Gas insulated

switchyard
“GIS”
 Gas insulated switchyard
 This presentation shows the gas insulated
substations (GIS), the usage of it, and the
advantages and disadvantages of it
against conventional substations.
 Gas insulated substation definition
 A gas insulated substation (GIS) is a substation that uses a
superior dielectric gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), high-
voltage gas-insulated substations have been in
service since the early 1960s.
 The basic principle of gas-insulated equipment is that the
high-voltage current carrying parts are within a metal
enclosure and are held in a concentric configuration by cast
epoxy spacer insulators. The space between the conductor
and the enclosure is filled with sulfur hexafluoride gas under
moderate pressure.
 The main head lines are:
 1-Substation definitions, function and different types.
 2-GIS advantages and disadvantages.
 3-Substaion typical bus bar configuration, advantage
and disadvantages.
 4-Switchgear equipments
1-Switchgear definition.
2-Circuit breaker.
3-Disconnect and earthing Switches
4-Instrument Transformers
Outdoor equipments
Protection relay systems.
Control and Relay Panels
AC/DC Equipment
 1-Substation
Substations are integral parts of a power
system and form important links between the
generating stations, transmission systems,
distribution systems and the load points
Power system representation
• Substation Functions

 Although a substation performs many functions, the five major

functions of a substation:
1- Power transmission
2- Voltage Transformation
3- Switching of transfer
Paths and loads
4-Measurements voltage, currents and power
5- Protection systems and connected objects
6-Control of reactive power ,voltage and power quality

7- Allow for maintenance and repair

 Types Of Electrical Power
Substations
 1-Based ON Nature Of Duties:
 A-Step up or primary Electrical Power substation : Primary
substations are associated with the power generating plants where the voltage is
stepped up from low voltage (3.3, 6.6, 11, 33kV ) to 220kV or 400kV for
transmitting the power so that huge amount of power can be transmitted over

 B-Primary Grid Electrical Power Substation:

Such substations are located at suitable load centers along with the primary
transmission lines. At primary Grid Power Substations the primary transmission
voltage (220kV or 400kV) is stepped down to secondary transmission voltages
(110kV) .
 This Secondary transmission lines are carried over to Secondary Power Substations
situated at the load centers where the voltage is further stepped down to Sub
transmission Voltage or Primary Distribution Voltages (11kV or 33kV).

 C-Step Down or Distribution Electrical Power Substations:

Such Power Substations are located at the load centers. Here the Sub
transmission Voltages of Distribution Voltages (11kV or 33kV) are stepped
down to Secondary Distribution Voltages (400V or 230V). From these
Substations power will be fed to the consumers to their terminals.
 2-Basis Of Service Rendered :
 A-Transformer Substation:
 Transformers are installed on such Substations to transform the power from

one voltage level to other voltage level.

 B-Switching Substation:
 Switching substations are meant for switching operation of power lines
without transforming the voltages. At these Substations different connections
are made between various transmission lines. Different Switching Schemes are
employed depends on the application to transmit the power in more reliable
manner in a network.
 C-Converting Substation:
 Such Substations are located where AC to DC conversion is required. In
HVDC transmission Converting Substations are employed on both sides of
HVDC link for converting AC to DC and again converting back from DC
to AC. Converting Power Substations are also employed where frequency
is to be converted from higher to lower and lower to higher. This type of
frequency conversion is required in connecting to Grid Systems.
 3-Based on Operation Voltage:
 A-High Voltage Electrical Power Substation:
 Voltage classes used for major sub-stations include 66,110,133,220 considered
as high Voltage (HV)

B-Extra High Voltage Electrical Power Substation:

 Sub-station of voltage level of 345, 440,500 and 765 KV

considered as extra high voltage (EHV).

