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Answers for energy.
High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers:
Trends and Recent Developments
www.siemens.com/energy
Dear Reader,
The availability of electric energy is vital for the development of
an economy and for the quality of life. One of the necessary
conditions for a reliable electric power supply is a well function-
ing transmission system. As a world market leader in high volt-
age circuit breakers, Siemens takes the responsibility to provide
switchgear which meets the environmental, technological and
economic conditions which result from the situations in the var-
ious countries.
We are pleased to present you the brochure in hand based on
recent publications and reports. We would like to inform you
about the complementation and supplementation of our prod-
uct portfolio, e.g. at voltage levels of 550 kV and above as well
as special solutions for DC applications and a new compact de-
signed product, based on Dead Tank circuit breakers for 145 kV
and 245 kV. Further reports focus on the Quality Management
treating the product life cycle from the development to the op-
eration at our customers locations, covering, among other
things, service and customer training. Our engineers have con-
stantly converted good ideas into successful products. Our daily
work is to continue this.
We are looking forward to your feedback, to questions arising
from the content and to your remarks. Please do not hesitate to
contact us at [email protected].
Enjoy the study.
Yours truly,
Dr. Harald Fien
Chief Execute Officer
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Power Transmission
High Voltage Products
Circuit Breakers and Disconnectors
Chief Executive Officer
Content
Products
Trends in High-Voltage Circuit-Breaker Technology 4
Dead Tank Based Compact Switchgear 8
Bypass Circuit-Breaker for 800 kV DC 13
1200 kV AC substations:Full-scale products and integrated solutions 19
Circuit-Breaker Platform for 550 kV 27
Siemens High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers for Use at Low Temperatures 34
3AP4/5 High-Voltage Circuit-Breaker for 800 kV 41
Disconnecting Circuit-Breakers (DCB) 45
Disconnectors and Earthing switches for 800 kV DC substations 51
Components
Modern stored-energy spring operating mechanism for high-voltage circuit-breakers 55
Three-Pole Controlled Auto-Reclosing of Shunt Compensated Transmission Lines 61
Quality Management
High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers Certified Quality 66
Capacity of switching test facility expanded Investing in quality 68
Development Process for High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers 71
Estimation of the measurement uncertainty of tests and calibrations in high-voltage test laboratories 76
Pressure and leakage testing of cast aluminium vessels for high-voltage circuit-breakers 81
Information, Training, Service
Global service from a single source 84
The training centre at the Schaltwerk Berlin Information and training 86
Information Center Switchgear Factory Berlin 89
Content
| 4 High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers: Trends and Recent Developments
Trends in High-Voltage Circuit-Breaker Technology
Introduction
The availability of electric energy is vital for the development of
an economy and for the quality of life. Therefore, the consump-
tion of electric power is steadily increasing and will continue to
do so in the coming decades. While the rate of increase is in
the order of 2 % p.a. in countries with an established industry
a higher percentage can be observed in developing or newly
industrialising countries, e.g. in India with an average of 7 %
increase p.a. up to 2030 [1].
One of the necessary conditions for a reliable electric power
supply is a well functioning transmission system. Consequently,
countries with an expanding economy are taking severe efforts
to improve the capability of their national high voltage networks.
As high voltage circuit breakers are the ultimate safety devices
in the transmission and distribution systems new technical
requirements, economic considerations and political conditions
provide strong impulses for further developments of high voltage
switchgear technology.
As a world market leader in high voltage circuit breakers Siemens
takes the responsibility to provide switchgear which meet the
environmental, technological and economic conditions which
result from the situations in the various countries. This paper
is intended to show the Siemens competence in this field and
to give an overview of their todays respective technology and
developments.
Further developments of high voltage transmission systems
Figure 1: High voltage test of an
800 kV pole for dc voltage
Figure 2: 800 kV live tank
circuit breaker
To supply electric energy to the large urban and industrial cen-
tres in the East, China has started to install a 1100 kV a. c. and
a 800 kV dc system. Figure 1 shows a pole of an 800 kV dc
bypass circuit breaker at high voltage tests. For the next decade
India is planning a 1200 kV ac network and numerous dc con-
nections. Other existing 800 kV ac connections are enlarged
and new ones will be built to supply the megacities in Asia and
Latin America with power. Figure 2 shows an 800 kV ac live
tank circuit breaker of the newest technology with spring oper-
ating mechanism. This circuit breaker copes with 63 kA short
circuit breaking currents. In the industrial areas in the eastern
United States new 800 kV lines are in the planning stage. Fig-
ure 3 gives an overview of the worldwide extra high voltage
(EHV) networks.
Canada
800 kV
USA
800 kV
Venezuela
800 kV
Brasil
800 kV
Italy
1050 kV
Korea
800 kV
Russia
800 kV
1150 kV (Plan,
750 kV operation)
China
1100 kV
(Test operation
2008/09)
India
800 kV
1200 kV in 2014
Japan
1100 kV
(550 kV operation,
operation with
1100 kv planned)
Figure 3: Worldwide EHV networks
In many regions, particularly in the USA and in Europe, the
short circuit current levels are rising, in some places up to
80 kA. A 550 kV dead tank circuit breaker for 63 kA short circuit
current interruption is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: 500 kV Dead tank circuit breaker for 63 kA
Heinz-Helmut Schramm, Hartmut Knobloch
High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers: Trends and Recent Developments 5 |
All these developments require high voltage switchgear of cor-
responding ratings. Siemens has accepted this challenge and is
ready to contribute to the improvements of the electric energy
supply in the respective countries.
Ac networks of high power, especially if not closely meshed,
tend to be more sensitive to stability problems and switching
overvoltages. Therefore requirements are increasing regarding
the breaking time of 2 cycles instead of 3 cycles. The solutions
provided by Siemens are shorter total breaking times and con-
trolled switching with a phase synchronizing device (Figure 5),
minimizing electro-dynamic and dielectric stresses of operational
equipment in high voltage systems.
Figure 5: A phase synchronizing device for controlled switching
Meeting of environmental requirements
High voltage switchgear for present and future transmission
systems are using SF
6
as an insulating gas and arc extinguishing
medium. Although it does not contribute to ozon depletion SF
6

is considered to be one of the most potent greenhouse gases.
If the gas is used solely for insulation it can be mixed with
nitrogen. An SF
6
/N
2
mixture of 20/80 % has still 7080 % of the
insulation properties of pure SF
6
[3]. However, to extinguish the
electric arc in high voltage circuit breakers during current inter-
ruption SF
6
has proved to be unique. As a consequence intensive
research and systematic investigations, carried out world-wide,
came to the conclusion that there is no substitute for SF
6
[4].
Manufacturers and users of equipment containing SF
6
have
agreed to avoid as far as possible the emission of SF
6
into the
atmosphere. They provide on a voluntary basis a documenta-
tion on how SF
6
is used [5, 6]. An essential contribution comes
from the development and design of gas tight housings with a
leakage rate well below 0.5 % p.a. Figure 6 shows a test system
for cumulative leakage measurements on aluminium cast hous-
ings which is routinely used in the manufacturing process.
Figure 6: Test system for cumulative leakage measurements
Reliability and economy
High voltage switchgear supplied by Siemens today has an ex-
pected lifetime of up to 50 years and maintenance intervals in the
order of 20 to 25 years. The mean-time-between-major-failures
(MTBF) is in the range of several thousand years (Figure 7). This
high reliability must be considered as an important contribution
to high quality power supply.
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
year
M
T
B
F

(
y
e
a
r
s
)
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Figure 7: Meantime between failures of Siemens high voltage circuit breakers
Basically the background for these figures can be summarized as
follows: As, according to world-wide surveys carried out by CIGR
and to our own statistics, the highest percentage of failures is of
mechanical nature an important aim of our high voltage circuit
breaker development was to reduce the number of active parts
(a part which is not there cannot fail) and the mechanical stress
these parts are exposed to. New interrupters were developed
which require less operating energy and can be driven by simple
spring drive mechanisms up to the highest voltage and break-
ing current ratings (Figure 8). The technical solutions are based
on an improved understanding of the physics of electric arc
extinction [7, 8, 9].
Figure 8: Spring drive mechanism of high voltage circuit breakers
A major contribution to the high reliability and lifetime of our
high voltage circuit breakers comes from the production quality
and the expertise of the personnel in the factory who fully iden-
tify themselves with the products they are manufacturing.
Low operating costs result from high quality, extended lifetime
and long maintenance intervals. Further savings will be achieved
by the transition from time based maintenance, which is the
standard procedure today, to condition based maintenance.
Manufacturers and users of high voltage switchgear are cooper-
ating to establish the basis for the necessary data evaluation
systems to detect developing faults at an early stage and to
predict the approaching end of life of a piece of equipment.
New technical solutions
Finally, some examples shall be mentioned to show the wide
scope of development activities carried out at Siemens for high
voltage circuit breakers.
550 kV SF
6
open air circuit breakers have been supplied in large
numbers to areas in central Asia where the outside temperature
may drop even below 55C. Solutions have been found to keep
these circuit breakers fully operative throughout the whole winter
months. Figure 9 shows a 245 kV dead tank circuit breaker with
heating blankets for low temperature applications at the routine
testing.
Figure 9: 245 kV dead tank circuit breaker for low temperature applications
The reduction of the number of interrupters per circuit breaker
pole, while maintaining the same contact speed, contributes to
further improvements in reliability, in the sense mentioned above.
This has been proven by statistics over many years. In addition,
such circuit breakers require less space in the substation.
An even more significant space reduction in outdoor substations
comes from the installation of switchgear with integrated func-
tions, like disconnectors, earthing switches and measuring
transformers [10]. Very often they are the solution for a needed
extension within an existing substation. A dead tank based
compact switchgear for 145 kV is shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10: 145 kV dead tank based compact switchgear
Circuit breakers with combined functions will also contribute
to further improvements of the reliability of the total substation.
A typical example is the high voltage circuit breaker with a dis-
connector function. For reasons of safety, line and cable discon-
nectors have to have a higher voltage withstand across the open
break than circuit breakers. The application of circuit breakers
with combined functions fulfils these requirements. Thus, it does
not mean a sacrifice in operational safety but has economic
benefits and give a higher overall reliability due to the lower
number of elements which could potentially fail. Figure 11 shows
a disconnecting circuit breaker pole for 420 kV with composite
insulators and without grading capacitors in the high voltage
test laboratory.
Figure 11: 420 kV disconnecting circuit breaker pole
Composite insulators with their hydrophobic properties have been
used with very good results on overhead lines, for bushings, on
surge arrestors and measuring transformers. For various reasons
they have not been incorporated comprehensively in high voltage
circuit breakers and disconnectors, so far. Improvements in their
design and materials are opening possibilities to make use
of their advantages over porcelain insulators on high voltage
switchgear in the near future.
Conclusion
When a new product is introduced into the market it shall from
the start meet fully the customers expectations with regard to
technology and reliability. This necessitates a high quality of the
whole development process. Siemens engineers have at their
disposal the most modern and progressive laboratory and test
facilities to ensure this quality at every development stage.
Moreover, Siemens engineers are active in international scientific
and standardization bodies, like CIGR and IEC. There, they get
a first hand impression of the situation in the high voltage sys-
tems world-wide and contribute their expertise to the under-
standing of system and switchgear behaviour as well as to the
adaptation of standards to actual network conditions.
As already mentioned, high voltage circuit breakers and discon-
nectors are the ultimate safety device in the transmission systems.
This places a high responsibility on those who develop and
manufacture such equipment. Siemens is well aware of this
responsibility and has always taken the position to be a partner
of the utilities
Bibliography
[1] IRC Market Report Power sector India
capacity expansion until 2030. June 2008
[2] Fredrich, D.; Hagen, J.; Trapp, N.: Bypass circuit breaker
for 1100 kV dc. SWICOM 2008, 7th International
Conference on Switchgear & Controlgear, Mumbai, India
[3] CIGRE 163: Guide for SF
6
gas mixtures.
Working Group 23.02, Task Force 01, August 2000
[4] Niemeyer, L.: A systematic search for insulation gases and
their environmental evolution. Gaseous Dielectrics VIII,
Plenum Press, New York, 1998, pp. 459-464
[5] IEC 62271-303: Use and handling of sulphur hexafluoride
(SF
6
) in high voltage switchgear and controlgear.
[6] Degen, W.; Knobloch, H.; Schuler, K.: Handling SF
6
. PEI,
Nov. 2003
[7] Knobloch, H.; Marin, H.; Schramm H.-H.; Stenzel, P.:
The dynamic self compression hv SF
6
circuit breaker for
high ratings. Matpost 99, Lyon 18/19 Nov. 1999
[8] Fredrich, D.; Schuler, K.; Trapp, N.: Circuit breaker
platform for 550 kV. SWICOM 2008, 7th International
Conference on Switchgear & Controlgear, Mumbai, India
[9] Sedlacek, J.; Vostracky, Z.; Knobloch, H.; Schramm, H.-H.;
Wiesinger, C.: Optimization of high voltage self-blast
interrupters by gas flow and electric field computations.
IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery, Vol. 18 (2003), pp.
1228 1235
[10] Fredrich, D.; Stenzel, P.: Dead tank based compact
switchgear optimized high voltage substation
equipment. SWICOM 2008, 7th International Conference
on Switchgear & Controlgear, Mumbai, India
Dead Tank Based Compact Switchgear
Peter Stenzel
Published in: Dead Tank Based Compact switchgear CIGRE 2009, Regional conference
Summary
Compact switchgear assemblies for high voltage substations fill
the gap between Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) and Gas Insulated
Switchgear (GIS) [1].The Dead Tank Compact (DTC) for rated
voltages 123 kV to 245 kV is a compact solution based on dead
tank circuit breakers. It is a combination of circuit breaker, dis-
connectors, earthing switches and several other elements of high
voltage switchgear. Both standard and customised versions of
switchgear assemblies are available thanks to the high degree
of flexibility achieved by combining different elements. The DTC
concept is characterized by high reliability and notable cost saving.
Keywords
High voltage substation, compact switchgear assembly
Introduction
Due to increasing power demands in quickly developing areas
and cost pressure, power transmission is a vital issue for the
energy industry. Fundamental parts of energy transmission
systems include high voltage substations containing the key
elements circuit breakers, disconnectors, earthing switches,
current transformers, etc. Standard design layouts for equip-
ment in high voltage substation are Air Insulated Switchgear
(AIS; mainly outdoor application) and Gas Insulated Switchgear
(GIS; primarily indoor application).
Compact Switchgear assembly joins the advantages of both
technologies and fills the gap between them (figure1).
Dead Tank Compact (DTC) combines various devices with differ-
ent functions into high voltage switchgear. It is designed, tested
and supplied for use as a single unit.
DTC is a switchgear assembly which is comprised of our well estab-
lished Dead Tank Circuit breaker and several GIS components.
It is mostly used in outdoor substations. The advantages are
compact set up, higher reliability due to increased grade of
encapsulation, shorter erection and installation time, as well as
less maintenance.
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DTC
Dead Tank
HIS
GIS
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Integration of functions
sw
itchgear optim
ized
separate devices partial integration full integration
Figure 1: Grade of encapsulation and the integration of functions of different
switchgear solutions. DTC is located between AIS and GIS
The Compact switchgear assembly, DTC, is applicable for new
substations as well as for retrofits. It is preferably installed in
medium developed areas and areas with severe environmental
conditions, such as extreme pollution and low temperatures.
The DTC is also beneficial for urban areas and mobile substations
because of its space saving design.
Far fewer external insulators are needed than with traditional AIS.
Thanks to the use of SF
6
, encapsulated disconnectors, all well
known issues with air-insulated devices (e.g. uncovered contacts
in polluted areas or in cold regions and high maintenance effort)
have been solved. Excellent earthquake withstand capability is
a result of the compact design.
The space-saving setup of the DTC solution reduces land require-
ments for the site by up to 70 % in comparison to conventional
AIS equipped with live tank circuit breakers and other AIS equip-
ment. The application of AIS busbars provides even further cost
reductions than SF
6
encapsulated busbars.
One main target for the concept of the new compact switchgear
assembly was to create a new platform-based product family
from 123 kV to 245 kV (figure 2). The design principles of the
modules are the same for both voltage ratings.
DTC 245 kV
(1 or 3-pole operation)
Rated short circuitbreaking current
(kA)
Rated voltage (kV)
DTC 145 kV
(1 or 3-pole operation)
72 123 145 170 245
63
50
40
31.5
Figure 2: Product portfolio DTC 123 kV to DTC 245 kV
Elements of DTC switchgear assembly
Components of DTC are the Dead Tank circuit breaker (figure 3)
and GIS components: disconnectors and earthing switches
(figure 4). All assemblies are based on products from our existing
product portfolio and have been recognized as well established
products for many years.
Dead tank circuit breakers include the self compression inter-
rupter unit and spring drive mechanism. These components are
well established throughout the circuit breaker family [2].
A single pole operation with a suitable drive mechanism is also
available as a three pole operation.
Current transformers are part of the Dead Tank breaker and
consist of ring type cores.
These cores surround the CT housing and provide space for
a variety of cores for different ratings.
SF
6
insulated Bushings are the most economical solution for
connecting the circuit breaker to the lines of the substation.
Only a few parts (a conductor and a shield electrode) are
mounted inside the insulator. The insulator is available in either
porcelain or composite materials, the latter consisting of epoxy
impregnated fiberglass tube with silicon rubber sheds.
Figure 3: One pole of a dead tank circuit breaker
The three position disconnector earthing switch (figure 4) has
the same design and parts (e.g. current path and drive mecha-
nism) of the respective GIS component. The reliability of these
components has been proved over years.
An optimised design of the disconnector earthing switch offers
high variability for this component. We also provide a single dis-
connector, a three position disconnector / earthing switch, as
well as an additional earthing switch, with the same overall
dimensions.
The contact path is fixed by epoxy resign supports. If a separa-
tion of gas compartments is requested, an epoxy resign bushing
can easily be added to the disconnector switch.
Figure 4: Disconnector/earthing switch
The DTC is equipped with conventional ring type current trans-
formers (CTs). A CT positioned between the circuit breaker and
disconnector is the standard arrangements for most substa-
tions. For this arrangement, a return current has to be avoided
if there is an internal failure. This is guaranteed by an insulating
clearance between two flanges of the DTC housing (figure 5).
An arrangement of CTs positioned directly to the line is also
possible.
Insulating
clearance
Figure 5: Current transformer housing with current transformers
Insulating clearance to prevent a current return path over
the CT housing
The control cabinets for the circuit breaker and disconnector/
earthing switch offer sufficient space for different wiring
schemes. With a standard scheme, each single device is wired
directly to implement the connection on the bay level. This also
includes the voltage and current transformer terminals. Control
cabinets are easy accessible (human-machine-interface). Inter-
locking functions are also available.
A cable connection module is also part of the DTC portfolio.
Cable cones are the preferred choice to meet the requirements
for compact switchgear design (cable connector IEC 62271-209).
SF
6
-insulated voltage transformers complete the available com-
ponents for DTC.
The DTC concept allows for the choice between one common
gas-compartment for all assemblies or separated gas-compart-
ments (e.g. for circuit breaker and disconnector) All configura-
tions resulting from technical or service requirements can be
implemented.
Figure 6: Modular design
Modular design
Generally, two classes of DTC setups are available. A number
of standard assemblies to satisfy the requirements of common
substation layouts are feasible. The configuration of customized
DTCs is also possible because of the modular design of the com-
ponents. All elements of high voltage substation are available
for the DTC (figure 6). Standardized connection between the
elements of the DTC (e.g. circuit breaker to disconnector) offers
high flexibility and leads to different numbers of possible com-
bination of compact switchgear assemblies.
Standard assemblies
Standardization of assembly types yields reduced time in the
concept phase of planning a new substation or extending or
retrofitting an exiting substation. This can be realized with less
effort than with single elements for AIS. The production process
for DTC is comparable with that of a single device.
Compact solutions also reduce on site erection time and the effort
required for installation when compared to a conventional air
insulated substation. Standardized base frame dimensions
(footprint) allow for precast foundation and makes replacing
the DTC quite simple.
This is an important advantage, especially for the extension of
existing AIS substations with limited space and when the demand
for a short outage time is taken into account.
As a result, the use of standardized modules reduces the overall
lead time.
Standard setups of DTC are In-Out and Double busbar assemblies,
for example.
The In-/Out-Variant (figure 7) represents the basic module of the
DTC: A dead tank circuit breaker with current transformer on the
incoming side and a disconnector/earthing switch combination
(figure 4) on the outgoing side. For defined applications (e.g.
earthing of overhead lines and of the DTC itself), a special high
speed earthing switch is not necessary. Compared to portable
grounding rods or freestanding air insulated grounding switches,
the integrated earthing switch shown here offers several advan-
tages with respect to safety, reliability and handling.
Z1
Z2
Figure 7: In-Out modules
The DTC can also be used as a double busbar variant (figure 8).
One side of the circuit brea ker is equipped with a disconnector/
earthing switch component and with current transformers. The
other side of the circuit breaker provides two exits which can
be connected to a double busbar system. By two disconnector
modules (one for each exit) the connection/disconnection of
the two busbars is possible. Gastight insulating bushings are
available. They divide each device into functionally separated
gas compartments, i.e. a separation between the gas compart-
ments of the circuit breaker and of the disconnector is possible.
This arrangement takes the fundamental idea of a double busbar
concept into account: In the unlikely event of a failure in one
busbar or inside of one disconnector, further operation with the
second busbar is still possible. The gas compartments are con-
stantly being monitored by means of density monitors with an
integrated indicator.
Z1
Z2
Z3
Figure 8: Double busbar assembly
Customised assemblies
Due to its modular design and standardized connections of
flanges and contacts the DTCs versatility provides solutions for
the various substation layouts. Nearly every switchgear layout
can be achieved with this flexible concept.
For example, switchgear applications with cable connection and
voltage transformer (VT) can be realized (figure 9).
This device consist of a Dead Tank circuit breaker as a foundation
for the compact switching assembly. The disconnector/Earthing
switch is located on the incoming side and cable connection
with voltage transformer on the outgoing side.
Figure 9: Assembly with cable connection and VT
For special applications and for H-layouts, a double breaker
module (figure 10) is available with all the advantages of a single
breaker module in respect to factory testing, transport and
commissioning. Both or one of the circuit breakers can be
equipped with single pole drive or common drive for three
poles. The double breaker application itself also offers a high
variability of solutions. The number and position of CTs and
disconnectors can be varied. Different switchgear layouts can
be realized.
Figure 10: Double breaker assembly
In general, all variations of compact switchgear assembly can
be combined with several other AIS-components in a substation
if required. In this case DTC is one element of the substation.
Development process
Based on specifications, the product development process
includes the following steps: design, calculation, simulation,
realization and tests of prototypes, and type tests.
The objective for the DTC design concept was to create a compact,
reliable and flexible product platform. The whole design process
was supported by the use of modern 3D design tools.
The combination of our extensive experience with the technology
in high voltage SF
6
insulated equipment and use of modern
methods of numeric design engineering has resulted in an opti-
mized design.
Mechanical stress in high voltage equipment during service (ter-
minal loads, design pressure, wind loads) were also calculated as
loads resulting from earthquake. The so called kinematic chains
of high voltage equipment were analysed.
Forces due to electro-dynamic loads as a result of short circuit
were evaluated. The electrical field strength was calculated in
all main components.
All calculated results were verified by development tests and
type tests.
Mechanical tests have been carried out on the circuit breakers,
disconnectors and earthing switches with more operating cycles
than required in the standards. Climatic tests in the temperature
range of -55 C and +50 C were part of the development proce-
dure. The handling resistance has been proven on shipped
units.
Tests have been successfully performed on the DTC with assem-
blies designed as single gas compartments to prove that no neg-
ative interaction will occur during life cycle. One such test was
a combined cycle of high power test, mechanical endurance test
and a final dielectric test. The positive results of this dielectric
test has proven that there is no negative interaction between
the elements of DTC
Type tests and routine tests
A new standard especially for compact switchgear assemblies
was issued at the beginning of 2008.
According to this standard, IEC 62271-205 [3], all type test have
to be performed on the components of the switchgear assemblies
in accordance with the relevant standards. In addition, it has
been confirmed that there is no negative interaction between
these components. All type tests on DTC have been passed
successfully.
Routine tests on fully mounted switchgear assemblies is a stan-
dard procedure in our factory. These tests include all mechanical
and dielectric tests according to the latest IEC standards.
Commissioning
DTC modules prefilled with SF
6
fit into a container or on standard
trucks. This guaranties affordable transport. Only a few hours
are required for on site erection of the DTC. Commissioning
tests are comparable to those of single circuit breaker. Compact
switchgear assemblies reduce commissioning time and guarantee
competitive installation costs.
Future prospects
Economical switchgear layout, low engineering work for substa-
tion layout and low commissioning costs for the DTC guarantees
competitive investment costs. Reduced maintenance costs result-
ing from high reliability ensures low operating costs.
With the characteristics of compact design, high grade of stan-
dardization, increased reliability and low maintenance costs,
the DTC is an ideal solution for future application in high voltage
substation.
The application of compact switchgear assemblies in AIS is
expected to increase (figure 11).
1960
100%
Market
AIS
Outdoor-AIS Indoor-AIS
GIS AIS
1980
GIS
Compact
switchgear
assembly
AIS
2020
GIS
Compact
switchgear
assembly
AIS
2000
Figure 11: Market development
Bibliography/References
[1] H. Knobloch, P. Stenzel: Dead Tank based Compact
Switchgear Optimized High Voltage Substation
Equipment for 145 kV CIGRE A3 Technical Colloquium,
Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 12th13th, 2007
[2] H. Marin, H. Knobloch, H. Schramm, P. Stenzel:
The dynamic self compression HV SF
6
circuit breaker for
high ratings MatPost 99, Lyon (France), 18/19 Nov. 1999
[3] IEC 62271-205: Compact switchgear assemblies for rated
voltages above 52 kV; Ed. 1.0
Bypass Circuit-Breaker for 800 kV DC
Detlef Fredrich, Joerg Hagen, Norbert Trapp
Published in: SWICON 2008
International Conference on Switchgear & Controlgear, 20th22nd January 2008, Mumbai, India
1 Backround
The growth of the power demand throughout the world, in partic-
ular in the Asian region, necessitates the transmission of large
energies over large distances. For this purpose the high-voltage
direct current (HVDC) technology with transmission voltages of
up to 600 kV has been established as particularly efficient and
ecologically compatible procedure. During the past years the
requirements by the market for transmission of more than
4000 MW on a single system over increasing distances have
intensified. The availability of a 800 kV ultra high-voltage direct
current (UHVDC) technology allows for the transmission of up
to 6000 MW over more than 2000 km from now. A first UHVDC
system will be installed in China from 2008 and taken into oper-
ation not later than 2010.
2 Aplication of DC bypass circuit breakers
The 800 kV UHVDC system is designed in a bipolar mode.
Each pole consists of two 12-pulse valve groups connected in
series. The simplified circuit of one pole is shown in figure 1.
Pole bus (+800 kV
Neutral bus
Upper 12-pulse valve group
Lower 12-pulse valve group
Converter Transformer
Converter Transformer
Figure 1: Simplified circuit
The switching elements presented in figure 1 bypass circuit-
breakers CB1 and CB2, the disconnectors Q11 through Q23 and
the earthing switches are required for switching on and off
of the respective 12-pulse valve group. In terms of voltages and
currents the ratings are based on a bipolar HVDC system with
two 12-pulse groups in series:
Nominal DC transmission voltage 800 kV
Nominal DC voltage per 12 p-group 400 kV
Nominal DC current of the system 4000 A
For the utilities running the power plants and operating the
transmission systems the highest reliability and the undisturbed
availability of the UHVDC system are of decisive importance.
In order to maintain power transmission in case of outages or
maintenance work on the system at least on a reduced level,
each of the two valve groups can be short-circuited by a bypass
circuit-breaker (CB1 and CB2, see figure 1). In this operating
status the energy can be transmitted on a reduced voltage level
by the valve groups which remain in service. After the outage
or the completion of the maintenance work the current is com-
mutated again into the valve group by the use of the bypass cir-
cuit-breaker.
3 Special requirements
The basis for the development of the new bypass circuit-breaker
was the well approved technology of the double nozzle interrupter
unit used in the circuit-breaker type 3AQ2 with two interrupter
units and with an electro-hydraulic operating mechanism. For
the application in the 800 kV UHVDC system the bypass circuit-
breaker has to fulfill very specific requirements. The stipulations
as to the creepage distance and the insulation levels necessitate
utilising composite insulators with extremely long clearances
for both, the interrupter units (2600 mm each) and the pole
column (8200 mm). In case of porcelain insulators the specified
length of the insulators would have been even longer (approxi-
mately 30 %).
Parameter Unit max. values for
12-pulse valve group
Rated voltage
terminal-ground kV DC 800
between terminals kV DC 400
Rated DC withstand voltage (wet) kV DC 1200
Specified greepage distance
Composite-Insulator mm/kV 43
Ceramic-Insulator mm/kV 57
Lightning Impulse Withstand Level
HV terminal-ground kV 1950 (2210)
between terminals kV 1175 (1330)
Switching Impulse Withstand Level
HV terminal-ground kV 1600 (1770)
between terminals kV 950 (1061)
Values in brackets with altitude correction (2000 m)
Table1: Special requirements
Due to the high specified test voltages, which are substantially
higher than for comparable AC applications, some of the field
grading electrodes had to be modified. Special grading elements
to control the voltage distribution across the interrupter units
for DC application have been developed. As the circuit-breaker
is permanently exposed to DC voltage, the design of the inter-
rupter units had to be accommodated. For the two different
requirements with respect of the voltage level to ground (800 kV
and 400 kV) two different pole versions of the circuit-breaker
have been developed: the 3AQ2 ES DC 800 kV with a long and
the 3AQ2 ES 400 kV with a short pole column (see figure 2).
4 Tests
As far as applicable standards are existent, the circuit-breaker
has been type tested to the relevant IEC standards. In other
cases testing procedures and parameters have been defined
based on the clients specifications and instructions taking also
into account standards for similar equipment. The tests were
especially focussed on getting test evidence regarding the dielec-
tric and mechanical behaviour of the bypass circuit-breaker.
Figure 2: 2 versions of the bypass circuit breaker
left: 800 kV, connected to the pole bus (CB1,upper 12-pulse valve group),
right: 400 kV, connected to the neutral bus (CB2, lower 12-pulse valve group)
4.1 High voltage tests
Due to the high testing values for lightning impulse, switching
impulse and DC voltage tests, some of the existent testing facili-
ties had to be extended (figures 3 and 4) and even some new
installations had to be set up.
Figure 3: High voltage test of an 800 kV Pole
Figure 4: High voltage test of a 400 kV Pole
Type tests specified for the 800 kV pole:
DC voltage withstand test, dry
between terminals, 600 kV,
60 min positive polarity
terminal to ground, 1200 kV,
Partial Discharge (PD) test, accompanying PD test during the
DC voltage withstand test (dry)
DC voltage withstand test, wet
between terminals 600 kV,
60 min positive polarity,
60 min negative polarity
terminal to ground 1200 kV,
Radio interference voltage (RIV) measurement
at a test voltage of up to 1040 kV (DC),
max. acceptable RIV level 2500 V.
Type tests specified for the 400 kV pole:
DC voltage withstand test, dry
Partial Discharge (PD) test,
parallel to the DC voltage withstand test (dry)
DC voltage withstand test, wet
Radio interference voltage (RIV) measurement
at a test voltage of 520 kV (DC),
max. acceptable RIV level 2500 V.
All lightning and switching impulse tests have successfully been
performed in the high-voltage laboratories of Siemens AG in
Berlin. Also all DC voltage tests at voltages up to 600 kV could
be performed here, all with positive results, too.
Additional investigations for DC voltages of up to 1200 kV have
been carried out. The DC type tests including the requested
PD and RIV measurements will be carried out at full voltage in
the new laboratory of Hochspannungsgerte Porz GmbH (HSP)
at the end of 2007.
During the whole development additional tests have been carried
out to prove availability and reliability for the expected life time
of the circuit-breaker, e.g. influence of dust and metallic particles
on its dielectric strength.
In service the voltage stress on a single interrupter unit will be
200 kV DC. Applying this voltage level, no signs of external or
internal discharges could be found along the insulators and any
insulating material in the interrupter units. Even better results
could be achieved: In every case one voltage level higher than
the service voltage has been withstood for a period of several
days.
Figure 5: Dielectric tests with graphite dust as an example
for an extreme pollution
To investigate the dielectric behaviour of the interrupter unit
even with an extreme pollution dielectric tests have been per-
formed with conductive pollution (graphite dust, figure 5) and
metallic particles (metallic cuttings). Under clean conditions as
well as with graphite dust in the interrupter unit 1.5 times the
system voltage was withstood for several days. After this long
term stress no indications of discharges could be found on the
insulating materials. With metallic particles in the interrupter
unit a level of 1.5 times the system voltage could not be with-
stood, however, even under these extreme conditions, which
are not at all characteristic for normal service, the system voltage
was withstood for several days without any problems.
4.2 Mechanical tests
According to the specification the following type tests are
requested:
Mechanical endurance test with 2000 close-open cycles
Temperature rise test at the rated direct current of 4000 A
Verification of the seismic withstand capability.
For the bypass circuit-breaker with its very long pole column
and operating rod it was necessary to adapt the operating
mechanism and the travel characteristic of the system consisting
of drive, operating rod and interrupter units. Especially because
of the very long operating rod (9200 mm) the damping character-
istic of the electro-hydraulic operating mechanism had to be
optimised. The mechanical development tests and the endurance
tests have been carried out in the laboratories of Siemens AG in
Berlin. The preparation of the test object is shown in figures 6,
7 and 8.
Taking into account the application of the bypass circuit-breaker
the temperature rise tests had to be performed applying direct
current. To get a clear result also with respect to possible
limits the tests have been performed in two steps, with a DC
current of 3150 A and 4000 A. It is known that the use of com-
posite insulators normally causes the reduction of the current
carrying capability by one IEC current step. Independent from
that the specified capability for 4000 A DC could be reached
without any objections. The test results are presented in the
diagram of figure 9.
Figure 6, 7: Assembling of the pole column
and the double-break interrupter unit
Figure 8: Set-up for mechanical operation tests
Temperature rise test
(critical measuring points with limiting value 65 K)
65 65
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700
Time [min]
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

