Medium Voltage Switchgear

ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 1 -
General
Switchgear
Medium Voltage
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Compartmented switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 2 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 3 -
Introduction
The prefabricated switch bays (or units) of medium voltage

are generally built with metallic sections and sheets, with an
access door in the bottom frontal and with one-wire electric
diagram in the top frontal.
Nowadays there is a vast diversity of prefabricated switch

bays, used for systems with rated voltage going from 12 to
36 kV, generally.
Besides the modular switch bays insulated in air or SF 6, there

are gas-insulated switchgears (GIS) of reduced dimensions,
which include protection, feeder and riser functions
integrated in a single metallic enclosure filled with SF 6.
1_114Q07- 4 -
Introduction
These switch bays comply with certain interlocking conditions:
All normal switching can only be performed with the door closed.
The access to the switch bay interior is only possible if the earthing
switch is closed and short-circuited. The doors are interlocked in
closed position as long as this switch is open.
The switch-disconnector and the earthing switch cannot be closed
simultaneously.
All interlocking devices allow its cancellation from the switch bay
interior to perform maintenance operations.
The circuit breaker controls cannot be taken from its enclosure
before the switching is completed.
Currently all switchgear can be remote-controlled using external
devices capable of data transfer via modem or any other kind of
communication link.
1_114Q07- 5 -
Introduction
There are also more sophisticated switchgears with a small
computer incorporated, able to perform task of
measurement, protection, control, monitoring, operation
and communications.
The computer in the bay communicates with all the others
and the workstation or with a hub and the control centre.
Real time data, as well as stored data about the
switchgear condition, can be accessed, which is very
useful to carry out its maintenance.
1_114Q07- 6 -
Types of function
The medium voltage substations are obtained by joining
standard unitary modular switch bays, forming each functional
group.
This allows the configuration of different schemes for the
transformation stations with one or more transformers.
Following there is a description of the diverse kinds of common
switchgears according to its function within the substation and
to the elements needed to perform such function.
Incoming/Outgoing Feeder Unit
Protection Unit
Riser Unit
Switching Units
Measurement Units
1_114Q07- 7 -
Types of function
Feeder Cable connection Sectionalizer Riser Busbar metering

1_114Q07- 8 -
Incoming/Outgoing Feeder Unit
The incoming/outgoing feeder unit used to cable inlet or outlet usually
includes a switch-disconnector, along with the earthing switch,
capacitive insulators (one per phase), voltage signalling pilots, and
room for cable terminals and busbars.
The switch-disconnector has three-pole operation, with visible open
position, rated voltage between 12 kV and 36 kV and nominal currents
going from 400 A to 2.5 kA. It can be fixed or removable.
The earthing switch is located between the cable terminal and the
protection and switching device.
Another kind of feeder switchgear has a three-position switch-
disconnector. It permits to connect the cables with the main busbar, to
break the rated current, to cut this joint or to ground simultaneously
the three terminals of the medium voltage cables.
Other devices can be added into this switchgear, such as voltage or
current transformers or surge arresters.
1_114Q07- 9 -
Protection Unit
The protection units are used mainly to protect
transformers.
The typical configuration includes switch-disconnector,
fuses, earthing switch, room for cable terminals, tripping
coil (also activated by the transformer thermostat) and
busbar.
The switch-disconnector and fuse set is called fuse-switch
if, when the fuse melts, its striker leads to the opening of
the circuit breaker.
Nowadays this protection device is being substituted by an
automatic circuit breaker that protects against overloads
and short-circuits using relays.
1_114Q07- 10 -
Riser Unit
The busbar riser units are used to link the busbar with the
inferior part of a switching unit that contains an automatic
circuit breaker or a switch-disconnector.
This unit can also be used as a measurement bay, with
current and voltage transformers included.
1_114Q07- 11 -
Switching Unit
There are different configurations for this kind of
switchgear.
The breaking device can be a disconnector, a circuit
breaker or a switch-disconnector.
They include room for cable terminals and buses, and
optionally, an earthing switch.
The switching unit is usually used along with the riser unit.
If medium voltage measurements are required,
measurement transformers can be combined with switch-
disconnectors or automatic circuit breakers.
1_114Q07- 12 -
Measurement Unit
In this type of switchgear, the current transformers are
connected first and then the voltage transformers,
following this order and the direction of the current.
This unit is strap-sealed by the utility.
The measurement device connected to the transformers,
meters, time switch, etc. is located outside the unit.
1_114Q07- 13 -
Functional assembly of transformation switchgear
Lateral bushing to
Joint system connect with plug
terminal
Cable bridge
Protection Protection
Incoming/outgoing Switching General Measurement Transformer Transformer
feeder protection 1 2
1_114Q07- 14 -
Incoming/outgoing Connection Transformers

