Sectionalizers

Electrical Apparatus

Electronically Controlled; Manually Closed

Types GN3E and GN3VE 270-15
GENERAL
A sectionalizer is an automatic circuit
opening device. After a circuit has
been deenergized by a backup pro-
tective device—such as a recloser or
reclosing breaker—a sectionalizer
isolates the faulted portion of a distri-
bution line. After the fault has been
isolated, the rest of the circuit is
returned to service upon reclosure of
the backup.
The sectionalizer counts the over-
current interruptions of the backup
and can be set to open after one,
two, or three counts have been regis-
tered within a predetermined time
span. A sectionalizer opens during
the open interval of the backup.
Although it cannot interrupt faults, it
can be closed into them.
Sectionalizers can be used in
place of fuses or between a reclos-
ing device and a fuse. They only
detect current interruptions above a
predetermined level and have no
time-current characteristics, permit- Figure 1.
ting easy coordination with other pro- Kyle® Type GN3E three-phase electronically controlled sectionalizer.
tective devices on the system. They
provide additional protection without TABLE 1
adding a coordination step to the Basic Ratings of Types GN3E and GN3VE Sectionalizers
protective scheme.
Sectionalizers provide several Max Max.
advantages over fuse cutouts: Interrupting Momentary
Rated Max Loadbreak and Making
■ In addition to application flexibility, Nominal Max. Cont. Current Current
they offer safety and Voltage Voltage Current (amps) (asymmetrical BIL
convenience; Type (kV) (kV) (amps) amps) (kV)
■ After a permanent fault, the fault-
closing capability of the sectional- GN3E 14.4 15.5 200 440 9000 110
izer greatly simplifies circuit GN3VE 24.9 27 200 440 9000 125
testing;
■ If a fault is still present, interrup- SUMMARY OF RATINGS ORDERING INFORMATlON
tion takes place safely at the The solid-state electronic control When ordering a Type GN3E or a
backup recloser; used in the Type GN3E (Figure 1) GN3VE sectionalizer, include catalog
■ Replacement fuse links are not and GN3VE three-phase sectionaliz- number and description of basic
required so the line can be tested ers provides accurate and reliable sectionalizer and the phase and
and service restored with more operation down to 16 amps on ground minimum-actuating-current
speed, convenience, and phase-fault and 3.5 amps on ground- plug-in resistors. A set (one each) of
economy; (earth-) fault detection. Operation is the phase and ground minimum-
■ Sectionalizers do not open unaffected over a wide range of actuating-current plug-in resistors is
accidentally under load due to a ambient temperatures. Basic ratings included in the price of the basic
damaged link; are shown in Table 1. sectionalizer. Also specify the operat-
■ The possibility of error in the The sectionalizer is self-con- ing settings for the inrush-current
selection of the correct fuse link tained. Current transformers—inter- restraint. If accessories and/or
size and type is eliminated. nally mounted on the bushings— mounting equipment are required,
provide power to operate the specify by catalog number and
electronic control and the trip description. Prices of the sectionaliz-
mechanism. Since these CTs ers, accessories, and mounting
obtain power from the line, no equipment are in Catalog 270-01,
external source of auxiliary power is Part 15.
required.

January 1990 • Supersedes 5/86 • © 1990 Cooper Power Systems, Inc. 1

Printed in U.S.A. AA
Types GN3E and GN3VE Sectionalizers

TABLE 2 TABLE 3
Basic Types GN3E and GN3VE Phase and Ground Minimum Actuating-Current Plug-In Resistors
Sectionalizers
Type Minimum Actuating Current Rating (amps) Catalog Number
Catalog
Description Number Phase 16, 24, 40, 56, 80, 112, 160, 224, 256, 296, or 320 . . . . . . . KGN123E_*
Type GN3E sectionalizer Ground 3, 5, 7,16, 28, 40, 56, 80, 112,160, 224, 320, or BLO (block). KGN1 24E_*
set for:
*Complete the catalog number by inserting the value (amps) of the required minimum-actuating current.
One count to open . . . . . . KGN3EB1
Two counts to open . . . . . KGN3EB2
Three counts to open. . . . KGN3EB3 TABLE 4
Type GN3VE sectionalizer
Operating Settings for Inrush-Current Restraint
set for: Description Available Settings
One count to open . . . . . . KGN3VEB1
Two counts to open . . . . . KGN3VEB2 Phase-actuating current multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2X, 4X, 6X, 8X, or BLOCK
Three counts to open . . . . KGN3VEB3 Phase-inrush reset
(duration the phase actuating current 5, 10, 15, or 20 cycles
is to be raised) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (60 Hz base)
Ground inrush reset
(duration the ground sensing is to be blocked) . . . . . . . . 0.3, 0.7, 1.5, 3.0 or 5.0 seconds

