30-03-2011, 11:23 AM
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Abstract.
As important as finding new renewable and environmentally friendly sources of energy is the fact of transmitting and distributing this energy in the safest and most efficient way. In this field, High Voltage Circuit Breakers (1111 CB), designed for operation of the electric network under normal conditions as well as for the interruption of faulted conditions, have played an important role in power systems over 100 years. However, research, development and improvement of the design of CBs have not stopped in our nowadays expanding grid.
The aim of this paper is to make a review of the existing different types of HV CB, comparing the most used one, SF6 CB, with the Vacuum CB, which has been developed and recently applied for HV, and could become the future environmental friendly HV CB.
Key words
Circuit Breaker (CB), Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB), Sulfurhexaflouride (SF6), Electric arc, Vacuum Arc.
1. Introduction
A Circuit Breaker is a switching device which can open or close a circuit in a small fraction of second. This is achieved due to its separable contacts. The closing and opening of the circuit allows to establish or to interrupt the circulation of current through the circuit under usual or unusual working conditions, such as short circuits.
The interruption process of the current in a CB, begins when the movable contacts start to separate. As a consequence, the contact area is reduced and the current density gets larger, until the energy causes the metal to begin vaporizing and an arc appears. In spite of the existence of a physical separation of the switching contacts, the established arc makes possible that the current continues flowing (Figure 1). The interruption of the circulating current will be achieved when the interrupting medium gets to turn the carrying arc plasma into an isolating medium. ([1]-[4])
In the beginning of the arc phenomena the main source of charged particles is the electrode vapour. However, as the contact separation increases the ionization degree of the arc column is also influenced by the characteristics of the surrounding medium, except for Vacuum CBs.
Attending to the medium and the method used for the interruption of the current, CBs can be grouped in the following types:
- Air Magnetic Circuit Breakers
- Air Blast Circuit Breakers
- Oil Circuit Breakers
- Sulfurhexaflouride (SF6) Circuit Breakers
- Vacuum Circuit Breakers
Oil circuit breakers were the first CB type in the grid, due to its ability to interrupt large currents. The interruption process is based on the creation of hydrogen and acetylene gas bubble, as the oil decomposes as a result of the arc established between the switching contacts. The disadvantages of using oil as quenching media in circuit breakers, as flammability and a high maintenance cost, forced to search for different mediums of quenching. Air Blast and Magnetic Air circuit breakers were developed but did not sustain in the market due to some disadvantages, as the fact that they are bulky and cumbersome. In the middle of the century, and being
considered as the new generation of CBs, SF6 and Vacuum CBs appeared.
SF6 CBs started quickly to replace oil and air CBs for HV applications, as most SF6 properties are superior to other interrupting mediums, such as its high dielectric strength or higher thermal conductivity. In contrast, Vacuum CBs started to spread in the Medium Voltage level up to rated voltages of around 36kV. ([1], [5])
Even though many CBs from the first generation, with oil or air as quenching medium, are still working, SF6 CB is undoubtedly the most common CB used nowadays for HV applications worldwide. But, it also has its limitations and disadvantages. Vacuum switching, widely used for medium voltage levels (5-38 kV), has emerged as an alternative for high voltage applications due to its environmental friendliness. Latest research on contact material composition, magnetic field application, insulation, multi-gap or long gap technology has lead to the development of various prototypes for higher voltage levels. Following, both types, SF6 and vacuum are analysed in detail.
2. SF6 CBs
In SF6 circuit-breakers, the current continues flowing after contact separation through an arc plasma of ionized SF6. The circuit breaker is designed to direct a constant gas flow to the arc that extracts heat from the arc and so allows achieving its extinction at current zero. The gas flow de-ionises also the contact gap and restablishes the required dielectric strength to prevent an arc re-strike.
The direction of the gas flow, i.e., whether it is parallel to or across the axis of the arc, has a decisive influence on the efficiency of the arc interruption process. Research has shown that an axial gas flow creates a turbulence which causes an intensive and continuous interaction between the gas and the plasma as the current approaches zero. Cross-gas-flow cooling of the arc is generally achieved, in practice, by making the arc to move in the stationary gas. However, this interruption process can lead to arc instability and resulting great fluctuations in the interrupting capability of the circuit breaker.
