Final Report

PROJECT REPORT
ON
HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT
SUBMITTED BY:
NAME: KARAN GUPTA
ENROLLMENT NO.:F15 (L&D-P-02)
PROGRAMME: B.TECH (EE)
DECLARATION BY STUDENT
I hereby declare that this Internship Project Report
is an authentic record of my own work carried out
at TATA POWER-DDL, DELHI as requirement of 6
weeks Industrial Training. This is my own study
done under the guidance of staff and Managers of
the company.
I hereby declare that the contents of this report are
true and best to my knowledge
Karan Gupta
Department Of Electrical Engineering
Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram University Of Science &
Technology
Murthal, ( Sonepat).
DECLARATION BY ORGANIZATION
This is to certify that the Internship project
report is prepared by Karan Gupta of Deen
Bandhu Chhotu Ram University Of Science And
Technology with TATA POWER -DDL is his original
work. This has been carried out as Summer
Internship as a part of Bachelor of Technology
at Electrical Engineering Department under my
guidance for the period of 1st june- 11th july
His performance here was satisfactory and I wish
him a successful and a bright future.
Place: Delhi
Date: 14TH JULY
Mr. K.K. Jain (HOD, North-West distribution,
TP-DDL)
Mr. Sandeep Bhardwaj ( senior manager,
North-West distribution, TP-DDL)
Mr. Vijender Rathore ( manager, TP-DDL)
PREFACE
Industrial training is a vital part in the progress of
fledgling engineers. For me this is the first rendezvous of
practical knowledge with the theoretical concepts
acquired during the years in college. I was very fortunate
that I got the opportunity of undergoing training in one of
the most sophisticated and modern Grid Substation.
Industrial training is a vital part in the progress of
fledgling engineers. The experience gained during this
short stay here was fascinating to say the list. It was a
tremendous feeling to see the practical operation of
different equipment and processes, which until now
existed for us only in books. I was deputed in Protection &
Testing Department for my training.
In this short stay it was possible for me to wholly decipher
the detailed functioning of the Grid Substation; but still I
am fortunate enough to get a sound overview of the unit,
thanks to the guidance extended by the people of
Protection & Testing Department.
KARAN GUPTA
INDEX
Executive
summary
..10
Introduction
..11
Main
objectives
of
taking
this
project..12
Definition
of
faults
13
Reasons
of
faults
.14
Fault
statistics
...16
Main
kind
of
faults....1
7
Harmful
effects
of
faults.19
Methods of controlling the tripping in the lines
and
grids
.21
Types of insulators to be used in the circuits i.e
in
the
lines
..23
Brief overview of equipments used in the
grids29
ABOUT TATA POWER -DDL
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited [TPDDL] is a joint

venture between Tata Power and the Government of NCT
of Delhi with the majority stake being held by Tata Power
(51%). TPDDL distributes electricity in North & North West
parts of Delhi and serves a populace of 6 million. The
company started operations on July 1, 2002 post the
unbundling of the erstwhile Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB).
With a registered consumer base of 1.35 million and a
peak load of around 1573 MW, the companys operations
span across an area of 510 sq.kms.
Since
privatization,
the
Aggregate
Technical
&
Commercial (AT&C) losses in TPDDL areas have shown a
record decline. AT&C loss is a measure of overall
efficiency of the distribution business which is the
difference between units input into the system and the
units for which the payment is collected. Today, AT&C
losses stand at 11% which is an unprecedented reduction
of around 79% from an opening loss level of 53% in July
2002.
On the power supply front too, TPDDL areas have shown

remarkable improvement. The company has implemented
high-tech automated systems for its entire distribution
network. Systems such as SCADA, Geographical
Information System [GIS], Outage Management System
[OMS], DMS and OTS are the cornerstone of the
companys distribution automation project. To fight the
menace of power theft, modern technologies like High
Voltage Distribution (HVDS) System and LT Arial Bunch
Conductor have been adopted.
TPDDL has to its credit several firsts in Delhi: SCADA
controlled Grid Stations, Automatic Meter Reading, GSM
based Street Lighting system and SMS based Fault
Management System. To ensure complete transparency,
TPDDL has also provided online information on billing and
payment to all its 1.35 million consumers. As a step
towards captive generation, TPDDL has also established a
new 108MW gas based combined cycle power generating
facility at Rithala, North Delhi.
TPDDL is also a member of a global Intelligent Utility

Network (IUN) coalition which is working towards
accelerating the development of common standards,
technology solutions and processes for intelligent
networks. TPDDL is the first Indian utility to join the IUN
Coalition which also includes utilities from North America,
Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.
TPDDL is the only Utility in the Country to have been

empanelled by the Power Finance Corporation, Govt. of
Indias nodal implementation agency for its Restructured

Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (RAPDRP), as IT Consultant, IT Implementation Agency (for
all four roles i.e. System Integrator, Network solution
Provider, GIS Solution Provider and Meter Data Acquisition
Service Provider) and SCADA Consultant. TPDDL is also
empanelled with the Rural Electrification Corporation as
System Consultant/IT and Energy Auditing and is
currently providing consultancies to various National and
International utilities on IT/ SCADA implementation e.g.
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh etc. TPDDL has been assigned
with consultancy service project with newly privatized
utility in Nigeria.
TPDDLs change management experience, distributed

leadership system, adoption of latest technology; robust
competence development process and innovative & open
work culture are the key strategic boosters which helped
in building and sustaining competitive advantage in the
changing business scenario.
A journey which began a decade ago for empowering the

consumers in Delhi now holds the potential to transform
the distribution sector in India and similarly help utilities
across the globe. Today, TPDDL is providing project
management and consultancy services to the states of
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. It is also exploring
opportunities in Chhattisgarh and Punjab. The company is
providing a technical and management support to a
Distribution Company in Nigeria and is also looking for
consultancy assignments in Kurdistan, Turkey and Iraq.
TPDDL is sensitive to the aspect of Climate Change and is

committed to introduce energy efficient and greener
technologies.
As a part of the Tata Group, TPDDL carries forward the

Groups ethos of giving back to society. In fact,
Reaching out to communities TPDDL operates in is
an integral part of the companys mission statement. This
drives a wide array of Corporate Social Responsibility
efforts of the company. TPDDLs CSR Policy rests on four
main pillars Employability, Entrepreneurship, Education
and Employment.
Apart from this, Tata Power Delhi Distribution also works

on various projects to preserve and regenerate the
environment. It is a member of the Greening Agency
within the Department of Forest & Wildlife, Government
of Delhi and is committed to promote tree plantation.
TPDDL
has
been
aggressively
creating
energy
conservation awareness though its Energy Club programs
comprising of students from over 190 member schools.
More than 2 lakhs students and 10 lakhs people have
been sensitized to the issue of climate change and
conservation through this initiative.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution has won several accolades

for its pioneering efforts in transforming the power
distribution scene in its licensed area both at the national
10
and international levels. It has been conferred with the

National Award for Meritorious Performance thrice by the
Ministry of Power, Government of India for outstanding
performance in power distribution. It has also won six
Asian Power Awards in a row and holds a rare distinction
of becoming the first power distribution utility from India
to have received the prestigious Edison Award twice, in
the international category in 2008 Edison Award and
again in 2009 for Policy Advocacy.
Some of the other key recognitions include Best

Performing Private Discom Award at Power Line Award2013, IPPAI Award 2013, international Palladium Balanced
Scorecard Hall of Fame award- 2008, SAP Ace award
2008; UPN, USA metering award. It is also the youngest
company and the first power utility in India to receive the
prestigious CII EXIM Award for strong Commitment to
Excel. It is also the only distribution utility to receive the
ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification.
TPDDL has been ranked 46th in the India's Best
Companies to Work for 2013 Survey and recognized as
2nd best in the Best in Class Energy, Oil and Gas
Industry by the Great Places to Work, India.
11
Executive Summary
In Power System, faults are such phenomenon that are

generally encountered in the the circuits as there may be
many reasons, out of which may be due to the SHORTCIRCUITS . When the faults in the circuit occurs then they
are tripped due to the RELAYS AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
that are present . These also serves as the protection
devices
that
protects
the
circuit
from
some
mishappenings that are connected through proper PLC
AND SCADA system that helps in sending the signals from
grids to grids to avoid any failure or mishappenings.
The purpose of this work is to provide a concise

description for techniques that are used in the TP-DDL
and also provide a measure to schedule the maintenance
of such schemes in the power system.
12
INTRODUCTION
All electrical machines, apparatus mad other form of

electrical equipment must satisfy two main requirementsthey must be able to operate continuously under normal
service conditions and must be able to withstand short
time over currents and over voltages such may arise
during emergent conditions.
For operation of electrical machines and apparatus with
full reliability in normal operating conditions, the following
2 req. must be met:Rated current actual load current
Rated voltage working voltage of piece of equipment
Owing to the fact that conditions under which the
insulation of equipment intended for operation in the
13
open air are much more severe than that of the

equipment which is installed with in enclosed premises,
due to atmosphere precipitations, corrosive chemical
deposits, fly ash and dust, electrical apparatus and
machines are designed for either indoor or outdoor
service.
In normal operating conditions all circuit elements carry
currents whose magnitude depend upon the value of
generator voltage and effective impedances.
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF TAKING THIS PROJECT WAS: To identify the see what are the main reasons due to
which tripping occurs
To schedule the maintenance program, basically1)Of equipments surrounding the lines which may be
the threat for it
2)Pinpointing Breakers that have anomalies in their
Mechanical operations.
To provide proper measures so that it may not occur
again
14
Now moving ahead we will see how the faults are

occurred and what are the measures that the TP-DDL is
employing to limit the tripping in the lines.
WHAT IS A FAULT?
Faults in an electrical circuit is defined as a defect in a
electrical circuit due to which current is diverted from its
intended path.
An electrical power system is comprising of transformers ,
generators, transmission and distribution circuits, it is
inevitable that sooner or later some failure will occur in
the system. The propability of the failure or occurrence of
abnormal condition is more on power lines, nearly about
one half. This can be explained by the fact that power
lines are more branched, have greater length, operate
under variable weather conditions.
15
There are many factors that are responsible for the faults
in the circuits that we will see ahead but , it mainly
occurs when the current in the circuit becomes
intentionally high and since our components are not
designed to handle this much amount of current, so at
that point tripping becomes necessary otherwise it may
damage the equipments.
REASONS OF FAULTS
According to the causes of the incidence,
causes of failure may be classified as
mentioned below:Breakdown may occur at normal voltage due to
- Ageing or deterioration of insulation
- Damages due to unpredictable happenings such as:-
16
* blowing of heavy winds