 C-Ultra High Voltage Electrical Power Substation:

 Higher voltage classes, including 1100 and 1500 KV, are considered as Ultra
high voltage (UHV).
 4-Based On Substation Design:
 A-Outdoor Electrical Power Substations:
In Outdoor Power Substations , the various electrical equipments are installed
in the switchyard below the sky. Electrical equipment are mounted on support
structures to obtain sufficient ground clearance.
 B-Indoor Electrical Power Substation:
 In Indoor Power Substations the apparatus is installed within the substation
building. Such substations are usually for the rating of 66kV. Indoor
Substations are preferred in heavily polluted areas and Power Substations
situated near the seas (saline atmosphere causes Insulator Failures results in
Flashovers)
 5-Based on Design Configuration:
 A-Air Insulated Electrical Power Substation:
 In Air Insulated Power Substations bus bars and connectors are visible. In this
Power Substations Circuit Breakers and Isolators, Transformers, Current
Transformers, Potential Transformers etc are installed in the outdoor. Bus bars
are supported on the post Insulators or Strain Insulators. Substations have
galvanized Steel Structures for Supporting the equipment, insulators and
incoming and outgoing lines. Clearances are the primary criteria for these
substations and occupy a large area for installation.)
 B-Gas Insulated Electrical Power Substation:
 In Gas Insulated Substation Various Power Substation equipments like Circuit
Breakers, Current Transformers, Voltage Transformers, Bus bars, Earth Switches,
Surge Arresters, Isolators …etc are in the form of metal enclosed SF6 gas modules.
The modules are assembled in accordance with the required Configuration.
 The various Live parts are enclosed in the metal enclosures (modules) containing
SF6 gas at high pressure. Thus the size of Power Substation reduces to 8% to 10%
of the Air Insulated Power Substation.
 2
 C-Hybrid Electrical Power Substation:
 Hybrid Substations are the combination of both Conventional
Substation and Gas Insulated Substation.
 Some bays in a Power Substation are Gas Insulated Type and
some are Air Insulated Type.
 The design is based on convenience, Local Conditions available,
area available and Cost.
space reduction: 70%
 GIS advantages

 1-Reduced required space

 2-Reliable
 3-Reduced erection and assembly times.
 4-The installations are dielectrically and totally tested in-site.
 5-Reduced maintenance and consequently, lower costs.
 6-The safety is increased.
 7-From 30 kV to 500 kV they might result cheaper than
conventional units.
 8-Up to 170 kV, tripolar design is used.
 9-Provide a protection against the pollution.
 GIS Disadvantages
 1-Excessive damage in case of internal fault.
 2- Requirement of cleanliness is very stringent. Dust or
moisture can cause internal flashovers.
 3- Such substations are generally indoor, so they need a

separate building.
 4- Procurement of gas and supply of gas to site is
problematic, adequate stock of gas must be
maintained.
 5- Project needs almost total imports including SF6 Gas.

Spares conventional substation is totally indigenous

up to 400 kV.
 GIS Requirements
 1-The requirement of GIS can be summarized as :
1-Conductors , these are of copper or aluminum tubes.
2-Cast resin insulators and SF6 gas insulation.
3-Gas filled modules have nonmagnetic enclosures.
 4-CB, Isolator, Earthing switches for conductors, CTs, VTs,

cable-ends, Bushing-ends and Bus-Bars.

5-Gas filling, monitoring system.
6-Auxiliary low voltage DC and AC supply system , control
,protection and Monitoring systems.
7-The bus-bars.
 GIS application
 1-Main distribution stations inside cities.
 2. Main distribution stations for important customers.
 3. Main distribution stations in zones with pollution, salt, or
risk of explosion.
 4. Main distribution stations with special characteristics
(underground stations, shelters of reinforced concrete,
etc.).
 5. Classic installation expansion, in case of reduced space.
 6. Mobile transformation stations.
 2-Substation TYPICAL BUS
CONFIGURATIONS
There are several switchyard arrangements
 1-Single bus single breaker (SBSB)

 2-Double bus single breaker (DBSB)

 3-Double bus double breaker (DBDB)

 4-Ring or mesh bus

 5-Breaker and a half

1-Single bus single breaker (SBSB)
2-Double bus single breaker (DBSB)
2-Double bus single breaker (DBSB) continue
 2-Double bus single breaker (DBSB) continue

 Advantages of this scheme:

 1-Some flexibility with two operating busses.
 2-The ability of either main bus to be isolated for maintenance.

 Disadvantages of this scheme:

1- One extra breaker required for the bus tie.
 2- Four switches required per circuit.
 3- A bus protection scheme that may cause loss of substation when
it operates if all circuits are connected to that bus.
 4- bus protection scheme that may cause loss of substation when it

operates if all circuits are connected to that bus.

