Safe Circuit Breaker Timing with New Technology

Linus Claesson, Zoran Stanisic, Heinz Wernli, Klas Pettersson GE Energy, Test Equipment, Programma Electric, Eldarvgen 4, 187 75, Tby, Sweden

An oral presentation of this article was given at CMD2006, International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis, Changwon, Korea, April 4, 2006. The article is available on the proceedings CD. The conference is Technically Co-sponsored by CIGR and IEEE.

The article is under copyright by The Korea Institute of Electrical and Electrical Material Engineers and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute.

Safe Circuit Breaker Timing with New Technology

Linus Claesson, Zoran Stanisic, Heinz Wernli, Klas Pettersson GE Energy, Test Equipment, Programma Electric, Eldarvgen 4, 187 75, Tby, Sweden
Abstract The best way to improve personnel safety when working in a substation is to increase the distance between personnel and devices with high voltage. Regulations and laws require all objects to be grounded on both sides before any maintenance work is performed on the object. For circuit breaker maintenance, the most basic and important test, that is main contact timing, is performed today without this basic safety prerequisite. Additionally, there is no feasible technique for this test with both sides grounded. A new technology that makes main contact timing of high voltage circuit breaker possible with both sides grounded is described. Capacitive property of circuit breakers for high frequency signals is used. Increased safety and simplified work process are the main advantages. The method described applies to any circuit breaker, but is best for GIS, generator circuit breakers and for the highest voltages is where there is the most to gain. Index Terms Safety, Circuit breaker testing, Circuit breakers, Timing, Capacitance, Resonance.

I. INTRODUCTION The use of electricity throughout society has increased tremendously over the last century. In parallel, the safety around all components and systems has increased. When Thomas Alva Edison lit the first light bulbs on the Swedish countryside, there was no protective insulation on the wiring. Today, we have a consumer system that makes utilization of electricity, in homes and industries, much safer. In transmission and distribution systems, the power is stronger and safety systems less developed. In high voltage substations, only highly trained and skilled professionals can be permitted to work. They have to be well acquainted with the safety deficits. Still, there are accidents with severe outcome for workers in substation environments. Safety in electricity transmission and distribution is a high priority to all involved, from the political level to the field engineer. With the evolution of electronics, it becomes possible to improve substation safety. The proposed method is one example. II. SUBSTATION PERSONNEL SAFETY Since testing of circuit breakers was started, safety for the personnel has been a high priority for development of test methods and equipment. The best way to improve personnel safety, when working in a substation, is to increase the distance between personnel and devices

with high voltage. When an object is taken out of service, there are three main cases when the object becomes dangerous due to high power electric potential. The first is if a fault occurs and an unwanted electrical potential reaches the object. The second is lightning somewhere on the lines coming in contact with the object. The third is capacitive coupling from one conductor with high voltage causing a dangerous potential on the object in question. The voltage can cause a current of 20 mA, or even more, through a human body. Currents above 3.5 mA are considered dangerous according to IEC EN 61010. The only way to make an object safe, for all the cases mentioned, is to connect the object to a ground at all points where it is in contact with the surrounding system. In this way, any potential on the object will take the shortest path to earth that is through the 120 mm grounding cable. An object grounded in this way cannot become dangerous. Regulations and laws require all objects to be grounded on both sides before any maintenance work is performed on the object. There are approved exceptions for this safety prerequisite because it is not possible to do all maintenance work with both sides grounded. Main contact timing of circuit breakers is performed with only single side grounding. Another property of substation test equipment that is important for safety is the user interface. Interaction shall be straightforward, fast and easy. Field engineers shall spend energy solving the task they are out to solve, not figuring out how the equipment works. This property is hard to put numbers on and is not covered in standards and regulations. While typically safe, there are obvious risks to personal safety inside a substation. The time in the substation is not only expensive, it also means exposure to a less safe environment. This is another argument for choosing user-friendly equipment in the name of safety. III. CIRCUIT BREAKER TIMING The most basic and important test for circuit breaker diagnosis is main contact timing. The response time is measured from operation command until operation, close or open, is completed. If the main contact timing on an interrupter is deviating from the manufacturer recommendation, the circuit breaker needs maintenance. Main contact timing also evaluates synchronization between phases in a three-phase system and the