feeder bridge bridges
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 15 -
Constructive types
Considering the constructive type, and according to the
standard IEC 298, the prefabricated metal-enclosed
switchgear for alternate current, for indoor or outdoor
installations, are divided in three categories:
Metal-clad switchgear and controlgear
Compartmented switchgear and controlgear (with one or more
non-metallic partitions)
Cubicle switchgear and controlgear
They may have either SF6 or air as insulator, depending on
the electrical and business premises of the installation.
However, the current trend is to use SF6 due to its lesser
requirements regarding space and maintenance.
Besides, the growing demand in the market propitiates the
comparison between switchgear insulated with SF6 or with air,
which are traditionally cheaper.
1_114Q07- 16 -
Constructive types
Taking into account the type of automatic circuit breaker
involved, the quenching technologies employed might be SF6
or vacuum, and currently there are switchgear units that can
use either of them indistinctly.
If the switchgear unit is air-insulated, the automatic circuit
breaker can be truck-mounted (draw-out) or fixed-mounted.
However, nowadays the switchgear units are built only with
truck-mounted circuit breaker, since they offer numerous
advantages respect to the older units with fixed-mounted
circuit breaker:
The disconnectors are eliminated, since the top and bottom
contacts of the truck work as disconnectors; hence the truck is
disconnected when moved.
Good access makes maintenance easier.
The apparatus can be substituted easily in case of failure.
1_114Q07- 17 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 18 -
Metal-Clad units
According to the standard IEC 298, the metal-clad units are metal-
enclosed switchgear which components are situated inside separated
compartments.
These compartments have metallic walls with a given protection level,
which should be grounded.
The units have separated compartments for the following devices:
Each apparatus of the main connection
The devices connected to one of the sides of the apparatus of the main
connection (e.g.: feeder compartment)
The devices connected to the other side of the apparatus of the main
connection (e.g.: busbars compartment; when there is more than one
busbar set, each busbar set should be in a separate compartment)
The metal-clad units offer a higher security level, since they present a
metallic and grounded plug of fixed contacts. Then the total separation
of the units by exclusively metallic sides is assured.
1_114Q07- 19 -
Air insulated Metal-Clad units
The existing metal-clad with air insulation and truck-mounted circuit
breaker are characterized by their flexibility.
This flexibility allows complying with the demands of most of the
installations. They may include
automatic circuit breakers, either SF6 or vacuum (circuit breakers of
manufacturers other than the manufacturer of the unit may be used),
breakers with fuses, load breakers, disconnectors, earthing switches, etc.;
voltage and current transformers,
protections of different functions and characteristics;
and standardized components such as probe insulators, plates, buses, fuses,
standoff insulators, etc.
To simplify and reduce the maintenance and operation of the switchgear,
the manufacturers seek for a design that ensures the area of the
different compartments, which makes it easier to access to all of them.
The truck-mounted circuit breaker also contributes to this purpose.
1_114Q07- 20 -
Even when there is a vast

amount of manufacturers of
this type of units, all the
switchgears are very similar.
The main distinction may
reside in the technique to
extract the circuit breaker,
which can be removable by
chassis or by truck.
Besides, as shown in fig., there
may be another compartment
with removable chassis, where
the voltage transformers or the
capacitors might be located, as
needed.
1_114Q07- 21 -
The structure of the metal-clad units is self-
supporting, built in steel sheets of assorted
widths, depending on the function of each
part of the unit, and protected against
corrosion.
This structure has the purpose of sustain
the switchgear and the other elements of
the unit.
Moreover, it should endure the mechanical
stresses caused by normal and unusual
operation conditions (such as short-circuit
currents).
Finally, it should also deter the access to
electrified or moving parts, keeping its
protection level either with the truck/chassis
inserted and the door locked, or with the
truck/chassis removed an the door opened.
1_114Q07- 22 -
The metal-clad units are divided in
various compartments separated by
metallic sheets.
The purpose of such division is that a
failure in one of them will not affect the
others; hence, a superior assurance of
service continuity is obtained in
comparison with undivided units.
This compartmentalization also
provides additional protection against
indirect contacts.
It is possible to access all
compartments from the front of the
unit, which allows the installation of
the units closer to the site walls.
1_114Q07- 23 -
All switchgear includes a grounding system, as a
protection against indirect contacts.
This system is constituted by a general grounding bus
that goes through the whole bay length.
All the parts of the enclosure, including doors,
truck/chassis and voltage and current transformers (if
present) are connected to the grounding bus, either
mechanically or using copper threads or sliding contacts.
The terminal of the grounding bus is connected to the
general grounding system of the installation
1_114Q07- 24 -
Each compartment includes a trap door in the top to remove,

