2.

11 INTERLOCKING
When we discuss the interlocking principles, we have to divide the
interlocking into two groups:

Safety interlocking;

Operational interlocking;

The main difference between both interlocking is the danger that can
occur when a certain interlocking does not exist. Safety interlocking is
necessary to give the operator or autoswitching equipment no opportunity to
create an internal fault in the GIS system or to create unacceptable operation
of equipment. Operational interlocking prevents the operator for switching
the GIS in restricted conditions, sometimes defined by the customer or
electricity board.
An example: High speed earthing switches are designed for closing on a
live circuit, i.e. there will be no safety interlocking to prevent this. There can
be an operational interlocking between a disconnector and a high speed
earth switch, so the earth switch cannot be connected to a live circuit.
Unacceptable operation of equipment can be seen as giving a closing
command.
2.11.1 INTERLOCKING ON THE GIS EQUIPMENT
The safety interlocking can be divided into two groups:

Equipment related interlocking;

Gas & hydraulic related interlocking.

Most equipment interlocking is related to the disconnector because this

type of switch is not capable of breaking load, switching is only allowed
during equal potential on both sides of the disconnector. Following equipment
related interlocking are examples to prevent the GIS for an internal fault or
unacceptable operation:

The disconnector cannot be operated in intermediate position

(intermediate mode disturbance)

The disconnectors Q1& Q2 are mutually interlocked, engaged

alternately only.

The CB cannot be closed when related disconnectores are in

intermediate position.

The disconnectors related to a CB cannot be operated when that CB is

closed
2.11.2 INTERPANEL INTERLOCKING
In most substation configurations, the interpanel interlocking is related
to two types of interlocking:

Inter locking concerning busbar disconnectors in relation to busbar

earthing;

Interlocking concerning busbar disconnectors in relation to the bus

coupler.
2.11.2.1 THE INTERLOCKING BETWEEN BUSBAR DISCONNECTORS AND
BUSBAR EARTHING SWITCHES
Controlling of the busbar disconnectors of all bays is allowed only when
the busbar earthing switch of the related busbar is open . this interlocking
can be provided in two ways:

By using a hard contact of the earthing switch for every bay;

By using auxiliary relays per bay and only one set of hard contacts.

The disadvantage of using 1 hard contact per bay is the amount of

contacts used for this interlocking. For each panel, one relay per busbar is
provided &all these relays are controlled by one contact of the related busbar
earthing switch. Because of the safe operation of the relay, i.e the relay is
energized in a safe situation, a good interlocking system is provided. The
opposite interlocking, interlocking the busbar earthing switch for closing with
the related busbar disconnectors, is done by a series connection of the
auxiliary contacts of all busbar disconnectors.
2.11.2.2 THE INTERLOCKINGS BETWEEN BUS COUPLER AND BUSBAR
DISCONNECTORS
In a normal situation i.e. when the buscoupling is not provided, only one
busbar disconnector per bay can be closed. This is to prevent unacceptable
busbar coupling. This interlocking is standard in every bay with two busbar
disconnectors. However, when a coupling bay is situated inside the
substation, it is possible to create equal polarity on both busbar by closing
the coupling bay. In this situation it is allowed to operate both busbar
disconnectors of 1 bay.
When both busbar disconnectors of one bay are closed, it is clear that no
opening of the coupling bay is allowed. This opposite interlocking is also
available in each bay. This interlocking is looped to the buscoupler bay. The
mentioned buscoupler related interlocking is necessary to provide a safe

busbar takeover under load without a shutdown of a complete substation.