In order to achieve an axial gas flow, a differential pressure must be created along the arc. The first generation of SF6 CBs used the two-pressure principle of the air-blast CB. A certain quantity of gas was kept stored at high pressure and released into the arcing chamber. In later designs, the differential pressure was created by a piston attached to the moving contacts, which compresses the gas in a small cylinder as the contact opens. Some disadvantages are the relatively powerful operating mechanism required by this puffer system and the cost of this operating mechanism.
Consequently, new developments were aimed at reducing or eliminating this additional cost factor. These developments concentrated on employing the arc energy itself to create directly the differential pressure needed.
This research led to the development of the self- pressuring circuit-breaker in which the overpressure is created by using the arc energy to heat the gas under controlled conditions. During the initial stages of development, an auxiliary piston was included in the interrupting mechanism, in order to ensure the satisfactory breaking of small currents. Subsequent improvements in this technology have eliminated this requirement and in the latest designs, the operating mechanism must only provide the energy needed to move the contacts.
Parallel to the development of the self-pressuring design, the rotating arc SF6 interrupter appeared. In this design a coil sets the arc in rotation while the quenching medium remains stationary. The relative movement between the arc and the gas is no longer axial but radial, i.e., it is a cross-flow mechanism. The operating energy required by circuit breakers of this design is also minimal [1].
3. Vacuum CBs
A. General features
When the contacts separate in a VCB, the current flowing trough those electrodes initiates a metal vapour arc discharge in the contacts called the vacuum arc. The vacuum arc, once established, flows through the plasma in a self sustained way until the next current zero. The arc is then extinguished and the conductive metal vapour condenses on the metal surfaces, within a matter of micro seconds. As a result, the dielectric strength in the breaker builds up very rapidly. Figure 2 shows the internal components of a typical vacuum interrupter.
B. MV application
Medium voltage is where VCB has found its widest application field and is widely used in the range of 5 to 38kV [1].
Vacuum arcs have more than one appearance, as there are different modes of vacuum arcs. The mode of the vacuum arc depends on the current level and the size of the
contacts. At lower currents, the arc assumes the diffuse mode. The characteristics of diffuse arcs are that there are one or more cathode spots moving constantly over the contact surface. These spots repel each other and they have a fmite and variable lifetime. While some cathode spots are extinguished, some others split, creating new ones. As the current increases, the arc changes its appearance. All the plasma is focused on a small area of the electrode, about 1 cm2, so instead of multiples moving cathode spots the appearance that the arc takes is a constricted mode.
The current at which the transition from diffuse to constricted mode takes place, depends on the size of the contact and its material but it is usually between 10 and 15 kA. The constricted mode of the arc has nothing but disadvantages, as the interruption of the current is much more difficult, and it produces severe erosion on contacts. Besides, a constricted arc that remains on one spot for too long can thermically over stress the contacts to such a degree that the deionization of the contact zone at zero current can no longer be guaranteed
To overcome this problem the arc root must be moved over the contact surface and in order to achieve this, contacts are appropriately shaped so that the current flowing through them results in a radial magnetic field. This radial field, also known as transverse field, causes the arc root to rotate rapidly around the contact, resulting in a uniform heat distribution over its surface. The contacts of this type are called radial magnetic field or spiral electrodes (Figure 3).
The spiral electrodes are able to interrupt a current of 30kA with electrodes of 100mm of diameter. As it is shown in Figure 4, the electrodes size becomes too large for high current interruptions.
C. HV applicationAt high voltage, the vacuum arc adopts a constricted form, which makes more difficult the arc quenching at current zero. But the problem of switching the arc from constricted to diffuse, in HV applications, can not be achieved by subjecting the arc to a radial magnetic field, as it is solved for MV. This is so because the current would not be interrupted unless the size of the contacts were large enough. And such big electrodes would make the VCB bulky and not so competitive [1].
In contrast, for high voltage applications an axial magnetic field is applied (Figure 4). The axial magnetic field can be provided by leading the arc current through a coil, suitably arranged outside the vacuum chamber. Alternatively, the field can be provided by a suitable contact design. Such contacts are called axial magnetic field electrodes (Figure 5). With the higher magnetic field strength, the radial arc distribution is more homogenized. This way the arc energy is reduced.
Another problem in these applications, HV VCB, is related to the high-voltage capability of a single gap between electrodes. The breakdown characteristics have very high dependence of electrode area, and the dielectric strength with the contact gap. On this way, in vacuum breakdown, the breakdown voltage is proportional to the square root of the gap length
Abstract.