towards the back top of the unit, the overpressure generated
in case of an inner arc, thus avoiding personnel and

installation damage
1_114Q07- 25 -
Breaker compartment
This compartment contains the
automatic circuit breaker mounted over
the draw-out truck or chassis.
The truck design allows the inclusion
of vacuum or SF6 automatic circuit
breakers.
The compartment has a ground
connection, a position indicator,
connection to the main busbars and
the measurement and control
devices of the circuit breaker.
1_114Q07- 26 -
Breaker compartment
In the units with draw-out truck, voltage transformers can be included in the truck.
In the draw-out chassis units, there is a compartment for the voltage transformers or capacitors.
According to the position of the truck and the circuit breaker, there are three operation
conditions:
In Service: The main circuit and the control circuit are connected.
Switching or Test: The main circuit is disconnected, while the control circuit is connected.
Removed: Both circuits are disconnected (the doors can be opened in this case).
1_114Q07- 27 -
Bus compartment
This compartment contains
the main buses of the
switchgear; they can be
electrolytic copper plates,
conduits or bars covered by
insulator, and includes their
connections and stands.
The busbars are designed to
bear thermally and
mechanically the rated
current, as well as the short-
circuit currents
1_114Q07- 28 -
Feeder compartment
This compartment encloses the medium voltage cables, as

well as their earthing switch and the voltage and current

transformers (in case the unit does not include a cubicle for
1_114Q07- 29 -
the voltage transformer).

Controlgear compartment
This compartment contains the control, measurement and

protection devices and the auxiliary circuits required for the
installation operation. They should be ample enough to ease the

cable setting.
1_114Q07- 30 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 31 -
SF6 insulated Metal-Clad units
Using SF6 gas as the insulating material
provides the metal-clad units several
advantages, such as:
reduced required space for its installation,
high level of availability,
superior reliability,
utmost protection against undesired
contacts (thanks to the hermetic seal of
the enclosure),
isolates the energized parts from
atmospheric pollution, dust, insects, etc.
The figure shows the diagram of this
type of unit, with double bus, where the
blue-coloured areas are those filled with
SF6
1_114Q07- 32 -
As well as with air insulated
metal-clad units, all SF6
insulated metal-clad units
from diverse manufacturers
are alike.
The most evident
differences are the
utilisation of vacuum or SF6
automatic circuit breaker
and the placement inside
the unit of the
compartments.
Figure shows a double-bus
units with vacuum circuit
breaker and the bus
compartment in the bottom

1_114Q07- 33 -
A) AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKER COMPARTMENT
B) BUS COMPARTMENT
C)
D)
FEEDER AND CURRENT TRANSFORMERS COMPARTMENT
CONTROLGEAR AND LOW VOLTAGE FRONTAL BOARD
Fig. presents a unit
with SF6 circuit
breaker and the bus
compartment in the
top
1. Bus disconnectors drive. 7. Three-position disconnector (in service-

2. Manometer and filling valve of the circuit open-grounded).
breaker compartment 8. Sockets for cable plugging
1_114Q07- 34 -
3. Circuit breaker control 9. Incoming feeder

