Circuit breaker

A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to

protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit.
Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and, by interrupting
continuity, to immediately discontinue electrical flow. Unlike a fuse, which
operates once and then has to be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset
(either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation. Circuit
breakers are made in varying sizes, from small devices that protect an
individual household appliance up to large switchgear designed to protect
high voltage circuits feeding an entire city.

High-voltage circuit breakers

Electrical power transmission networks are protected and controlled by high-

voltage breakers. The definition of high voltage varies but in power
transmission work is usually thought to be 72.5 kV or higher, according to a
recent definition by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
High-voltage breakers are nearly always solenoid-operated, with current
sensing protective relays operated through current transformers. In
substations the protective relay scheme can be complex, protecting
equipment and buses from various types of overload or ground/earth fault.

High-voltage breakers are broadly classified by the medium used to

extinguish the arc.

• Bulk oil
• Minimum oil
• Air blast
• Vacuum

Due to environmental and cost concerns over insulating oil spills, most new
breakers use SF6 gas to quench the arc.

Circuit breakers can be classified as live tank, where the enclosure that
contains the breaking mechanism is at line potential, or dead tank with the
enclosure at earth potential. High-voltage AC circuit breakers are routinely
available with ratings up to 765 kV. 1200KV breakers are likely to come
into market very soon.
High-voltage circuit breakers used on transmission systems may be arranged
to allow a single pole of a three-phase line to trip, instead of tripping all
three poles; for some classes of faults this improves the system stability and
availability.

High Voltage Circuit Breakers (Siemens ltd)

Siemens manufactures EHV SF6 Outdoor Breakers at their modern factory

in Aurangabad (Maharashtra). The design of these Breakers is exactly same
as the design of the Circuit Breakers currently being manufactured at
Siemens AG’s factory in Germany for the global market. We also confirm
that our manufacturing processes and setup is in line with Siemens AG’s
recommendations.

Siemens has one of the largest research and development facilities in the
world. Their expertise and technical know-how is now available to Indian
customers through the Aurangabad works of Siemens Ltd.

The Breaker types 3AP are available up to 800 kV and they have an
extremely simple and totally maintenance free spring energy stored
mechanism.

This Circuit Breaker utilizes interrupters based on self-compression

principle, requiring extremely small drive energy. Siemens patented the
interrupters based on self-compression principle in 1970’s. The benefit of
these interrupters gets translated into a reliable and simple drive mechanism
and substantially reduced stress on links and other mechanical parts of the
Breaker.

These Breakers therefore are many times more reliable as the forces
developed during operation (Closing / Tripping) are far less adding to the
reliability and simplicity.

The advantages of 3AP SF6 breaker can be summarized as follows:

• Spring energy stored mechanism: Simple, reliable and maintenance

free. No need of maintenance of compressors, filters, air / hydraulic
system and associated auxiliary equipment and piping.
• No expenses on installation and maintenance of compressor, air
reservoirs and no recurring expenses on the power consumption on
these devices. The Circuit Breakers offered by some of the other
manufacturers which have a pneumatic operating mechanism are
outdated worldwide.
• Convenient positioning of devices like spring charging handle, push
buttons, and pressure gauge etc. The operating mechanism/control
cubicle is mounted at a convenient location; access to the Breaker
mechanism is easier.
• Aluminum alloy mechanism housing is not only light in weight but
extremely strong ensuring a long corrosion free life. At the same time
no alignment or adjustments are required at site or after many years of
operation.
• Special gas sealing: Siemens Breaker has provision of very special
sealing at the bottom corner gear of the interrupters. This eliminates
accidental gas leakage. Use of superior manufacturing techniques,
material & assembly in a dust free atmosphere ensures that there is no
accidental gas leakage from the Breaker.
• The Breakers are successfully type tested as per IEC 62271-100
(2001-05) with adverse duties C2, M2
• The Breaker utilizes advanced manufacturing techniques and features
such as anti-vibration latches and load-free decoupling which
guarantee a very long, trouble free and reliable operational life.
• The SF6 Density monitor is ambient temperature compensated. This
feature is missing in many other local suppliers.
• This breaker is easy for installation. The operational and maintenance
manual is self-explanatory.