SULPHUR HEXA-FLUORIDE 𝑆𝐹6

CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Lectures prepared by:

Satyaki Banik
Adjunct Lecturer, Dept. of EEE, BUET
SUBSEQUENT MATERIALS TAKEN FROM
[1] S. S. Rao, Switchgear Protection And Power Systems, 17th ed. Khanna Publishers, 2017.
[2] L. G. Hewitson, M. Brown, and R. Balakrishnan, “7 - Circuit breakers,” L. G. Hewitson, M.
Brown, and R. B. T.-P. P. S. P. Balakrishnan, Eds. Oxford: Newnes, 2005, pp. 70–82.
[3] F. C. Fehsenfeld , "Electron Attachment to SF6", The Journal of Chemical Physics 53, 2000-
2004 (1970) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1674280
[4] Webpage: https://circuitglobe.com/sf6-sulphur-hexaflouride-circuit-breaker.html
[5] Webpage: https://savree.com/en/encyclopedia/sf6-circuit-breaker
[6] Webpage: https://www.codrey.com/electrical/sf6-circuit-breaker/
[7] Webpage: https://www.iceeet.com/sulphur-hexafluoride-circuit-breaker/

23-May-21 EEE 477 2

 INTRODUCTION
• In previously discussed circuit breakers
(ACB, ABCB, OCB etc.), the rate of recovery
of dielectric strength is relatively slow after
contacts were separated
→ arcs are extinguished after couple of half
cycles following current zero
→ Possibility was restriking of the arc is high

• To prevent restriking of the arc, the

medium should have high dielectric
strength, and fast recovery after current
zero
• VCB and 𝑆𝐹6 circuit breakers are suitable
in this regard
Older circuit breakers like ACBs, OCBs, and ABCBs have slower dielectric recovery rates after arc extinction, leading to a higher risk of restriking.
Vacuum Circuit Breakers
23-May-21 (VCBs) and SF Circuit Breakers are superior in this regard, as they provide high dielectric strength and fast recovery after the current zero-crossing,EEEensuring
477 3reliable arc
interruption with minimal risk of restriking.
PROPERTIES OF 𝑆𝐹6 GAS
Sulphur hexafluoride possesses very good insulating and arc quenching properties.
• colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and non-inflammable gas.
• extremely stable and inert, and its density is five times that of air.
• high thermal conductivity better than that of air and assists in better cooling current carrying
parts.
• strongly electronegative - free electrons are easily removed from discharge by the formation of
negative ions.
• Very low arc-time constant ("time between current zero and the instant conductance of contact
space reaches zero value“) ≤ 1 𝜇𝑠
• High rate of rise of dielectric strength
→ suitable for switching condition involving high RRRV
→ suitable for any kind of circuit conditions without need for resistive switching
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DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF 𝑆𝐹6 GAS (CONTD.)
• Its dielectric strength is 2.5 times than that of air and 30% less than that of the
dielectric oil.
• Dielectric strength of the gas increases with pressure.
• At pressure about 3 𝑘𝑔𝑓/𝑐𝑚2 (2.94 bar), the
dielectric strength of 𝑆𝐹6 gas is more than that of
dielectric oil.
( 1 𝑘𝑔𝑓/𝑐𝑚2 = 0.980665 bar)
→ This property permits smaller clearances and
small size of equipment for same kV

23-May-21 Ref: [1] EEE 477 5

ELECTRON ATTACHMENT PROCESS OF 𝑆𝐹6
As 𝑆𝐹6 is strongly electronegative, it attaches with free electrons by the formation of
negative ions
There are two processes by which free electron is attached to a neutral gas molecule.
Direct attachment:

Dissociative attachment:

23-May-21 Ref: [3] EEE 477 6

COMPARISON BETWEEN
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
For a gap of 10 mm:

Circuit breaker type Breakdown voltage, kV

Air 30
𝑆𝐹6 at 1 bar 60
Oil 110
Vacuum 170
𝑆𝐹6 at 1 bar 250

Ref: [2]

23-May-21 EEE 477 7

 COMPARISON BETWEEN
CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Ref: [2]

23-May-21 EEE 477 8

APPLICATIONS
Very widely used in –
➢ high voltage metal enclosed
cables
➢ high voltage metal-clad
switchgear
➢ bushings
➢ circuit breakers
➢ current transformers etc.
➢ suitable for capacitor switching,
line switching, motor switching
etc.

23-May-21 EEE 477 9

During the arcing period, SF gas is blown axially along the arc (in the direction of the arc length). This flow of gas helps cool and control the arc, ensuring efficient arc quenching.
This axial flow removes heat from the arc zone by convection, helping to shrink the arc diameter.

