Presentor’s Profile
Name: Bolario, John Fred Alvaran
Education Attainment:
Elementary – Jabez Christian School
Student Council Grade 6 Representative
High School – Jesus Son of Mary Academy
Student Council 4th year Representative
College – TUP Cavite (1st year to 3rd year)
EHS 2nd year Representative
-TUP Manila (currently studying)
member of TUPEES
OJT – URC Cavite
EQUIPMENTSAND ACCESSORIES
OFPOWERTRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL
ISOLATORS
Electrical isolator which is commonly known
as isolator or disconnector is a piece of equipment that is
used in electric devices and power systems with the main
function of effectively “isolating two different parts of an
instrument”.
By definition, isolation is the process of complete
separation of various parts of an apparatus and this
separation can either be physical or electrical or both.
Therefore, the main purpose of an isolator is safety
because it is used as a switch to keep apart the fault section
from other sections of system to perform repair work.
In a similar scenario, isolators also ensure safety of
workers in regular maintenance and service of the power
system.
Electrical Isolator
Working Principle
Can be operated fully-automatic, semi-
automatic or manually.
Used as switches that can be opened or closed
based on the requirement.
But many times, isolator are used permanently in a
fixed position to keep isolation such as in electrical
transmission lines, transformers and grid station
Must be operated when there is no chance current
flowing through the circuit. A complete live closed circuit
must not be opened by isolator operation, and also a live
circuit must not be closed and completed by isolator
operation to avoid huge arcing in between isolator contacts.
For voltages up to 145 KV system hand operated
isolators are used whereas for higher voltage systems like
245 KV or 420 KV and above motorized isolators are used.
Electrical Isolator Types
Based on Application:
Single Break Isolator
Double Break Isolator
Pantograph Isolator
Based on Placement in the System:
Bus side isolator
Transfer bus side isolator
Line side isolator
Based on Application
Constructional features of Single Break Isolators
The contact arm is divided into two parts one carries
male contact and other carries female contact.
This motorized form of this type of isolators is
generally used, but an emergency hand driven mechanism
is also provided.
Based on Application
Constructional Features of Double Break Isolators
These have three stacks of post insulators as shown
in the figure. The central post insulator carries a tubular or
flat male contact which can be rotated horizontally with a
rotation of central post insulator. This rod type contact is
also called moving contact.
Based on Application
Constructional Features of Pantograph Isolators
In pantograph type isolator both terminals at each
side connect and disconnect only because of the forces of
stress or tension, and usually is no locking mechanism.
widely used in electric trains to obtain electricity from
overhead transmission lines.
Based on Placement
in the System
Bus side isolator: It directly connects to the main bus
Transfer bus side isolator: It directly connects to the
transfer bus.
Line side isolator: It is generally located at line side of the
feeder
Isolators are generally used on both side of the circuit
breaker, this measure is taken just to ensure extra safety
and protection because in power system incoming and
outgoing lines can have multiple sources of power and
disconnecting one side is sometimes not enough. So,
isolator on both sides of circuit breaker allow essential
replacement and services requirements to be performed
safely.
Difference between Isolator
and Circuit Breaker
Type of Device
An isolator is an off-load apparatus whereas circuit
breaker is an ON-load apparatus.
Device Action
The isolator is one type of mechanical
apparatus which works like a switch whereas circuit breaker
is an electronic apparatus made with BJT or MOSFET.
Difference between Isolator
and Circuit Breaker
Withstand Capacity
Isolators have the small withstand capacity when
contrasted to Circuit Breaker.
Circuit breakers have the high withstand capacity at
the condition of ON-load.
An insulator is one type of detaching switch which
works under the condition of off-loading. It separates the
circuit part in which the error takes place from the power
supply. Isolators are applicable for high voltage devices like
transformers.
Circuit Breaker is one kind of protection
device which works like a switch. When the fault happens in
the system, it opens as well as closes the circuit contact. It
separates the circuit automatically when a short circuit or
overload takes place.
A question arises that what is the point of using
isolator when it cannot even be used under load whereas
circuit-breaker trips automatically under fault?
When circuit breaker trips due to a certain fault then
we cannot make sure whether or not a faulty area is
completely isolated because circuit-breakers are mostly
installed remotely.
To make sure that a system is completely isolated, a
physical and mechanical on-site isolation system is used.
Isolators have overall lower capacity of withstanding current
and voltage relative to circuit breaker.
References
https://www.electricalengineering123.com/electrical-
isolation-switches-isolators/
https://www.switchgearindia.com/pantograph-
disconnectors.html
https://electricalstudy.sarutech.com/electrical-isolator-or-
electrical-isolation-switch/index.html
https://www.elprocus.com/electrical-isolator-definition-
working-types-of-isolator-applications/