3-Double bus double breaker (DBDB)
 3-Double bus double breaker (DBDB)

 Advantages:
 1. Each has two associated breakers.
 2. Has flexibility in permitting feeder circuits to be connected to any bus
 3. Any breaker can be taken out of service for maintenance.
 4. High reliability

 Disadvantages:
 1- Most expensive
 2- Would lose half of the circuits for breaker fault if circuits are not
connected to both the buses.
 4-Ring or Mesh Bus
Advantages:
1-Flexible operation.
2- High reliability .
3- Isolation of bus sections and circuit breakers
for maintenance without disrupting circuit
operation .
4- Double feed to each circuit .
5- Economic design.

Disadvantages:
1-If fault occurs during bus maintenance, ring gets

separated into two sections.

2- Breaker failure during fault on one circuit
causes loss of additional circuit because of
breaker failure
4-Ring or Mesh Bus continued
 Ring or Mesh Bus has the following characteristics:

 1- Operation of two circuit breakers is required to connect or

disconnect a circuit, and disconnection involves opening of a mesh.

 2- Circuit breakers may be maintained without loss of supply or

protection, and no additional bypass facilities are required.

 3- Busbar faults will only cause the loss of two circuit breaker.
Breaker faults will involve the loss of a maximum of two circuits.
5-Breaker and half
5-Breaker and half continue
 5-Breaker and half continue

Advantages:
1-Flexible operation
 2- High reliability ; Can isolate either
 3-Main bus for maintenance without disrupting service.
4- Each circuit fed by two breakers.

Disadvantages:

1- Protection and auto-reclosing more complex since middle breaker must

be responsive to both associated circuits.
 Bus Bar configuration notes
 The simplest arrangement is the SBSB
 The most expensive and complex is the
DBDB
 Ring Bus and Breaker and ½ are the most
common in North America
 The DBSB is more common in Europe than
the US
 4-Switchgear Equipments
 1-Switchgear definition
 2-Circuit breakers
 3-Disconnect Switches
 4-Cable connection
 5-Instrument Transformers
 6-Outdoor Equipments.
 7-Protection relays
 8-Control and Relay Panels
 9-AC/DC Equipment
 1-Switchgear definition
 A switchgear is a general term that covering switching
devices and their combination with associated control,
measuring, protective and regulating equipment,
also assemblies of such devices and equipment with
associated interconnections, accessories, enclosures and
supporting structures, intended in principle for use in
connection with generation, transmission, distribution
and conversion of electric
 2-Circuit breaker
 Circuit breakers are mechanical switching devices able to
make, carry and interrupt currents occurring in the circuit
under normal conditions, and can make, carry for a specified
time and break currents occurring in the circuit (e.g. short
circuit) under specified abnormal conditions.
 The following points are important when selecting circuit
breakers:
 maximum operating voltage on location.
 maximum load current occurring on location.
 maximum short-circuit current occurring on location.
 network frequency.
 duration of short-circuit current.
 switching cycle.
 special operational and climatic conditions
 2-Circuit breaker continue

Dead Tank
 Mostly in North America
 Interrupting chamber is at ground level
 Can be independent pole or 3 pole operation
 Live Tank
 Mostly outside North America
 Normally Independent pole
 Interrupting chamber is at the “live” voltage level
1-Dead tank Circuit breaker
2-Live tank circuit Breaker
Circuit breaker continued
switching method of operation
Switching system method of operation
 Circuit breaker continue

 The drive of the circuit breakers can be mechanical

using motors or hydro mechanical which consisting of
three main parts: hydraulic drive cylinders, a regulator and
a gear box.
 Advantages of the motorized operating mechanism:
 (1) Minimum number of moving parts.
 (2) Precise, programmed contact movement.
 (3) Continuous and active self-monitoring.
 (4) Very quiet and wear-free function.
 (5) Low and even energy consumption.
Circuit breaker continue
1-The motorized drive
 Circuit breaker continue
1-The motorized drive
The following function chart provides a
primary overview of the sequence of
motions that the circuit-breaker
makes with the spring-stored-energy
mechanism during charging of the
closing spring (arrow A),
during closing (arrow B) and
during opening (arrow C).
The compact drive system is located in the
drive cabinet.
It performs the following functions:
– Charging of the closing spring,
– Closing,
– Opening,
– single pole auto-reclosure (OPEN-CLOSE-
OPEN or CLOSE-OPEN).
 Characteristics of Sulfur hexafluoride
(SF6) gas
 Its excellent properties make it ideally suited both as an
insulating and as an arc-quenching agent.

