WO2017130051A1 - Safety arrangement for a ring main unit - Google Patents
Safety arrangement for a ring main unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2017130051A1 WO2017130051A1 PCT/IB2017/000032 IB2017000032W WO2017130051A1 WO 2017130051 A1 WO2017130051 A1 WO 2017130051A1 IB 2017000032 W IB2017000032 W IB 2017000032W WO 2017130051 A1 WO2017130051 A1 WO 2017130051A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- safety arrangement
- gas
- ring main
- main unit
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 241000589596 Thermus Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/20—Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms
- H01H9/22—Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms for interlocking between casing, cover, or protective shutter and mechanism for operating contacts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
- H01H33/02—Details
- H01H33/53—Cases; Reservoirs, tanks, piping or valves, for arc-extinguishing fluid; Accessories therefor, e.g. safety arrangements, pressure relief devices
- H01H33/56—Gas reservoirs
- H01H33/563—Gas reservoirs comprising means for monitoring the density of the insulating gas
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B—BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B13/00—Arrangement of switchgear in which switches are enclosed in, or structurally associated with, a casing, e.g. cubicle
- H02B13/02—Arrangement of switchgear in which switches are enclosed in, or structurally associated with, a casing, e.g. cubicle with metal casing
- H02B13/035—Gas-insulated switchgear
- H02B13/065—Means for detecting or reacting to mechanical or electrical defects
Definitions
- the invention relates to a safety arrangement for a Ring Main Unit (RMU) in an electrical power distribution system.
- RMU Ring Main Unit
- Ring Main Units or other (sub) stations are used for distributing electrical power.
- Those RMUs usually comprise a one or more switches in order to connect or disconnect one or more feeders of the RMU. Because of the high voltages involved, part of these switches may be surrounded by isolating gasses, such as SF6. Operating these switches may only be safe when a sufficient amount of isolating gas is present, i.e. when the gas pressure is above a certain level. Therefore, a gas pressure sensor may be provided to measure the amount of isolating gas, as a safety arrangement. On the operating panel of the RMU, the switches may be operated by a user or operator.
- a display connected to the gas pressure sensor may be provided for informing the user about the gas pressure.
- the user may decide not to operate the switches. However, the user may overlook the display, or ignore its information.
- the display may be faulty, i.e. it may be defective or it may show incorrect information. In these cases, the user may operate one or more switches of the RMU under unsafe conditions.
- the object of the invention is to provide an improved safety arrangement for a Ring Main Unit.
- the object of the invention is met by providing a safety arrangement for a ring main unit (RMU) in an electrical power distribution system, wherein the ring main unit comprises:
- a chamber arranged for containing an isolating gas; a gas pressure sensor arranged for measuring a pressure of said isolating gas in said chamber and providing a signal indicating that the measured pressure is below a predetermined value;
- an electrical switch which is partly accommodated in said chamber and comprises an operating element to be operated by a user, preferably from outside the chamber,
- safety arrangement comprises
- a blocking element arranged for blocking access to said operating element when activated
- a control unit arranged for activating said blocking element in response to said signal.
- the ring main unit may be operable at the following voltages: 22 kV, 11 kV or 6.6 kV.
- the isolating gas may be SF6.
- the electrical switch may be a mechanical electrical switch.
- the electrical switch may be a load break switch or an isolator switch.
- the blocking element may be a mechanical shutter or interlock.
- the gas pressure sensor may also be arranged for providing another signal when the measured pressure is above another pre-defined value.
- This control unit may also be arranged for activating said blocking element in response to said other signal.
- the electrical switch comprises an operating slot providing access to said operating element, wherein said ring main unit preferably further comprises an operating handle arranged for being inserted into said slot and for engaging therein with said operating element; and said blocking element comprises shutter arranged for closing off said slot.
- said control unit comprises a coil and a latch, wherein said coil is arranged for moving said latch from a protracted state to a retracted state when energized.
- the latch In a protracted state, the latch is arranged for holding the blocking element in a non-blocking position, in which the operating element is accessible.
- the latch In a retracted state, the latch is arranged for letting the blocking element fall or slide in a blocking position, in which access to the operating element is blocked.
- said control unit further comprises a relay for energizing said coil and the gas pressure sensor comprises is electrically connected with a power source and with a relay input of said relay and wherein said pressure switch is arranged for connecting said power source with said relay input when the pressure of said gas is below said pre-determined value.
- said relay comprises an output for a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) control system.
- a ring main unit (RMU) for an electrical power distribution system comprising:
- a chamber arranged for containing an isolating gas
- a gas pressure sensor arranged for measuring a pressure of said gas in the chamber and for providing a signal indicating that the measured pressure is below a pre-determined value
- an electrical switch which is partly accommodated in said chamber and comprises an operating element to be operated by a user, preferably from outside the chamber.
