Project - BMR
Project - BMR
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3. CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR ARC AND METHODS EMPLOYED TO
QUENCH THE ARC:-
The following factors are responsible for the maintenance of arc between the contacts:
1. Voltage impressed between the contacts.
2. Ionized particles between the contacts and power factor.
When the gap between the contacts is small, the voltage between them is sufficient to
maintain the arc.
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The resistance of the arc may be increased by the following methods.
1. Lightning the arc:- By moving the contacts from each other the arc length increases.
2. Cooling the arc:- If the space between the contacts is cooled then deionization takes
place. This increases the arc resistance. Efficient cooling can be obtained by blasting the
gas along the length of the arc.
3. Splitting the arc: By introducing some conducting plates between the contacts, the arc
splits into a number of small arcs in services. This experience the effects of lengthening
of arcs and finally cooling.
4. Reducing the cross section of the arc:- The cross section of the arc can be reduced by
passing through a narrow opening or by having small dia of contacts.
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c) Sulphur hexa fluoride circuit breakers in which sulphur hex fluoride (SF6) gas is
used for arc extinction.
d) Vacuum circuit breakers in which vacuum is used for arc extinction.
e) Water circuit breakers in which vacuum is used for arc extinction.
In this circuit breaker a large quantity of oil is required for clearance between the earthed tank
and the live parts within the tank, that is why it is called as bulk oil circuit breaker.
It consists of a strong, weather tight (to keep out moisture), earthed tank containing dielectric
oil as an arc extinguishing medium up to a certain level and an air cushion above the oil level.
The fixed and moving contacts are immersed in oil.
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DOUBLE BREAK OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER :-
The moving contact under normal working condition is attached to two fixed contacts of the
bushings. The tension rod is lowered by operating mechanism while opening the circuit breaker.
The opening and closing is obtained by lowering and raising the tension rod. As the contacts
separate, the two arcs are drawn. The length of the arc is more. It gives speedy lengthening of
the which is also helped by the gravity. This arc is extinguished by the oil and by the gases
formed by the decomposition of oil.
The arc control devices are normally connected to the fixed contact assembly, such that contact
separation takes place inside this semi-enclosed device. The gas produced in the deice produces
high pressure in it. Thereby the arc extinction is quick. As the moving contacts level the arc
control device, the trapped gas gets released from the arc control device, while doing so, the arc is
extinguished by blast effect. Arc control devices are fitted to all, modern circuit breaker.
All are SF6, Vacuum and minimum oil circuit breakers, there is no bulk oil circuit breakers
in sub-station.
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The quantity of oil required in bulk oil circuit breaker reaches very high figures as the system
voltage increases (about 5000 Ltrs in 220 KV system). This also increases the maintenance.
This necessitates the design of circuit breaker which requires low volume of oil. Fortunately
this problem is solved by minimum oil circuit breaker, it uses about 10% of the bulk oil circuit
breaker for arc extinction. Minimum oil circuit breaker uses a small container having oil which
is just enough for arc extinction, the container being supported on porcelain insulators to give
required insulation of the live parts from earth. A minimum oil circuit breaker has the added
advantage that it
required less space than
the oil type. There are
two chambers namely
current interruption
chamber and supporting
chamber and supporting
chamber separated from
each other, but both
filled with oil. The oil
from current interruption
camber does not mix
with that in the
(Supporting chamber)
lower chamber. Lower
chamber acts like a
dielectric support.
Arc extinction devices (Turbulator) is fitted to the upper fixed contact. The lower fixed contact
is ring shaped. The moving contact makes a sliding contact with the lower fixed contact. A
resin bounded shaped. A resin bounded balkanized paper cylinder encloses the assembly.
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During the arcing period SF6 gas is blown axially along the arc. The gas removes the heat from
the arc by axial convection and radial dissipation. As a result, the arc diameter reduces during
the decreasing mode of the current wave. The diameter becomes small during the current zero
and the arc is extinguished. Due to its electronegadvity , and low arc time constant, the SF6 gas
regams its dielectric strength rapidly after the current zero, the rate of rise of dielectric strength is
very high and the time constant is very small.
At present in sub-station, the 220 KV consists of all SF6 circuit breakers with separate limb
operation and at 132 KV they have seven SF6 circuit breakers with combined limb
operation for seven feeders.
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SF6 Circuit Breaker:-
Sulphur hexafluoride SF6 is an inert, heavy gas having good dielectric and arc extinguishing
properties. The dielectric strength of the gas increase with pressure and is more than of dielectric
strength of oil at 3 Kg/cm2. SF6 is now being widely used in electrical equipment like high
voltage metal enclosed cables; high voltage metal clad switchgear, capacitors, circuit breakers,
current transformer, bushings, etc., The gas is liquefied at certain low temperature, liquefaction
temperature increases with pressure.
Sulphur hexafluoride
gas is prepared by
burning coarsely
crushed roll sulphur
in the fluorine gas, in
as steel box provided
with staggered
horizontal shelves,
each bearing about
4 kg of sulphur.
The steel box is made gas tight. The gas thus obtained contains other fluorides such as S 2F10,
SF4 and must be purified further SF6 gas generally supplier by chemical firms. The cost of gas
is low if manufactured in large scale.