r
i
s
e

[
K
]
guide tube
contact finger (bottom)
contact finger (top)
contact tube
limiting value
current step change
Figure 9: Results of the Temperature rise testand
the double-break interrupter unit
The verification of the seismic withstand capability of the bypass
circuit-breaker according to IEC 62271-300 (CDV) was performed
by the use of a computational simulation tool. This tool utilises
the well known commercial ANSYS software. The specified
seismic withstand capability of ZPA = 0,3 g is proved.
Figure 10: Geometry of FEM-Model (left) and
calculated mechanical stresses (right)
For the calculation of the mechanical stresses the geometry of
the bypass circuit-breaker was modelled by the use of shell and
rod elements, the mechanical tensions have been determined
by the use of an FEM software tool (figure 10).
4.3 High power tests
As a result of system simulations the worst case conditions
the bypass circuit-breaker is exposed to during switching and
commutating operations with respect to the voltage and current
stresses have been determined. Based on these values the test
parameters for a half-pole test (test on a single interrupter unit
using the corres ponding test values) on the 3AQ2 ES DC
400/800 kV have been defined. For reasons of the available
testing technique the voltage after the specified interruption of
4 kA was applied in two parts. This method is comparable with
a test procedure referred to as two-part test in IEC 62271-100,
where the transient recovery voltage and the recovery voltage
withstand capability of a circuit-breaker is tested in two subse-
quent steps. In the first part of the test the dielectric recovery
capability immediately after current zero is proved (di/dt with
following du/dt). The second part of the test is focussing on
the crest value of the recovery voltage across the bypass circuit-
breaker (uC) after current interrupting.
In figures 11 and 12 the test parameters for a full-pole test
on two interrupter units of the 3AQ2 ES DC 400/800 kV are
shown; the specified and the tested values are compared in
the diagrams.

50 s
0.100
0.050
0.000
p
.
u
.
Rate of current rise at current zero:
required (3.6 A/s)
tested (3.6 A/s)
Arc quenching
i(t)
0.09095 0.09100 0.09105 0.09110 0.09115 0.09120 0.09125 t [s]
50 s
50
0
-50
-100
-150
k
V
Arc quenching
u(t)
Rate of rise of transient recovery voltage:
required (6.2 kV/s)
tested (7.2 kV/s)
Figure 11: First part of the breaking test:
Arc quenching capability (du/dt, di/dt)
1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00
-0.20
p
.
u
.
i(t)
Amplitu de of current:
required (4 kA d.c.)
tested (4 kA a.c., 50 Hz)
25 s
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
-50
-100
-150
k
V
u(t)
25 s
Amplitu de of recovery voltage:
required (350 kV)
tested (380 kV)
Figure 12: Second part of the breaking test:
Amplitude of recovery voltage (u
C
)
As the bypass circuit-breaker has to cope with a DC application,
there are no repeatedly occurring current zeros where the current
can be interrupted as it is the case in AC applications. If the bypass
circuit-breaker would fail to interrupt in the only current zero
shown in the breaking process no further interrupting chance
would occur. Therefore, the control system of the UHVDC trips
the bypass circuit-breaker in an optimised way to interrupt in
the current zero.
To monitor the quenching behaviour of the bypass circuit-breaker
during the optimised arcing window the output signal of an
adapted reference contact is evaluated. The reference contact
is directly connected to the cinematic chain of the bypass circuit-
breaker (figure 13).
Figure 13: Reference contact at the corner gear
5 Additional basic investigations
The development project has also been supported by the Tech-
nical University of Munich (TUM). At the university several basic
subjects have been completed in parallel to the design work
and the investigations carried out in the facilities of Siemens
in Berlin. As examples some of the subjects are given in the
following:
Long term voltage withstand capability of an interrupter unit
stressed by DC voltage and partial discharge measurements
(figure 14);
Voltage distribution between the two interrupter units
of a double break circuit-breaker in case of DC voltage;
Material characteristics of insulating material with regard
to the creation and degradation of charge carriers.

Figure 14: Tests at the Technical University of Munich
measurement of partial discharges under AC voltage
6 Outlook
From March 2008 an UHVDC system will be put up on behalf of
China Southern Power Grid Company connecting Guadong and
the province of Yunnan. In this system the bypass circuit-breakers
described in this publication will be used the first time. Having a
transmission power of 5000 MW and a service voltage of 800 kV
this system will be one of the powerful and most advanced DC
long distance connections in the world. The system will be put
into service in 2010.
7 References
[1] N. Trapp: Proven Quality from Berlin.
Reprint from EV Report, Volume 5/1995, pages 12-16
[2] A. Luxa, N. Trapp: Schaltwerke in Berlin Demonstrate the
Competence of their Testing Laboratory to EN 45001.
Reprint from EV Report, Volume 4/1992, pages 6 and 7
[3] R. Dankers, H. Marin, K. Schuler: Hhere Betriebssicherheit
fr Hochspannungs-Leistungsschalter.
Energie Automation 10, 1988, Heft 2, Seite 24-37
[4] H. Knobloch, B.-H. Krafft, A. Snderhauf:
Entwicklungsprfungen gewhren hohe Funktions-
sicherheit der Schalter 3AQ. Energie Automation 10, 1988,
Heft 5, Seite 14-17
[5] M. Haeusler, H. Koelsch, V. Ramaswami:
Design Aspects of UHVDC Equipment.
5th International Conference on PT&D Technology,
April 2005, Beijing (China)
[6] W. Bhmer: Hochspannungs-Gleichstrom-bertragung
bietet praktische Vorteile.
EW Jahrgang 102, 2003, Heft 26
[7] K. Jopp: Hochspannungs-Gleichstrom-bertragung
Rckgrat der weltweiten Energieversorgung.
EW Jahrgang 104, 2005, Heft 7
[8] TU-Mnchen, Homepage:
Lehrstuhl fr Hochspannungs- und Anlagen technik:
www.hsa.ei.tum.de
1200 kV AC substations: Full-scale products and integrated solutions
Reinhard Goehler, Dirk Helbig, Lutz-Ruediger Jaenicke, Edelhard Kynast, Gerd Lingner,
Bernd Raeth, Joachim Schmid, Gopa Srinivas, Norbert Trapp
1200 kV AC substations:
Full-scale products and integrated solutions
Published in: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON STANDARDS FOR ULTRA HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGR)
2930 January 2009 New Delhi, India
Summary
Growing population, urbanization and industrialization in combi-
nation with very remote energy generation, especially for renew-
able energy sources, increases the need for bulk transmission
of electricity over large distances. Depending on the location
of energy generation and load centres, the distances in between
and the network structure, either AC or DC transmission is the
more efficient solution.
AC systems up to 1100 kV have been realized, but operating volt-
age levels are, due to various reasons, yet lower. Those systems
come close to limits of physics, material and product design. In
order to realize the full performance and advantages of UHV
transmission lines stable operation is needed. The system reliabil-
ity depends on the structure of the system and the reliability of
its elements. this means adequate system arrangements and
reliable high voltage products.
Based on the experience of the development, production, testing,
erection and operation of 800 kV DC and 800 kV/1100 kV AC
products and systems, this paper describes 1200 kV AC substation
arrangements and the products Surge Arresters, Disconnectors,
Circuit Breakers, Current and Voltage Transformers.
The realization of 1200 kV AC transmission systems is one of the
most challenging tasks in Power Transmission. The probability
of its successful realization and operation rises with the close
cooperation between transmission companies and suppliers
and the total integration of all its products and components.
Keywords
UHV, 1200 kV AC, 800 kV DC, Surge Arresters, Disconnectors,
Circuit Breakers, Dead Tank, Current Transformers, Instrument
Transformers
1. Basic requirements and substation arrangement
The design of 1200 kV AC substations is a very ambitious task.
Working along the known borderline of physics leads to new
phenomena; international UHV standards do not exist. All installed
UHV switchgear systems are tailored to customers needs and it is
not possible to adapt them to 1200 kV requirements by copying
or simple scaling of dimensions or parameters [1] [2]. This is
the reason why the experience of the development, production,
testing, erection and operation of systems up to 1100 kV are
necessary together with requirements of the customers.
UHV substations have are important node-points in the power
supply and distribution with a need of high security and high
availability. Considering also the functional requirement in the
network, the following circuit configurations are possible:
Double busbar configuration
1,5 Circuit Breaker configuration
2 Circuit Breaker configuration
The electrical requirements from the network together with
the minimum clearances are the parameters which are basics
for the substation equipment and arrangement.
Electrical requirements
Rated voltage 1200 kV
Rated current, feeder 5000 A
Rated frequency 50 Hz
Short-circuit current 50 kA/1 s
Rated lightning impulse
withstand voltage 2400 kV
Rated switching impulse
withstand voltage 1800 kV
Creepage distance 25 mm/kV
Table 1: Electrical data
Minimum clearances
Phase to earth [1] 8300 mm
Phase to phase [1] 11600 mm
Height of lowest live part 18000 mm
Working clearance 18000 mm
Table 2: Clearances
Considering the available product portfolio for the 1200 kV
equipment and the space availability at site as well as the
environmental condition, a switchgear arrangement can be
designed.
The substation design of the current 1200 kV UHV transmission
project for Power Grid Company of India Ltd (PGCIL) is generally
based on the experience made for the already built 800 kV sub-
station Seoni in India.
Figure 1: 800 kV, India
Beside the standard installation materials like steelwork, civil
work and cabling, the electrical connection on the 1200 kV level
is another specific topic to have a detailed look on. The electrical
field at conductor surface together with the high current require-
ments lines with 6 or 8 stranded conductors are considered. For
the equipment connection level a tubular conductor is preferred
to avoid pinch forces out of short-circuit current failure.
For optimal fulfilment of these requirements Siemens compared
different technologies and products and proposes an arrangement
with dead tank circuit breakers, double-break disconnectors,
compact surge arresters, free-standing gas-insulated or ring-core
current transformers and capacitive voltage transformers.
All designs are extraordinary robust and reliable. Figure 2 shows
the example of a 2 circuit breaker arrangement with those
products.
Figure 2: 1200 kV switchgear, 2 Circuit breaker arrangement
Following table 3 gives an overview about the 2 circuit breaker
switchgear arrangement dimensions.
Dimensions
Phase to phase distance 20 m
Bay width 62 m
Height of lower conductor level 18 m
Height of busbar 36 m
Height of outgoing gantry 55 m
Table 3: Dimensions
2 Surge arresters
The equipment used in electric power systems as transformers,
instrument transformers or circuit breakers are exposed to over-
voltages of different origin. Without countermeasures, occurrence
of these overvoltages in the system can lead to failure of the
equipment. In order to protect the equipment from overvoltages,
surge arresters are used. The purpose is to always limit the voltage
across the terminals of the equipment to be protected below its
insulation withstand voltage.
Overvoltages can have their origin in atmospheric discharges
(lightning overvoltages) or when the conditions in the power
system change by volitional switching actions or failures like earth
faults (switching overvoltages and temporary overvoltages).
For UHV system voltages the rated switching impulse withstand
voltage of the equipment is limited by its dimensions, since too
large dimensions will cause mechanical problems. Reduced
switching impulse withstand voltages require reduced switch-
ing impulse protection levels in combination with lower safety
margins.
Requirements on surge arresters for the 1200 kV power system
of Power Grid Company of India Ltd (PGCIL) are shown in table 4.
Continuous operating voltage 723 kV
Nominal discharge curremt 20 kA
Lightning impulse protection level 1700 kV
Switching impulse protection level 1500 kV
Energy discharge capability 55 MJ
Specific creepage distance 25 mm / kV
Table 4: Surge arrester requirements
Metal oxide surge arresters must fulfil two basic requirements:
the equipment installed in the system has to be protected in a
proper way and the surge arrester must remain stable even under
the most severe operating conditions [3] including a sufficient
energy discharge capability and withstand against temporary
overvoltages of certain magnitudes and durations.
Lightning impulse protective level
Switching impulse protective level
Leakage current
Line to earth voltage
Nominal discharge current
0.0001
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Current (A)
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

(
k
V
)
Figure 3: Voltage-current characteristic of a MO surge arrester for 1200 kV
AC power system
The dimensioning of UHV surge arresters must be done more
strictly than for surge arresters used in power systems of lower
system voltage. This is because these surge arresters must have
extremely low protection levels. The operation of a surge arrester
is given by its voltage current characteristic which is shown in
Figure 3 for the 1200 kV PGCIL application.
Low protection levels and a high continuous operating voltage
are contradictory requirements which only can be fulfilled using
metal oxide resistors with a high steepness of the voltage current
characteristic. Further improvement of the protection level can
be obtained using multi column arrangements. The surge arrester
with the voltage current characteristic of Figure 3 is assembled
with four columns in parallel.
Due to the very low protection level surge arresters for 1200 kV
UHV applications are very sensitive to temporary overvoltages.
These temporary overvoltages determine the energy discharge
capability.
The housing of air insulated surge arresters can be made of por-
celain or polymeric material. As surge arresters for UHV systems
do have an overall height of more than 10 m there are extreme
requirements concerning the mechanical properties of the surge
arrester housing. These requirements only can be fulfilled by a
composite housing with their very low weight and high mechan-
ical strength [4]. The composite housing of the 1200 kV surge
arrester with a height of 12 m and a bending moment of 150 kNm
was developed for the DC line arrester of the first 800 kV HVDC
in China (Figure 4).
Figure 4: DC line surge arrester for 800 HVDC applications
3 Circuit breakers
AC Transmission systems with rated voltage of 550 kV are com-
mon in the bigger countries of the world. Some of these countries
have also successfully established the voltage level of 800 kV
and expanded their transmission capability. Therefore suitable
circuit-breakers for these voltage levels have been available for
years, whereas the numbers of necessary interrupter units have
been reduced during this time. So circuit-breakers with two
interrupter units like the 3AP2FI were established for the rated
voltage of 550 kV. Based on this reliable interrupter unit design
Siemens developed UHV metal enclosed circuit-breakers with
four interrupter units for use in DT or GIS installations.
Using a metal enclosed design alleviates the need for long sup-
port insulators, which easily reach lengths close to ten meters
and have to carry not only the interrupter units but also the
pre-insertion resistors, normally required in UHV applications.
This advantage becomes highly visible in seismic adverse areas.
Also the dielectric performance of the circuit-breaker in highly
polluted regions is positively affected by having exclusively an
external creepage path direct to ground. As well metal enclosed
design offers additional advantages during service and mainte-
nance, because all active parts are relatively close to ground
and thus easier to handle.
Disregarding the dielectric requirements and the switching
performance, pre-insertion resistors and their thermal capability
obtain a higher influence to the design of a circuit-breaker.
To integrate pre-insertion resistors to existing interrupter units
and in a suitable vessel design is a demand to the experience of
the engineers. During the development of a new circuit-breaker
the engineers were endorsed by several computer based tools,
like motion analysis, mechanical stress, thermal effect or dielectric
field calculations (Figure 5)
.
1000 kV-Kessel02
0 .500 1.00
.250 .750 1.25
NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB=1
TIME=1.00
EFSUM (AVG)
SMN=.252E-11
SMX=1.32
ANSYS 10.0A
MAR 28 200
08:48:09
1000 kV-Kessel02
0 .500 1.00
.250 .750 1.25
NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB=1
TIME=1.00
EFSUM (AVG)
SMN=.252E-11
SMX=1.32
ANSYS 10.0A
MAR 28 200
13:22:49
Ranges of maximum electric fields for withstand voltages of industrial GIS units at factory tests.
The broken line corresponds to the theoretical breakdown field E
max
: maximum electric field,
P: SF
6
gas pressure, LIW: LI withstand voltage, SIW: SI withstand voltage,
ACW: AC withstand voltage (crest value).
Insulation Co-ordination Related to Internal Insulation of Gas Insulated System 09/2007 WG C4.302
30
20
10
0
E
max
89
SIW
LIW
ACW
p
kV
mm
kV
mm MPa
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 MPa
Figure 5: Results of dielectric field calculations supported by empirical
knowledge
Tests on models are helpful in proofing the validity of these
calculations but many tests on the complete circuit-breaker are
indispensable. Therefore also the testing stations have had to
improve their capabilities to ensure tests in accordance with
the requirements of the utilities and being close enough to the
standards, which do not currently cover the UHV segment.
In the beginning of 2008 KEMA (Arnhem, The Netherlands)
performed as the first testing station world wide several full pole
tests on a Siemens metal enclosed circuit-breaker 8DQ1-P5-
1100 kV for 50 kA with TRV peak values up to 2062 kV [5][6].
Full pole test T100
D.C. time constant 120 ms
First pole to clear factor 1,3 p. u.
TRV peak value 1600 kV
Minimum arcing time 10,3 ms
Full pole test T10
First pole to clear factor 1,5 p. u.
TRV peak value 2062 kV
Minimum arcing time 5,1 ms
Figure 6: Test setup of cb type 8DQ1-P5-1100 kV 50 kA during power test at KEMA
In summer of the same year FGH (Mannheim, Germany) finished the refurbishment of their testing facilities
with the successful dielectric test of the same circuit-breaker.
Power-frequency withstand voltage
to earth 1100 kV
across open CB 1180 kV
(against power-frequency) 320 kV
Lightning impulse withstand voltage
to earth 2400 kV
Switching impulse withstand voltage
to earth 1800 kV
Figure 7: Test setup of Siemens 8DQ1-P5-1100 kV 50 kA during dielectric test at FGH
The successfully performed tests show the capability of the new Siemens metal enclosed circuit-breaker family
to fulfil the requirements of the UHV markets.
4 Disconnectors
Disconnectors with a clearly visible isolating distance will remain
an important requirement of many substation customers. Differ-
ent technologies were developed, because of the different require-
ments and production technologies worldwide. Below shown
are the most common designs, with their usually used voltage
level applications:
Centre Break
Disconnectors
72.5 550 kV
Pantograph
Disconnectors
123 550 kV
Knee-Type
Disconnectors
123 kV
550 kV
Vertical Break
Disconnectors
123 550 kV
Double Side Break
Disconnectors
36 800 kV
Figure 8: Product portfolio of AC disconnectors

For new ambitious requirements of a 1200 kV AC disconnectors,
Siemens recommends, based on their various operational
experience on 800 kV AC and DC applications a double side
break design. This design is in operation in the Ucraine and
China.
The advantages are:
High reliability due to the reduced number of moving parts
in the kinematic chain and the current path
Well proven turn and twist design in the current path
Space savings in the vertical dimension due to the current
path movement only in the horizontal direction
ZBF 515 kV DC, Project Gui Guang, China, DoubleSideBreak ZBF 824 kV DC, Project Yun Guang, China, DoubleSideBreak
Figure 9: Examples of double side breaker applications
5 Current transformer and voltage transformers
Instrument Transformers are the link between the primary equip-
ment on the high voltage side and the secondary equipment on
the low voltage side. For protection, measurement and control
purposes they have to provide a true image of the primary voltage
and primary current at their secondary output. Their accuracy
has to be stable over the entire life time of the Instrument
Transformers. Current and voltage transformers are available
today in different technologies well proven in the voltage ranges
up to 800 kV. Beside that some types have been produced also
for the UHV range up to 1200 kV.
For the application in 1200 kV AC systems we recommend
capacitive voltage transformers and gas insulated free standing
current transformers [7]. In case of dead tank breakers ring core
current transformers can also be integrated in the bushings of
the breaker.
For the insulation of current transformers for Air Insulated
Switchgear two technologies are used: oil-paper insulation or
gas insulation with SF
6
gas. For voltages above 500 kV the gas
insulation technology has some advantages in costs and manu-
facturing time. Therefore gas insulation is recommended for
UHV applications. The cores for measuring the primary current
are located in a head housing at high voltage potential and the
secondary wires are led through a bushing to the terminal box
at the bottom of the unit. The bushing is equipped with a con-
denser grading to avoid high electrical filed stress in the insula-
tion. For the external insulation composite insulators are used
with this technology. For the application in 1200 kV substations
the main data are shown in Table 5. The principle design is shown
in a cross section in Figure 10a.
Rupture disk
Vessel (HV)
Condenser
Tube
Composite Insulator
Terminal box
Conductor
(HV)
Support spacer
Core housing
Rupture disk
Vessel (HV)
Condenser
Tube
Composite Insulator
Terminal box
Conductor
(HV)
Support spacer
Core housing
a.: cross section of a gas insulated current transformer b.: ring core current transformer on the bushings
of a dead tank breaker
Figure 10: Current Transformer principles for UHV application
All types of core requirements can be realised with the gas insulated current transformer including TPY cores for transient behaviour.
Proposed values PGCIL requirements
Rated voltage 1200 kV 1200 kV
Rated current 5000 A 5000 A
BIL 2400 kV 2400 kV
SIL 1800 kV 1800 kV
1 min AC test 1215 kV 1200 kV
Insulator Composite
Overall height 11.3 m
Weight 4250 kg

