Gas-insulated switchgear

up to 420 kV, 63 kA, 5000 A

Type 8DQ1
siemens.com/energy

Answers for energy.

Gaining from experience

Our switchgear ensures extraordinarily high availability at a low operating cost

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The Siemens gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) is an
extremely successful product concept. Since its introduc-
tion back in 1968, Siemens has installed more than
28,000 indoor and outdoor switchgear bays worldwide,
and well over 300,000 bay-years of operation have been
recorded. Intense research and continuous development
of the first system types have led to today’s generation of
gas-insulated, metal-encapsulated switchgear – a world
leader in terms of:
Economic efficiency
High reliability
Safe encapsulation
High degree of gas-tightness
Long service life
Low maintenance costs
Easy access and ergonomic design
High availability
Reliable operation even under extreme environmental
conditions
Since 1974 we have supplied gas-insulated substations for
voltage levels of up to 420 kV. Our current 8DQ1 switch-
gear, which is designed for rated voltages of up to 420 kV,
meets all the requirements for modern, next-generation
switchgear in terms of performance and reliability.

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Flexibility thanks to modular design

A fundamental feature of our gas-insulated switchgear is Coupling contacts capable of absorbing temperature-
the high degree of flexibility provided by a modular sys- related changes in length link the conductors. The insulat-
tem. The components are arranged in pressure-resistant ing and arc-quenching medium is sulfur hexafluoride
gas-tight enclosures according to their functions. All cus- (SF6). The extremely tight casing prevents environmental
tomary bus schemes can be implemented with only a pollution. Any moisture or decomposition products are
small number of active and passive modules. absorbed by static filters in the gas compartments, which
are attached to the inside of the covers of the access
The switchgear type 8DQ1 up to 420 kV has a single-
openings. Rupture diaphragms prevent excessive pressure
phase, metal-enclosed design that minimizes dielectric
in the enclosure. Diverter nozzles on the rupture dia-
and dynamic loading. The encapsulation material is corro-
phragms ensure that the gas is expelled in a defined direc-
sion-resistant aluminum. The O-ring seals – a proven con-
tion in the event of bursting, which prevents danger to
struction principle since 1968 – guarantee gas-tightness.
the operating personnel.

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 5

3 4

10

12
11

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With only a few modules, all typical switching configurations can be implemented
1. Stored-energy spring
mechanism with circuit-
1 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 breaker control unit
2. Busbar I
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3. Busbar disconnector I
4. Busbar disconnector II
5. Busbar II
6. Work-in-progress earthing
switch
11
7. Circuit-breaker interrupter
8 unit
8. Current transformer
13
9. Work-in-progress earthing
switch
10. Outgoing-feeder disconnector
11. Make-proof earthing switch
7
(high-speed)
12. Voltage transformer

Gas-tight bushing 13. Cable sealing end

Gas-permeable bushing

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 Circuit-breaker module
The central element of the switchgear bay within a gas-
insulated switchgear is the single-phase encapsulated
circuit breaker. The circuit breaker is designed for single-
pole automatic reclosure. It consists of two main
components:
Interrupter unit
Stored-energy spring mechanism
The design of the interrupter unit and the spring mecha-
nism is based on time-tested identical designs widely
used in air-insulated as well as gas-insulated switching
technology for many years. This design, decades of
experience, and high quality guarantee the surpassing
reliability of our switchgear.

Circuit-breaker module

Stored-energy spring mechanism

The stored-energy spring mechanism provides the force
required to operate the circuit breaker. It has a compact,
corrosion-free aluminum housing. Both the opening and
1 8
2 the closing spring are visibly arranged within the drive
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unit. The complete drive unit is strictly separated from the
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3 SF6 compartment. Roller bearings and the maintenance-
free spring mechanism ensure decades of reliable opera-
11 tion. Proven technology, such as vibration-isolated latches
4
12 and load-free isolation of the charging mechanism,
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improve the reliability of the mechanism.
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The advantages of the stored-energy spring mechanism:
Identical construction principle for rated voltages from
6 15
72.5 to 550 kV
Low operating energy
16 Simple principle of operation
7
Switching state controllable at all times
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Low maintenance, economical with a long
service life
1. Closing release 9. Charging mechanism
2. Cam plate 10. Charging shaft
3. Coupling linkage 11. Roller lever
4. Operating rod 12. Closing damper
5. Closing spring 13. Operating shaft
connecting rod
14. Opening damper
6. Opening spring
15. Opening release
connecting rod
16. Mechanism housing
7. Closing spring
17. Opening spring
8. Hand-wound
mechanism

