Circuit Breaker Mechanism Guide

By Palinda Ekanayake
Introduction
Circuit Breakers are essential component in the entire High
Voltage Portfolio
The mechanism that drive the moving part to close and

open the breaker is of particular important as long as the
closing and opening achieved through mechanical motion
The peculiar requirement for circuit barker operation
poses particular requirement of the operating mechanism
Circuit Breaker mainly consist of an interrupting Unit

,Circuit Breaker operating mechanism and linkage
The special requirement is that it will not operate under

normal condition.
The requirement of the circuit breaker operating

mechanism can be summarized as follows,
A. Close the breaker and keep it in the closed

position
B. Open the breaker an keep it in the opened
position
These commands are spontaneously given to the circuit

breaker at irregular time without any warning.
But must operate at a very short notice the requirement

is raised. It's must move as quickly as possible.
By that the operating mechanism energy was significantly

reduced by a factor of 3 to 4 compared to a system
comprising a puffer interrupter unit.
Today, up to rated voltages of 170kV and rated short circuit
currents of 50kA self blast interrupters are common (mainly
with triple pole operation)
For rated voltages 245kV and/or high rated short circuit
currents of 63/80kA puffer interrupters are still exclusively
applied (mainly with single pole operation)
SF6 puffer interrupters have been successfully introduced in

the market more than 40 years ago, followed by the self
blast interrupters mid of the 80th.
The necessary Characteristics of Operating

Mechanism
The most critical requirement for a circuit

breaker is a case where the closing causes the
maximum fault current to the flow
2. Tripping Operation
The CB must open fully from the close position
on receipt of the tripping signal.
It must interrupt the current of specified value

by opening
1. Closing Operation
On receipt of the closing signal, circuit breaker
must closed filly and remain in the close position.
When the reclosing time set less than 1 sec its

called High speed reclosing
The operating mechanism required for breaker,

To satisfy this operation quick resetting of the
latch and trigger.
To storage of energy both closing operation and
energy may required for tripping operation.
This is achieved by energy
store in the
pressurized fluid or energy store in springs.
3. High Speed Reclosing Operation

Closing immediately following the opening
operation also required for CBs to minimize to
time during which there is a voltage in the power
system
Different Types of operating Mechanisms in

Circuit Breakers
Circuit breaker operating mechanisms are characterized
in different technologies
1) Pneumatic
2) Hydraulic
3) Mechanical Spring
4) Hydro Mechanical Spring
5) Power Electronic (Motor Drive)
They Can be divided in to 5 groups,
Pneumatic Operating Mechanism
In this technology uses compressed air as the energy

sources for closing and tripping the CB.
This is widely used because compressed air is convenient
form of store energy.
The out put energy can be adjusted the various

requirement by changing the size of the driving cylinder
Those mechanisms were first on the market (all ready in

the 60th) when high energy demand for circuit breaker
has been required.
Parts of Pneumatic Operating Mechanism
Schematic Drawing of a Pneumatic Operating

Mechanism
The holding latch hold the breaker in the opening position

and at the same time the cylindrical valve, which supply air
to the driving cylinder is held the shut position by the
engagement of the lever and the latch.
The opening signal frees the trigger and the cylindrical

valve is freed to supply air to the driving cylinder, The
compressed air supply through the control valve drives the
piston to the open position.
At the end of opening stoke the control valve mechanically
closed by the cam which make lever turn in the counter
clockwise direction
When the closing signal releases the holding latch which

then release pin A, the closing spring is freed, closes the CB
and then sustains the breaker in the close position.
Advantages
Inertia is low, even for large outputs
The mechanism can have a degree of self regulation as the

load increases velocity of the driving piston falls, cylinder
pressure increases to achieve a new state of balance
Disadvantages
Intensive maintenance requirements of the compressor
Noisy operation
High pressure made the available energy for switching
operation very temperature sensitive
Energy storage for a large number of duty cycle s can be

readily provide
LW23-252 outdoor H.V.A.C dead tank

SF6 circuit breaker with pneumatic
operating mechanism
Application example of a
classical pneumatic operating
mechanism
(ABB type PKA)
132KV pneumatic operating mechanism Circuit Breaker at