4. Voltage-presence indicator 10. Current transformers
5. Low voltage compartment 11. Main buses
6. Bursting disks 12. Automatic circuit breaker
Circuit breaker compartment
The automatic circuit breaker
compartment, located in the unit
centre, is constituted by metal
enclosure hermetically sealed, built
in sheets of reinforced stainless
steel.
It includes:
Automatic circuit breaker, removable
to ease substitution (after isolating
and grounding the circuit).
Sockets for cable plugging.
Back access lid with bursting disk,
with or without signal contact for fast
opening of the feeder circuit.
Plate set to connect with the bus

compartment.
1_114Q07- 35 -
Feeder compartment
The feeder compartment is located at
the bottom of the unit and may
include toroidal current transformers.
The cables are directly plugged to the
unit without the need of a
compartment.
Besides, the measurement
transformers are also insulated in SF6.
1_114Q07- 36 -
Bus compartment
The bus compartment,
located in the top of the
unit, is formed by a metal
enclosure hermetically
sealed, built in sheets of
reinforced stainless steel,
including:
Electrolytic copper busbars
set.
Three-position
disconnector
Bushing plates(in service,
of epoxy resin that can endure overpressures, they
open, grounded).
separate the buses from the surrounding units and from the circuit
breaker compartment, and they also serve as bus stand and
disconnector knifes.
Access lid with bursting disk, with signal contact for fast opening
of the feeder circuit.
1_114Q07- 37 -
Low voltage central board
The low voltage frontal board is constituted by:
Two compartments to locate the auxiliary
low voltage devices, the terminals to
connect the auxiliary circuits (protection,
measurement and control), as well as
protection relays and measurement
equipment.
A first central compartment that includes
the electrical and manual drives of the
three-position disconnectors and the
interlocking systems (either mechanical or
electrical) to avoid incorrect switching, as
well as the one-line diagram of the main
circuit.
A second central compartment that
contains the automatic circuit breaker
drive.
1_114Q07- 38 -
Low voltage central board
Both central compartments (the

disconnectors one and the circuit
breaker one) are conveniently located
to allow easy access to their inner
drives.
1_114Q07- 39 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 40 -
The compartmented
switchgear, according to the
IEC 298 standard, are units
with metallic enclosure which
elements are disposed inside
separated compartments like in
metal-clad switchgear, but
including one or several no-
metallic partitions with a
protection level adjusted to the
standard.
As with metal-clad switchgear,

the compartmented switchgear
is insulated by air or SF6

1_114Q07- 41 -
Air insulated Compartmented switchgear
The compartmented
switchgear insulated by air
includes either a switch-
disconnector in SF6 with or
without fuses, or a vacuum
or SF6 fixed-mounted
automatic circuit breaker.
The configuration of the

switchgear depends on its
function in the installation.
Fig. shows such
configuration for a unit with