Table 5: Main characteristic data for free standing current transformers for 1200 kV
In case of dead tank breakers, the current transformer cores
can be integrated in the bushings of the breaker as shown in
Figure 10b. For that solution also all types of core requirements
can be realised. The insulation effort compared to the free stand-
ing current transformer is not needed and this gives a solution
with low costs. For the application in 1200 kV substation no
separate development has to be done.
The recommended technology for the voltage measurement in
1200 kV substations is the capacitive voltage transformer (CVT).
A capacitive divider inside the insulator is dividing the high voltage
to an intermediate value of approximate 5 to 12 kV. The output
signal at the terminals of the CVT is provided by an inductive
intermediate transformer which is placed together with a serial
compensation coil in a metallic base box. Due to the technology
and material used for the capacitor this design has excellent
stability of the accuracy. An internal ferroresonance control unit
avoids resonances between the capacitance in the divider and
the reactance of the compensation coil and the intermediate
transformer.
This technology is today well known in systems up to 800 kV.
The design has been upgraded to 1100 kV systems. This unit
with small modifications could also be used in 1200 kV systems.
Five capacitive units have been placed in series to form the
capacitive divider of that CVT. The main data are listed in Table 6.
This capacitive voltage transformer for UHV has been type tested
at Wuhan test lab in China and is running since one year in a test
set up in Wuhan (Figure 11).
Figure 11: Capacitive voltage transformer in an 1100 test setup
at Wuhan/China
Proposed values PGCIL requirements
BIL 2400 kV 2400 kV
SIL 1800 kV 1800 kV
1 min ac test 1200 kV 1200 kV
Capacitance 2000 pF 2000 pF
Overall height 11.6 m
Weight 2450 kg

Table 6: Main characteristic data for capacitive voltage transformers for 1200 kV
Bibliography
[1] CIGRE WG A3.22
Technical requirements for substation equipment
exceeding 800 kV (Field experience and technical
specifications of Substation equipment up to 1200 kV);
CIGRE Technical Brochure 362, Dec-2008
[2] 28/195/CDV
Amendment 1 to IEC 60071-1 Ed. 8.0:
Insulation co-ordination Part 1:
Definitions, principles and rules; May 2008
[3] V. Hinrichsen, R. Ghler, M. Clemens, T. Steinmetz,
P. Riffon;
External Grading Systems for UHV Metal-Oxide Surge
Arresters A New Approach to Numerical Simulation and
Dielectric Testing
CIGR 2008 Session, paper A3-20
[4] R. Ghler;
Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for UHV Transmission
Systems; International Workshop for Ultra High Voltage
(UHV) Transmission Systems 2006,
November 28-29, 2006, Beijing, China
[5] KEMA HIGHLight 36, April 2008
[6] KEMA GLOBALContact, June 2008
[7] K. Kunde; J. Schmid;
Development of SF
6
Current Transformers and Capacitive
Voltage Transformers for High Voltage Levels with regard
to Design, Installation and Service Life of Instrument
Transformers,
Proceedings CEPSI 2006, Mumbai/India
Circuit-Breaker platform for 550 kV
Detlef Fredrich, Klaus Schuler, Norbert Trapp
Circuit-Breaker Platform for 550 kV
Published in: SWICON 2008
International Conference on Switchgear & Controlgear, 20th22nd January 2008, Mumbai, India
1 Introduction
Circuit-breakers have a protective function in a high-voltage
transmission and distribution system. High reliability and con-
tinuous availability are basic requirements for the service.
Based on long-term service experience with high-voltage circuit-
breakers the existing product portfolio has been completed with
a circuit-breaker platform for 550 kV [1-7]. This platform super-
sedes the previous products for this voltage rating, which were
representatives of the successful type family of double nozzle
circuit-breakers with electro-hydraulic operating mechanisms
[8 -14]. Now all circuit-breakers in the product portfolio from
72 kV up to 800 kV use the same principle of arc assist interrupter
units and a stored-energy spring-spring operating mechanism.
The operating experiences for this product family are adding up
to more than 450 000 circuit-breaker bay-years. The platform
includes live tank and dead tank circuit-breakers for air-insulated
outdoor switchgear and circuit-breakers for gas-insulated switch-
gear and highly integrated switchgear as well.
2 Circuit-Breaker platform, a modular design concept
Very often modern circuit-beakers for one and the same set
of ratings are offered in various configurations corresponding
to the respective application: e. g. live tank (LT) and dead tank
(DT) circuit-breakers, circuit-breakers for gas-insulated (GIS)
or highly integrated switchgear (HIS) or circuit-breakers for of
so-called hybrid or compact switchgear. If the development
responsibility for the different types of constructions lies in a
single hand, then advantages for both, the user and the manu-
facturer, can be gained by creating a modular design concept
(platform) with standardised modules and assembly groups
from a common kit.
Where a product platform is developed instead of three or four
different products, the manufacturer can concentrate his entire
development force on one subject. The development process
can be optimised and shortened without impact on the product
quality; on the contrary, the quality of the final products will be
improved as the development efforts have not to be split.
The parts used for the individual modules of the products are
manufactured in higher numbers. Therefore, more efficient
manufacturing processes can be utilised, resulting in reduced
effort for the production and harmonised assembly procedures.
This leads to optimised and stable processes and at the end to
an increased product quality.
As the manufacturer can focus his development work on a single
subject, the product platform, he is able to acquire more knowl-
edge on the materials used and a better understanding of the
behaviour of the new products. The feedback from operation is
based on a bigger population as the number of nearly identical
samples in operation is considerably higher than in the case of
individual products. The operational experiences gained during
service are basically applicable for all platform products.
Every component and module being part of the common kit is
designed for easy combination. Therefore, circuit-breakers for
special applications or further extensions of the product portfolio
can easily be constructed using existing elements of the kit.
As the number of different spare parts is reduced due to the more
or less identical design of the different products, the delivery
time of spare parts is shorter and spare part management is
easier resulting in lower life-cycle costs.
Another advantage is the usage of identical components in
circuit-breakers with different ratings and for different service
applications. As the highest ratings must be reached, circuit-
breakers not exposed to the maximum stresses the platform
is designed for offer larger margins than circuit-breakers which
are developed for a certain rating and a limited range of appli-
cations.
3 Circuit-breaker platform 3AP2/3 550 kV/63 kA
After the completion of the development the new SF
6
circuit-
breaker platform was introduced in 2006. The basic ratings of
the standard product are presented in table 1. The following
main configurations are offered:
3AP2FI 550 kV Live tank circuit-breaker
3AP2DT 550 kV Dead tank circuit-breaker
8DQ1 550 kV GIS applications
8DQ1 550 kV HIS applications
Rated frequency 50 / 60 Hz
Rated normal current 4000 / 5000 A
Ambient temperature range -30 to +55 C
Short-circuit making current 170 kA
Short-circuit breaking current 63 kA
First-pole-to-clear factor 1.3 and 1.5
Break time 2 cycles
Capacitive voltage factor 1.4 p.u.
Capacitive current switching Class C2
Mechanical endurance Class M2
Electrical endurance Class E2
Type of gas SF
6
Filling pressure at 20 C 0.66 / 0.7 MPa
Table 1: Common main ratings of the type 3AP2 platform circuit-breakers
rated 550 kV
In every configuration the following identical basic modules as
the essential sub-assemblies of a circuit-breaker are used:
The arc assist self compression interrupter system
with insulating nozzle and
the stored energy spring-spring operating mechanism.
3.1 Interrupter unit
A schematic diagram of the arc assist self compression inter-
rupter system is given in figure 1, its functional principle is
shown in figure 2. By the use of this switching principle signifi-
cantly improvements of the circuit-breaker performance during
short-circuit making and breaking and in its capacitive current
switching capabilities are obtained. A wide contact gap of the
arcing contacts in open position ensures the high dielectric
stability. The high speed of the arcing contacts and the design
of the interrupter unit carefully improved and optimised by
means of various simulation tools have reduced the minimum
arcing time, so that all 550 kV circuit-breaker types fulfil the
condition for 2 cycles for 50 Hz and for 60 Hz as well according
to IEC and IEEE standard rules. Furthermore, due to these mea-
sures an excellent capacitive current switching capability for
50 Hz and 60 Hz could be achieved. Some special applications
are presented later in this paper.
1
2 3
4
1. Gear unit housing 3. Double motion interrupter system
2. Porcelain jacket 4. Grading capacitor
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the interrupter unit of the 550 kV
platform circuit-breaker
a)
1
8
2
9
3
10
4
11
5
12
6
13
7
14 15
1. Check valve
2. Compression volume
3. Valve plate
4. Heat cylinder
5. Tube contact
6. Guide rail
7. Pin
8. Piston
9. Heating volume
10. Auxiliary nozzle
11. Contact lamination
12. Nozzle
13. Pin contact
14. Cam lever
15. Lever
b)
c)
d)
a) Breaker in Closed position
b) Breaking: Main contact open
c) Breaking: Arcing contact open
d) Breaker in Open position
Figure 2: Functional principle of the arc assist
self compression interrupter system
3.2 Operating mechanism
The stored-energy spring-spring operating mechanism (see
figure 3) is with respect to energy, contact speed and moving
characteristic designed for a true 2 cycles break time for 50
and 60 Hz according to IEC and IEEE standards. The operating
mechanism is assembled in a compact and corrosion-free alu-
minium housing. Both, the clow sing and the opening spring
are arranged in the same mechanism housing. The status,
charged or not charged, of both springs are visible from outside
of the mechanism cabinet. The entire operating system is com-
pletely isolated from the SF
6
gas compartments. Anti-friction
bearings and a maintenance-free operating mechanism ensure
more than two decades of reliable operations. The charging
time of the springs is short enough to allow for all normal duty
cycles like O 0.3 sec CO 3 min CO or CO 15 sec CO.
All parts of the cinematic chain are tested for a series of at least
10,000 operations, during the development those test series
have been applied repeatedly to make sure that every sample
has an appropriate safety margin for its entire operational life.
3.3 Live tank circuit-breaker
The live tank circuit-breaker type 3AP2FI 550 kV is shown in
figure 4. It is established with a double interrupter head, based
on the interrupter unit presented in 3.1, and the operating
mechanism, shown in 3.2, one drive for each pole. Different
versions with regard to the clearances of the pole column and
the interrupter units are available. By appropriate choice of the
insulator lengths every requirement given in the relevant stan-
dards for light up to very heavy pollution can be fulfilled. An
adaptation can be easily made at a later date if the operational
conditions change. Furthermore, by the choice of the insulator
lengths the circuit-breaker can be strengthened to cope e.g. with
an application on higher altitude or with extreme dielectric
requirements. If the user prefers composite insulators, this type
of insulators can be used instead of porcelains.
1
8
2 9
3
10
11
4
12
5
13
14
6
15
7
16
17
1. Trip coil CLOSE
2. Cam plate
3. Corner gear
4. Connecting rod
5. Connecting rod for
closing spring
6. Connecting rod for
opening spring
7. Closing spring
8. Emergency hand crank
9. Charging gear
10. Charging shaft
11. Roller lever
12. Damper (for closing)
13. Operating shaft
14. Damper (for opening)
15. Trip coil OPEN
16. Operating mechanism
housing
17. Opening sprin
Figure 3: Stored-energy spring-spring operating mechanism
Where closing or pre-insertion resistors are requested, they can
be attached to the gear housing on top of the column. The
standard value of the resistors is 450 per pole; the insertion
time is approximately 12 ms, covering the majority of specifica-
tions. Other values are available on demand.
For applications at extremely low temperatures a gas mixture
of SF
6
and CF
4
can be used instead of pure SF
6
. Another option,
which can be applied depending on the minimum ambient
temperature, is the use of pure SF
6
at reduced gas pressure.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. Switch unit
2. Grading capacitor
3. Pole column
4. Basis
5. Control cabinet
cabinet
Figure 4: Live tank circuit-breaker 3AP2FI 550 kV
3.4 Dead tank circuit-breaker
The same sub-assemblies are used for the dead tank version
of the 550 kV circuit-breaker. The housing of the switch unit is
made of cast-aluminium, the compartments are more or less the
same as used for the GIS and HIS circuit-breakers (see also 3.5).
To cope with n on-standard requirements as to pollution level,
increased voltage withstand capability or higher service altitudes
different bushing lengths can be supplied. Porcelain or compos-
ite bushings are available. A large variety of current transformers
can be assembled on both sides of the circuit-breaker to meet
the specified ratings.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. Bushing
2. Current transformer
3. Switch unit
4. Frame
5. Control cabinet
cabinet
Figure 5: Dead tank circuit-breaker 3AP2FI 550 kV
For applications at ambient temperature of less than -30 C
three different options are available depending on the opera-
tional conditions:
Pure SF
6
at reduced filling pressure
Mixture of SF
6
and CF
4
Heating blankets around the switch unit
Bay width: 3600 mm
Bay width: 15000 mm
GIS
Circuit-breaker
HIS
Circuit-breaker
Figure 6: GIS and HIS arrangements
3.5 Circuit-breaker for gis and his
The interrupter unit and the operating mechanism presented
in 3.1 and 3.2 respectively are also used in the gas-insulated
switchgear 8DQ1 550 kV. The 8DQ1 type has a single-phase
encapsulated design which keeps dielectric and dynamic stresses
to a minimum. The outline is shown in figure 7. The same circuit-
breaker is supplied with different frames for indoor application
(GIS) and outdoor application (HIS) as shown in figure 6.
1
2
3
4
1. Switch unit
2. Control cabinet
3. Frame
cabinet
Figure 7: Circuit-breaker for GIS and HIS application
With only 4 different cast-aluminium housing components it is
possible to realise all configurations for every GIS, HIS and dead
tank design, as shown in figure 8.
The conductor connections of the 8DQ1 GIS circuit-breaker can
be applied horizontally and vertically. In figure 9 three typical
arrangements are shown.
Figure 8: Cast-aluminium housing components for the HIS, GIS and
DT versions of the platform circuit-breaker
U shape (top) L shape (mi d) I shape (bottom)
Figure 9: Presentation of typical GIS circuit-breaker arrangements:
4 Type tests
All different versions of circuit-breakers representing the 550 kV
circuit-breaker platform have been completely type tested
according to the latest editions of IEC 62271-1, IEC 62271-100
and IEC 62271-101 as well as the C37 series of IEEE. Where
drafts of updated standards were available, not contradicting
present standards, those have been applied as well. In total
approximately 150 type test reports are available, each of them
issued by a third party laboratory, as there are e. g. CESI, KEMA
and PEHLA.
The tests are covering 50 Hz and 60 Hz applications for 63 kA.
For short-line faults no additional capacitances are needed.
The tests for terminal faults have been carried out for the first-
pole-to-clear factor of 1.3 and 1.5, thus, covering also special
requirements of some US utilities even for the high voltage
ratings. Out-of-phase tests have been performed successfully
for voltage factors of 2.0 p. u. and 2.5 p. u. as well.
Capacitive current switching tests cover 50 Hz and 60 Hz applica-
tions for line, cable, capacitor banks and back-to-back capacitor
bank switching. All types of circuit-breakers of the 550 kV plat-
form are capable of switching capacitive currents in the presence
of the voltage factor of 1.4 p. u. Without any exception the
tests have been carried out fulfilling the class C2 requirements
in accordance with the relevant IEC and IEEE standards.
Although there are no type tests prescribed with regard to the
electrical endurance for circuit-breakers of this rated voltage
and to the switching capability of small inductive currents,
those tests have been carried out, too. The results of the small
inductive current switching tests proved the suitability of this
circuit-breaker for switching of small inductive currents (e. g.
shunt reactors) even where smaller currents than specified in
IEC 62271-107 are applied. The switching overvoltages created
are distinctly lower than 2.0 p. u. Where the occurrence of
harmless re-ignitions is not wanted, the use of the synchronous
relay PSD03 is recommended [15]. This relay can also be applied
for switching of lines, even compensated lines, or any capacitive
load to substitute closing resistors without loosing operational
reliability.
The electrical endurance tests have been carried out for the
more severe case of 60 Hz related to a short-circuit breaking
current of 63 kA according to the present edition of IEC 62271-
310. The behaviour of the circuit-breaker during these tests
gave prove of the excellent switching, making and breaking
capability throughout the entire life time of this circuit-breaker
type (class E2).
Each configuration passed the complete dielectric type test to
both, IEC and IEEE; to fulfil the IEEE requirements also chopped
wave tests have been carried out where needed. As in some
places test voltages beyond the standards are specified by some
clients, also test evidence for those extreme testing parameters
is given. The dielectric tests on the control equipment have
been passed as well.
Depending on the operating conditions and the configuration
of the circuit-breaker at both 50 Hz and 60 Hz a rated current of
5000 A is available. Where, for example, an ambient temperature
as high as 55C is specified a limitation to 4000 A may be nec-
essary in some rare cases.
The mechanical operating tests provided evidence of the class
M2 capability. Type tests have been performed for each configu-
ration. The earth quake withstand capability has been proven
by both, tests on the shaking table in the laboratory and by
means of computational simulation.
Table 2 gives a summary of the type tests performed on the
different versions of the 550 kV platform circuit-breaker.
Power tests for 50/60 Hz
Terminal faults
Short-line faults
Capacitive current switching line- and cable charging
Capacitive current switching back to back
Short-time withstand and peak withstand current test
Single-phase shunt reactor current
Electrical endurance test
Out-of-phase making test, with max. pre-arcing between
the contacts of the closing resistor
Dielectric Tests
Rated power-frequency voltage test
Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage test
Lightning impulse voltage against power frequency voltage
Rated switching impulse withstand voltage tests
Switching impulse voltage against power-frequency voltage
Chopped wave lightning impulse withstand voltage
Dielectric tests on auxiliary and control circuits
Electromagnetic compatibility on secondary systems
Mechanical tests for 50/60 Hz
Mechanical life test 10.000 operations
Temperature rise test 4000/5000 A
Temperature rise test on auxiliary and control circuits
Low and high temperature test -30 C to 55 C
Degree of protection IP55 for operating mechanism
and control cabinet
Sound pressure level measurement
Table 2: Conclusion of the main type tests
(according to IEC and IEEE standards)
5 Features beyond or in addition to the type tests
As part of development or acceptance tests some features beyond
the relevant standards or in addition to them have been tested
on either circuit-breaker configuration. The results of these
tests give an idea of the margins incorporated in the presented
circuit-breaker design.
Following a regional standard capacitive current switching tests
at a frequency of 66 Hz and for a capacitive voltage factor of
1.4 p.u. have been tested successfully. The conditions of class
C2 have been fulfilled.
To check the capability to cope with short-circuit breaking
currents higher than 63 kA terminal and short-line fault tests
at 80 kA have been carried out with good results. For 90 % short-
line fault at 60 Hz an additional capacitance in the range of
15 nF was used on the line side.
For special applications, e. g. in filter bank circuits of HVDC
systems, capacitive voltage factors higher than 1.4 p.u. are
requested. Therefore, a capacitive current switching test using
a voltage factor of 1.64 p.u. has been carried out at a power
frequency of 50 Hz. No restrike occurred during the test, the
interrupter unit was found in proper conditions after the test.
A series of fundamental tests has supported that the circuit-
breaker can be used without grading capacitors at least for rated
voltages of 420 kV and below. A complete type test program
will be carried out in the near future to cover such applications.
6 Summary
The new circuit-breaker platform for 550 kV includes live tank
and dead tank circuit-breakers for air-insulated outdoor switch-
gear and circuit-breakers for gas-insulated switchgear and highly
integrated switchgear. Long time experience with the state
of the art arc assist self compression interrupter system and
stored-energy spring operating mechanism are incorporated
in the design of this circuit-breaker platform.
The platform concept for 550 kV using the same modules and
assembly groups from a common kit provides several benefits
for the manufacturer as well as for the user.
The manufacturer can focus his development work on a single
subject, the product platform. More efficient manufacturing
processes can be utilised, resulting in reduced effort for the
production and harmonised assembly procedures. This leads
to optimised and stable processes and at the end to an increased
product quality. The operational experiences gained during
service are basically applicable for all platform products.
As the number of different spare parts is reduced due to the more
or less identical design of the different products, the delivery
time of spare parts is shorter and spare part management is
easier resulting in lower life-cycle costs.
The platform for 550 kV was proven to meet the requirements
of IEC and IEEE and even beyond these standards. The wide
experiences from development and type tests with the excellent
results are a basis for further developments for higher voltage
levels and power ratings.
7 References
[1] Siemens AG: Offenlegungsschrift 2316009.
Deutsches Patentamt, 1973
[2] Stenzel, P.: For 245 kV too. EV-Report 3/99
[3] Marin, H.; Knobloch, H.; Schramm, H.-H.; Stenzel, P.:
6
circuit-breaker for
high ratings. MatPost `99, Lyon (France), 18/19 Nov.1999
[4] Knobloch, H.; Marin, H.; Schramm, H.; Stenzel, P.:
Technological trends in high-voltage circuit-breakers.
CIGRE paper 13-106, Session 2000, Paris
[5] Bartlett, S.; Helbig, D.; Moller, I.; Schtte,A.:
Highly Integrated Switchgear An Innovative Concept
to Reduce Life Cycle Costs. CIGRE Session Paris 2000,
paper 23-108, August 2000
[6] Schuler, K.: 3AP1 Now available as Dead Tank.
Power Today, Vol. 1, May 1/01
[7] Knobloch, H.; Stenzel, P.: Dead Tank based Compact
Switchgear Optimized High Voltage substation
Equipment for 145 kV. CIGRE session Berlin 2007,
paper to be published
[8] Beier, H.; Marin, H.; Noack, D.:
A New Generation of Siemens SF
6
-Circuit-Breakers.
Siemens Rev. XL (1973) pp. 435 to 439
[9] Fischer, D.; Olsen, W.; Palm, J.:
Three- Phase Encapsulated SF
6
-Insulated 8D.6 Switchgear
for 123 to 145 kV. Siemens Rev. 43 (1976) pp. 204 to 209
[10] Mller, W.: Single-Phase and Three-Phase Encapsulated
of SF
6
-Insulated Metalclad Switchgear for 123 to 765 kV.
Siemens Rev. 43 (1976) pp. 122 to 125
[11] Beier, H.; Lhrmann, H.; Marin, H.: Development of SF
6

Circuit-Breakers at Siemens. Siemens Power Engineering
III (1981) Special Issue High-Voltage Tech-nology,
pp. 29 to 36
[12] Olsen, W.; Rimpp, F.:
SF
6
-Insulated High Voltage Switchgear:
Present Status and Development Trends. Siemens Power
Engineering III (1981) Special Issue High-Voltage
Technology, pp. 36 to 41
[13] Kopriva, O.; Kugler, R.:
420 kV and 550 kV Circuit-Breakers for Rated Short-Circuit
Breaking Currents of 80 to 100 kA. Siemens Power
Engineering VI (1984) No.1 With Special Section on
High-Voltage Technology, pp. 15 to 20
[14] Dankers, R.; Marin, H.; Schuler, K.:
Greater Reliability for HV Circuit-Breakers. Siemens Power
Engineering & Automation Vol.X, No. 3 May/June 1988
[15] Wallner, C.; Richter, H.-G.:
Three-Pole Controlled Auto-Reclosing of
Shunt Compensated Transmission Lines. CEPSI 2006,
The 16th Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry
6 -10 November, 2006, Mumbai, India
Circuit-breaker for service at low temperature
Klaus Schuler, Norbert Trapp
Siemens High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers
for Use at Low Temperatures
High-voltage circuit-breakers are a key component in electrical
transmission networks. Apart from the pure switching function,
the circuit-breakers provide a protective function in the transfer
of electrical energy by preventing unnecessary loads in the
event of breakdowns caused by short-circuit currents and thus
ensuring the networks operate safely.
Siemens high-voltage circuit-breakers are in use all over the
world, not least in extreme environmental conditions. In some
cases, they are used in ambient temperatures that drop to -60 C.
Standard circuit-breakers have been designed for use in temper-
ature areas ranging from -30 to +55 C. By providing technical
options for extended temperature ranges, Siemens has the
perfect solution for every application. The following report
features these solutions taking the various design forms into
consideration.
Siemens high-voltage circuit-breakers are single-pressure
apparatuses. The devices currently supplied are usually equipped
with an arc supported self-compression interrupter unit and a
spring drive mechanism. Pure SF
6
gas or SF
6
gas mixtures are
used as arc-quenching and insulating media. The switching
capacity and insulation performance depend on the density
of the gas or gas mixture, with a falling gas density reducing
both the switching capacity and insulation performance. For
standard version Siemens high-voltage circuit-breakers, there
is a minimum operating temperature of -30 C corresponding
with the minimum gas density required for operation.
1. Designs for Low-Temperature Circuit-Breakers
1.1 Usage of Pure SF
6
If the ambient temperature drops for a circuit-breaker with a
specified nominal operating pressure, the pressure will reduce,
as depicted in Figure 1, initially along a line of constant density,
i.e. the performance of the circuit-breaker remains unchanged.
The gas will partially liquefy only once the liquefying limit is
reached and the density will reduce. The switching capacity and
the insulation properties reduce when the gas density drops.
The minimum operating temperature specified for pure SF
6
and
the associated filling and lockout pressures are listed in Table 1.
Here, there are three variants available:
Minimum operating temperature of -30 C:
Standard design with full performance data.
Minimum operating temperature of -35 C or -40 C:
The circuit-breaker is filled with the standard gas density
and has a density monitor with knee-point characteristic.
Full performance data are reached at temperatures down
to -30 C. In the range between the lower limit temperature
for the standard-design circuit-breaker (-30 C) and the
reduced minimum operating temperature (-35 C or -40 C),
a minimum reduction in performance due to the fractional
liquefaction of SF
6
is accepted.
Minimum operating temperature of -40 C:
With this variant the circuit-breaker in the standard design is
filled with reduced density appropriate for the minimum
operating temperature without gas liquefaction. Due to the
reduced density the insulation properties and the switching
capability are limited due to the reduced filling density.
-60 -40
Liquefaction curve Lines of constaqnt density
-20 0 20 40 60 80 100
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
a
b
s
o
l
u
t
e
)

i
n

b
a
r

Temperature in C
Figure 1: Vapour pressure curve and lines of constant density for pure SF
6
Minimum
operating
temperature
[C]
SF
6

