GAS INSULATED SWITCHGEAR

What is GI S

GIS stands for Gas Insulated switchgear.

GIS is a metal enclosed switchgear in which the insulation
medium is SF6 gas.

INTRODUCTION


Why only SF6 Gas?


Colorless, Odorless, Non-toxic, Non-flammable synthetic gas

Is chemically inert & stable its reactivity is low.

Around 5 times heavier than air

The arc quenching time is 100 times less than air.

Has two to three times the insulating ability of air at same pressure.



GIS
36kV
25kA,1250A
SBB
40kA,2500A
SBB
40kA,2500A
DBB
145kV
40kA,3150A
PRODUCT RANGE OF GIS AT BHEL BHOPAL
Bay dimensions 36kV SBB 36kV DBB 145kV SBB
Width (mm) 650 650 3490
Height (mm) 2540 2990 3000
Depth(mm) 1650 3400 2550
Dimensional details of GIS
COMPARISONS: AIS & GIS
AIS GIS
Insulating Medium Air SF6 gas
Land 70% less
Equipment cost Almost double
Auxiliaries (earthing, lighting, fire
fighting etc)
Auxiliaries GIS cost is 1.2 to 1.5
times of AIS
Maintenance Cost over life time 50-60% Less
Area Almost half
Cables More Cables required for AIS since
HV equipment's are a distance
apart.
Site preparation, mobilization cost, earth
leveling, fencing and roads cost
More Less
Erection & commissioning time Less than 40%
O&M Time for AIS O&M > 2 x Time for
GIS O&M

GIS O&M requires only some
preliminary checks.
No Environmental Issues
Dust-free area.
Constructional Features: 36 kV GIS (GVM36)
Contains mainly three independent gas modules/compartments.
Breaker compartment.
Bus bar compartment.
CT compartment.

Three poles Vacuum Interrupter are mounted inside the
common chamber or in isolated chamber & is operated by
single common shaft.
An isolator is provided in the bus bar chamber and it is
motorized and have three positions namely ON, OFF & Earthed.

The gas insulated switchgear has got hermetically sealed
stainless steel enclosures & flanges.
The module join to each other with flanges and live part are
supported by cast epoxy resign based insulator can be found
between flanges of the neighbour module.
Different gas compartments contains usually different gas
volumes

The bus bar chamber is separated from the interrupter/breaker
chamber by gas-tight barriers. The chambers are made gas tight
using groove type joints which are designed in such a way that
the leak rate of the SF6 gas is minimum.

The insulating SF6 gas is not exposed to direct arcing, which
helps in maintaining a sound insulation during the life span of
the switchgear.

Bus bars can be extended in either side of switchgear. The
design of the bus bars allows an easy installation of the panel in
board formation.



Constructional Features: 36 kV GIS (GVM36)
Precautions taken during Assembly:


1. Assembly done carefully in dust-free area.

2. Cleanliness of all items with cotton cloth and acetone.

3. Setting of interrupter assembly in breaker module.

4. RFT shaft lever setting in Breaker Module.
Routine Tests conducted after assembly
Following routine tests are conducted:

1) Measurement of the resistance of the main circuit.

2) Gas condition.

3) Leakage Test.

4) Speed test.


Benefits of GIS
Compact space saving design with uncomplicated foundations.
Light weight construction .
Environmental friendly: No restrictions on choice of location minimum
space requirement, unaffected by environmental parameters.
Low noise emission and effective gas tightness using sealing systems with
leakage rates < 0.1% p.a. per gas compartment.
Maintenance free equipment, designed for extremely long service life.
Easy and efficient installation and commissioning with transport units
already fully assembled and tested in the factory, pre-filled with SF6 gas at
reduced pressure.
High Altitude independent: gas insulation at a relative gas pressure of 1 bar
permits switchgear installation at any desired altitude.
BHEL GIS in service (36 kV GIS)
Utility Location No of bays Year
APTransco Secunderabad 11 2010-11
DVB New Delhi 30 2000-01
DESU New Delhi 16 1998-99
MSEB Phadge 10 1996-97
APSEB Secunderabad 12 1995-96
Total 79
Operators Safety
All high voltage parts including the cable sealing ends,
Busbars and voltage transformers are in metal enclosure.

All high voltage compartment are hermetically enclosed and
safe to touch.

Operating mechanism and auxiliary switches safely
accessible outside the primary enclosure.

Safety interlock between CB , isolator and earthing switch.

Busbar Chamber is isolated from faulty breaker chamber

Metal enclosures of GIS provides safety to the operator.

Seismic independent
Least prone to earthquakes.

Lesser moving parts in the design
The use of three-position switch as bus bar
disconnector, as well as feeder earthing switch,
contributes to the reduction of moving parts.

These constructional measures provide reliability,
even in case of vibrations and earthquakes.
Flexibility
The requirement of additional circuit in Mining,
Metro and Hydro sites with their expansion.

GIS is modular in construction and has flexibility for
expansion or modification in substation scheme.

Additional bays can be added to the substation at a
later date.