Mallawapitiya Grid ,Kurunagala
Hydraulic Operating Mechanism
The energy of pressurized oil stored in a Nitrogen

accumulator its common to use oil energy both opening
and closing operation.
The hydraulic mechanism is working with a much higher

working pressure (around 300 bar) compared to a
classical pneumatic operating mechanism.
The pressure is generated by a hydraulic pump.
Energy transmission is realized by a wear-free hydraulic
system.
Pneumatic operating mechanisms were replaced the

hydraulic ones
Schematic diagram of hydraulic operating

mechanism
The spaces on the both side driving pistons can be filled

with pressurized oil and the spaces of the right hand side of
the piston is permanently connected to the accumulator oil
The piston is drive leftward or rightward by filling or

releasing high pressure oil in the left hand space.
In the opening operation, the fully open position is detected
by a pressure detecting port that is pressurized in the full
open position of the piston
The detection of full stokes help to reset the control valve
and pushes the holding latch through and auxiliary piston.
The piston is driven towards the right when both sides of

the piston are pressurized, because the pressurized surface
area is greater than the left hand side than right hand side.
The closing operation is initiated by the releasing the

pressure in the auxiliary piston, which then release the
holding latch
The high pressure in the oil could be cause some leakage of

the joint of the hydraulic circuit components.
The high pressure components are placed in the low
pressure oil tank to minimize the effect of leakage in
practical operation.
Typical for this type of technology is the interconnection of
discrete modules by external piping (hydraulic cylinder,
nitrogen accumulator, pump, pressure switch)
The mechanism that held in the closed position by the oil

pressure.
Advantages
Because of High pressure size of driving cylinder and
consequently size of mechanism as whole can be less than
that of other mechanisms.
Disadvantages
Frequent maintenance of the hydraulic operating
mechanism is required.
Due to the extreme high gas pressure, the gas tank of the
hydraulic operating mechanism has to meet pressure
vessel regulation in certain countries.
switching behavior is temperature sensitiveness.
Higher driving energy can be achieved by compact

mechanism
Hydraulic Mechanism
Application
example of a
hydraulic
operating
mechanism
(ABB type HA and
HKA)
Spring Operating Mechanism
Therefore today they are widely applied in the sub

transmission range < 200 kV and for energy level up to 4kJ
for opening. Spring operating mechanisms with more than
4kJ for opening are available as well
They are applied for rated voltages up to 800kV and puffer
interrupter.
With the introduction of the self-blast breaker technology

interrupters mid of the 80th and the reduced required
switching energy, spring operating mechanisms are
continuously replacing hydraulic and pneumatic operating
mechanisms.
The mechanical stress on the linkage, which is necessary to

transmit the energy stored in the spring to the breaker, was
reduced.
Both, damper and the whole kinematic transmission chain

should be periodically checked and maintained to
guarantee its proper functionality.
Since the energy storage takes place in springs, this
technology is not sensitive towards temperature changes.
A mechanical spring mechanism usually consists of two
springs, one for open and one for close operation.
To abolish the kinetic energy after each switching

operation, an external damper is required.
The closing spring generates the required force to close the

circuit breaker and charge the opening spring
The opening spring is either mounted in the operating

mechanism and/or in the circuit breaker.
Spring charged
mechanism Vacuum
CB
Hence, the mechanical energy needed for the re-opening is

always stored in the opening spring when the circuit
breaker is in the closed position.
Schematic drawing of a Spring operating

Mechanism
The closing spring charged by rotating the ratchet wheel

through a pair of ratchets driven by a motor.
When this engagement is released, the ratchet wheel is free

and rotates clock wise together with the closing cam. The
rotation of closing cam push the lever counter clockwise
This motion compress the trip spring and at the end of
tripping motion the lever is held by the engagement of pin A
and the trip holding latch.
When the energy of the closing spring fully discharged by the
closing operation the charging motor is switched on.
When the ratchet wheel is driven beyond the dead point the
spring gives a torque in the clockwise direction and this
torque is sustained by the pin B with the closing holding
latch.
Spring charged
operating mechanism
type ML -14- 0
Video
Operating mechanism connected to a life

tank breaker with higher energy level
composed by a set of parallel helical wound
cylindrical springs
Operating mechanism connected

to a life tank breaker for an
energy level of 1-1.5kJ composed
by clock springs
Typical Circuit-Breaker Control CIRCUIT