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Interrupter unit Arc-quenching principle
The interrupter unit used in the circuit breaker for
arc-quenching operates according to the dynamic 1. Moving arcing contact 7. Moving arcing rod
self-compression principle. This principle requires only
2. Main contact 8. Insulating nozzle
little operating energy, which keeps the mechanical
stresses on the circuit breaker and its housing as well 3. Check valve 9. Auxiliary nozzle
as the foundation loads to a minimum.
4. Compression volume 10. Contact cylinder
5. Check valve 11. Heating volume
6. Steering gear
Current path
In the closed position, the operating current flows
through the contact finger (2) and the contact cylinder
(10). The arcing contacts (1, 7) are connected in parallel 6
to the main contacts.

Interruption of operating currents 7

During the breaking operation, the contact finger (2)
with the contact cylinder (10) opens and the current 1 8
commutates to the arcing contacts (1, 7), which are 2
still closed. This avoids erosion of the main contacts.
As the breaking operation continues, an arc forms 9
between the contacts (1) and (7). At the same time, 10
the contact cylinder (10) compresses the SF6 gas located 3
11
in the compression volume (4). The compressed arc-
quenching gas flows through the heating volume (11) 4
into the contact gap and extinguishes the arc.
5

Interruption of fault currents

In the case of large short-circuit currents, the gas between
the arcing contacts (1) and (7) is heated by the arc energy.
Breaker in Breaking:
This causes the pressure in the heating volume (11) to
»On« position main contact opened
increase. When the current passes through zero, the gas
flows back from the heating volume (11) through the
nozzle (9) and quenches the arc. The valve (3) of the
contact cylinder (10) prevents the high-pressure gas
from entering the compression volume (4). This means
that the operating mechanism does not have to supply
the arc-quenching energy.

Breaking: Breaker in
arcing contact opened »Off« position 7
 Disconnecting switches
In the open position, disconnecting switches assure
a dielectrically safe gap between system parts at different
potentials: for example, the busbar disconnector isolates
the feeders from the busbar. Cast-resin bushings keep the
contact system in place, and the pressurized gas serves as
the high-voltage insulating medium between live parts
and the metal housing.
The conductor terminals vary for different types of adja-
cent modules. Up to two earthing switches can be
installed simultaneously. The disconnecting switches
can be built as separate gas compartments with their
own monitoring or can be combined with surrounding
modules. The position of the disconnecting switch can
be seen if the large view ports are installed.

Disconnecting switch

Earthing switches
Earthing switches (work-in-progress earthing switches or
busbar earthing switches, for example) are used for prop-
erly connecting de-energized live parts of the high-voltage
system to the grounding system. On the outgoing side of
the feeders, a make-proof version (high-speed) is fre-
quently used to dissipate inductive and capacitive currents
from parallel cables or overhead lines or to reduce the risk
to the GIS system in case of faulty connections. In the
insulated design they are also used for measuring pur-
Pin-type earthing switch
poses and for testing protection relays.
In the switchgear type 8DQ1 up to 420 kV, the earthing
Common features of disconnecting and earthing switches are of a pin-type design. Depending on the
switches switchgear design, they are either incorporated in a com-
The three poles of a bay are coupled mechanically mon housing with the disconnection switches or installed
in a separate housing. With the pin-type earthing switch,
All three poles are commonly operated by one the earthing pin at earth potential is pushed into the
motor drive matching contact. Make-proof earthing switches are
Alarm switches and ON/OFF indicators are equipped with a stored-energy spring mechanism. The
friction-locked and directly connected to the drive spring, which stores the required switching energy, can
shaft be recharged either with a motor or manually in an emer-
gency. The installation of large view ports makes it easy
Identical motor drives are used for disconnecting to visually check the switching position.
and earthing switches
Manual emergency operation is integrated
Enclosures can be optionally fitted with large
view ports for visual monitoring of the switching
position

