Protection Zone in Power System

Definition: Protection zone is defined as the part of the power system which is protected by a certain
protective scheme. It is established around each power system equipment. When the fault occurs on
any of the protection zones then only the circuit breakers within that zone will be opened. Thus, only
the faulty element will be isolated without disturbing the rest of the system.

The protection zone cover the entire power system, and no part of the equipment is left
unprotected. It usually consists one or more element of the power system. The protection zone of
the power system mainly depends upon the rating of the machine, its location, the probability of
faults and abnormal condition of the equipment.

Overlapping Zone of Power System

If there were no overlapping in the protective zone, then the failure occurs in the equipment will not
lie in any one of the zones and hence no circuit breaker would be tripped. The fault occurs in the
unprotective system will damage the equipment and hence disturb the continuity of the supply.

The figure below shows a certain amount of overlapping between the protective zones.

The
probability of failure in the overlap region is very small. But the overlap region will cause the tripping
of the more circuit breaker than the minimum necessary for the disconnection of the faults region.
Because when the fault occurs in any one of the two overlapping regions than the breaker of both
the region will be opened, and the systems are isolated.

Consider the two protective zone A and B which will overlap each other. The X is the fault occurs in
the zone B, and due to this fault, the circuit breakers of zone B tripped along with the C (circuit
breaker). The relay of the zone B will also trip the circuit breaker of zone A for other faults in the zone
B which occurs to the right of the C (circuit breaker). Hence the unnecessary tripping of the breaker
can be tolerated only in the particular region.

The scheme which senses the fault of any of the certain unit will have a high degree of sensitivity and
it also has the adaptability of the fast speed of operation.
Definition of Protective Relay

A protective relay is an automatic device that detects abnormalities in an electrical circuit and closes
its contacts. This action completes the circuit breaker‘s trip coil circuit, causing the breaker to trip
and disconnect the faulty section from the healthy circuit.

Now let’s have a discussion on some terms related to protective relay.

Pickup Level of Actuating Signal:

The value of actuating quantity (voltage or current) which is on threshold above which the relay
initiates to be operated.

When the actuating quantity increases, so does the electromagnetic effect on the relay coil. Once
this quantity reaches a specific level, the relay’s moving mechanism begins to activate.

Reset Level:
The value of current or voltage below which a relay opens its contacts and comes in original position.

Operating Time of Relay:

Just after exceeding pickup level of actuating quantity the moving mechanism (for example rotating
disc) of relay starts moving and it ultimately closes the relay contacts at the end of its journey.

Operating time is the duration from when the actuating quantity exceeds the pickup level to when
the relay contacts close.

Reset Time of Relay:

The time which elapses between the instant when the actuating quantity becomes less than the
reset value to the instant when the relay contacts return to its normal position.

Reach of Relay:
A distance relay operates whenever the distance seen by the relay is less than the pre-specified
impedance. The actuating impedance in the relay is the function of distance in a distance protection
relay. This impedance or corresponding distance is called the reach of relay.

Power system protection relays can be categorized into different types of relays.

Types of Relays

Types of protection relays are mainly based on their characteristic, logic, on actuating parameter and
operation mechanism.

Protective relays can be categorized based on their operating mechanisms into electromagnetic relay,
static, and mechanical types. Actually, a relay is nothing but a combination of one or more open or
closed contacts. These all or some specific contacts the relay change their state when actuating
parameters are applied to the relay. That means open contacts become closed and closed contacts
become open. In an electromagnetic relay, these closing and opening of relay contacts are done by
the electromagnetic action of a solenoid.

In the mechanical relay, these closing and opening of relay contacts are done by mechanical
displacement of different gear level system.

In static relay it is mainly done by semiconductor switches like thyristor. In digital relay on and off
state can be referred as 1 and 0 state.
Based on Characteristic the protection relay can be categorized as:

1. Definite time relays

2. Inverse time relays with definite minimum time(IDMT)

3. Instantaneous relays.

4. IDMT with inst.

5. Stepped characteristic.

6. Programmed switches.

7. Voltage restraint over current relay.

Based on of logic the protection relay can be categorized as-

1. Differential.

2. Unbalance.

3. Neutral displacement.

4. Directional.

5. Restricted earth fault.

6. Over fluxing.

7. Distance schemes.

8. Bus bar protection.

9. Reverse power relays.

10. Loss of excitation.

11. Negative phase sequence relays etc.

Based on actuating parameter the protection relay can be categorized as-

1. Current relays.

2. Voltage relays.

3. Frequency relays.

4. Power relays etc.

Based on application the protection relay can be categorized as-

1. Primary relay.

2. Backup relay.

Primary relay or primary protection relay is the first line of power system protection whereas backup
relay is operated only when primary relay fails to be operated during a fault. Hence backup relay is
slower in action than primary relay. Any relay may fail to be operated due to any of the following
reasons,
1. The protective relay itself is defective.