 SF6 gas is colorless, odorless, chemically inert, nontoxic,

nonflammable, and noncorrosive.

 Its dielectric strength is greatly superior to that of air,

and it is close to 100 times as effective as air in
quenching an electric arc.
 Environmental effects of SF6: it does not affect the
earth’s ozone layer. it has a global warming potential .
 Benefits of using SF6

 SF6 has a very high dielectric withstand capability.

 SF6 effectively quenches arcs in circuit breakers.



 SF6 apparatus is compact and almost maintenance-free.

 SF6 equipment is extremely safe in operation and for

users
 Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) circuit breaker:

 HV circuit-breakers have greatly changed since they

were first introduced and several interrupting
principles have been developed that have contributed
successively to a large reduction of the operating
energy.

 Current interruption in a high-voltage circuit-breaker

is obtained by separating two contacts in a medium,
such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), having excellent
dielectrical and arc quenching properties. After
contacts separation, arc is interrupted by cooling by
a gas blast of sufficient intensity. Gas blast applied on
the arc able to cool it rapidly so that gas temperature
between the contacts is reduced from 20,000 K to
less than 2000 K in a few hundred microseconds.
 Circuit Breaker
 According to the standard IEC 265-1:1983, a
circuit breaker is a mechanical device of
connection,
 Capable of establish, withstand and break the current
under the normal operation of the circuit
 Occasionally, under specific overload in-service
conditions,
 Endure specific abnormal circuit currents (e. g. short
circuit currents) during a given time (generally
fractions of second).
 Circuit breaker
 The main nominal characteristics of circuit
breakers are:
 Rated voltage
 Insulation level

 Rated current

 Rated frequency

 Breaking capacity

 Making capacity

 Short-time withstand current

 Sequence of operation
 Rated Voltage
 The rated or nominal voltage of a network (Un) is the standard
value of voltage for which the network’s operation and insulation
have been designed.
 The limit values of a network’s voltage (excluding all transitory or
abnormal conditions) are the highest and lowest value of voltage
that may be present in the network at a given instant or place
under normal operation conditions.
 Generally, those limit values are around ± 10% from the

nominal voltage of the network.

 The highest voltage for a circuit breaker is the maximum specified
for it related to:
 Its insulation

 Other attributes associated to this voltage

 Insulation level
 The insulation level of a circuit breaker is given by:
 Nominal power-frequency withstand voltage

 Nominal lightning withstand voltage

 And eventually by:

 Nominal switching withstand voltage

 These values characterize the device’s insulation

regarding its aptitude to withstand overvoltage at power
frequency, lightning overvoltage and switching
overvoltage.
 Breaking capacity:
A value of prospective current that a switching device is
capable of breaking at a stated voltage under prescribed
conditions of use and behavior.
 Making capacity :
A value of prospective making current that a switching
device is capable of making at a stated voltage under
prescribed conditions of use and behavior

 Short-time withstand current

The current that a circuit or a switching device in the
closed position can carry during a specified short time
under prescribed conditions of use and behavior
 Sequence of operation :
The rated operating sequence means successive
operating conditions when the circuit breaker is closed
and opened more than 1~2 times. For rapid auto-
reclosing, the operating sequence is following below