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Instrument transformers
Both current and voltage transformers are used for
measurement and protection purposes.
Current transformer
The current transformers are of the single-phase inductive
type with one or more cores and are preferably located on
the outgoing side of the circuit breaker. They can, how-
ever, be located at any point within the bay or substation.
The high-voltage conductor forms the primary winding.
The cores with the secondary windings are located on a
grounded electrode and are designed to comply with the
requirements in terms of accuracy, class, and power rating.
Different ratios can be achieved via taps in the secondary
winding that is accessible in a terminal box. The pressur-
ized SF6 gas between the high-voltage conductor and
electrode serves as the primary insulation. The cores are
completely metal-enclosed, which delivers very high
reliability in terms of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
Current transformer with
external cores

Voltage transformer/RC-voltage divider

Each single-phase inductive voltage transformer is encap-
sulated in its own housing and forms a separate gas-tight
module. Each voltage transformer consists of the follow-
ing main components:
The primary winding
One or more secondary windings (forming one coil)
An iron core
The pressurized gas inside the enclosure in combination
with the film insulation provides insulation against high
voltage. The high-voltage connection to the switchgear is
established via the primary conductor, which is supported
by a gas-tight bushing. The secondary connections are
routed via a gas-tight bushing plate to the terminal box.
Resistive-capacitive voltage dividers (RCVD) consist of oil-
impregnated capacitive elements with parallel-mounted
resistors in hermetically-sealed glass fiber-reinforced
plastic tubes (GRP). The RCVD shares a gas compartment
with the neighboring gas compartment. It is also available
in a different version with a separate gas compartment.
The secondary connection can either be designed as sin-
gle or as double unit (redundant version). The RCVD is
smaller in size and weight compared with inductive volt-
age transformers. It is a ferroresonance-free technology
with no saturable cores. The RCVD maps high voltage in
linear form over a wide frequency range from DC up to
20 kHz and has an excellent transient characteristic. The
power output is low but sufficient for the demands of Conventional voltage RC voltage divider
modern protection and energy counting systems (for transformer
example, SIPROTEC 5).

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 Termination modules
The termination modules connect the gas-insulated
switchgear bays to the following items of equipment:
Cables
Overhead lines
Transformer or reactor

They form the transition from the SF6 gas insulation

to other insulating media.
Cable termination
This module acts as a link between the metal-enclosed
gas-insulated switchgear and the high-voltage cable.
All types of high-voltage cables complying with
IEC 62271-209 can be connected. The inspection hole
also provides the connecting flange for the high-voltage
cable testing set. During high-voltage cable testing, the
primary conductor between the cable sealing end and the
switchgear can be removed.
Cable termination

SF6 /air termination

The SF6 /air termination module enables the connection of
the gas-insulated switchgear to air-insulated components
or overhead lines by means of a bushing, which is avail-
able either as a porcelain or a composite insulator. This
termination is a combination of an angle-type module and
an SF6 bushing. The length, shed form, and creepage dis-
tance of the outdoor/SF6 bushing can be adapted to vari-
ous requirements with regard to insulation coordination,
minimum clearance, and degree of pollution.

SF6/air termination

Transformer termination
The transformer termination module enables a direct SF6/
oil-tube connection from the GIS to an oil-insulated trans-
former or reactor. For this purpose, the transformer bush-
ing must be oil-tight, gas-tight, and pressure-resistant.
Temperature-related movements of the switchgear and
the transformer as well as the settling of foundations
are absorbed by expansion joints in the tube connection.
(Acc. to IEC 61639/IEC 62271-211)

Transformer tube
termination

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Extension and angle-type modules
These modules are used for connections within a bay and
for conduit lead-outs. Their shape and number depend on
the circuit and the layout of the bay.