2. DC Trip voltage supply to the relay is unavailable.

3. Trip lead from relay panel to the circuit breaker is disconnected.

4. The trip coil in the circuit breaker is disconnected or defective.

5. Current or voltage signals from Current Transformers (CTs) or Potential Transformers (PTs)
respectively is unavailable.

As because backup relay operates only when primary relay fails, backup protection relay should not
have anything common with primary protection relay.
Some examples of Mechanical Relay are:

1. Thermal

• OT trip (Oil Temperature Trip)

• WT trip (Winding Temperature Trip)

• Bearing temp trip etc.

2. Float type

• Buchholz

• OSR

• PRV

• Water level Controls etc.

3. Pressure switches.

4. Mechanical interlocks.

5. Pole discrepancy relay.

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Electromagnetic Relay

Definition: Electromagnetic relays are those relay which operates on the principle of electromagnetic
attraction. It is a type of a magnetic switch which uses the magnet for creating a magnetic field. The
magnetic field then uses for opening and closing the switch and for performing the mechanical
operation.

Types of an Electromagnetic Relay

By their working principle, the electromagnetic relay is mainly classified into two types. These are

1. Electromagnetic Attraction Relay

2. Electromagnetic Induction Relay

1. Electromagnetic Attraction Relay

In this relay, the armature is attracted to the pole of a magnet. The electromagnetic force exerted on
the moving element is proportional to the square of the current flow through the coil. This relay
responds to both the alternating and direct current.

For AC quantity the electromagnetic force developed is given as

The above equation shows that the electromagnetic relay consists

two components, one constant independent of time and another dependent upon time and
pulsating at double supply frequency. This double supply frequency produces noise and hence
damage the relay contacts.

The difficulty of a double frequency supply is overcome by splitting the flux developing in the
electromagnetic relay. These fluxes were acting simultaneously but differ in time phase. Thus the
resulting deflecting force is always positive and constant. The splitting of fluxes is achieved by using
the electromagnet having a phase shifting networks or by putting shading rings on the poles of an
electromagnet.

The electromagnetic attraction relay is the simplest type of relay which includes a plunger (or
solenoid), hinged armature, rotating armature (or balanced) and moving iron polarised relay. All
these relays are shown below.

a. Balanced Beam Relay – In such type of relay two quantities are compared because the
electromagnetic force developed varies as the square of the ampere-turn. The ratio of an operating
current for such relay is low. If the relay is set for fast operation, then it will tend to overreach on
a fast operation.

b. Hinged armature relay – The sensitivity

of the relay can be increased for DC operation by adding the permanent magnet. This relay is also
known as the polarised moving relay.

2. Electromagnetic Induction Relay

The electromagnetic relay operates on the principle of a split-phase induction motor. The initial force
is developed on the moving element that may be disc or another form of the rotor of the non-
magnetic moving element. The force is developed by the interaction of electromagnetic fluxes with
eddy current, that is induced in the rotor by these fluxes.

The different type of structure has been used for obtaining the phase difference in the fluxes. These
structures are

a. Shaded pole structure

b. Watt-hour meter or double winding structure
c. Induction cup structure.

a. Shaded pole structure

This coil is usually energised by current flowing in the single coil wound on a magnetic structure
containing an air gap. The air-gap fluxes produce by the initializing current is split into two flux
displace in time-space and by a shaded ring. The shaded ring is made up of the copper ring that
encircles the part of the pole face of each pole.

The disc is made up of aluminium. The

inertia of the aluminium disc is very less.. Hence they need less deflecting torque for its movement.
The two rings have the current induced in them by the alternating flux of the electromagnetic. The
magnetic field develops from the current produces the flux in the portion of the iron ring surrounded
by the ring to lag in phase by 40° to 50° behind the flux in the unshaded portion of the pole.

b. Watt-hour Meter Structure

This structure consists E shape electromagnet and a U shape electromagnet with a disc-free to rotate
in between them. The phase displacement between the fluxes produced by the electromagnet is
obtained by the flux generated by the two magnets having different resistance and inductance for
the two circuits.

