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CIRCUIT-BREAKERS/ SUBSTATIONS

Introduction

Ratings of circuit breakers

Indian Standards for CTs/ PTs

Devices used for

Classification of circuit
Principles of circuit
circuit breaking( or
breakers
breaking
making)
Extracts
from
Indian
Standards
for
sub-station OBJECTIVE
TYPE
Substations
Equipments - IEC Standard QUESTIONS
for circuit breakers
Indian
Standards
for
Indian Standards for
Switchgear Panels, LV /HV
IEC & Indian Standards for
Isolators
(AC
Panels, and IEC standards
Lightning Arrestors,
Disconnectors)
for
Gasinsulated
substations

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CIRCUIT -BREAKERS - OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following results when a resistance is placed across the contacts of a circuit breaker
i successful and effective interruption of current
ii undue power loss in the resistor
iii effective fault power dissipation
iv control of rate of rise of restriking voltage.
a. all four above
(b) i and iii
(c) i and iv.
Ans: (c)
1. The circuit breaker rating relevant to transient stability is
a. rated voltage
b. rated operating time
c. rated breaking current
Ans:
TOP
Introduction
Switchgear in a broad sense covers a wide range of equipment connected with switching and protection. A circuit breaker is a switching i.e. current interrupting or making device in switchgear. Th basic requirements of switching in power system practice are
two-fold:
1. to permit apparatus and circuits to be conveniently put into or taken out of service
2. to permit appropriate and safe isolation of apparatus and circuits automatically, in a pre-determined time period, when they develop faults.
Devices used for circuit breaking (or making)
1.

Fuse and iron clad switches

Fuse is an overcurrent switch in the sense that when the current exceeds a pre-assigned value in a circuit or device, it melts and causes current interruption. The supply is restored only when a healthy one replaces the damaged (melted) fuse in the line. To permit
this without any danger of shock to the operator, fuses are connected on the load side of an ironclad switch.
2. Isolators
An isolator is a switch connected after a circuit breaker. When a circuit or a busbar is taken out of service by tripping the circuit breaker, the isolator is then open circuited and the isolated line is earthed through earth switch so that the trapped line charges are
safely conducted to ground.
3. Circuit breakers
A circuit breaker is a complex circuit -breaking device with the following duties:

Make or break both normal and abnormal currents

Appropriately manage the high-energy arc associated with current interruption. The problem has become more acute due to interconnection of power stations resulting in very high fault levels

Effect current interruption only when it is called upon to do so by the relay circuits. In fact they are required to trip for a minimum of the internal fault current and remain inoperative for a maximum of through fault current

Rapid and successive automatic breaking and making to aid stable system operation

3-pole and single pole auto-relosing arrangement.

In addition to these making and breaking capabilities, a circuit breaker is required to do so under the following typical conditions:

Short-circuit interruption

Interruption of small inductive currents

Capacitor switching

Interruption of short-line fault

Asynchronous switching
Classification of circuit breakers
Sketch the constructional details of he following:
1. Air-break circuit breaker or miniature C.B
2. Oil circuit breaker
3. Minimum oil circuit breaker
4. Air blast circuit breaker
5. SF6 circuit breaker
6. Vacuum circuit breaker

Explain DC and Ac arc interruptions and bring out the difference between the two

Describe briefly the methods adopted for rapid increase of the dielectric strength in various types of circuit breakers

Explain the working of a vacuum circuit breaker.

Principles of circuit breaking
DC circuit breaking-effect of decreasing current & increasing arc length
AC circuit breaking-current-zero period-Distortion of AC current wave by arc voltage recovery and restriking voltages: single-frequency & double frequency transients- rate of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV)-control of RRRV-Resistance switching
Current chopping-Interruption of low magnetizing currents-Opening resistors-capacitive current breaking-Switching of capacitor banks and unloaded lines-Interrupting terminal faults & short-line faults

Explain the phenomenon of AC circuit braking and the factors upon which the restriking voltage depends.

