Scope of the book, brief description of book structure and chapters
2. Current interruption: basics
a. Introduction
Switching arc initiation, schematic current / voltage during current interruption, importance of short circuit current and Transient recovery voltage, dielectric recovery, thermal / dielectric re-ignitions.
b. Basics of arc physics
Dynamic arc behavior, Arc in gaseous medium, thermal ionization mechanism
Brief description of different modeling levels (detailed physical models, qualitative arc models as well as black box models), basic consideration of arc-network interaction (current commutation …)
3. Application of power switching devices in power networks
a. Interruption of fault current
Short circuit current (symmetrical / asymmetrical, decay DC, neutral point) different TRV forms, standard for CB
Testing methods (direct / synthetic)
b. Closing under fault condition (short circuit making)
Pre-strike, arc energy, importance for LBS and earthing switch, standard for LBS and CB, test circuit
c. Energizing of loads
Over-voltages, trapped charges, reclosing
d. Switching of inductive loads
Importance of increased RRRV
e. Switching of capacitive loads
Inrush current, pre-strike, 1-cos TRV, re-strike / re-ignition, voltage escalation, standard requirements, test methods
f. Switching of small inductive currents
Current chopping, multiple re-ignitions, virtual current chopping, transient over-voltages
4. Current interruption technologies: present status
a. different types of power switching components
Different parts of a power-switching device, Classification of power switching components based on the requirements, installation, rated voltage as well as arc-extinguishing medium
b. disconnecting switches
Construction for different voltage ratings, challenges including short circuit current carrying capability, mechanical considerations
c. load break switches
Different technologies, application to MV, gaseous LBS, vacuum contactor, peculiarities regarding load current interruption and fault current making, transient switching over-voltages
d. fuse
Arc extinguishing principle in fuse, applications MV / LV, limitations, Is-limiter, possible applications, RMU, fuse + LBS combination
e. circuit breakers
i. Oil circuit breakers
Interruption principle, minimum oil vs. bulk oil CBs, brief description of role of cross baffle, parallel resistor, etc.
ii. Gas circuit breakers
Principle of current interruption in gases, brief description of importance of different cooling mechanisms, construction of compressed air, double pressure SF6, single pressure SF6, puffer vs. self-blast
iii. Magnetic air CB
Current interruption principle, arc elongation + cathode/anode fall, blow out coil, construction of LV CBs
iv. Vacuum CB
Simple construction of VCB, dielectric breakdown in vacuum, different modes of arc in vacuum, role of magnetic field, different technologies to control switching arc in vacuum
5. Future trends of power switching devices
a. HVDC current interruption
Missing CZ, fast operation, principle of current interruption in DC network, upcoming applications, review of different schemes, hybrid circuit breakers, challenges
b. Fault current limitation
Upcoming applications, nonlinear current dependent impedance in network, energy absorption /conversion during the fault, brief review of different schemes, challenges
c. Condition assessment
Importance of condition monitoring in view of recent developments in power systems, brief review of different condition monitoring + decision making concepts, challenges / open questions
Kaveh Niayesh is a Professor at the Department of Electric Power Engineering of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. He has a BSc and a MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran and a PhD also in Electrical Engineering from RWTH University, Aachen, Germany. During the last 15 years, Professor Niayesh has held different academic and industrial positions, including Principal Scientist with the ABB Corporate Research Centre, Baden-Dättwil, Switzerland; Assistant Professor with the University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; and Manager, Basic Research, with AREVA T&D, Regensburg, Germany, Associate Professor with the University of Tehran, principal engineer with ABB medium voltage, Ratingen, Germany. He has been mainly involved in the research and development of high-voltage high-current systems. He is the inventor or co-inventor of 16 patents and has more than 95 journal and conference publications on current interruptions and limitations, vacuum and gaseous discharges, plasma modelling and diagnostics, switching transients, and pulsed-power technology.
Magne Runde received the M.Sc. degree in physics and the Dr. ing. degree in electric power engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway, in 1984 and 1987, respectively. He has been with SINTEF Energy Research, Trondheim since 1988, presently as a Chief Scientist. From 1996 to 2013, he was an Adjunct Professor of High Voltage Technology at NTNU. In this period, he taught a graduate course in High Voltage Equipment and supervised around 25 M.Sc and Ph.D students. In addition to current interruption and switching technology, his fields of interests include electrical contacts, power cables, diagnostic testing of power apparatus, and power applications of superconductors. Professor Runde has been the convener, secretary and member of several CIGRÉ working groups and authored / co-authored more than 45 articles in peer-reviewed international journals and more than 55 conference publications.
This book focuses on the theory and application of power switching components in power networks. More specifically, it discusses current interruption theory, applied stresses to switching components in power networks and appropriate methods to test their different functionalities. It reviews the basic working principles of current technologies and summarizes the upcoming technological advances within the field of power switching devices.
Taking an educational approach to the subject, this book is useful for graduate courses on high voltage equipment and power device technology within the electric power engineering discipline. Furthermore, inclusion of numerous worked examples, exercises and easily digestible descriptions of complex physical phenomena in switching devices make this an invaluable self-learning resource for engineers.