circuit breaker.
1_114Q07- 42 -
Switch disconnector compartment
Closed breaker Open breaker Grounded breaker
1. Tank
2. Enclosure
3. Driving axle
4. Fixed contact
5. Mobile contact
6. Gasket
When the unit uses a switch-disconnector as the switching device, this compartment
is limited by the epoxy resin casing enclosure, filled with SF6, that surrounds the three
rotary contacts that indicate one of the three positions of the disconnector, forming
an insulating shield between the bus compartment and the feeder compartment.
If the unit uses a vacuum or SF6 automatic circuit breaker, the epoxy resin casing
filled with SF6 will also have three rotary contacts, but with functions of disconnector
and of earthing switch
1_114Q07- 43 -
Feeder compartment
About 85% of the unit room is reserved for feeders connection,
allowing the use of either unipolar or tripolar cables with simple
terminals screwed on the casing bottom.
The room is also ample enough to include accessories, such as
surge arresters, current and voltage transformers, a second
earthing switch, etc.
If the unit is also used for protection, the fuses or the automatic
circuit breakers are also included in this compartment.
1_114Q07- 44 -
Feeder compartment
If the protected equipment is a transformer, the outgoing feeders to the transformer
are connected at the bottom of the inferior fuseholders, given that the unit uses a
switch-disconnector; or the outgoing feeders are connected to the unit connection
plates, given that the unit uses an automatic circuit breaker.
The compartment door has an inspection window and standard security interlocking.
Three individual plug plates located in the floor serve as ingoing feeders, which are
adequately fixed by supports.
The frontal plates and sockets of the unit can be removed to facilitate the cable
mounting.
1_114Q07- 45 -
Bus/ Drive/ Controlgear compartments
Bus Compartment
This compartment includes the buses, formed by three copper elements placed in parallel.
The buses are connected to the unit in the top of the casing. The buses are isolated by a thermo-retractile insulating case.
Drive Compartment
The drive compartment contains, depending of the type of switchgear, the drives that permits to operate the switch-disconnector, the automatic circuit
breaker and the earthing switch, as well as the corresponding signalling and a set of voltage indicator pilots.
It also allows easily installations of padlocks, interlocking locks and low voltage accessories (such as auxiliary contacts, coils and motorization).
Controlgear Compartment
In case of motorization of the breaker drive, this compartment includes a strip of low voltage terminals and fuses, and depending of the type of
switchgear, it can incorporate low voltage magneto-thermal breakers and relays.
1_114Q07- 46 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 47 -
SF6 insulated Compartmented switchgear
This type of SF6-insulated compartmented switchgear is used to make compact designs, in which three or four functions are found in the same
unit incorporated inside a single metal enclosure.
The switchgear and the buses are enclosed in a single hermetic tank, filled with SF 6.
This monobloc set, with integral insulation, constitutes the medium voltage component of a transformation centre medium/low voltage, or a
distribution centre in medium voltage.
Thus, this type of unit posses all needed functions for network operation, as well as the transformers connection, protection and feeding.
These units include, inside a single metallic enclosure:
Feeder function: with a switch-disconnector to switch the incoming/outgoing feeder of the transformation centre,
The protection function: with circuit breaker and fuses combined,
Earthing switch: with making capacity (40 kA) in all functions.
1_114Q07- 48 -
The following figure presents the transversal view of an SF 6-
insulated compartmented compact switchgear of 24 kV (the
blue-coloured area is SF6) with two feeder functions and one
protection function, where the below-described
compartments can be recognized
1_114Q07- 49 -
The metallic tank is made of
stainless steel and everlastingly
sealed.
It contains the active parts of the
switchgear.
It is totally hermetic and filled with
SF6 at a relatively low pressure (0.2
or 0.3 bars according the voltage
level).
In the bottom of the tank there is a
security bursting disk located
outside the personnel access.
In case of arc inside the tank, this
disk would drop, due to the
increase of pressure inside the

tank, directing all gases through
1_114Q07- 50 -
the back of the unit.

Inside the tank there are found:
The bus set, fabricated in electrolytic copper
The switch-disconnector three-position type (in
service-open-grounded), which eliminates the
possibility to execute incorrect switchings.
This switch-disconnector is mobile, three-position
type without insulation continuity, which horizontally
slides between two sets of fixed contacts.
In some sorts of switchgear of 36 kV, the fuse compartment

is immersed in the SF6-filled metallic tank.

1_114Q07- 51 -
Fuse compartment
This compartment includes three independent
unipolar fuseholders, hermetic and plug able,
that facilitates the fuse substitution in case of
melting.
The opening of the access door is interlocked
with the grounding of the corresponding
protection switch-disconnector, which grounds
both terminals of each of the three fuses.
1_114Q07- 52 -
Drive compartment
The drive compartment is the place to locate all drives that
operate the breakers and earthing switches of the unit.
According to the unit function, there are two types of
drives:
Feeder function: the driver can, remotely or manually by lever,
open and close the switch-disconnector working as a breaker
or open and close the switch-disconnector working as an
earthing switch.
Transformer protection function: the driver can close the switch-

disconnector by lever, pushbutton, trip coil or fuse melting. It can
also open and close the switch-disconnector working as an

earthing switch by lever.
1_114Q07- 53 -
Drive compartment
This compartment has a drive board that
includes a one-line diagram that shows the
different positions of the mobile device.
It also contains the slot to insert the
switching lever, and the pushbuttons to
manually operate the breakers and the
earthing switches.
1_114Q07- 54 -
Feeder compartment
This compartment includes the three bushings to connect the cable
sockets.
The incoming feeders are connected with plugable sockets or screwed
through threaded bushings.
The outgoing feeders are always connected with plugable sockets.
The interlocking device between the access door and the earthing
switch guaranties the total security when working with cables and
connectors in this compartment.
Above the feeder compartment voltage signalling indicators are
located, to which fixed lamps of voltage detection can be connected
1_114Q07- 55 -
Low voltage compartment
The low voltage compartment has a terminal strip to connect

relays, magneto-thermal breakers and any additional device
used for remote-drive or control