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Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB): -
In this breaker, vacuum is being used as the arc quenching medium vacuum offers highest
insulating strength, it has far superior arc quenching propertic than any other medium. When
contacts of a breaker are opened in vacuum, the interruption occurs at first current zero with
dielectric strength between the contacts building up at a rate thousands of times that obtained with
other circuit breakers.
Constructions: Fig 16 shows the parts of a typical vacuum circuit breaker. It consists of fixed
contact, moving contact and arc shield mounted inside a vacuum chamber. The movable member
is connected to the control mechanism by stainless steel bellows. This enables the permanent
scaling of the vacuum chamber so as to eliminate the possibility of leak. A glass vessel or ceramic
vessel is used as the outer insulating body. The arc shield prevents the deterioration of the
internal dielectric strength by preventing metallic vapours falling on the inside surface of the
outer insulating cover.
Working:- When the breaker operates the moving contacts separates from the fixed contacts and
an arc is struck between the contacts. The production of arc is due to the ionization of metal ions
and depends very much upon the material of contacts. The arc is quickly extinguished because
the metallic vapours, electrons and ions produced during arc are diffused in short time an seized
by the surfaces of moving and fixed members and shields. Since vacuum has very fast rate of
recovery of dielectric strength, the arc extinction in a vacuum breaker occurs with as short contact
separation.
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Advantages: -
a) They are compact, reliable and have longer life
b) There are no fire hazards..
c) There is no generation of gas during and after operation
d) They can interrupt any fault current. The outstanding feature of a VCB is that it can break
any heavy fault current perfectly just before the contacts reach the definite open position.
e) They require little maintenance and are quiet in operation.
f) Can withstand lightning surges.
g) Low arc energy.
h) Low intertie and hence require smaller power for control mechanism.
The figure below shows the essential components of a typical axial blast circuit breaker.
The fixed and moving contacts are held in closed position by spring pressure under normal
conditions. The air reservoir is connected to the arcing chamber through an air valve.
This valve remains closed under normal conditions but opens automatically by tripping
impulse when a fault occurs on the system.
When a fault occurs, the tripping impulse causes the opening of the air valve which
connects the circuit breaker reservoir to the arcing chamber. The high pressure air
entering the arcing chamber pushes away the moving contact against spring pressure.
The moving contact is separated and an arc is struck. At the same time, high pressure air
blast flows along the arc and takes away the ionized gases along with it. Consequently, the
arc is extinguished and current flow is interrupted.
It may be noted that in such circuit breakers, the contact separation required for
interruption is generally small about 1.75cm. Such a small gap may constitute inadequate
clearance for the normal service voltage. Therefore, an isolating switch is incorporated as
part of this type of circuit breaker. This switch opens immediately after fault interruption
to provide necessary clearance for insulation.
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Cross Blast air circuit breaker:-
In this type of circuit breaker an air blast is directed at right angles to the arc. The across blast
lengthens and forces the arc into a suitable chute for arc extinction. Figure below shows the parts
of a typical cross blast air circuit breaker.
When the moving contact is withdrawn, am arc is struck between the fixed and moving contacts,
the high pressure cross blast forces into a chute consisting of an arc splitters and baffles. The
splitters serve to increases the length of the arc and baffles give improved cooling. The result is
that arc is extinguished and flow of current is interrupted. Since the blast pressure is same for all
currents, the inefficiency at low currents is eliminated. The final gap for interruption is great
enough to give normal insulation clearance so that series isolating switch is not necessary.
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4.TESTING OF TRANSFORMERS
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Tests Conducted During Erection of a Transformer:
1. Turns Ratio:
The ratio should be checked on all taps and between all the windings and the results should be tally
with factory test reports as well as the rating and diagram plate details. Ratio shall be checked by
applying a single phase 230-300 volts supply the high voltage side and measuring the voltage on the
low voltage side at all tap positions.
2. Magnetizing Current:
A three phase low voltage supply is given to each phase of a star connected winding, and measure
voltage induced in other phases. When centre phase is applied the other phase voltage should be
30% to 70%. When extreme phase is applied, centre phase voltage should be 50% to 95%.
3. Magnetic Balance:
Apply single phase 230volts supply to each phase of a star connected winding, and measure voltage
induced in other phases. When centre phase is applied the other phase voltage should be 50% to
90%.
4. Short Circuit Test:
Apply single phase voltage on LV side. Short the correspondence HV connections. Currents
through shorting should be calculated considering impedance of the transformer & test voltage to be
applied. Test voltage to be decided considering the available size of cables, measuring instruments
& setup. This test is for checking impedance of the transformer.
5. Insulation Resistance:
The insulation resistance between windings and between windings and earth should be measured
with 2500/5000 Volts megger and the values should be compared to the test report values. If there
is much variation, the same should be intimated to the manufacturer. It is preferable to have a
motor operated megger. Before measuring the insulation resistance it should be ensured that the
bushings are cleaned thoroughly.
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6. Winding Resistance Test:
A Kelvin bridge should be used for the measurement of resistance at all windings. Tapped winding
resistance shall be measured at all tap positions. Absolute steady reading should be obtained for
minimum 1 minute. The tap winding resistance trend shall be gradually increasing / decreasing.