- Fig. 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of the safety arrangement according to the invention, wherein the blocking element is in the non-blocking position;
- Fig. 2 shows a schematic overview of the safety arrangement of Figure 1 , wherein the blocking element is in the blocking position.
- RMU ring main units
- switches may be load break switches or isolator switches or any other kind of electrical switch. Since the RMU's may operate at voltages in the range of 5 - 25 kV, the (mechanical) switches may be placed in environment with an isolating gas. Thus, a part of these switches may be arranged in chamber with an isolating gas, such as SF8.
- any other electrical distribution (sub) station may be used and the same features as described in this document may applicable to them.
- the switching of these switches may be performed manually by a user or operator, for example with a handle.
- the handle may be removable from the RMU.
- the operator may have to engage or couple the handle with an operating element of the switch.
- the engage surface of the operating element, with which the handle is to engage may be arranged in an opening or in a slot in the operating panel of the RMU.
- the handle needs to be inserted into the slot or opening for engaging or coupling with the operating element of the switch. After coupling, the operator may move or rotate to handle to operate the switch.
- Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic overview of an embodiment of the safety arrangement.
- the front view in the right corner shows the slot in the operating panel of the RMU.
- the handle needs to be inserted in that slot for the operator to be able to operate the switch (not depicted in the figures).
- a blocking element A is arranged in the non-blocking position, in which the slot is visible for the operator and accessible.
- the blocking element may be made of a metal, i.e. steel or any other hard material.
- the blocking element A is being kept in its non-blocking position by a latch L.
- the latch L is in that case in its protracted position.
- the blocking element A may be resting on latch L.
- the blocking element A may be a (mechanical) shutter.
- a pressure switch PS is depicted.
- the pressure switch is arranged for measuring the pressure of the isolating gas in the chamber and for providing a signal indicating that the pressure is below a pre-defined value.
- any other gas pressure sensor may be used.
- a gas pressure sensor may comprise such a pres- sure switch or may be such a pressure switch.
- the pressure switch may be connected to a power source, for example one providing 230 V AC.
- the 230 V AC connection may be provided from the Low Voltage side of the same RMU.
- a DC battery may be provided as a power source.
- the pressure switch may be connected to a relay input of a relay.
- the signal provided by the pressure switch may be a voltage to activate the relay.
- the relay is arranged for energising a coil, which may at least partly surround latch L. The coil is arranged for moving said latch L from a protracted position (in figure 1 ) to a retracted position (in figure 2).
- the relay When the pressure switch measures or detects a pressure below the pre-defined value, the relay energises the coil and the latch L is retracted. Without the latch L, blocking element A falls and enters its blocking position (see figure 2).
- the blocking element A is arranged in the blocking position, in which the slot is invisible for the operator and inaccessible. Instead the operator sees a side of the blocking element A.
- This side may comprise a warming text for the operator indicating that the gas pressure is too low in order to safely operate the switch. For example: "NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. GAS IS LOW".
- the relay may comprise an output for a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) control system.
- SCADA supervisory control and data acquisition
- RMU are provided with a gas pressure sensor that can provide a signal indicating that the gas pressure is below a pre-defined value. Furthermore, most RMU are provided with a slot that provides access to the operating element of an electrical switch. Therefore, the safety arrangement according to described embodiments can easily be assembled or mounted on an existing RMU.
- the safety arrangement comprises a blocking element and a control element.
- the control element may comprise a relay, a coil and a latch.
Landscapes
- Gas-Insulated Switchgears (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1708988.9A GB2550497B (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2017-01-25 | Safety arrangement for a ring main unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AE852016 | 2016-01-25 | ||
AEP85/2016 | 2016-01-25 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2017130051A1 true WO2017130051A1 (en) | 2017-08-03 |
Family
ID=59397488
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2017/000032 WO2017130051A1 (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2017-01-25 | Safety arrangement for a ring main unit |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
WO (1) | WO2017130051A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN201781221U (en) * | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-30 | 北京合纵实科电力科技有限公司 | Low-air pressure latching unit for ring main units and ring main unit adopting same |
CN204178965U (en) * | 2014-05-12 | 2015-02-25 | 国家电网公司 | The safety interlock system of 10kV ring main unit and off-tube Ore-controlling Role |
-
2017
- 2017-01-25 WO PCT/IB2017/000032 patent/WO2017130051A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN201781221U (en) * | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-30 | 北京合纵实科电力科技有限公司 | Low-air pressure latching unit for ring main units and ring main unit adopting same |
CN204178965U (en) * | 2014-05-12 | 2015-02-25 | 国家电网公司 | The safety interlock system of 10kV ring main unit and off-tube Ore-controlling Role |
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