Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme

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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 25: Plasmatechnologie II (Hochdruckkonzepte)

P 25.1: Invited Talk

Friday, March 16, 2012, 14:00–14:30, V57.01

Plasma processes in high voltage circuit breakers — •Martin Seeger — ABB Switzerland Ltd, Corporate Research, 5405 Baden-Dättwil, Switzerland

High voltage circuit breakers (HVCB) are used in high voltage transmission and distribution networks. They have to safely control the current flow under normal operating conditions and interrupt fault currents under abnormal operating conditions. At transmission voltage levels mostly gas circuit breakers, using SF6 as insulation and interrupting medium are used. The talk will focus on such type of breakers. During current interruption an electric arc develops between two contacts and the current is interrupted by efficient cooling of the arc. After current interruption the network voltage develops between the contacts of the HVCB. Within a few ten microseconds the gap between the contact has to develop a sufficiently high dielectric withstand to avoid failure of the device. The arc control, cooling and fast development of dielectric withstand are one of the most challenging issues for HVCB. In open contact position the HVCB has to safely withstand the network voltage including transient voltage variations. The complex plasma processes in HVCB and related research activities will be presented. These comprise processes in the arc, at the electrodes, at the walls and during and after current interruption.