US3538277A - High voltage circuit breaker with resistance means - Google Patents

High voltage circuit breaker with resistance means Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3538277A
US3538277A US736702A US3538277DA US3538277A US 3538277 A US3538277 A US 3538277A US 736702 A US736702 A US 736702A US 3538277D A US3538277D A US 3538277DA US 3538277 A US3538277 A US 3538277A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
resistance
resistor
circuit breaker
circuit
main
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US736702A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Virgel E Phillips
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3538277A publication Critical patent/US3538277A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/16—Impedances connected with contacts
    • H01H33/166—Impedances connected with contacts the impedance being inserted only while closing the switch

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a high voltage electric circuit breaker and, more particularly, to a high voltage circuit breaker in which resistors are preinserted in the circuit during closing to reduce the severity of the switching surge produced by the closing operation.
  • circuit breakers described in these references typically include series-connected main breaks and, for each main break, a closing resistor that is switched into the circuit in parallel With its break just before the main contacts of the break engage.
  • An object of my invention is to limit this peak surge voltage on closing or reclosing to a value substantially less than that obtainable by prior resistor-preinserting arrangements, e.g., to less than about 1.7 per-unit under most circuit conditions.
  • I provide a high voltage circuit breaker for opening and reclosing the circuit through a power line.
  • the circuit breaker comprises a plurality of series-connected pairs of main contacts, the contacts of each pair being separable to establish a gap therebetween during a circuit-opening operation.
  • Automatic reclosing means is provided for reengaging said main contacts following a circuit-opening operation within 40 electrical cycles of said opening operation.
  • Resistance means are respectively associated with said pairs of main contacts.
  • First switching means is operable to connect at least a portion of said resistance means across their associated gaps during a reclosing Patented Nov. 3, 1970 operation prior to reengagement of said main contacts, thereby providing a first predetermined effective value of resistance in parallel with said gaps.
  • Second switching means is provided for subsequently reducing the effective resistance in parallel with said gaps durings a later portion of said reclosing operation prior to reengagement of said main contacts.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a circuit breaker embodying one form of my invention.
  • FIG. la is a schematic view showing more details of the circuit breaker of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic showing of the operating mechanism for the auxiliary resistor switches used in the circuit breaker of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a modified form of my invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another modified form.
  • FIG. l there is shown a high voltage circuit breaker 10- comprising a pair of circuit-controlling assemblies 12 and 14.
  • Each circuit controlling assembly comprises a metal tank 20 ⁇ at a high voltage with respect to ground and a hollow insulating column 17 supporting the tank 20 and insulating it from ground. At its lower end each insulating column 17 is fixed to a suitable frame (not shown).
  • the circuit-controlling assemblies 12 and 14 are electrically connected in series in one of the phases or lines 15 of a high voltage A-C circuit.
  • circuit-controlling assemblies are, for the most part, constructed in the manner disclosed and claimed in the aforesaid Miller application 434,270. Since the details of the circuit-controlling assemblies form no part of the present invention, many of the components have been omitted from the drawing, and those that are ineluded are shown in a simplified schematic form.
  • a Wiring diagram is provided to illustrate the components of the circuitcontrolling assembly 12 or 14 that are located within the high voltage tank 20. More specifically, disposed within each tank 20 are two serially connected pairs 22 and 24 of relatively-movable main contacts. Each pair of main contacts comprises a stationary contact 25 and a movable contact 26. The two stationary contacts are supported on terminal lbushing 28 projecting through opposite ends of metal tank 20. These bushings comprise conductive studs 29 for carrying current to and from the stationary contacts 25 and tubular insulators 30 for insulating conductors 29 and the stationary contacts 25 from tank 20 when the circuit breaker is open, as shown in FIG. l.
  • FIG. l Shunting each pair of main contacts in FIG. l is the series combination of a main resistor 32 and a main resistor switch 34.
  • Main resistor switch 34 comprises a stationary contact 36 and a movable contact 37.
  • Resistors 32 when connected across the main contacts 22 and 24, serve to control the rate of voltage build-up across the main contacts during a circuit-opening operation and also to control the magnitude of the surge voltage developed when the circuit breaker is closed.
  • each resistor switch must be closed slightly ahead of the main contacts which it shunts.
  • the resistor switches in the two circuit-controlling assemblies must be closed substantially simultaneously in order to reduce the chances for a flashover of the insulation paralleling the last switch to close.
