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2-Basic Functions of Switchgear and Switchgear Elements

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12 views

2-Basic Functions of Switchgear and Switchgear Elements

Uploaded by

alaa.eng2012
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Switchgear Elements

and Circuit Breakers


The basic functions of L.V. switchgear

Switchgear is a general term covering a wide range of equipment


concerned with 3 basic functions:

1. Electrical Isolation of sections of an installation

2. Local or remote Switching (Control)

3. Electrical Protection

 To achieve these functions, many circuit elements are employed


depending on network requirements and application needs.
1. Isolation
The aim of isolation is to separate a circuit or apparatus (such as a
motor, etc.) from the remainder of a system which is energized, in order
that personnel may carry out work on the isolated part in perfect safety.

An isolating device must fulfill the following requirements:

1. All poles of a circuit, including the neutral (except where the


neutral is a PEN conductor)
must open.

2. It must be provided with a locking system in open position with a


key (e.g. by means of a padlock) in order to avoid an unauthorized
reclosure by inadvertence

3. It must comply with a recognized national or international


standard (e.g. IEC 60947-3)
concerning clearance between contacts, creepage distances,
overvoltage withstand
capability, etc.:
1. Isolation
An isolating device must fulfill the following requirements:

4. Verification that the contacts of the isolating device are, in fact open
either visual or mechanically .

Positive break indication

Suitability for isolation in the


industrial sector to IEC/EN 60947-3.

The presence of the green strip


guarantees that the contacts open
physically and allows work to be
carried out safely on the
downstream circuit.
1. Isolation
An isolating device must fulfill the following requirements:

5. leakage currents between the open contacts of each phase must not
exceed:
- 0.5 mA for a new device
- 6.0 mA at the end of its useful life

6. Voltage-surge withstand capability, across open contacts


Disconnector (isolator)

 Definition:
Mechanical switching device which complies with the isolating function.
It can withstand
normal operating current, In case of fault current , withstanding is for
very short time.

 Function: isolation

 Symbol:

 Characteristics:
- two-position device (open / closed).
- generally manually-operated,
- lockable,
2. Switching

Switchgear-control functions allow system operating personnel to modify a loaded


system at any moment:

 Functional control
switching operations in normal service conditions for energizing or de-energizing a
part of a system or installation

 Emergency switching - Emergency stop


An emergency switching is intended to de-energize a live circuit which is, or could
become, dangerous

an emergency system of braking, may require


that the auxiliary supply to the braking-system
circuits be maintained until final stoppage of
the machinery.
Load Break Switch
 Definition:
mechanical switching device capable of making, carrying and
breaking currents under normal circuit conditions.

 Function: control

 Symbol:

 Characteristics:
- two-position device (open/closed).
- generally manually operated ,
- It does not provide protection for the circuit it controls.
- It does not provide isolation.
Load Break Switch

Example
A 100 A load-break switch of category AC-23 (inductive load) must be able:

 To make a current of 10 In (= 1,000 A) at a power factor of 0.35 lagging


 To break a current of 8 In (= 800 A) at a power factor of 0.45 lagging
 To withstand short duration short-circuit currents when closed
Contactor

 Definition:
solenoid operated switching device, capable of
making, carrying and breaking currents under
normal circuit conditions including operating
overload conditions .

 Function: control

 Symbol:

 Characteristics:
- two-position device (open / closed).
- commonly controlled remotely by on-off
pushbuttons ,
- It does not provide protection for the circuit it
controls.
- It does not provide isolation.
Contactor
Thermal overload
relay
 Definition:
Thermal overload relay or release is a protection device intended
for protection against overloads (over current).

 Function:
protection against overload conditions

 Symbol:

 Characteristics:
- can be either conventional type or electronic type.
- overload operation based on inverse time curve
Thermal overload
relay
Thermal overload
relay
Direct on-line starting
Direct on-line starting-NEC
Direct on-line starting-IEC
Star delta starting
Star delta starting
Soft starter
Soft starter
VFD
VFD
VFD
Fuses
 Definition:
The fuse is a device that breaks a circuit by controlled melting of the
its element when a current exceeds a given value for a corresponding
period of time.

 Function: protection against short circuit currents.

 Symbol:

 Characteristics:
- Fuse construction consists of an element which is surrounded by
a filler and enclosed by the fuse body. The element is welded or
soldered to the fuse contacts (blades or ferrules).
Fuses
Fuses
Circuit breaker

 Definition:
mechanical switching device, capable of making, carrying and
breaking currents under normal circuit conditions and also making,
carrying for a specified time and breaking currents under specified
abnormal circuit conditions such as those of short-circuit.

 Function:
- protection - control - isolation.

 Symbol:
circuit breaker with suitability for isolation:

circuit breaker without suitability for isolation:

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