Consider for a moment that there is an unexpected outage that disturbs your entire operation. It can be both expensive and hazardous, do you agree? Medium voltage circuit breaker comes into play in such cases. They safeguard your electrical systems from faults which can cause downtime, equipment damage, safety hazards, and more.
As a facility or office building manager, knowing about these breakers is crucial to prevent expensive repair costs and maintain smooth operations. This blog will describe their workings, types, applications and why you need them. So, keep reading!
1) What Are Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers?
A medium voltage circuit breaker refers to a piece of equipment that protects electrical networks against damage. It operates by disconnecting the electrical supply when an abnormal event occurs, for example, a short circuit or overload. This stops issues such as fires, equipment damage, or power outages.
They are utilised in systems that range from 1kV to 36kV. This is what qualifies them as “medium voltage” devices. You will often find them in places such as factories, power plants, commercial buildings, and electrical substations.
Let’s see what happens when a fault occurs. A fault within a system allows a greater-than-normal current to flow through the system, known as “the let-through current”. In the event of a short circuit, the fuse senses a let-through current and promptly disconnects the circuit to avoid damage.
In contrast to single-pole switches, medium voltage circuit breakers are tasked with enduring and putting up with high forces and extreme temperatures brought about by electric arcs. This goes without saying that each breaker is designed to react within a short period in order to avert danger and general smooth operation of the plant.
2) The Core Functions of a Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker
A medium voltage circuit breaker does much more than simply toggling the power on and off. It ensures the safety, supervision, and management of the electricity input within your system. Every medium voltage configuration requires this device. These are the following eight principal duties of a medium voltage circuit breaker:
- Fault Protection: The breaker reacts almost instantaneously to short circuits or overloads. In the case that the system has been damaged, this can interfere with powering the system to which can further restrict the risks of fires, and damage to equipment breakdown.
- Switching Operations: The breaker can be used to switch the power on or off, either manually or automatically. This is useful when carrying out repairs, tests, or upgrades. The system allows the safe manipulation of electric parts without necessarily stopping the entire system.
- System Control: Breakers of medium voltage help in managing power distribution in the system. Different sections may be controlled independently, which is helpful in very large or intricate systems like factories, hospitals, or data centres.
- Isolation: A breaker will isolate the faulted area or any area which needs maintenance. This is done in a way that minimises the disruption of the entire system. It is beneficial as far as the safety of workers and equipment is concerned.
- Power Stability: Such a device aids in the stabilisation of voltage or current. In the event of unexpected changes in load, they are quick to ensure system stabilisation to prevent disruptions such as blinking lights or failure of equipment.
- Monitoring and Automation: Today’s breakers come with new smart features. They monitor the systems and notify whenever assistance is required, and they can act on their own. They can also be connected to other control systems for better efficiency and updates in real time.
- Load Shedding: If there is high power demand or faults, the breaker can shed load by temporarily disconnecting some areas. It preserves the integrity of the system as a whole and avoids potential damage.
- Remote Operation: Remote operation is now possible with the help of technology. A number of medium voltage circuit breakers can nowadays be operated and controlled remotely. This capability allows for the management of complex and extensive electrical systems to be easier.
3) Key Components of a Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker
Every piece of technology has its advantages. With a medium voltage circuit breaker, its safe functioning is ensured by the number of critical components integrated into it. These components work collaboratively for the reliable operation of the technology. Let’s address the important components more closely.
i) Main Contacts
The primary points that open and close the circuit, the main contacts, are also often called by the same name, with no distinction made between the singular and plural. The contacts are part of defeating the current flow. There is heavy-duty contact that is subject to considerable electric current for a long period of time, and these contacts must withstand wear and tear.
ii) Arc Extinguishing Chamber
The arc extinguishing chamber is one of the main components of the machine. Whenever the contacts open the circuit, an electrical arc is produced. The arc extinguishing chamber is designed to cool and quench this arc.
iii) Operating Mechanism
Operating Mechanism defines an apparatus that performs the opening and closing functions of the breaker. It moves the contacts both administratively and automatically. This mechanism guarantees that the unit operates in the correct sequence and accurately during regular function and when a fault occurs.
iv) Insulation Components
Insulation components make certain that there will be no leakage in the electrical current and are essential for safety. These materials, like insulating gases, ceramics or plastics, keep the electrical parts separated from each other and guarantee that the electric current passes through the proper pathways as far as possible so that a short circuit does not happen.
v) Auxiliary Components
The proper functioning of the breaker is better accomplished with the auxiliary components, like the trip coils and control circuits. These components make it possible to check, operate from a distance, and apply some security measures such that in case of faults or when the system needs it, the breaker acts accordingly.
vi) Earthing and Enclosures
Earthing parts give a safe way to direct fault currents onto the ground, therefore avoiding electric shocks. The inner parts of the breaker that are frequently attacked by dirt, moisture and getting knocked about are protected by the enclosure. They serves as a durable housing for the device.