The E-shaped electromagnet carries the two windings the primary

and the secondary. The primary current was carrying the relay current I1 while the secondary winding
is connected to the windings of the U-shaped electromagnet.
The primary winding carries relay current I1 while the secondary current induces the emf in the
secondary and so circulate the current I2 in it. The flux φ1 induces in the E shed magnet, and the flux
φ induces in the U-shaped magnet. These fluxes induced in the upper and lower magnetic differs in
phase by angle θ which will develop a driving torque on the disc proportional to φ1φ sinθ.

The most important feature of the relay is that opening can control their operation or close the
secondary winding circuit. If the secondary winding is opened, then no torque will be developed, and
thus relay can be made inoperative.

c. Induction Cup Relay

The relay which works on the principle of electromagnetic induction is known as the induction cup
relay. The relay has two or more electromagnet which is energized by the relay coil. The static iron
core is placed between the electromagnet as shown in the figure below.

The coil which is wound on the electromagnet generates

the rotating magnetic field. Because of the rotating magnetic field, the current induces inside the
cup. Thus, the cup starts rotating. The direction of rotation of the cup is same as that of the current.

The more torque is produced in the induction cup relay as compared to the shaded and watt meter
type relay. The relay is fast in operation and their operating time is very less approximately 0.01 sec.

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What is a Directional Relay?

A directional relay is a type of protective relay that operates based on the direction of the power
flow in an electrical circuit. It compares the direction of the fault current to a predetermined
reference direction and, if the fault current is in the opposite direction of the reference, the relay
operates to trip the appropriate circuit breaker. This functionality helps to isolate the faulty section of
the network, minimizing disruptions and ensuring system stability.

Operating Principle of Directional Relays

Directional relays work based on the concept of phasor analysis. A phasor is a complex number that
represents both the magnitude and phase angle of an alternating quantity, such as voltage or
current. The relay compares the phase angle between the fault current and a reference voltage to
determine the direction of the fault.
The reference voltage is usually derived from the system voltage, while the fault current is obtained
from the line current transformer. The relay’s operating characteristic is defined by a specific angle,
known as the relay’s polarizing angle. If the angle between the fault current and reference voltage is
within the operating range defined by the polarizing angle, the relay operates to trip the circuit
breaker and isolate the fault.

Types of Directional Relays

Directional relays are classified into several types based on the method used to obtain the reference
voltage and the relay’s operating characteristic. The most common types of directional relays
include:

1. Overcurrent Directional Relays: These relays use the phase difference between the current
and voltage to determine the direction of the fault. They are commonly used in power
systems with radial or parallel feeders.

2. Impedance Directional Relays: These relays compare the impedance of the circuit to a
predetermined reference impedance to determine the direction of the fault. Impedance
directional relays are used in distance protection schemes, which help protect transmission
lines and transformers.

3. Power Directional Relays: These relays use the active and reactive power components to
determine the direction of the fault. They are typically applied in the protection of
generators and synchronous motors.

Applications of Directional Relays

Directional relays are used in various applications within the power system to provide protection
against different types of faults. Some of the primary applications include:

1. Feeder Protection: Directional relays are used to protect radial and parallel feeders from
faults such as short circuits, ground faults, and overloads. They help to quickly isolate the
faulty section of the feeder, preventing damage to equipment and minimizing service
disruptions.

2. Transformer Protection: Directional relays are employed in transformer protection schemes

to guard against internal faults and external faults on connected transmission lines. They
work in conjunction with other protective devices, such as differential relays, to provide
comprehensive protection to transformers.

3. Generator Protection: In power generation systems, directional relays are used to protect
generators from faults that may occur within the generator or on connected transmission
lines. They ensure that faults are quickly isolated to prevent damage to the generator and
maintain the stability of the power system.

4. Busbar Protection: Directional relays can also be used in busbar protection schemes to
detect and isolate faults within the busbar zone. They help to maintain the integrity of the
power system by quickly disconnecting the faulty section from the rest of the network.

Advantages of Directional Relays

Directional relays offer several benefits in power system protection, including:

• Selectivity: Their ability to operate based on the direction of the fault current allows for
improved selectivity in the protection scheme, minimizing the impact of faults on the power
system.

• Coordination: Directional relays can be easily coordinated with other protective devices in
the system, such as non-directional relays and circuit breakers, to provide comprehensive
protection against various types of faults.

