SWITCHES AND FUSES

By
D . M . Karkare
Isolating Switch
Isolator ( Disconnecting switch) operate under
no load condition.
It does not have any specified current breaking
capacity or current making capacity.
Isolator is not even used for breaking load
currents.
In some cases isolators are used for breaking
charging currents of transmission line.
Contd…
Circuit breaker can make and break electric
circuit under normal current or short circuit
condition.
Isolators are used in addition to circuit breakers.
While opening a circuit, the circuit breaker is
opened first, then isolator.
While closing a circuit, the isolator is closed
first, then the circuit breaker.
Contd..
Isolators are necessary on supply side of
circuit –breakers in order to ensure isolation
(disconnection) of the circuit-breaker from live
parts for the purpose of maintenance.
To prevent the mal-operation, the isolator is
provided with the following interlockings:
 Interlocking between three poles for simultaneous operation.
 Interlocking with circuit-breakers.
Contd…
Isolators cannot be opened unless the circuit
breaker is opened,
Circuit breakers cannot be closed unless the
isolator is closed.
Load Break Switches
In addition to isolators and circuit-breakers,
there is one more device called Load
Interrupting switch, which combines functions
of the isolator and a switch.
These are used for breaking load current.
Earthing Switch
Earthing switch is connected between the line
conductor and earth.
Normally it is open.
When the line is disconnected, the earthing
switch is closed so as to discharge the voltage
trapped on the line.
Though the line is disconnected, there is some
voltage on the line to which the capacitance
between the line and earth is charged.
Contd..
This voltage is significant in high voltage
system.
Before proceeding with the maintenance work
these voltages are discharged to earth, by
closing the earth switch.
Normally, the earthing switches are mounted
on the frame of isolator.
Sequence of Operation
While Opening:
1) Open Circuit Breaker
2) Open Isolator
3) Close earthing switching
While Closing:
1) Open Earthing Switch
2) Close Isolator
3) Close Circuit-breaker.
Use of Load Break Switches
In distribution systems, voltages upto 33kV are
used.
The fault levels may not be high enough to
justify the use of circuit breakers
economically.
In such cases, the load break switches are used
in conjunction with H.R.C fuses and circuit-
breakers.
Contd..
Load break switches are capable of making,
breaking currents under normal conditions.
They can carry the specified current of
specified values for specific time.
They are capable of making but not breaking,
short circuit currents.
Switch isolators or switch disconnectors
combine the functions of switch and isolators.
Load break switches serve following:
- Breaking rated currents
- Making rated currents
- Making specified S.C currents
- Carrying specified short-circuit currents.
- Interrupt small inductive, capacitive currents.
While selecting the schemes with load break
switches, circuit breakers or H.R.C. fuses should
be provided at strategic locations so as to interrupt
fault currents, since load break switches cant do
so…
Fuse
 It is essentially a short piece of metal inserted in a
circuit which melts when a predetermined value
of current flows through it and thus breaks the
circuit.
 Rated Carrying current of a fuse is the maximum
current, which it can carry without any undue
heating and melting.
 It depends upon the permissible temperature rise
of the contacts of the fuse holder, fuse and upon
the deterioration of fuse caused by oxidation.
Contd…
• Fusing current is the minimum current at which a
fuse element shall melt.
• Schwartz and James have defined the fusing
current as “ the minimum current to fuse the wire
in such a time interval as shall be necessary for
the wire to have attained its steady temperature”
For a round wire the approximate value of fusing
current is given by
I= kd3
Where K is a constant depending upon the metal of the wire
and d is the diameter of the wire
Fusing current depends on :
 Material
 Length- the shorter the fuse the greater the current
 Diameter
 Shape of cross-section of the fuse element
 The previous history
 Size and location of the terminals
 The type of enclosure employed
 Whether the fuse is stranded or not.
The fusing current for a stranded fuse will be less than
the product of the fusing current for one strand and the
number of strands
Fusing factor
It is defined as the ratio between the minimum
fusing current and the rated carrying current.
Its value is always more than 1
Fusing factor of a fuse can be determined from
the time-current characteristics of the fuse.
This characteristics defines the operating time
as a function of the fusing current.