SWITCHGEARS : Definition Switchgear is a general term covering all equipment used for :
1. Switching
2. Protection
3. Control
4. Isolation in a power system.
All equipment used for fault clearing is covered by the term switchgear. Switchgears are used in
Generation, Transmission and Distribution Systems, whereas, Control Gears are used in Consumer
Circuits.
Essential features Switchgears
1. Complete reliability
2. Absolutely certain discrimination
3. Quick operation
4. Provision for manual control
5. Provision for instruments
Necessity of Switchgears
Switchgears are necessary at every switching point in the power system because there are several
voltage levels and fault levels which has to be controlled and protected by accessible switching devices
and for isolation, if the need arises.
Types of switchgears Following are the two types of switchgear: Principal Switchgears are the main
equipment concerned with the process of switching and isolating circuits in a power system. Auxiliary
Switchgears are secondary or subsidiary equipment which assist the main switchgear equipment in the
control, measurement, protection and fault-clearing process.
Switchgear Equipment
SWITCHING DEVICES
Circuit Breakers
Isolators (Disconnector or Disconnecting Switch)
Earthing Switches
Air-Break Switches
Oil Switches
PROTECTION DEVICES
Protection Relays
Lightning Arresters
Feeder Pillars
Fuses
Switchgear Equipment
Switchgear covers a wide range of equipment concerned with switching and interrupting
currents
Introduction to Switchgear
under both normal and abnormal conditions. It includes switches, fuses, circuit breakers, relays andother
equipment. A brief account of these devices is given below. However, the reader may find thedetailed
discussion on them in the subsequent chapters.
1 . S w i t c h e s .
A switch is a device which is used to open or close an electrical circuit in aconvenient way. It can be used
under full-load or no-load conditionsbut it cannot interrupt the faultcurrents. When the contacts of a
switch are opened, an*arc is produced in the air between thecontacts. This is particularly true for circuits
of high voltage and large current capacity. The switchesmay be classified into
(i) air switches
(ii) oil switches.
The contacts of the former are opened in airand that of the latter are opened in oil.
2 . F u s e s .
A fuse is a short piece of wire or thin strip which melts when excessive current flows through it for
sufficient time. It is inserted in series with the circuit to be protected. Under normal operating conditions,
the fuse element it at a temperature below its melting point. Therefore, it carries the normal load current
without overheating. However, when a short circuit or overload occurs, the current through the fuse
element increases beyond its rated capacity. This raises the temperature and the fuse element melts (or
blows out), disconnecting the circuit protected by it. In this way, a fuse protects the machines and
equipment from damage due to excessive currents. It is worthwhile to note that a fuse performs both
detection and interruption functions.
What is a Circuit Breaker?
A circuit breaker is an electrical safety device which works like a switch. The circuit
breaker is arranged in series in an electric circuit so that it can stop the flow of current
through the circuit whenever required. The primary function of a circuit breaker is to
protect the circuit from overload and short-circuit faults. The circuit breaker detects
such faults with help of a relay system and interrupts the current flow through the
circuit, preventing further damages
What is an Isolator?
An isolator is a switchgear component which is used to disconnect or isolate the whole
or a specific part of the circuit. Sometimes, an isolator is also called as a disconnector.
Basically, the isolator is a disconnecting switch that can be operated under off-load
conditions only, i.e. it can only be operated when there is no current flowing through the
circuit.
Difference between Isolator and Circuit Breaker
The following table highlights the major differences between isolator and circuit
breaker-
Basis of Isolator Circuit Breaker
Difference
Description An isolator is a type of A circuit breaker is a protective device
disconnecting switch which used to stop the flow of electric current
ensure that the circuit is totally
isolated from the supply mains.
Circuit
symbol
Construction An isolator is a simple A circuit breaker is electromechanical
mechanical switch. switch and a relay system
Operation Isolator can only be operated Circuit breaker can be operated
Method manually. manually and automatically.
Type of off-load device, i.e. there is no on-load device. Hence, it can be
device current flowing through the operated under power on conditions.
circuit.
Functions disconnect the faulty part of an protect the entire electrical system, if
electrical system, so that it will be there is a fault.
safe to repair.
Contacts A typical isolator has main and A typical circuit breaker has main and
moving arms. arcing contacts.
Withstand low withstand capacity high withstand capacity.
capacity
Insulation & Isolator uses air as arc quenching arc quenching medium such as air, oil,
arc medium. vacuum, SF6 gas, etc.
quenching
medium
Provide power supply interruption only interrupts the power flow during normal
interruption during inspection, maintenance as well as fault like short-circuit and
or repair. overload.
Need of Isolator does not require relay Circuit breaker uses relay system to
Basis of Isolator Circuit Breaker
Difference
relay system system for the operation. detect the errors in the system.
Breaking The breaking capacity of isolator The breaking capacity of circuit breaker
capacity is less is more
Safety The isolator ensures the safety Circuit breaker is not very safe, only
for technicians and switchgears. professional and well trained technicians
can operate it safely.
Cost Isolator is less costly. Circuit breaker is very expensive.
Applications in industrial electrical systems domestic, commercial, and industrial
electrical systems