(Motor/Spring Operated)
Hydro-Mechanical Spring Operating

Mechanism
The main feature is the energy storage in highly reliably

disc springs. Operation is controlled by hydraulic valves.
The energy transmission is realized by hydraulic pistons.
The damping of the circuit breaker is integrated in the
hydraulic system.
Due to the low number of moving parts and the operating
principle the operating mechanism is almost maintenance
free
The hydro-mechanical spring operating mechanism is

basically a combination of the classical hydraulic
operating mechanism and the mechanical spring
operating mechanism.
The modular design includes a power-pack without any kind

of external hydraulic pipe and a monitoring module for
control purpose.
The low pressure reservoir, the working module, and the disc
spring assembly are arranged coaxially to the central axis at
60- degree rotation intervals.
By means of the three storage pistons, the mechanical energy
components of spring force and spring travel are converted
to the hydraulic energy components of pressure and volume.
The main modules of the operating mechanism (complete

portfolio) are the charging module, storage module, working
module, control module and the monitoring module.
The mechanism control and

energy transmission are based on
the field proven structural
elements
of
the
hydraulic
operating technology such as the
high pressure hydraulic pump,
storage piston, and pilot and
changeover valves as well as one
operating piston with integrated
hydraulic end position damping
for both closing and opening
operations
Typical hydro-mechanical operating mechanism (type
HMB-16), applied for 1100 kV gas insulated switchgear,
The oil medium between the high pressure system and the
operating cylinder serves as a flexible linkage with a fast
acting control valve positioned in the flow path for closing
and opening operations
Power electronics based operating mechanism

( Motor Drive)
One of the most recently-developed operating mechanism
is the electrical motor drive.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Motor Unit
Converter Unit
Control Unit
Capacitor Unit
Charging Unit
I/P and O/P Unit
Essential Component in motor drive System
Motor Unit
High Torque Servo motor
Integrated precision Position

resolver
Low mechanical Stress
Low noise Level
Only moving part in the Motor

Drive
Converter Unit
Simple electronic energy

Transmission
Uses proven industrial
power electronics
Controlled via controlled

Unit
Transmits energy from

capacitor Unit to motor
Unit
Interfaces via I/O unit
Controls motor via

converter
Checks motor positions
via resolver continuously
Feedback control
algorithm
Contact travel program stored
in robust EEPROM
Inherent Monitoring
Control Unit
Stores and execute contact

travel program
Capacitor Unit
Energy Buffered in the
capacitor bank
O - 0.3 s CO
CO 15 s CO
Directly monitored
Modular installation package
Capacity without recharging
Supplies capacitor, control

and I/PO units
Redundant AC and DC
supply inputs
Automatic switching to
back up supply
Alarm on supply failure
Stable continuous power
consumption < 60W
No high transient loads
Charging Unit
Input and Output Unit
Programmable
permissive logic
Standard DC voltage
interface supported
Plug and play module
All signals to/for one

interface
Monitoring
Motor drive designed with
integral active monitoring
All signals from one

interface
Remote online inspection
Highest
reliability
for
circuit breaker and drive
No extra hardware
needed
Design of the motor drive mechanism
The PMSM(Permanent Magnate Synchronous Motor) is

driven by IPM (Intellect Power Module). This module
integrates a three-phase high-speed IGBT converter and
matches a drive and protective circuit that is optimizing
designed.
Two phase currents of the motor are measured by Hall

sensors.
The rotate speed and the position of the rotor are received
by a photoelectric encoder fixed on the rotating shaft. The
travel of moving contactors is measured by the travel
sensor.
The computer is connected with the control unit by the
Communication Interface. It records and displays the
opening and closing operations of the HVCB, and it can also
do field debugging to make the motor drive mechanism
better meet the requirements of the operations.
The current signals passing through a filter and some signal

translations, get into the control unit as the control signals.
Advantages
Only one moving part
Programmed optimum contact
travel
Robust modular system
Continuous active online

monitoring
Very Quit
Low stable power requirement
Motor drive CB in 145KV
transmission line
Limitation of today Dive Technology

Motor charged close springs
High short term battery loads
Electro mechanical latches