Explain current chopping and effects of breaking capacitive currents. How are these problems met in practice?
Ratings of circuit breakers
Rated voltage
Rated insulation
Rated frequency
Rated normal current
Rated short circuit breaking current
Rated short circuit making current
Rated opening sequence for auto-reclose CBs
Rated transient recovery voltage for terminal faults (Representation of TRV by 4-parameters and 2- parameters
CB interrupting time-its components in relation to fault clearing time
Single-pole auto reclosing & its effects on system performance
Substations
Indoor switchgear
a. Stationary cubicle type
b. Draw-out or truck type
c. SF6 filled switchgear
d. Fuse-switch units
e. Flame proof or explosion proof switchgear

f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

Cellular type
Corridor switchboard
Mimic diagram board
Metal-clad switchgear
Isolator and earthing switch-vertical break isolator-Double break isolator

Sketch the layout of a typical sub-station including busbar arrangements

Define and discuss-rated short circuit breaking current-rated short-circuit making current-Rated TRV and its influence on the breaking & making current
Explain the need of an isolator in a switching station TOP

Extracts from Indian Standards for sub-station Equipments

For Indian Standards on Underground Cables, see Notes on Underground Cables

LEAD ACID STORAGE STATIONARY BATTERIES [IS: 1651-1991]

TYPE TESTS:
S. No.

2
3
4
5

Type test
Verification
of
Constructional
Requirements
Verification of Marking
Verification of dimensions
Test for capacity
Tests for voltage during discharge

Ampere-hr and W-hr efficiency test

7
8

Test for loss of capacity on storage

Endurance test

Purpose
To verify materials of container, top cover, connector, &
positive & negative element (lead/calcium) of a cell
To know the type of cell, make, manufacturing date etc
To verify dimensions as per rated capacity
To confirm the rated capacity of a cell
To observe cell voltage during AH capacity test as under;
a) Voltage after 10 min. load 1.98 V
b) Voltage after 6 hours load- 1.92 V
c) Voltage after 10 hours load completed- 1,85 V
a) AH capacity shall not be less than 90%
b) WH capacity shall not be less than 75%
Shall be less than 10%
To apply 13 cycles of 2000 hours (charging & discharging) and
to observe capacity of cell after each cycle discharge. Capacity
should exceed 90 %

ACCEPTANCE TESTS Type test Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 will be used as the Acceptance tests.
Sample Scheme
No. of
cells in a
Lot

No. of cells as sample

Up to 50
51-300
301-500
501-1000
1001 &
above

Stage 1

Stage 2

2
3
5
8
13

2
3
5
8
13

Stage 1+
stage 2
4
6
10
16
26

Permissible defectives
Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 1+ stage 2

0
0
0
0
0

1
1

1
1
2
2
4

2
2
3

NICKLE CADMIUM STORAGE STATIONARY BATTERIES[ IS : 10918-1984]

CIRCUIT BREAKERS [IEC: 62271-100] TOP

TYPE TESTS

S. No.

Type test
Dielectric tests

2
3

Radio Interference voltage test

Resistance of the main circuit

Temp. rise test

Short-time withstand current &

peak withstand current

Mechanical operation test at

ambient temp.

Short-circuit current making/

breaking tests
Capacitive current charging tests:
-Line charging current breaking
tests
-Cable charging current breaking
tests

Purpose
To check characteristics of Circuit breaker for the following tests:
I)
Dry, wet, power frequency
II)
Lightning impulse voltage
III)
Switching impulse voltage ( applicable for 420 kV
CB and above)
To determine RIV on CB pole in both close & open position
To record circuit resistance during temp. rise test at 200 C
To ensure capability of contacts to carry rated normal current
within specified temp. rise limits
To check the ability of the circuit to carry the maximum rated
short-circuit withstand current ( 2.5 times the RMS value) at 50 Hz
in close position during the specified short-term duration of 1 or 3
sec.
To check the characteristics of the breaker for 2000 operations on
each pole ( with multiple circuit breaker with individual drive) OR
complete assembled breaker (mechanically gang-operated breaker
with one common drive)
To check ability of the CB to clear the current on different tests in
symmetrical & asymmetrical conditions as per provisions of IEC
To check withstand capability of the CB for no load transient lines,
cables , and capacitor banks

