Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology

The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers (대한전기학회)
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Influence of SF6/N2 Gas Mixture Ratios on the Lightning Streamer Propagation Characteristics of 22 kV MV Circuit Breaker

  • Gandhi, R. (Anna University Chennai, Department of EEE, Gnanamani College of Engineering) ;
  • Chandrasekar, S. (Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Sona College of Technology) ;
  • Nagarajan, C. (Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Muthayammal Engineering College)
  • Received : 2017.10.10
  • Accepted : 2018.03.27
  • Published : 2018.07.01
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Abstract

In recent times, gas insulated medium voltage (MV) circuit breakers (CB) form a vital component in power system network, considering its advantages such as reduced size and safety margins. Gas insulation characteristics of circuit breakers are generally measured by lightning impulse (LI) test according to IEC standard 60060-1 as a factory routine test. Considering the environmental issues of $SF_6$ gas, many research works are being carried out towards the mixture of $SF_6$ gases for high voltage insulation applications. However, few reports are only available regarding the LI withstand and streamer propagation characteristics (at both positive and negative polarity of waveform) of $SF_6/N_2$ gas mixture insulated medium voltage circuit breakers. In this paper, positive and negative polarity LI tests are carried out on 22 kV medium voltage circuit breaker filled with $SF_6/N_2$ gas mixture at different gas pressures (1-5 bar) and at different gas mixture ratios. Important LI parameters such as breakdown voltage, streamer velocity, time to breakdown and acceleration voltage are evaluated with IEC standard LI ($1.2/50{\mu}s$) waveform. Weibull distribution analysis of LI breakdown voltage data is carried out and 50% probability breakdown voltage, scale parameter and shape parameter are evaluated. Results illustrate that the $25%SF_6+75%N_2$ gas filled insulation considerably enhances the LI withstand and breakdown strength of MV circuit breakers. LI breakdown voltage of circuit breaker under negative polarity shows higher value when compared with positive polarity. Results show that maintaining the gas pressure at 0.3 MPa (3 bar) with 10% $SF_6$ gas mixed with 90% $N_2$ will give optimum lighting impulse withstand performance of 22 kV MV circuit breaker.

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References

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