EE 454
Switchgear and Protection of Power System
Second Semester 2025
Lecture 3
Circuit Breakers & SLD
Dr. Fahd Hariri
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
King Abdulaziz University
Jeddah – Saudi Arabia
[email protected]23/1/2025 EE 454 - Dr. Fahd Hariri 1
Protective Relaying System
(the relay, its inputs and outputs)
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Circuit Breakers
• Circuit breakers are designed to interrupt either normal or short-
circuit current.
• They behave like big switches that may be opened or closed by
local pushbuttons or by distance telecommunication signals emitted
by the system of protection.
• Thus, circuit breakers will automatically open a circuit whenever
the line current, line voltage, frequency and so on, departs from a
preset limit.
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Circuit Breakers
Definition:
A circuit breaker is defined as “a mechanical switching device capable of
making, carrying, and breaking currents under normal circuit conditions and
also making, carrying, and breaking for a specified time, and breaking
currents under specified abnormal conditions such as a short circuit” (IEEE
Standard C.37.100-1992).
Reference: McDonald, John D., Electric Power Substations Engineering, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, 2012.
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Circuit Breakers Classification
Based on voltage class Type of installation
Type of interrupting
External design medium used
Reference: McDonald, John D., Electric Power Substations Engineering, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, 2012.
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Circuit Breakers
Reference: Xu, C. H. U. N. M. E. N. G., et al. "Future cryogenic switchgear technologies for superconducting power systems." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. Vol. 279.
No. 1. IOP Publishing, 2017.
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Circuit Breakers Classification
Based on voltage class
Low voltage Medium voltage High/Extra High Ultra High voltage
(Less than 1 kV) (1kV to 52 kV) voltage (above 765 kV)
(66 kV – 765kV)
https://sa.wiautomation.com/schneider-
electric/drives-motors-circuits- https://www.meppi.com/products/hv-gas-insulated-circuit-breakers
protection/lv430632?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0bunBhD9ARI
sAAZl0E0HFJuVOB_ZCwpiFLaGATqEpHWKY1y4TXD
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fqDY9pIxoRUvXP1WcipEaAs3ZEALw_wcB EE 454 - Dr. Fahd Hariri 7
Circuit Breakers Classification
Type of installation
Indoor Outdoor
https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/switching-functions-mv-circuit-breaker
https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/sf6-circuit-breaker-23122058712.html
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Circuit Breakers Classification
External design
Live Tank Dead Tank
https://electricalwiki.com/equipments-1/difference-between-live-tank-and-dead-tank-circuit-breaker/ https://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/100/difference-between-live-and-dead-tank-circuit-breakers
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Live Tank Circuit Breaker
• Live Tank Circuit Breaker: the switching
unit is located in an insulator bushing
which is live at line voltage (or some
voltage above ground).
• Live Tank circuit breakers are cheaper
than dead tank and require more space.
• Some assemblies are required at site.
• Less oil or gas required.
https://electricalwiki.com/equipments-1/difference-between-live-tank-and-dead-tank-circuit-breaker/
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Dead Tank Circuit Breaker
• Dead Tank Circuit Breaker: the switching
unit is located within a metallic container
which is kept a earth potential.
• As the incoming/outgoing conductors are
taken through insulated bushings, it is
possible to place current transformers on these
(with a Live Tank arrangement this is not
possible and separate CTs are required).
• Comes completely assembled.
• More reliable than live tank breaker.
• Requires more insulating oil or gas to perform
successful interruption and maintain adequate https://electricalwiki.com/equipments-1/difference-between-live-tank-and-dead-tank-circuit-breaker/
https://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/100/difference-between-live-and-dead-tank-circuit-breakers
dielectric strength)
• More expensive than live tank circuit breaker.
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Circuit Breakers Classification
Type of interrupting
medium used
The most important types of circuit breakers are following:
1) Vacuum circuit breakers
2) Air-blast circuit breakers
3) Oil circuit breakers (OCBs)
4) SF6 circuit breakers
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1 Vacuum circuit breakers
• A vacuum circuit breaker is a breaker that uses a vacuum as an arc extinction
medium.
• The fixed and movable contacts in this circuit breaker are contained in a
permanently sealed vacuum interrupter.
• Because the contacts are separated in a high vacuum, the arc is extinct.
• Vacuum is used for switchgear applications and for some outdoor breakers,
generally 38 kV class and below.
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Vacuum circuit breakers
Advantages:
• Does not require any further oil or gas filling.
