CHAPTER 2:

SWITCHGEARS, SUBSTATIONS, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND UNDERGROUND

1. SWITCHGEARS.

Introduction: In an electric power system, switchgears are the combinations of electrical

Definition of Switchgear: The apparatus used for switching, controlling and protecting the
electrical circuits and equipment is known as switchgear.

The term ‘switchgear’ is a generic term that includes a wide range of switching devices like
circuit breakers, switches, switch fuse units, off-load isolators, HRC fuses, contactors, miniature
circuit breakers, ELCBs, GFCIs etc.

It also includes the combination of these switching devices with associated control, measuring,
protecting and regulating equipment. The switchgear devices and their assemblies are used in
connection with the generation, transmission, distribution, and conversion of electrical
energy.We all are familiar with low voltage switches and re-wirable fuses in our homes.
Switches are used for opening and closing an electric circuit while fuses are used for over-
current and short-circuit protection. In such a way, every electrical device wants a switching and
a protecting device.

Various forms of switching and protective devices have been developed. Thus switchgear can
be taken as a general term covering a wide range of equipment concerned with the switching,
protection, and control of various electrical equipment.

The function of a Switchgear:

Switchgear has to perform the functions of carrying, making and breaking the normal load
current like a switch.In addition, it has to perform the function of clearing the fault current for
which sensing devices like current transformers, potential transformers and various types of
relays, depending on the application, are employed.

There also has to be provision for metering, controlling and data, wherein innumerable devices
are used for achieving the switching function.

Thus switchgear can include circuit breaker, current transformers, potential transformers,
protective relays, measuring instruments, switches, fuses, MCBs, surge arrestors, isolators, and
various associated types of equipment.
Classification of Switchgear

Switchgear can be classified on the basis of the voltage level into the following

1. Low voltage (LV) Switchgear.

2. Medium voltage (MV) Switchgear.

3. High voltage (HV) Switchgear

1. Low Voltage Switchgear

Switchgear for low voltage applications is generally rated up to 1000 V AC and 1500V DC.

The commonly used low voltage devices include oil circuit breakers(OCBs), air circuit breakers
(ACBs), switch fuse units (SFUs), off-load isolators, HRC fuses, earth leakage circuit breakers
(ELCBs), Residual Current Protective Devices (RCCB & RCBO), miniature circuit breakers (MCB)
and moulded case circuit breakers (MCCB) etc i.e. all the accessories required to protect the LV
system.The most common use of this is in LV distribution board.

2. Medium Voltage Switchgear.

Switchgear for medium voltage applications is rated from 3.3 kV to 33 kV class.

Medium voltage switchgear is mainly used for the distribution of electrical energy connected to
various electrical networks. They include most of the substation equipment such as minimum
oil circuit breakers, bulk oil circuit breakers, air magnetic, SF6 gas-insulated, vacuum, and gas-
insulated switchgear.

They may metal-enclosed indoor type, metal-enclosed outdoor type, outdoor type without a
metal enclosure, etc. The interruption medium maybe oil, SF6, and vacuum.

The main requirement of MV power network is to interrupt the current during faulty condition
irrespective of what type of CB is used in the system. Although it may be capable of functioning
in other conditions also.

Medium voltage switchgear should be capable of,

 Normal ON/OFF switching operation.

 circuit current interruption.

 of capacitive currents.

 of inductive currents.

 special application.
3. High Voltage Switchgear.

The power system deals with the voltage above 36kV which is referred to as high voltage.

As the voltage level is high the arcing produced during switching operation is also very high. So,
special care to be taken during designing of high voltage switchgear.

High voltage circuit breakers (such as SF6 Circuit breaker or Vacuum Circuit breaker) are the
main component of HV switchgear. Hence high voltage circuit breaker should have special
features for safe and reliable operation.

Faulty tripping and switching operation of high voltage circuit breakers are comparatively very
rare. Most of the time these circuit breakers remain at ON condition and may be operated after
a long period of time. So Circuit Breakers must be reliable enough to ensure safe operation, as
when required.

Some Definitions:

Air Circuit Breakers: These are used to interrupt circuits while current flows through them.
Compressed air is used to quench the arc when the connection is broken.

Oil Circuit Breakers: Oil circuit breakers are used to switch circuits and equipment in and out of
a system in a substation. They are oil filled to provide cooling and to prevent arcing when the
switch is activated.

Breakdown Voltage: The voltage at which an insulator or dielectric ruptures, or at which

SF6 Circuit Breakers: These operate to switch electric circuits and equipment in and out of the
system. These circuit breakers are filled with compressed sulfur-hexafluoride gas which acts to
open and close the switch contacts.

Vacuum evaporation: The deposition of thin films of semiconductor material by the evaporation
of elemental sources in a vacuum.

Isolator or disconnecting switch: It is essentially a knife switch and is designed to open a circuit
under no load.