SWITCHGEARS

Engr. Syed Muhammad

Munavvar Hussain
SWITCH
 A switch is simply a means of
opening or closing the current
path in an electric circuit.
 There is no special opening
condition for short circuit or
other fault. It is operated
manually.
FUSE

 A fuse is used for over current

and short circuit protection.
 Fuse has the major drawback

of ‘replacement’ after every

use.
CIRCUIT BREAKER
The circuit breaker is a piece of equipment
which can do any one of the following tasks:
 Makes or breaks a circuit either manually or

by remote control under normal conditions

 Breaks a circuit automatically under fault

conditions
 Makes a circuit either manually or by
remote control under fault conditions
Cont… CIRCUIT
BREAKER

A circuit breaker is a
switching i.e. current
interrupting or making
device in switchgear.
SWITCHGEAR
 It is the generic term
including the entire range of
switching devices and their
combination with associated
control, measuring,
protecting, and regulating
equipment.
FUNCTIONS OF
SWITCHGEAR
 Carrying the normal load current
 Making or breaking the normal

load current
 Clearing the fault current (for
which sensing devices like CT, PT,
and various relays are employed)
COMPONENTS OF
SWITCHGEAR
 Circuit Breaker
 Current Transformer (CT)

 Potential Transformer (PT)

 Protective Relays

 Measuring Instruments
Cont… COMPONENTS OF
SWITCHGEAR

 Switches
 Fuses

 Surge Arresters

 Isolators

 Miniature Circuit Breakers

(MCB)
SWITCHGEAR
REQUIREMENTS
There are several voltage levels and
fault situations between the generating
stations to the final load points. Hence
switchgear requirements may vary
depending upon following factors:
 Location

 Ratings

 Local Needs
LOW VOLTAGE
SWITCHGEARS

 Switchgears for low

voltage applications are
rated from 1000 V to 1500
V.
CBs in LV Switchgears

 Oil Circuit Breakers (OCB)

 Air-Circuit Breakers (ACB)

 Switch-Fuse Units (SFU)

 Off-Load Isolators
Cont… CBs in LV
Switchgears

 HRC Fuses
 Earth Leakage Circuit

Breakers(ELCB)
 Miniature Circuit Breakers

(MCB)
 Moulded Case Circuit Breakers

(MCCB)
MEDIUM VOLTAGE
SWITCHGEARS

Switchgears for medium



voltage applications are

rated in between 3.3 kV
to 33 kV.
Cont… MEDIUM VOLTAGE
SWITCHGEARS

 This type of switchgears is

mainly used for the
distribution of electrical
energy, connected to various
electrical networks.
HIGH VOLTAGE
SWITCHGEARS

The
 high voltage
switchgears range from
66 kV to 800 kV.
SWITCHGEARS
CONSIDERATIONS

 While using switchgears in

a power system certain
considerations must be
kept in mind.
Cont… SWITCHGEARS
CONSIDERATIONS

1. Location of the
equipment
 Indoor
 Outdoor
Cont… SWITCHGEARS
CONSIDERATIONS

2. System Parameters
 System Earthing

 Frequency

 Insulation Level

 Ambient Conditions

 Ratings (both normal and short

circuit ratings)
ERECTION OF
SWITCHGEARS

It includes:
 Placing the equipment on foundation

 Assembly of loose supplied parts

 Mechanical and electrical

interconnections
 Connections of control and power circuits
SWITCHGEAR
COMMISSIONING

 Commissioning is done to carry out

pre-defined checks and tests.
 Testing is necessary to ensure that the

installation work meets the specified

requirements and safety norms.