance increases with the decrease in number of ionised particles b/w the contact ) ii) Length of Arc ( Arc resistance increases with the length of arc ) iii) Cross section of Arc ( Arc resistance increases with the decrease in X- section of the arc )

The factors that are responsible for maintenance of arc between the contacts are: i) Potential Difference between the contacts. ii) ionised particles between the contacts.

Methods of Arc Interruption

There are two methods of Arc Interruption or Extinction are i) High resistance interruption ii) Current zero interruption High resistance interruption The arc resistance can be increased by cooling, lengthening, reducing x- section and splitting the arc.

It is employed for low power AC and DC circuit breakers. Current zero interruption There are two theories to explain the zero current interruption of the arc. i) Recovery rate theory ( Slepains Theory ) ii) Energy balance theory ( Cassies Theory )

Recovery rate theory

Energy balance theory

Arc Extinction in oil Circuit Breaker

In case of oil circuit breaker the opening of contact which heats the oil surrounds the contact due to arc which causes hydrogen gas bubble to evolve and its removes the heat from the surface. If the rate of heat removal is faster than its generation then the arc is extinguished.

TYPES OF CIRCUIT BREAKER

OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER

AIR BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER

SF6 CIRCUIT BREAKER

VACCUM CIRCUIT BREAKER

Breaker Used In 132KV Grid Station

Oil Circuit Breaker Vacuum Circuit breaker SF6 Circuit Breaker

Bulk Oil Circuit breaker

Air cushion

Low Oil Circuit Breaker

Consists of two parts.

Supporting Chamber. Circuit-Breaking chamber( consist of fixed and moving contact)

Disadvantages Of Oil Circuit Breaker

It is inflammable and there is a risk of fire. It may form an explosive mixture with air. It requires maintenance. Absorbs moisture, so dielectric strength reduces. Oil leakage problem. Oil has to be replaced after some operations because of the carbonization of oil.

Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Vacuum is used as an arc quenching medium. Have greatest insulating strength. 10-7 to 10-5 pressure is to be maintained. Used in 11KV panel in control room of grid station.

Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Advantages
Compact, reliable and have longer life. No fire hazards. No generation of gas during and after operation. Can interrupt any fault current. No noise is produced while operating. Require less power for control operation.

SF6 Circuit Breaker

1. Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas is used as an arc quenching medium. 2. SF6 is an electro-negative gas. 3. It has strong tendency to absorb electrons. 4. When contact are opened in a high pressure flow of SF6 gas, arc produced. 5. Free electron in the arc are captured by the gas. 6. Which build up enough insulation strength to extinguish arc. 7. it is much effective for high power and high voltages services,

Advantages
Simple construction, less cost. SF6 gas is non flammable, non toxic & chemical inert gas. Same gas is recirculated in the circuit. Maintenance free C.B. Ability to interrupt low and high fault current. Excellent Arc extinction.

Advantages Of SF6 Over Oil Circuit Breakers

Short arcing time Can interrupt much larger currents Gives noiseless operation due to its closed gas circuit No moisture problem No risk of fire No carbon deposits. So no tracking and insulation problems Low maintenance cost