O – 0.3s – CO – 3min - O
 Opening time
The opening time is the interval of time between the
instant of energizing the opening release, the circuit-
breaker being in the closed position, and the instant
when the arcing contacts have separated in all poles.
The opening time includes the operating time of any
auxiliary equipment necessary to open the circuit-
breaker and forming an integral part of the circuit-
breaker
 Arcing time:
 The interval of time between the instant of the first
initiation of an arc and the instant of final arc extinction
in all poles
 Break time:
The interval of time between the beginning of the
opening time of a mechanical switching device and the
end of the arcing time
 Make time
The interval of time between energizing the closing
circuit, the circuit breaker being in the open position,
and the instant when the current begins to flow in the
first pole
 Closing time:
 The interval of time between energizing the closing
circuit, the circuit breaker being in the open position,
and the instant when the contacts touch in all poles
 Gas density monitor
 The insulating and interrupting capability of the SF6 gas
depends on the density of the SF6 gas .
 The pressure of the SF6 gas varies with temperature, so a
mechanical or electronic temperature compensated
pressure switch is used to monitor the equivalent of
gas density.
 Gas Density Monitor is directly mounted on the
enclosure. The gas pressure acts on metal bellows, with
a reference volume for compensation of the temperature
 In case of gas leakage a micro-switch is actuated.
Thresholds for refilling (first stage) or
 lock-out alarm (second stage) can be mechanically set.
The response character is shown in
 3-Disconnector and earthing Switches
 The difference between a Disconnector and a circuit
breaker, considering that both open and close circuits, is
that the Disconnectors cannot open a circuit with current
and the circuit breakers are capable to open any current,
from rated to short-circuit currents.
 Disconnectors have a moving contact that opens or
closes a gap between stationary contacts when activated
by an insulating operating rod that is itself moved by a
sealed shaft coming through the enclosure wall, the
Figure 3.2 shows a disconnector with its main parts.
 The moving contact velocity is relatively low compared
to a circuit breaker moving contact, and the
disconnector can interrupt only low levels of capacitive
current (e.g. disconnecting a section of GIS bus) or
small inductive currents (e.g. transformer magnetizing
current).

 Disconnectors can carry currents under operating

conditions continuously and under abnormal conditions,
such as short circuit, for a specified time (1s, 3s).

 In general, earthing switches are combined with

 the adjacent Disconnectors to form one unit. However,
earthing switches can also be installed separately
 Disconnectors are almost entirely actuated by motor-
driven operating mechanisms, but manual mechanisms
are also used for earthing switches
 The mechanisms of the Disconnectors and earthing
switches can be interlocked relative to each other and to
the associated circuit-breakers to prevent maloperation.

 The fast-closing earthing switches are used to discharge

capacitive/inductive current present on the line.
 Capable of making onto a full fault current.
 Operation and interlock
 Special care should be taken for disconnect and ground switch operation
because if these are opened with load current flowing, or closed into load or
fault current, the arcing between the switch moving and stationary contacts
will usually cause a phase-to-phase fault in three-phase enclosure GIS or to
a phase-to-ground fault in single-phase enclosure GIS.

 The internal fault will cause severe damage inside the GIS.

 In extreme cases, the internal arc will cause a rupture disk to operate or
may even cause a burn-through of the enclosure. The resulting release of
hot, decomposed SF6 gas may cause serious injury to nearby person

 For both the sake of the GIS and the safety of personnel, secure interlocks
are provided so that the circuit breaker must be open before an associated
disconnect switch can be opened or closed, and the disconnect switch must
be open before the associated ground switch can be closed or opened.
 Cable connection
 A cable connecting to a
GIS is provided with a
cable termination kit
that is installed on the
cable to provide a
physical barrier between
the cable dielectric and
the SF6 gas in the GIS
(Figure 3.15)
 Direct Transformer Connections

 To connect a GIS directly to a

transformer, a special SF6 to oil
bushing that mounts on the
transformer is used (Figure
3.16). The bushing is connected
under oil on one end to the
transformer’s high voltage leads.
 The other end is SF6 and has a
removable link or sliding contact
for connection to the GIS
conductor
 GIS installation and commissioning
 The GIS is usually installed on a monolithic concrete pad
or the floor of a building. It is most often rigidly
attached by bolting and/or welding the GIS support
frames to embedded steel plates or beams.

 Large GIS installations may need bus expansion joints

between various sections of the GIS to adjust to the fit-
up in the field and, in some cases, provide for thermal
expansion of the GIS.

 Lower voltage systems shipped as complete bays, and

mostly factory-wired, can be installed more quickly.
 GIS installation and commissioning continue
 GIS tests:

 1-Measurement of voltage drop

 All contact connections assembled at site are subject to a
measurement of the voltage drop. The resistance is calculated from
the following formula:

 Where: R: resistance, U : voltage drop, I : current .

