The tips of fixed contact, moving contact and arcing horn are coated with copper-tungsten arc resistant

material Since sf6 gas is costly, its reconditioned and reclaimed by a suitable auxiliary system after each operation of the breaker The high pressure flow of sf6 rapidly absorbs the free electrons in the arc path to form immobile negative ions which are ineffective as charge a carriers.

Advantages over oil and air circuit breakers :

Gives noiseless operation due to its closed gas circuit. Due to superior arc quenching property of sf6 , such breakers have very short arcing time. There is no risk of fire as sf6 is non inflammable. Dielectric strength of sf6 gas is 2 to 3 times that of air, such breakers can interrupt much larger currents. Low maintenance cost, light foundation requirements and minimum auxiliary equipment. Closed gas enclosure keeps the interior dry so that there is no moisture problem. sf6 breakers are totally enclosed and sealed from atmosphere, they are particularly suitable where explosion hazard exists. There are no carbon deposits. sf6 gas has to be reconditioned after every operation of the breaker, additional equipment is required for this purpose. sf6 breakers are costly due to high cost of sf6 gas.

Disadvantages :

SF6 gas has high dielectric strength which is the most important quality of a material for use in electrical equipments and in particular for breaker it is one of the most desired properties. Moreover it has high Rate of Rise of dielectric strength after arc extinction. This characteristics is very much sought for a circuit breaker to avoid restriking. SF6 is colour less, odour less and non toxic gas. SF6 is an inert gas. So in normal operating condition the metallic parts in contact with the gas are not corroded. This ensures the life of the breaker and reduces the need for maintenance. SF6 has high thermal conductivity which means the heat dissipation capacity is more. This implies greater current carrying capacity when surrounded by SF6 . The gas is quite stable. However it disintegrates to other fluorides of Sulphur in the presence of arc. but after the extinction of the arc the SF6 gas is reformed from the decomposition. SF6 being non-flammable so there is no risk of fire hazard and explosion.

Rating terminology:

Continuous rating of the circuit breakers shall be equal to the current corresponding to the maximum power flow in the circuit/line, transformer. Short circuit breaking current (Rupturing current) shall be more than or equal to the maximum fault level at the Substation bus.
TECHNICAL DATA: RATED VOLTAGE RATED NORMAL CURRENT RATED SHORT CIRCUIT BREAKING CURRENT RATED DURATION OF SHORT CIRCUIT BREAKING CURRENT RATED MAKING CURRENT RATED POWER FREQUENCY WITHSTAND VOLTAGE FOR 1 min. 145 kV 3150 A 40 kA 3 sec 100 kA 275 kV

RATED LIGHTNING IMPULSE WITHSTAND VOLTAGE RATED DUTY CYCLE TOTAL BREAK TIME RATED TRV FOR TERMINAL FAULTS NO. OF BREAKS PER POLE FIRST POLE TO CLEAR FACTOR RATED FREQUENCY TYPE OF OPERATING MECHANISM Explaining each and every tech specification : 1) Continous current :

1.2/50 m sec

650 kVp O-0.3sec-CO-3min-CO 60 ms max. 249 kVp 1 1.5 50 Hz ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC

This is the amount of current the breaker can carry continuously at 60 cycles without exceeding the temperature rise limit. It is termed Continuous Current on ANSI charts and Normal Current on IEC charts. This maximum rating should always be in excess of the utilization equipment rating to provide for a short-time overload capability

Rated operating sequence (Duty Cycle): The operating sequence denotes sequence of opening and closing operation which the breaker can perform. Operating mechanism experiences severe mechanical stresses during the auto re closure duty. The circuit breaker should be able to perform the following operating sequence. a) O - t - CO - T CO O- Opening operation, C Closing operation, CO Closing followed by opening t 0.3 sec. for rapid or auto- reclosure, T 3 minutes b) CO - t CO where t = 15 sec. for circuit breaker not to be used for auto-reclosure