Switchgear and Substations

3.1 High-Voltage Substations

3.1.6 Gas-Insulated Switchgear for Substations

Characteristic features of switchgear installations Since 1968, the concept of Siemens gas-insulated metal-enclosed high-voltage switchgear has proved itself in more than 28,000 bay installations in all regions of the world (table 3.1-1). Gas-insulated metal-enclosed high-voltage switchgear (GIS) is constantly gaining on other types of switchgear because it offers the following outstanding advantages Minimum space requirements: Where the availability of land is low and/or prices are high, e.g., in urban centers, industrial conurbations, mountainous regions with narrow valleys or in underground power stations, gas-insulated switchgear is replacing conventional switchgear because of its very small space requirements. Full protection against contact with live parts: The surrounding metal enclosure affords maximum safety for personnel under all operating and fault conditions. Protection against pollution: Its metal enclosure fully protects the switchgear interior against environmental effects such as salt deposits in coastal regions, industrial vapors and precipitates, and sandstorms. The compact switchgear can be installed as an indoor as well as an outdoor solution. Free choice of installation site: The small site area required for gas-insulated switchgear saves expensive grading and foundation work, e.g., in permafrost zones. Another advantage is the short erection time because of the use of prefabricated and factory tested bay units. Protection of the environment: The necessity to protect the environment often makes it difcult to erect outdoor switchgear of conventional design. Gas-insulated switchgear, however, can almost always be designed to blend well with the surroundings. Gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear is, because of the modular design, very exible and meets all requirements for conguration that exist in the network design and operating conditions. Each circuit-breaker bay includes the full complement of disconnecting and earthing switches (regular or make-proof), instrument transformers, control and protection equipment, and interlocking and monitoring facilities commonly used for this type of installation. Besides the traditional circuit-breaker bay, other circuits, such as single busbar, single-busbar arrangement with bypass busbar, coupler and bay for double and triple busbar, can be supplied. (Main) product range of GIS for substations The Siemens product range covers GIS from 66 up to 800 kV rated voltage the main range covers SF6 switchgear up to 550 kV (table 3.1-2). The development of this switchgear has been based on two overall production concepts: meeting the high technical standards required of high-voltage switchgear and providing maximum customer benet.

More than 45 years of experience with gas-insulated switchgear 1960 1964 1968 1974 1997 1999 2000 Start of fundamental studies in research and development of SF6 technology Delivery of rst SF6 circuit-breaker Delivery of rst GIS Delivery of rst GIL (420 kV) Introduction of intelligent, bay integrated control, monitoring and diagnostic Introduction of newest GIS generation: Self-compression interrupter unit and spring-operated mechanism Introduction of the trendsetting switchgear concept HIS (Highly Integrated Switchgear) for extension, retrot and new compact AIS substations First GIS with electrical endurance capability (class E2) New generation of cast resin insulators for GIS New 420 kV / 80 kA GIS powerful and compact New 170 kV / 63 kA GIS powerful and compact New generation of 420 kV / 63 kA GIS powerful and compact

2005 2009 2010 2011 2011

Table 3.1-1: Siemens experience with gas-insulated switchgear

This objective is attained only by incorporating all processes in the quality management system, which has been introduced and certied according to EN 29001/DIN EN ISO 9001. Siemens GIS switchgear meets all performance, quality and reliability demands, including: Compact and low-weight design: Small building dimensions and low oor loads, a wide range of options in the utilization of space, and less space taken up by the switchgear. Safe encapsulation: An outstanding level of safety based on new manufacturing methods and optimized shape of enclosures. Environmental compatibility: No restrictions on choice of location due to minimum space requirement; extremely low noise and EMC emission as well as effective gas sealing system (leakage < 0.1 % per year per

Fig. 3.1-32: 8DN8 GIS for 72.5 kV, single-busbar arrangement

Siemens Energy Sector Power Engineering Guide Edition 7.0

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