• Reliability: Due to their simple operating principle and well-established design, directional
relays are considered highly reliable in detecting and isolating faults within the power
system.

Working Principle of Distance or Impedance Relay

Working Principle of Distance or Impedance Relay: The operation of an impedance
relay is straightforward. It uses a voltage element from a potential transformer and a
current element from a current transformer. The relay’s action depends on the
balance between the restoring torque (from voltage) and the deflecting torque (from
current).
Normal vs. Fault Conditions: Under normal conditions, the restoring torque (from
voltage) exceeds the deflecting torque (from current), keeping the relay inactive.
During a fault, increased current and reduced voltage shift this balance, activating
the relay by closing its contacts. Thus, the relay’s function is determined by the
impedance, or the voltage to current ratio.
Activation Threshold: The impedance relay activates when the voltage to current
ratio, or impedance, falls below a predefined value. This typically indicates a fault
within a specific, predetermined distance along the transmission line, as line
impedance is proportionate to its length.

Application of Distance Protection Relay

Distance protection relay is widely spread employed for the protection of high-
voltage AC transmission line and distribution lines. They have replaced the
overcurrent protection because of the following reasons.

• It provides faster protection as compared to overcurrent relay.

• It has a permanent setting without the need for readjustments.
• Direct protection relay has less effect of an amount of generation and fault
levels.
• Their fault current magnitude permits the high line loading.

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Differential Protection Relay
Definition: The relay whose operation depends on the phase difference of two or more
electrical quantities is known as the differential protection relay. It works on the principle
of comparison between the phase angle and the magnitude of the same electrical
quantities.
For example: Consider the comparison of the input and output current of the transmission
line. If the magnitude of the input current of the transmission line is more than that of
output current that means the additional current flows through it because of the fault. The
difference in the current can operate the differential protection relay.
The following are the essential condition requires for the working of the differential
protection relay.
• The network in which the relay use should have two or more similar electrical
quantities.
• The quantities have the phase displacement of approximately 180º.
The differential protection relay is used for the protection of the generator, transformer,
feeder, large motor, bus-bars etc. The following are the classification of the differential
protection relay.
• Current Differential Relay
• Voltage Differential Relay
• Biased or Percentage Differential Relay
• Voltage Balance Differential Relay
Current Differential Relay
A relay which senses and operates the phase difference between the current entering into
the electrical system and the current leaving the electrical system is called a current
differential relay. An arrangement of overcurrent relay connected to operate as a differential
relay is shown in the figure below.

The arrangement of the overcurrent relay is shown in

the figure below. The dotted line shows the section which is used to be protected. The
current transformer is placed at both the ends of the protection zone. The secondary of the
transformers is connected in series with the help of the pilot wire. Thereby, the current
induces in the CTs flows in the same direction. The operating coil of the relay is connected
on the secondary of the CTs.
In the normal operating condition, the magnitude of current in the secondary of the CTs
remains same. The zero current flows through the operating coil. On the occurrence of the
fault, the magnitude of the current on the secondary of CTs becomes unequal because of
which the relay starts operating.
Biased or Percentage Differential Coil
This is the most used form of differential relay. Their arrangement is same as that of the
current differential relay; the only difference is that this system consists an additional
restraining coil connected in the pilot wires as shown in the figure below.

The operating coil connects in the centre of the

restraining coil. The ratio of current in the current transformer becomes unbalance because
of the fault current. This problem is resolved by the use of the restraining coil.
Induction Type Biased Differential Relay
This induction type relay consists a disc which freely rotates between the electromagnets.
The each of the electromagnet consists the copper shading ring. The ring can move in or out
of the electromagnet. The disc experiences a force because of the restraining and the
operating element.

The resultant torque on the shaded ring becomes

zero if the position of the ring is balanced for both the element. But if ring moves towards
the iron core then the unequal torques acting on the ring because of the operating and
restraining coil.
Voltage Balance Differential Relay
The current differential relay is not suitable for the protection of the feeders. For the
protection of the feeders, the voltage balance differential relays are used. The voltage
differential relay uses two similar current transformer places across the protective zone with
the help of pilot wire.
The relays are connected in series with the secondary of the current transformer. The relays
are connected in such a way that no current flows through it in the normal operating
condition. The voltage balance differential relay uses the air core CTs in which the voltages
induces regarding current.