Extension module Angle-type module

Busbar module
The switchgear type 8DQ1 up to 420 kV has a single-
phase encapsulated passive busbar, that is, with no inte-
grated switching devices. Busbar disconnecting switches,
sectionalizers, and earthing switches are housed in sepa-
rate gas compartments. Depending on the configuration,
extensions and maintenance work are easily performed
with the switchgear in operation. The busbar modules of
adjacent bays are connected with expansion joints that
absorb constructional tolerances and temperature-related
movements in both longitudinal and transverse directions
to the busbar. Axially guided sliding contacts between the Busbar module
conductors compensate temperature-related changes in
conductor length. A sectionalizer is easily installed to
increase the availability of the system.

Surge arrester
If desired, encapsulated surge arresters can be connected
directly. Their purpose is to limit any overvoltages.
Their active parts consist of metal-oxide resistors with a
strongly non-linear current/voltage characteristic. The
arrester is generally flange-jointed to the switchgear via a
gas-tight bushing that is included with the delivery. An
inspection hole in the arrester housing allows the internal
conductor to be opened when inspecting the switchgear.
The connections for gas monitoring, arrester testing, and
a surge counter are at the bottom.

Surge arrester

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Control and monitoring –
a reliable and flexible control
and protection system

Control cubicle with circuit-breaker operating mechanism

Proven switchgear control located opposite the switchgear. Shielded cables and
Robust electrical components are used to control and coded plugs are used for the cabling between the local
monitor the circuit breaker as well as other switchgear control cubicle and the high-voltage switching devices,
components. All elements necessary for the control and which minimizes both installation cost and the risk of
monitoring of the circuit breaker and the disconnecting cabling errors. On request, we can supply our high-voltage
and earthing switches are incorporated locally in the switchgear with any of the commonly available digital
respective high-voltage devices. All device controls are control and protection systems.
tested at the factory. This cuts commissioning time to a
Standard interfaces in the local control allow the connec-
minimum and avoids failures on-site.
tion of:
Gas monitoring
Conventional control systems with protective interlock-
Gas-tight insulating partitions subdivide each switchgear
ing and control panels
bay into functionally separate gas compartments (for
example, circuit breakers with current transformers, Digital control systems with user-friendly bay control-
disconnecting switches, voltage transformers, surge lers and station automation with PC workstations (HMI)
arresters, and termination modules). Density monitors
Intelligent, fully networked digital control and protec-
with red/green indication constantly monitor the gas
tion systems with additional monitoring and remote
compartments and provide alarm and blocking signals
diagnostic functions
via contacts.
Thanks to the extensive range of Siemens control and pro-
Reliable and flexible control and protection system
tection systems, we can offer you customized concepts
The control unit is housed in the local control cubicle,
from a single source.
which provides for easy access.
As an option, the feeder protection can also be included
in the same cubicle. The local control cubicle is usually

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Transport, installation,
commissioning, maintenance

