Circuit breaker chamber model for controlled switching

Specialized Power Systems model simulating transition leading to the closed and opened positions of a circuit breaker interrupting chamber.

Transients produced during circuit breaker (CB) operations have undesirable consequences to the equipment and to the network. Mitigation techniques must therefore be used. Departing from conventional solutions, a more effective and reliable solution has been successfully deployed and validated since more than two decades: Controlled Switching (CS).

Taking the voltage or current as a reference, the goal is to launch the closing or opening command at a precise moment in order to reach an optimum electrical switching target dictated by the CB characteristics, the operating conditions and the switching load type. Even though this technology has been physically deployed, simulations studies could be enhanced and used to optimize the system.

Reproducing with more fidelity the transition leading to the closed and opened positions of a circuit breaker interrupting chamber, this model has been developped with the intention of improving the comprehension of the control switching technique and of the relationship between circuit breaker mechnical components and its electrical behavior.

The author of the model is André Mercier, from the Hydro-Québec research institute.