Difference between Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical faults:
Point of compression Symmetrical fault Unsymmetrical fault
Nature of fault current The fault currents in The fault currents in three phases
three phases are are not balanced
balanced
Phase difference b/t fault currents 120digree Different
Severity More Less
Examples 3 phase short circuit L-G, L-L-G, L-L, L-L-L-G
Fault analysis Simple Complex
Difference between Air Blast Circuit Breaker and Oil Circuit Breaker:
Particular Air blast circuit breaker Oil circuit breaker
Speed of operation Faster than oil CB since blast Slower than Air Blast Circuit Breaker
air is used
Arcing time Is less since the speed of Arcing time is more than Air Blast
operation is fast Circuit Breaker
Reclosing speed Is fast Is fast
Weight Excluding air compressor the Weight of OCB is more since the
weight of ABCB is less chamber filled up with oil
Maintenance Is less Is less
Cost Is less since the arc For the same rating cost is higher since
quenching media is natural arc quenching media is oil
air
Difference between Fuse and circuit Breaker:
Particular Fuse Circuit Breaker
Function It performs both detection and It performs interruption function only.
interruption function The detection of fault is made by relay
system.
Operation Inherently completely automatic. Requires elaborate equipment for
automatic action very large.
Breaking capacity small Very large
Operating time Very small (0.002 sec.) Comparatively large (0.1 to 0.2 sec)
Replacement Requires replacement after every No replacement after operation
operation
Size Compact Large as compared to fuse
Cost Less More
Reliability Less reliable if rewritable is used Reliable
safety Safe More safe than fuse
Difference between Isolator and Circuit Breaker:
Isolator Circuit breaker
It is a switching device which operates on no load It is a switching device which operates on load
condition condition
It does not have any arc quenching media It has several method by which arc can be
quenched
It is operated manually or remotely It can be operated manually or remotely under
normal working condition and automatically
under fault condition
It does not have any typical specification . Circuit breaker have different specification such
as making current. Breaking current etc.
Types of isolators: Vertical break type, Horizontal Types of circuit breaker: ACB, ABCB, MCB, MCCB,
break type, Pantograph type. SF6, DCB, VCB etc.
Compression between Air blast circuit breaker(ABCB) and Sf6 circuit breaker
Point of comparison Air blast circuit breaker SF6 circuit breaker
Pressure required to be maintained 30 bar 5 bar
Compressor-tubing-circulating Simple Complex
system
Harmfulness Air is not harmful for SF6 gas is harmful if in healed by
human beings human being
Deterioration of contacts More Less
Number of interrupters 6-12 2–4
Size More Less compared to ABCB
Cost High Moderate
Dielectric strength of medium Less More
Rate of rise of dielectric strength Less More
Describe the difference between definite characteristics and inverse
characteristics of relays.
Definite characteristics Inverse characteristics
Time of operation of relay is quite independent of Time of operation of relay is approximately
the magnitude of the current or other quantity inversely proportional to the magnitude of
which causes operation. current or other quantities causing operation.
If the core is made to saturate at very early stag, They are normally more inverse near the pickup
the time of operation remains same over the value of the actuating quantity and become less
working range. This characteristic is known as inverse as it is increased.
definite time characteristic.
This relay operates after a specified time At values of current less than pick-up value, the
irrespective of the magnitude of fault current. relay never operates. At higher values, the
operating time of the relay decrease steadily with
the increase of current.
Used in radial or loop circuits having few sections, Used in electro-magnetic relays.
as backup protection and on system with wide
variations of fault current due to source
impedance.
Difference between short circuit and overload.
Point of difference Short circuit Over load
Occurrance Due to insulation failure In non faulty condition but it is
or fault temporary
severity It may damage the Generally no damage to the system
system/machinery or as it is for a short duration
equipment.
Fault current Very large Over load current may be 1.5 to 2
times to the full load current
Protection by By proper fusing system By relay System
Distinguish b/t equipment earthing and neutral earthing:
Point of compression Equipment earthing Neutral earthing
Earthing provision for For equipment like For neutral junction points in the
transformer, generator windings of electrical machinery are
motors and other joined to earth by different methods
electrical equipment
conducting frames are
earthed
Types of earthing systems can be 1.pipe earthing , 2.plate 1.solid earthing ,2.resistance
provided. earthing earthing ,3.reactance earthing.
Stability Not for stability of By provision of Neutral earthing
machines system stability increase
Purpose Protection of operators Generally meant for
1.overvoltage ,2.Arcing ground
Protection system Provides no means for The neutral grounding helps to
protection under earth provide suitable means for earth
faults. fault protection for the system.
Compression between isolated power system and interconnected power
system:
Reliability and supply Less More
Complexity Less More
Operation and maintenance Easy Complex
Capacity Limited Huge
Cost Less More
Stability less More