ARC EXTINCTION PROCESS

• Arc extinction process in 𝑆𝐹6 CB different from that in ABCB
• During arcing period, 𝑆𝐹6 gas blown axially along arc
• Heat is removed from the arc through axial convection and radial dissipation
• Consequently, the arc diameter reduces during decreasing node of current wave
• Diameter becomes small and extinguishes during current zero
• Turbulent flow introduced around current zero to extinguish arc This turbulence helps to further cool the arc and prevent it from
reigniting

• As the rate recovery of dielectric strength is very high in 𝑆𝐹6 CB, arc does not
restrike.
• Furthermore, electrons get attached with molecules to become ions → thereby
dielectric strength is quickly regained
SF gas has a unique ability to capture free electrons. When free electrons from the arc plasma collide with SF molecules, they become attached to the SF molecules, forming negative
ions.
23-May-21 Ref: [1] EEE 477 10
This process, called electron attachment, reduces the number of free electrons in the gas. Since free electrons are necessary to maintain an arc, this electron attachment process
This rapid recombination of ions and attachment of electrons ensures that the SF gas regains its insulating properties almost instantly after current zero, preventing any chance of arc restriking.

CONSTRUCTION low pressure alarm , warning switch

Every 𝑆𝐹6 Circuit breaker consists of two (2) parts:

1. Interrupter unit: This unit consists of moving and fixed contacts comprising a set
of current-carrying parts and an arcing probe. It is connected to the SF6 gas
reservoir. This unit consists slide vents in the moving contacts which permit the
high-pressure gas into the main tank.
2. Gas system: The closed-circuit gas system is employed in SF6 circuit breakers.
The SF6 gas is costly, so it is reclaimed after each operation. This unit consists low
and high-pressure chambers with a low-pressure alarm along with warning
switches. When the pressure of the gas is very low due to which the dielectric
strength of gases decrease and an arc quenching ability of the breakers is
endangered, then this system gives the warning alarm.

23-May-21 Ref: [7] EEE 477 11

 INTERRUPTER UNIT:
PUFFER TYPE 𝑆𝐹6 CIRCUIT BREAKER

Ref: (Video) Ref: [6]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIFP2awPwi0

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INTERRUPTER UNIT:
PUFFER TYPE 𝑆𝐹6 CIRCUIT BREAKER

23-May-21 Ref: [5] EEE 477 13

INTERRUPTER UNIT:
PUFFER TYPE 𝑆𝐹6 CIRCUIT BREAKER

Ref: [1]

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INTERRUPTER UNIT:
PUFFER TYPE 𝑆𝐹6 CIRCUIT BREAKER

Ref: [1]

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GAS SYSTEM OF 𝑆𝐹6 CIRCUIT BREAKER
Breaker contact status 𝑆𝐹6 gas pressure
Closed 2.8 𝑘𝑔/𝑐𝑚2 (2.75 bar)
Open 14 𝑘𝑔/𝑐𝑚2 (13.72 bar)

At about 15 bar pressure, 𝑆𝐹6 starts

liquifying at 10℃. So, thermostatically
controlled heater is fitted in the high-
pressure chamber to maintain the gas
temperature above 16℃.
Ref: [1], [7]

23-May-21 EEE 477 16

ADVANTAGES OF 𝑆𝐹6 CIRCUIT BREAKER
• Less number of interrupters per pole than ABCB and MOCB for EHV applications.
• Outdoor 𝑆𝐹6 CB is less costly, compact, requires less maintenance.
• Non-explosive, chemically inert.
• No carbon byproducts, lifetime of contacts increases
• Gas filled during decommissioning, does not need refueling every 5 years.
• No current chopping and arc restriking

Ref: [1], misc. resources

23-May-21 EEE 477 17

GAS INSULATED SUBSTATIONS (GIS)
In cities, industries, hydrostations – where land is
limited and costly 𝑆𝐹6 insulated switchgears can
prove to be very useful. Also preferred in
heavily polluted areas where dust, chemical
fume and salt layers exist.
These 𝑆𝐹6 insulated switchgears house various
equipment such as –
• circuit breaker • load break switches
• busbar • current transformers
• isolators • voltage transformers
• earthing switches • etc.
Ref: [1]
23-May-21 EEE 477 18
DISADVANTAGES OF 𝑆𝐹6 CIRCUIT BREAKER
• Sealing problems: imperfect joints may lead to leakage
• Arced 𝑆𝐹6 gas is poisonous
• Influx of moisture leads to failure
• Lower speeds due to friction, misalignment can cause failure of breaker
• Internal parts should be cleaned thoroughly during periodic maintenance under
clean, dry environment
• Special facilities needed for transporting and transferring gas, and maintaining
quality of gas
• Deterioration of quality of gas affects reliability of 𝑆𝐹6 circuit breaker

Ref: [1]
23-May-21 EEE 477 19