 2- Check of gas tightness

 The following components shall be subjected to gas tightness test:
 All flange connections assembled at site.
 All gas couplings and connections assembled at site.
 All other components are tested in the factory prior to delivery
 GIS installation and commissioning continue

 3-Contact resistance test for main circuit

 All switchgear equipments are joined together, after
joining action and before filled it with SF6 gas the
contact resistance test should be applied to be
ensure the quality of connecting the components
together.
 Figure 4.1 shows a feeder which contains the main
points through it the contact resistance test is done.
3-Contact resistance test for main circuit continue

Contact resistance is measured using

micro-ohmmeter device, by
connecting the terminals of that device
between each two points that
explained in Figure 4.1, then allowing
100A to pass through the terminals,
by knowing the voltage and the current
the device is computing the
resistance, this value each time is
compared to the contact resistance
measured in factory for the same
terminals, and this value of contact
resistance must not exceed 1.2 of the
design resistance.
 GIS installation and commissioning continue

 4-SF6 leakage test

 After installation the parts of GIS and ensure the quality
of connecting these parts together, the SF6 is injected in
each part according to the rated pressure.
 A check for leakage must be made – on the flange
connections and pipe unions which were assembled on
site, and – in the event of inadmissible loss of pressure.
 • Search for leaks using a leak tester.
 Halons and halogenated substances, also cigarette smoke and
perspiration under certain conditions can influence the readings.
Measurements should thus not be taken immediately after cleaning
and/or painting.
 If a leakage is detected, it must be stopped.
 GIS installation and commissioning continue

 5-Matching with standards and drawings

 All drawings and schemes have to be matched with all
specifications or standards and drawings for the GIS and it
must be in accordance with approved standards.

 6-Insulation test of auxiliary circuits

 All of auxiliary circuits have been tested with a voltage at 2 kV
for one minute or by using insulation test instrument which
practically called Megger, the insulation resistance has to be
greater that 100Mohm
 GIS installation and commissioning continue
 7-Dew point measurement(the moisture
content of the gas)
 The dew point measurement is performed once the gas compartments
have been filled and pressurized with SF6. In order to allow an equalization
between the residual moisture of the GIS enclosure material and the dry
SF6 filling, this measurement should not be carried out immediately after
the filling.

 The purpose of this test is to measure dew point of the SF6 gas that
existing within each compartment of the GIS. This test is done at rated
pressure, through it SF6 temperature is measured for each part of GIS in
°C.

 By knowing internal temperature of the gas and the pressure of the gas the
humidity or the dewiness can be determined for each part of GIS, this test is
 GIS installation and commissioning continue

The criterion for the humidity content of the SF6 gas is the dew
point temperature, i.e. the temperature at which condensation
of the water vapour begins. The permissible humidity levels at
the corresponding dew point temperatures are shown below

8-Measuring the SF6 percentage or air content

The SF6 percentage must not fall below 95%. By analogy,
the air content must not be more than 5%.
 GIS installation and commissioning continue

 9-Testing SF6 density monitor

 This test consists of two stages as follows:

 A-Calibration of pressure gauge meters

 The density monitors are factory-set. Resetting on-site
is neither possible nor required. Refer to the gas
monitoring plan for set values and filling pressures

 B. Alarms test:
 Testing involves raising or lowering the gas pressure and
determining the exact pressure at the moment the signal
is tripped
 GIS installation and commissioning continue

 Time testing
 This test is applied for all circuit breakers, disconnectors, and
earthing switches, and it is aims to measure the closing and
opening time for all circuit breakers, disconnects and earthing
switches, also to ensure that the closing and opening time are
equal for three phases.
 The closing and opening time of circuit breakers are
measured at 100% of rated DC voltage, also the closing time
at 80% of rated DC voltage, and the opening time at 60% of
rated DC voltage.
GIS installation and commissioning continue
 To test the circuit breaker (CB) firstly the
ground point at (b) is isolated with (a)
remains connecting to the ground then
the device is connecting as shown in
Figure 4.5, also the tester must compare
the results with that obtained in factory.
GIS installation and commissioning continue