Rated filling pressure,
absolute value at 20 C
[bar]
SF
6

function lockout pressure,
[bar]
-30 7,0 6,0
-35/-40
1
7,0 6,0
-40 5,5 4,5
1) Using a density monitor with a knee-point characteristic
Table 1: Values of minimum operating temperatures and pressures when using pure SF
6
1.2 Usage of Tank Heaters
If a reduction of the circuit-breakers performance is to be avoided
when using pure SF
6
at a reduced minimum operating tempera-
ture, a tank heater can be used to counteract a reduction of the
gas density caused by the liquefaction of SF
6
. When the surface
of the circuit-breaker is covered by an external insulation, the
heating power required can be considerably reduced. The use
of tank heaters and additional insulation is only common with
dead-tank circuit-breakers and dead-tank compact circuit-breakers
(hybrid circuit-breakers). Figure 2 shows a dead-tank circuit-
breaker rated 245 kV with tank heaters, whereas in figure 3
a 550 kV circuit-breaker is shown using both, tank heaters and
insulation.
Normally, in the case of dead-tank circuit-breakers the tank and
the installed bushings form a common gas compartment. This
means the heat from the gas compartment can dissipate via the
surfaces of the porcelain or composite bushings. The tank heater
power must be increased to compensate for this heat dissipation.
Another negative effect on the switching capacity and insulation
performance is caused by the fact that the gas in the bushings
is colder than in the circuit-breaker tank thus reducing the gas
density in the interrupter unit at the same pressure in the com-
mon circuit-breaker volume.
This can be prevented by using foam-filled bushings. With this
make of bushings, the volume of the installed insulator is not
filled with gas but with polyurethane foam expanded with SF
6
.
A cast resin bushing is used for the separation to the gas com-
partment. Apart from the thermal insulation effect, the SF
6

volume is reduced too. Compared to a separated gas bushing,
there is the benefit that a reduced volume of gas and fewer
tanks must be monitored. The effect explained above of the
displacement of the gas density into the bushings is eliminated
by the use of these foam-filled bushings.
Figure 2: Use of a tank heater on a dead-tank circuit-breaker,
type 3AP1DT - 245 kV
Figure 3: Use of tank heaters and insulation on a dead-tank breaker,
type 3AP2DT - 550 kV
1.3 Use of Gas Mixtures Containing SF
6
with N
2
or CF
4
Adding N
2
or CF
4
can lower the minimum operating temperature
down to -60 C. Both gases liquefy at considerably lower temper-
atures and are thus gaseous at all ambient temperatures relevant
to the circuit-breaker. When using SF
6
gas mixtures containing
N
2
or CF
4
, the SF
6
fraction only liquefies if the partial pressure
of the SF
6
reaches the liquefaction limit. The lower the partial
pressure of the SF
6
, the lower is the minimum operating temper-
ature of the circuit-breaker at the same filling pressure.
It is not necessary to heat the gas compartment when using gas
mixtures even at low temperatures. Figure 4 shows the temper-
ature behaviour of an SF
6
/CF
4
gas mixture. Table 2 specifies the
minimum operating temperatures and partial pressures for the
gas ratios of mixed gas circuit-breakers. Irrespective of the type
of mixed gas and minimum operating temperature, mixed-gas
circuit-breakers are operated at a rated filling pressure of 8.5 bar
or a lockout pressure of 7.5 bar (both absolute values).
Minimum
operating
temperature
SF
6
CF
4
or N
2
[C]
Ratio
[%]
Partial pressure with
rated filling pressure,
absolute value at 20C
[bar]
Ratio
[%]
Partial pressure with
[bar]
-40 60 5,1 40 3,4
-45 51 4,3 49 4,2
-50 43 3,7 57 4,8
-55 35 3,0 65 5,5
-60 25 2,1 75 6,4
Table 2: Composition of gas mixture for various minimum operating temperatures
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
a
b
s
o
l
u
t
e
)

i
n

b
a
r

-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Temperature in C
32
30
28
26
24
22
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
Figure 4: Vapour pressure curve and lines of constant density for a SF
6
/CF
4

mixture Example for a mixture ratio of 75 % CF
4
and 25 % SF
6
1.4 Gas Density Monitoring
The density of the SF
6
gas or SF
6
gas mixture in the circuit-breaker
is monitored by a density monitor. The density monitor used in
Siemens high-voltage circuit-breakers works using a reference
volume surrounded by a bellows system as a differential pressure
sensor. The density monitor with its reference volume is exposed
to the same atmospheric conditions as the circuit-breaker. This
ensures that the pressure sensor works without being dependent
on the temperature. For this reason, the density monitor only
reacts to a leak in the circuit-breaker compartment and not to
the ambient temperature dropping below a specific value.
The SF
6
or the SF
6
gas mixture in the density monitors reference
volume always corresponds to the gas composition in the circuit-
breaker. The reference volume is filled with a density correspond-
ing to the Loss of SF
6
warning level. When reaching this level
the functionality of the circuit-breaker is not restricted. Only
when the density caused by falling temperature is dropping
further, thus liquefying more SF
6
, and the residual density in
the breaker drops below the density value corresponding to the
General lockout level, the performance of the circuit-breaker
will drop impermissibly. Figure 5 illustrates the principle and
the individual operating conditions of the density monitors and
Figure 6 shows the operating values.
a) Filling pressure
Contact:
General lockout
Loss of SF
6
Reference volume
b) Warning
Loss of SF
6
c) General lockout
Figure 5: Operating conditions for the density monitor
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
a
b
s
o
l
u
t
e
)

i
n

b
a
r

Temperature in C
-40
e
a
b
c
0.2
7.0
6.2
-35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 C
10.0
9.5
9.0
8.5
8.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
6.0
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
a) SF
6
b) pressure for Loss of SF
6
signal,
c) pressure for general lockout SF
6
,
e) Liquefaction curve
Figure 6: Operating values for a density monitor,
example for a minimum operating temperature of -30 C
1.5 Density Monitor with knee-point characteristic
If the circuit-breaker should operate at full capacity down to the
standard minimum operating temperature of -30 C and be used
at an ambient temperature down to -40 C, a minimal reduction
in the performance data and a partial liquefaction of the SF
6
is
permissible. This particular type of density monitor functions
correctly even in this application case. This assumes a differential
pressure between the circuit-breaker and the reference volume
even when liquefaction has already occurred. The reference
volume of the density monitor is filled with a higher density
than the density value for the loss of SF
6
signal. A compensation
spring on the circuit-breaker side counteracts the greater force
from the reference volume on the bellows system. Figure 7
shows the density monitor with knee-point characteristic
Operating state
Loss of SF
6
warning
Figure 7: Density monitor with compensation spring for application
with knee-point characteristic
Thanks to this design, the reference volume density line for the
temperature range, in which liquefaction also occurs in the
circuit-breaker, is below the reference line of the circuit-breaker
volume to be monitored. The arrangement of the density monitor
contacts and the filling of the circuit-breaker are subject to the
same rules as for a standard density monitor, Figure 8.
The advantage of this technical solution compared to a circuit-
breaker with reduced filling pressure is that the circuit-breaker
retains its full switching capacity and insulation properties down
to temperatures where gas liquefaction occurs. Only when the
temperature falls below this reference temperature, the switching
and insulation capacity does reduce with falling temperature.
If this behaviour is compared with that of a circuit-breaker with
reduced filling pressure appropriate to the minimum operating
temperature, the latter will constantly exhibit the minimum per-
formance of a circuit-breaker with the density monitor with the
knee point characteristic curve. As temperatures of below -30 C
only occur for short periods of time even in the cold climate
regions, this projected across the whole year, such that the circuit-
breakers high level of performance is retained for the majority
of the year thanks to the use of this special density monitor and
only a minimal reduction of the performance must possibly be
tolerated for a few cold nighttimes hours. This can increase the
operating safety of the circuit-breaker considerably.
-40
e
a
b
c
0.2
7.0
6.2
-35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 C
10.0
9.5
9.0
8.5
8.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
6.0
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
P
r
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s
s
u
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e

(
a
b
s
o
l
u
t
e
)