• They are more efficient, less bulky, and less expensive.
• The breaker is small and self-contained.
• Silent and less vibrational operation.
• It is much environmentally friendly than the SF6 Circuit breaker.
• No generation of gas after the operation.
Disadvantages:
• Circuit breaker vacuum production requires advanced technologies.
• Vacuum circuit breakers are uneconomical above 38 kV.
• Additional surge suppressors are required for the interruption of low magnetizing
currents in a certain range.
https://instrumentationtools.com/vacuum-circuit-breaker/#google_vignette
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Vacuum circuit breakers
How Do Vacuum Circuit Breakers Work?
• https://youtu.be/IJ7X6txtr28?si=aiAb30IEAahTjIcM
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2 Air-blast circuit breakers
• These circuit breakers interrupt the circuit by blowing compressed air at
supersonic speed across the opening contacts.
• Compressed air is stored in reservoirs at a pressure of about 3 Mpa (~435 psi).
• The most powerful circuit breakers can typically open short-circuit currents of
40 kA at line voltage of 765 kV in a matter of 3 to 6 cycles on a 60 Hz line.
https://testbook.com/physics/air-blast-circuit-breaker
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Air-blast circuit breakers
• No longer manufactured and have been replaced by breakers using SF6
technology.
• The noise accompanying the air blast is so loud that noise-suppression
methods must be used when the circuit breakers are installed near
residential areas.
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3 Oil circuit breakers
• Oil circuit breaker is such type of circuit breaker which used oil
as a dielectric or insulating medium for arc extinction.
• In oil circuit breaker the contacts of the breaker are made to
separate within an insulating oil.
• When the fault occurs in the system the contacts of the circuit
breaker are open under the insulating oil, and an arc is
developed between them and the heat of the arc is evaporated in
the surrounding oil.
Reference:[1] Xu, C. H. U. N. M. E. N. G., et al. "Future cryogenic switchgear technologies for superconducting power systems." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. Vol. 279. No. 1. IOP Publishing, 2017.
[2] https://circuitglobe.com/oil-circuit-breaker.html
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Oil circuit breakers
• The oil circuit breaker is divided into two categories:
Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker Low Oil Circuit Breaker
Reference:[1] Xu, C. H. U. N. M. E. N. G., et al. "Future cryogenic switchgear technologies for superconducting power systems." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. Vol. 279. No. 1. IOP Publishing, 2017.
[2] https://circuitglobe.com/oil-circuit-breaker.html
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Oil circuit breakers
Advantages:
The oil has a high dielectric strength and excellent arc quenching properties.
Have very reliable designs for high voltage operations.
The hydrogen gas is formed in the tank which has a high diffusion rate and
good cooling properties.
Disadvantages:
• The oil used in oil circuit breaker is inflammable and hence, cause a fire
hazard.
• There is a risk of formation of explosive mixture with air.
• Due to decomposition of oil in the arc, the carbon particles is generated which
polluted the oil and hence the dielectric strength of the oil decreases.
Reference: https://circuitglobe.com/oil-circuit-breaker.html
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4 SF6 circuit breakers
• What is an SF6 Gas Circuit Breaker?
• SF6 gas circuit breakers use sulfur hexafluoride as an arc-
quenching insulating medium.
• SF6 gas is inert, non-flammable, non-toxic, thermally
stable, and has unmatched arc-quenching capabilities.
• It is more effective at dissipating heat than air, nitrogen, or
other dielectrics.
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4 SF6 circuit breakers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_hexafluoride_circuit_breaker#/media/File:Circuit_Breaker_115_kV.jpg
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4 SF6 circuit breakers
• The chemical properties of SF6 make it ideal for use within
circuit breakers and switchgear.
• SF6 gas has excellent thermal transfer characteristics, so it
works to absorb the energy of the arc.
• This creates resistance across the arcing contacts and
eventually extinguishes the arc.
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4 SF6 circuit breakers
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Reference: Xu, C. H. U. N. M. E. N. G., et al. "Future cryogenic switchgear technologies for superconducting power systems." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. Vol. 279.
No. 1. IOP Publishing, 2017.
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4 SF6 circuit breakers
Advantages:
The property of SF6 gas is arc quenching that is 100 times effective as
compared to air.
Very short arcing time.
Dielectric strength is high because of electronegativity.
Noiseless operation
SF6 gas is not flammable and nontoxic
Requires low maintenance
Disadvantages:
• As compared to oxygen, the SF6 is heavier.