synchronization of multiple contacts within one phase. Procedures for diagnostic test are described in [1]. A. Conventional Timing Method Conventional technology for main contact timing is to use ohms law with a DC test voltage over the circuit breaker to distinguish the moment when the circuit breaker state changes from open to close. This method is not based on a standard and there is, therefore, no absolute reference point. However, it is todays state of the art process and used throughout the industry. With both sides of the circuit breaker connected to ground, this method does not work. The DC test voltage will only sense the connection over ground and not what happens on the circuit breaker. Therefore, safe timing is not possible. To overcome this safety drawback, EDF, the stateowned electricity company in France, uses an automatic grounding device. A voltage sensor automatically closes a ground connection if there is a voltage potential between the object and ground. This device is used on one side while the other is grounded with a cable. The timing test is more complicated and requires longer time within the substation. B. On-line Indirect Timing As an alternative to the above approach, it is possible to derive timing data for a circuit breaker by sensing on the auxiliary contacts during an open-close operation. This On-line Indirect Timing gives timing based on the control circuits information. Usually the trig coil current curve is also recorded as additional data. The advantage is that the circuit breaker can stay in service even though the open-close operation will cause a disturbance on the power delivery. One drawback is that timing values are not the real values and do not reflect the circuit breaker performance. The method is not suitable for circuit breaker diagnosis. It is a quick test where the primary take-away is that the circuit breaker reacted on open and close commands. The test reveals about the same information as an optical inspection. It is not advisable to base a diagnosis on this kind of test. C. Dynamic Resistance Measurement (DRM) With DRM, a high current is used to obtain the resistance during a circuit breaker operation. The resistance trace is used primarily for advanced diagnosis, but the contact time is readily available. The drawback with this method is the requirements on equipment to generate the strong current. Equipment is heavy and expensive. DRM is performed with only one side grounded.

IV. BOTH SIDES GROUNDED TIMING A new technology that makes main contact timing of high voltage circuit breaker possible with both sides grounded is now described. Dangerous voltage can be kept at a safe distance from all personnel throughout the circuit breaker timing test. A safe area around the circuit breaker can be created and clearly marked with security fencing in accordance with common recommendations and regulations. Accidents with electric arc and electrocution can be avoided. A schematic diagram of the application is given in Fig. 1. On the outside of the double grounding there will be potentially dangerous voltages. On the inside, between the groundings, the electrical potential is removed through the groundings. This creates the Safe area also shown in Fig. 1. The increased safety is not based on the new method or equipment. Safety comes from keeping both sides grounded throughout the timing test.

Fig 1. Schematic hook-up diagram for timing with both sides grounded. Between the grounding leads a safe area is created where personnel can be safe during a timing test.

The result of a main contact timing based on this new technology is in no way different for an interpreter and fully compatible with the conventional main contact timing measurement. On the graphical user interface, the same thin or bold line will appear representing open and close. The new technology is embedded within the device without impacting user interaction. For the field personnel the way of working becomes somewhat easier and faster, but otherwise remains familiar. The method is non-intrusive and does not affect the circuit breaker in any way. The only connections are low current sense leads to the bus bars. The mechanism is not touched and there is, therefore, no need for any mechanical adoptions or conversion tables for different circuit breaker types. No reference value from manufacturing, commissioning or other beforehand information is required.