i
n

b
a
r

Temperature in C
a) SF
6
b) pressure for Loss of SF
6
signal,
c) pressure for general lockout SF
6
,
e) Liquefaction curve
Figure 8: Operating values for a density monitor
1.6 Gas Mixtures Handling and their Behaviour
There are four different established processes for filling mixed-gas
circuit-breakers:
a) The gas mixture is obtained as a finished product from the
manufacturer and is used to fill the circuit-breaker unit. The
pressure of the gas mixture in the gas containers must be
specified such that a partial liquefaction of the SF
6
does not
occur due to the temperature dropping during the complete
handling process including the transport and filling procedure.
The liquefaction could even lead to partial separation and
thus the falsification of the mixture ratio (reduction of the
SF
6
component); this would lead to a reduction in the circuit
breakers performance.
b) The circuit-breaker can be filled sequentially from separate
gas containers, each of which contains a component of the
gas mixture. During this process, the SF
6
is poured in with
the corresponding partial pressure. The other gas component
is then added, N
2
or CF
4
, until the specified filling pressure is
reached. The accuracy of this filling method is dependant on
the precision of the record of the temperature of the gas
being added. In order to mix the different gas components
no-load switching operations are carried out. In addition,
diffusion and thermal processes create the final mixture;
usually the mixture is sufficiently mixed after approximately
24 hours. Experience has proven that the mixture remains
adequately mixed even if the circuit-breaker is not activated
for longer periods of time. The SF
6
concentration is measured
by an SF
6
ratio measuring instrument. It is advisable to check
the mixture ratios several days after being filled to prevent
the circuit-breaker performance being impaired.
c) In commercially available mixing equipment, the flow rate for
the gas components is controlled during the filling process,
such that the final gas mixture for the circuit-breaker satisfies
the target density relation (see also Table 2). This filling pro-
cess is very accurate; control measurements are not necessary.
d) Another method is to fill the gas components in the required
ratios into the circuit-breaker using weighing machines.
Subsequent control measurements are not necessary if precise
scales are used, however their usage under extreme site
conditions could be problematic. Similar to the method given
under b), this filling method also achieves an adequately mixed
gas mixture with the help of no-load switching operations
and by waiting 24 hours.
In the event of a gas leakage while the circuit-breaker is in
operation, the mixture ratio of the gases remaining in the circuit-
breaker may change as particularly small points of leakage can
vary in terms of permeability for the gases in the mixture. In this
instance, the composition of the mixed gas can also be measured
by an SF
6
ratio measuring instrument; during the topping up
process, the individual components can be added as required.
2. SF
6
and SF
6
Gas Mixtures as Insulating and
Arc-Quenching Media
For SF
6
circuit-breakers, the switching capacity and insulation
performance are dependent on the density of the gas contents
as well as the quality of the gas used (pure SF
6
or mixed gas).
If the density drops or the pressure drops while the temperature
remains constant, the performance of a monitored circuit-
breaker reduces, this applies irrespective of the design of the
unit. Similarly, the performance reduces in mixed-gas breakers
should the SF
6
ratio drop while the temperature and overall
pressure remain constant. To reduce this negative impact on the
performance of mixed-gas circuit-breakers, these are frequently
supplied with a higher rated filling pressure than a corresponding
circuit-breaker with pure SF
6
.
2.1 SF
6
and SF
6
Gas Mixtures as Insulating Media
Verification tests for the dielectric strength specified in relevant
national and international standards are carried out in the form
of type tests for every circuit-breaker variant at the respective
general lockout pressure. Using pure SF
6
reduces the dielectric
strength of a breaker for a minimum operating temperature of
-40 C (the absolute value of the filling pressure at 20 C is 5.5 bar)
by 15 to 20 % compared to a standard-design circuit-breaker
for -30 C.
However, if a mixed-gas circuit-breaker is considered for a mini-
mum operating temperature of -50 C with an SF
6
ratio of 43 %
and an absolute filling pressure value of 8.5 bar at 20 C, a reduc-
tion of 5 % to 15 % can be expected; compared to a standard
circuit-breaker with pure SF
6
for a minimum operating tempera-
ture of -30 C. The reduction amount depends on the voltage
rating regarded, the geometry of the insulating section and the
gas used for the mixture, N
2
or CF
4
.
2.2 SF
6
and SF
6
Gas Mixtures as Arc Quenching Media
For the arc-quenching and switching capacity of circuit-breakers,
there is a differentiation made between the thermal and dielectric
arc-quenching capacity. Both aspects deteriorate in the event of
falling gas density, this applies to both, the short-circuit switch-
ing capacity and the capacitive current switching capability.
Compared to a circuit-breaker for a minimum operating temper-
ature of -30 C, the switching capacity of a -40 C circuit-breaker
drops equivalent to a rating level of the rated short-circuit current
in accordance with IEC. The characteristics become more bene-
ficial only when switching small inductive currents while the
gas density drops.
When compared to standard circuit-breakers for a minimum
operating temperature of -30 C, there is also a reduction in
arc-quenching and switching capacity for low-temperature circuit-
breakers filled with mixed-gas. When using N
2
as the second gas
component in a mixed-gas circuit-breaker for a minimum operat-
ing temperature of -50 C, there is a reduction of approximately
one rating level of the rated short-circuit current in accordance
with IEC; if, however, CF4 is used the drop can be anticipated as
only being maximum 0.5 of a current level. If the full short-circuit
current levels are to be retained, the rated voltage level must be
reduced by one rating level according to IEC.
Just like standard circuit-breakers filled with pure SF
6
, low-tem-
perature circuit-breakers undergo short-circuit and load-current
tests to determine the switching capacity. As the switching ca-
pacity and insulation performance depend on the density of the
gas/gas mixture used and not on their pressure or ambient tem-
perature, only the gas density is of importance for the dielectric
tests and switching capacity tests. This is why these tests can be
carried out without distorted test results for the ambient temper-
atures prevailing in the test laboratories, as long as the filling
density is set in accordance with Figure 1 or the layout of the
circuit-breaker is set up as shown in Figure 4 for example. It is
only due to these interrelations that low-temperature circuit-
breakers can be tested for the complete range of their application
temperatures in switching capacity and dielectric test laboratories
at ambient temperatures, as there is not a test laboratory in the
world where high-voltage and extra-high-voltage breakers can
be loaded with the necessary electrical test values at lowered
temperatures.
3. Design of low temperature circuit-breakers
3.1 Auxiliary heaters for the operating mechanism
and the control components
The spring drive mechanism and control components are housed
in a cubicle. Each cubicle contains a condensation heater and
ventilation system. The condensation heater is constantly active
to stimulate ventilation. For ambient temperatures of -40 C and
lower, an auxiliary heater is connected, which is controlled via
thermostat. This prevents a higher degree of liquid viscosity in
the dampers of the spring drive mechanism.
3.2 Special materials
Steels that do not embrittle at low temperatures are used for
the circuit-breakers support structure, e.g. circuit-breaker frame,
circuit-breaker base and pillars. Notched bar impact work is at
least 27 J.
Gaskets made of rubber materials that retain sufficient elasticity
at low temperatures are used to seal the gas compartment and
in the corner gear. All bearings in the spring drive mechanism,
the kinematic chain and the corner gear are lubricated with
grease that can be used in temperatures ranging from -60 to
130 C. The interrupter unit is identical to the one used in the
standard design.
4. Type tests
All low-temperature circuit-breakers undergo a complete type
test, just the same as every other Siemens high-voltage circuit-
breaker. This type test comprises dielectric tests specified in the
relevant standard, short-circuit current breaking tests and load-
current switching tests. Mechanical life cycle tests for the classes
M1 or M2 in accordance with IEC are carried out as required.
A focal point of the testing is the so-called climate test, in which
the mechanical switching behaviour is checked in temperature
cycles at both the lowest and highest operating temperature.
An important criterion during this test is the circuit-breakers
gas leak tightness at the limit temperatures. In addition, a record
of the orderly function of the gas monitoring and heating systems
must be kept. Finally, it must be shown that the circuit-breaker
under test retains its functionality even in the event of the heaters
being used failing for two hours. The circuit-breakers for various
temperature levels and with various gas contents of SF
6
or SF
6
gas
mixtures undergo these type tests. Figure 9 shows a dead-tank
compact circuit-breaker during a climate test.
Figure 9: Type test in a climate chamber for a dead-tank
compact circuit-breaker DTC - 145 kV
5. Target markets
Many utilities cover a diversity of temperature zones with the
regions they supply. This is why many customers require not only
standard circuit-breakers for minimum operating temperatures
of -30 C but also low-temperature circuit-breakers for the tem-
perature range down to -60 C (e.g. in Siberia). When selecting
the temperature level required, reference is made to the long-
term temperature records kept by climate and meteorological
services.
Target markets include all regions with low temperatures such as:
Scandinavia: -40 C, pure SF
6
or SF
6
/N
2
mixed gas preferred
Russia: -45 to -60 C
China: -40 C
Kazakhstan: -52 C
USA, Canada: -40 to -50 C
6. Solutions from Siemens
Siemens supplies the following solutions for using high-voltage
circuit-breakers in regions with low temperatures:
Live-tank circuit-breakers of 3AP series from 72.5 to 800 kV:
For -40 C with pure SF
6
and lowered pressure or alternatively
with pure SF
6
at standard filling pressure and density monitor
with knee-point characteristic or alternatively with mixed gas
Down to -60 C with an SF
6
/CF
4
mixed gas
Dead-tank circuit-breakers of 3AP series from 72.5 to 550 kV:
6
and lowered pressure or alternative-
ly at standard filling pressure with tank heater and additional
insulation or alternatively with pure SF
6
at standard filling
pressure and density monitor with knee-point characteristic
Down to -60 C with an SF
6
/CF
4
mixed gas or alternatively
with pure SF
6
at standard filling pressure with tank heater
Dead-tank compact circuit-breakers of 3AP1DTC series,
72.5 to 245 kV
6
and lowered pressure or alternatively
with pure SF
6
at standard filling pressure and density monitor
Down to -60 C with a SF
6
/CF
4
mixed gas.
7. Summary
High-voltage circuit-breakers from Siemens for the complete
voltage range from 72.5 to 800 kV are mainly supplied with the
state-of-the-art arc-supported self-compression quenching sys-
tem and spring drive mechanisms. Siemens has been supplying
circuit-breakers with this technology since 1996 and there are
now 50.000 such circuit-breakers in operation across the world.
The standard range has been expanded to include the low-
temperature circuit-breaker to exploit the advantages of this
technology in regions of the world with ambient temperatures
as low as -60 C. The circuit-breaker comprises approved and
tested components that have been enhanced with other sealing
materials, lubricant, additional heaters and, if required, by the
use of gas mixtures. This means there is a perfect solution for
every application.
3AP4/5 High-Voltage Circuit-Breaker for 800 kV
Thomas Chyla
Transmission of electrical energy at the highest voltages is
constantly gaining in importance across the globe.
The technical demands on high-voltage circuit-breakers have
continued to increase in recent years. A high level of reliability
under extreme climatic conditions and during earthquakes are
essential prerequisites, as well as the ability to cope with high
voltage loads, high breaking currents and fast break times.
By completing the development of the 3AP4/5 800 kV circuit-
breaker, Siemenss product range includes the 3AP series with
self-compression system and spring drive mechanisms for a
voltage range of 72.5 kV to 800 kV and a short-circuit breaking
current of up to 63 kA. Figure 1 shows the circuit-breaker at the
Siemens high-voltage testing facility. The product range for the
live tank breaker is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1: Breaker pole on the new 800 kV outdoor circuit-breaker
72.5 123 145 170 245 300 362 420 550 800 0
Rated short-circuit breaking current
Rated voltage
U
r
/kV
80
63
50
40
31.5
25
0
I
SC
/kA
3AT2/3
3AP1 FG 3AP1 FI 3AP2/3 FI 3AP4/5 FI
3AT4/5
Figure 2: 3AP circuit-breaker product range
The New 800 kV Circuit-Breaker
The 800 kV high-voltage circuit-breaker is an extension of the
modular system of the 3AP2/3 420 kV and 550 kV live tank
breakers with two interrupter units, closing resistors and spring
drive mechanisms. [1]
The existing pole column of the 550 kV circuit-breaker was
extended to the required flashover distance using an additional
insulator porcelain, the base was enhanced due to higher degrees
of force and the creepage path requirements of 31 mm/kV are
met in accordance with the latest standard. An overview of the
technical data is shown in the table in Figure 4.
The durability of the elastic power connection (see Figure 3)
between the two double break assemblies was verified in accor-
dance with IEEE and Transselec standards via 10,000 mechanical
operating cycles, a surge current test and during an earthquake
test on the 3AP3 550 kV circuit-breaker with closing resistors.
Figure 3: Elastic power connection between the two double break
assemblies
Technical Data 3AP4/5 FI
Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage 2100 kV
Rated switching impulse withstand voltage 1425 kV
Rated power frequency withstand voltage 830 kV
Rated normal current 4000 A/500 A
Rated short circuit current 63 kV
Rated frequency 50 Hz
Break time 2-cycle
First-pole-to-clear factor 1.5
Ambient temperature range -30 C +55 C
Standard IEC/ANSI
Figure 4: Technical Data
Functional Components
The layout of an 800 kV circuit-breaker pole is shown in Figure 5.
The interrupter units with the self-compression system with
support for arc power which has been tried and tested for many
years have been designed in accordance with the highest
technical specifications. Switching a short-circuit current from
63 kA with a pole factor of 1.5 can be guaranteed in the same
way as capacitive switching with a voltage factor of 1.4 p.u.
All Siemens 3AP hi0gh-voltage circuit-breakers from 72.5 kV to
800 kV have the same switching principle with self-compression
system and spring drive mechanism [2, 3]. The switching principle
is shown in Figure 6.
1 Interrupter unit
2 Post insulator
3 Pillar
4 Control cabinet
5 Operating mechanism cubicle
6 Grading capacitor
7 Closing resistor (optional)
1
6/7
2
4
5
3
Figure 5: Layout of a pole for the 800 kV circuit-breaker with four contact gabs
Figure 6: Switching principle of the interrupter unit with
self-compressions system
The self-compression system requires a low level of operating
energy. The resulting lower forces on the kinematic chain allow
the 800 kV high-voltage circuit-breaker to have a light construc-
tion. Over 70,000 spring drive mechanisms are used worldwide
and work according to the same operating principle as that
shown in Figure 7. On 800 kV high-voltage circuit-breakers,
each column of one phase has a spring drive mechanism. Using
a simple controller that has been proven successful over several
years, the spring drive mechanisms of a phase are coupled to-
gether electrically. The controller and the spring drive mecha-
nisms are designed in such as way that switching a phase with-
in two periods can be guaranteed. Each column of a phase has
its own gas compartment monitoring with density monitor.
Figure 7: Schematic layout of the spring drive mechanism
The 800 kV high-voltage circuit-breaker is available with or with-
out closing resistors. Depending on the switching surges in the
power networks, the closing resistors can be adapted to the
customers requirements to have different closing times and
resistance values. The closing resistors are operated in accordance
with the approved operating principle via direct coupling without
latching with the driving rods of the interrupter units. The oper-
ating principle for the closing resistors is shown in Figures 8
and 9. The PSD controller can also be used in place of the closing
resistors.
a) OPEN position: Resistor interrupter OPEN
(resistor cut out), main interrupter OPEN
b) Closing: Resistor interrupter CLOSED
(resistor being out in), main interrupter OPEN
c) Closing, approx. 10 ms later: Resistor interrupter CLOSED
(resistor short-circuited), main interrupter CLOSED
d) CLOSED position: Resistor interrupter CLOSED
a) b)
c) d)
A
B
26.2 26.1 26.7
21.19
21.20
21.21
Figure 8: Closing Resistor Closing (Operation Mode).
The operation mode of the closing is shown schematically
a) CLOSED position: Resistor interrupter CLOSED
b) Opening: Resistor interrupter OPEN
(resistor cut out), main interrupter CLOSED
c) Opening, approx. 10 ms later: Resistor interrupter OPEN
d) OPEN position: Resistor interrupter OPEN
a) b)
c) d)
Figure 9: Closing Resistor Opening (Operation Mode).
The operation mode of the opening is shown schematically
Transport and Installation
The same installation concept as that of outdoor circuit-breakers
applies across the board for all 3AP high-voltage circuit-breakers
from 72.5 kV to 800 kV. The individually tested circuit-breakers
at the Siemens factory are disassembled into a few self-contained
modules for transport. The 800 kV high-voltage circuit-breaker is
disassembled into three compact transport units and can then be
quickly re-assembled on the customers premises, see Figure 10.
3 Install double
interrupter head
2 Install post insulator
with operating rod
1 Install breaker base with
operating mechanism and
control cubicle
Figure 10: Schematic representation of the assembly of a pole column with
double break assembly
Summary
With the logical development of the 3AP high-voltage circuit-
breaker, a 3AP product series from 72.5 kV to 800 kV with self-
compression system and spring drive mechanism is available,
alongside the 3AP4/5 800 kV outdoor breaker.
By using components from the modular systems of the 420 kV,
550 kV and 800 kV circuit-breakers, Siemens has been able to
rely on its long-standing knowledge of the endurance of circuit-
breakers, manufacturing processes, installation procedures,
testing and commissioning.
The high quality achieved through this knowledge and the out-
standing technical characteristics are what single out the new
3AP4/5 800 kV high-voltage circuit-breaker.
Further details can be found in the following publications:
[1] Fredrich, D.; Schuler, K.; Trapp, N.:
Circuit-Breaker Platform for 550 kV. SWICON 2008,
SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SWITCH GEAR
& CONTROL GEAR, Mumbai, India
6
circuit-breaker for
high ratings.
MatPost 99, Lyon (France), 18/1Nov.1999
[3] Siemens AG: unexamined German application 2316009.
German Patent Office, 1973
Disconnecting Circuit-Breakers (DCB)
Horst Waage
Based on the successful 3AP circuit-breaker series, which has
been in service since 1996 at many substations all over the world,
Siemens developed disconnecting circuit-breakers for the voltage
levels 145 kV and 420 kV.
Introduction
All energy providers are faced with increasing cost pressure.
This is why they strive for higher reliability, reduced outage times
and lower maintenance costs. If an existing substation is to be
extended, the limited space at the site could be a problem
particularly in Northern countries where snow and ice on dis-
connector contacts can lead to failures.
The solution to these problems is disconnecting circuit-breakers
(DCB), which are now established as a reliable element at many
substations.
What is a Disconnecting Circuit-Breaker?
A DCB combines the function of a circuit-breaker with the func-
tion of a disconnector (combined function): two switching
devices in one. The breaking units assume the task of breaking
and disconnecting. No further contact systems are required
for disconnecting, which means the DCB must also fulfill the
demands of both devices; this is specified in the new standard
IEC 62271-108.
The distinctive features of DCBs are:
A blocking system (electrical and mechanical) that prevents
unintentional closing of the open circuit breaker.
Composite insulators to avoid leakage currents over the open
disconnector/circuit-breaker.
The kinematic chain between the CB drive, position indicator
and breaking unit must guarantee a correct indication of the
breaker/disconnector position even if one breaking unit is
blocked in the closed position by a mechanical failure and an
open operation is released.
Optional earthing switch integrated on the same base frame.
In this case, an electrical and mechanical interlock between
the blocking system and earthing switch is required.
The possibility to lock the blocking system in a blocked posi-
tion and the earthing switch in a closed position with the aid
of a padlock.
Figure 1: The 3AP1 FG 145 kV DCB with earthing switch
Advantages of DCBs
The first advantage of a DCB in comparison to the classic arrange-
ment of a circuit-breaker and separate disconnector is that there
is no unprotected contact system of the disconnector. This means
improved reliability with no problems arising as a result of dirt,
snow and ice on the contact system. Furthermore, the discon-
nector and circuit-breaker have the same maintenance intervals,
which reduces maintenance costs.
The second advantage is that the price of one integrated
switching device is less than the price of two or three (with
earthing switch) single devices.
Thirdly, installation time is reduced because only one device
is to be installed, instead of two or three. Finally, the DCB has
a real space saving design. New substation layouts are possible
in smaller areas (Figure 2) and instead of two or three founda-
tions for separate devices, the DCB needs only one. The most
significant advantage is the protected contact system of the
disconnector; however, it must be borne in mind here that the
contact system itself particularly the isolating distance on the
open disconnector is not visible.
Double busbar
Sectionalised single busbar
Disconnector
DCB
Disconnecting facility
(for maintanance or failure of DCB)
Transformer
Circuit-breaker
Figure 2: A conventional single line compared to a single line with DCBs
DCB Projects
Brought about by the needs of customers from northern Europe,
Siemens started the development of a 420 kV DCB in 2008,
and one year later launched the 145 kV DCB project. Both
disconnecting circuit-breakers are based on and originate from
well-known and proven Siemens products with over 10 years
of operational experience. The 3AP2 FI 420 kV DCB is based
on the 3AP2 FI 550 kV and the 3AP1 FG 145 kV DCB on the
3AP1 FG 170 kV breaker.
Both developments involved the following:
The integration of a mechanical blocking system with optical
position indicator in the existing base frame
The additional application of a motor drive for the mechanical
blocking system
The modification of the control unit for the electrical
interlocking system
The substitution of porcelain insulators for composite
insulators
The strengthening of specific parts of the kinematic chain
The application of a special density monitor with knee-point-
characteristic, that provides the breaker for low temperatures
and reduced SF
6
density (this is not specific to DCBs, but was
a requested by the first customer)
For the 145 kV DCB: integration of an earthing switch with
own motor drive and mechanical interlock
Furthermore, it was necessary to perform several tests. The most
important were:
Combined function test according to IEC 62271-108
Mechanical endurance test with 10000 operations for breaker
and blocking system (this also means the disconnecting
function)
Test of kinematic chain
Power tests with reduced SF
6
density to qualify the breaker
for low temperatures
Mechanical endurance test with 2000 operations for the
earthing switch
Figure 3: The 3AP2 FI 420 kV DCB on an installation site in Sweden
DCB Product Range
72.5 145 245 420 550 kV
50
40
31.5
k
A
30C
to
+55C
30C
to
+55C
40C
to
+55C
40C
to
+55C
Figure 4: The product range of the 145 kV and 420 kV DCB
Technical Data of DCBs
3AP1 FG 145 kV DCB 3AP2 FI 420 kV DCB
Rated normal current 3150 A 4000 A
Rated frequency 50 Hz 50 Hz
Rated short circuit breaking current
at -30 C 40 kA 40 kA
at -40 C 31.5 kA 40 kA
Temperature class -30 C (-40C)/+55 C -40 C/+55 C
Classification
Circuit-breaker M2, C2 M2, C2
disconnector M2 M2
earthing switch 2000 operations
Figure 5: Technical Data of the 145kV and 420kV DCB
The Combined Function Test
The combined function test according to IEC 62271-108, which
is the characteristic test for DCBs, shall now be described in detail:
As with conventional disconnectors, the dielectric withstand
across the isolating distance is essential for the safety of the main-
tenance staff when it comes to DCBs. The dielectric requirements
for the isolating distance must be guaranteed not only with
new DCBs, but also after years of service and many operations.
This is why the combined function test includes a mechanical
endurance test with 10000 operations and a T100s short-circuit
test duty. With contaminated insulating gas and abrasion of the
breaking unit caused by these preloads, the breaker must perform
the dielectric test of the isolating distance. It is not permissible
to open the breaker between the tests or to substitute the used
insulating gas for new gas.
Another option, according to the standard, is to perform this
test with two breakers, one for the mechanical preload, the other
for the short-circuit test duty. Finally, both breakers must pass
the dielectric test.
The Blocking System in Detail
When the DCB is in the OPEN position, an unintended CLOSE
operation must always be prevented, which means a mechanical
blocking system is required. In the case of the 145 kV DCB, it is
located near the corner gear lever of pole B (Figure 6), which is
directly linked to the spring drive mechanism.
Figure 6: Blocking system and corner gear lever in the base frame
of the 145 kV DCB
The blocking system itself consists of a massive, adjustable
track and a movable slider, which is operated by an individual
motor drive. The corner gear lever of pole B has a special nose
that corresponds to the slider of the blocking system. When the
slider is in the blocked position, the area where the nose needs
to execute the CLOSE operation is blocked. Figure 7 shows a
schematic view of the corner gear levers and the movable slider
of the blocking system.
pole A pole B pole C
DCB closed
nose
movable slider of the
blocking system
rod to the
spring drive mechanism
corner gear lever
blocked position
unblocked position
DCB open
Figure 7: A schematic view of the blocking system
The Operating Positions
Figure 8 illustrates the different operating positions of the
145 kV DCB between the closed circuit-breaker and the open,
earthed and completely locked breaker.
Blocking System
(electrical & mechanical)
unlocked
(not possible to lock)
unlocked
(ready to lock)
locked
(ready to unlock)
locked
(not possible to unlock)
locked
(not possible to unlock)
Earthing switch
(with interlock to
Blocking System)
open
(not possible to close)
open
open
(ready to close)
closed
(ready to open)
closed
(not possible to open)
Lock of
Earthing switch
(with padlock)
unlocked
unlocked
unlocked
unlocked
(ready to lock)
locked
(ready to unlock)
Step
1
2
3
4
5
Circuit-breaker
closed
(ready to open)
open
(ready to reclose)
open
open
open
Figure 8: The operating positions of a DCB with earthing switch
1. Step: The circuit-breaker is closed, and it is not possible to
lock the blocking system of the breaker or to close the
earthing switch.
2. Step: The circuit-breaker is now open and the blocking sys-
tem is still unlocked, but now it is possible to lock the
blocking system or close the breaker again (the small
blue arrows symbolise the next possible operations:
from here to the lower/upper box)
3. Step: The blocking system is locked and the earthing switch
is still open, but now it is impossible to close the circuit
breaker. The next possible operations: to close the
earthing switch or to unlock the blocking system again.
4. Step: The earthing switch is closed and it is not possible to
unlock the blocking system of the breaker. Next possi-
ble operations: to lock the earthing switch with a pad-
lock or to open the earthing switch again.
5. Step: The earthing switch is locked with a padlock and cir-
cuit-breaker, and the blocking system and earthing
switch are locked in their current positions.
Additionally, it is possible to lock the blocking system itself in
the locked position with a padlock that is independent from the
position of the earthing switch. For closing the circuit-breaker,
follow the procedure described, only in reverse.
Future Prospects
It is likely in future that other voltage levels or other circuit-
breaker types such as dead tanks or GIS breakers will also be
designed as disconnecting circuit-breakers, or that additional
components such as current transformers will be integrated
because for these types as well DCBs also improve reliability,
lower product and maintenance costs as well as reduce the
space required at substations.
References
[1] H. Marin, H. Knobloch, H. Schramm, P. Stenzel:
6
circuit-breaker for
high ratings MatPost 99, Lyon (France), 18/19 Nov. 1999
[2] IEC 62271-108 High-voltage switchgear and
controlgear Part 108:
High-voltage alternating current disconnecting
circuit-breakers for rated voltages of 72.5 kV and above
1 Introduction
The disconnector and earthing switch portfolio of the Siemens
business unit E T HP has been enhanced by the development of
800 kV DC disconnectors and earthing switches for ultra high
voltage direct current (UHVDC) technology. Double side break
disconnectors with built-on earthing switches have been cho-
sen for the 800 kV DC voltage level thanks to the success of this
type at the 500 kV DC and 800 kV AC voltage levels.
2 Application
Apart from the bypass circuit breakers, disconnectors and earth-
ing switches are the only mechanical switches in a UHVDC sys-
tem. The 800 kV DC disconnectors can be grouped according to
their tasks and locations within these substations:
Bypass disconnector
in parallel with upper 12-pulse valve group
Group disconnector
between upper 12-pulse valve group and pole bus
( 800 kV DC)
Bus disconnector
between transmission line and pole bus ( 800 kV DC)
as well as between transmission line and neutral bus
Filter disconnector
between filter and pole bus ( 800 kV DC)
The earthing switches ensure a safe connection to earth for
parts of the system that are switched off. All earthing switches
were designed as build-on earthing switches at disconnectors
as a result of the layout of the 800 kV UHVDC substations.
3 Requirements and tests
In the absence of standards for UHVDC disconnectors and earth-
ing switches, the development and type tests are based on
analogies with AC equipment standards and on client specifica-
tions. The type tests have been performed in close contact with
the client.
The fact that the tasks of the 800 kV DC disconnectors are
different is reflected in the requirements listed in the tests
sections. Despite the partly different requirements it was suc-
ceeded that based on the design of the bus disconnector
(figure 1) the designs of the other applications could be
achieved by adding or changing disconnector components.
Carsten Protze
Disconnectors and Earthing switches
for 800 kV DC substations
Disconnectors and Earthing switches for 800 kV DC substations
2 m
13 m
11.4 m
Figure 1: Dimension of 800 kV DC disconnector
3.1 Insulator Tests
The insulators are a key component of the disconnector. The
creepage distance requirements for the insulator material in
relation to the outer diameter of the insulator, as well as the
mechanical requirements, have resulted in a hollow, gas filled
composite insulator. Due to manufacturing limits the insulators
consist of two parts screwed together with a hollow space in
the centre. The specified creepage distance is 47 mm/kV at an
insulator diameter of 700 mm. The insulator is filled with a gas
mixture of SF
6
and N
2
at a pressure of 0.2 MPa. The unusually
large diameter of the insulator ensures that the mechanical
requirements are fulfilled.
The following type tests were carried out on the insulator itself
and its material:
cantilever bending tests (Figure 2)
internal pressure tests
on-load deflection tests
water diffusion tests
All insulator tests were performed successfully in the laborato-
ries of Tyco Electronics in Wohlen (Switzerland). The mechanical
dimensions of the disconnectors are based on these test results.
Figure 2: Setup for cantilever bending tests
3.2 High Voltage Tests
The high voltage tests started with preliminary studies on the
dielectric dimensions of the disconnector. The high voltage lab-
oratory at the Technical University of Dresden (Germany) assist-
ed in conducting these tests. The studies focused on the behav-
iour of the insulators and the disconnector gap under switching
impulse voltage stress (figure 3) as well as the appearance of
corona in dry and wet conditions.
Figure 3: Preliminary study on disconnector gap
with switching impulse voltage
Parameter Value
Rated DC voltage
terminal earth 800 kV
between terminals 400 kV
a
800 kV
b c d
DC withstand voltage
a
1200 kV
b c d
Switching impulse withstand level
a
1790 kV
b c d
Lightning impulse withstand level
a
2205 kV
b c d
RIV level @ 1040 kV DC < 2500 V
Table 1: High voltage requirements for
a) Bypass disconnector b) Group disconnector
c) Bus disconnector d) Filter disconnector
The parameters for the dielectric and RIV type tests are listed
in table 1. Here the impulse withstand levels are corrected for
installation at an altitude of 2000 m. The ultra high voltage
test levels and the dimension of the disconnector placed high
demands on the test laboratory. The new high voltage labora-
tory of Hochspannungs gerte Porz (HSP) in Troisdorf (Germany)
with a test hall of 50 m x 35 m x 28 m provided a test facility
where all dielectric and RIV type tests could be performed
successfully (figure 4).
Figure 4: Setup for high voltage tests
3.3 High Current Tests
The high current requirements (table 2) are divided into a short
circuit test for all disconnector applications as well as a commu-
tation test for the bypass disconnector and a making and break-
ing current capacity test for the filter disconnector. All these
tests were performed at the high power laboratory of FGH Engi-
neering & Test in Mannheim (Germany).
During the peak and short time withstand current tests, the
disconnector showed no visible reaction. As a result of the
mechanical dimensioning for the seismic conditions and of
the current path for 5000 A permanent current, the effect
of a 50/20 kA 1 s short circuit current on disconnector is
minimal. The test was passed successfully.
Parameter Value
Peak and short time withstand current
50 kA peak /
20 kA rms 1 s
Transfer current @ 80 V peak
recovery voltage 2500 A rms
a
Making and breaking current capability
@ 56 kV peak recovery voltage 100 A rms
d
Table 2: High current requirements for
The bypass disconnector has the task of transferring the current
from the parallel bypass circuit breaker if the parallel 12-pulse
valve group is out of service and the permanent current
through the bypass is greater than the permitted permanent
current through the bypass circuit breaker. The clients calcula-
tions demonstrate that when the bypass circuit breaker and
bypass disconnector are closed at the same time, the maximum
current through the disconnector is less than 2500 A. During
re-transfer of the current to the bypass circuit breaker when the
disconnector opens, a maximum recovery voltage of 80 V peak
can occur. Within these parameters a type test according to the
IEC standard for AC disconnectors demonstrated that the bypass
disconnector is capable of transferring this current during closing
operation as well as during opening operation.
The filter disconnector is the only switching element between
the pole bus and the filter. Therefore this disconnector must be
able to switch the filter on or off during normal service of the
UHVDC system. The size of the filter current depends on the filter
capacity and the ripple at the pole bus. The client indicated that
the filter current is 100 A and the recovery voltage is up to 56 kV
immediately after current breaking. During the closing operation
a prestrike occurs because of the electric potential difference of
up to 800 kV between bus and filter. In the type tests this effect
was simulated with a thin pre-arcing wire providing a connection
within a typical flashover distance. The corona rings coming in
contact with the arc are made of stainless steel. These rings,
together with an arc-carrying contact system, make up the
features of the filter disconnector. The making and breaking
current capacity was demonstrated successfully in 10 close-
open cycles where the test was carried out nine times at 100 A
and once at 160 A (figure 5).
Figure 5: Breaking current capacity tests
3.4 Mechanical Tests
The parameters for the mechanical tests are listed in table 3.
Parameter Value
Mechanical endurance 2000 CO
Seismic withstand capability
for ground acceleration 0.3 g
Table 3: Mechanical requirements
As with double side break disconnectors at lower voltage levels,
the maximum speed of the rotating current path tube must be
limited. This is induced by limiting collision energy when the
current path reaches the fixed contact during closing operation.
In case of the 800 kV DC disconnectors, it was necessary to
decrease the collision speed further while at the same time
increasing the speed during switching operation for an accept-
able operation time. This particular travel characteristic was im-
plemented on the motor drive. The mechanical endurance tests
of 2000 close-open cycles for disconnector and earthing switch
were performed successfully at the FGH test laboratories too.
The seismic withstand capability tests were performed with
a dynamic computational simulation using the commercial
software ANSYS in the mechanical laboratories of Siemens in
Berlin (Germany). For the calculation of the mechanical stresses
the equipment was modeled and the loads were implemented
according to the clients instructions and IEC standards. The
specified seismic withstand capability of 0.3 g was proven.
3.5 Temperature Rise Tests
Despite a maximum DC current of 4000 A in the first UHVDC
system for further projects currents up to 5000 A DC can be
achieved. Therefore the current path of the disconnector has
been designed for the upper level (table 4).
Parameter Value
Temperature rise 5000 A
a b c
100 A
d
Table 4: Temperature rise requirements for
Figure 6: Setup for temperature rise test
Due to the mechanical caused design of the current path, the
aluminium tube is far from its thermal limits when loaded with
5000 A DC. However, the actual design of the contact system
with its fingers and blocks is dimensioned for 5000 A DC. The
capacity to carry permanent 5000 A DC was proven in a temper-
ature rise test at the HSP test laboratories (figure 6). Despite the
requirement of 100 A for the filter disconnector, the current
path design of the bus disconnector is also used for the filter
disconnector due to mechanical reasons.
4 Conclusion
The development and type tests of the 800 kV DC disconnectors
and earthing switches was completed on schedule thanks to the
outstanding commitment of all staff and laboratories involved.
The disconnectors and earthing switches for the first UHVDC
system in the world were delivered in July 2008. The disconnec-
tors and earthing switches are currently being installed and will
be put into service along with the entire UHVDC system in
2010.
Modern stored-energy spring operator mechanism for high-voltage circuit-breakers
Klaus Schuler
Modern stored-energy spring operating mechanism
for high-voltage circuit-breakers
1 Introduction
Circuit breakers have a protective function in high-voltage
transmission and distribution systems. Their high reliability
and continuous availability are basic service requirements.
Circuit breakers are used in all environmental conditions in
countries throughout the world. The interrupter system and
the operating mechanism are the main components of circuit
breakers. For realization of these pretentious requirements
the two systems have to be coordinated for each breaker type.
Extensive experience in development is a prerequisite when
designing both components. This is why all well known suppliers
have one source for development and production. A further
explanation is the direct interaction between the interrupter
system and operating mechanism.
The requirements of the interrupter and arc-quenching systems
determine the energy of an opening operation. An interrupter
system with arc assistance has a much lower operating energy
than a system that needs most energy the operating mechanisms
energy to compress the SF
6
and to cope with the increased pres-
sure due to the heating of the gas (puffer system). The magnitude
of energy influences the selection of the appropriate operating
system.
2 Arc-quenching systems with SF
6
Siemens started developing SF
6
circuit breakers at the end of
the 1950s. The first double-pressure SF
6
breakers for 123 and
245 kV where shipped in 1964 [1, 2].
In 1974, Siemens developed the next generation of SF
6
breakers,
using a single-pressure system (puffer system) for arc-quenching,
see 2.1.
This system dominated the product family for over 25 years and
was very successful [3, 4].
At the beginning of the 1990s, the next milestone in development
was the self-compression interrupter system, which uses arc
assistance to build up pressure, see 2.2.
Now all circuit breakers in the Siemens product portfolio from
72.5 kV up to 800 kV use the same interrupter system principle.
This system is established in live-tank and dead-tank circuit
breakers, DTC (dead-tank compact in hybrid technology) and
in GIS/HIS [59].
a) 1 2 3 4
b) 5
c) 6
d)
b) Pre-compression
c) Gas flow during arc-quenching
1) Piston
2) Fixed tubes with nozzles
3) Moving contact tube
4) Blast cylinder
5) Operating rod
6) Arc
Figure 1: Principle of the puffer interrupter system
2.1 Puffer interrupter system
The current path is formed by the terminal plates, two fixed
tubes and spring-loaded contact fingers arranged in a ring in
the moving contact tube.
The fixed tubes are connected by the contact tube when the
breaker is closed. The contact tube is rigidly coupled to a blast
cylinder, the two forming the moving part of the interrupter
chamber, together with an annular fixed piston in between.
The moving part is driven by an operating rod, increasing the
SF
6
pressure between the piston and the blast cylinder.
When the contacts separate, the moving contact tube, which
acts as a shut-off valve, releases the compressed SF
6
. An arc
is drawn between one nozzle and the contact tube. The blast
cylinder encloses the arc-quenching arrangement like a pressure
chamber. The compressed SF
6
flows radially into the gap by the
shortest route and is discharged axially through both nozzles.
After arc extinction, the contact tube moves into the open
position. The principle of the puffer interrupter system is shown
in Figure.1.
2.2 Self-compression interrupter system
The self compression interrupter system represents a further
step in the development process. This system utilizes the high
energy of the arc for building up the pressure of the SF
6
during
opening for arc quenching. The conducting path of the inter-
rupter unit consists of the contact carrier, the base and the
moveable contact cylinder. In the closed position, the current
flows via the main contact and the contact cylinder. This system
uses different effects for arc quenching, depending on the
magnitude of the current to be interrupted: breaking operating
currents and breaking fault currents.
Breaking load currents
During the opening operation, the main contact opens first,
and the current commutates to the still closed arcing contact.
As opening continues, the arcing contact opens and an arc is
drawn between the contacts. At the same time, the contact
cylinder moves into the base and compresses the SF
6
gas located
there. This gas compression creates a gas flow through the con-
tact cylinder and the nozzle to the arcing contact, extinguishing
the arc.
Breaking short-circuit currents
In the event of interrupting high short-circuit currents, the SF
6
gas
between the opening arcing contacts is heated up considerably
due to the energy of the arc. This leads to a pressure increase in
the contact cylinder.
a)
1 2
9
3 4 5 6 7
8
b)
c)
d)
b) Pre-compression
c) Gas flows during arc-quenching
1) Base
2) Compression volume
3) Heating volume
4) Contact cylinder
5) Main contacts
6) Insulating nozzle
7) Contact carrier
8) Operating rod
9) Static arcing contact
10) Arc
Figure 2: Principle of the static self-compression system
a)
1 2
9
3
10
4
11
5
12
6
13
7 8
14 15 16 17
b)
c)
d)
b) Pre-compression
c) Gas flows during arc-quenching
1. Valve unit
2. Heating volume
3. Non-return valve
4. Moving main contact
5. Hollow arcing contact
6. Moveable electrode
7. Guide rail
8. Pin
9. Operating rod
10. Piston
11. Compression volume
12. Auxiliary nozzle
13. Fixed main contact
14. Insulating nozzle
15. Moving arcing contact
16. Coupler
17. Lever
Figure 3: Principle of the dynamic self-compression system
time
arcing contact
main contact
s
p
e
e
d
Figure 4: Speed for arcing contact and main contact versus time
As opening continues, this increased pressure initiates a gas
flow through the nozzle extinguishing the arc. In this case, the
arc energy is used to interrupt the short-circuit current. This
energy need not to be provided by the operating mechanism.
The principle of the self-compression interrupter system is
shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.
There are two design versions of the self-compression system,
with the same basic function:
Static self-compression system
Dynamic self-compression system
The static self-compression system has a static arcing contact
and is shown in Figure 2. Circuit breakers for 72.5 to 145 kV
use this system.
The dynamic self-compression system is necessary for 170 up
to 800 kV and is shown in Figure 3. With this design different
velocities for the main contacts and arcing contacts are possible,
see Figure 4. The velocity of the main contacts is low to limit
the necessary mechanical energy for the interrupter operation.
The high velocity of the arcing contacts reduces the arcing time,
increases the rate of voltage withstand recovery and ensures a
restrike-free capacitive switching capability. A moveable electrode
shields the arcing contacts in all positions during the opening
and closing strokes [6].
3 Operating mechanism
Operating mechanisms with a stored-energy system are necessary
for high-voltage circuit breakers. Only with this kind of system
is it possible to fulfill the requirements in terms of short reaction
time, contact speed, operating forces for the interrupter system
and size of the circuit breaker.
High operating energy for arc-quenching in the interrupter sys-
tem is required for high-voltage SF
6
circuit breakers with puffer
system. Apart from movement of the contact parts, most of
the energy is required to compress the SF
6
in the blast cylinder
(puffer system). With the development of this system comes
the introduction of hydraulic operating mechanisms with high-
pressure starts, see Figure 5. The operating energy needed for
an interrupter system with arc assistance is much lower. The
stored-energy spring operating mechanism is optimal for this
system, see Figure 6.
3.1 Hydraulic operating system
The first circuit breaker with hydraulic operating mechanism
was introduced in 1969. This first design was a combination of
hydraulic operation for closing and spring operation for open-
ing [2]. In 1973, the next step was a fully hydraulic operating
mechanism for closing and opening [4].
The operating system includes the operating cylinder, main and
pilot valves, solenoids for closing and opening, accumulator and
an oil tank. These components are assembled as one block in a
compact design. The energy required to operate the operating
cylinder is supplied by the accumulator. A moving piston divides
the accumulator into two chambers. One chamber is filled with
compressed nitrogen, acting as a cushion; this pressurizes the
hydraulic oil in the second chamber via the moving piston. The
filter, motor and pump are located in a cabinet. The components
are connected by high and low pressure pipes. The entire oper-
ating system is completely separate from the SF
6
gas compart-
ments.
Closing
The main valve is opened by means of the closing solenoid and
the pilot valve. High pressure from the accumulator is applied
equally to both sides of the piston by the operating cylinder.
The breaker is closed via couplers and operating rods moved
by the force acting on the larger area of the piston. The hydraulic
operating mechanism is designed to ensure that the breaker
maintains its position even in the event of pressure loss.
Opening
The main valve is operated by the opening solenoid, thus reliev-
ing the larger area piston side of pressure. The pressure, which
is now acting on the smaller piston area only, causes the piston
to move into the opening position. The principle of the hydraulic
mechanism is shown in Figure 5.
1. Accumulator
2. Operating cylinder
3. Pilot valve
4. Main valve
5. Closing solenoid
6. Opening solenoid
7. Oil tank
8. Filter
9. Pump
10. Motor
1
2
7
5
6
4 3
9
Oil N
2
10
8
Figure 5: Principle of the hydraulic operating mechanism
3.2 Stored-energy spring operating mechanism
In 1992, Siemens started serving the market with a high-
voltage circuit breaker with a stored-energy spring operating
mechanism. The new design was based on over 30 years
of experience producing medium-voltage circuit breakers.
The operating mechanism is assembled in one compact and
corrosion-resistant aluminum housing.
The housing includes all parts of the operating mechanism,
see Figures 6:
Motor, charging gears and charging shaft
Solenoids and latches for opening and closing
Operating shaft and operating rod
Closing and opening spring
Damper for opening and closing
The charging time of the springs is short enough to allow
all normal duty cycles like O 0.3 sec CO 3 min CO or
CO 15 sec CO.
All shafts and latches are supported by anti-friction bearings
and lubricated with grease for a large range of low and high
ambient temperatures. The entire operating system is com-
pletely separate from the SF
6
gas compartments.
Closing
The closing spring is charged by means of motor, gears and
charging shaft in a latched position. The solenoid for closing
opens the latch. The energy from the closing spring closes the
breaker and charges the opening spring by means of the cam
plate, operating shaft and operating rod. The breaker and the
operating mechanism are then in closed position. After reaching
this position, the opening spring will be charged automatically.
In this position both springs are charged and the operating
mechanism is ready for an OCO operation.
Opening
The solenoid for opening opens the latch. The energy from the
opening spring operates the breaker in the open position by
means of the operating rod.
1
8
2 9
3
10
11
4
12
5
13
14
6
15
7
16
17
1. Closing solenoid
2. Cam plate
3. Corner gear
4. Operating rod
5. Rod for closing spring
6. Rod for opening spring
7. Closing spring
8. Emergency hand crank
9. Charging gear
10. Charging shaft
11. Roller lever
12. Damper for closing
13. Operating shaft
14. Damper for opening
15. Opening solenoid
16. Mechanism housing
17. Opening spring
10
5
7
13
16
6
17
Figure 6: Principle of stored-energy spring operating mechanism
4. Reduction of operating energy
For the same ratings of a circuit breaker, the comparison of
the two arc-quenching systems shows that the energy necessary
for opening is much lower for an arc assisted interrupter system
than for a puffer system. The lower operating energy reduces
the dimensions and masses of all moving parts of the kinematic
chain. Reduced dynamic forces and smaller inside parts are the
prerequisite for a lighter and economical design of the complete
circuit breaker. The diagrams in Figures 7 and 8 show the results
for a circuit breaker with a rated voltage of 550 kV and short-
circuit breaking current 63 kA with two interrupter units per
pole. The circuit breaker with the arc assisted self compression
interrupter system and stored-energy spring operating mecha-
nism, one for each pole, needs 65 % less energy for opening and
has 25 % reduced weight. The stored-energy spring operating
mechanism is designed to be maintenance-free and the breaker
is type tested for 10,000 operations (class M2). The 550 kV circuit
breakers present a true 2 cycle break time for 50 and 60 Hz
according to IEC and IEEE standards
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Opening
energy
%
Puffer System
Arc-assisted System
Figure 7: Opening energy for a 550 kV circuit-breaker
with different arc-quenching systems
Puffer System
Arc-assisted System
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Weight
%
Figure 8: Weight for a 550 kV circuit breaker with
different arc-quenching systems
5 Summary
The explanations show that a consistent exploitation of the
energy from the arc reduces the necessary operating energy
for arc-quenching. The self-compression interrupter system with
arc assistance is able to fulfill all requirements for rated voltage
levels from 72.5 to 800 kV with short-circuit breaking currents
up to 80 kA according to current IEC and IEEE standards. For
this interrupter system a spring- stored energy operating mech-
anism is the best combination for a modern circuit breaker. This
breaker design is established in the complete product portfolio
from 72.5 kV up to 800 kV in live-tank and dead-tank circuit
breakers, DTC (dead-tank compact in hybrid technology) and
GIS/HIS.
The manufacturer has to handle only one system. The manu-
facturing process is optimized and very efficiently for purchase
high quantity of each parts, time of passage in assembling and
routine-testing. The result is a high quality of all products.
The customer participated from the high quality level of one
system and from the operating experiences for this product
family which adding up to more than 450 000 circuit breaker
bay-years.
6 References
[1] Einsele, A.:
The New Siemens F Circuit Breaker for 220 kV, 15 GVA.
Siemens Rev. XXXI (1964) pp. 219 to 223
[2] Ann, H.; Noack, D.:
New SF
6
Circuit Breakers with Electrohydraulic Operating
Mechanism. Siemens Rev. XXXVI (1969) pp. 353 to 356
[3] Beier, H.; Marin, H.; Noack, D.:
A New Generation of Siemens SF
6
Circuit Breakers.
Siemens Rev. XL (1973) pp. 435 to 439
[4] Beier, H.; Lhrmann, H.; Marin, H.:
Development of SF
6
Circuit Breakers at Siemens.
Siemens Power Engineering III (1981)
Special Issue High-Voltage Technology, pp. 29 to 36
[5] Siemens AG: Offenlegungsschrift 2316009.
Deutsches Patentamt, 1973
6
circuit breaker for
high ratings. MatPost `99, Lyon (France), 18/1Nov.1999
[7] Schuler, K.:
3AP1 Now Available as Dead Tank Power Today, Vol.1,
May 1/01
[8] Fredrich, D.; Schuler, K.; Trapp, N.:
Circuit Breaker Platform for 550 kV. SWICON 2008,
SVENTH INTERNATIONAL ON SWITCH GEAR & CONTROL
GEAR, Mumbai, India
[9] Fredrich, D.; Stenzel, P.:
Dead Tank Based Compact Switchgear Optimized
High Voltage Substation Equipment. SWICON 2008,
SVENTH INTERNATIONAL ON SWITCH GEAR & CONTROL
GEAR, Mumbai, India
Three-Pole Controlled Auto-Reclosing of Shunt Compensated Transmission Lines
Christian Wallner*, Hans-Georg Richter
Three-Pole Controlled Auto-Reclosing of Shunt Compensated
Transmission Lines
Published in: CEPSI 2006 The 16th Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry
610 November 2006 Mumbai, India
1. Introduction
Energising and re-energising during an auto-reclosing operation
of shunt compensated transmission lines cause switching over-
voltages on the transmission lines. The use of circuit-breakers
equipped with closing resistors is a conventional method to
reduce these switching overvoltages. Another method to limit
these switching overvoltages is the installation of surge arresters
to protect the electrical equipment. In some rare cases synchro-
nous control units have been applied as an alternative method
to reduce the switching overvoltages.
This paper presents a new controller for a synchronized energising
of a shunt compensated transmission lines during auto-reclosing
using signal evaluation methods to calculate the prospective
characteristic of the voltage across the switching contacts of
the circuit-breaker. This algorithm takes into account the elec-
tromagnetic and electrostatic coupling of the pole re-energised
first to the second and third closing pole. By the comparison
between existing solutions of re-energisation of shunt compen-
sated transmission lines in an auto-reclosing operation the
advantage of the new controller is shown.
2. Switching overvoltages on transmission lines in general
Re-energising of a shunt compensated transmission line during
a three-pole auto-reclosing is a rapid changing of the system
parameters of the electrical network generating transient over-
voltages.
To compare the switching overvoltages caused by reenergising
using the new controller with existing solutions simulations were
carried out with the Alternative Transient Program (ATP). Figure 1
shows a schematic network diagram for a 550 kV application.
SourceImpedance Circuit-Breaker