ROUTINE TESTS
S. No.
1

Routine test
Dielectric test on main circuit

Dielectric test on auxiliary &

control circuit

Design identification test

Mechanical operating test

Measurement of resistance of
main circuit

Purpose
To check the dielectrics withstand capability of live terminals to
live terminals and to earth in both close & open condition of CB
To check the dielectrics withstand capability of auxiliary & control
circuit of CB subject to short duration (60 sec) voltage withstand
test for 2 kV . ( For motor or other devices , they are subjected to
a dielectric test as per appropriate specs.)
Verifies the CB for compliances in terms of language of name
plate, identification of aux. Equipment, colour & quality of paint
etc.
Includes
1)
5 open-close operations at max. rated and minimum
control voltage
2) 5 close-open operation at rated control voltage
3) recording opening & closing times at the rated operating
pressure & voltage
To record contact resistance of CB for mechanical operations to
be within specified limits

THE ROUTINE TESTS ARE TO BE COSIDERED AS ACCEPTANCE TESTS

SAMPLE CRITERION
It is general practice to select samples equal to 10% of offered lot TOP

Indian Standards for CTs/ PTs

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS [IS: 2705 (Part-1)-1992

S. No
1

Type test
Short time current test

Purpose
To measure current density of winding w. r. t rated short time
current

2
3

Temperature rise test

Lightning impulse test for CTs for
service in electrically exposed
installation
Switching impulse voltage test for
CTs for 420 kV & above
HV power frequency wet withstand
voltage test on outdoor Ct up to &
including 245 kV
Determination of error or other
characteristics according o requirement
of designation & accuracy class
a) Current error
b) Phase displacement error
c) Accuracy class
d) Burden

To know actual temperature rise in CT under loading conditions

To know lightning impulse voltage withstand capacity of
insulation

4
5

To know switching impulse voltage withstand capacity of

insulation
To verify power frequency voltage withstand capacity of external
insulation

a)
b)

To measure actual current ratio against rated ratio

To measure the phase difference between primary &
secondary currents
c) To know the actual accuracy against rated
d) To measure the impedance of the secondary circuit

Notes
1.
2.

After the CTs have been subjected to dielectric tests (3, 4, and 5), all routine tests will be carried out.
Type tests may be omitted when the manufacturer hold certificate of type tests on a similar transformer, which is acceptable to the purchaser.

Routine Tests
S. No.

Routine test
Verification of terminal marking &
polarity

Purpose
To ensure correct marking & function of CT

Power frequency dry withstand test on

primary winding

To verify power frequency withstand capacity between

primary winding & earth

Power frequency dry withstand test on

secondary winding

To verify power frequency withstand capacity between

secondary winding & earth

Over voltage inter-turn test

Partial discharge test
Current error test
Phase displacement error
Accuracy class
Burden

To ensure inter-turn insulation strength

To ensure insulation strength
To measure actual current ratio against rated ratio
To measure phase displacement between primary &
secondary currents
To know the actual accuracy against rated
To measure the impedance of the secondary circuit

OPTIONAL TESTS

S. No.
1

Optional test
Chopped lightning impulse test as a type test

Measurement of dielectric dissipation factor

for oil immersed CT of 72.5 kV & above

Commissioning tests on new CT up to

&including 36 kV

Purpose
To verify negative polarity lightning
impulse voltage withstand capacity
of external insulation
To measure dielectric dissipation
factor (tan d) of primary winding
between ambient temperature &
equipment temperature under test
To measure withstand capacity of
primary winding at 80% of rated
over voltage at site

ACCEPTANCE TESTS
The routine tests are to be considered as acceptance tests
SAMPLE CRITERIA
It is general practice to select samples equal to 20 % of offered lot

TOP

VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS (P.T) [IS: 3156 (Part-1)-1978

The tests are similar to CT tests. For determining the burden, the admittance (mhos) of secondary circuit & the power factor are measured.

