International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) - Volume4 Issue7- July 2013

Real Time Monitoring of SF6 Gas Pressure for

Optimization Point on Wave Switching of SF6
Circuit Breaker
Ashish Maheshwari1, Sunil Kumar Singla2
1

PG Scholar, EIE Department, Thapar University Patiala, India

Assistant Professor, EIE Department, Thapar University Patiala, India

AbstractThis paper introduce the real time analysis of sf6 gas

pressure for optimizing point on wave switching of sf6 circuit
breaker. Circuit Breaker plays an important role in todays
growing Indian economy in power systems. It provides
protection to transmission equipment incorporated in
transmission networks. SF6 Circuit Breaker is very important
equipment in Power Systems which is used for up to 1200 kV
because of its excellent performance. SF6 Gas plays a vital role to
operate the Breaker. Also with the help of SF6 gas contact life of
circuit breaker is increased. This paper describes the Operation
of SF6 Circuit Breaker in real time due to variation in SF6 gas
pressure as SF6 gas is used for arc quenching in the Circuit
Breaker to obtain the Point on wave Switching and stress free
operation. The paper also describes the Compensation of SF6
Gas Pressure on Point on wave switching method used for
Controlled operation of Circuit Breaker.
Keywords Circuit Breaker, Sf6 gas, Controlled Switching,
Compensation

I. INTRODUCTION
SF6 has been used as arc quenching and insulating medium
for high voltage switchgear systems. The favourable electro
technical, chemical and physical characteristics of the gas
have considerably influenced the development of the
switchgear technology. SF6 is an alternative to other
conventional insulating and quenching media such as e.g. oil,
and air. The use of SF6 gas considerably increases, in some
applications, the efficient utilization of resources in energy
transmission and distribution with respect to technology,
finances and personnel. At the same time SF6 in comparison
to oil reduces the risk of hazard (e.g. Fire, explosion) to
personnel and the environment. An overall evaluation
considering all ecological, economic, safety and technological
aspects has proven that SF6 is still an excellent choice as
insulating medium. The existing SF6 technology in the field
of energy transmission and distribution is the result of decades
of optimization and contributes essentially to the further
development of the economically efficient power distribution
[1].
The point on wave switching for circuit breakers is installed
with an electronic device that monitors the health of the circuit
breaker and takes in the command from the user in order to
CLOSE or OPEN the breaker on the point of wave of a

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reference voltage or current. The point on wave is also called

as synchronous switching or controlled switching [1] [2].
II. SF6 CIRCUIT BREAKER
SF6 circuit breaker is getting a major position in the field of
circuit breakers because of its excellent performance. Some of
the outstanding properties of SF6 making it desirable to use in
power applications such as high dielectric strength, unique
arc-quenching ability, excellent thermal stability and good
thermal conductivity. The SF6 CB is also dependent on the
pressure of two gases Air and SF6. Based on the pressure its
mechanism requires certain amount time for actuation.
Furthermore the switching phenomenon is largely based on
the angles at which the phases are CLOSE or OPEN. By this
we mean that sequence and angles of switching of phases for a
specific load is important. In this for capacitive load close
switching is done on the voltage peak when the current is zero
per phase. New applications are being researched that adapts
to different angles dynamically based on the load type. Thus
the overall circuit breaker for point on wave switching is
largely dependent on parameters such as DC voltage to coil,
SF6 pressure, Air Pressure, load type, frequency of the
reference phase, in this we take R-Phase as a reference [4].
III. CONTROLLED SWITCHING
Controlled switching is used for elimination of harmful
electrical transients upon planned switching of mainly
capacitor banks, shunt reactors and power transformers. The
method is also gaining acceptance for re-energizing of EHV
transmission lines, and replacing traditional pre-insertion
resistors. A key aspect of all controlled switching applications
is the precision achieved during making and breaking.
Optimization of the switching instant minimizes number of
re-ignitions and the corresponding over voltages.
Uncontrolled making or breaking can lead to increased stress
on the equipment; closing resistors and reactors that were
previously used to reduce these stresses may no longer be
required. Controlled switching offers an economical
alternative. By taking current values into consideration, the
control unit optimizes the switching operations of the circuit
breaker with reference to current or voltage phase [5].

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) - Volume4 Issue7- July 2013
IV. POINT ON WAVE SWITCHING (POWS)
Point on wave switching (POWS) is a method to eliminate
harmful transients with time controlled switching operations.
Closing or Opening commands to circuit breaker are delayed
in such a way that the closing or the Opening of contact will
occur at optimum time related to phase angle. With the help of
POWS we can increase the performance and life of the circuit
breaker.
The following (Figure 1) example illustrates the general
operating principle of a system, for energizing of a capacitor
bank. In order to avoid switching transients, the making
instant in this case shall be at voltage zero. For simplicity,
only a single phase is considered [4].