* Birdage
* Trees falling on lines
* Vehicles colliding with towers or poles
- Break down may occur due to abnormal voltages
caused by switching strokes and lightening strokes which
may either be direct or induced.
- In winter season fogs are also responsible as they
ruptures the insulators
- Insulation failure is the biggest measure which is seen
now-a-days sa due to repeated contraction and expansion
in them due to temperature change they got some cracks
in them and they get broken.
Image showing birdage
Image showing when trees fell over lines
17
Image showing when vehicles collides with lines
FAULT STATISTICS
It is useful to have some ideas of % of various
types if faults and frequency of fault occurrence in
power system.
18
CAUSES
% OF TOTAL
Lightening
12
Heavy blow of winds
20
Apparatus failure
20
Switching to fault
20
miscellaneous
28
This table shows us the real phenomenon that what are

the factors that are responsible for. Here the
miscellaneous includes the factors like- Birdages, trees
falling on the lines, sabotage, accidents etc.
MAIN KINDS OF FAULTS

The most dangerous and common faults that occur in the
power system are:-
19
TYPES
REASONS
Single phase to ground (L-G) Due to break down of

insulation b/w one of the
phase and earth & due to
birds also.
Phase to Phase (L-L)
Due
to
breakdown
of
insulation b/w either of 2
phase and due to birdage
also.
Two phases to ground (L-L- It may same due

G)
breakdown of insulation
to
Phase to phase and third Due to break down of

phase ground
insulation between 2 the
phases and third phase with
earth
All three phases to ground Break down of insulation
(L-L-L-G)
between all the phases and
the earth
All the 3 phases short circuit Break down of
(L-L-L)
b/w all 3 phases
insulation
Based on the fact that what kind of fault has occurred .

now we will see that how much of what type of fault that
occurred in the overhead lines which is given In the table
shown below-
20
EQUIPMENTS
% OF TOTAL
10
Cables
overhead lines
50
Transformers
10
Switchgear
15
Control equipment
Ct s and Pts
miscellaneous
10
% occurrence of main kind of faults are:-
TYPE OF SHORT CKT. % OCCURRENCE

FAULT
single phase to ground
to ground (L-G)
7070
Phase to phase (L-L)
15
2 phase to ground ( L-LG)
10
21
Phase to phase and third

phase ground
2 or 3
All 3 phases to ground

( L-L-L-G)
2 or 3
All 3 phases short ( L-LL)
2 or 3
Harmful effects of Short circuit faults
Due to short circuit faults heavy currents flow in the

circuit which may have some of the harmful effects .
Some are listed below :1. Excessive heating which may result in fire or
explosion
2. Some times it may take the form of an arc which may
cause considerable damage to the elements of power
system
3.
It may also damage

surrounding them.
the
other
equipments
4. As a result of which stability of the power system

would be adversely affected and even complete shut
down of the power system may occur
22
5. Sometimes in interconnected system , when a fault

develops it is accompanied by a fall in voltage or
frequency, with the result that other loads such as
motors which normally takes power from supply start
feeding the faults.
6. Damage to other equipments in the system may be
caused due to the overheating and due to the
abnormal mechanical forces set up.
7. There may be considerable reduction in voltage on
healthy feeders connected to the system having
faults.
8. It may also have the adverse effects on the
consumers equipments and it may result in the
damage if the short- circuit current is large.
Faults occuring at different locations
LOCATION
FAULTS
ENCOUNTERED
23
IN GRIDS GRID
Faults generally
encountered aretransformer failure,
circuit breaker failure,
LA failure, birdage, L-G
fault, L-L fault, L-L-G
fault.fac.
OVER HEAD LINES
Faults generally
encountered are L-L, LG , insulators failure,
conductor breakdown,
and transients faults.
UNDER GROUND
LINES
Faults may generally

occur due to cuts due
to projections, collasping
of side wall pits, spiking
of wrong cable.
24
Methods to control tripping

So far we have seen that tripping or faults in the circuit
are not good for a healthy power system. Though certain
methods are available to control the tripping but we cant
eliminate it completely, but we can control it to some
extent.
1. Use of bird guards over the cross arms
2. Use of MVLC tape.
25
3. Proper cutting of trees should be done

4. Heating elements should be used inside the panels to
avoid expansion and contraction of cables.
5. Structures should be properly earthed.
6. Insulator material that is used should be made up of
polymers.
These are all measures that we have seen are to

minimize the tripping in the circuit in the lines and that is
what my project is related to. Now we would see in detail
about the insulators that are responsible for tripping in
the circuit and which one is suitable to use.
26
Insulators
Electrical Insulator must be used in electrical system to
prevent unwanted flow of current to the earth from its
supporting points. The insulator plays a vital role in
electrical system. Electrical Insulator is a very high
resistive path through which practically no current can
flow.
The main cause of failure of overhead line insulator, is
flash over, occurs in between line and earth during
abnormal over voltage in the system. During this flash
over, the huge heat produced by arcing, causes puncher
in insulator body. Viewing this phenomenon the materials
used for electrical insulator, has to posses some specific
properties.
Properties of insulating material