Compensation Device
Transmission Line
Lead Side RemoteSide
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the shunt compensated transmission
line network
The supply side is represented as source impedance and an ideal
voltage source. The prearcing of the circuit-breaker includes the
rate of decay of dielectrical strength (RDDS) characteristics of the
circuit-breaker. Therefore the prearcing starts when the voltage
difference from source and line side falls under the RDDS char-
acteristic of the circuit-breaker. Common values for the RDDS
characteristics are between 0,5 and 1,0 p.u./ms.
The interconnection point of the compensation device was varied
between the lead, the remote and both sides of the transmission
line. The degree of compensation was varied between 30 and
80%. The transmission line was modelled as a travelling wave
model and 300 km long. In case of simulation with surge arresters
they were applied at the remote line side and the parameters
of the surge arresters correspond to line class 5 surge arrester.
The maximum switching overvoltages at the remote line side
under different conditions of energising a shunt compensated
transmission line are shown by the way of the cumulative fre-
quency distributions (cdf) as a result of the simulation in Figure 2.
Without any limiting measures the overvoltages reach values
up to the range of 3.0 times higher than the rated line-to-ground
voltage on the remote line side (1 p.u. = 450 kV in a 550 kV
network application). With the installation of surge arrestors
the peak values are limited to the protection value of the surge
arrestors and reach values in the range of 2,3 p.u. Another
conventional method to reduce these overvoltages is the use
of circuit-breaker fitted with closing resistors. In such cases the
switching overvoltages are substantially reduced in the range
of 2,0 p.u.
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 1.5 2 2.5 3
overvoltage [p.u.]
c
f
d

[
%
]
without limiting measures
closing resistor
controlled closing with the newcontroller
surge arresters
Figure 2: Cumulative frequency distribution for overvoltages
at the remote line side;
a) Without limiting measures;
b) Using closing resitors, only;
c) Controlled closing with the new controller;
d) Using surge arrestors, only
The simulation with the new controller shows that switching
overvoltages are reduced in the range up to 2,0 p.u. Compared
with the classic methode, the use of closing resistors, the number
of switching operations with higher overvoltages is even lower.
In addition the maximum overvoltage for both applications is
given in table 1.
Quantil Closing resistor New controller
95 % 2.05 p.u. 1.95 p.u.
99 % 2.38 p.u. 2.13 p.u.
Tabel 1: 95 % and 99 % value for switching overvoltages for different
closing strategies
The results show the advantages of the controller for controlled
closing of a shunt-compensated transmission line during an au-
to-reclosing.
For the controlled closing of the circuit-breaker it is necessary
to have the electrical contact at optimal time instants in the
three poles, that means at voltage zero across the contacts of
the circuit-breaker. For calculation of the time instants for ener-
gising, the voltage signals across the circuit-breaker have been
analysed.
3. Estimation of the voltage across the circuit-breaker
during a three-pole auto-reclosing operation
During the dead-time of a three-pole auto-reclosing of a shunt
compensated transmission line voltage oscillations appear after
opening the circuit-breaker on the line side. The frequency of
these oscillations during the dead-time of the auto-reclosing
is defined by the resonant circuit of the individual phase and
depends on the design of the transmission line and the degree
of compensation and it is different in each phase.
The voltage across the contacts of the circuit-breaker is the volt-
age difference between source and line side voltage. To achieve
the closing at voltage zero it is necessary to estimate the voltage
signal across the open contacts of the circuit breaker during the
dead-time in each pole.
To get this signal information different methods of calculation
are used. A conventional method is the use of pattern recogni-
tion [1].
3.1 Pattern Recognition
The algorithm based on pattern recognition analysed the envelope
curve of the oscillation voltage signal across the open contacts
of the circuit-breaker. The calculated switching instant should
be close to the node point of the envelope curve, which means
voltage zero across the contacts of the circuit-breaker. The result
of a simulation based on the pattern recognition method is
shown in Figure 3 for a 80 % compensated transmission line.
voltage over circuit breaker
envelope of the voltage
shifted envelope of the first window
shifted envelope of the second window
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
800
600
400
200
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

k
V
Time in s
Figure 3: Calculation and switching instant (80 % compensation degree)
The figure shows the voltage across the circuit-breaker as an
absolute value. The first time window (0 to 100 ms) is used for
scanning the incoming voltage signal. In the following second
time window (100 to 200 ms) the envelope curve is calculated,
parallel the actual voltage signal is scanned again. In the third
time window (200 to 300 ms) the comparison with the calculated
and shifted envelope from the first time window with the second
scanned signal occurs.
The time shift parameter corresponds to a fixed length of time
window. If a correspondences of these two envelops is detected
the time instant could be calculated in the fourth time window
(300 to 400 ms) by shifting the second scanned window.
In the example the earliest calculated re-energising is in the
fourth window after 0.39 s. To re-energise at the previous node
point in this constellation it is not possible due to the fixed time
window length of 100 ms and the necessity of minimal three
cycles for calculation.
Another problem of the algorithm used pattern recognition is
the dependence of the time windows length from the oscillated
frequency. To show this dependence simulation are presented
in Figure 4 with different lengths of time windows on a 30 %
compensated transmission line.
0
0
0.05
0.05
0.1
0.1
0.15
0.15
0.2
0.2
0.25
0.25
0.3
0.3
0.35
0.35
0.4
0.4
Time in s
Time in s
800
600
400
200
800
600
400
200
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

k
V
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

k
V
a)
b)
Figure 4: Calculation and switching instant (30 % compensation degree),
(a) window length 100 ms,
(b) window length 90 ms
Figure 4 (a) shows the calculated envelope for the time window
length of 100 ms used in the example before.
The calculated node point of the shift envelope voltage curve give
in this case an insufficient result of the calculation. By variation
of the time window length (reducing to 90 ms) it gives a sufficient
result for the controlled closing (see Figure 4 (b)).
The results of simulation show a dependence of the algorithm
used pattern recognitions for calculating the switching time in-
stant. On the one hand the earliest time instant for re-energising
could be first in the fourth time window of calculation. If the
time window length is e.g. 100 ms the earliest closing is possible
between 300 to 400 ms. On the other hand there is a strength
dependent between the length of the time window and the
degree of compensation e.g. no sufficient result in the second
example with a time window of 100 ms.
The main advantage of the algorithm via pattern recognition
is a low amount of microprocessor-power. Therefore results are
possible for define ratio of compensation, that means a fitted
time window length for the calculation. This dependence limits
the application of the algorithm via pattern recognition due to
different degree of compensation under service conditions.
3.2 Prony Method
The algorithm based on the Prony Method [2] and used in the
new controller superimposes the actual waveform across the
open circuit-breaker by a sum of sinusoidal and exponential
damping functions. The time window length used for calculation
has likewise a constant length.
The lowest recognisable frequency is independent of the evalua-
tion window used for scanning the incoming voltage. The scanned
data samples are described by the following summation with a
p-term complex exponential model.
(1) x[n] = A
k
exp
k
+ j 2f
k
( )
n1
( )
T + j
k
[ ]
k=1
p
In this equation the signal is spited in the amplitude A

k
, the
damping factor
k
, the sinusoidal frequency f
k
and the sinusoidal
initial phase shift
k
. For real data samples the complex expo-
nential (1) can be written as complex conjugate pairs of equal
amplitude in the form
(2) x[n] = h
k
z
k
n1
k=1
p
where the complex constants h

k
and z
k
are defined as
(3) h
k
= A
k
exp j
( )
(4) z
k
= exp
k
+ j 2f
k
( )
T
[ ]
The algorithm is divided in time windows. In the first time window
(0 to 100 ms) the signal is scanned. In the second time window
the parameters of the signal from the first window are calculated,
likewise the voltage signal is scanned again. By a comparison
between the measured and calculated signal, the quality of the
parameters can be fitted. The first comparison begins in the
third time window and ends with re-energising of the transmis-
sion line. The voltage signals calculated by the use of the Prony
methode from the examples used in chapter 3.1 are presented
in Figure 5.
b)
input data
output data
input data
output data
input data
input data
output data
output data
0
0
0.05
0.05
0.1
0.1
0.15
0.15
0.2
0.2
0.25
0.25
0.3
0.3
0.35
0.35
0.4
0.4
Time in s
Time in s
800
600
400
200
800
600
400
200
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

k
V
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

k
V
a)
b)
Figure 5: Calculation and switching instant,
(a) 80 % compensation degree,
(b) 30 % compensation degree
It is an advantage of this algorithm to calculate signal compo-
nents independent of the time length of the calculation window.
Based on these results the future of the oscillated voltages can
be exactly calculated, including the rate of rise at voltage zero
crossing.
Using this algorithm allows to calculate any time instants for
controlled closing beginning with the third time window. Circuit-
breakers with closing times of 50 ms can be re-energised with
dead-times of 300 ms for any degree of common compensation
level. The lowest simulated level of compensation was 30 %.
Incorrect results may occur in the presence of high noise levels,
which may be created by analog digital Converters. To avoid
these phenomena numeric algorithms are used [3].
A main advantage using the Prony Method is the exact informa-
tion of the estimated signal at voltage zero crossing. Based on
this information the optimal switching instant can be calculated
including the RDDS characteristic of the circuit-breaker.
4. Optimal switching instants
The optimal switching instant for energising of transmission
lines is the time instant at voltage zero across the open contacts
of the circuit-breaker. If the RDDS characteristic of the circuit
breaker is lower than the decay at voltage zero of the oscillating
voltage the target closing instant of the circuit-breaker has to
be shifted out of the optimum switching instant (see RDDS
characteristic S1 in Figure 6).
absolute value of the voltage
S
1
S
2
S
1
S
2
0.01 0.011
prearcing
estimated switching instant
0.012 0.013 0.014 0.015 0.016 0.017 0.018
2
1.6
1.2
0.8
0.4
0
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

p
.
u
.
Time in s
Figure 6: Comparison between RDDS and oscillated voltage
Without time shift the pre-arcing takes place before the estimated
switching i nstant. Therefore a time shift out of the estimated
switching instant is important. The length of the time shift
depends on the RDDS characteristic and the waveform of the
estimated voltage. S2 shows the shifted RDDS characteristic
curve in Figure 6.
After re-energising the first phase, the calculated voltage zero
crossings for the second and third closing poles are no longer
valid caused by the mutual influence of the first energised
phase. After energising the first pole the oscillation voltage
changed the waveform in the other two poles.
A switching sequence to minimise this influence was created.
Therefore the pole with the smallest rise of voltage at voltage
zero crossing will be calcultated and will be the pole re-energised
as third pole at this time instant. The voltage zero crossings of
the other poles immediate before this calculated time instant are
the switching instants for these poles. If there are no preliminary
zero crossing close to the pole, the second smallest rise of volt-
age in zero crossing will be selected. With this closing sequence
a minimization of switching overvoltages in all three poles is
given.
An example for a calculation of the time instants for controlled
closing including this closing sequence is presented in Figure 7.
The voltage zero crossing with the smallest rise is detected in
pole L3 and select for the third closing instant. The preliminary
zero crossing in pole L1 (second switching pole) and L2 (first
switching pole) are the switching instants of the other poles.
0.355
0.355
0.355
0.36
0.36
0.36
0.365
0.365
0.365
0.37
0.37
0.37
0.375
0.375
0.375
L1
L2
L3
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.385
0.385
0.385
0.39
0.39
0.39
0.395
0.395
0.395
0.4
0.4
0.4
100
50
0
-50
-100
100
50
0
-50
-100
100
50
0
-50
-100
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

V
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

V
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

V
Time in s
Second Switching Pole
t
shift
=0,08 ms + t
second
t
shift
=0 ms + t
third
t
shift
=0,41 ms
First Switching Pole
Third Switching Pole
Figure 7: Selection of switching instants
In case of compensated lines is to re-energise at voltage zero
across the contacts of the circuit-breaker is an essential require-
ment but not a sufficient assumption. To improve the controlled
switching the rise of voltage on the bus bar and on the line side
has to be taken into consideration. The closing operation will
achieved if both voltages have the same rise.
In comparison with the pattern recognition the Prony Method
needs higher demands on the power of the microprocessor.
Therefore the time interval for the calculation is independent
of the compensation. The other advantage is the exact calculation
of the signal used for the minimisation of the mutual influence
of the first energised pole to reduce switching overvoltages.
5. Results of the simulation
The next step was testing the algorithm under a real-time
environment. Therefore the toolbox xPC from Matlab was used
together with a Pentium PC with 350 MHz as target hardware.
More than thousand combinations of different source, transmis-
sion line and compensation devices parameters have been tested
(e.g. length of the line, transposition, damping, short-circuit
power of the supplying system, location and the ratio of com-
pensation and the position of the failure were varied). Figure 8
gives the voltage curve for one closing operation for the three
poles for a particular example.
1
3
5
4 6
2
1 voltage across Pole A
2 voltage across Pole B
3 voltage across Pole C
4 RSSA of Pole A
5 RSSA of Pole B
6 RSSA of Pole C
0.72 0.725 0.73 0.735 0.74 0.745 0.75
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

i
n

p
.
u
.
Time in s
Figure 8: Example for the simulation of a controlled closing during
a three-pole auto-reclosing
The voltages across the poles of the circuit-breaker are repre-
sented by absolute values. After energising the first phase
(red curve) a voltage influence occurs in the other to poles.
The making voltage of all poles in this simulation are less than
0,1 p.u. The values of the making voltage over all simulations
are presented by the way of cumulative frequency distribution
in Figure 9. The maximum values over all variations for the last
closing pole is 0.6 p.u. The 50 % value is 0.3 p.u. These values
correspond with an overvoltage at the remote line side shown
in Figure 2.
1
3
2
1 making voltage of the first closing Pole
2 making voltage of the second closing Pole
3 making voltage of the third closing Pole
0 50 100 150 200 350 250 400 300 450 500
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
c
f
d

[
%
]
making voltage [kV]
Figure 9: Results of three-pole auto-reclosing
6. Controller PSD03
The design of the new controller PSD03 (Point-on-wave Switching
Device) based on more then 10 years of experience with con-
trolled switching. This includes applications e.g. capacitor bank
and reactor switching, energising of transformers and uncompen-
sated transmission lines up to 800 kV. The new controller PSD03
continues this tradition. Based on the approved technology the
new design is an enhancement (Figure 10). The oscillate voltage
signal is calculated with an add-on processor. Therefore no change
in the approved technology has been carried out.
Figure 10: Controller PSD03 for applications e.g. controlled switching
of shunt compensated transmission lines
7. Conclusion
The advantage to calculate the exact future of the oscillation
voltage during a three-pole auto-reclosing via the Prony Method
is shown. Re-energising the compensated transmission line after
the dead-time at an optimum time instants can be done. With
the knowledge of the RDDS at voltage zero crossing a closing
sequence can be given reducing the mutual coupling caused
by the line energised first.
For an optimal controlled closing operation with small transient
overvoltages at the remote end of the transmission line, the
closing operation in the voltage zero crossing is not sufficient
enough. To get statisfactory results the complex closing strategies
include the rise of the bus bar and the line side voltage during
the dead-time of the auto-reclosing. Therefore an algorithm
based on pattern recognition is not suitable.
With controlled closing of the circuit-breaker the switching
overvoltage is reduced to values known from circuit-breakers
fitted with closing resistors. Therefore controlled closing is an
alternative relating to the switching overvoltages. Concerning
economical aspects contro lled closing is an alternative. In the
future field test of re-energising of compensated transmission
lines with the controlled switching device PSD03 are planned.
Controlled re-energising of compensated transmission lines
will reduce the stress of the electrical equipment.
References
[1] K.B. Cho, J.B. Kim, J.B. Shim, J.W. Park,
Development of an Intelligent Auto-Reclosing Concept
Using Neuro-Fuzzy Technique An Optimal Controlled
Switching for Power System Operations,
CIGRE Session 1998
[2] Marple, S. Lawrence,
Digital Spectral Analysis London:
Pretice Hall International, 1987
[3] G. Pilz, P. Schegner, C. Wallner,
Analysis of Noisy Voltage Signal with a High Resolution
of Frequency for Closing of Transmission Lines,
PSCC 2002, Sevilla
High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers Certified Quality
Norbert Trapp
Product Certificate what is it and in which way can I benefit from it?
What is a product certificate?
A product certificate gives evidence for both,
the manufacturers competence to produce the regarded
circuit-breaker to the relevant laws, standards and rules and
the fulfilment of all pertinent standards by the regarded
circuit-breaker.
In a product certificate it is confirmed that the manufacturer
applies a certified quality management system in accordance
with ISO 9001. Furthermore, the strict conformity of the product
to the applicable standards, i.e. for example IEC 62271-1 and
IEC 62271-100, is certified. This includes the conformity of the
rated values, the design, the routine tests and the completeness
of successful type tests to the applied standards in their presently
valid editions please, find also the illustration in appendix 1.
The product certificate may also comprise tests in addition to
the usually mandatory type tests, tests to any other standard
or a clients specification.
The term Product Certificate must not be mistaken for the term
Type Test Certificate; the latter describes a certain level of a type
test report which may be issued, if in addition to the relevant
standards certain rules given by STL (Short-Circuit Testing Liaison)
are fulfilled. Product certificates comprise distinctly more than
type test certificates, as those are just one of the five elements
of product certificates.
Who is authorised to issue a product certificate?
A product certificate is issued by an independent certification
body which is accredited on the basis of ISO/IEC 65 and EN 45011.
The product certificates held by Siemens please, find them
listed in appendix 2 are issued by the certification body of
PEHLA Product Certification (Germany), a member of STL like
for instance CESI (Italy) and KEMA (Netherlands). PEHLA Product
Certification is accredited by Deutscher Akkreditierungsrat (DAR)
and is presenting themselves on the following web-site
http://www.pehla-certificate.de/index.htm and a list of product
certificates issued is shown under the category Certificates in
http://www.pehla-certificate.de/english.htm.
Which are the conditions to be fulfilled
by the certified product?
Every condition concerning design, construction and testing
given by the relevant standards has to be covered by the product.
The ratings of the circuit-breaker have to be according to the
standards and proven by successful type tests in independent
and accredited STL laboratories strictly in accordance with the
relevant standard and the applicable STL rules. The design of
the tested specimens of the circuit-breaker has to be identical
to the drawings submitted by the manufacturer; the identifica-
tion of each specimen tested has to be strictly without any gaps.
Evidence has to be given that the routine tests are carried out
fully in accordance with the relevant standards. By the use of
the manufacturers quality management system a high product
quality is safeguarded. It is secured that the design type-tested
is maintained throughout the entire product life span.
Which are the conditions to be fulfilled
by the manufacturer of the circuit-breaker?
The manufacturer must apply a quality management system
according to ISO 9001, including appropriate structures and
processes in organisation, development, procurement, production
and quality assurance; the manufacturer must hold a valid quality
management certificate issued by an authorised certification
body (normally different from the body authorised for product
certification). Modifications of the product have to be explained
immediately to the product certification body. In the case the
conditions for granting the certificate are no longer met, the
certification body will withdraw the product certificate or impose
conditions on the manufacturer which he has to fulfil in order
to keep the product certificate.
Which is the period of validity of a product certificate?
At first the validity is limited two five years, if neither the design
of the product nor the relevant standards and specifications
change in this period of time. Furthermore, the quality manage-
ment certificate must be kept by the manufacturer without any
interruption. In case of changes the product certification body
decides on the steps necessary to maintain the product certifi-
cate. The manufacturer has to inform the certification body
about every design modification which may touch the validity
of the certificate. After the validity period of five years the
certificate may be prolonged by another five years, if both the
standards and the design of the product remained unchanged.
What can the client benefit from the product certificate?
The client can rely on the judgement of experts in the field of
high-voltage circuit-breakers, who verified the full conformity
of the circuit-breaker with all relevant standards, including design,
type tests and routine tests. Furthermore, it is confirmed that
the manufacturer of the circuit-breaker holds a valid quality
management certificate. Complete evidence on these facts is
given in a single document. The client has no longer to check
the variety of documents (mostly many hundreds of pages of test
reports, drawings etc.) in finicky work lasting for days or even
longer. Now the clients assure themselves by means of no more
than a few pages of the certificate of the high quality level of the
product they are going to purchase. Independent experts, who
have already done the entirety of technical and formal checks,
account for the compliance of all relevant rules, standards and
laws.
The completeness of the documents on which the circuit-breaker
is based on is always ensured. The certificate is continually
founded on the respective current version of the standards.
The client does not need to engage own personnel with expertise
in the complicated and often changing details of the standards.
Nevertheless, if requested by the client the documentation or
parts of it can be handed over to the client either in paper or in
electronic form.
By the use of the product certificate, it is easy for the client to
make a distinction between a high quality circuit-breaker and a
low level product which may even seem to be type-tested to the
standards, however, some minor but not less important facts
may be missing without becoming conspicuous to a less experi-
enced eye.
Complementary explanations of the manufacturer are verified
by an expert, it is no longer the clients task to check whether
the manufacturers arguments hold water or not.
In the past the client got a pile of test reports. But these docu-
ments did not content evidence on the quality management
system of the manufacturer. The fulfilment of the requirements
regarding design and construction and the conformity of the
routine tests with the relevant standards were not included,
too. Thus, the product certificate represents a higher level and
an improved quality of product documentation.
Since the product certificate is always based on the present status
of the relevant product standards, acceptance tests requested
and paid by the client are no longer needed as long as the clients
specifications stay within the limits given by the standards.
Thus, the immense costs caused by type test repetitions can be
saved. At any time the conformity with the present standards is
ensured.
While a test report or even a type test certificate can always refer
to the individual tested specimen of the circuit-breaker only, the
product certificate relates to the entire type of the product, i.e.
each of the great number of single copies of the circuit-breaker
during its complete product life time.
How are product certificates used by the manufacturer?
Normally the manufacturer is able to present product certificates
for his main products. These product certificates are based on
the relevant standards, in the regarded case on IEC 62271-1
and IEC 62271-100. IEEE applications are more or less covered,
since the requirements of IEC and IEEE are almost identical.
If a client specifies a circuit-breaker strictly in accordance with
the IEC standards, this circuit-breaker is usually completely cov-
ered by the product certificate, additional documents are not
needed.
In the case of special requirements the client will get the
product certificate which covers the standard requirements
and in addition confirmations and manufacturers declarations
which are dealing with the requirements exceeding the limits
given by the standard. The conformity of the respective circuit-
breaker with regard to the additional features is confirmed by
these supplementary documents. The same applies for minor
deviations between the certified and the delivered design of the
circuit-breaker, e.g. the circuit-breaker may be certified for a
control voltage of 125 V and delivered for 220 V. In such cases
the manufacturer gives the necessary evidence for example
by means of a supplementary document as mentioned above
provided the applied standards allow for these modifications
and give justification for not to re-test. This procedure, in com-
pliance with IEC 62271-1, subclause 6.1.2, avoids providing
product certificates for hundreds of minor design modifications
per circuit-breaker which would be with regard to costs and
expenditure neither useful nor justifiable for both the client
and the manufacturer.
In appendix 3 2 the product certificate issued for the circuit-
breaker type 3AP1 245 kV / 50 kA / 4000 A / 50 Hz 3AP2/
3 DT 550 kV 4000 A 63 kA 60 Hz is shown as an example.
The Five Fundamental Elements of Product Certificates
Conformity
of design
Conformity
of ratings
Conformity
of routine tests
Conformity of type tests
(test reports or
test certificates)
Quality
management
system
to ISO 9001
Product Certificate
Product Certificate
Capacity of switching test facility expanded
Michael Gerlach
Investing in quality
Published in: ew 21. September 2009 ISSN 1619-5795 D 9785 D
The Siemens Berlin switchgear plant, has been developing and
manufacturing products such as low-oil circuit-breakers, SF
6