1_114Q07- 56 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 57 -
Cubicle switchgear
The cubicle switchgear is, according to the IEC 298
standard, metal-enclosed switchgear different from the
metal-clad and the compartmented switchgears.
The difference may reside in the following particularities:
Less compartments than in metal-clad or compartmented
switchgear.
Partitions with a protection level lower than those specified
by the standard.
No inner partitions.
1_114Q07- 58 -
Cubicle switchgear
Such as with the other kinds of
switchgear, there are cubicle switchgear
insulated by air or SF6.
Likewise, vacuum or SF6 circuit breakers
can be used in cubicle switchgear, as well
as three-position switch-disconnectors.
1_114Q07- 59 -
Cubicle switchgear
Fig. shows the diverse variations of cubicles units with draw-
out truck and air insulation.
There are units with no inner compartment with or without frontal
door and units with inner compartment with or without frontal
door.
1_114Q07- 60 -
Air insulated Cubicle switchgear
This type of unit may use either a circuit breaker or a switch-
disconnector.
In case of circuit breaker, this may be of removable (draw-out)
chassis or truck.
1_114Q07- 61 -
Air insulated Cubicle switchgear
Similarly, this type of units may have an inner compartmentalization
similar to those in metal-clad and compartmented switchgear, where the
following compartments can also be discriminated: circuit breaker, fuses,
cables, drive, control and low voltage.
There are also, however, units which present a partial
compartmentalization for buses, drive and control
1_114Q07- 62 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 63 -
SF6 insulated Cubicle switchgear
This type of switchgear uses a vacuum or SF6 automatic circuit
breaker fixed-mounted. It is partially compartmentalized, with a
common compartment for the active elements of the unit (breaker and
buses), filled with SF6, like in the compact compartmentalized units
1_114Q07- 64 -
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 65 -
Type test for medium voltage switchgear
In the IEC 298 standard, it is also indicated that the medium voltage installations should be built in such a manner that they fulfil the
requirements stated in the corresponding standard regarding their
insulation capability,
protection against accidental contacts,
current capacity,
making capacity and
mechanical function.
This fulfilment can be demonstrated by running tests on a prototype of medium voltage switchgear.
Apart from this, each switchgear unit is subjected to the routine tests in the factory before its delivery.
1_114Q07- 66 -
The insulation level of a medium voltage installation built in metallic sheets should be
chosen considering the requirements of the distribution network.
Regarding the rated impulse withstand voltage, the different stresses requirements will
allow to decide between the list 1 or the list 2.
When selecting between both lists, account must be taken of the risk of lightning or
switching overvoltages, the method of neutral-point earthing and, if present, the nature of
the overvoltage protection.
1_114Q07- 67 -
The switchgear indicated in the list 1 will be appropriated to:
Industrial installation networks not connected to overhead lines:
in case that the neutral-point of the winding is grounded through direct connection or through a few ohms;
in case of a compensation of the earthing system and for special networks with overvoltage protection.
Networks and industrial installations connected merely through transformers with overhead lines and in which the capacitance to earth of the cables (connected
to the low voltage terminals) is of at least 0.05 F in each conductor.
In case of an insufficient earthing capacity, additional capacitances might be included between the medium voltage installations and the transformers, as close
as possible to the transformers terminals.
Then, the following cases are established:
neutral-point of the winding grounded through direct connection or through low resistance;
compensation of the earthing system with overvoltage protection.
1_114Q07- 68 -
Networks and industrial installations connected directly to an overhead line:
neutral-point of the winding grounded through low resistance connection and with
overvoltage protection,
compensation of the earthing system with overvoltage protection.
In any other case, or if it is required a high security level in service 1, then
it would be needed to install a switchgear as that specified in the list 2 .
Rated voltage Rated lightning withstand voltage (peak value) Rated power-frequency withstand
voltage
Um effective value
effective value
List 1 against through the sepa- List 2 against through the sepa- against through the separation
ground ration section ground ration section ground section
kV kV kV kV kV kV kV
3,6 20 23 40 46 10 12
7,2 40 46 60 70 20 23
12 60 70 75 85 28 32
17,5 75 85 95 110 38 45
24 95 110 125 145 50 60

