By

R. Vijay Krishna
 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF C.B
TYPES OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
SF6 CIRCUIT BREAKER
 INTRODUCTION
A circuit breaker is an equipment designed
to protect an electrical apparatus from
damage caused by overload or short
circuit.
Unlike a fuse, a circuit breaker can be
reset (either manually or automatically) to
resume normal operation.
 WORKING PRINCIPLE OF
CIRCUIT BREAKER
 The basic circuit breaker consists of a simple
switch, connected to either a bimetallic strip or an
electromagnet.
 The electricity magnetizes the electromagnet
When the current jumps to unsafe levels, the
electromagnet is strong enough to pull down a
metal lever connected to the switch linkage.
 The entire linkage shifts, tilting the moving contact
away from the stationary contact to break the
circuit. The electricity shuts off.
TYPES OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

OIL CIRCUIT BREAKERS

AIR CIRCUIT BREAKERS
VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKERS
SF6 CIRCUIT BREAKERS
 SF6 CIRCUIT BREAKER
SF6 has excellent insulating strength
When a free electron collides neutral gas
molecule a negative ion is formed and the
electron is absorbed by neutral gas
molecule
-
SF6 + e SF6
Negative ions formed are relatively higher
compared to free electrons
 FEATURES OF SF6
SF6 possess high dielectric strength
SF6 has property of fast recombination
after source energizing spark is removed.
SF6 has excellent heat transfer properties
because its high molecular weight together
with its low gaseous viscosity enabling it to
transfer heat by convection.
CONSTRUCTION OF SF6
CIRCUIT BREAKER

SF6 circuit breaker consists of

Interrupter unit

Gas system
 INTERRUPTER UNIT
Consists of fixed contacts with set of
current carrying fingers and an arcing
probe.
Fingers make contact with the moving
contact when the breaker is in close
position.
The contacts are surrounded by
interrupting nozzles and a blast shield
The moving contact is in the form of hollow
nozzle sliding in a second set of spring
loaded fingers.
As soon as the moving contact is with
drawn from the fixed finger contacts an arc
is drawn between the moving nozzle and
the arcing probe.
As the contacts move further apart, the arc
is extended and attenuated and finally
extinguished by the gas flow from high
pressure to low pressure.
 GAS SYSTEM
Perfect sealing to prevent leakage of gas
as it is maintained at high pressure.
Low and high pressure system are fitted
with low pressure alarms which gives
warning the moment gas pressure drops
below certain value.
If danger limit is reached the safety
devices immobilize the breaker.
 ADVANTAGES OF SF6 C.B.
Current chopping is minimized at low
pressure and low velocity.
Eliminates moisture problem.
Gives noiseless operation.
No carbon particle is formed during arcing.
Atmospheric conditions does not affect
Circuit breaker performance.