Medium Voltage (MV) & High Voltage

(HV) Training
Module 6

Date of the presentation
Electrical System Basics

MV vs. HV - Definitions

• Differences between USA and the rest of the world

• IEC define a high voltage fuse as a fuse-link rated for 3

phase systems above 1kV to 72.5 kV

• IEEE define a medium voltage fuse-link as a fuse rated for

single and 3 phase systems between 1kV and 38kV
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Module 6 - page 2

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 Electrical System Basics
• Generation voltage
10 kV-25kV MV (Medium Voltage)

• Transmission voltage
HV (High Voltage) – 132kV to 475 kV
Or EHV (Extra high voltage) – 500 kV
to 800 kV

• Distribution voltage
MV (Medium Voltage) – 1.1kV to 72.5 kV

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• Low voltage
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LV 1 V to 1kV

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Electrical System Basics

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Module 6 - page 4
 Why High Voltage

Power = Volts X Amps

If we increase voltage, we can decrease current
If we decrease current, we can use smaller
conductors (less copper) and have lower losses
(around 7% typical)

Transmit and distribute at high and medium voltages

Typically on overhead line systems

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 Why Overhead Line Systems

• Predominantly driven by cost

For 1 kilometre of overhead line
£5,000

• For 1 kilometre of
underground cable £25,000

• Overhead systems susceptible

to faults permanent & transient

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• Need for protection and isolation

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 Urban and Rural System Statistics

Medium
voltage
accounts for
61% of ALL
network faults

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MV Systems Protection- Objectives

• Protect equipment and people

• Provide fault discrimination

• Provide isolation points

• Cost effective and reliable

• Minimize customer outages

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• Environmental considerations

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 Distribution Systems

Protection Options
• Circuit breaker based system – Far too expensive.

• Fuse based systems most widely used

• Cost effective and environmentally safe

• Can be easily combined with switches

• Variety ofet
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• In current-limiting form - the best solution for transformer
protection

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OHL Distribution Network Systems
Fuse link or Sectionaliser
Auto-Recloser

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Transformer

Module 6 - page 10
 Equipment on Overhead Systems

• Fuse Link - Usually an expulsion fuse-link mounted in a holder

(cutout), opens on an overcurrent condition, “de-latches” and
swings open to isolate the fault.

• Auto Re-Closer - A circuit breaker that opens and close rapidly

to allow a temporary fault to clear

• Cutouts, Fuse mounts, DOEF - All mean the same thing – an

expulsion fuse link holder

• Sectionaliser – Electronic device which replaces an expulsion

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fuse and holder, will “de-latch” on an over current condition -
isolating the fault

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Fuse Types

DIN Air / Motor

VT (Voltage Transformer) Oil Tight Fuses

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HV part numbers

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MV Fuse Classification
Rated current of fuse link (In)

Fuse link Minimum Fuse opening range (1.1In to

In 1.4In)
types
Back Up 3 In

General
Purpose 1.7 In (1 hour current)

Full Range

Current
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Minimum breaking
current
Zone of uncertain operation. Fuse-link will open but
cannot clear fault
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The Importance of the Striker
Back up and General Purpose Fuses

Rely on striker pin to trip fuse-switch for low level over

currents where the fuse-links cannot clear the fault
Provides “full range” operation
Fuse opens and striker pin
contacts trip bar
Trip bar in the switchgear
trips all 3 phases

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 The Striker
Two types of Strikers
– Spring (Din fuses)
– Pyrotechnic (Oil fuses / Air fuses)
Spring Striker Pyrotechnic “Gun Powder” Striker

Pin
Case

Spring
Pin

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Retention wire Ignition wire

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Back-Up Fuse Construction

Ceramic Striker coil

former
Silver elements
Outer cap Striker assembly

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Body Quartz filler

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 Expulsion Fuse Link and Cut-out
• Overhead line cut-out secures fuse-link

• Fuse-link melts during over current

condition

• Fuse-link cutout de-latches and swings

downward, extinguishing over current
and isolating fault

• Inexpensive protection

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Auto Re-Closer

• A pole mounted circuit breaker

• Or a ground mounted circuit breaker with

an auto-reclose sequence relay fitted

• Open and closes rapidly to remove a

temporary fault on an overhead line

• Usually set to O-C 3 times locks out on

fourth
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 Sectionaliser
Applied in conjunction with
auto-recloser (opens fault)

Contains Electronic circuit board

and CTs to monitor current

After auto-recloser has opened a

specified number of times, the
sectionaliser actuator “de-latches”

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Sectionaliser swings
downward, isolating fault

Cost-effective protection

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Urban Distribution Systems
Ring Main Unit (RMU)
Fused
Primary End
Feeder
Box

RMU RMU RMU

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Module 6 - page 21
Transformer
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 Equipment Used In Urban Systems

RMU’s and fuse switches

Switchgear used to protect
transformers and over-head lines
on a network – R.M.U. – Ring Main
Unit, consists of a fuse switch or
circuit breaker, with two ring
switches, very common and where
70% of MV current limiting powder
fuses end up.

Fused et
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modifiez
– Fused end boxes contain current-
limiting fuses but do not provide
isolation or switching.

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 Ring Main Unit (RMU)
Circuit
breaker
OR
or fuse
switch Power Transformer
11000 / 400 Volts

Earth Earth
switch switch

RING switch RING switch

Non-Fused Switch - Provides power supply from either source

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Fuse Switch/CB - Provides isolation and protection for load (transformer)

Earth Switch - Switches incoming cables to earth during routine

maintenance

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Fused Switch

11/22kV

Switch

CL Fuse

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Current Limiting
(CL) Fuse-links

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Fused End Box

Phase Mounting
Barrier flange

Full Range
Current
Limiting
Fuse-link

Cable Entry
Fuse-link
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(bolted or DIN
clip)

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 Summary
• All countries have a generation, transmission and distribution system
to get electricity to facilities

• Medium and low voltage fuse-links are used mostly in the

DISTRIBUTION part of the system

• Medium voltage non-current limiting fuse links and Sectionalisers

mounted in cut-outs are used in overhead lines

• Medium voltage current limiting fuses are generally used in

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Ring main units (RMUs), fused switches and fused-end
boxes in urban networks

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