With an easier and faster test, field personnel can dedicate more attention to performing the actual task. The amount of time spent in the substation is also reduced. V. APPLICATION AREA The method is applicable on any circuit breaker. There are some cases where, for practical considerations, the double grounding brings advantages beyond what has been described so far. These cases are described briefly below. A. High Voltage Circuit Breakers For high voltage circuit breakers the advantages of the technique is interesting. This is because the safety concern increases with increasing voltage. The proposed technique has no upper limit for voltage and is fully applicable on high voltage, ultra high voltage and extremely high voltage. B. Generator Circuit Breaker (GCB) The power outlet from a turbine in a power plant has a high current. The short circuit current can be around 900 kA at 11-33 kV. The high current requires very thick conductors to avoid overheating. The bus bars and couplings are enormous, with hundreds of screws drawn to an accurate torque. Disconnection of the bus bar takes more than one day. If one screw is drawn to the wrong torque, there will be a spot of increased resistance that is heated. If the heating is strong, the power plant needs to be closed down for the loose bolt to be drawn. Knowing this, it is easy to understand why power plant owners are reluctant in disconnecting the bolted bus bars for a timing measurement. All service in the power plant is scheduled around planned overhaul events. At this time, there is all kind of personnel working on the turbine and power line. Safety requirements demand the GCB to be grounded at both ends during planned service events. Timing of the main contacts with conventional timing, using a DC voltage to sense contact, is now only possible if one bus bar is disconnected. The proposed method allows timing with both sides grounded. The time-consuming work to disconnect the bus bar is saved and the risk to have one loose bolt causing resistive overheating is eliminated. C. Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) The major advantage with GIS is the reduction of space required compared to air-insulated substations. The maintenance and test interval for circuit breakers installed in GIS is longer compared to air-insulated installations. GIS have been installed since the 1980s and many are reaching the age for maintenance.

To diagnose a GIS circuit breaker, the most important diagnosis tool is the main contact timing described previously. Conventional timing requires that at least one side of the circuit breaker be grounded. An Isolated Ground Switch has a built-in feature that permits access to the primary circuit without grounding it. An Isolated Ground Switch is, therefore, required on at least one side for a conventional timing without a full dismantling of the GIS. Early GIS installations rarely have Insulated Ground Switches installed. Usage has increased over the decades, but it is still common to find new installations without Insulated Ground Switches. The dismantling required for conventional timing is time consuming and expensive. Also, if the bolts are not properly drawn, there will be a SF6 leakage. The proposed method is capable of performing a timing measurement of a GIS circuit breaker where there is not an Isolated Ground Switch available. VI PROPOSED DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUE A. Resonant Frequency Model The fundamental physical property that the proposed diagnostic technique is based upon is that a capacitance is formed when two areas of conductor is separated by an insulation medium. In a circuit breaker, the contacts are the conductors and the insulation media is usually oil, air, vacuum or SF6. Any circuit breaker, therefore, holds capacitance. When the contacts move, i.e. during a close or open operation, the capacitance varies. The capacitance in the circuit breaker is used as a part of a resonant circuit. The circuit also contains inductance and resistance. The inherent resistance and inductance of the cables used to connect the measuring device is used. See Fig. 2 for a model. The dashed box is the interrupter part of the circuit breaker. The interrupter has a small resistance by design. The variable capacitance is formed by the two separated connectors and is variable with connector position, drawn as a variable capacitor in Fig.2. When the circuit breaker is closed, the capacitance is zero. In Fig. 2 grading capacitors and pre- insertion resistors are excluded. The LRC resonant circuit has a distinct resonant frequency. The resonant frequency is dependent on the value of the circuit breaker capacitor; therefore, the resonant frequency will vary with movement of the main contacts.

discontinuous jump in response taking place when the main contact closes. Thresholds are used to convert the response values into a traditional timing graph, shown below in Fig. 3, where the thin line represents open and the bold line represents a closed circuit breaker. The proposed method for diagnostic test is covered in two patents [2] and [3].

Fig. 2: The resonant circuit model formed by the circuit breaker (dashed box) and the connection cables from the measurement unit. The grounding cables are also included in the figure, even though they are not part of the resonant circuit.