9. Vector Group:
This can be checked by the voltmeter method. The primary and secondary windings are connected
together at one point. A low voltage three phase supply is then applied to the terminals voltage
measurements are then taken between various pairs of terminals and vector group is verified.
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11. Insulation Resistance of Core Earthing Terminals:
The link provided between core earthing terminal & earth should be removed first the insulation
resistance between core & earth should be measured with 1000 volts megger and the value should
be noted for further reference. It is preferable to have a motor operated megger. Before measuring
the insulation resistance, it should be ensured that the terminal is cleaned thoroughly Zero insulation
resistance indicates that the core is getting earthed at some other point also.
The link provided between CT secondary terminal & earth should be removed first. The insulation
resistance between each core to other core & each core to earth should be measured with 500/1000V
megger and the valves should be noted for further reference. It is preferable to have ensured that all
the terminals are cleaned thoroughly. Zero insulation resistance indicates that the CT is getting
earthed or shorted (as the case may be) at some point.
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5. HOT LINES TECHNIQUE
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Hot Line Technique:
In this technique, the line men can work on the energized transmission lines with safety for repair of
fittings and equipment on the poles etc.,
Sugar pine, Sitka sprance etc., wooden species are mainly used as hot line tools. But weight of tools is
an important factor in hot line practice to keep fatigue factor as minimum. Hence, the tools must be
lighter, stranger, generally the heat treated aluminum alloy equipment are used hot line tools. This
technique is mainly used for maintenance and repairs of fittings on important areas like cities having
transmission lines of 66 KV 132 KV and 220 KV.
Now a days “Bare Hand Technique” is using in Hot Lines works. In this technique, the worker wears a
conductive suit made of Nomex aramid flame resistant fiber and microscopic stainless steel fiber.
Wearing of this two piece suit connected to the conductor enables the workman to approach safety the
EH.V. Lines of 400 KV to 765 KV also without any effect of induction etc., and enable the lineman to
work safely with his bare hands and other hand tolls directly on live line, keeping safe distance from
earth.
1. There will be no interruption of supply on the line in which maintenance work is done and hence the
2. Due to fact that the supply is available in the line, the worker is to be cautious, alert and good
knowledge in his work, hence it will reduces the accidents which are usually occurs on cold line
works.
3. Hence line technique plays an important role in maintaining the continuity of power supply.
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Applications of Hot Line Technique:
The following are the main applications of hot lien techniques, namely.
5. For removing and replacement of cross arms on energized towers and also in transmission lines.
6. Maintenance of contaminated insulators in industrial areas and also applying silicon compound in
the charged lines.
7.
Role of Hot Line Technique in 220KV Grid Sub-station, Bommuru:
In every month of the first week Hot Lines Scanning will be conducted to the whole yard 220 KV,
132KV and 33 KV including transformers connecting ends (At the clamps of circuit breakers, current
transformers, potential transformers, capacitive voltage transformers, wave trap, isolators conductors
connecting through the equipment) with Hot Lines THERMOVISION CAMERA. In the camera the
temperature greater than the 80ºc are considered as Hot Spot and more than 120ºc (Maximum
temperature of the THERMOVISION CAMER) are considered as more dangerous Hot Sports. These
Hot Sports are shown Reddish in color to show the difference to the normal once. These hot spots are
cleared hot line wing by using hot line technicians with bare hand technique.
This Hot Line Technique plays major role in 220 KV Grid Sub-Station, Bommuru.
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6. RELAYS PROTECTION FOR
TRANSFORMERS.
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Differential Protection of Transformer:
The principle of this protection has been discussed earlier. The differential protection responds to the vector
difference between two or more similar quantities. The differential protection used for transformers is based
on the principle of current circulation. Two current transformer are connected to each line (Or phase) on
both sides of the transformer which is to be protected. The current transformer secondary’s are connected in
star or delta and the CTs of each end are connected by means of pilot wires. The CT connections and CT
rations are such that currents fed in to the pilot wires from both the ends are equal under normal working
conditions. During internal faults, the balance is disturbed. The out of balance current I1-I2 flows through
transformer connections should be such that the resultant currents are fed into the pilot wires from either
sides are displaced in phase by an angle equal to the phase shift between the primary and secondary
currents. To get this arrangement the secondary current transformer are connected in delta. Secondary’s of
current transformers on delta side of power transformer are connected in star.
The neutrals of current transformers and power transformer star connections are grounded.
A delta –star power transformer to which differential protection using circulating current principle has been
applied. Here it will be noted that the current transformers are connected in star –delta. It is as point to be
noted that the current transformers CT1 and CT2 connected on primary and secondary sides of power
transformer must have the proper number of turns, so that their (C1, CT2) secondary’s have equal currents
during normal operation. The differential current which flows through the relay coil is zero. Hence the
This balance is disturbed for internal faults. When a fault occurs in the primary or secondary of the power
transformer, the primary and secondary current transformer of a particular phase (In which phase the fault
occurs) gets upset and the differential current flows through the corresponding relay coil which closes the
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Relay Protection of Transformers:-
Transformer Protection:-
Transformer is also a major part in power systems like generators. It is a costly machine its protection
c. Earth faults.
d. Over heating (Due to excessive Temperature) from over – loading or from some internal cause.