1. It should not be porous.
2. It must be mechanically strong enough to carry tension
and weight of conductors.
3. It must have very high dielectric strength to withstand
the voltage stresses in High Voltage system
4. It must possesses high Insulation Resistance to prevent
leakage current to the earth
5. There physical as well as electrical properties must be
less effected by changing temperature
27
The various types of the insulators that are

used in the lines are : Porcelain type insulators
Polymer insulators
Glass insulators
1.
Porcelain type insulators
Porcelain in most commonly used material for over

head insulator in present days. The porcelain is
aluminium silicate.
The surface of
so that water
also should be
main cause of
the insulator should be glazed enough

should not be traced on it. Porcelain
free from porosity since porosity is the
deterioration of its dielectric property.
28
It must also be free from any impurity and air bubble

inside the material which may affect the insulator
properties
Properties
property
Value
Dielectric Strength
60 KV / cm
Compressive Strength
70,000 Kg / cm2
Tensile Strength
500 Kg / cm2
2.
Glass insulator
29
Now days glass insulator has become popular in

transmission and distribution system. Annealed tough
glass is used for insulating purpose. Glass insulator has
numbers of advantages over conventional porcelain
insulator:1. It has very high dielectric strength compared to
porcelain.
2. Its resistivity is also very high.
3. It has low coefficient of thermal expansion
4. It has higher tensile strength compared to porcelain
insulator.
5. As it is transparent in nature the is not heated up in
sunlight as porcelain.
6. The impurities and air bubble can be easily detected
inside the glass insulator body because of its
transparency
Dis-advantages
1. Moisture can easily condensed on glass surface and
hence air dust will be deposited on the wed glass surface
which will provide path to the leakage current of the
system.
2. For higher voltage glass cannot be cast in irregular
shapes since due to irregular cooling internal cooling
internal strains are caused.
30
Properties
Property
Value
Dielectric Strength
140 KV / cm
Compressive Strength
10,000 Kg / cm2
Tensile Strength
35,000 Kg / cm2
3. Polymer type insulator
In a polymer insulator has two parts, one is glass

fiber reinforced epoxy resin rod shaped core and
31
other is silicone rubber or EPDM (Ethylene Propylene

Diene Monomer) made weather sheds. Rod shaped
core is covered by weather sheds. Weather sheds
protect the insulator core from outside environment.
As it is made of two parts, core and weather sheds,
polymer insulator is also called composite
insulator. The rod shaped core is fixed with Hop dip
galvanized cast steel made end fittings in both sides.
Advantages
It is very light weight compared to porcelain and
glass insulator
As the composite insulator is flexible the chance of
breakage becomes minimum
It has higher tensile strength compared to porcelain
insulator
Its performance is better particularly in polluted
areas
Due to lighter weight polymer insulator imposes less
load to the supporting structure .
Dis- advantages
1. Moisture may enter in the core if there is any unwanted
gap between core and weather sheds. This may cause
electrical failure of the insulator.
32
2. Over crimping in end fittings may result to cracks in

the core which leads to mechanical failure of polymer
insulator.
4.
5. Current chopping in Circuit breaker is the incident of arc current
interruption before normal current zero is reached. Current chopping has
associated high rate of rise of recovery voltage .If this recovery voltage is
higher than the arcing voltage then the arc will continue again. But gradually
the current falls and certainly the voltage also reduce and finally fall below
the arcing voltage and ultimately arc is extinguished because of the resistive
component of the system, which dissipates energy. It results in voltage
oscillation in the line which affects the electrical equipments. It is severe in
Air blast circuit breaker (ABCB), Vacuum circuit -breakers (VCB) because
ABCB and VCB gain di-electric strength at a very rapid rate.
33
METHOD TO CURB DOWN THE PROBLEM OF CURRENT

CHOPPING AND CONSEQUENT HIGH TRV.
RESISTANCE SWITCHING
To introduce damping into the LC Circuit at the time of CB opening with a view to
reduce the oscillation frequency, a resistance is placed in parallel with the poles of
circuit breaker.
As the circuit breaker opens, the current continues to flow through the resistance
.Inclusion of resistance reduces the natural frequency and therefore also reduces
the peak magnitude of Transient recovery voltage (TRV).It also eliminates the
chances of Current Chopping.
34
TESTS WHICH ARE CARRIED OUT REGULARLY ON

CIRCUIT BREAKER
TIMER TEST
Timer test is carried out to measure the opening, closing and closing-opening
time.
BASICS TERMS RELATED TO TIMER TEST.
MAIN CONTACT
These are the contacts in charge of establishing or interrupting the current flow in
power circuits. They include a fixed and a moving contact.
The contact's material has to be chosen to have minimum resistance when closed,
to minimize the losses by joule's effect when transiting nominal currents.
The best-suited material is silver plated copper.
ARCING CONTACT
For breakers, the arc can be a powerful generator of heat energy. This heat can
cause fast deterioration of main contact's material. To extend life of the main
contacts, breaker designers tend to separate the permanent current carriers,
called "Main Contacts", from those subjected to the arc effect, and called "Arcing
35
Contacts".
The most common material for arcing contacts is, in general, tungsten alloys,
reputed to have high arc resistant quality, but is less conductive than silver-plated
copper.
TIMING DEFINITIONS ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL

STANDARD
The IEC 56 international standard defines these times as follows:
OPENING TIME
For a circuit breaker tripped by any form of auxiliary power, the opening time is
the interval of time between the instant of energizing the opening release, the
circuit breaker being in the closed position, and the instant when the arcing
contacts have separated in all poles.
Note: The opening time includes the operating time of any auxiliary equipment
necessary to open the circuit breaker and forming an integral part of the circuit
breaker.
CLOSING TIME
The interval of time between energizing the closing circuit, the circuit breaker
being in the open position, and the instant when the contacts touch in all poles.
Note: The closing time includes the operating time of any auxiliary equipment
36
necessary to close the circuit breaker forming an integral part of the circuit breaker.
CLOSE-OPEN TIME
The interval of time between the instant when the contacts touch in the first pole
during a closing operation and the instant when the arcing contacts have separated
in all poles during the subsequent opening operation.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, it is assumed that the opening release incorporated
in the circuit breaker is energized at the instant when the contacts touch in the first
pole during closing. This represents the minimum close-open time.
Breaker opening time should be less than the closing time of the breaker it should
come on the range of 30-45ms. while closing time should be 40-60ms.
CO- time for breaker should at the middle of the closing and opening time.
Opening time < closing Opening time < closing time
CONTACT RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT

This test involves injecting a fixed Direct Current, usually around 300 A(D.C)
through the contacts and measuring the voltage drop across it. This test is done
with a special contact resistance measuring instrument.
37
Then, using Ohm's law, the resistance value is calculated. The resistance value
needs to be compared with the value given by the manufacturer. This value turns
up to be in the range of Micro ohms.
CLASSIFICATION OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS BASED ON ARC

INTERRUPTING MEDIUM
Oil circuit breakers (OCB)

Mineral oil has better insulating property than air. The oil is used to insulate
between the phases and between the phases and the ground, and to extinguish the
arc. When electric arc is drawn under oil, the arc vaporizes the oil and creates a
large bubble of hydrogen that surrounds the arc. The oil surrounding the bubble
conducts the heat away from the arc and thus also contributes to deionization and
extinction of the arc. Disadvantage of the oil circuit breakers is the flammability of
the oil, and the maintenance necessary (i.e. changing and purifying the oil). The oil
circuit breaker is the one of the oldest type of circuit breakers
38
Air circuit breakers (ACB)

The circuit breaker which operates in air at atmospheric pressure. The working
principle of this breaker is rather different from those in any other types of circuit
breakers. The main aim of all kind of circuit breaker is to prevent the reestablishment of arcing after current zero by creating a situation where the contact
gap will withstand the system recovery voltage. The air circuit breaker does the
same but in different manner. For interrupting arc it creates an arc voltage in excess
of the supply voltage. Arc voltage is defined as the minimum voltage required
maintaining the arc. This circuit breaker increases the arc voltage by mainly three
different ways:
It may increase the arc voltage by cooling the arc plasma. As the
temperature of arc plasma is decreased, the mobility of the particle in
arc plasma is reduced; hence more voltage gradient is required to
maintain the arc.
39
It may increase the arc voltage by lengthening the arc path. As the
length of arc path is increased, the resistance of the path is increased,
and hence to maintain the same arc current more voltage is required to
be applied across the arc path. That means arc voltage is increased.
Splitting up the arc into a number of series arcs also increases the arc
voltage
There are mainly two types of ACB available.
1) Plain Air circuit breaker
2) Air-blast circuit breaker
Plain air circuit breaker

Air-break circuit breakers extinguish the arc by simply stretching it until the
dielectric strength of the gap is larger than the voltage across the gap. The longer
arc has a larger cooling surface and higher resistance, which decreases the current
flow and the amount of heat created. To stretch the arc, horn gap shaped contacts
are used. Due to a natural convection, the arc moves upwards. To further increase
the length, the arc is stretched by forcing it into an arc chute made of metal barriers
or insulating material. The metal barriers chop the arc into many smaller arcs. Used
from 120V up to 15KV.
40
Air-blast circuit breaker

In the air-blast breaker the arc is not stretched. To extinguish the arc, a blast of
compressed air is directed into the arc path to cool the ionized gas and remove it
from the gap between the contacts. The compressed air can be blown into the arc
perpendicular to it (cross blast), or along its axis (axial blast). All modern breakers
use the axial blast.
41
Figure 3.a) Axial air-blast breaker
Figure 3.b) Cross Blast Air Circuit Breaker
Sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) circuit breakers

Gas properties
Sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) is an excellent gaseous dielectric for high voltage power
applications. SF6 is a colorless non-toxic gas, with good thermal conductivity and
density approximately five times that of air (6.14 kg/m 3.). It does not react with
materials commonly used in high voltage circuit breakers. It has been used
42
extensively in high voltage circuit breakers and other switchgear employed by the
power industry. Applications for SF6 include gas insulated transmission lines and
gas insulated power distribution substations. The combined electrical, physical,
chemical and thermal properties offer many advantages when used in power
switchgear. Some of the outstanding properties of SF 6 which make its use in power
applications desirable are:
High dielectric strength
Unique arc-quenching ability
Excellent thermal stability
Good thermal conductivity
Disadvantage of the SF6 gas as an arc quenching medium is that, it has been
identified as a greenhouse gas and hence it must be prevented from releasing out
into atmosphere.
VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER

Vacuum circuit breakers are used mostly for low and medium voltages. The
interrupting chambers are made of porcelain and sealed. They cannot be open for
43
maintenance, but life is expected to be about 20 years, provided that the vacuum is
maintained. Because of the high dielectric strength of vacuum, the interrupters are
small. The gap between the contacts is about 1 cm for 15 kV interrupters, 2 mm for
3 kV interrupters.
OPERATION OF VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER:

The main aim of any circuit breaker is to quench arc during current zero crossing,
by establishing high dielectric strength in between the contact so that reestablishment of arc after current zero becomes impossible. The dielectric strength
of vacuum is eight times greater than that of air and four times greater than that of
SF6 gas. The high dielectric strength makes it possible to quench a vacuum arc
within very small contact gap. For short gap, low contact mass and no compression
of quenching medium, the drive energy required in vacuum circuit breaker is
minimum. When two face to face contact areas are just being separated from each
other, they do not separate instantly, contact area on the contact face is being
reduced and ultimately comes to a point and then they are finally separated
.Although this happens in a fraction of second but it is the fact. At this instant of
separation of contacts in a vacuum, the current through the contacts concentrates
on that last contact point on the contact surface and makes a hot spot. As it is
vacuum, the metal on the contact surface is vaporized due to that hot spot and
create a conducting media for arc path. Then the arc will be initiated and continued
until the next current zero.
At this current zero this vacuum arc is extinguished and the conducting metal
vapor is re-condensed on the contact surface. At this point, the contacts are already
separated hence there is no question of re-vaporization of contact surface, for next
cycle of current. That means, the arc cannot be re-established again. In this way
vacuum circuit breaker prevents the re-establishment of arc by producing high
dielectric strength in the contact gap after current zero.
44
There are two types of arc shapes. For interrupting current up to 10KA, the arc
remains diffused and the form of vapor discharge and cover the entire contact
surface .Above 10 KA the diffused arc is constricted considerably by its own
magnetic field and it contracts. The phenomena then gives rise to over heating of
contact at its center. In order to prevent this, the design of the contacts should be
such that the arc does not remain stationary but keeps travelling by its own
magnetic field .Specially designed contact shape of vacuum circuit breaker make
the constricted stationary arc travel along the surface of the contacts, thereby
causing minimum and uniform contact erosion.
ADVANTAGES OF VCB:
45
Very long lifetime of contacts (this provides longer breaker life).

Less maintenance required.
Less moving parts in mechanism.
Less force required to separate the contacts (since distance between them is
shorter).
Environmental friendly, since interruption occurs in vacuum medium.
VCBs do not require any gas or liquid addition. This reduces the possibility
of leakage of gas or any other material that can be hazardous to
environment.
The arcing voltage is very low. The short distance between contacts leads to
short arc length and the metal vapor provides lower arc resistance. Because
of this the arc energy is very low in VCB.
WHY RESIDUAL LIFE ANALYSIS OF VCB REQUIRED?

Accompanying the development of smart grid, the demand of intelligent circuit
breakers would be on a hike and as VCB are widely used in power systems
especially in low and middle voltage power grid, it is reasonable to develop an
online monitoring method. As a core component of VCB, the electrical wear of
contact system directly affects the whole electrical endurance and breaking
capability of VCB. Thus it is very necessary for assessing and monitoring the
electrical wear of VCB contact system.
ELECTRICAL ENDURANCE CURVE AND ITS ROLE
46
As the vacuum extinction chamber cannot be examined and repaired, so the

vacuum circuit breaker was put to electrical endurance test. In order to enhance the
competitive capacity to other company, manufactures carry out a number of
experiments to ascertain the electrical endurance of the product VCB. One group
of VCB electrical endurance curves of ABB company show in Fig.1,and one group
of VCB electrical endurance curves of Schneider electrical company shown in
Fig.2, which shows the relationship between permissible breaking numbers and
interrupting current magnitude and is expressed as formula (1). In Fig1, where Ii is
the breaking current and Ni is the breaking number.
Ni = f (Ii)
REFERENCE [1]
47
REFERENCE [2]
Residual Life Analysis Method

The method proposed is based upon the use of electrical endurance curve, after
having calculated the most probable fault current value in a particular Grid .To
introduce the basics of this concept ,the formula as shown below which gives
relation between breaking numbers N and breaking current Ib and total theoretical
wear Qg , that the breaker can withstand is stated.
48
Where Qg is theoretical wear; N is breaking numbers under breaking current Ib; is

current index. The value of Qg, N and can be got across studying electrical
endurance curves.
ELECTRICAL WEAR MODEL ESTABLISHED BY LEAST