  • Miller application and in U.S. Pat. 3,333,071- Oppel et al. means are shown and claimed for effecting this substantially simultaneous lclosing of the resistor switches at a point prior to main contact engagement, and such means (to be referred to later) may be used in my circuit breaker.
  • resistors 32 By selecting suitable values for resistors 32, it is possible to limit the peak line-to-neutral sur-ge voltage on closing to a maximum of about 2.0 per unit under most circuit conditions, but for some applications this is still too high. As pointed out hereinabove, an object of my invention is to limit this peak surge voltage on closing to a substantially lower value, e.g., 1.7 per unit.
  • the value of resistance across each break is the effective resistance of the parallel combination of resistors 42 and 32, which is, of course, less than the value of resistance initially preinserted. I have found that this reduction in resistance following initial resistor preinsertion and before main contact engagement makes it possible to reduce the peak surge voltage very substantially compared to the peak surge voltage developed without the intermediate reduction in resistance.
  • the optimum effective resistances appear to be about 1000 ohms on the first step and albout 200 ohms on the second step.
  • the 200 ohm eifective resistance on the second step is obtained by using resistors 42 that have a total resistance of 250 ohms.
  • the main resistors 32 can each be of equal size; and thus, in this specific embodiment, each has a resistance of 250 ohms.
  • the auxiliary resistors 42 likewise can each be of equal size and, thus, in this specific embodiment each has a resistance of 62.5 ohms.
  • the computer studies indicate that a circuit breaker equipped with such resistors will limit the peak line-to-neutral surge voltage to about 1.6 per unit upon closing or reclosing a circuit having the assumed surge impedance.
  • a type of switching duty which can be particularly severe from the standpoint of producing high surge voltages is closing on a line with trapped charges thereon. This situation is most commonly encountered with automatic reclosing breakers, which are typically reclosed within 40 electrical cycles after an opening operation, and, in some cases, in a much shorter time. In dry weather, the trapped charge on an open line can remain within a few percent of its initial value at the end of even a second or more. Thus, substantially the full trapped charge may Ibe present on an unfaulted line when the circuit breaker recloses. As is known, the presence of this charge increases the severity of the switching surges produced by closing. But with my special resistor preinsertion arrangement, I can still limit the maximum line-to-neutral surge voltage on reclosing to less than 1.7 per unit despite the trapped charge.
  • Another type of switching duty is the closing or reclosing of transmission lines which have shunt reactor compensation.
  • the interaction of the shunt reactor and transmission line capacitance results in an oscillating voltage on the transmission line, typically of from 30 to 58 hertz, when the line is deenergized.
  • I can limit the maximum line-to-neutral surge voltage on reclosing a shuntreactor-compensated transmission line to less than 1.7 per unit.
  • the disclosed circuit breaker is an automatic reclosing circuit breaker and thus includes suitable means, schematically indicated at 46 in FIG. la, for producing reclosing of the circuit breaker within 40 electrical cycles after opening.
  • the means for producing automatic reclosing can be of any suitable conventional type, such as shown for example in U.S. Pat. 2,582,027-Golf, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and its details are therefore not shown.
  • FIG. 1a shows, in schematic form, the reclosing control 46 controlling the closing operator 47, which may be constructed as shown in the aforesaid Miller application. In the Miller application, the closing operator directly controls the resistor switches (as depicted in FIG. la). The main breaks are controlled by a separate operator, indicated at 48, which is triggered into operation at a predetermined point in the resistor switch closing stroke.
  • FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of a suitable operating mechanism for the auxiliary resistor switches 40 lin each tank 20.
  • This mechanism comprises a piston 50l coupled to the movable contact arms 45 of auxiliary resistor switches 40 and an opening spring 52 biasing the contact arms toward open position.
  • a normally-closed control valve 54 controls operation of the piston 50.
  • This control valve normally vents the space 55 above piston 50.
  • control valve 54 is opened to apply pressurized gas to the top of piston 50 and drive contact arms 45 closed.
  • the valve 54 is reclosed by suitable means (not shown) to vent the space 55, thus allowing the auxiliary resistor switches to reopen under the influence of their opening spring 52.
  • the auxiliary resistors are taken out of the circuit immediately following closing of the main contacts 26 and before the main contacts can reopen.
  • auxiliary resistor switches 40 By opening the auxiliary resistor switches 40 when the main contacts 22, 24 are closed, I eliminate any need for the auxiliary resistor switches to have interrupting ability. More specifically, since the main contacts 22, 24 are closed when the resistor switches 40 are caused to open, the resistors 42 are not then carrying any current, and therefore no current is passing through the resistor switches 40 when they are opened. Also, by inserting resistors 42 in the circuit only during closing, I can limit the time the resistors are required to carry current and hence can limit their required thermal capacity.
  • resistor switches 34 are made to open prior to opening of the main contacts 22, 24 during circuit breaker opening, and the opening of resistor switches 40 is delayed until after opening of the main contacts 22, 24. This causes resistor 42 to be the opening resistor. This results in a lower resistance being present on opening and therefore in a lower rate of voltage build-up across the main contacts 22, 24.
