Types of circuit breaker used in substation

There are several types of circuit breakers used in substations, each with its own characteristics and applications. Here are some of the most common types:

  1. Air-Insulated Circuit Breaker (AISCB): These breakers use air as the insulating medium and are commonly used in outdoor substations. They are suitable for voltages up to 765 kV.
  2. Gas-Insulated Circuit Breaker (GICB): These breakers use sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas as the insulating medium and are commonly used in indoor substations. They are suitable for voltages up to 550 kV.
  3. Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB): These breakers use vacuum as the insulating medium and are commonly used in high-voltage applications up to 800 kV.
  4. Oil-Insulated Circuit Breaker (OICB): These breakers use oil as the insulating medium and are commonly used in older substations. They are suitable for voltages up to 345 kV.
  5. Hybrid Circuit Breaker: These breakers combine the benefits of different technologies, such as air-insulation and gas-insulation, to provide a compact and reliable solution.
  6. SF6-Free Circuit Breaker: These breakers use alternative gases, such as air, nitrogen, or fluoroketone, as the insulating medium instead of SF6.
  7. High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Circuit Breaker: These breakers are designed specifically for HVDC transmission systems and are capable of interrupting high-voltage DC currents.
  8. Line Switching Circuit Breaker: These breakers are designed for switching high-voltage transmission lines and are typically used in substations with multiple transmission lines.
  9. Transformer Circuit Breaker: These breakers are designed for switching transformer banks and are typically used in substations with multiple transformer banks.
  10. Ring Main Unit (RMU) Circuit Breaker: These breakers are designed for switching ring main configurations and are typically used in urban areas with high-density distribution networks.
  11. Compact Secondary Circuit Breaker: These breakers are designed for switching low-voltage distribution systems and are typically used in industrial and commercial applications.
  12. Smart Circuit Breaker: These breakers are equipped with advanced features such as remote monitoring, fault detection, and predictive maintenance, making them suitable for smart grid applications.

Each type of circuit breaker has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of breaker depends on the specific application, voltage level, and environmental conditions of the substation.