SQUARES METHOD
The least Squares method is one of the mathematical optimization methods, which
is used to minimize the error sum of squares and seek out the best fitting functions.
Relationships between breaking current and breaking numbers, the mathematical
and theoretical model of VCB electrical endurance is established as formula (4).
N(I)=(m/I)... (4)
Where, and m are unknown constants. I is breaking current and N(I) is breaking
numbers. Formula (5) and (6) are the linear change of formula (4).
In(N(I))= * In(m) - * In(I) (5)
y(i) = f(x(i)) = a * x(i) + b. (6)
A hypothesis, y(i) =ln(N(I)), b=ln(m), a=-, x(i) =ln(I).
a and b are unknown constants.
Determination principle of parameters is to minimize the deviation error sum of
squares at the value xi , which shows as formula
E(a,b) = ni=1 [(axi + b)- yi]2
E (a, b) is regards as a two-parameter second-order rational polynomial, and the
theory of two variable function is proposed, the minimum value should fit the
Differential equation (8). The least-square solutions can be gained by solving the
differential equation (8), and then the fitting function (4) can be calculated in
reverse.
49
THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH NEEDS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION

OVER HERE
The method of Least Squares calculates the line of best fit by minimizing the sum
of the Squares of the vertical distances of the points to the line. Lets illustrate with
a simple example.
For a given value of x, say x1, there will be a difference between the value y1 and
the corresponding value as determined by the best fitting curve. This distance,
D1, is referred to as a residual. A residual is the difference from the actual y-value
and the value obtained by plugging the x-value (that goes with the y-value) into the
best fitting curve.
50
Using these residuals, the following definition has been developed:
VALUES FOR ABB(12 KV )VCB CIRCUIT BREAKER
REFERENCE [1]
51
REFERENCE [1]
The total wear Qg of a VCB contact system is certain once contact material and
Structure type is determined. The electrical endurance function can be drawn by
the method proposed based on the least square method.
FIG: 3
REFERENCE [1]
52
This diagram represents the relationship between the total electrical wear Qg and
different breaking current for a circuit breaker which is rated for 1600A (Normal
Load Current).
As stated earlier, the total Electrical Wear, a Circuit breaker can
sustain remains constant once contact material and structure type is determined. So
whatever may be the breaking current magnitude the total electrical wear the
breaker can sustain would be constant. So the value of current index is unique
and can also be obtained by analyzing the diagram as in figure 3.
N(I) = (m/I) ; I is in KA.

Qg = ((m/I) ) * (I) = m =Constant
Similarly, the value of current index can be found for different rated currents like
630A, 800A etc.
In this method presented first we have calculated the Permissible Number of
operations with a fault current value that is the most probable fault level to occur,
individually for incoming feeders and outgoing feeders.
For the circuit breakers having normal load current equal to 1600A (using figure 1)
,the relation between breaking current Ib and breaking numbers Ns turns out to be
N (I) = (273.53/I)1.93
Circuit Breakers having normal load current equal to 1600A are used in Bus
Couplers and incoming feeders.
For the circuit breakers having normal load current equal to 630A, 800A, 1200A
(using figure 2) the relation between breaking current Ib and breaking numbers Ns
turns out to be
N (I) = (174.44/I)2.2
Circuit Breakers having normal load current equal to 630A are used in outgoing
feeders and capacitor bank.
53
Having done this much, we now turn towards calculating the total cumulative
breaking current the breaker would see, had it witnessed its whole life-time.
For Breakers rated at 1600 A, a fault current value of 6.5 KA is taken as the most
probable fault current and the total cumulative breaking current is calculated as
follows:
FOR O/G AND CAP BANK

Based on data from last two years in 50 grids, average fault current experienced by
11kv vacuum circuit breakers in outgoing feeders is 5.5 KA.
Referring to electrical endurance curve of 12 KV,630A vacuum circuit breaker, the

permissible number of operations (Ns) for this value of fault current(I b) can be
calculated as follows Ns(I) = (174.44/I)2.2
Ns(I) = (174.44/5.5)2.2
=2008
CONCLUSION - 2008 number of operations are permissible on a fault current

Value of 5.5 KA
54
That is, these much number of operations on a fault current level of 5.5KA, counts
for complete life time of vacuum circuit breaker.
Hence, the total cumulative breaking current a 12KV,630A vacuum circuit breaker
can see in its entire life-time can be calculated using simple mathematics as
follows
(KA)2 = 2008*(5.5)2
=60742
An alarm signals will pop up on SCADA, as the cumulative breaking current value
reaches 70% of this value.
70% OF (60742)
=0.7*(60742)
=42519
RG-5 -11KV
55
(KA)2
900
800
7 00
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
(KA)2
56
PUSA -11KV
(KA)2
7 00
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
(KA)2
57
KHAMPUR
(KA)2
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
(KA)2
58
59
RG-6
(KA)2
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
(KA)2
BADLI GRID
60
(KA)2
5000
45 00
4000
35 00
3000
25 00
2000
500
11000
5 00
0
MANGOLPURI GRID -1
(KA )2
61
(KA)2
8000
7 000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
MANGOLPURI GRID -2
(KA)2
62
(KA)2
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
RG -3
(KA)2
63
(KA)2
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
(KA)2
64
CENNET (NSP)
65
(KA)2
900
800
7 00
600
500
400
300
200
1 00
0
RANI BAGH GRID
(KA)2
66
(KA)2
2000
1
800
1
600
1
400
1
200
1 000
800
600
400
200
0
FOR INCOMER AND BUS SECTION
(KA)2
67
Based on data from last two years in 50 grids, average fault current experienced by
11KV vacuum circuit breakers in incoming feeders is 6.5 KA.
Referring to electrical endurance curve of 12 KV,1600A vacuum circuit breaker,
the permissible number of operations (NS) for this value of fault current can be
calculated as follows N (I) = (273.53/I)1.93
N(I) = (273.53/6.5)1.93
=1363
CONCLUSION 1363 number of operations are permissible on a fault current