When the fault occurs in the protection zone, the

current in the CTs become unbalance because of which the voltage in the secondary of the
CTs disturbs. The current starts flowing through the operating coil. Thus, the relay starts
operating and gives the command to the circuit breaker to operates.
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Static Relay
Definition: The relay which does not contain any moving parts is known as the static relay. In
such type of relays, the output is obtained by the static components like magnetic and
electronic circuit etc. The relay which consists static and electromagnetic relay is also called
static relay because the static units obtain the response and the electromagnetic relay is only
used for switching operation.

Advantages of Static Relay

The following are the benefits of static relays.
1. The static relay consumes very less power because of which the burden on the
measuring instruments decreases and their accuracy increases.
2. The static relay gives the quick response, long life, high reliability and accuracy and it
is shockproof.
3. The reset time of the relay is very less.
4. It does not have any thermal storage problems.
5. The relay amplifies the input signal which increases their sensitivity.
6. The chance of unwanted tripping is less in this relay.
7. The static relay can easily operate in earthquake-prone areas because they have high
resistance to shock.
Limitations of Static Relay
• The components used by the static relay are very sensitive to the electrostatic
discharges. The electrostatic discharges mean sudden flows of electrons between the
charged objects. Thus special maintenance is provided to the components so that it
does not affect by the electrostatic discharges.
• The relay is easily affected by the high voltage surges. Thus, precaution should be
taken for avoiding the damages through voltage spikes.
• The working of the relay depends on the electrical components.
• The relay has less overloading capacity.
CIRCUIT BREAKER
Methods Used for Arc Extinction

• Cooling of Arc: The arc heats up the air molecule which ionizes and reduces the resistance of
the air. Cooling the arc will recombine the ionized particle into its natural state and increase
the dielectric strength of the air molecule. As the resistance of the medium increases,
the voltage required to maintain the arc also increases and the current starts to drop
resulting in arc quenching.

• Air Blasting: Such a method is used in the air blast circuit breaker, where the arc is quenched
using a blast of compressed air. The ionized air particles are replaced with non-ionized air
molecules that have higher dielectric strength. It increases the resistance thus reducing the
current which leads to the extinction of the arc.

• Increasing the length of arc: The arc length is directly proportional to its voltage. Increasing
the length of the arc by separating the contact terminals further apart will increase the
voltage required to maintain it. Thus it will extinguish.

• Reducing cross-section of arc: Another technique is to reduce the cross-section of arc by

reducing the contact sizes. Therefore, the voltage required for arc increases and extinguish it.

• Deflecting the arc: In this technique, a magnetic field is created to deflect the arc. it blows
out the arc into a section of the circuit breaker called arc chute where it is cooled off and
extinguishes.

• Dividing or splitting the arc: In this technique, the arc is split into multiple arcs by proving
multiple contacts in between. The arc is split into numerous small arc in series which
increases its length and resistance. Therefore, reducing the arc current and eventually
extinguishing it.

• Zero current quenching: this is the most common method used in the AC circuit breaker.
There are inherently multiple zero currents in an AC waveform. The circuit is opened at the
exact point of zero current. So that the current does not rise to generate arc.

• Using charged capacitor in parallel: This technique is used in DC circuit breaker. The DC does
not have natural zero currents. Therefore, a charged capacitor with an inductor is used in
parallel to introduce an artificial zero current in the line to extinguish the arc.
Oil Circuit Breaker
Oil circuit breaker is such type of circuit breaker which used oil as a dielectric or insulating medium for arc
extinction. In oil circuit breaker the contacts of the breaker are made to separate within an insulating oil. When
the fault occurs in the system the contacts of the circuit breaker are open under the insulating oil, and an arc is
developed between them and the heat of the arc is evaporated in the surrounding oil.

Construction of Oil Circuit Breaker

Oil circuit breaker is very easy in construction. It consists of current carrying contacts enclosed in a strong,
weather-tight earth metal tank and the tank is filled with transformer oil. The oil is both acts as an arc
extinguishing medium and as an insulator between the live part and earth.

At the top of the oil, air is filled in the tank which acts as a cushion to control the displaced oil on the formation
of gas around the arc and also to absorb the mechanical shock of the upward movement of oil. The breaker
tank is securely bolted for carrying out the vibration caused on interrupting very high current. Oil circuit
breaker consists gas outlet which is fitted in the tank cover for the removal of the gases.