Transport visor from Siemens. Our training facilities are at your

To facilitate easy transport and on-site installation, our disposal if required.
switchgear assemblies are split into optimized shipping
Commissioning
units with emphasis on ease of handling. Standard switch-
After completion of the assembly work on site, all switch-
gear bays are usually shipped in one transport. All ship-
ing devices and electrical circuits for controlling and moni-
ping units are mechanically and dielectrically tested
toring are tested to ensure proper electrical and mechani-
before dispatch. In the case of modules that contain
cal functioning of the whole system. All flanges are
switching devices, all operating-mechanism attachments
double-checked for tightness. Commissioning work on
are preset at the factory prior to shipment. All flanges
the primary section ends with the high-voltage test on
where the modules join to other equipment are protected
site to verify that all installation work has been conducted
against corrosion and sealed with transport covers.
correctly. All tests are performed in accordance with IEC
All components are packed according to means, duration, standards and the results are documented in the final
and route of transport as well as the conditions and test reports.
duration of storage. Shipments within Europe are nor-
Maintenance
mally sent by road. Switchgear supplied to countries
Our gas-insulated switchgear installations are designed
overseas are sealed in appropriate shipping units with
and manufactured to provide an optimal balance of
seaworthy packing, taking into account any temporary
design, materials used, and maintenance measures.
storage that may be necessary.
Thanks to the hermetically sealed enclosure, a minimum
On-site installation of maintenance is needed and the GIS system can even be
Dividing the switchgear into a few, easy-to-handle ship- regarded as maintenance-free under normal operating
ping units reduces the time and effort required for instal- conditions. Depending on environmental conditions,
lation on site. Detailed installation instructions and rela- visual inspections are recommended. A visual inspection
tively few special tools allow easy and rapid installation performed bay by bay, with no need for an outage or
of the switchgear. It can even be performed by your own opening the gas compartments. The first major inspection
personnel under the supervision of an experienced super- is not due for 25 years.
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Quality assurance
A consistent quality management system supported by our
employees makes sure that we produce high-quality gas-
insulated switchgear. The system was certified in 1983 in
accordance with CSA Z299 and again in 1989 according to
DIN EN ISO 9001. The quality management system is sub-
ject to continuous improvement. Certification according to
DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 was passed with flying colors in
2003. As early as 1994, the environmental protection sys-
tem according to DIN EN ISO 14001 was implemented
as an addition to the existing quality management system
and successfully certified. One of the fundamental mile-
stones in developing testing competence was the certifica-
tion of the test labs according to ISO/IEC 17025 (previously
EN 45001) in 1992 and accreditation as an independent
PEHLA test lab.
The quality management and environmental protection
systems cover every single process in our products’ life
cycles, from marketing to after-sales service.
Regular management reviews and internal audits of all pro-
cesses based on the consistent documentation of all pro-
cesses relevant to quality and environmental protection
ensure that the system is efficient and up-to-date at all
times and that appropriate measures are taken to continu-
ously improve it. Consequently, the quality of our switch-
gear meets even the highest requirements.
In addition to consistent quality management and envi-
ronmental protection, the special »clean« areas set up in
the production workshops are an important contribution
to the high quality of our gas-insulated switchgear.
Comprehensive manufacturing inspections and routine
testing of individual components, sub-assemblies, and
entire modules all play an important role in ensuring the
reliable operation of the overall product. Mechanical
routine and high-voltage tests of the complete bay or
complete shipping units verify that the manufactured
quality complies with standards. Appropriate packing
ensures the switchgear’s safe arrival at its destination.

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Switchgear bay examples
The modular system not only accomodates all customary
circuit arrangements but also individual solutions for
specific building dimensions, system extensions, and
much more.

Double busbar arrangement

3,800

5,800

Bus coupling arrangement

 
 


3,980

4,480

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1½ circuit-breaker arrangement
5,090

22,710

Double busbar arrangement with transfer bus

4,420

5,980

Double busbar arrangement with bypass

4,750

5,500

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Technical data

Switchgear type 8DQ1

Rated voltage up to 420 kV

Rated frequency 50/60 Hz

Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) up to 650 kV

Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2 / 50 μs) up to 1,425 kV

Rated switching impulse withstand voltage (250 / 2,500 μs) up to 1,050 kV

Rated normal current busbar up to 5,000 A

Rated normal current feeder up to 5,000 A

Rated short circuit-breaking current (< 2 cycles) up to 63 kA

Rated peak withstand current up to 170 kA

Rated short-time withstand current (up to 3 s) up to 63 kA

Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) < 0.1%

Driving mechanism of circuit breaker stored-energy spring

O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO

Rated operating sequence
CO-15 s-CO

Bay width 2,200 mm

Bay height, depth (depending on bay arrangement) 3,800 mm x 5,800 mm

Bay weight (depending on bay arrangement) 11 t

Ambient temperature range –30 °C up to +55 °C

Installation indoor/outdoor

First major inspection > 25 years

Expected lifetime > 50 years

Standards IEC/IEEE/GOST

Other values on request

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Published by and copyright © 2013:
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
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]
High-voltage products
Order No.: E50001-G630-A239-V1-4A00
Printed in Germany
Dispo 30002, c4bs No. 7460
fb 5732 WÜ WS 12132.
Printed on elementary chlorine-free
bleached paper.

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.