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PSP Lab-1 Nahid PDF

This document discusses different types of insulators, fuses, and miniature circuit breakers used in power systems. It describes pin, shackle, and suspension insulators used at different voltage levels. Semi-enclosed, totally enclosed, and drop out fuses are explained for overload and short circuit protection. Miniature circuit breakers automatically switch off circuits during abnormalities to provide more reliable protection than fuses. The objective to familiarize with these protections was achieved through observation and discussion in the lab.

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321 views6 pages

PSP Lab-1 Nahid PDF

This document discusses different types of insulators, fuses, and miniature circuit breakers used in power systems. It describes pin, shackle, and suspension insulators used at different voltage levels. Semi-enclosed, totally enclosed, and drop out fuses are explained for overload and short circuit protection. Miniature circuit breakers automatically switch off circuits during abnormalities to provide more reliable protection than fuses. The objective to familiarize with these protections was achieved through observation and discussion in the lab.

Uploaded by

Wasim Riad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Title: Familiarization with different kinds of Insulators, Fuses and Miniature circuit breakers

Objective:
In this experiment, our main goal is to get familiarize with different types of insulators, fuses
and miniature circuit breakers that we use in the protection of our power system. These types
of protections are really important for our power system. In this lab, we will observe these
protections physically and get to know about them.

Methodology:
Insulators:

Pin Type Insulators: Pin insulators are used in 11 KV and 33 KV overhead lines. It is placed on
the cross arm of the supporting tower. It has high mechanical strength. The pin insulator uses
non-conducting material like porcelain, ceramic, silicon rubber, polymer, etc.
Shackle Type Insulators: These insulators are used in the 400 V overhead service lines. Shackle
insulators are also known as spool insulators. Shackle Insulators are used at the end of
distribution lines. These insulators can be mounted either in the vertical or horizontal position.
The Shackle Insulator is mounted axially. The loading is on circumferential grooves in the
insulator. The insulators are bolted to the cross-arm of the pole.
Suspension/Disc type Insulators: In higher voltage, beyond 33KV, it becomes uneconomical to
use pin insulator because size, weight of the insulator become more. Handling and replacing
bigger size single unit insulator are quite difficult task. For overcoming these difficulties,
suspension insulator was developed. In suspension insulator numbers of insulators are
connected in series to form a string and the line conductor is carried by the bottom most
insulator. Each insulator of a suspension string is called disc insulator because of their disc like
shape.

Fuses:

Fuse is the simplest and cheapest current interrupting device for protection of the electrical
devices from excessive currents. So it can be used for overload and /or short circuit protection.
Semi-enclosed or Re-wire able Fuse: These types of fuses are used for the protection of
appliances at 0.4 KV voltage level and usually called cut-out. The Fuse carrier can be pulled out
and the blown out fuse element can be replaced.
Totally Enclosed or Cartridge Fuse: Cartridge fuses are a low cost electrical safety device that is
used to protect electrical circuits and appliances. Inside the fuse is a metal strip that is
connected to both metal ends of the fuse body. If there is a short or fault anywhere in the
circuit, or the circuit is overloaded, the metal strip, or link, heats up and quickly melts, opening
the circuit and shutting off the power.
Drop out Fuse: This type of fuse is normally used in 11 KV side of a 11/0.4 KV distribution
transformer. Drop Out Fuses are protection devices that protect networks and equipment from
current surges and overloads. An overcurrent will melt the fuse element in the carrier
disconnecting the line or equipment. They also provide network isolation points when manually
operated with a hot stick.

Miniature Circuit Breaker:


A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) automatically switches off electrical circuit during an
abnormal condition of the network means in overload condition as well as faulty condition.
Nowadays we use an MCB in low voltage electrical network instead of a fuse. The fuse may not
sense it but the miniature circuit breaker does it in a more reliable way. MCB is much more
sensitive to overcurrent than fuse.

Result:

Fig 1: Pin type insulator Fig 2: Disc type insulator


Fig 3: Strain type insulator Fig 4: Shackle insulator

Fig 5: Re-wire able fuse & Totally enclosed fuse Fig 6: Miniature circuit breaker

Fig 7: Lightning Arrestor Fig 8: Drop out fuse


Discussion:
In this experiment, we became familiar with four types of insulators, Fuses, circuit Breaker (CB)
etc. In this lab we saw and observed the shape of four type of insulator. In the pin type
insulator, we got some idea how to enter the pin in insulator. We also get some idea where
those insulators are used. Then one by one instructor showed some fuses. We learnt when it
fuses and how to connect it. Also the main functions of these protectors were discussed. So the
objective of this experiment was successful.

Question & Answer:


1. Explain why pin insulators are not used above 33 KV.
Ans: The electrical failure of insulator occurs either by puncture or flashover. In the case of a
puncture, the arc passes through the body of the insulator. The flashover is caused due to the
arc discharge between the conductor and the earth through air surrounding the insulator. The
flashover mainly occurs due to the line surge or due to the formation of wet conducting layer
over the insulator surface. The insulator is not damaged by the flashover, but it’s become
useless after the puncture. The sufficient thickness of the material is provided in the insulator
to prevent the puncture under surge condition. The flashover is reduced by increasing the
resistance to leakage currents. The length of the leakage path is made large by constructing
several layers called petticoats or rain sheds. The rain sheds kept the inner surface relatively dry
in wet weather and thus provides sufficient leakage resistance to prevent a flashover. The
increased size, weight, and cost of pin insulator put a limit to its use above 33 kV. Therefore,
the suspension insulators are used for high voltage work.

2. Explain how a fuse can provide time delayed protection for normal overload and high speed
protection for short circuit.
Ans: There are two sections of the fuse; a straight wire section that provides quick acting
response to short circuit conditions, and a coiled spring section with a soldered lump with
thermal mass that provides time delay for normal overload. When inspecting a blown fuse, you
can tell if it was a short or an overload by looking at where the blowout occurred.
3. What are the differences between an MCB and a CB.
Ans:

MCB Circuit Breaker


A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) A circuit breaker is an automatically operated
automatically switches off the electrical electrical switch designed to protect an
circuit during an abnormal condition of the electrical circuit from damage caused by
network means in overload condition as well excess current from an overload or short
as faulty condition circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt
current flow after a fault is detected.
An MCB is very simple, easy to use and is not Circuit breaker essentially consists of fixed
generally repaired. It is just easier to replace and moving contacts. These contacts are
touching each other and carrying the current
under normal conditions when the circuit is
closed.

Conclusion:
We got the idea about all the Insulators, Fuses & MCB. In the lab, we saw all the equipment &
got the information about their working principle. We also got idea low voltage insulators, fuses
& high voltage insulators fuses. All the equipment photos is attached & some explanation is
given in this report.

References:
1. “Electric Power Systems: A Conceptual Introduction” by Alexandra Von Meier
2. “Switchgear Protection and Power Systems” by Sunil S Rao
3. AIUB Power System Protection Lab Manual

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