Working Principle of Oil Circuit

Breaker

During the normal operating conditions, the contact of the oil circuit breaker is closed and carry the current.
When the fault occurs in the system, the contacts of the breaker are moving apart, and an arc is struck
between the contacts.

Due to this arc, a large amount of heat is liberated, and a very high temperature is reached which vaporises the
surrounding oil into gas. The gas, thus liberated surrounds the arc and its explosive growth around it displace
the oil violently. The arc is extinguished when the distance between the fixed and moving contact reaches a
certain critical value, depends on the arc current and recovery voltage.

The oil circuit breaker is very reliable in operation, and it is very cheap. The most important feature of oil circuit
breaker is that no special devices are used for controlling the arc caused by moving contact. The oil as an arc
quenching medium has certain advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of Oil as an Arc Quenching

1. The oil has a high dielectric strength and provides insulation between the contact after the arc has
been extinguished.

2. The oil used in circuit breaker provides a small clearance between the conductors and the earth
components.

3. The hydrogen gas is formed in the tank which has a high diffusion rate and good cooling properties.

Disadvantages of Oil as an Arc Quenching

1. The oil used in oil circuit breaker is inflammable and hence, cause a fire hazard.

2. There is a risk of formation of explosive mixture with air.

Vacuum Circuit Breaker
A breaker which used vacuum as an arc extinction medium is called a vacuum circuit breaker. In this circuit
breaker, the fixed and moving contact is enclosed in a permanently sealed vacuum interrupter. The arc is
extinct as the contacts are separated in high vacuum. It is mainly used for medium voltage ranging from 11 KV
to 33 KV.

Vacuum circuit breaker has a high insulating medium for arc extinction as compared to the other circuit
breaker. The pressure inside the vacuum interrupter is approximately 10-4 torrent and at this pressure, very few
molecules are present in the interrupter. The vacuum circuit breaker has mainly two phenomenal properties.

1. High insulating strength: In comparison to various other insulating media used in circuit breaker
vacuum is a superior dielectric medium. It is better than all other media except air and SF 6, which are
employed at high pressure.

2. When an arc is opened by moving apart the contacts in a vacuum, an interruption occurs at the first
current zero. With the arc interruption, their dielectric strength increases up to a rate of thousands
time as compared to other breakers.

The above two properties make the breakers more efficient, less bulky and cheaper in cost. Their service life is
also much greater than any other circuit breaker, and almost no maintenance are required.

depends on the ability of the component to perform repeated operations satisfactorily.

Working Vacuum Circuit Breaker

When the fault occurs in the system, the contacts of the breaker are moved apart and hence the arc is
developed between them. When the current carrying contacts are pulled apart, the temperature of their
connecting parts is very high due to which ionization occurs. Due to the ionization, the contact space is filled
with vapour of positive ions which is discharged from the contact material.

The density of vapour depends on the current in the arcing. Due to the decreasing mode of current wave their
rate of release of vapour fall and after the current zero, the medium regains its dielectric strength provided
vapour density around the contacts reduced. Hence, the arc does not restrike again because the metal vapour
is quickly removed from the contact zone.

Advantages of Vacuum Circuit Breaker

• Vacuum circuit breaker does not require any additional filling of oil or gas. They do not need periodic
refilling.
• Rapid recovery of high dielectric strength on current interruptions that only a half cycle or less arcing
occurs after proper contact separation.

• Breaker unit is compact and self-contained. It can be installed in any required orientation.

• Because of the above reasons together with the economic advantage offered, vacuum circuit breaker
has high acceptance.

Disadvantage of Vaccum Circuit Breaker

• Requirements of high technology for production of vacuum interrupters.

• It needs additional surge suppressors for the interruption of low magnetizing currents in a certain
range.

• Loss of vacuum due to transit damage or failure makes the entire interrupter useless, and it cannot be
repaired on site.

Air Blast Circuit Breaker

Air blast circuit breaker used compressed air or gas as the arc interrupting medium. In the air blast,
circuit breaker compressed air is stored in a tank and released through a nozzle to produce a high-
velocity jet; this is used to extinguish the arc. Air blast circuit breakers are used for indoor services in
the medium high voltage field and medium rupturing capacity. Generally up to voltages of 15 KV
and rupturing capacities of 2500 MVA. The air blast circuit breaker is now employed in high voltage

. The desirable features to be found in air blast circuit breaker are

High-Speed Operation – It is very necessary on large interconnected networks so that the system
stability can be maintained. This is achieved in circuit breaker because the time interval between the
discharge of triggering impulse and contacts separation are very short.