circuit-breakers, isolators, grounding switches, arresters, vacuum
circuit-breakers and metal-enclosed switchgear for medium- and
high-voltage installations since 1910. These devices are tested
in an in-house switching test facility using two large generators
with currents up to 100 kA and voltages up to 1050 kV in vari-
ous ways including the use of synthetic test circuits.
To take into account market requirements and standards,
customer requirements and ever-decreasing product develop-
ment cycles, the development skills and the processes involved
and used in test laboratories need to be constantly improved
and adapted. In response, Siemens AG has invested a total
of approximately 2.5 million euros over the past few years to
upgrade its in-house test facility to address the above require-
ments as well as future requirements. The expansion of the
synthetic test circuits and the installation of new instrumenta-
tion equipment in the switching test facility are described in
detail below.
Synthetic testing
There is not a single performance test facility in the world
where the installed generator output - not even the feed power
available from the mains in mains-powered test facilities is
sufficient to generate the testing power required to test high-
voltage circuit-breakers for voltage levels above 245 kV. The
two surge-power generators in the test facility each gener-
ate a voltage of 20 kV at 50 kA or 35 kV at 40 kA. As a result,
voltages far below todays standard nominal voltage levels for
power transmission systems where voltages of up to 1100 kV
on the one hand and currents of up to 100 kA on the other
are reached. Admittedly, voltages can be stepped up to 420 kV
using series-connected transformers though a sufficient current
level is not reached in the process.
Synthetic test circuits are used for high voltage levels for this
reason. When using these test circuits, the high current
63 kA for short-circuit tests, for example is supplied by the
generator. The recovery voltage i.e. the voltage which occurs
in the system after the breaking of the short-circuit current, for
example 420 kV is supplied by a synthetic high-voltage circuit
which includes a spark gap, a capacitor bank to be charged
beforehand and various oscillating circuit elements.
Expansion of the synthetic breaking test circuit
The synthetic circuit technology at the Berlin test facility
(Figure 1) has been expanded further over the past few years
to take into account the increasing test requirements which
have developed for high-voltage circuit-breakers as a result
of the technical trend towards ever-increasing voltages for
individual switchgear units.
Figure 1: Configuration of the first synthetic circuit from 1962
in the switching test facility
The latest and also most comprehensive expansion was initiated
in March 2004, with the commencement of the planning phase,
and successfully completed in September 2005 ( Figure 2).
The following objectives were set for this:
to provide IEC-compliant facilities for testing
up to a voltage level of 550 kV (previously up to 420 kV),
including 4-parameter test circuits;
to increase partial automation of the facility;
to expand the synthetic making test circuit for
single-phase tests at the voltage level 550 kV and
three-phase tests at the voltage level 245 kV and
to replace components, some of which were
more than 40 years old.
Figure 2: New synthetic circuit after the upgrade in 2005
In the future, time will be saved when setting up circuits and
new interconnections as a result of the partial automation of
various capacitor banks. Four new capacitor chargers were set
up containing a total of 136 capacitors, each with 40 F at
25 kV, which can be switched by pneumatic remote control,
individually or in groups, in series or in parallel.
A spark gap, consisting of interlocking cylinders with graphite
electrodes, with a current-carrying capacity of up to 12 kA, was
set up as the result of a redesign with a damped current flow
duration of up to 300 ms. The new reactance coils produced by
Trench in the oscillating circuit have been designed for higher
voltages and higher currents while mechanical integrity has
been improved at the same time. As a result, the possibility for
expanding other test circuits has been provided for. By install-
ing a new faster charging system for which the polarity can be
reversed in a matter of seconds by remote control, charging
voltages of up to 900 kV can be reached. As a result, tests such
as the condition check in accordance with IEC 62271-100 can
now also be carried out.
Expansion of the synthetic making test circuit
However for the purpose of performance tests, the relevant
standards require not only breaking operations but also
making operations under short-circuit conditions. A synthetic
making test circuit developed by the Russian test institute VEI
in Moscow was put into operation for voltages of up to 420 kV
with currents of up to 63 kA back in 2003 (Figure 3). The
set-up chosen, with a rotating self-centering arc and a simple
self- triggering system, means that the equipment is extremely
reliable, as is the triggering process.
With the implementation of a second stage within the synthetic
making test circuit, it is now also possible to carry out making
tests for rated voltages of up to 550 kV with currents of up
to 63 kA. The set-up chosen, in the form of two independent
units, has also made it possible to carry out three-phase making
tests for rated voltages of up to 245 kV.
As a result, it is possible to carry out tests based on test require-
ments in accordance with IEC 62271-100 up to rated voltages
of 550 kV/63 kA as the non-salient pole and 800 kV/63 kA as the
half-pole in line with IEC and other standards at the high-power
test facility in Berlin.
Figure 3: Synthetic making test circuit: spark path tower (left)
and charging system (right)
Instrumentation equipment in the switching test facility
In order to meet the ever-increasing requirements being set for
instrumentation equipment for switching tests, i.e. improved
accuracy of measurement, faster transmission of measured
values and evaluation as well as the simplification of proce-
dures for producing test documentation, new instrumentation
equipment from Bitgate has been successfully introduced in the
switching test facility. The system is based on the analog-to-
digital conversion of measurement data at the measuring point,
with galvanic isolation between the measuring point and the
display and processing location in the form of a fiber-optic link.
The decision to choose this system was made after a test
phase involving various commercially available systems. In
the process, the systems were tested in the immediate vicinity
(approximately 25 cm) of current-carrying conductors using a
current intensity of up to 100 kA and voltages of up to 800 kV.
The innovative configuration of the hardware, the practice-ori-
ented selection of the fiber-optic conductors and their rugged
plug connectors (MIL standard), the highly efficient shielding
of the transmission modules against interference fields and the
associated high mechanical integrity as well as the fact that the
manufacturer guaranteed intensive collaboration during the
integration of test facility-specific software solutions were all
factors of decisive importance which lead to the system being
chosen. After installing the system which consists of two units
each with 15 measurement channels, including fiber-optic
transmission, this was brought into use in January 2007 after
a short running-in phase, and the old system completely elimi-
nated. With the new system it is now also possible to fulfill the
STL regulations (short-circuit testing liaison) for testing com-
puter-controlled analysis systems. As a result, the system can
thus also act as a reference measurement system in STL shunt
calibration.
Components of the test system
Each channel consists of a transmitter (sensor) with a resolu-
tion of 14 bits, a maximum sampling rate of 100 MSample/s per
channel, corresponding to 100 million measurements per sec-
ond with a memory depth of maximum 1 GB total memory per
channel. Each channel in the system functions as a separate,
independent transient recorder and its parameters can be ad-
justed independently of all other channels. Despite this, display
shows real-time allocation of the separate channels.
The transmitter is connected with a receiver module in the rack
via a fiber-optic cable with a length of up to 3 km. Up to four
transmitters can be connected to one receiver module. Depend-
ing on rack size and number, up to 256 channels can be record-
ed simultaneously (Figure 4).
A fiber-optic patch panel was installed in the test facility, this al-
lowing any arbitrary transmitter in one of the three existing test
halls to be connected with any of the receiver racks by patching
short fiber-optic bridges. Digital transmission guarantees that a
calibrated transmitter can be operated on any receiver module
without losing calibration. In addition the system performs an
automatic internal offset and gain compensation before each
measurement.
Figure 4: Each transmitter (bottom right) can be connected with
any receiver rack (centre) via a fiber-optic patch panel
After the measurement data from the transducer are acquired
in the transmitter unit, they are then transmitted directly via
the fiber-optics to the receiver in the rack. Pre-processing takes
place there and the data are sent via a gigabit network to a
connected PC for further processing. Within a few seconds of
completing the measurement, the data can be displayed on
screen. For display, two screens can be connected to the system
to depict differently processed data and analyses in different
windows. The operating system used is Microsoft Windows XP
(Figure 5).
Figure 5: Both measurement values and pre
Thanks to suitable integration of Word as a report generator
package and Excel for table calculation for processing measure-
ment data and results, the possibilities for further data process-
ing on the PC are extensive. Information can be generated in
tables automatically or graphs and data transmitted by drag
and drop.
Sequential control allows not only free input of formulas but
also selection of control actions and requests for parameter in-
put or result-dependent jump operations. The user can program
his own routines using the tools supplied or have the manufac-
turer develop these if the internal analysis functions for evalua-
tion of the digital measurement signals for power test facilities
using the algorithms suggested by STL, etc. are not sufficient.
I/O boards can generate fiber-optic signals to control external
devices, where an internal level trigger can be used to react
to a measurement signal, and also receive fiber-optic signals
in order to trigger a measurement for example.
A live view immediately after arming shows the active signals
in a window similar to an oscilloscope. Here, on reaching a
particular signal level, either the measurement proper can be
triggered or a signal can be output to the fiber-optic output on
the I/O board. In the test facility this option is used for diverter
testing according to the latest, standards by setting a controlled
pre-load on the diverter and starting the electronic time control
unit (sequencer) of the test facility at a set time. An optional
converter in the receiver makes it possible to record light pulses
by optical path meters as scalable routing via connection with
an optic fiber.
The internal video player option allows measurement data and
video data to be synchronized. It is irrelevant whether the data
come from a webcam, a camcorder or a high-speed camera.
Several players from different cameras can run simultaneously.
This allows video recordings of tests to be synchronized with
a current signal in the test facility.
The system is characterized by high resistance to the interfer-
ence fields present in the test facility and has operated to date
without any significant deficiencies. Even dropping a sensor
complete with battery, weighing around 5 kg, from a height of
around 1.5 m did not degrade system function, but merely left
a hole in the concrete floor.
One particular feature of this facility is the close collaboration
with the manufacturers in further development of software in
parallel with operation of the test facility, taking into account
the wishes of the test facility operator in connection with han-
dling of the program and the inclusion of automatic analysis
routines. The many years of experience of the test facility in
handling digital measurement technology brings benefits for
both sides. Integration of the fiber-optic system and digital
transmission could bring substantial time savings in calibration
and adjustment, and increased precision.
Control Room
As part of the renewal of the instrumentation equipment, the
old equipment was removed from the test facility control room.
Elimination of the instrumentation preprocessing room, which
had since become too small, made room for a larger PEHLA ob-
server and customer area. The preprocessing room was relocat-
ed to a larger adjacent area. These building measures improved
the control room environment, leading to a more relaxed
working atmosphere for the staff participating in the tests. This
simultaneously allowed integration of the new instrumentation
equipment inclusive of a fiber-optic patch panel.
Summary
The conversion and expansion of the synthetic test circuits has
allowed the test facility to perform tests in-house, which previ-
ously had to be contracted out to external test facilities. This
has led to savings in cost and time in the development of power
switchgear. High readiness of the test facility ensures prompt
response to widely varying test requirements. Introduction of
the new instrumentation equipment leads to more accurate
measurement values with a more efficient, time-saving ap-
proach. This also facilitates the generation of test documenta-
tion due to simplified processing of the oscillograms produced.
Upgrading tidied up the control room, yielded a less stressful
working atmosphere and thus allow test engineers, customers,
observers and acceptance test inspectors to concentrate better
on their work.
Development Process for High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers
Karl Mascher, Klaus Schuler, Peter Stenzel
1 Introduction
Circuit-breakers have a protective function in high-voltage
transmission and distribution systems. High reliability and
continuous availability of these important components are basic
long-term service requirements. Circuit-breakers are used in all
environmental conditions in countries throughout the world.
The market requirements for switching capacity, space saving,
more integrated function, product- and live cycle costs are
constantly on the increase. The consequences for manufactures
of this rapid technological progress are shorter development
cycles. As a global market leader in high-voltage circuit-break-
ers, Siemens has over 100 years of experience and know-how.
Design and test engineers with long-term experience, modern
design tools, an extensive range of test equipments, excellent
connections to universities and research institutes, established
cooperation with suppliers and outstanding production tech-
niques all form the basic for successful products.
2 Development process
International standards like IEC and IEEE set out the require-
ments for designing and testing circuit-breakers to guarantee
standardized operability worldwide. These standards, along
with special customer requirements and the Siemens man-
agement handbook for quality, environmental protection and
health and safety protection based on DIN EN ISO 9001 and
DIN EN ISO 14001 acts as guidelines during the development
process.
The close linking of design and analysis procedures enables
the design engineer to simulate the characteristics of the struc-
ture and performance of a new circuit-breaker on a computer
before an actual prototype of the breaker exists. The results of
basic tests on various components are an important part of the
design input. Carrying out simulation, optimization and basic
tests in the early phase of the design process takes some time,
but significantly reduces expenditure on material, tools and
very expensive development tests on complete breakers.
Once the development tests are complete, the type tests on the
pilot production series begin. Our own high-performance test
fields fulfill the type test requirements, in line with inter national
standards, for switching capacity, dielectric and mechanical
tests. This paper describes the stages of the development
process, from the first draft right through to delivery of the
end product as well as the tools required. The process is shown
in Fig. 1.
Requirements
First draft of design
Built test breaker
Development tests
Optimization
Built pilot series
Type tests
Product launch
Commercialization
Simulations,
Basic tests,
Cost estimation
Second draft
of design,
Cost controlling
Final design,
Cost controlling
Feasibility
Design study
Development
Project
Figure 1: Workflow for the Development
3 Requirements
Development begins as soon as the product portfolio manager
has supplied the project order, with all requirements set out in
a marketing specification. The specification included technical,
economical and environmental requirements.
Technical requirements:
Type of circuit-breakers e.g. live tank, dead tank, GIS/HIS
System requirements e.g. one interrupter per phase,
self-compression system for arc-quenching, spring
operating mechanism
Insulating capacity
Switching capacity
Breaking time
Mechanical and electrical endurance classes
Ambient temperature range
Pressure vessel codes
Shipping requirements
Relevant standards, special customer requirements
Economical requirements:
Considering of modular design
Product costs (material, production)
Project costs (development cost)
Product launch
Manufacturing
4 First draft of design
The first draft of design for one or more variants shows the
first ideas for a design which could meet the requirements.
From the first draft right up to the final design, experts from all
disciplines e.g. test fields; procurement, production and con-
trolling provide their input, which is based on experience, new
ideas and new production processes. The first design is only a
3D-CAD model and provides the basic for further CA calculation
and simulations.
5 Computer simulation, basic tests, cost controlling
Extensive computer simulations and basic tests on sub-assem-
blies are more and more important in the reduction of develop-
ment time and costs; when searching for the optimal form of
components; for meeting the requirements of each part; and
in the optimization of material costs. The first draft from the
3D-CAD-system is the basis for all analysis methods, which are
based on the finite element method (FEM).
5.1 Computer simulation
5.1.1 Simulation of mechanical loads
Switching reaction forces
Terminal and flange loads
Burst pressure loads
Conductor current forces
Wind loads
Seismic loads
For single parts and complete components, the static and
dynamic mechanical and thermal loads of the breaker must
be simulated. Figure 2 shows the current density in a conductor
arrangement. The current density is the basis for calculation of
dimension of parts and components under short-circuit forces,
e.g. 170 kA for duration of 3 seconds. Circuit-breakers that
use gas, e.g. SF
6
for insulating and arc-quenching, are under
constant pressure. The EN or ASME pressure vessel standards
demand a burst pressure five times higher than the maximum
working pressure. Using the stress analyses it is possible to
optimize the vessel geometry to make sure that the stress and
distortion are low and roughly balanced across all parts. The
stress simulation for a vessel under burst pressure is shown in
Fig. 3. The red parts are highly stressed and the sections have to
be optimizing to lower value.
The analysis of the seismic withstand capability of high-voltage
circuit-breakers also use the finite element method. The calcula-
tion considers the dead weight, inner pressure, terminal loads,
force from wind speed and damping ratio. The results show the
maximum displacement at the terminals and summery of maxi-
mum stresses for the components with the highest load under
specified frequency spectra or real heavy earth quakes.
Figure 2: Current flow through a conductor arrangement
Figure 3: Stress simulation for a vessel under pressure of 50 bar
5.1.2 Simulation of dielectric loads
The simulation of electric field strength helps to optimize the
contours from inside and outside parts of sub-assembly. Com-
mercial programs for calculation of electric fields, which include
different materials and dielectrics, use the boundary elements
method. In case of the interrupter system it is possible to plot
the field strength for different parts against the stroke dur-
ing an opening operation (Fig. 4). This dynamic calculation
indicates the speed required to open the contacts for a restrike-
free capacitive switching, as well as the mechanical energy
necessary for the operating mechanism.
Stroke [mm] close open
E (Arcing contact fixed side)
E (Arcing contact mov. side)
E (Main contact fixed side)
E (Main contact mov. side)
E (Shielding electrode)
Voltage across contacts
100
90
80
70
60
E 50
40
30
20
10
0
100
80
60
40
20
0
[%]
[%]
U
Figure 4: Electric field strength for an interrupter unit
during capacity switching
5.1.3 Moving simulation of kinematic chain
The kinematic chain includes all moving components from the
operating mechanism up to the interrupter unit. Fig. 5 shows
a kinematic chain and the interaction between the interrupter
system and operating mechanism for a GIS circuit-breaker. The
simulation shows the velocity for single components during a
closing or opening operation, e.g. time for contact separation
or start of damping.
Interrupter unit
Operating mechanism
Figure 5: Kinematic chain for a GIS circuit-breaker
5.1.4 Simulation of gas flow
Modern high-voltage circuit-breaker use the insulation gas SF
6
.
During the current breaking process gas will be compressed and
heated. This compressed gas will be used to cool the plasma
column and for the deionization of the contact gap distance
between the arcing contacts around the natural current zero-
point. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) allows us to
simulate these processes. A specialized self bespoke tool is
used because of the complexness of the various physical effects
taking place during the breaking process. The CFD simulation
provides us with information about the SF
6
gas properties
(e.g. temperature, density) at important steps within the break-
ing process (e.g. instant of the maximum peak value of the
transient recovery voltage), [1].
5.1.5 Basic tests
For these tests are primary the following laboratories available:
Physic
High-voltage
Mechanic
Basic tests are important for fundamental studies and for
verification of calculated loadings:
For comparison of different parameters
of the arc-quenching systems
To find the right form or combination for different
components in a system, e.g. form of nozzle or volume
of heat cylinder
To test the capacitive switching with calculated speed
To test the mechanical endurances of components
and sub-assemblies
Comparative examinations for the breaking capability can be
carried out on original interrupter systems in a physics laborato-
ry. The work this lab can carry out is described in detail in [2-4].
A laboratory with high-voltage testing capability is ideal for
testing sub-assemblies, components and materials under dielec-
tric loads. The mechanical tests lab accommodates a number
of facilities. Heat run tests on components or complete breakers
up to 6300 A, 60 Hz can be carried out there.
A hydro pulse system with two cylinders is usable for wide
range of applications.
The high speed cylinder is used to simulate moving and impact
loads. An input signal could be a speed or load characteristic,
calculated or measured on a real breaker. During these tests on
components, such as on an interrupter unit of a breaker, mo-
tion-sequences could be recorded using a high speed camera.
The vibration cylinder is used for simulating transport shocks or
material tests. An endurance test with 20.000 operations for an
operating rod, takes 12 hours to complete.
160 hours are required to test a complete breaker with the
same number of operations.
A graph plotting of force and stroke characteristics against time
for an endurance test on an operation rod is shown in Fig. 6.
100
80
60
40
20
0
-20
-40
-60
-80
105
104
103
102
101
100
99
Load-Displacement-Diagram
F
o
r
c
e

(
k
N
)
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t

(
m
m
)
0.50 0.51 0.52 0.53 0.54 0.55 0.56 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.60
time (sec)
Force
Disp.
Figure 6: Endurance test for an operating rod on a hydro pulse system
5.1.6 Cost controlling
The calculation for the product costs begins with estimations
and is constantly updated during the development process right
up to final stage. Experience shows that most of the final prod-
uct costs are fixed in the early phase of the development pro-
cess with establishing of the design and manufacturing process
of each part. Later in the development process is not possible
to reduce significantly the product cost without altering the
design.
6 Second draft of design
The second draft of design includes all results of fundamental
computer simulations, basic tests, as well as estimated cost and
is the document for procurement of the test breakers.
7 Built test breaker for development tests
Development tests are important for verification of all tech-
nical requirements. It is the first chance to test results of all
fundamental computer simulations and basic tests on compo-
nents and sub-assemblies in a complete breaker. Therefore,
it is important to use sub-assemblies with their final material
and design, e.g. aluminum casting. Alternative solutions could
produce erroneous results and waste time and resources on
expensive tests. For some components it is practical to use
rapid prototyping for the first production. For difficult casting
components foundries use programs to simulate and optimize
the complete casting process before the model is build. All
these measures reduce technical risks and procurement time.
For development and type tests of complete circuit-breakers,
extensive test equipment is available in three test laboratories
for high power, dielectric and mechanical tests. These laborato-
ries are part of testing facilities of the Siemens switchgear fac-
tories in Berlin, accredited in compliance with to EN 45001 [5].
Technical data for the test equipments are shown in Fig. 7.
8 Final design and type tests
Once the development tests are complete and the design has
been optimized, the production starts to build the pilot series in
the final design. The pilot series is built on the production line,
original tools and running through the routine tests. The type
tests are for validation of all technical requirements of the final
design. The test procedures will run in the accredited testing fa-
cilities of the Siemens switchgear factories in Berlin, or in third
party testing facilities like PEHLA, KEMA or CESI in accordance
with the international standards.
Technical data for test equipments
Dielectric teste
Power-frequency voltage 1800 kV
Lightning-impulse voltage 3000 kV
Switching-impulse voltage 1500 kV
DC-voltage 600 kV
Power tests
Power for direct testing 7800 MVA
Equivalent power for synthetic testing 87 GVA
Short-circuit current at 35 KV (rms) 120 kA
Peak and short-time current, 3 phase 300 kA/120 kA, 3 s
Bus-transfer current switching by disconnectors to IEC 1128
Individual current switching by earthing switches to IEC 1129
Surge arrester testing
Residual voltage measurements
on arresters for 420 kV up to 10 kA, 8/20 s
on arresters for 245 kV up to 20 kA, 8/20 s
300 kV partial-discharge measuring cabin Background noise level < 1 pC, even for routine tests
Mechanical tests
Temperatur-rise testing 6,3 kA, single and-phase and three-phase
Climate chamber
Volume 20 m
3
Dimension 4000 x 2000 x 2650 mm
Temperature range 60 bis 80C
Temperature difference (switching hysteresis) 3 K
Hydro pulse system
High speed switching cylinder (vertical direction) 250 kN
Vibration cylinder (vertical or horizontal direction) 50 kN
Figure 5: Technical Data for test equipment
9 Conclusion
The technical and economical requirements placed on circuit-
breakers are constantly increasing throughout the world. Only
with continuous further development in design, production
and test facilities it is possible to manage these requirements
and to produce competitive products. Siemens design and test
engineers have extensive experience, technical experts from all
disciplines, basic tests and the employment of modern design
tools for computer simulation and laboratories with modern
test equipments all form the foundation of product develop-
ment. Consistent project management in accordance with
development guidelines enables development to be transparent
and succeeds, as well as reducing time and costs. Siemens has
over 100 years of experience and know-how.
References
[1] P. Chvrier, M. Barrault, C. Fivet, J. Maltoul and J. Million
Fremillon Industrial applications of high-, medium- and
low-voltage arc modeling J. Phys. D Appl. Phys. 30 (1997),
13461355
[2] Pflaum E.:
Entwicklungstendenzen von Hochspannungs-
Leistungsschaltern. Sonderdruck aus etz Bd. 112 (1991)
H. 16, S. 838847
[3] Habedank U., Knobloch H., Schramm H. H.:
Durch neue Entwicklungstechniken zu leistungsfhigen
Hochspannungs-Schaltgerten. Sonderdruck (Nr. 4454)
aus Elektrizittswirtschaft Jg. 92 (1993), H. 7, S. 324330
[4] Habedank U., Knobloch H., Schuler K.:
SF
6
CIRCUIT-BREAKER DEVELOPMENT CYCLE SPEED-UP BY
THE USE OF TODAY`S ADVANCED DESGN TOOLS Paper APT
255-13-17, IEEE/NTUA Athens Power Tech Conference:
Planning, Operation and Control of Today`s Electric
Power Systems, Athens, Greece, Sept. 58, 1993
[5] Trapp N.:
Proven Quality from Berlin. Siemens EV Report, May 1994,
pp. 13 to 15.
Estimation of the measurement uncertainty of tests and calibrations in high-voltage test laboratories
Jrg Scharschmidt, Daniel Gebhardt, Edelhard Kynast
Estimation of the measurement uncertainty of tests
and calibrations in high-voltage test laboratories
Published in: Tagungsbericht 4. VDI Fachtagung Messunsicherheit praxisgerecht bestimmen 12.13.11.2008, Erfurt
Abstract
When conducting tests with high voltages of some 100,000 V,
special demands have to be imposed on laboratories and their
voltage measurement equipment in order to minimise measure-
ment uncertainty during tests and calibrations. To estimate the
uncertainty of voltage measurements in accordance with GUM,
the test circuit consisting of the voltage measurement system
and the test object can easily be simulated by means of an iter-
ative network of transmission elements. Important influencing
factors include an inadequate distance from walls, a change to
ambient conditions, interferences and corona discharges.
1. General
Circuit-breakers, disconnectors and surge arresters for use in
medium-high voltage, high-voltage up to ultra-high-voltage
(UHV) grids are just some of the products manufactured at the
Siemens AG control unit in Berlin. These high-voltage devices
are tested in high-voltage test laboratories to ensure that
they are both usable and safe. Depending on the device stan-
dard, the product standards prescribe tests with, for example,
alternating, direct and impulse voltages, as well as combina-
tion tests with these voltages. Reference is always made to
IEC 60060 high-voltage test techniques in these relevant
standards. Part 1 includes a general description of the test
procedures, and defines the terms used. The test equipment
is explained in Part 2, and parameters and limit values for test
voltages and currents are defined. In addition to the tolerances
to be maintained, draft 42/217/CD for edition 3 also specifies
the maximum measurement uncertainties.
10.3 m
10.5 m
Figure 1: 800 kV circuit-breaker
2. Principle of high-voltage measurement
Depending on the level of the test voltage and the size of the
test object, a high-voltage test circuit is always quite large.
High-voltage and UHV devices for voltage levels of 550 kV and
above boast impressive dimensions. Figure 1 shows an 800 kV
outdoor circuit-breaker; breakers of this voltage level are around
10.3 m high and approx. 10.5 m long. Most test equipment is
installed in indoor locations, but there are not many laboratory
rooms with appropriate dimensions and equipment for testing
high-voltage devices of this size. For this reason, high-voltage
tests at the voltage level are often carried out in outdoor test
bays.
R
P
kV
M
T
C
H
Test
object
C
L
Figure 2: Test circuit for AC voltage
In order to determine the uncertainty of a high-voltage mea-
surement, it is necessary to estimate the possible influencing
factors. By using the example of an alternating current mea-
surement, these parameters can be described in such a way that
they are easy to understand. Figure 2 shows a typical AC test
circuit with a voltage supply source T, a calibrated measurement
system consisting of a high-voltage divider C
H
and C
L
, a mea-
suring cable and the display unit M. The measurement system
is connected to the test object via a connecting cable R
p
.
Figure 3: 1800 kV Transformer in the outdoor test station
With voltage measurements, a voltage is created on the test
object and is monitored using a measuring instrument connected
in parallel. Although the measurement tells us the level of the
test voltage on the measurement system, the test voltages
required in standards must be shown on the test object itself
and not on a measuring instrument installed somewhere near
the test object. In the case of test equipment for high-voltage
and UHV devices, not only are the test objects very large, but
also their test equipment. The alternating voltage test facility
shown in Figure 3 with a three-stage transformer cascade and
high-voltage divider also occupies a large amount of space. This
space requirement must be taken into consideration with high-
voltage tests and calibrations.
3. Calibration of measurement systems
For a calibrated measuring circuit consisting of a high-voltage
divider, measurement cable and display device, the definition
of measurement uncertainty is recorded in the form of a cali-
bration certification by means of a system calibration. If system
calibration is not appropriate for technical or economic reasons,
an individual calibration of all components in the measuring
circuit can be performed. In the case of component calibration,
the measurement system operator must define the measure-
ment uncertainty of the overall measurement system. The
length-dependent capacity and resistance load per unit length
of the measuring cable must not be disregarded when deter-
mining the conversion ratio, particularly if the cable is several
metres in length.
As a rule, calibrations are carried out in the air-conditioned
rooms of a calibration laboratory. However, many measuring
devices in high-voltage laboratories are not mobile and have to
be monitored with on-site calibrations. Instead of a test object,
a reference measuring system is set up in parallel with the mea-
surement system being calibrated. By taking comparative mea-
surements, a conversion ratio, scale factor and, if necessary,
a correction factor are determined. The calibration laboratory
then defines the measurement uncertainty of the test equip-
ment to be calibrated, taking into consideration the measure-
ment uncertainty of its own reference measurement system.
The calibration result published in the calibration certificate
(scale factor and measurement uncertainty) is only a snapshot.
The calibration laboratory cannot define a validity period for the
calibration as it does not know what happens in the test labo-
ratory after the calibration. The operator defines a calibration
interval based on his experiences, the load on the measurement
system and other basic conditions independently. The measure-
ment uncertainty defined in the calibration certificate and the
scale factor determined are only valid for the unchanged mea-
surement chain. If the measurement system is set up at a differ-
ent location, or parts of the measurement chain are exchanged
for other calibrated devices, the operator must re-estimate the
measurement uncertainty taking into consideration and speci-
fying the changed basic and usage conditions; recalibration
at the new location may be necessary.
4. Factors influencing the measurement result
There are many influences on a measurement system and the
test object that are not always known and may need to be
estimated. Below we will take a detailed look at the influencing
factors that can be attributed to the test circuit and the ambient
conditions. The list does not claim to be complete; on the con-
trary, the influences should be reassessed according to the test
and the basic conditions in the laboratory. Other influencing
factors should be taken from the relevant calibration certificates
and the information supplied by the manufacturer on the test
circuit components used.
Influencing factor Caused by
Increased earth and stray capacitance Distance from earthed or live parts
Drift error Self-heating
Ambient temperature Change to ambient conditions
Corona Leakage currents
Other influencing factors Depending on test assembly, mea-
surement chain, initial conditions
Table 1: Influencing factors on high-voltage measurements
Distance from earthed or live parts
One of the most important influencing factors in high-voltage
technology is the distance from other system components,
ceilings or walls. As the distance decreases, the earth capaci-
tance increases, which in turn increases the leakage current.
The result is a measurable deviation in the voltage measure-
ment.
The influence of a very narrow measuring cell on a test object
or measurement divider can be readily proven.
0.50
0.25
0.00
-0.25
-0.50
-0.75
-1.00
-1.25
-1.50
m