Precision mechanism
Mechanical energy transmission
High impacts and dampers
Hard wired discrete Controls
Limited flexibility and intelligence
Trip springs
Fixed Energy
Reliability Compression
Failure Rates Un > 200 kV
Failure Rates Un < 200 kV
Results of the Cigr statistic (partitioned in minor and major failures)

completed by the ABB internal failure statistic of hydro mechanical
operating mechanisms (HMB-1/2 for rated voltages <200kV and HMB-4/8
for rated voltages > 200kV)
Summery of different operating mechanism

Technologies
The main requirements for the future

proof operating mechanism
High switching capability, preferably M2 according to

IEC62271 or even better, means service life of >10.000 CO
without maintenance
Intelligent to meet future grid requirements (Smart Grid)
Therefore, intelligent operating mechanism with self
supervision and remote controllability are of importance as
well.
Easy to handle and easy to adapt to new applications,
preferable plug & play to avoid longer outages and to
avoid high shift costs during the qualification process
High reliability, robust under all environment conditions

(refer to IEC62271-203)
New Technology (Magnetic actuator mechanism)
Electronic controller
Electronic control of release,
operating motion, energy storage
and functional reliability.
Capacitor
Electrical energy store for a
complete auto reclosing cycle.
Sensor
Non-contact detection of switch
position.
Magnetic actuator
The heart of the operated
mechanism with the switching,
latching and release functions
Lever shaft
The only mechanical component for force transmission from
the magnet armature to the vacuum interrupter
Advantages
Simple mechanical sequences
Extremely high reliability
High quality standard
Extremely long life
Maintenance-free
Few individual parts

Circuit Breaker Mechanism Guide

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By Palinda Ekanayake

The mechanism that drive the moving part to close and

Circuit Breaker mainly consist of an interrupting Unit

The special requirement is that it will not operate under

The requirement of the circuit breaker operating

A. Close the breaker and keep it in the closed

These commands are spontaneously given to the circuit

But must operate at a very short notice the requirement

By that the operating mechanism energy was significantly

SF6 puffer interrupters have been successfully introduced in

The necessary Characteristics of Operating

The most critical requirement for a circuit

It must interrupt the current of specified value

When the reclosing time set less than 1 sec its

The operating mechanism required for breaker,

3. High Speed Reclosing Operation

Different Types of operating Mechanisms in

They Can be divided in to 5 groups,

Pneumatic Operating Mechanism

In this technology uses compressed air as the energy

The out put energy can be adjusted the various

Those mechanisms were first on the market (all ready in

Parts of Pneumatic Operating Mechanism

Schematic Drawing of a Pneumatic Operating

The holding latch hold the breaker in the opening position

The opening signal frees the trigger and the cylindrical

When the closing signal releases the holding latch which

The mechanism can have a degree of self regulation as the

Energy storage for a large number of duty cycle s can be

LW23-252 outdoor H.V.A.C dead tank

132KV pneumatic operating mechanism Circuit Breaker at

Hydraulic Operating Mechanism

The energy of pressurized oil stored in a Nitrogen

The hydraulic mechanism is working with a much higher

Pneumatic operating mechanisms were replaced the

Schematic diagram of hydraulic operating

The spaces on the both side driving pistons can be filled

The piston is drive leftward or rightward by filling or

The piston is driven towards the right when both sides of

The closing operation is initiated by the releasing the

The high pressure in the oil could be cause some leakage of

The mechanism that held in the closed position by the oil

Higher driving energy can be achieved by compact

Spring Operating Mechanism

Therefore today they are widely applied in the sub

With the introduction of the self-blast breaker technology

The mechanical stress on the linkage, which is necessary to

Both, damper and the whole kinematic transmission chain

To abolish the kinetic energy after each switching

The closing spring generates the required force to close the

The opening spring is either mounted in the operating

Hence, the mechanical energy needed for the re-opening is

Schematic drawing of a Spring operating

The closing spring charged by rotating the ratchet wheel

When this engagement is released, the ratchet wheel is free

Operating mechanism connected to a life

Operating mechanism connected

Typical Circuit-Breaker Control CIRCUIT

Hydro-Mechanical Spring Operating

The main feature is the energy storage in highly reliably

The hydro-mechanical spring operating mechanism is

The modular design includes a power-pack without any kind

The main modules of the operating mechanism (complete