• These CBs are costly
• SF6 leakage must be monitored.
• It needs special transportation.
• Reconditioning & recombination of this gas needs extra equipment.
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4 SF6 circuit breakers
Applications:
These CBs are used to protect very high voltage-based circuits up to 800 kV.
It can depower & break a high voltage-based circuit for any type of
maintenance & inspection.
These CBs protect distribution systems & power transmission. These are used
in power grids & power generation plants.
Used in rectifier and capacitor circuits
Used in transformer protection.
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4 SF6 circuit breakers
23/1/2025
https://dilo.com/blog/article/sf6-gas-circuit-breaker-uses-and-gas-handling-recommendations
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Circuit Breaker Nameplate
The nameplate on a circuit breaker usually indicates:
1. The maximum steady-state current it can carry.
2. The maximum interrupting current.
3. The maximum line voltage.
4. The interrupting time in cycles.
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Vacuum Circuit Breaker Nameplate
https://www.theelectricalguy.in/tutorials/vacuum-circuit-breaker-nameplate-details-explained/
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Vacuum Circuit Breaker Nameplate
• Rated Voltage:
• Rated voltage is the “Highest system voltage” for which breaker is designed. This
voltage is mentioned in kV rms or volt rms and refers to phase to phase voltage of 3
phase system.
• Most of the time people gets confused between rated voltage and normal voltage. Rated
voltage is the highest voltage of a system for which the system is designed. Whereas,
normal voltage is the voltage which will remain in the system normally. So, in this case
36kV is the rated voltage and 33kV is it’s normal voltage. Similarly, for 245kV voltage
level, rated voltage is 245kV and the normal voltage is 220kV. For 145kV, rated voltage
is 145kv and normal voltage is 132kV.
• Rated Current:
• This is the rated current for which circuit breaker is design. Circuit breaker is able to
carry 1600A without any problem.
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Vacuum Circuit Breaker Nameplate
• Number of pole:
• This is equivalent to number for phases. On this nameplate it is
mentioned as 3. So, the breaker is 3 phase breaker, R-Y-B.
• Breaking Capacity:
• It is the highest rms value of short circuit current, which circuit breaker
is capable of breaking. Rated short circuit current sometimes also called
as symmetrical breaking current. This breaker is capable of breaking
25kA.
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Vacuum Circuit Breaker Nameplate
• Making Capacity:
• If the circuit breaker closes during the existing fault condition, current may
increase to a very high value during the first cycle. Which means, it remains
in the system for a very short time. Therefore, the breaker must withstand
this high current and the mechanical forces caused by this current. This
current is called as “short circuit making current”. Or it is also called as
Rated peak withstand current.
• Note: Making current of HVcircuit breaker
is 2.5 times the Short circuit current.
https://www.theelectricalguy.in/tutorials/vacuum-circuit-breaker-nameplate-details-explained/
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Substations: Basic Principles | Circuit Breakers |
Disconnectors | Relays | CTs & VTs | Arresters
• https://youtu.be/pDpIoeWDjuM?si=dAKEQW3FD7k
HmQZ_
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Single Line Diagram (SLD)
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What is a Single Line Diagram?
• A single line diagram also called the one-line diagram is a symbolic
or graphical representation of a three-phase power system.
• The key parts and connections of the substation, such as
transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, busbars, and
other equipment, are depicted on a single-line drawing.
PURPOSES:
• One-line diagrams are used in the performance of power system
studies, to perform system operations and maintenance, and for
construction purposes.
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Single Line Diagram
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Single Line Diagram
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A set of commonly-used
single-line diagram symbols
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Why it is so important?
• Engineers and technicians utilize the SLD to comprehend,
examine, design, and troubleshoot the electrical power
system.
• In addition to showing the system’s power flow and current
direction, it also gives a visual overview of the substation’s
layout, electrical connections, and equipment.
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• A single-line diagram may also provide extra information in addition
to the primary connections and components of the substation, like:
• Protection and control systems: This includes relays, switches, and other
equipment used to protect the substation and connected power systems
from faults and overloads.
• Metering and monitoring equipment: This includes devices used to measure
and monitor electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and power factor.
• Communication systems: This includes equipment used to transmit data
between the substation and other parts of the power system, such as a
control center or other substations.
• Auxiliary systems: This includes equipment such as batteries, chargers, and
ventilation systems, which are necessary for the safe and reliable operation
of the substation.
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Questions?
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