ACCESSORIES AND MOUNTING EQUIPMENT

TABLE 5
Bushings; Factory-Installed
Description Catalog Number
17-inch creepage bushings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KA18GN3

TABLE 6
Multi-Ratio Bushing-Current Transformers for Field Installation; 600:5 for
Metering
Description Catalog Number
Slip-on bushing current transformer kit; one BCT per kit. . . . . KA712L1

TABLE 7
Mounting Equipment
Description Catalog Number
Double-crossarm bracket or substation hanger . . . . . . . . . . . . . KA19H3
Broad-side pole-mounting hanger
Type GN3E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KA116H3
Type GN3VE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KGN50E
Surge arrester mounting bracket for KA116H3 hanger . . . . . . . . KA126H3

2
Features and Detailed Description 270-15

Figure 2.
Untanked Type GN3E sectionalizer.

Sectionalizers provide an economi- Overcurrents interrupted by a down- pulse is generated and registered in
cal method to further improve ser- line protective device are one cause the electronic control. If the preset
vice on distribution lines equipped for these occurrences; inrush cur- number of counts is registered within
with reclosers or reclosing circuit rent is another. Count-restraint and one minute, the sectionalizer will
breakers by isolating permanent inrush current restraint features are open during the open interval of the
faults, thus confining outages to built into the electronic control to backup device (when no current is
smaller sections of line. block the sectionalizer’s response to flowing in the circuit).
Sectionalizers are applied on the these system conditions. The sectionalizer is completely
load side of the fault-interrupting selfcontained. Power to operate the
device and count its fault-trip opera- OPERATION control and low-energy tripper is
tions. They open during the first, sec- The Type GN3E or GN3VE section- obtained from the line through bush-
ond, or third open interval of the alizer is a three-phase device that ing current transformers (mounted
backup protective device, depending opens all three phases simultane- under the head) which sense the
upon the coordination scheme ously for either a phase or ground phase- and ground-fault currents. No
selected. Sectionalizers are not fault or when used as a loadbreak auxiliary power supply is required.
designed to interrupt fault currents. switch. Three sets of oil-insulated The solid-state electronic control
They can, however, be closed in contacts are connected by bellcranks provides the operating logic for auto-
against a fault. The sectionalizer will to a common operating mechanism. matic opening. Closing is accom-
forget counts that do not reach its A low-energy tripping mechanism— plished by manually closing the yel-
counts-to-open setting due to clear- operated by the electronic control— low operating handle under the sleet
ing of temporary faults. initiates opening. opening energy is hood. The sectionalizer may also be
When properly applied, a section- provided by springs, charged when manually opened with this handle
alizer will respond to downline fault the sectionalizer is manually closed. which also provides a positive visual
currents that are interrupted by its The sectionalizer senses overcur- indication of contact position.
backup protective device. However, rent interruptions and opens after
as with any other protective device, one, two, or three such interruptions
system conditions may produce have occurred. When a current
unexpected and unwanted sectional- above the preset actuating level of
izer operation. the sectionalizer is interrupted by a
backup protective device, a count

3
Types GN3E and GN3VE Sectionalizers

ELECTRONIC CONTROL charge path for the trip-energy-stor-

A functional block diagram of the age capacitors through the coil of
electronic control circuitry is shown the low-energy tripper which, in turn,
in Figure 3. trips the sectionalizer mechanism to
Bushing current transformers open the sectionalizer contacts.
(BCTs) sense the current flowing The pulse counter has a 60-sec-
through the sectionalizer. Three ond memory for each count. Thus,
transformers connected in a wye the preset number of counts must be
(star) configuration sense phase cur- registered within one minute for the
rents. Three additional BCTs, con- sectionalizer to open. The control will
nected in parallel, sense the ground- reset (completely forget the regis-
(earth-) or zero-sequence current. tered count pulses that do not reach
By selecting the proper plug-in resis- the preset number) within 7 minutes.
tors, these signals can be rectified Types GN3E and GN3VE elec-
and adjusted to the desired minimum tronic sectionalizers contain a
actuating-current level. count-restraint feature. This feature
To generate and register a count prevents the sectionalizer from
pluse, a current above the preset counting fault currents interrupted
minimum actuating level must be by a downline protective device. The Figure 4.
flowing through the sectionalizer current restraint will block the gen- Logic diagram for Inrush-current-
(downline fault). This overcurrent eration of a count pulse as long as restraint feature.
must drop to zero (fault interrupted at least 3-1/2 amps of load current
by the backup protective device). are flowing through the sectionalizer If an overcurrent is present
The pulse counter provides storage after the fault current through the sectionalizer when the
for up to three pulses. Depending disappears. backup protective device opens (cur-
upon the counts-to-open setting, the The sectionalizer is also equipped rent is interrupted), the overcurrent
tripping circuit will turn on after one, with an inrush-current restraint fea- present upon reclosing is assumed
two, or three count pulses have ture which distinguishes between to be fault current and the sectional-
been registered. When turned on, inrush current and fault current by a izer control operates in its normal
the tripping circuit completes the dis- logic circuit functionally diagrammed manner. If, however, there is no over-
in Figure 4. current detected by the sectionalizer
when the current is interrupted, the
overcurrent present upon reclosing is
assumed to be inrush current. To
prevent the sectionalizer from count-
ing this inrush current, the fault-level
detector circuit is modified to raise
the phase-actuating level by a multi-
ple of 2X, 4X, 6X, or 8X the normal
setting (or current detection can be
blocked entirely) for a time (Y) of 5,
10, 15 or 20 cycles after current flow
through the sectionalizer is restored.
After this time, the sectionalizer con-
trol returns to normal operating set-
tings. At the same time, ground over-
current detection is blocked entirely
for a period (Z) of 0.3, 0.7, 1.5, 3, or
5 seconds after current flow through
the sectionalizer is restored.
On multi-grounded-wye systems,
the entire transient inrush of a partic-
Figure 3. ular phase could flow in the neutral.
Functional block diagram of electronic control for Types GN3E and GN3VE Typical settings for ground-fault
sectionalizers. sensing on these systems is one-half
or less of phase-fault sensing. This
could result in values at least twice
those necessary for phase magni-
tude and duration (X and Y). With the
improved ground-inrush logic,
ground sensing is simply blocked for
the duration of the Z selected.