36 145 165 170 195 70 80
52 250 290 250 290 95 110
1_114Q07- 69 -
72,5 325 375 325 375 140 160

AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTIVE TYPES
Metal-Clad units
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
Cubicle switchgear
AIR INSULATED
SF6 INSULATED
TESTS
PERSONAL SAFETY
1_114Q07- 70 -
Personal safety
According to the recommendations of the IEC 298 standard, the medium voltage installations must be designed and built to provide personnel with the best possible
protection in the case of an arc fault.
With this recommendation, switchgear installations can be subjected to an internal arc test under uniform conditions, and evaluated.
The effects of the arc fault on the switchgear installation depend on the intensity of the arc, its duration and the enclosed volume.
The criteria for the test are as follows:
1. None of the properly closed or locked doors comes open
2. No parts are ejected (pressure-relief flaps, windows, etc.)
3. No holes are caused in the enclosure by burning, splintering or tearing due to the action of the arc
4. Vertically arranged cotton gauze indicators are not ignited by the emission of hot gases
5. Horizontally arranged cotton gauze indicators are not ignited
6. No earth connections are rendered ineffective
1_114Q07- 71 -
Personal safety
Arc faults can arise because of overvoltages, faulty insulation, malfunctioning drives or incorrect operation.
The arc has a temperature of nearly 4.000 K at its root points, and about 15.000 K at its core.
When it strikes, the arc heats the surrounding air explosively, due to its very high temperature.
In an enclosed space (the bay or an oil chamber), this produces a rise in pressure.
This pressure rise would reach the mechanical limit of the enclosure if switchgear cubicles were not
provided with pressure-relief flaps.
These open after some 5-8 ms, and the overpressure is gradually reduced.
1_114Q07- 72 -
1_114Q07- 73 -
Personal safety
Personal safety
It must be assumed that the arc will burn for at least 70 ms before it is interrupted, but may be 1s to 1.5s,
depending on the networks relay settings.
During this time, the enclosure is subjected not only to pressure, but also to heat.
The heat of the arc can melt steel sheet.
Switchgear cubicles thus have double walls at critical points, with an air gap inbetween, so that the arc is
restricted to its point of origin.
Other measures are taken (e.g. labyrinths between cubicle interior and front door) to ensure that the hot gases
are cooled so as not to endanger personnel.
1_114Q07- 74 -
Personal safety
Pressure resistance (criteria according to standard, t = 0.1s) is demonstrated by optical
means.
High-speed cameras running at 800 frames per second are able to show clearly the
standard complying.
The thermal effects (criteria according to standard, t = 1.0s) are shown by easily
flammable pieces of cotton gauze, which during the test should not be ignited by the hot
gases.
1_114Q07- 75 -
Personal safety
Depending on the nature of the installation, these indicators (e.g. cretonne) are arranged
vertically in front of the cubicle at a distance of 30 cm or 10 cm.
In these tests special attention must also be paid to the height of the ceiling above the
apparatus; if the ceiling is low the rebounding gases can constitute a hazard.
Proof is provided by horizontal indicators placed 2.0 m above floor level.
Personal safety can be improved by deflection blades attached to the top of the cubicles.
1_114Q07- 76 -

Medium Voltage Switchgear

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Medium Voltage Switchgear

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ABB Power Technology

The prefabricated switch bays (or units) of medium voltage

Nowadays there is a vast diversity of prefabricated switch

Besides the modular switch bays insulated in air or SF 6, there

Feeder Cable connection Sectionalizer Riser Busbar metering

Incoming/outgoing Connection Transformers

Even when there is a vast

Each compartment includes a trap door in the top to remove,

in case of an inner arc, thus avoiding personnel and

This compartment encloses the medium voltage cables, as

well as their earthing switch and the voltage and current

the voltage transformer).

This compartment contains the control, measurement and

installation operation. They should be ample enough to ease the

compartment in the bottom

1. Bus disconnectors drive. 7. Three-position disconnector (in service-

3. Circuit breaker control 9. Incoming feeder

Plate set to connect with the bus

Both central compartments (the

As with metal-clad switchgear,

is insulated by air or SF6

The configuration of the

configuration for a unit with

Closed breaker Open breaker Grounded breaker

increase of pressure inside the

the back of the unit.

In some sorts of switchgear of 36 kV, the fuse compartment

is immersed in the SF6-filled metallic tank.

Transformer protection function: the driver can close the switch-

also open and close the switch-disconnector working as an

The low voltage compartment has a terminal strip to connect

used for remote-drive or control

24 95 110 125 145 50 60

72,5 325 375 325 375 140 160

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