Indian Standards for Isolators, Lightning Arrestors, Switchgear Panels, LV Panels, and Gas insulated substations

AC DISCONNECTORS

(ISOLATORS) & EARTHING SWITCHES FOR VOLTGAE > 1000 V [IS: 9921 (Part-4-1985]

TYPE TESTS
S. No
1
2
3

Type test
(A) NORMAL TYPE TESTS
Dielectric tests
Temperature rise tests

Purpose

To verify insulation level

To verify that the temperature rise of
any part does not exceed the limit
Short-time withstand current & peak withstand current tests
To prove the capability of the
switches to withstand the stated
currents
Short-circuit making performance of earthing switches
To prove the capability of the
switches to carry the short-circuit
making current
Operating & mechanical endurance tests
To prove satisfactory operation &
mechanical endurance
(B) TYPE TESTS ON SPECIAL REQUEST OF USER

Operation under severe ice conditions

Operation at temperature limits

Measuring radio interference level

To prove satisfactory operation

under severe snowfall conditions
To prove satisfactory operation
under minimum/ maximum ambient
temperature
For rated voltage > 120 kV

Note: All the test shall be carried out on complete isolator or earth switch on their operating devices & auxiliary equipments. Single pole tests are however permitted in certain cases.
ROUTINE TESTS
S. No

Routine test

Purpose

Power frequency voltage withstand test of main To verify insulation level

circuit
including withstand tests of
power frequency voltages on
auxiliary equipment
2
Voltage test on control & auxiliary circuit
To verify insulation level
3
Resistance measurement of main circuit
Should not exceed type test
value
4
Mechanical operation tests
To
ensure
that
disconnectors/earthing
switches
comply
with
operating conditions at rated,
maximum, and minimum
supply voltage
Note: Where isolators/earthing switches are not assembled at the manufacturers works to enable the routine tests to be made, tests on part assemblies should be subjected to under agreement between the manufacturer
& the user.
The routine tests are to be considered as ACCEPTANCE TESTS
SAMPLE CRITERIA: It is general practice to select samples equal to 10% of offered lot.

TOP

METAL OXIDE SURGE ARRESTORS WITHOUT GAP FOR AC SYSTEM [IEC 60099-4 &IS: 3070 1993]
TYPE TESTS [as per IEC]
S. No

Type test

Insulation withstand test

Residual voltage test

Long duration current impulse test

Operating duty test

Pressure relief test

Test of arrestor disconnectors

Purpose

Artificial pollution test (not yet established)

Partial discharge test

Seal leakage test (not yet established)

Current distribution test for multi-column arrestor

Demonstrates the ability of

the housing to withstand
voltage stresses during dry
/wet conditions
Demonstrates the protective
levels of the arrestor
Demonstrates the ability of he
resistor elements to withstand
dielectric & energy stresses
without puncture or flashover.
Defines the thermal stability
of the arrestor under defined
conditions
Demonstrates the ability of
the arrestor housing to
withstand
short-circuit
currents
without
violent
shattering of the housing
under test conditions
Demonstrates
correct
operation of the disconnectors
To show that the internal parts
of he arrestor including
grading system are able to
withstand pollution without
any damage and that the
external insulation does not
flashover
Measures the internal partial
discharges
Determines the integrity of the
arrestor seals
Determines
the
current
through each column of
parallel resistor when there is
no
electrical
connection
between the columns

Routine Tests

S. No

Routine test

Purpose

Measurement of reference voltage

Measured values to be within

a range specified by the
manufacturer
Measurement of power frequency voltage on Measured values to be within
complete arrester
a range specified by the
manufacturer

Lightning impulse residual voltage test

NOTE:

Type tests 2. 7 and 8 will be taken as routine tests

Measured values to be within

a range specified by the
manufacturer

SPECIAL TEST
S. No

Special test

Purpose

Special thermal stability test

Metal
oxide
arrester
temperature
or
resistive
component of current or
power
dissipation
be
monitored
during
power
frequency voltage application
to prove thermal stability

SAMPLE CRITERIA
[As per clause No. 8.2.1 of IEC: 60099-4:1998]
The acceptance test shall be made on the nearest lower whole number in the cube root of the number of arrestors to be supplied.