4) Common Types of Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers
Each of the following medium voltage circuit breaker types has specific characteristics designed for different functions:
a) Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB)
A rise in popularity has been seen among VCBS due to the fact that the arc is extinguished in a vacuum. Breakers of this type are reliable and fast, do not require any maintenance, and are therefore popular in commercial and industrial settings.
They perform particularly well under high-current conditions and do not use harmful gases or oils, so they are considered an environmentally safe option.
b) SF6 Circuit Breaker
These types of circuit breakers use sulfur hexafluoride gas to both insulate the equipment and put out any arcing. Apart from that, they are also known for their performance in high fault current conditions and are used in large industrial facilities and substations.
Circuit breaker SF6 does not use as much space, which proves handy when dealing with space-constrained regions. They also tend to be more durable than other breakers.
c) Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)
ACBS extinguish arcs by using air. While typically more affordable than VCBS or SF6 breakers, they’re not as easily maintained, requiring more upkeep. Due to their lower operational power, these breakers are preferably suited for lower voltage applications or areas with moderate fault currents.
These breakers are commonplace in small commercial and industrial systems where the cost and available space are primary considerations.
d) Oil Circuit Breaker
Oil circuit breakers use oil as an arc-quenching medium. They are reliable and effective, especially in older systems. Oil breakers do not get much attention these days, but they still exist in outdated installations due to a lack of modernised systems.
These adorning devices are often unheard of by today’s standards, as they’re only found in aged units built in an era when oil-based systems were the norm.
Well, each type has advantages and disadvantages that depend on the specific environment and system configurations.
5) Applications in Different Industries
Medium-voltage circuit breakers are useful in diverse sectors for the safe and efficient distribution of electrical power. They are instrumental in the protection of the electrical system with regard to stability, damage from an interruption and faults. Different types of circuit breakers are utilised in the following eight important industries:
- Manufacturing: In industries, medium-voltage circuit breakers ensure the operational reliability of their machinery, production lines and associated electrical devices. They protecting such equipment from faults, downtimes, and other costly disruptions.
- Energy and Power Generation: Power plants employ these breakers to protect critical equipment and other power distribution-related activities while ensuring system stability. In generation facilities, these devices are vital to the uninterrupted flow of power.
- Oil and Gas: In the oil and gas industry, circuit breakers are used to protect offshore platforms, refineries and pipelines from electrical malfunctions, as major hazards do exist in these vulnerable places.
- Transportation: In the area of medium-voltage circuit breakers, bus and rail substations utilise them for the power, control, and protection of the entire system. For example, systems serving train services, lights, and other essential services in airports.
- Mining: Mining operations are often met with harsh conditions, like working in remote locations combined with high demand for power. Circuit breakers make sure there are no power interruptions while protecting the heavy equipment used.
- Commercial Buildings: In shopping malls and office complexes, medium voltage breakers are installed to safeguard the electrical system and ensure proper power quality maintenance.
- Telecommunications: These breakers are used in telecommunications to maintain a proper power supply for service to the towers and communication equipment, for uninterrupted service.
- Data Centres: Medium voltage breakers are relied upon in data centres to provide an uninterrupted and reliable power supply to the servers and networks for smooth operation and prevention of system failure.
6) Conclusion
Across various industries, medium voltage circuit breakers have become prominent due to their integral role in maintaining safety, reliability, and system stability within electrical frameworks. Alright! Knowing the various types and their roles aids in choosing the appropriate breaker to suit particular requirements.
For dependable medium voltage circuit breakers, Eberry electric stands out. Our circuit breakers are robust, our assistance is knowledgeable, and we offer tailored solutions to align with your power requirements. With Eberry provided protection systems, safety, efficiency, alongside prolonged performance are guaranteed. You can contact us with a single click here.