Figure. 1 Point on Wave Switching Block Diagram [4]

V. PARAMETERS IN POWS [4]

A. Closing Time
Time from energizing the closing coil until contact touches
the circuit breaker.
B. Opening Time
Time from energizing the opening coil until contact separation
occurs.
C. Make/Break Time
Time for energizing the closing coil until current starts
flowing in the main circuit; Adaptation control adjusts the
making instant.
D. Pre-arcing Time
Time from start of current flow in the main circuit until
contact touch.
Pre-arcing time = Closing time - Make time
E. Arcing Time
Time from contact separation until contact separation occurs.
F. RDDS
The rate of decrease of dielectric strength, circuit breaker
characteristics that describe the rate of fall of the voltage
withstand at closing of a circuit breaker.

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G. RRDS
Rate of rise of dielectric strength, Circuit breaker
characteristic that describes the rate of rise of the voltage
withstand at the opening of a circuit breaker. The value of the
RRDS defines the minimum arcing time needed for re-ignition
free interruption of inductive loads [6].
VI. BENEFITS OF POWS
The major benefit of point on wave switching is the reduction
of switching transients, with an associated reduction of
stresses in the system and its components. Decreased transient
stresses, e.g. on a power transformer, will have a positive
impact on the ageing of the equipment. Therefore controlled
switching may be considered a valuable tool contributing to
maximize the useful service life of expensive equipment [7].
In addition, the controlled circuit breaker itself will
experience reduced energization currents, which will result in
reduced interrupter wear. Optimizing the instant of contact
parting also means that life-limiting restrike or Regnition
phenomena are avoided or reduced in severity. For capacitor
bank, filter bank and shunt reactor applications, the number of
load switching operations can therefore typically be doubled
before a scheduled overhaul is required, compared to
uncontrolled operation [7].
VII.
CONTROL SYSTEM
The purpose of the Control system is to provide controlled
(synchronous) switching commands to the OPEN and CLOSE
coils of the circuit breaker. Successful controlled switching
reduces the mechanical and electromagnetic stresses endured
during normal switching operations by reducing the inrush
currents upon closing and re-ignition currents during the
opening. A further benefit is that the insertion resistors, as
commonly found in air-blast breakers, can be done away with
as well as their costly recurring maintenance requirements.
Given the well documented effect of fluctuations in operating
variables (temperature, pressure, auxiliary voltage, etc.) on the
operating time of the breaker, compensation is built into the
calculation algorithm, ensuring optimum performance over a
wide range.
Due to differences in operating times between phases, the
system is designed to compute and send phase segregated
switching commands to the breaker. Monitoring of inrush and
re-ignition currents confirms successful synchronous
switching of the breaker. The operating principles use the
zero-crossings of a sinusoidal signal; a voltage signal will be
used as a reference prior to closing and a current or voltage
signal can be used prior to opening. When the breaker
characteristics are identical for each phase, then a constant
time delay (T/6) exists between synchronous commands in
each phase, for example in the R, Y, B sequence (1/3 of a
cycle overall). For ungrounded capacitor bank switching,
simultaneous switching of the two leading phases is followed
by a quarter cycle delay in the switching of the third phase.
As soon as a CLOSE command is received, it is blocked
and a time delay is initiated, awaiting the first zero-crossing of

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) - Volume4 Issue7- July 2013
the voltage. Should no zero-crossing be detected within the
preset time delay, synchronous switching is aborted and a 3phase random CLOSE is executed. Should a zero-crossing
occur within the preset delay and no further failures are
detected, synchronous CLOSE commands to each phase are
issued after the computed time delays. The computed time
delays are measured from the reference zero-crossing and
compensated for variable effects and variations in the breaker
characteristics of each phase. Sequencing of individual phase
is monitored to insure proper sequencing at the breaker coils.
Sequencing of individual phase commands is monitored.
Output control circuits are monitored for timing analysis, if a
sequence error is detected, synchronous control is aborted and
a 3-phase random control switching is executed. Following
Figures 2 and 3 shows the opening operation and closing
operation with a control system respectively.
The functional design of the OPEN operation is the same as
that for CLOSE with the variation that a current or a voltage
zero-crossing can be used as the reference signal and that reignited currents are monitored [6] [8].