  • FIG. 1 shows only a single auxiliary resistor 42 connectable in parallel with each main break 42, it is to be understood that additional auxiliary resistors for connection in parallel with the main resistor can be provided to permit more gradual reductions in resistance as the closing operation proceeds. This more gradual reduction in resistance enables further reductions in surge voltage to be made; but these reductions appear to be relatively minor, and ordinarily I prefer to use only single intermediate reduction in resistance, as is provided with the arrangement of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of my invention.
  • This embodiment comprises main contacts 22, 24, main closing resistors 32, main resistor switches 34 of substantially the same form and operating in the same manner as in FIG. l. Accordingly, these particular parts have been assigned the same reference numerals as corresponding parts in FIG. l.
  • the reduced resistance during the second step of the closing operation is obtained by shorting out a section of each of the main resistors 32. This is done with a series of auxiliary switches 50, each having one contact 52 connected to an intermediate tap point 53 on resistor 32 and its other contact 54 connected through conductor 56 to a point 57 between adjacent resistors 32.
  • each auxiliary switch 50' When each auxiliary switch 50' is closed, it shorts out a portion of its associated resistor 32, thus reducing the effective resistance across the main contacts 22 or 24 to the resistance of the unshorted portion of the resistor.
  • This switching arrangement can be used to provide the same effective resistances across each main break as in FIG. 1 and also the same lapse of time between the switching steps.
  • the same operating mechanism as schematically shown in FIG. 2 can be used for operating the auxiliary resistor switch 50.
  • This operating mechanism opens the auxiliary resistor switch 50 immediately after the main contacts close, thus excluding the auxiliary resistor switch 50 from any subsequent opening operation in the same way as auxiliary resistor 42 of FIG. l is excluded.
  • each resistor 32 can be provided with an additional tap and an additional auxiliary switch 60 for connecting in this additional tap at an appropriate time after the first tap is connected in. Closing of the additional auxiliary switch 60 shorts out an additional portion of the resistor 32 thereby further lowering the effective resistance across the main break.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of my invention.
  • a single resistor 32 and a single resistor switch 34 are connected in parallel with each main break.
  • all of the resistor switches 34 are closed substantially simultaneously at an instant at least 240 electrical degrees before all of the main breaks 22, 24 have been closed.
  • the main breaks are not closed substantially simultaneously, as in the other arrangement.
  • the main breaks 22, 24 of circuit-controlling assembly 12 are closed; and then, at least 120- electrical degrees later, the main breaks 22, 24 of circuit-controlling assembly 14 are closed.
  • resistors having a total resistance of about equal to the surge impedance of the line are used. On the second switching step, this resistance is reduced to half this value. In this specilic arrangement, the resistors each have a resistance of ohms.
  • FIG. 4 is simpler than the other arrangements in that it has fewer resistors and resistor switches, but it has the disadvantage of subjecting one of the circuit-controlling assemblies 14 to the entire voltage across the breaker during the interval when its main breaks are still open while the main breaks of assembly 12 are closed.
  • This is ordinarily tolerable where only two circuit-controlling assemblies are connected in series (as in FIG. 4) and each must anyway be designed for at least one-half the full voltage.
  • each circuit-controlling assembly is ordinarily designed for lower voltages and cannot tolerate the application of full voltage.
  • first switching means operable to connect at least a portion of said resistance means across their associated inter-contact gaps during a reclosing operation prior to reengagement of said main contacts, thereby providing first predetermined effective values of resistance in parallel with said gaps
  • said second switching means operating at least 120 electrical degrees after said first switching means is operated during said reclosing operation and at least 120 electrical degrees prior to reengagement of its associated main contacts
  • the total resistance connected across said main contacts when said second switching means is operated is between 0.4 and 0.8 times the surge impedance of the energized line.
  • each of said resistance means comprises iirst and second resistors connectable in parallel with its associated pair of main contacts,
  • switching means operable to connect at least a portion of said resistance means across their associated inter-contact gaps during a reclosing operation prior to reengagement of said main contacts, thereby providing a first effective value of resistance in series with said energized line
  • said lirst and second values of resistance being of a magnitude to consistently limit the peak line-toneutral surge voltage produced by reclosing to less than 2.0 per unit.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
US736702A 1968-06-13 1968-06-13 High voltage circuit breaker with resistance means Expired - Lifetime US3538277A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US73670268A 1968-06-13 1968-06-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3538277A true US3538277A (en) 1970-11-03

Family

ID=24960958

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US736702A Expired - Lifetime US3538277A (en) 1968-06-13 1968-06-13 High voltage circuit breaker with resistance means

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3538277A (de)
JP (1) JPS4613210B1 (de)
CH (1) CH495624A (de)
DE (1) DE1929551A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2010846A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1261592A (de)
SE (1) SE365065B (de)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3676621A (en) * 1971-05-28 1972-07-11 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co High voltage electrical circuit breaker with preinsertion resistor during closing
US3891893A (en) * 1973-05-28 1975-06-24 Sprecher & Schuh Ag High-voltage power switch
US3935407A (en) * 1973-09-25 1976-01-27 Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen Gebruder Scheubeck K.G. Multiphase vacuum switch assembly having cam operated spring charging drive mechanism with lost motion connection
US3995198A (en) * 1973-05-14 1976-11-30 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-G.M.B.H. High voltage circuit breaker
US4044210A (en) * 1975-07-17 1977-08-23 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Fluid-blast circuit interrupter
EP0050826A3 (en) * 1980-10-25 1983-02-09 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Circuit breaker having a parallel resistor arrangement
DE3227466A1 (de) * 1981-09-04 1983-05-26 Tokyo Shibaura Denki K.K., Kawasaki, Kanagawa Leistungsschalter
US4550356A (en) * 1982-12-09 1985-10-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Circuit breaker
US5391930A (en) * 1991-05-23 1995-02-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Circuit breaker with parallel resistor
US6075684A (en) * 1998-03-23 2000-06-13 Electric Boat Corporation Method and arrangement for direct current circuit interruption
US20120187089A1 (en) * 2008-10-27 2012-07-26 Xuanshu Chen High-voltage, super-voltage and heavy current breaker

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4488021A (en) * 1981-11-12 1984-12-11 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Gas insulated disconnector

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US730108A (en) * 1901-10-03 1903-06-02 Paul Jacques Mathurin Girault Method of starting and regulating the speed of induction-motors.
US1563833A (en) * 1919-12-05 1925-12-01 Electrical Engineer S Equipmen High-tension air-break switch
US1861129A (en) * 1929-08-26 1932-05-31 Milliken Humphreys Circuit breaker
US2639357A (en) * 1945-08-07 1953-05-19 Kesselring Fritz Current limiting apparatus
US3052783A (en) * 1957-07-19 1962-09-04 Siemens Ag Compressed-gas circuit interrupters
US3291947A (en) * 1964-06-12 1966-12-13 Westinghouse Electric Corp Interrupting structures for compressedgas circuit interrupters having double-break hollow rotative moving contact-arm assembly
US3333071A (en) * 1966-05-03 1967-07-25 Gen Electric High voltage electric circuit breaker with means for precisely coordinating the operation of widely spaced components

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US730108A (en) * 1901-10-03 1903-06-02 Paul Jacques Mathurin Girault Method of starting and regulating the speed of induction-motors.
US1563833A (en) * 1919-12-05 1925-12-01 Electrical Engineer S Equipmen High-tension air-break switch
US1861129A (en) * 1929-08-26 1932-05-31 Milliken Humphreys Circuit breaker
US2639357A (en) * 1945-08-07 1953-05-19 Kesselring Fritz Current limiting apparatus
US3052783A (en) * 1957-07-19 1962-09-04 Siemens Ag Compressed-gas circuit interrupters
US3291947A (en) * 1964-06-12 1966-12-13 Westinghouse Electric Corp Interrupting structures for compressedgas circuit interrupters having double-break hollow rotative moving contact-arm assembly
US3333071A (en) * 1966-05-03 1967-07-25 Gen Electric High voltage electric circuit breaker with means for precisely coordinating the operation of widely spaced components

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3676621A (en) * 1971-05-28 1972-07-11 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co High voltage electrical circuit breaker with preinsertion resistor during closing
US3995198A (en) * 1973-05-14 1976-11-30 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-G.M.B.H. High voltage circuit breaker
US3891893A (en) * 1973-05-28 1975-06-24 Sprecher & Schuh Ag High-voltage power switch
US3935407A (en) * 1973-09-25 1976-01-27 Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen Gebruder Scheubeck K.G. Multiphase vacuum switch assembly having cam operated spring charging drive mechanism with lost motion connection
US4044210A (en) * 1975-07-17 1977-08-23 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Fluid-blast circuit interrupter
US4454394A (en) * 1980-10-25 1984-06-12 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Circuit breaker having a parallel resistor
EP0050826A3 (en) * 1980-10-25 1983-02-09 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Circuit breaker having a parallel resistor arrangement
DE3227466A1 (de) * 1981-09-04 1983-05-26 Tokyo Shibaura Denki K.K., Kawasaki, Kanagawa Leistungsschalter
US4434333A (en) 1981-09-04 1984-02-28 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Circuit breaker device
US4550356A (en) * 1982-12-09 1985-10-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Circuit breaker
US5391930A (en) * 1991-05-23 1995-02-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Circuit breaker with parallel resistor
US6075684A (en) * 1998-03-23 2000-06-13 Electric Boat Corporation Method and arrangement for direct current circuit interruption
US20120187089A1 (en) * 2008-10-27 2012-07-26 Xuanshu Chen High-voltage, super-voltage and heavy current breaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE365065B (de) 1974-03-11
JPS4613210B1 (de) 1971-04-05
CH495624A (de) 1970-08-31
GB1261592A (en) 1972-01-26
DE1929551A1 (de) 1970-01-02
FR2010846A1 (de) 1970-02-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3660721A (en) Protective equipment for an alternating current power distribution system
US4459629A (en) Electric circuit breaker utilizing semiconductor diodes for facilitating interruption
US3809959A (en) Circuit interrupting means for high-voltage direct current
US4550356A (en) Circuit breaker
US3538277A (en) High voltage circuit breaker with resistance means
US3538278A (en) High voltage electric circuit breaker
US8264803B2 (en) Alternator circuit-breaker with an inserted resistance
CA3000574C (en) Mechatronic circuit-breaker device
US3566055A (en) Isolating circuit breaker
US4087664A (en) Hybrid power circuit breaker
US3560682A (en) Vacuum interrupter with shunting main contact structure and series disconnecting contact structure
US7986061B2 (en) Electrical switching device
US3708638A (en) Vacuum type electric circuit breaker
US2134572A (en) Electric circuit breaker
US3004116A (en) Air-break disconnecting switch
US4488021A (en) Gas insulated disconnector
US2675505A (en) Multibreak circuit breaker with protective impedances
JPH04332416A (ja) ガス断路器及びガス絶縁開閉装置
US1720566A (en) Circuit-controlling device
US2281752A (en) Circuit breaker
US3244842A (en) Circuit interrupter
US3863041A (en) High-voltage circuit-interrupter having a closing resistance and improved shunting-resistance contacts therefor
US3912974A (en) Circuit breaker
US4286301A (en) H.V. current cut-out circuit
US2810805A (en) Circuit interrupting and isolating switch