(
F
)

i
n

%
without
wall
wall
2.25 m
corner
2.25 m
wall
1.70 m
corner
1.70 m
wall
1.20 m
corner
1.20 m
wall
0.90 m
corner
0.90 m
distance to walls in m
F(+)
F(-)
Figure 5: Influence of a wall distances on the measurement
deviation at a test voltage of 150 kV
Drift error caused by self-heating
Capacitive high-voltage dividers are generally used to measure
high alternating voltages, while damped-capacitive high-
voltage dividers can also be used to measure pulses. In most
cases, the measurement capacitor of a capacitive divider con-
sists of at least one cylindrical capacitor located in insulating
gas or insulating oil under pressure. The low-voltage part of the
high-voltage divider is located in a separate housing. There are
frequent changes to the capacities in the high-voltage part dur-
ing use due to the heating of the dielectric, which results in a
change to the conversion ratio. This influence can be reduced
by implementing appropriate constructive measures. The manu-
facturer of the measurement divider should be consulted when
estimating the drift error. The deviations depend essentially on
the design of the measurement divider, as well as the voltage
level and the duration of the test. It is not possible to specify
a general recommended value in this respect.
The high-voltage part of damped-capacitive dividers is made
up of an iterative network of capacitors and resistors in an insu-
lating tube filled with oil. Depending on the quality of the com-
ponents used, typical temperature coefficients would be
= 0.030.01%/K.
Influence of ambient temperature
The scale factors and measurement uncertainties specified in
the calibration certificates are related to an ambient tempera-
ture of 20C 5K, or 10 K. Particularly in the case of outdoor
test equipment, more extreme temperatures sometimes occur.
These must be taken into consideration in the measurement
uncertainty budget with high-voltage tests. In summer, surface
temperatures of 50C are not uncommon when there is direct
insolation on dark porcelain insulators; similarly, temperatures
can fall to 10 or lower in winter. The measurement error can
be as much as several percentage points when there is a change
of temperature. Deviations caused by changes to ambient con-
ditions can be estimated in the same way as deviations caused
by temperature drift. This uncertainty element only needs to be
taken into account in outdoor test bays, as the temperature in
test laboratories does not generally vary as much, and there is
no direct insolation.
In outdoor tests, the influence of the environment is not only
to be taken into consideration for the measurement divider,
but also with regard to the test object, particularly in the case
of oil or gas-insulated test objects. In the case of gas-insulated
test assemblies, each tester must at least be satisfied that the
correct (corrected) test pressure is being applied. Heating of the
test object during the test as a result of an increase in the ambi-
ent temperature must be taken into account in the measure-
ment uncertainty budget.
Corona discharges
Figure 6: Corona on shields
At high voltages, audible crackling and bright bluish corona
discharges occur at the electrodes of high-voltage-carrying parts
(measurement divider, feed cable, test object etc.) (Figure 6).
The current pulses of the corona occur as a result of gas dis-
charges igniting and going out when a critical field strength is
exceeded. A discharge current flows, causing a voltage drop
in the measurement system and/or at the test object. Corona
discharges on assemblies can be avoided by selecting appropri-
ate screens. The use of a pipe of sufficient diameter instead of
a copper strand also prevents the onset of corona discharges at
the voltage feed cable.
Other influencing factors
Depending on the test assembly and test, other influencing fac-
tors may need to be taken into consideration. Particularly in the
case of surge voltage tests, the length and height of the voltage
feed cable must be taken into consideration since the size of
the area has an inductive influence on the pulse form, and also
affects the time parameters and overswing in the case of quick
pulses. In addition to poor earthing, the design, laying and
length of the measurement cables can cause other problems,
particularly with pulse voltages, as a result of interference volt-
age feed.
5. Estimating measurement uncertainty
Figure 7: Transfer element
The PEHLA
1
working group 5, Measurement Uncertainty has
decided to use an iterative network of general transfer elements
as illustrated in Figure 7 to define the measurement uncer-
tainty budget. An additive element (A) and an amplification
factor (m) can therefore be defined for each individual element
in a high-voltage test circuit. The output parameter Y can be
calculated based on the transfer formula (1):
(1) Y = m(X+A)
In this formula, X describes the input parameter. In an electrical
system, for example, this would be the input voltage; the am-
plification factor m corresponds to the conversion ratio; distur-
bance variables or offsets would be combined in parameter A.
The output voltage corresponds to parameter Y. By connecting
several such transfer elements in series, the entire measure-
ment chain from Figure 2 can be recreated (Figure 8).
Figure 8: Measurement chain made up of transfer elements
In this measurement chain, Z describes the voltage actually
present on the test object, while Y describes the test voltage
measured by the measurement system. The transfer equations
for these measurements chains can be derived easily:
(2) Y = c(C+b(B+a(A+X)))
(3) Z = e(E+d(D+X))
Equation (2) can be solved by X:
(4)
and used in equation (3):
(5)
Depending on the design of the measuring circuit, the measure-
ment chains can easily be extended by inserting further transfer
elements. The transfer equations (2, 3) are then completed ac-
cordingly. This formula can be transferred directly to common
uncertainty analysis programs such as the GUM Workbench.
Simplifications
When tests are conducted in a screened test laboratory in which
temperature fluctuations are excluded during the test and ad-
equate distances from walls and earthed parts are maintained,
equation (5) can be simplified. In this case:
multiplicative influences do not occur on either the test
object or the feed or measurement cable
(6) e=d=b=1
no corona on the feed cable or interference on the
measurement cable
(7) D=B=0

Equation (5) is then simplified to give the following expression:
(8)
ac a
Y C
Z = E + A
Input parameter Y in equation (8) specifies the test voltage read
on the calibrated measuring instrument, and parameter Z de-
scribes the voltage present on the test object. The influence
factors are listed below:
E: Voltage drop on the test object due to stray capacitance
a Influences on the conversion ratio of the high-voltage divider
due to heating, drift, measuring circuit, ambient conditions
c Influences on the scale factor of the measuring instrument,
which can be found in the operating instructions; unknown
influences must also be estimated
C Measuring instrument offset, which can be found in the
manufacturers instructions
A Voltage drop on the measurement divider due to stray
capacitance
abc ab a
Y C B
Z = e(E+d(D+ A
abc ab a
Y C B
X = A
Summary
Particularly in the case of tests conducted under high-voltages
and in supergrids, the ambient conditions in the laboratories,
such as distances from earthed walls and system parts, tem-
perature effects and corona discharges must be factored in
when determining measurement uncertainty, in addition to
the test voltage. Many effects such as the influences of insuf-
ficient distances from walls or temperature changes can be
recorded easily using measurement technology and specified
in the measurement uncertainty budget. Other parameters,
such as the influence of corona discharges, cannot be defined
accurately, and must be estimated appropriately. An unfavour-
able test setup with poor ambient conditions can quickly result
in a measurement uncertainty of several percentage points.
Notes on literature
[1] GUM Guide to the expression of uncertainty
in measurement
[2] IEC 60060-1 High-voltage test techniques,
Part 1: General definitions and requirements
[3] IEC 60060-2 High-voltage test techniques,
Part 2: Measuring systems
[4] ISO/IEC 17011 General requirements for the competence
of testing and calibration laboratories
1
PEHLA: founded in 1960, brings together the high-voltage test bays of Germany and
Switzerland under one roof. PEHLA carries out model and development tests in its
test bays for domestic and foreign operators and manufacturers of electrical energy
technology devices and systems. PEHLA has seven well-equipped individual test bays
that have been accredited by DATech, the German technology accreditation centre, in
accordance with ISO 17025 since 1992. At international level, PEHLA is a member of
the Short-Circuit Testing Liaison (STL).
Pressure and leakage testing of cast aluminium vessels for high-voltage circuit-breakers
Torsten Bttger
Pressure and leakage testing of cast aluminium vessels
for high-voltage circuit-breakers
Durability, reliability and maximum availability in all the worlds
climates are what set Siemens high-voltage circuit-breakers
apart. These switchgears use SF
6
-gas as an insulating and arc
quenching medium, meaning it is essential for the pressure and
seals to be thoroughly tested for all cast aluminium vessels and
covers to fulfil these criteria. This test is an integral requirement
of the quality assurance process at the Berlin mechanical pro-
duction facilities.
Mechanical production
Mechanical processing of aluminium unfinished castings in
Berlin is carried out solely on CNC-controlled 4-axis drilling and
milling centres. Fully-automated complete processing on these
machining centres ensures consistently reliable quality dur-
ing the overall machining process. It is particularly important
to comply with the high quality requirements regarding the
surface finish of the sealing surfaces and to ensure compliance
with shape and position tolerances.
Figure 1 shows a cast aluminium vessel prepared for mechani-
cal processing in a drilling and milling centre.
Figure 1: Unfinished casting housing in a machining centre
Preparations for pressure and leakage testing
Following the deburring and cleaning process, the cast alu-
minium vessels are prepared for pressure and leakage testing.
All flange openings on the vessels are sealed with compression-
proof test plates. Figure 2 shows a cast aluminium vessel in
front of the pressure and leakage testing equipment. Screwed
joints with a defined torque are used to secure the covers.
Figure 2: Installing the test plates
After the test plates have been installed, the test pieces are
positioned on one of the stands in the pressure and leakage
testing systems. The installed test plates have flanges for con-
necting the test pieces to the testing system. Figure 3 shows
test pieces being prepared with compression-proof stainless
steel tubes connecting the test pieces to the testing system.
Figure 3: Connecting the test pieces to the testing system
Conducting the tests
As part of the pressure and leakage testing procedure, technical
safety (pressure testing) and functional safety (leakage testing)
are verified for each individual component.
The whole test process is fully automated. The pressure is tested
with air with up to twice the operating pressure (max. 22 bar)
for a test period of one minute.
After the pressure test has been completed successfully, the
leak tightness is tested with helium (max. 7.5 bar). The sniff
principle is used for this test, i.e. the test piece is pressurized
and the helium concentration outside the test piece is mea-
sured. The leakage rate of helium measured is converted into
an SF
6
leakage rate and compared against the permitted leak-
age rate for the tested housing. The test period for the leakage
testing is three minutes. The testing principle is illustrated in
the diagram in Figure 4.
Testing chamber
vacuum
Test piece
Helium
max. 7.5 bar
Figure 4: A diagram of the testing principle
Using helium for leakage testing offers a range of advantages
over testing with SF
6
. Chemically, helium is inert and there-
fore harmless to the environment and there is no direct risk
to health. In addition, helium has better properties for leakage
testing compared to SF
6
because helium molecules are smaller
than SF
6
molecules. Measurements with helium therefore
deliver more accurate test results.
Pressure and leakage testing is always conducted before the
test pieces are painted. This ensures there are no test deviations
as a result of pores closed by paint.
Following successful completion of the pressure and leakage
testing, the test results are logged and saved by component in
a database.
Figure 5 illustrates the testing sequence.
Preparation
data acquisition
according to the drawing
Pressure test
with air
test time 1 min.
Tightness test
with helium
test time 3 min.
checking OK
Leakage rate
OK
assembly error
leakage in cast
yes
rejects
e.g.
object number
vessel number
state of the index
techn. data
(pressure, leakage rate)
test report
barcode
test stamp
rejects
End of the test
no
no
Figure 5: Test sequence for pressure and leakage testing
The IEC/TR 62271-303 standard specifies a maximum permitted
SF
6
loss of 0.5% per year. The pressure and leakage testing on
each individual component in our high-voltage circuit-breakers
ensures compliance with this specified limit. This is guaranteed
by Siemens as the manufacturer.
As part of the pressure and leakage testing procedure during
mechanical production in Berlin, pressure tests are also con-
ducted according to other country-specific regulations such as
EN and ASME. Where necessary, these tests are carried out in
the presence of a Lloyds inspector.
Test system data
Technical data
test chamber
diameter up to 2.100 mm
length up to 3.500 mm
max. vessel dimension
diameter up to 1.700 mm
length up to 3.000 mm
pallet transportation system
automatic and manual mode
pressure test
pressure up to 22 bar
leakage test
helium up to 7.5 bar
vacuum in the test chamber
test method
sniff-principle
cycle time ca. 18 min.
min. leakage rate
2.6 x 10
-6
mbar x l/s
Technical details
Summary
High-voltage circuit-breakers play a key role in transferring and
distributing electrical energy. These units require high quality
individual components to ensure reliability. The pressure tests
carried out after mechanical processing of all pressurised
components such as housings and covers ensures compliance
with national and international pressurised vessel regulations.
Testing the leak tightness of all housings upholds the manu-
facturers guarantee that these comply with the maximum per-
mitted annual SF
6
loss of 0.5 % defined in the IEC/TR 62271-303
standard.
Global service from a single source
Christian Krger
At the high-voltage control unit on the Berlin Siemensstadt site,
high-voltage circuit-breakers from 72.5 kV to 800 kV are being
developed and manufactured for application in both indoor
and outdoor locations.
The ongoing development of new circuit-breakers at the high-
voltage control unit has enabled customer requirements and
market demands to be met time and again, thus consolidating
this leading market position. Service technicians completely
install each newly developed breaker within the high-voltage
control unit several times during the development stage in
order to implement installation procedures and constructive
improvements early on.
Building block principle for breakers to facilitate service
The building block principle applied to the breaker series
and the standardised operating system mean that installa-
tion and commissioning times can be cut even further. Whats
more, the supply components have been carefully adjusted
to make them customer friendly so it is possible to optimise
and simplify the installation tools. The reliability and quality
of our low-maintenance products result from the many years
of operational experience with all circuit-breakers, which can
be found satisfying the most varied of requirements in all areas
of application right across the globe.
Today, there are more than 50,000 Siemens circuit-breakers in
grid operation worldwide. The application life-span of these
breakers is often in excess of 40 years.
The Berlin site provides an international service for every
circuit-breaker delivered and in operation. A 24-hour hotline
gives customers the opportunity to get in touch immediately in
the event of any faults, which are then treated as top priority.
With a targeted approach to calling up product information and
direct co-operation with the development, construction, IT and
production departments, the service in Berlin is able to offer
professional, product-specific support.
Our specialists involved in the circuit-breaker development
processes, daily plant production processes and final assembly
on the construction site are available at any time to perform
on-site diagnostics on the switchgear.
Comprehensive service
Installation and commissioning
Sale of spare parts for all SF
6
circuit-breakers
Maintenance and inspections
Customer training sessions at the companys own
modern training centre or on the end equipment itself
on the customers premises
And the highest level of priority given to the elimination
of faults
The service is responsible for organising and handling service
assignments, from the customer request, technical clarifica-
tion, preparing the quote and processing the order through to
deployment of the service technician. Other tasks performed
by the service include carrying out cost-effective planning and
co-ordinating the entire service assignment with the customer,
as well as producing the concluding documentation.
Installation and commissioning
Qualified service technicians are always on hand for our
customers. These technicians have years of international
experience and undergo continuous training in current
production, receiving all information on any technical changes.
The customers own personnel can also be trained by our
service technicians during the installation and commissioning
process. A 3AP1 FG circuit-breaker with a rated voltage of up to
245 kV can therefore be installed and commissioned by just one
service technician in the space of one day. Figures 1 to 4 show
the installation and commissioning of complete substations.
Figure 1: Installation of a 3AP2 FI circuit-breaker for 550 kV
in Shenzhen, China
Figure 2: Installation of a 3AT3 EI circuit-breaker for 550 kV in Columbia
Figure 3: Installation and commissioning of a dead tank circuit-breaker
for 550 kV with heatable thermo housing in Sokol, Kazakhstan
Figure 4: Installation and commissioning of a dead tank circuit-breaker
for 245 kV in Sokol, Kazakhstan
Spare parts delivery
One additional and important task is to deliver spare parts for
all Siemens SF
6
circuit-breakers. The service includes the com-
plete handling of spare part deliveries. The request, technical
clarification and quote, plus order handling and delivery to the
end customer are all dealt with by a single source.
The customer can also turn to our qualified service technicians
to carry out maintenance work or inspections on Siemens
circuit-breakers.
This service is tailored to customer requirements, ensuring that
the lifecycle costs of the circuit-breaker are kept to a minimum.
Comprehensive advice
The service offers all our customers timely, comprehensive
advice.
The round-the-clock service in Berlin and the high standard of
our solution expertise mean that all customers can be guaran-
teed quick response times in the event of faults as well as the
quickest possible recovery time as indicated by the high level
of customer satisfaction.
The training centre at the Schaltwerk Berlin
Joerg Hellhammer
Information and training
Providing the right knowledge to ensure safety
Energy transfer and distribution systems and equipment
sometimes represent a significant investment and may have
a life-span of more than 40 years. Our information and training
centre helps our customers make the most of these investments
whether it be looking at fundamental aspects of cost-effi-
ciency or training the operating personnel, our comprehensive
range of courses can provide the answers to any questions
on Siemens equipment and Siemens switching technology.
All training naturally takes place in small groups, with a strong
practical emphasis and focused on our customers needs.
This will enable your operating personnel to recognize when
maintenance tasks will be due and to plan these in advance,
thus putting your operating and maintenance personnel in a
position to respond quickly and safely in the event of operating
malfunctions, or to resolve switching errors methodically and
therefore cost-effectively.
General and technical information courses
The right knowledge for every eventuality: general information
courses offer an overview of, for example, the latest high-volt-
age, medium-voltage and low-voltage switching technology.
Managers can also gain an insight into the financial aspects
of the technology, figure 1.
Figure 1: A training course at the training centre
Technical information courses instruct operating personnel
on how to work with special breakers or equipment, e.g. the
design of circuit-breakers. Theory and practical application go
hand-in-hand: with plant visits and intensive training on fully
operational original machines, image 2.
Figure 2: Training on original machines
A course to suit everyone
Our training program is designed to be modular so that it can
adapt to meet your needs: any combination of topics is pos-
sible. Just ask, and well be happy to advise. A selection of
topics is listed in table 1.
A methodical approach
Learning from the maker offers a number of benefits:
our courses are led by qualified teachers who use the latest
methods when conducting training sessions.
Whats more, their wealth of practical experience means they
are also familiar with conditions on the ground, figure 3 and 4.
Figure 3: Assembly training for a 3AP1 DTC 145 kV in Thailand
Figure 4: Assembly training for a 3AP1 FI 245 kV in Thailand
Our experience
The training centre was founded in 1974. It has grown steadily
since then, and is now equipped with state-of-the-art machin-
ery. Over the years, more than 10,000 participants have re-
ceived training in the various topics.
We speak your language
The training is always given in your language: either in German
or English, or through an experienced specialist interpreter. The
course material is also available in all major languages.
All the key topics, all the time
Whether you are interested in high-voltage, medium-voltage or
low-voltage switching technology, our courses always cover all
relevant topics.
The training centre
The three training rooms and our extensive collection of
original machinery, components and displays cover an area
of 600 m. The centre is operated by a team of three trainers
and an office manager, figure 5.
Experts from the test departments, the design team and the
production division are on hand to offer support as required.
Figure 5: The Team
Daniela Hellenbrandt, Karsten Krause,
Jrg Hellhammer, Wolfgang Westphal
The complete package
Travel, hotel, transport in Berlin we take care of everything,
including of course a program of entertainment to help you
relax and enjoy the experience.
Training Programme
Courses on high-voltage switching technology products
and high-voltage transfer products
Portfolio
3A circuit-breakers and 8D gas-insulated substations
General information course on high-voltage switching
technology
Technical information course on high-voltage switching
technology and gas-insulated substations (GIS)
technology: AS circuit-breakers (type 3A)
technology: outdoor circuit-breakers (type 3AQ/T)
technology: outdoor circuit-breakers (type 3AP)
SF
6
operator training in accordance with EU F-Gas
Regulation (No. 842/2006) Meets the requirement under Ar-
ticle 5 of EU Regulation 842/2006
Commissioning PSD devices for controlled switching;
for Siemens employees only
Operating time measurement using the Actas unit
from KoCoS
Switchgear maintenance courses
Customised courses on the customers premises
Table 1: Selection of courses from the training program
Information Center Switchgear Factory Berlin
Allard von Wiarda, Michael Thaten
The Berlin Switchgear factory manufacturing plant develops
and manufactures as the name suggests high, medium
and low voltage circuit breakers, gas-insulated high voltage
switchgear and surge arresters for high and medium voltages.
The development department with corresponding test areas,
and the entire prefabrication, production and assembly line,
including routine testing, are all on the switchgear factory site.
This facilitates efficient mutual exchange of information, from
the initial concept to the final product, figure 1.
Figure 1: Switchgear factory Schaltwerk Berlin
Depending on the type, gas insulated switchgears are
completely maintenance-free, or require a first inspection
after 25 years, and have a life cycle of more than 50 years.
So, of course, our customers would like to be informed about
the functionality and quality of circuit breakers and switchgear,
and last but not least about the high competence of our factory.
The best way is for all interested parties to visit the factory and
get a first-hand impression of our production site.
Since 1973, the factorys technical information center has
served this special purpose, organizing shop tours and briefings
for more than 4000 visitors a year. These include approval
engineers, mechanics and commissioning engineers, commer-
cial and technical decision makers, customer management and
top-ranking politicians as well.
During visits, after a general presentation of the site and
introduction to products and systems, technical solutions and
product functionalities can be explained at different exhibition
areas, using real models, figure 2 and 3.
Figure 2 + 3: Showroom with real models
The development, procurement, prefabrication, assembly and
routine test procedures for our various products are explained
during the customer-specific shop tours. The Berlin Switch-
gear factory manufacturing plant is the only factory of its kind
world-wide that integrates all processes from development
to final testing at just one site.
Within the framework of circuit breaker and switchgear
development, the factory operates the worlds largest
privately-owned test facilities, accredited and independent
facilities which can test our products during development,
and implement internationally recognized type tests, figure 4.
Figure 4: High Voltage Test at a 800 kV Life Tank Breaker
The high quality of our products is, among other things, a result
of careful supplier selection and qualification, highly qualified
goods incoming inspection, and secured material availability
on the production lines. Our visitors can get a clear picture
on these points at our logistics center, figure 5 and 6.
Figure 5: Incoming inspection
Figure 6: Logistics Center
A further typical feature of the switchgear plant is the high level
of in house production. Based on our definition of core compe-
tences, all quality- and lifetime-relevant processes are carried
out, and thoroughly checked, in the factory. This applies, for in-
stance, to sensitive components of the interrupter unit, cast res-
in parts, the machining of gas tight cast aluminum housings for
SF
6
, and to electro-plating processes such as the electro-
silvering of contacts. All these production processes are
presented and explained in detail during the guided tour, figure
7 and 8.

Figure 7: Production process
Figure 8: Cast resin components
The greater part of the factory tour consists of assembly and
final testing of the products and switchgear. The different final
assembly areas for high, medium and low voltage circuit break-
ers are visited, as well as the facilities for final testing, at which
routine tests are carried out on each breaker at the end of the
production processes, figure 9 to 11.
Figure 9: Assembling areas for high voltage components
Figure 10: Assembling lines for low voltage products 3WL
Figure 11: Assembling lines for medium voltage Vacuum Breakers
During special acceptance tests in the presence of our custom-
ers, the required functionality and quality are demonstrated
with exemplary components and parts. In this way, customers
can satisfy themselves that the equipment produced is exactly
in line with their requirements.
We are also able, of course, to present additional topics related
to the Siemens Company, to the Berlin Switchgear factory or
to our product range which are not mentioned in this article.
Specialists and experts from different divisions with extensive
experience can support us with this.
Generally we organize each factory tour individually, depending
on the different information needs and any expectations of the
customers (e.g. regarding language).
All rights reserved.
Trademarks mentioned in this document
are the property of Siemens AG, its affiliates,
or their respective owners.
Subject to change without prior notice.
The information in this document contains general
descriptions of the technical options available, which
may not apply in all cases. The required technical
options should therefore be specified in the contract.
Published by and copyright 2011:
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Power Transmission Division
High Voltage Products
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
For more information, please contact
our Customer Support Center.
Phone: +49 180/524 70 00
Fax: +49 180/524 24 71
(Charges depending on provider)
E-mail: [email protected]
Power Transmission Division
Order No. E50001-G630-M178-X-4A00 | Printed in Germany |
Dispo 30002 | c4bs No. 7450 |
TH 250-100461 | 471421 | SD | 02111.0
Printed on elementary chlorine-free bleached paper.

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