Figure.3 Closing operation of circuit breaker with a control system [6]

1 - Voltage zero crossing

2 - Phase Neutral Voltage
3 - Close command input
4 - Close output (power output to close CB coil)
5 - Breaker Contacts
Tx - Delay to achieve breaker synchronization (calculated)
Tferm - Mechanical breaker closing time (predicted)
Tdel - Pre-arcing delay (planned and Para metered)
VIII.
COMPENSATION IN CONTROL SYSTEM
When the circuit breaker has a well-known variation in its
behaviour, with variations in external conditions, corrections
for these can be made. Verification of systematic mechanical
variations depending upon varying ambient conditions like
influence of idle time, change of temperature, change of coil
voltage, change of air pressure and change of SF6 gas
pressure. Variations upon an ambient parameter variation can
be compensated for by suitable transducers. The need for
compensation will depend on the degree of variation and the
actual operating conditions. For frequent operation adaptation
control may be good enough to gradually take small variations
into account. The system can compensate the circuit breakers
expected operating time for variations in temperature,
pressures, SF6 gas pressure and auxiliary voltage supply. In
this paper we only discuss SF6 gas pressure compensation for
real time monitoring of sf6 gas pressure for optimization point
on wave switching of sf6 circuit breaker [2].
IX. SF6 GAS COMPENSATION

Figure.2 Opening operation of circuit breaker with a control system [6]

1 - Current zero crossing

2 - Phase R current
3 - Open command input
4 - Open output (power output to open CB coil)
5 - Breaker Contacts
Ty - Delay to achieve breaker synchronization (calculated)
Topen - Mechanical breaker opening time (predicted)
Tarc - Arcing delay (planned and Para metered)

SF6 gas is the ideal media for the arc interruption and
dielectric strength. This compensation comes into action
during the closing operation; at close time SF6 gas rated
pressure is 7 Kg/cm at
C temperature. Real time
monitoring of SF6 gas pressure is very important for the
compensation provided in the system. In table I we provide
the sf6 gas compensation with the help of windows based
software in this we set breaker close time of 80 msec for each
phase (R, Y, B) and sf6 gas pressure is varied. In this the ideal
operation is performed when sf6 gas pressure in 7 kg/cm at
C temperature As the temperature increases the sf6 gas
pressure should be decreased [9].
TABLE I
SF6 GAS PRESSURE COMPENSATION FOR BREAKER CLOSE TIME

sf6 (kg/cm)

Breaker CLOSE time

R (msec)

Y (msec)

4.69

80

80

80

6.21

80

80

80

7.45

80

80

80

8.71

80

80

80

X. RESULTS OF SF6 GAS COMPENSATION

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B (msec)

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) - Volume4 Issue7- July 2013
SF6 circuit breaker gives the best results during closing and
opening thats why they are widely used in the power system
The best about this circuit breaker is SF6 gas which quenches
the arc in very less time among all other circuit breaker. Table
II describes the final results we obtained when we set the coil
voltage at 110 Volts and we varied the close angle i e and
and as shown in Figure and 3, the error is very less i e
when our closing angle is
breaker closing pulse is at
voltage peak and when our angle is breaker closing pulse is
at voltage zero. In this we take R- Phase for reference.
TABLE III
SF6 GAS PRESSURE COMPENSATION

DC1
Voltage

SF6
Pressure R
(kg/cm)

Figure. 5 R-Phase wave form when closing angle is 0

Expected Observed
Time
Time Error
(msec)
(msec)

109.49

4.96

4.97

112.8

6.21

109.69
112.7

0.35

0.35

6.22 6.25

0.95

0.95

7.41

7.45 7.48

-0.45

-0.45

8.71

8.71 8.66

0.85

0.85

As seen from the Figure 4, when we set the closing angle at 90

degrees we get close command at the voltage peak which
shows its 90 degrees. Same case in Figure 5 angle is changed
from 90 degree to 0 degree and we get close command exact
at 0 degrees. This shows Sf6 gas pressure compensation
comes into action when we perform closing operation and
gives accurate results even when we have less pressure.

In Figure 6, it can be seen that the expected time and observed

time are very close to each other so the error is reduced to a
minimum. Thus, after giving the close command to the circuit
breaker so it will be closed at the expected time. Figure 4 and
5 gives the resulted wave form of the Sf6 gas pressure
compensation.

Fig. 6 R-Phase Close Time Characteristics with SF6 gas compensation

Figure. 4 R- Phase waveform when closing angle is 90

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XI. CONCLUSIONS
This paper presents a method for setting the close and open
targets in a controlled switching system based on sf6 gas
pressure compensation which is provided with the help of
windows based configuration software. The paper also
highlights the importance of the sf6 gas pressure
compensation as sf6 gas pressure is not in a healthy state, we
cannot achieve point on wave switching. To achieve the point
on wave switching in circuit breakers there are various types
of compensations like idle time compensation, coil voltage
compensation, temperature compensation etc. which are not
described in this paper. This paper is only meant for the sf6
gas pressure compensation. Furthermore, it was confirmed, in
connection with the variations in closing or opening time in
response to the operating conditions, that the operating
characteristics could be stably compensated over a long period
by using the characteristics obtained from the factory test.

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) - Volume4 Issue7- July 2013
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work is supported by the CG Global R&D Centre
Crompton Greaves Ltd. The grateful acknowledgement is
made to the contributions of Upendra Kambli, Neelabh
Trivedi, Mayank Shukla, Rohit Jain, Rohit Arora and Roshan
Joseph for giving their support in the development and testing
of the work described in this paper.

[3]

[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]

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