As important as finding new renewable and environmentally friendly sources of energy is the fact of transmitting and distributing this energy in the safest and most efficient way. In this field, High Voltage Circuit Breakers (1111 CB), designed for operation of the electric network under normal conditions as well as for the interruption of faulted conditions, have played an important role in power systems over 100 years. However, research, development and improvement of the design of CBs have not stopped in our nowadays expanding grid.
The aim of this paper is to make a review of the existing different types of HV CB, comparing the most used one, SF6 CB, with the Vacuum CB, which has been developed and recently applied for HV, and could become the future environmental friendly HV CB.
Key words
Circuit Breaker (CB), Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB), Sulfurhexaflouride (SF6), Electric arc, Vacuum Arc.
1. Introduction
A Circuit Breaker is a switching device which can open or close a circuit in a small fraction of second. This is achieved due to its separable contacts. The closing and opening of the circuit allows to establish or to interrupt the circulation of current through the circuit under usual or unusual working conditions, such as short circuits.
The interruption process of the current in a CB, begins when the movable contacts start to separate. As a consequence, the contact area is reduced and the current density gets larger, until the energy causes the metal to begin vaporizing and an arc appears. In spite of the existence of a physical separation of the switching contacts, the established arc makes possible that the current continues flowing (Figure 1). The interruption of the circulating current will be achieved when the interrupting medium gets to turn the carrying arc plasma into an isolating medium. ([1]-[4])
In the beginning of the arc phenomena the main source of charged particles is the electrode vapour. However, as the contact separation increases the ionization degree of the arc column is also influenced by the characteristics of the surrounding medium, except for Vacuum CBs.
Attending to the medium and the method used for the interruption of the current, CBs can be grouped in the following types:
- Air Magnetic Circuit Breakers
- Air Blast Circuit Breakers
- Oil Circuit Breakers
- Sulfurhexaflouride (SF6) Circuit Breakers
- Vacuum Circuit Breakers
Oil circuit breakers were the first CB type in the grid, due to its ability to interrupt large currents. The interruption process is based on the creation of hydrogen and acetylene gas bubble, as the oil decomposes as a result of the arc established between the switching contacts. The disadvantages of using oil as quenching media in circuit breakers, as flammability and a high maintenance cost, forced to search for different mediums of quenching. Air Blast and Magnetic Air circuit breakers were developed but did not sustain in the market due to some disadvantages, as the fact that they are bulky and cumbersome. In the middle of the century, and being
considered as the new generation of CBs, SF6 and Vacuum CBs appeared.
SF6 CBs started quickly to replace oil and air CBs for HV applications, as most SF6 properties are superior to other interrupting mediums, such as its high dielectric strength or higher thermal conductivity. In contrast, Vacuum CBs started to spread in the Medium Voltage level up to rated voltages of around 36kV. ([1], [5])
Even though many CBs from the first generation, with oil or air as quenching medium, are still working, SF6 CB is undoubtedly the most common CB used nowadays for HV applications worldwide. But, it also has its limitations and disadvantages. Vacuum switching, widely used for medium voltage levels (5-38 kV), has emerged as an alternative for high voltage applications due to its environmental friendliness. Latest research on contact material composition, magnetic field application, insulation, multi-gap or long gap technology has lead to the development of various prototypes for higher voltage levels. Following, both types, SF6 and vacuum are analysed in detail.
2. SF6 CBs
In SF6 circuit-breakers, the current continues flowing after contact separation through an arc plasma of ionized SF6. The circuit breaker is designed to direct a constant gas flow to the arc that extracts heat from the arc and so allows achieving its extinction at current zero. The gas flow de-ionises also the contact gap and restablishes the required dielectric strength to prevent an arc re-strike.
The direction of the gas flow, i.e., whether it is parallel to or across the axis of the arc, has a decisive influence on the efficiency of the arc interruption process. Research has shown that an axial gas flow creates a turbulence which causes an intensive and continuous interaction between the gas and the plasma as the current approaches zero. Cross-gas-flow cooling of the arc is generally achieved, in practice, by making the arc to move in the stationary gas. However, this interruption process can lead to arc instability and resulting great fluctuations in the interrupting capability of the circuit breaker.
