High tension breaker
A high-tension breaker, also known as a high-voltage circuit breaker or HV circuit breaker, is a type of electrical switchgear designed to interrupt high-voltage electrical currents. These breakers are used to protect electrical power systems from faults, such as short circuits, overloads, and ground faults, by rapidly disconnecting the power supply.
High-tension breakers are typically used in high-voltage electrical power systems, such as:
- Transmission lines: High-voltage transmission lines that carry electrical power over long distances.
- Substations: High-voltage substations that transform and distribute electrical power to the grid.
- Power plants: High-voltage power plants that generate electrical power.
The main characteristics of high-tension breakers are:
- High voltage rating: High-tension breakers are designed to operate at high voltages, typically above 100 kV.
- High current rating: High-tension breakers can interrupt high currents, often exceeding 10,000 amps.
- Fast operating time: High-tension breakers are designed to operate quickly, typically within milliseconds, to minimize the impact of a fault on the power system.
- High reliability: High-tension breakers are designed to operate reliably and consistently, even in harsh environmental conditions.
Types of high-tension breakers:
- Air-break circuit breakers: These breakers use air as the medium to interrupt the electrical current.
- Oil-filled circuit breakers: These breakers use oil as the medium to interrupt the electrical current.
- Gas-insulated circuit breakers: These breakers use a gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), as the medium to interrupt the electrical current.
- Vacuum circuit breakers: These breakers use a vacuum as the medium to interrupt the electrical current.
High-tension breakers are designed to meet specific standards and regulations, such as those set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).