SF6 working - The SF₆ circuit breaker works by using sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas to Protective Relay: The

e Relay: The circuitry introduced for protection through automatic operation in

extinguish an arc when a fault occurs. When a fault is detected, the breaker trips and the event of abnormal conditions or faults in the machine or system is called a
separates its contacts, which causes an arc to form. The SF₆ gas, which is sealed in a protective relaying system. Relay Time: The minimum time required for the relay to
high-pressure chamber, is then directed toward the arc. As the contacts separate, the operate and disconnect the circuit during an abnormal or fault condition is called the
puffer mechanism compresses and forces the SF₆ gas over the arc. The gas has high relay time. Pick-up current: It is the minimum current in the relay coil at which the relay
dielectric strength, which helps absorb the arc’s energy and quickly cools it down, starts to operate. As long as the current in the relay is less than the pick-up value, the
effectively quenching the arc. The SF₆ gas restores the insulation between the contacts, relay does not operate . Reset Current: The current value below which the relay stops
stopping the flow of current and ensuring the system remains safe. operating after it has been activated. If the current drops below this level, the relay
Construction -The construction of an SF₆ circuit breaker consists of several key "resets" and returns to its normal state. Current Setting: A parameter set on the relay
components. The most important part is the SF₆ gas chamber, which is a sealed that defines the threshold current at which the relay will trigger an alarm or trip action.
enclosure containing sulfur hexafluoride gas under high pressure. Inside this chamber It is used to set the sensitivity of the relay Plug Setting Multiplier (PSM): A factor used
are fixed and moving contacts, which separate during a fault to create an arc. A puffer to adjust the current setting of a relay based on the plug setting. It allows for scaling the
mechanism is also integrated into the breaker; it compresses the SF₆ gas and directs it relay's protection function to match the system's requirements. Time Setting
over the arc to extinguish it. The breaker also includes a nozzle that channels the gas Multiplier (TSM): A multiplier that adjusts the time delay of the relay. By altering the
across the arc, helping to cool and quench it. Additionally, the operating mechanism, time setting, the relay's reaction time can be fine-tuned to either speed up or slow down
often spring or hydraulic-based, drives the movement of the contacts to initiate the the trip action depending on the system's needs.
separation. The entire assembly is housed in a metal or insulating casing to ensure safety
and contain the gas under pressure. The construction is designed to handle high Air Circuit Breaker (ACB): Air Circuit Breakers (ACBs) are designed to handle high fault
voltages and fault currents while providing fast and reliable arc quenching. currents, and they use air as the medium to extinguish the electric arc when the
Specification:Voltage Rating: 33 kV to 800 kV;Current Rating: Interrupts fault currents up contacts open. When a fault occurs, the breaker’s contacts separate, and an electric arc
to 63 kA or higher;Dielectric Strength: Three times that of air;Interruption Time: 40-60 is formed between them. The intense heat of the arc can cause significant damage if not
milliseconds (2-3 cycles) Applications -High Voltage: Substations, transmission systems extinguished promptly. In an ACB, the air is forced through the arc to cool it and reduce
(above 33 kV),Power,Plants/Industry: High power handling environments,Gas-Insulated the ionization of the air, thereby quenching the arc. This can be done using air blast
Switchgear (GIS): Compact, indoor setups where space and safety are priorities. systems or by utilizing natural air currents in the breaker. The arc is elongated and
cooled until it is extinguished, and the circuit is disconnected. ACBs are mainly used in
VCB Construction: It consists of an enclosure made of insulating material, such as glass. industrial and commercial installations, where the need to handle high current ratings,
The vacuum retained inside the container is about 10⁻⁷ torr. The enclosure is supported often hundreds or thousands of amps, is essential. Applications: ACBs are commonly
by end flanges made of non-magnetic material. The contacts are disc-shaped, and the used in industrial and commercial applications where large currents need to be
contact tips are made of copper-chromium or copper-bismuth alloy. The contact region controlled, such as in electrical distribution boards, transformers, and generators.
is surrounded by a vapor-condensing shield, which prevents the condensed vapor from
reaching the glass enclosure. Metallic bellows are used to allow the movement of the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB): MCBs are designed to protect electrical circuits from
moving contact without disturbing the vacuum. Metal-ceramic seals are used at overcurrent or short circuit conditions. They consist of a bimetallic strip and an
respective points to ensure sealing. Working: Under normal working conditions, the electromagnetic trip mechanism. When an overload occurs, the current flowing through
contacts are closed. Upon the occurrence of a fault, the moving contact moves upwards, the circuit increases, and the bimetallic strip inside the MCB heats up. As the strip bends
and an arc is produced between the contacts due to ionization of metal vapors. The arc due to the heat, it activates a trip mechanism, opening the circuit. For short circuit
is then extinguished. The arc extinction process is explained in the principle of working protection, the MCB has an electromagnetic coil that instantly detects the high surge of
of the vacuum circuit breaker. Applications: Outdoor application where maintenance current. When a short circuit occurs, the sudden increase in current creates a magnetic
required is minimum. In the high voltage system from 22 kV to 66 kV power circuits. This field that pulls a plunger, triggering the opening of the contacts to disconnect the power.
breaker is also useful in rural area with limited rating 60 to 100 MVA MCBs are typically used in low-power circuits, such as those found in homes and offices,
Specifications- A Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) operates at 11 kV to 66 kV, with a current to protect appliances and devices from damage caused by overloads or short circuits.
rating up to 40 kA. It has fast interruption times (20-30 ms), high dielectric strength, and Applications: MCBs are widely used in residential and commercial buildings for
durable copper-chrome alloy contacts. VCBs are rated for over 30,000 operations and protection of low-power circuits. They are used in lighting, power distribution, and
work in temperatures from -10°C to +50°C. appliance circuits where the current is lower.