Suitability for frequent operation – Repeated switching by an air blast circuit is possible simply
because of the absence of oil, which rapidly carbonizes with the frequent operation and because
there is an insignificant amount of wear and tear at the current-carrying contact surfaces. But it must
be remembered that if frequent switching is anticipated, then the maintenance of a sufficient air
supply is essential.

Negligible Maintenance – The ability of the air blast circuit breaker to deal with repeated switching
also mean that negligible maintenance is required.

Elimination of Fire Hazard – Because of the absence of oil the risk of fire is eliminated.

Reduced Size – The growth of dielectric strength is so rapid in air blast circuit breakers that final
gap required for arc extinction is very small. This reduces the sizes of the devices.

Types of Air Blast Circuit Breaker

All air blast circuit breakers follow the principle of separating their contacts in a flow of arc
established by the opening of a blast valve. The arc which is drawn is usually rapidly positioned
centrally through a nozzle where it is kept to a fixed length and is subjected to the maximum range
by the air flow. The air blast circuit breakers according to the type of flow of blast of compressed
around the contacts are of three types namely axial, radial and cross blast.
Axial blast Air Circuit Breaker – In the air blast circuit breaker, the flow of air is longitudinal along
the arc. Air blast circuit breaker may be a single blast or double blast. Breaking employing double
blast arrangement are sometimes called radial blast circuit breakers as the air blast flows radially
into the nozzle or space between the contacts.

Drawback of Air Blast Circuit Breaker

In the air blast circuit breaker, it is necessary that the compressed air at the correct pressure must be
available all the times, involving in the largest installation of a plant with two or more compressors.
The maintenance of this plant and the problem of air leakages at the pipe fittings are some factors
which operate against air blast circuit breaker and it costly for low voltage as compared to oil or air
break circuit breaker.

Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) Circuit Breaker

A circuit breaker in which SF6 under pressure gas is used to extinguish the arc is called SF6 circuit breaker.
SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride) gas has excellent dielectric, arc quenching, chemical and other physical properties
which have proved its superiority over other arc quenching mediums such as oil or air.

Properties of Sulphur hexafluoride Circuit Breaker

Sulphur hexafluoride possesses very good insulating and arc quenching properties. These properties are

• It is colourless, odourless, non-toxic, and non-inflammable gas.

• SF6 gas is extremely stable and inert, and its density is five times that of air.

• It has high thermal conductivity better than that of air and assists in better cooling current carrying
parts.

• SF6 gas is strongly electronegative, which means the free electrons are easily removed from discharge
by the formation of negative ions.
• It has a unique property of fast recombination after the source energising spark is removed. It is 100
times more effective as compared to arc quenching medium.

• Its dielectric strength is 2.5 times than that of air and 30% less than that of the dielectric oil. At high
pressure the dielectric strength of the gas increases.

• Moisture is very harmful to SF6 circuit breaker. Due to a combination of humidity and SF6 gas,
hydrogen fluoride is formed (when the arc is interrupted) which can attack the parts of the circuit
breakers.

Advantage of SF6 circuit breaker

SF6 circuit breakers have the following advantages over conventional breaker

1. SF6 gas has excellent insulating, arc extinguishing and many other properties which are the greatest
advantages of SF6 circuit breakers.

2. The gas is non-inflammable and chemically stable. Their decomposition products are non-explosive
and hence there is no risk of fire or explosion.

3. Electric clearance is very much reduced because of the high dielectric strength of SF 6.

4. Its performance is not affected due to variations in atmospheric condition.

5. It gives noiseless operation, and there is no over voltage problem because the arc is extinguished at
natural current zero.

6. There is no reduction in dielectric strength because no carbon particles are formed during arcing.

7. It requires less maintenance and no costly compressed air system is required.

8. SF6 performs various duties like clearing short-line faults, switching, opening unloaded transmission
lines, and transformer reactor, etc. without any problem.

Disadvantages of SF6 circuit breakers

1. SF6 gas is suffocating to some extent. In the case of leakage in the breaker tank, the SF 6 gas being
heavier than air and hence SF6 are settled in the surroundings and lead to the suffocation of the
operating personnel.

2. The entrance of moisture in the SF6 breaker tank is very harmful to the breaker, and it causes several
failures.

3. The internal parts need cleaning during periodic maintenance under clean and dry environment.