The following are the precautions to be taken for applying differential protection to transformers:
1. Difference in lengths of pilot wires on either sides of relays should be same. (Balance should be
obtained).
2. CT (Current Transformer) ratios should be same at short-circuit currents (Otherwise relay operates
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Performed by the earth fault relay. The over load protection is achieved by the use of over load
fuses in the event of a sustained through fault damage may be caused to the transformer and it
is then that one or more of overload fuses will blow, leaving the relay to be fed from the set of
CTs and causing relay operation.
Because of the various known difficulties such as inaccuracy of the current transformers with
very high currents due to different characteristics, magnetizing current surges, and fixed current
transformer ratios on variable ratio power transformers due to tapings, the differential relay is
likely to operate inaccurately.
To avoid this disadvantage, the biased differential protection, or percentage or merz price
protection of power transformer is used. A typical diagram of connections showing such a
protection applied to a star-star power transformer is shown.
Buchholz Relay:
It is a gas actuated relay used for the protection of oil immersed transformers against all
incipient faults and makes use of the fact that fault decompose oil thus generating (More than
70% of hydrogen) gases. This relay can be fitted to the transformers having conservator tank
and is connected by means of pipes between the top of the transformer tank and conservator
and conservator and is therefore under normal conditions of operation, the relay, will be with
full of oil.
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The relay consists of an oil tight container with two internal hinged hollow floats, inside of which the
mercury switches are provided, which in turn connected to the external alarm and to the tripping circuit.
When an incipient fault occurs in the transformer, the are due to fault causes decomposition of transformer
oil. The product of decomposition contain more than 70% of hydrogen gas, which being light, the gas
bubbles get collected in the upper portion of the Buchholz relay, thereby the oil level in the buchholz relay
drop down. The float floating in the oil tilts down with the lowering oil level while doing.
So the mercury switch attached to it closes the alarm circuit, thereby the operator come to know that, there
is some incipient fault in the transformer. The transformer is disconnected as early as possible and the gas
sample is tested. The testing of gas gives clue regarding type of fault,. Buchholz relay gives an alarm so
that the transformer can be disconnected before incipient fault grows in to a serious one.
When a serious fault (Such as short-circuit between phases or turns, puncture of bushing insulators etc.,)
occurs in the transformer, pressure in the tank increases. The oil rushes towards the conservator, while doing
so it passes through the Buchholz relay. The baffle (Or plate) in the relay get pressed by the rushing oil.
Thereby closing mercury switch. Which in turn closes the trip circuit of circuit breaker. Thereafter the
transformer is removed from the service.
For faults above oil level, this relay is ignorant. Buchholz relay gives an alarm when the oil level reduces
below a certain level due to leakage of transformer oil.
There can be a false operation of relay by vibrations, earthquakes, mechanical shocks to the pipe, sitting of
birds etc., it is slow in operation, minimum operating time is 0.1 second average time is 0.2 second.
The buses concerned with switch gear do not have any wheels, nor do they transport people However, they
are called buses, perhaps due to their commonness Omni buses that they do have conductors and do
transport electric current.
Earlier, the conductors to which several local feeders or sources are connected were called buses. Now the
conductors carrying heavy currents are also called buses. The bus-bar which does not have any protective
cover they are called “Open Bus Bars”. If the bus-bars are contained in a metal (Aluminum or sheet steel)
enclosed “Bus Bars”
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Buses are essential in both the power system and industrial switchgear. Bus bar protection needs careful
attention because.
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No external power supply required for indication or operation.
Self contained system.
Fully compensated for ambient temperature.
High current switching
Maximum number of control switches ‘4’
Maximum capillary length ’35 meters’.
Weather proof case to IP54.
Maximum reading pointer.
Switch test knob.
The self balance system discussed in the category ‘ Protection of generators’ can also be used without
any modification for transformers; but the same type of equipments should be used for both primary
and secondary windings.
The over current protection is needed to protect the transformer from sustained overloads and short
circuits. Induction type over current relays are used which in addition to providing overload
protection act as back up relays for protection of transformer winding fault. Fig 10 shows the
combined over current and earth fault protection.
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The earth fault protection is used to provide protection against any earth fault in the windings of the
transformer. It works on the principle that when the transformer winding is sound the currents inall the
three phases will balance and no current will spill into the earth fault relay. The arrangement is such that
the relay does not respond to any out of balance current between windings caused by ta changing
arrangement.
Fig 10 illustrates the use of earth fault and over current relays for both star and delta connections of the
transformer. Instantaneous type of earth relay is used when the winding is delta connected the earth relay
is operated by the residual current from three CTs connected as shown in left hand side of the fig. if the
transformer winding has an earthed neutral then the residual current from the three line current
transformers is balanced against the current of the current transformers provided in the neutral as on the
right hand side.
When the system works normal, the sum of three currents in the C.T.s is zero and no current flows
through the operating winding of the instantaneous earth fault relay and through the neutral of the
transformer however if fault is outside the protection area current flows in the neutral and lines as well,
but the sum of currents in the lines is balanced by the current in neutral and hence earth relay is not
operated Now if earth fault occur within the protected zone say in the winding itself current will flow
only in the neutral of the main transformer and thus there will be no balancing current in the relay circuit
so, the relay is energized and the circuit breaker is opened. The trip contacts of the over current relay and
earth fault relay are in parallel so, with the energy station of other over current relay or earth fault relay
the circuit breaker of the concerned side will be tripped.
