Is-limiter

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Is-limiter

Is-limiter
The world's fastest switching device
 Reduces substation cost
 Solves short-circuit problems in new
substations and substation extensions
 Optimum solution for interconnection
of switchgears and substations
 In most cases the only technical solution
 Reliability and function proofed in
thousands of installations
 Worldwide in service
 The peak short-circuit current will never
be reached
 The short-circuit current is limited at the
very first current rise
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Is-limiter
Technical data

Rated voltage Rated current Switching capability

0.75 kV … 5000 A … 140 kA RMS

12.00 kV … 4000 A … 210 kA RMS
17.50 kV … 4000 A … 210 kA RMS
24.00 kV … 3000 A … 140 kA RMS
36.00 kV … 2500 A … 140 kA RMS
40.50 kV … 2500 A … 140 kA RMS

For higher rated currents

Is-limiter can be connected in parallel

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Is-limiter
Technical data

More than 3000 Is-limiters in service in approx. 80 countries

 Customers:
 Industry
 Paper mills
 Refineries
 Chemical industries
 Car industries
 Power stations
 Steel-, Aluminium mills
 On-Off-shore platforms
 Ships / Vessels
 Town’s utilities

 Utilities

 Test-laboratories

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Is-limiter
Comparison: Is-limiter – circuit-breaker

T0 : Response time of the protection relay: 10 - 20 ms

i T1 : Operating time of the protection relay: 30 - 40 ms
T2 : Operating time of the circuit-breaker: 40 - 80 ms
T3 : Arc duration: 10 - 20 ms
90 - 160 ms

T0 T1 T2 T3

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Is-limiter
Comparison: Is-limiter – circuit-breaker

T0 : Response time of the protection relay: 10 - 20 ms

i T1 : Operating time of the protection relay: 30 - 40 ms
T2 : Operating time of the circuit-breaker: 40 - 80 ms
T3 : Arc duration: 10 - 20 ms
90 - 160 ms

Total time of
current flow through
Is-limiter: T = 5 - 10 ms
t

T0 T1 T2 T3

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Is-limiter – Function
Breaking of a short-circuit current with Is-limiter

250 kA
i

50 kA u
125 kA
50kA x χ x 2

i1

50 kA t
Current curve at the short-circuit location

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Is-limiter – Function
Breaking of a short-circuit current with Is-limiter

250 kA
i i = i1 + i2
without IS-limiter

50 kA 50 kA u
125 kA
50kA x χ x 2

50 kA i1

50 kA t
Current curve at the short-circuit location

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Is-limiter – Function
Breaking of a short-circuit current with Is-limiter

250 kA
i i = i1 + i2
without IS-limiter

50 kA 50 kA u
125 kA
50kA x χ x 2

50 kA i1

50 kA t
Current curve at the short-circuit location

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Is-limiter – Function
Breaking of a short-circuit current with Is-limiter

250 kA
i i = i1 + i2
without IS-limiter

50 kA 50 kA u
125 kA
50kA x χ x 2 i = i1 + i2
with Is-limiter
50 kA i1

i2

50 kA t
Current curve at the short-circuit location

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Is-limiter – Function
Insert-holder and insert

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Is-limiter – Structure
Typical System Components

3 CT’s
1 Tripping
cabinet

3 Inserts holders
with inserts

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Is-limiter – Structure
Truck mounted panel

Type tested
 acc. IEC 62271-200

Internal arc classification

 IAC: A FLR

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Is-limiter – Reliability
Is-limiter as protection device at highest level

 Self monitoring
 Redundancy
(for each phase one independent system)
 Protection against EMI
 EMC tested according to IEC 61000
 Special current transformers
(low impedance shield between primary and
secondary winding)
 Filters for incoming / outgoing wires
 Special tripping and measuring wires
(each pair tightly twisted and protected by steel conduit)
 Test equipment
(quick, complete and easy test by user)

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Is-limiter – Reliability
Test equipment

Is-limiter insert holder Test equipment

with test insert

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Is-limiter – Function
Detection of the short-circuit current

i
1

1 Short-circuit current
without IS-limiter

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Is-limiter – Function
Detection of the short-circuit current

i
1

1 Short-circuit current
without IS-limiter

ilimit

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Is-limiter – Function
Detection of the short-circuit current

i
1 ilimit ^ (di/dt)
^ = logical „and“
1 Short-circuit current
without IS-limiter
2 Short-circuit current
2 - IS-limiter tripped -

(didt )2
ilimit

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Is-limiter – Function
Detection of the short-circuit current

i
1 ilimit ^ (di/dt)
^ = logical „and“
1 Short-circuit current
without IS-limiter
2 Short-circuit current
2 - IS-limiter tripped -
3
(didt )2 (didt )3 3 Over current
- IS-limiter not tripped -
ilimit 4 Peak value of service
4
current

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Is-limiter – Function
Schedule for tripping

T0: Reaching time for tripping criteria

(instantaneous value and di/dt).
i T1: Response time of the electronic approx. 15 µs
iC T2: Time for opening the bursting
bridge and for commutating
the current to the fuse element approx. 85 µs
iB T3: Melting time of the fuse element approx. 500 µs
T4: Arc duration
iA
iA: Tripping criteria are reached
(instantaneous value and di/dt).
iB: Current at beginning of fuse element's melting
iC: Let-through current

T0
.
T1T2 T3 T4
t

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Is-limiter – Application
Is-limiter mounted in bus section

Advantages:
 Improving
„power quality“
 Increasing the relia-
bility of the system
 Reduction of the
network-impedance
 Optimal load flow
 Existing busbar
system and
cabling have not
to be changed

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Is-limiter – Application
Is-limiter in generator feeder

Advantages:
 Generator can be
connected indepen-
dent on the short-
circuit capability of
the system
 Existing busbar and
cable systems have
not to be changed
 No need of
expensive
generator breaker

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Is-limiter – Application
Is-limiter in parallel to reactor

Advantages:
 Avoid copper
losses of the
reactor
 Avoid voltage
drop of the reactor
 No electro-
magnetical field
of the reactor
 Greenhouse
aspects (CO2
and heating)

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Is-limiter – Application
Connection of a generator to a
network with current-direction comparison

Advantages:
 Private / industrial
generator feeder
can be connected
to the fully loaded
grid
 Selective tripping
of the IS-limiter
(IS-limiter will
operate only for
short-circuit faults
in the grid 1 ;
will not operate in
the grid 2 )

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Is-limiter – Application
Is-limiter with summation of currents

Advantages:
 Only IS-limiters
close to fault
location trip
 Existing busbar and
cable systems have
not to be changed
 Reduction of the
network-impedance
 Optimal load flow
 Greenhouse
aspects (CO2
and heating)

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