In order to achieve an axial gas flow, a differential pressure must be created along the arc. The first generation of SF6 CBs used the two-pressure principle of the air-blast CB. A certain quantity of gas was kept stored at high pressure and released into the arcing chamber. In later designs, the differential pressure was created by a piston attached to the moving contacts, which compresses the gas in a small cylinder as the contact opens. Some disadvantages are the relatively powerful operating mechanism required by this puffer system and the cost of this operating mechanism.
Consequently, new developments were aimed at reducing or eliminating this additional cost factor. These developments concentrated on employing the arc energy itself to create directly the differential pressure needed.
This research led to the development of the self- pressuring circuit-breaker in which the overpressure is created by using the arc energy to heat the gas under controlled conditions. During the initial stages of development, an auxiliary piston was included in the interrupting mechanism, in order to ensure the satisfactory breaking of small currents. Subsequent improvements in this technology have eliminated this requirement and in the latest designs, the operating mechanism must only provide the energy needed to move the contacts.
Parallel to the development of the self-pressuring design, the rotating arc SF6 interrupter appeared. In this design a coil sets the arc in rotation while the quenching medium remains stationary. The relative movement between the arc and the gas is no longer axial but radial, i.e., it is a cross-flow mechanism. The operating energy required by circuit breakers of this design is also minimal [1].
3. Vacuum CBs
A. General features
When the contacts separate in a VCB, the current flowing trough those electrodes initiates a metal vapour arc discharge in the contacts called the vacuum arc. The vacuum arc, once established, flows through the plasma in a self sustained way until the next current zero. The arc is then extinguished and the conductive metal vapour condenses on the metal surfaces, within a matter of micro seconds. As a result, the dielectric strength in the breaker builds up very rapidly. Figure 2 shows the internal components of a typical vacuum interrupter.
B. MV application
Medium voltage is where VCB has found its widest application field and is widely used in the range of 5 to 38kV [1].
Vacuum arcs have more than one appearance, as there are different modes of vacuum arcs. The mode of the vacuum arc depends on the current level and the size of the
contacts. At lower currents, the arc assumes the diffuse mode. The characteristics of diffuse arcs are that there are one or more cathode spots moving constantly over the contact surface. These spots repel each other and they have a fmite and variable lifetime. While some cathode spots are extinguished, some others split, creating new ones. As the current increases, the arc changes its appearance. All the plasma is focused on a small area of the electrode, about 1 cm2, so instead of multiples moving cathode spots the appearance that the arc takes is a constricted mode.
The current at which the transition from diffuse to constricted mode takes place, depends on the size of the contact and its material but it is usually between 10 and 15 kA. The constricted mode of the arc has nothing but disadvantages, as the interruption of the current is much more difficult, and it produces severe erosion on contacts. Besides, a constricted arc that remains on one spot for too long can thermically over stress the contacts to such a degree that the deionization of the contact zone at zero current can no longer be guaranteed
To overcome this problem the arc root must be moved over the contact surface and in order to achieve this, contacts are appropriately shaped so that the current flowing through them results in a radial magnetic field. This radial field, also known as transverse field, causes the arc root to rotate rapidly around the contact, resulting in a uniform heat distribution over its surface. The contacts of this type are called radial magnetic field or spiral electrodes (Figure 3).
The spiral electrodes are able to interrupt a current of 30kA with electrodes of 100mm of diameter. As it is shown in Figure 4, the electrodes size becomes too large for high current interruptions.
C. HV applicationAt high voltage, the vacuum arc adopts a constricted form, which makes more difficult the arc quenching at current zero. But the problem of switching the arc from constricted to diffuse, in HV applications, can not be achieved by subjecting the arc to a radial magnetic field, as it is solved for MV. This is so because the current would not be interrupted unless the size of the contacts were large enough. And such big electrodes would make the VCB bulky and not so competitive [1].
In contrast, for high voltage applications an axial magnetic field is applied (Figure 4). The axial magnetic field can be provided by leading the arc current through a coil, suitably arranged outside the vacuum chamber. Alternatively, the field can be provided by a suitable contact design. Such contacts are called axial magnetic field electrodes (Figure 5). With the higher magnetic field strength, the radial arc distribution is more homogenized. This way the arc energy is reduced.
Another problem in these applications, HV VCB, is related to the high-voltage capability of a single gap between electrodes. The breakdown characteristics have very high dependence of electrode area, and the dielectric strength with the contact gap. On this way, in vacuum breakdown, the breakdown voltage is proportional to the square root of the gap length