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The core-balance protection described above suffers from the disadvantage that if the fault occurs
between phases the relay does not operate. This short coming is overcome by using three separate CTs.
In this system of protection two over load relays and one earth leakage relay are connected as shown in
fig. The two over load relays are sufficient to protect all the three phases while the leakage relay is
energized by the resultant current from all the three CTs in case of leakage fault. Hence protection
against faults and short circuits either to earth or between Phases is achieved.
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7. LIGHTENING ARRESTER
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Lightning Arresters:-
The earthing screen and ground wires can well protect the electrical system against direct
lightning strokes but hey fail to provide protection against travelling waves, which may reach
the terminal apparatus. The lightning arresters or surge diverters provide protection against
such surges. A lightning arrester or a surge diverter is a protective device, which conducts the
high voltage surges on the power system to the ground.
Fig 7(i) shows the basic form of a surge diverter. It consists of a spark gap in series with a
nonlinear resistor. One end of the diverter is connected to the terminal of the equipment to be
protected and other ends is effectively grounded. The length of the gap is so set that normal
voltage is not enough to cause an arc but a dangerously high voltage will break down the air
insulation and from an arc. The property of the non-linear resistance is that its resistance
increases as the voltage (Or Current) increases and vice-versa. This is clear from the
Volt/220/132 KV Sub-station, Amalapuram characteristic of the resistor shown in Fig 7(ii).
i) Under normal operation, the lightning arrester is off the line i.e., it conducts no current to
earth or the gap is non-conducting.
ii) On the occurrence of over voltage, the air insulation across the gap breaks down and an
arc is formed providing a low resistance path for the surge to the ground. In this way, the
excess charge on the line due to the surge is harmlessly conducted through the arrester to
the ground instead of being sent back over the line.
iii) It is worthwhile to mention the function of non-linear resistor in the operation of arrester.
As the gap sparks over due to over voltage, the arc would be a short-circuit on the power
system and may cause power follow current in the arrester since the characteristic of the
resistor is to offer low resistance to high voltage (Or current), it gives the effect of short-
circuit. After the surge is over, the resistor offers high resistance to make the gap non-
conducting.
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Type of Lightning Arresters:-
There are several types of lightning arresters in general use. They differ only in constructional
details but operate on the same principle viz. providing low resistance path for the surges to the
round.
1. Rod arrester
2. Horn gap arrester.
3. Multigap arrester.
4. Expulsion type lightning arrester.
5. Valve type lightning arrester.
6. Thirties type lightning arrester.
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Current Transformers:-
Current transformer inputs for the operation of protective relays associated with the transmission
and distribution circuits or for power transformers. These current transformers have the primary
winding connected in series with the conductor carrying the current to be measured or
controlled. The secondary winding is thus insulated from the high voltage and can then be
connected to low-voltage metering circuits.
Current transformers are also used for street lightning circuits. Street lighting requires a
constant current to revent flickering lights and a current transformer is used to provide that
constant current. In this case the current transformer utilizes a moving secondary coil to vary
the output so that a constant current is obtained. Current transformers can be used to supply
information for measuring power flows and the electrical.
Based on rated voltage of current transformers has been used for 33 KV, 132 KV , 220 KV
level for metering and protection purpose at HV side, Line side, LV side.
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8. CURRENT TRANSFORMER
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The primary current of main transformer is
IA = KM I2M-IC / 2 and
I8 - KM I2M – IC / 2
For balance 2 – Phase load, I2T and I2M are equal in magnitude but 90° part, the 3-Phase currents
are also equal in magnitude but displaced 120° apart.
IA = IB = IC = 1.5KM I2T
Instrument Transformers:-
In d.c circuit when large currents are to be measured, it is usual to low – range ammeters with
suitable shunts. For measuring high voltages, low-range voltmeters are used with a high
resistance connected in series with them. But it is not convenient to use this methods with
alternating current and voltage instruments. For this purpose, Specially constructed accurate
ratio instrument transformers are employed in conjunction with standard low – range a.c.
instruments. These instrument transformers of two kinds. (1) current transformers for
measuring large alternating currents and (2) potential transformers for measuring high
alternating voltages.
Current Transformers:-
These transformers are used with low-range ammeters to measure currents high – voltage
alternating – current circuits where it is not practicable to connect instruments and meters
directly to the lines. In addition to insulating the instrument from the high voltage line, they
step down the current in a known ratio.
The current (Or series) transformer has a
primary oil of one or more turns of thick
wire connected in series with the line
whose current is to be measured. The
secondary consists of a large number of
turns of line wire and is connected across
the ammeter terminals (Usually of 5
ampere breaker should be removed or 1
ampere range).
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As regards voltage, the transformer’s is of step-up variety but it is obvious that current will be
stepped down. Thus, if the current transformer has primary to secondary current ratio of 100:5,
then it steps up the voltage 20 times where as it steps down the current to 1/20 th of its actual
value. Hence, if we know current ratio (I1/I2) of the transformer and the reading of the a.c.
ammeter, the line current can be calculated. In fact, line current is given by the current
transformation ratio times the reading on the ammeter one of the most commonly used current
transformers. It is a laminated core which is so arranged that it can be opened out at hinged
section merely pressing a trigger – like projection. When the core is thus opened, it permits the
admission of very heavy current carrying bus bars or feeders whereupon the trigger is released
and the core is tightly closed by a spring. The current carrying conductor or feeder acts as a
single – turn primary where as the secondary is connected across the standard ammeter mounted
in the handle.
