CHAPTER 7

ISOLATOR
In electrical engineering, a disconnector or isolator switch is used to make sure
that an electrical circuit can be completely de-energized for service or maintenance. Such
switches are often found in electrical and industrial applications where machinery must
have its source of driving power removed for adjustment or repair. High-voltage
isolation switches are used in electrical substations to allow isolation of apparatus
such as circuit breakers and transformers, and transmission lines, for maintenance.
Often the isolation switch is not intended for normal control of the circuit and is only
used for isolation. The major difference between an isolator and a circuit breaker is
that an isolator is an off-load device intended to be opened only after current has been
interrupted by some other control device. Safety regulations of the utility must
prevent any attempt to open the disconnector while it supplies a circuit.
They are not equipped with any "arc quenching device" and cannot, therefore be
used to disconnect a circuit under full load in which cases the resulting arc may
cause flashover to earth which will destroy insulators and may be fatal for the operator.
Isolator is installed both at line and at bus bar. The difference between line isolator
and bus isolator is that there is a permanent earth switch with line isolator. That
provides the permanent earth to the supply line during the shutdown.
Isolator is also used to separate the line and bus bar.

7.1 DETAILED LABELING DIAGRAM OF AN ISOLATOR

Fig 7.1 Isolator

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1 - Support insulator
2 - Fixed contact
3 - Moving contact
4 - Coupling contact
5 - Moving earthing contact
6 - Drive insulator
7 - Arcing contact

7.1.1 Features
The moving contact blade is an Aluminum /copper tube with special copper
profile with a bimetallic strip fitted with silver plated copper contacts.
The stationary contacts are silver plated copper, spring loaded to maintain
constant contact pressure.
The electrical contact system is easily and quickly replaced should it be
damaged due to a fault current or damaging event.
Range of Terminal connectors to suit current requirements. Robust design and
construction Encapsulation of rotary pedestals and heads No significant changes of
contact resistance over many years of services Constant contact pressure Stable rotary
pedestals ensure no insulator deflection even with high static loads.

7.2 TYPES OF ISOLATOR

There are three types of isolators.

Horizontal Isolator
Vertical Isolator
Pantograph Isolator
In SAHIWAL grid station only vertical and horizontal Isolators are used.

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7.3 OPERATING MECHANISM

All disconnects can be supplied with manual operating mechanisms or motor
operating mechanisms, as requested by the customer. Each three pole disconnect or
earthling switch group, requires only one operating mechanism with the exception of
420 KV 765 and 800 KV disconnect or which is single pole operated. Disconnector and
earthling switches can be mechanically inter locked with each other, so that during
manual operation, it is only possible to operate the earthling switch with the
disconnector in the open position and vice
mechanism

of

the

disconnector

is

versa.

The

motor

operating

interlocked electrically. The operating

mechanisms are fastened laterally to base frames, since the disconnects are installed on
high levels, it is possible to mount the operating mechanism within reach from the
ground, by using additional intermediate and operating shaft.

7.3.1 Motor Operating Mechanism

Salient features are as follows.
1. Motor coupled with a reduction worm gear to increase the output
torque. Ele interlock between breaker and earth switch.
2. Local /remote control facility.
3. Single phase preventer and over load protection device.
4. Pole discrepancy relays in case if individual pole operation.
5. Emergency local manual operation.
6.

Snap action auxiliary switches with silver plated contacts having

normal as contacts for signaling.

7.

Enclosure box/ casing made of steel sheet or aluminum painted with

epoxy tank process for long life depending on requirement.
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8.

Boxes confirm to IP 55 duly of ingress protection with doors with

special gasket.

9. Provision for Padlock is provided.

Fig 7.2 motor operating

7.3.2 Manual Operating Mechanisms

Supplied with manually operating handle and with reduction gear features on sp
salient features are as follows:
1. Elector mechanical interlock.
2.

Mechanism boxes are generally made out of sheet steel or aluminum

sheet customers requirement.

3.

Boxes are either painted after pre treatment is done with seven tank
process galvanized.

4.

Boxes conform to IP 55 duty of ingress protection with front door fitted

with gasket.

5. Provision for pad lock

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Fig 7.3 manual operating

7.4 MAINTENANCE
The contacts are self cleaning (maintenance free) and do not show any wear after
mechanical endurance test silver to silver, high pressure reverse loop configuration to
increase the contact pressure during short circuit condition. Normal contact is
maintained with compression springs pocketed inside the loop formed by the contact
fingers and the contact housing conductivity HDC. Disconnector is practically
maintenance free due to the selection of the materials used and the design. For example,
the gear box and bearings are covered with permanent lubrication, for protection from
exposure to atmospheric conditions. Under normal climatic conditions the inspection
intervals are 5 years. The disconnector and earthling switches supplied by us are
designed to ensure that they are virtually maintenance free.

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7.5 ISOLATORS AT SAHIWAL GRID

Table 7.1

Sr.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Code

Make

132 KV E11-Q1
132 KV E1-Q1
132 KV CCW-3
132 KV CCW-4
132 KV E10-Q1
132 KV 101
132 KV50-1-2
132 KV81-1-2
132 KV82-1-2

MGRINI
MGRINI
MGRINI
LK-NES
LK-NES
LK-NES
MGRINI
MGRINI
MGRINI

Date of
Commissioning
21-05-01
10-01-02
21-05-01
21-05-01
21-05-01
21-05-01
21-05-01
21-05-01
21-05-01

Rated
Voltage
145 KV
145 KV
145 KV
145 KV
145 KV
145 KV
145 KV
145 KV
145 KV

Rated
Current
1600 A
1600 A
1600 A
1250A
1600 A
1400 A
600A
1250A
1600A

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