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB): MCCBs are similar to MCBs but are designed to
handle much higher currents, typically from 100 A to 2500 A or more. MCCBs provide
In this type of switchgear, sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas is used as insulation due to its overload and short circuit protection through a combination of thermal and magnetic
excellent dielectric and arc-quenching properties. The properties of SF₆ gas include mechanisms. The thermal protection works using a bimetallic strip, just like in MCBs, but
being colorless, odorless, non-toxic, non-inflammable, inert, and stable up to 500°C. SF₆ with a wider range of current handling capabilities. The magnetic protection works
gas-insulated metal-clad switchgear is referred to as Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS). GIS through an electromagnetic coil, which triggers a trip when a short circuit or rapid fault
is used for voltage levels such as 12 kV, 36 kV, 72 kV, 145 kV, 245 kV, 420 kV, and higher. current is detected. One key feature of MCCBs is that the trip settings can be adjusted to
In such GIS substations, various equipment, including circuit breakers (CB), bus bars, suit the specific needs of the circuit, making them more flexible for industrial and
isolators, load break switches, current transformers (CT), potential transformers (PT), commercial applications. These circuit breakers are typically used in large electrical
and earthing switches, are housed in separate metal-enclosed modules filled with SF₆ panels, industrial machinery, and buildings with high-power requirements. Applications:
gas. This gas provides phase-to-ground [Link]₆ has a higher dielectric strength MCCBs are used in industrial applications where higher current ratings (up to 2500 A)
than air, so the clearance required is smaller, which results in a more compact overall are required. They protect electrical installations in factories, commercial buildings.
[Link] is widely used in areas where land is costly, such as in cities, industrial
townships, hydro stations, and densely populated areas. Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB): The ELCB is designed to detect earth leakage
Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) offers the advantage of a compact design, thanks to the currents, which could pose a risk of electric shock. An ELCB works by constantly
high dielectric strength of SF₆ gas, which reduces clearance requirements and makes it monitoring the current flowing through the live and neutral conductors. Under normal
ideal for areas where land is scarce, such as cities and industrial zones. It is reliable, low- conditions, the current entering the live conductor should be equal to the current
maintenance, and can handle high voltage applications efficiently. However, its returning through the neutral conductor. If there is any leakage of current to earth—
disadvantages include high initial costs, environmental concerns due to the use of SF₆ such as when a person touches a live part or when current flows through the ground—
gas (a potent greenhouse gas), and the need for careful handling and maintenance of the balance is disturbed. The ELCB detects this imbalance and trips the circuit,
the gas. Additionally, GIS is more suitable for medium to high voltage applications, disconnecting the power supply and preventing the risk of electric shock. This type of
limiting its use in lower voltage systems. circuit breaker is essential for safety in areas where humans are at risk of electric shock,
such as bathrooms or kitchens, or in places where electrical installations are exposed to
Buchholz relay moisture. Modern ELCBs are often replaced by Residual Current Devices (RCDs) or
Construction - It consists of a domed vessel with two mercury switches. The upper Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), which are more sensitive and provide better
mercury switch is attached to a float, which is hinged as shown. The lower mercury protection. Applications: ELCBs are used in residential and commercial installations to
switch is attached to a flap, and the mechanism is also hinged . Alarm circuit contacts protect users from electric shock. They are particularly important in wet or damp
are connected to the upper mercury switch, and trip circuit contacts are connected to environments, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or areas with water-related appliances,
the lower mercury switch. The upper mercury switch operates during incipient faults, where leakage currents pose a high risk.
while the lower mercury switch operates in the case of severe faults.
Working-Under normal working conditions, the position of the mercury switches is as A thermal relay is a type of protective relay commonly used to protect electrical circuits
shown. It can be observed that the alarm circuit contacts and trip circuit contacts are from overheating and excessive current. It operates based on the principle of thermal
not bridged by liquid mercury in the switch. In the case of incipient faults, the oil heats expansion, where an overcurrent causes a temperature rise in the relay. The thermal
up, decomposes, and gases are formed. The majority of the gas is hydrogen (70%), relay consists of a bimetallic strip or coil that bends or deflects when exposed to heat
which accumulates at the top near the dome. Due to the gas pressure, the float moves generated by excessive current. The relay is designed to trip and disconnect the circuit if
down, and the mercury level shifts, closing the alarm circuit contacts. Thus, the alarm the temperature rises beyond a preset threshold, thereby preventing damage to
circuit is completed, and the alarm sounds . Merits 1. Simple. 2. Fault detection is faster. equipment like motors, transformers, and other electrical devices. Thermal relays are
3. Operation is reliable. Demerits 1. Only applicable for oil immersed transformer. 2. widely used for motor protection and in situations where a delay is necessary for
Only the faults below oil level can be detected. handling brief overcurrent conditions, as they provide a time-delay characteristic based
on the amount of overcurrent. They are simple, reliable, and inexpensive, but are less
sensitive and slower compared to other types of relays.