It should be noted that, since the ammeter resistance is very low the current transformer normally
works short circuited. If for any reason, the ammeter is taken out of the secondary winding then
this winding must be short circuited with the help of short circuiting switches. If this not done,
then due to the absence of counter amp-turns of the secondary, the unopposed primary m.m.f.
will set up an abnormally high flux in the core which will produce excessive core loss with
subsequent heating and a high voltage across the secondary terminals. This is not the case with
ordinary constant-potential transformers, because their primary current is determined by the load
in their secondary where as in a current transformer, the primary current is determine entirely by
the load on the system and not by the load on its own secondary.
Potential Transformer:-
These transformer are extremely accurate – ratio step-down transformer and are use in
conjunction with standard low range voltmeters (Usually-150V) whose deflection when divided
voltage transformation ratio, gives the true voltage on the high voltage side. In general, they are
of the shell–type and do not differ much from the ordinary two-winding transformer discussed
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so far, expect that their power rating is extremely small. Up to voltages of 5000, potential
transformers usually of the dry type, between 5000 and 13800 volts, they may be either dry type
or oil immersed type, although for voltages above 13800 they are always oil immersed type.
Since their secondary windings are required to operate instruments or relay or pilot lights, their
ratings are usually of 40 to 100W. For safety, the secondary should be completely insulated
from the high – voltages primary and should be, in addition grounded for affording protection to
the operator. Fig shows the connections of such a transformer.
Fig shows the connections of instrument transformer to a wattmeter. While connecting the
wattmeter, the relative polarities of the secondary terminals of the transformer with respect to
the their primary terminals must be known for connections of the instruments.
For supplying a load in excess of the rating of an existing transformer a second may be
connected in parallel. It is seen that the primary windings are connected to the supply bus bars
at secondary are connected to the load bus bars. In connecting two or more than transformers in
parallel, it is essential that their terminals of similar polarides are joined to the same bus bars. If
this is not done, the two emf’s induced in the secondary’s which are paralleled with incorrect
polarides will act together in the local secondary circuit even when supplying no load and will
hence produce the equivalent of a dead short circuit.
There are certain definite conditions must be satisfied in order to avoid any local circulating
currents and to ensure that the transformers share the common load in proportion to their KVA
rating. The conditions are:
1. Primary windings of the transformers should be suitable for the supply system voltage and
frequency.
2. The transformer should be properly connected with regard to polarity.
3. The voltage ratings of both primaries and secondary’s should be identical in other works,
the transformers should have the same turn ratio i.e., transformation ratio.
4. The percentage impedances should be equal in magnitude and have the same V/R ratio in
order to avoid circulating currents and operations at different power factors.
5.
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5. With transformers having different KVA rating, the equivalent impedances should be
inversely proportional to the individual KVA rating if circulating currents are avoided.
If condition (4) is not exactly satisfied i.e., impedance triangles are not identical in
shape and size, parallel operation will still be possible, but the power factors at which the
two transformers operate will be different from the power factor of the common load.
Therefore, in this case, the two transformers will not share the load in proportion to their
KVA ratings.
If should be noted that the impedance of two transformers may differ in magnitude
and in quality (i.e., ratio of equivalent resistance to reactance. It is worthwhile to distinguish
between the percentage and numerical value of an impedance. For ex., consider two
transformers having ratings in the ratio 1:2 it is obvious that to carry double the current, the
later must have half the impedance of the former for the same regulation. For parallel
operation, the regulation the must the same, this currents carried by the two transformers are
proportional to their rating provided their numerical impedances are inversely proportion to
the these ratings and their percentage impedances are identical.
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If the quality of the two percentage impedances is different (i.e., ratio of percentage
resistance to reactance is different), then this will result in divergence of phase angle of the two
currents, with the result that one transformer will be operating with a higher and the other with a
All the conditions which applied to the parallel operation of I-Ø transformers also apply to
1. The voltage ratio must refer to the terminal voltage of primary and secondary. It is obvious
that this ratio may not be equal to the ratio of the number of turns per phase. For ex., if V1
– V2 are the primary and secondary terminal voltages, then for Y/Δ connection, the turn
ratio is V2 / (V1 / √3) = √3V2 / V1
2. The phase displacement between primary and secondary voltages must be the same all
transformers which are to be connected for parallel operation.
3. The phase sequence must be the same.
4. All there transformers in the 3 – Ø transformers will be of the same construction either core
or shell.
Note:-
1. In dealing with 3- Ø transformers, calculations are made for one phase only. The value of
equivalent impedance used is the equivalent impedance per phase referred to secondary.
2. In case the impedance of primary and secondary windings are given separately, then
primary impedance must be referred to secondary by multiplying it with (Transformation
Ratio)2.
3. For Y/Δ or Δ/Y transformers, it should be remembered that the voltage ratios as given in
the questions, refer to terminal voltages and quite different form turn ratio.
