Selection of Generator Circuit-Breakers

Introduction All circuit-breakers intended for the use as generator circuit-breaker have to be designed and tested in accordance with IEEE Std C37.013-1997 IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis [1] and IEEE Std C37.013a-2007 IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis Amendment 1: Supplement for Use with Generators Rated 10100 MVA [2]. These standards apply to all alternating-current high-voltage generator circuit-breakers used with generators rated 10 MVA and above. Since no other national or international standards on generator circuit-breakers exist, these standards are used worldwide (Figure 1). Specifically, IEC-Publication 62271-100 (2008) High-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Part 100: Alternating-Current Circuit-Breakers [3] does not apply to generator circuit-breakers. According to the scope of [3] generator circuit-breakers are explicitly not covered by that standard (Figure 2). IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis
1. Scope This standard applies to ac high-voltage generator circuit breakers rated on a symmetrical current basis that are installed between the generator and the transformer terminals. Requirements relative to ac high-voltage generator circuit breakers intended for use with generators and transformers rated 10 MVA or more are covered specifically. Generator circuits rated less than 10 MVA and pumped storage installations are considered special applications, and their requirements are not completely covered by this standard.
NOTE Since no other national or international standard on generator circuit breakers exists, this standard is used worldwide. The revision of IEEE Std C37.013-1993 takes care of this fact by adapting its content in some places to international practice.

Figure 1: Scope of IEEE Std C37.013 ([1], [2]) HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR Part 100: Alternating-current circuit-breakers
1 General
1.1 .. Generator circuit-breakers installed between generator and step-up transformer are not within the scope of this standard. .. Scope

Figure 2: Scope of IEC-Publication 62271-100 ([3])

Comparison between IEEE Std C37.013 and IEC-Publication 62271-100 In power stations there are two distinct fault locations (Figure 3) which lead to fault currents with completely different characteristics. In accordance with [1] and [2] generator circuitbreakers therefore have two fault ratings, namely the system-source short-circuit current interrupting capability (in case of a fault between the circuit-breaker and the generator (fault location A1 in Figure 3)) and the generator-source short-circuit current interrupting capability (in case of a fault between the circuit-breaker and the transformer (fault location B1 in Figure 3)). Circuit-breakers covered by [3] on the other side have only one fault rating. The very specific characteristics of generator-source short-circuit currents are not dealt with in that standard. Further generator circuit-breakers must be capable of interrupting fault currents due to outof-phase conditions with out-of-phase angles of up to 180. The switching under out-ofphase conditions is also not adequately covered in [3] for the case of generator circuitbreakers.

Figure 3: Fault Locations in Power Stations A1: System-source fed fault (the fault current in the generator circuit-breaker is supplied by the system via the step-up transformer) B1: Generator-source fed fault (the fault current in the generator circuit-breaker is supplied by the generator) Specifically, the following stresses imposed on generator circuit-breakers during fault current interruptions (short-circuit currents, fault currents due to an out-of-phase condition) exceed the stresses imposed on general purpose circuit-breakers: 1. Degree of asymmetry of the system-source and generator-source short-circuit currents, the generator-source short-circuit current may exhibit delayed current zeros (degree of asymmetry > 100 %) 2. Rate-of-rise of the transient recovery voltage after the interruption of a system-source or generator-source short-circuit current 3. Magnitude and degree of asymmetry of a fault current due to an out-of-phase condition 4. Rate-of-rise and peak value of the transient recovery voltage after the interruption of a

fault current due to an out-of-phase condition The only standards which correctly specify these requirements are [1] and [2]. The test quantities given in [3] for the short-circuit and out-of-phase current switching tests by far do not cover the requirements for generator circuit-breakers. This fact is illustrated by Figures 4 and 5. In Figure 4 a comparison between the requirements regarding the degree of asymmetry is given and Figure 5 shows the rate-of-rise of the transient recovery voltage that a circuitbreaker must to able to cope with in accordance with [1] and [2] or [3], respectively.

Figure 4: IEEE Std C37.013 vs. IEC 62271-100 - Comparison of Requirements Regarding the Degree of Asymmetry Conclusions For this reason specifications for generator circuit-breakers must be based on [1] and [2]. Only circuit-breakers which have been designed and tested in accordance with [1] and [2] will give a satisfactory service as a generator circuit-breaker. Circuit-breakers which have been designed and tested in accordance with [3] do not meet the stringent requirements imposed on generator circuit-breakers and should not be used in power stations. 2009-01-15/PTHG-V/Bra

Figure 5: IEEE Std C37.013 vs. IEC 62271-100 - Comparison of Requirements Regarding the Rate-of-Rise of the Transient Recovery Voltage Literature [1] [2] [3] IEEE Std C37.013-1997: IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis, 1997. IEEE Std C37.013a-2007: IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis Amendment 1: Supplement for Use with Generators Rated 10-100 MVA, 2007. IEC-Publication 62271-100 (2008): High-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear - Part 100: Alternating-Current Circuit-Breakers, 2008.