value of 6.5 KA
That is, these much number of operations on a fault current level of 6.5KA, counts
for complete life time of vacuum circuit breaker.
Hence, the total cumulative breaking current a 12KV, 1600A vacuum circuit
breaker can see in its entire life-time can be calculated using simple mathematics
as follows
(KA)2 = 1363*(6.5)2
=57586
An alarm signal will pop up on SCADA, as the cumulative breaking current value
reaches 70% of this value.
70% OF (57586)
=0.7*(57586)
=40310.2
RG-5 -11KV
68
(KA)2
800
(KA)2
600
400
200
0
BUS SECTION -1
PUSA -11KV
I/C TRF -2
I/C TRF-3
69
(KA)2
2000
(KA)2
1500
1000
500
0
I/C -1
RG-6
BUS SECTION-1
70
(KA)2
2000
1500
(KA)2
1000
500
0
BUS COUPLER 11KV I/C NO-2 BUS COUPLER 11KV I/C NO-1
BADLI GRID
71
(KA)2
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
(KA)2
72
MANGOLPURI GRID -1
(KA)2
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
MANGOLPURI GRID -2
(KA)2
73
(KA)2
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
(KA)2
INCOMER -1
RG -3
BUS SEC-2
INCOMER -2
74
(KA)2
1400
1200
1000
(KA)2
800
600
400
200
0
I/C TR. NO-3
CENNET (NSP)
I/C TR. NO-1
BUS SEC -2
I/C TRF NO -2
75
(KA)2
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
(KA)2
76
RANI BAGH GRID
(KA)2
3000
2500
(KA)2
2000
1500
1000
500
0
11KV I/C NO-2
11KV BUS COUPLER
11KV I/C NO-1
77
LOCAL TRANSFORMER
78
CUMULATIVE BREAKING CURRENT

300
250
200
150
100
CUMULATIVE BREAKING
CURRENT
50
0
WAY FORWARD
PROCESS FLOW CHART FOR ON-LINE MONITORING
79
The diagram above incorporates the on-line monitoring prototype of vacuum

circuit breakers (VCB).
CONCLUSION
With this project, a study on life cycle of vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) based on
current rating and make has been done. This type of study has been done for the
first time. The possibility of propagation of monitored parameter to SCADA has
been studied. This will enable the conditioning monitoring of circuit breaker in real
time domain.
We have done:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Residual life analysis of circuit breaker

Laid down the guidelines for the maintenance schedule
Monitoring operation of circuit breakers and related anomaly
Feasibility study for propagation of alarming situation over SCADA.
REFERENCES
80
1) The Least Squares Method for VCB Electrical Endurance Parameters

Predicting Research Based on Breaking Current Weighted Cumulative
Method
FAN Xing-ming1, 3, HE Jia-min1, ZHANG Xin1, HUANG Zhi-chao1,
LIANG Cong2, SHI Wei-jian3
(Dept.of Electrical Engineering & Automation, Guilin University of Electronic and
Technology, 541004, Guilin, China)
81

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PROJECT REPORT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

ABOUT TATA POWER -DDL

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited [TPDDL] is a joint

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

On the power supply front too, TPDDL areas have shown

TPDDL is also a member of a global Intelligent Utility

TPDDL is the only Utility in the Country to have been

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

Indias nodal implementation agency for its Restructured

TPDDLs change management experience, distributed

A journey which began a decade ago for empowering the

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

TPDDL is sensitive to the aspect of Climate Change and is

As a part of the Tata Group, TPDDL carries forward the

Apart from this, Tata Power Delhi Distribution also works

Tata Power Delhi Distribution has won several accolades

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

and international levels. It has been conferred with the

Some of the other key recognitions include Best

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

In Power System, faults are such phenomenon that are

The purpose of this work is to provide a concise

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

All electrical machines, apparatus mad other form of

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

open air are much more severe than that of the

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

Now moving ahead we will see how the faults are

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

* blowing of heavy winds

Image showing birdage

Image showing when trees fell over lines

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

Image showing when vehicles collides with lines

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

Heavy blow of winds

This table shows us the real phenomenon that what are

MAIN KINDS OF FAULTS

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

Single phase to ground (L-G) Due to break down of

Two phases to ground (L-L- It may same due

Phase to phase and third Due to break down of

Based on the fact that what kind of fault has occurred .

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

% occurrence of main kind of faults are:-

TYPE OF SHORT CKT. % OCCURRENCE

Phase to phase (L-L)

2 phase to ground ( L-LG)

HOW TO MINIMIZE TRIPPING IN THE CIRCUIT

Phase to phase and third

All 3 phases to ground

All 3 phases short ( L-LL)

Harmful effects of Short circuit faults

Due to short circuit faults heavy currents flow in the

It may also damage

4. As a result of which stability of the power system