TOP
Indian Standards for LV Panel Boards

[IS: 8623-1993]

There is no specific Indian Standard for the tests to be performed. However the manufacturer shall carry out following tests on the low voltage panel board and ask for type/routine tests of bought out items like switch
fuse units, meter, fuses, copper strip, indicating instruments etc.
Ref.: [IS 8623-1993]
TYPE TEST
S. No
1

2
3

Type test
Temperature rise test

4
5

Dielectric properties test

Verification of the effective connection between
the exposed conductive parts of he ASSEMBLY
and the protective circuit by inspection or by
resistance measurement
Verification of clearances and creepage distances
Verification of mechanical operation

Verification of degree of protection

Inspection of Assembly including inspection of

wiring and, if necessary, electrical operation test
Dielectric test
Checking of protective measures and the electrical
continuity of the protective circuits
Insulation resistance test

8
9
10
11

Verification of Name plate /rating plate of all

inserts

Purpose
To verify the temperature rise of lT panel board
including all bus bars and equipments like MCCB,
ACB, MCB, Switch disconnectors
To verify withstand capacity in HV test
To verify connection between the exposed
conductive parts and the protective circuit

To check for minimum required clearances

To verify that product is suitable for N number of
operations without any problem
To ensure protection against ingress of material as
per the various IP code
To check wiring and its proper connections
To verify insulation resistance
To check protective measures
To verify insulation provided on conductive parts
and parts with the body
To confirm use of all inserts as per approved
drawing / bill of materials

Notes:
The routine tests are to be considered as acceptance tests
The routine test certificates of manufacturer of all bought out items are to be verified.
SAMPLING CRITERIA
Select samples equal to 10 % of offered lot. Alternatively, as per sampling criteria given in IS: 2500

TOP

SWITCHGEAR PANELS WITH HV AC CIRCUIT BREAKER [IS: 13118-1991]

TYPE TESTS
S. No

Type test
Dielectric tests:
1.1 Lightning & switching impulse voltage test
1.2 Power frequency voltage test
1.3 Artificial pollution test
1.4 Partial discharge test
1.5 Tests on auxiliary & control circuits
Radio interference voltage test (on one pole of CB during open
& closed position
Temperature rise test

Measurements of contact pressure & resistance of main circuit

Short-time withstand & peak withstand test

Mechanical & Environment test

Mechanical operation test at ambient air temperature

Low & high temperature test

Humidity test
7

Making & Breaking tests

-Single phase making capacity test
-Single phase breaking capacity test
Basic short-circuit tests- Duties Nos.1-5 tests

Critical current test

10

Single phase SC test

11

Short line fault test

12

Out of phase making/breaking test

Purpose
To verify that complete circuit
breaker panel along with auxiliary
and control circuits can withstand
relevant dielectric tests

To check RIV during high voltage

To record actual temperature rise of
breaker panel including all bus bars
to be within specified limits
To verify the contact pressure and
resistance as per designed value
To verify the short-circuit withstand
capacity of C.B Panel
To confirm that the product is
suitable for N number of operations
without any problem
To verify temperature rise of CB &
its mechanism to be within specified
limit
To check withstanding CB against
humidity
To verify single phase
making/braking capacity of CB
To verify withstand capacity of CB
for various Short-circuit Duties
To verify withstanding critical
current capacity of CB
Applicable only to CB which have
critical current of less than 10% of
rated SC breaking current
Applicable to three pole CB
To check adverse effect in operation
of CB due unbalanced force
produced
Applicable to 3 pole CB directly
connected to overhead lines
To verify withstanding capacity of
CB for various SC duties
To determine ability of CB to break
& make currents during out of phase
conditions

13

Capacitive current switching tests

-Rated line charging breaking current
-Rated cable charging breaking current
-Rated single capacitor bank breaking current
-Rated back to back capacitor bank breaking current
-Rated capacitor bank inrush making current
Small inductive current switching test

14

To check withstanding capacity of

CB during line/cable/ capacitor bank
charging or breaking current

To check withstanding capacity of

CB during inductive current

ROUTINE TESTS

S. No

Routine test
Dielectric tests:
Dry power frequency test
Voltage withstand tests on auxiliary & control circuits

Mechanical operation test at ambient air temperature

3
4

Visual & design check

Mechanical operation test at ambient air temperature

Purpose

To verify that complete circuit

breaker panel along with
auxiliary and control circuits
can
withstand
relevant
dielectric tests
To confirm that the product is
suitable for N number of operations
without any problem
To confirm that the product is
suitable for N number of operations
without any problem

Notes:
The routine tests are to be considered as acceptance tests
The routine test certificates of manufacturer of all bought out items are to be verified.
SAMPLING CRITERIA

Select samples equal to 10 % of offered lot.

Indian standards for Gas- insulated substations [IEC: 517 and IEC-694]

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