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9. POTENTIAL TRANSFORMER
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Potential Transformer:-
Potential transformers are instrument transformers. They have a large number of primary
turns and a few numbers of secondary turns and a few numbers of secondary turns. It is used
to control the large value of voltage. A potential Transformer is a special type of transformer
that allows meters to take readings from electrical service connections with higher voltage
(Potential) than the meter is normally capable of handling without at potential transformer.
Working:-
The potential transformer works along the same principle of other transformers. It converts
voltages from high to low. It will take the thousands of volts behind power transmission
systems and step the voltage down to something that meters can handle. These transformers
work for single and three phase systems, and are attaché at a point where it is convenient to
measure the voltage.
Based on rated voltage of potential transformers has been used for 33 kv, 132 kv, 220 kv level
for metering and protection purpose at HV side, LINE side, LV side.
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A capacitor voltage transformer (CVT), or capacitance coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) is a
transformer used in power systems in step down extra high voltage signals and provide a low
voltage signal, for measurement or to operate a protection relay. In its most basic from the
device consists of three parts, two capacitors across which the transmission line signal is split, an
inductive element to tune the device to the line frequency, and transformer to isolate and further
step down the voltage for the instrumentation or protective relay. The tuning of the divider to the
line frequency makes the overall division ratio less sensitive to changes in the burden of the
connected metering or protection devices. The device has at least four terminals: a terminal for
connection to the high voltage signal, a ground terminal, and two secondary terminals which
connect to the instrumentation or protective relay CTs are typically single-phase devices used for
measuring voltages in excess of one hundred kilovolts where the use of wound primary voltage
transformers would be uneconomical. In practice, capacitor C1 is often constructed as a stack of
smaller capacitors connected in series. This provides a large voltage drop across C1 and a
relatively small voltage drop across C2.
The CVT is also useful in communication systems. CVTs in combination with wave traps are
used for filtering high frequency communication signals from power frequency. This forms a
carrier communication network throughout the transmission network.
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Wave Trap:-
A wave trap installed on a high voltage transmission line to facilitate power line communication
technology, PLC is used to transmit data across electric power line used for delivery power.
Broadband over power line uses the said tech to transmit internet communication over ordinary
electric line.
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10. CAUSES OF FAILURE FOR MAJOR
SUB-STATION EQUIPMENT.
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CAUSES OF FAILURE FOR MAJOR SUB-STATION EQUIPMENT.
Introduction:- This section briefly describes about the probable causes of failures of various
switchyard equipments viz. power transformers, reactors, Circuit Breakers, instrument
Transformers, Surge Arrestors, etc., and their investigations. The preventive and corrective actions
generally required to be taken to avoid failures are also briefly described in this chapter. The
failures of each equipments and preventive measures suggested are discussed in this chapter.
Failures are of two main categories, one failures due to ageing and another is mid life failure. As
the mid life failures are of great concern to the utilities, this chapter deals with various causes and
mitigation measures to minimize failures as far as possible.
Power Transformers:
Power transformers are vital and costliest links in the chain of components constituting a power
system, the failure of which affects the supply of electric power to the consulters. Internationally,
the transformers are found to be very reliable but in our country the failure rates are quite high.
Failure analysis quotes a host of reasons behind the failure of power transformers. These may
include abused operations, inept maintenance, substandard techniques adapted during
manufacturing, testing and commissioning, substandard input materials, inconsistency
environment,
19 design deficiencies, abnormal operating conditions, over voltages system short
circuits etc., the main causes of failures of transformers in service (CIGRE Survey) are tabulated
below:
Cause % of failures
Design 36
Manufacturing Problem 28
Material defects 13
Po-or maintenance 5
Lightning surges 4
Short Circuits 2
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Component wise failures % of failures:-
Cause % of failures
Winding 29
Terminal 29
Tank and di-electric fluid 13
Magnetic Circuit 11
Other Accessories 5
There have been failure of transformer due to overheating of core and core burning, failure of core
insulation and core assembly getting loose, slipping of stampings and coming in contact with tank
bottom. To overcome the above problems separate provision for core earthing and core fixing,
earthing through bushings is being resorted to. This facilitates monitoring of core leakage current,
if any, and in ascertaining that core is not getting multiple earth and also healthiness of core board
insulation.
On-load tap changers are the second largest reason for trouble in power transformers after short
circuit. The defects in OLTC are of the following type:
Some of the common problems noticed in the OLTC compartment, selector/diverter switch are:
It appears proper care for selecting current rating of the OLTC is not exercise by the manufacturer.
Factors for efficiency of operation and over loading capability of transformer have to be accounted
for to arrive at design current rating. The selected current rating normally should be one step higher
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than the calculated value. It would be advisable if purchaser’s technical specifications do not
leave this option to the manufacturer and current / voltage ratings are specifically stipulated.
Quality and rating of transition resistors have been one of the main source of problem in OLTC.
Repeated incidences of burning of transition resistors are an area which call for serious attention
from OLTC manufactures. Open circuiting or burning of transition resistors leading to selector
switch spark over and fire I tap switch resulted into bursting of pressure relief diaphragm in MR
type tap changer. Failure of limit switch to stop operation at extreme position of tap changer have
lead to server arcing, pressure build –up and bursting of OLTC compartment. In sealed breathing
transformers, defective oil seals and ‘0’ rings have led to transfer of oil under pressure from main
tank to diverter switch and leakages through silica gel breather resulting into fall in main tank oil
level which is an operational hazard. Crack in barrier board has also been a cause of failure owing
to non-equalization of pressure between main tank and OLTC, while applying vacuum at the time
of first erection and drying out.
(d) Failure of bushings condenser type bushings are sent with tip portion sealed and covered by
porcelain rain sheds. The bottom condenser portion is sent covered with wax coated cotton tap. In
some of the transformers these transit tapes were found to have not been removed while hosting the
bushings on the transformer. Over a period of service, the wax melted on contact with hot oil
inside the tank and the cotton tape opened out and caused discharge inside the tank. It is better to
dispatch bushings from works with bottom portion sealed in oil filled tanks to be removed at site at
the time of erection avoid moisture ingress.
Reliability of EHV transmission system mainly depends on reliable performance of the circuit
breakers. Mal-operation of the CBs can lead to the substantial losses. Major blasting is a matter of
concern for any power utility as neighboring equipments are also damaged. Many failures of
circuit breakers have been reported worldwide. The failure rate of failure rate of circuit breakers as
per international survey is about 0.55% per year whereas in India the failure rate is above 1.0% per
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year which is considered very high. To prevent reduce failures, certain measures like design /
state – of – the – art condition monitoring checks are to be taken. Some of the utilizes in India
have already carried out modifications in design, manufacturing quality plan and condition
monitoring techniques. It has been proved that cost of effective condition monitoring devices
Compared to cost of replacement of failed circuit breaker due to the fact that incipient fault that is
not rectified in time and is allowed to continue ultimately results into catastrophic failure.
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11. TRANSFORMER PROTECTION.
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Transformer Protection:
The protection practices for transformers of the following types whose three – Phase bank rating is
501 kva and higher.
Power transformers.
Power autotransformers.
Regulating transformers.
Step voltage regulators.
Grounding transformers.
Electric arc-furnace transformers.
Power – rectifier transformers.
Contrasted with generators, in which many abnormal circumstances may arise, transformers may
suffer only from winding short circuits, open circuits, or overheating. In practice relay protection
is not pro-vided against open circuits because they are not harmful in them – selves. Nor in general
practice, even for unattended transformers, is overheating or over loads protection provided; there
may be thermal accessories to sound an alarm or to control hanks of fans, but, with only a few
exceptions, automatic tripping of the transformer sup-plies a definite predictable load. External-
fault back-up protection may be considered by some a form of overload protection, but the pickup
of such relaying equipment is usually too high to provide effective transformer protection except
for prolonged short circuits. There remains, then only the protection against short circuits in the
transformers of their connections, and external – fault back –up protection. moreover, the practices
are the same whether the transformers are attended or not.
The set of Ct’s must be connected also according to the rule, but, since he connections of the first
set of CTs have been chosen, it does matter how the second set is connected; this connection must
be made so that the secondary currents will circulate between the CTs are required for the external
– fault case. A completed connection diagram that meets the requirements is shown in Fig. The
connections would still be correct if the connections of both sets of CTs were reversed. Poor that
the relay will tend to operate for internal faults will not be given here, but the
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Reader can easily satisfy himself by drawing current – flow diagrams for assumed faults. It will be
found that
Protection is provided for turn –to turn faults as well as for faults between phases or to ground if
the fault current high enough. We shell now examine the rule of thumb that tells us whether to
connect the CTs in wye or in delta. Actually, for the assumption.
Made in arriving that the three –phase currents add vector ally to zero, we could have used wye-
connected CTs on the wye side and delta – connected CTs on the delta side. In other words, for all
external – fault conditions except ground faults on the wye side of the bank, it would not matter
which pair of CT combinations was used. Or, if the neutral of the power transformer was not
grounded, it would not matter. The significant point is that, when ground cur-rent can flow in the
wye windings for an external fault, we must use the delta connection (Or resort to a “zero –phase –
sequence-current shunt” that will be discussed later). The delta CT connection circulates the Zero-
Phase-Sequence components of the currents inside the delta and thereby keeps them out to the
external connections to the relay. This is necessary because there are no zero-phase – sequence
components of current on the delta side of the power transformer for a ground fault on the aye
side., therefore, there is no possibility of the zero-phase –sequence currents simply circulating
between the sets of CT’s and, if the CT’s on the wye side were not delta connected, the zero-phase-
sequence components would flow in the operating coils and cause the relay to operate undesirably
for external ground faults. Incidentally, the fact that the delta CT connection keeps zero-phase-
sequence currents out of the external secondary circuit does not mean that the differential relay
cannot operate for single-phase-sequence components, but it will receive –and operate on –the
positive and- and negative-phase-sequence components of the fault current.
The foregoing instructions for making the CT and relay interconnections apply equally well
for power transformers with more than two windings per phase; it is only necessary to consider two
windings at a time as though they were the only windings. For example, for three-winding
transformers consider first the windings-II and X. The, consider H and Y, using the CT
connections already chosen for the H winding, and determine the connections of the Y CTs. If this
is done properly, the connections for the X and Y windings will automatically be compatible.
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