EXP.

NO: 9

Aim: To study the recent development of circuit breaker

1) Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) circuit breaker:

In SF6 circuit breakers, sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas is used as the arc quenching medium. The SF6 is an electro-negative gas
and has a strong tendency to absorb free electrons. The contacts of the breaker are opened in a high-pressure flow of SF6 gas
and an arc is struck between them. The conducting free electrons in the arc are rapidly captured by the gas to form relatively
immobile negative ions. This loss of conducting electrons in the arc quickly builds up enough insulation strength to extinguish
the arc. The SF6 circuit breakers have been found to be very effective for high power and high voltage service.

Construction:

The figure above shows the parts of a typical SF6 circuit breaker. It consists of fixed and moving contacts enclosed in a chamber
(called arc interruption chamber) containing SF6 gas. This chamber is connected to the SF6 gas reservoir. When the contacts of
breaker are opened, the valve mechanism permits a high-pressure SF6 gas from the reservoir to flow towards the arc
interruption chamber.

The fixed contact is a hollow cylindrical current carrying contact fitted with an arcing horn. The moving contact is also a hollow
cylinder with rectangular holes in the sides to permit the SF6 gas to let out through these holes after flowing along and across
the arc. The tips of fixed contact, moving a contact and arcing horn are coated with copper-tungsten arc-resistant material. Since
SF6 gas is costly, it is reconditioned and reclaimed by a suitable auxiliary system after each operation of the breaker.

Working:
In the closed position of the SF6 circuit breaker, the contacts remain surrounded by SF6 gas at a pressure of about 2·8 kg/cm2.
When the breaker operates, the moving contact is pulled apart and an arc is struck between the contacts. The movement of the
moving contact is synchronized with the opening of a valve which permits SF6 gas at 14 kg/cm2 pressure from the reservoir to
the arc interruption chamber.

High-pressure flow of SF6 rapidly absorbs the free electrons in the arc path to form immobile negative ions which are
ineffective as charge carriers. The result is that the medium between the contacts quickly builds up high dielectric strength and
causes the extinction of the arc. After the breaker operation (i.e., after arc extinction), the valve is closed by the action of a set
of springs.

Advantages:
1. Due to the superior arc quenching property of SF6, such circuit breakers have very short arcing time.

2. Since the dielectric strength of SF6 gas is 2 to 3 times that of air, such breakers can interrupt much larger currents.
 3. The SF6 circuit breaker gives noiseless operation due to its closed gas circuit and no exhaust to atmosphere, unlike the
air blast circuit breaker.

4. The closed gas enclosure keeps the interior dry so that there is no moisture problem.

5. There is no risk of fire in such breakers because SF6 gas is non-inflammable.

6. There are no carbon deposits so that tracking and insulation problems are eliminated.

7. The SF6 Circuit breakers have a low maintenance cost, light foundation requirements and minimum auxiliary
equipment.

8. Since SF6 breakers are totally enclosed and sealed from the atmosphere, they are particularly suitable where
explosion hazard exists e.g., coal mines.

Disadvantages:
1. SF6 breakers are costly due to the high cost of SF6.

2. Since SF6 gas has to be reconditioned after every operation of the breaker, additional equipment is required for
this purpose.

Applications:
A typical SF6 circuit breaker consists of interrupter units each capable of dealing with currents up-to 60 kA and voltages in the
range of 50—80 kVA number of units are connected in series according to the system voltage.SF6 circuit breakers have been
developed for voltages 115 kV to 230 kV, power ratings 10 MVA to 20 MVA and interrupting time less than 3 cycles.

2) VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER:

The Vacuum interrupter technology was first introduced in the year of 1960. But still, it is a developing technology. As time goes
on, the size of the vacuum interrupter has reduced from its early 1960’s size due to different technical developments in this field
of engineering.

Construction:
The vacuum circuit breaker comprises a steel arc chamber in the center-symmetrically arranged ceramic insulators. The pressure
inside the vacuum interrupter is maintained below 10^-4 torr.

The material used for current carrying contacts plays an important role in the performance of the vacuum circuit breaker. The
alloys like, Copper-bismuth or copper-chrome are the ideal material to make VCB contacts.
From the figure shown above, the Vacuum circuit breaker consists of a fixed contact, a moving contact and a vacuum
interrupter. The moving contact is connected to the control mechanism by stainless steel bellow. The arc shields are supported o
the insulating housing such that they cover on these shields and is prevented from condensing on the insulating enclosure. The
possibility of a leak is eliminated due to permanent sealing of vacuum chamber for that a glass vessel or ceramic vessel is used
as the outer insulating body.

Working:

The sectional view of vacuum circuit breaker is shown in the figure below when the contacts are separated due to some
abnormal conditions, an arc is struck between the contacts, the arc is produced due to ionization of metal ions and depends
very much on the material of contacts.

The arc interruption in vacuum interrupters is different from other types of circuit breakers. The separation of contacts causes
the release of vapor which is filled in the contact space. It consists positive ions liberated from contact material. The vapor
density depends on the current in the arc. When the current decreases, the rate of vapor release decreases and after current
zero, the medium regain its dielectric strength if the vapor density is reduced.
When current to be interrupted is very small in a vacuum, the arc has several parallel paths. The total current is divided into
many parallel arcs which repel each other and spread over the contact surface. This is called diffused arc which can be
interrupted easily.

At high values of current, the arc gets concentrated in a small region. It causes rapid vaporization of the contact surface. The
interruption of the arc is possible if arc remains in diffused state. If it is quickly removed from the contact surface, the arc will be
re-strike.

Arc extinction in vacuum breakers is greatly influenced by material and shape of the contacts and the technique of considering
metal vapor. The path of the arc is kept moving so that temperature at any one point will not be high.

After the final arc interruption, there is rapidly building up of dielectric strength which is peculiar of the vacuum breaker. They
are suitable for capacitor switching as it will give a re-strick free performance. The small current is interrupted before natural
current zero, which may cause chopping whose level depends on the material of contact.

Advantages:

1. The vacuum circuit breaker has a long life.

2. Unlike Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB) or air blast Circuit Breaker (ABCB), the explosion of VCB is avoided. This enhances the
safety of the operating personnel.
3. No fire hazard
4. The vacuum CB is fast in operation so ideal for fault clearing. VCB is suitable for repeated operation.
5. Vacuum circuit breakers are almost maintenance free.
6. No exhaust of gas to the atmosphere and Noiseless operation.
Disadvantages:

1. The main disadvantage of VCB is that it is uneconomical at voltages exceeding 38 kVolts.

2. The cost of the breaker becomes excessive at higher voltages. This is due to the fact that at high voltages (above 38
kV) more than two numbers of the circuit breaker are required to be connected in series.
3. Moreover, the VCBs production is uneconomical if produced in small quantities.
Applications:

The vacuum circuit breaker is today recognized as most reliable current interruption technology for medium voltage switchgear.
It requires minimum maintenance compared to other circuit breaker technologies.

The technology is mainly suitable for mainly medium voltage application. For higher voltage vacuum technology has been
developed, but it is not commercially feasible. Vacuum circuit breakers are used in metal clad Switchgear and also in porcelain
housed circuit breakers.