The ground connection has a very limited influence on the resonant circuit for high frequency signals because the impedance in the ground cables is too high. In special situations, like application on GIS, the grounding connection requires an increase of impedance on the ground connection. This is achieved by putting a ferrite clamp around the ground connector. The ferrite clamp is two half-donuts that are easy to attach around a cable or bridge. B. Measurement Principle A resonant circuit with the resonant frequency depending on the contact position has been defined. The first step in the measurement is to identify the resonant frequency. A sweep scanning over different frequencies, in the MHz band, and comparing the response strength reveals the resonant frequency. This is preferably performed on the closed circuit breaker. The next step is to generate a signal with the resonant frequency over the resonant circuit and record the response during an operation. The operation is either open or close. The recorded response will be proportional to the capacitance of the circuit breaker. The diagnosis technique is to use the non-linear change in capacitance and stepwise change in resonance of the circuit breaker with the major events through an operation. Fig. 3 is showing a theoretical diagram for a close operation. At t0 the circuit breaker is open. Along the contact motion, the response signal amplitude changes. First contact is at t1, with a discontinuous jump in response. The first contact time t1 is the measurement value that IEC [5] and ANSI/IEEE [4] standard defines as the timing value. The bounces between t1 and t2 are due to touches of arcing contact and main contact before a permanent contact is established. At t2 there is a

Fig. 3: The response measured when applying the high frequency AC test signal over a close operation. Below is the traditional thin or thick line indication circuit breaker status.

C. Diagnosis The result is interpreted in the same way as for conventional timing. All results are in accordance with the established standards [4] and [5]. VII. FIELD EXPERIENCE Field experience is still limited to trial tests with prototype product and prototype software. Results are straightforward to verify, as conventional timing is well understood. The first results are promising and verifies the application field described above. No field test has been made on GCB. VIII FUTURE DEVELOPMENT This technology holds promise for future development to obtain even better analysis compared to conventional technology and what has been verified in the field. A. Velocity Without Transducer It is desired to measure the velocity of moving parts within the circuit breaker, like the mechanism, to conduct a condition diagnosis. The conventional way to measure the velocity is to physically mount a transducer on the accessible moving part and record the signal.

With a conversion table, the contact motion can be calculated. The conversion table translates the movement on the accessible mechanical part where the transducer is mounted into actual movement of the connector. With further development and research, there are technical openings to measure the contact movement velocity without using a physical transducer. The resonant properties that change with mechanism position are taken advantage of. The measurement will need calibration from a previous operation with transducer-based velocity measurement. During this calibration, operation data is collected that can later replace the transducer. A conversion table is created that is valid for this particular type of circuit breaker. This method of measuring velocity is less invasive as no mechanical parts are touched. This improves safety further because no objects are mounted on the circuit breaker. It also reduces the need for mechanical adapters and knowledge of conversion tables. The circuit breaker type does not have to be known and the easy procedure is identical, independent of circuit breaker type. Both sides remain grounded. B. Pre-Insertion Resistor (PIR) In some circuit breaker constructions a resistor is connected in parallel to the main interrupter. An interrupter in series connects the Pre-Insertion Resistor (PIR). The PIR is used to limit the current to be interrupted. The PIR is in parallel to the dashed box and not shown in Fig. 2. With a PIR in the circuit breaker, the resonant model is changed. Depending on the PIR status, there are two different resonant frequencies. A diagnosis of a circuit breaker with PIR shall include timing measurement of the PIR connector. The proposed methods can detect the transition of the PIR connection. IX. CONCLUSIONS The following conclusions can be drawn from this paper: 1) The safety for field personnel can be substantially improved during timing test of circuit breakers. 2) The proposed method is general for all kinds of circuit breakers. Interpretation is not changed. The amount of time required for measurement is reduced. The hook-up procedure is easier. 3) The proposed method is non-intrusive and does not require any beforehand information. Timing and velocity is measured without touching any mechanical part.

REFERENCES
[1] F. Salamanca, F. Borras, H. Eggert, W Steingrber, Preventive diagnosis on high-voltage circuit-breakers CIGR Symposium Berlin 1993, 120-02. [2] Methods and apparatus for analyzing high voltage circuit breakers, U.S. Patent 6 963 203, Nov.8, 2005. [3] Methods and apparatus for analyzing high voltage circuit breakers, U.S. Patent 6 850 072, Feb.1, 2005. [4] IEEE Std C37.09-1999. [5] IEC Std 62271-100. TRADEMARK NOTICES IEC is a registered trademark of International Electrotechnical Commission. IEEE is a registered trademark of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers