Development of a hvdc prototype breaker. Final report, November 5, 1975-October 1, 1978. [400 kV]

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:5352972

The significant design features of a high-voltage dc (hvdc) circuit breaker based on the commutation concept have been developed. Tests of components indicate the breaker is capable of interrupting a fault current of 10 kA on a 400 kV system and absorbing up to 10 MJ of system energy without generating more than 1.6 per unit (P.U.) voltage on the system. Interactions of the breaker with a three-terminal network were studied, using a system simulator. An ultrafast hydraulic actuator system was developed for this program. It enables the breaker, which is independent of terminal actions, to respond rapidly to a trip signal and to initiate the current limiting process within 5 ms after receipt of a trip signal. A new hydraulic valve, operated by a repulsion coil, minimizes the delay before motion begins. Interruption will occur in series-connected vacuum interrupters chosen because of their unique ability to interrupt high dI/dt before current zero followed by a high rate of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV) with a short contact gap. A 400 kV circuit breaker is estimated to require eight breaks in series. Only a single break has been tested as part of this program because of the scale and cost required for multibreak tests. System energy will be absorbed by zinc-oxide-based surge suppressors included as an integral part of the breaker. Their extremely nonlinear current-voltage characteristic allows them to be operated with no series gaps. The overall design is envisioned as a dead tank type using pressurized SF/sub 6/ gas as a dielectric medium. The actuator and all contol functions are located at ground potential, with easy access for inspection or adjustment. Operational specifications such as duty cycle and operating temperature range have been carried over from NEMA standards for ac power circuit breakers where applicable.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Corporate Research and Development Dept.
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-76ET29054
• OSTI ID: 5352972
• Report Number(s): SRD-78-149
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
DESIGN
EHV DC SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SULFUR FLUORIDES
DC SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER SYSTEMS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TESTING
200302* - Power Transmission & Distribution- DC Systems- (1989-)