4
 270-15
Trip-Energy Storage Count-Restraint Feature current setting, a second trip opera-
The count-restraint feature blocks the tion of the backup device will defeat
Capacitors sectionalizer from generating a count the count-restraint feature (load cur-
The control is powered by the load rent is interrupted) and cause the
and/or fault current flowing through pulse as long as some load current
flows through the sectionalizer. Thus, sectionalizer to generate and register
the sectionalizer. This also charges a count.
the trip-energy-storage capacitors. the sectionalizer does not count or
operate when a load-side device The inrush-current restraint feature
For most cases, the charging time of distinguishes between inrush current
the capacitors (Figure 5) is less than interrupts the overcurrent.
Figure 6 shows a typical applica- and fault current by means of a logic
the clearing time of the Kyle® three- circuit previously described. It pre-
phase reclosers with which the tion with the sectionalizer located
between two reclosers. vents false counting and operation of
GN3E and GN3VE sectionalizers are the sectionalizer due to inrush cur-
specifically intended to coordinate. For a fault (F1) beyond the load-
side recloser (ACR2), only the load- rents through the sectionalizer during
Some recloser fast-trip curves may operation of the source-side
have a faster clearing time at their side recloser operates. The sectional-
izer does not generate a count protective device.
low end than the capacitor charging
time. These exceptions are listed in because the load current through the
Table 8 (Phase Trip Coordination) sectionalizer is not interrupted. For a
and Table 9 (Ground Trip load-side fault (F2) interrupted by the
Coordination). source-side recloser (ACR1), the sec-
To verify proper coordination tionalizer counts the fault interruption
between the sectionalizer and its since the load current through the
backup protective device, the charge sectionalizer is interrupted.
time of the trip-energy-storage The count-restraint feature is
designed to operate with a minimum Figure 7.
capacitors (Figure 5) can be plotted Typical application showing a
against the clearing-time curve of of 3-1/2 amps load current through
the sectionalizer. It is a standard fea- fault on the source side of the
the backup device. Note that the sectionalizer.
capacitor charge-time curve is plot- ture of all GN3E and GN3VE elec-
ted in amps, not in % of tronically controlled sectionalizers.
minimum actuating current. Low-Energy Tripping
Mechanism
The low-energy tripping mechanism
operated from the electronic control,
initiates the automatic-opening oper-
ation. The mechanism consists of a
permanent magnet, and a solenoid
Figure 6. and coil assembly which operate a
Typical application of sectionaliz- trip lever (Figure 8).
er located between two reclosers.

Inrush-Current Restraint
Feature
One of the principal causes for
unwanted sectionalizer operation is
inrush current. If the backup device
interrupts a fault on the downline
side of the sectionalizer, the section-
alizer will generate and register a
count pulse in the normal manner. If
Figure 5. the fault is interrupted by a downline
Charging time for trip-energy protective device, the count-restraint
stroage capacitors. feature will block the generation of a
count pulse if at least 3-1/2 amps of
uninterrupted load current flows
through the sectionalizer.
For a fault on the source side of
the sectionalizer (Figure 7), the Figure 8.
backup device will trip and deener- Low-energy tripping mechanism.
gize the circuit. However, if upon cir-
cuit reenergization, the inrush cur-
rent through the sectionalizer is
greater than its minimum actuating

5
Types GN3E and GN3VE Sectionalizers

When the sectionalizer is closed, 5. To operate the count-restraint fea- A sectionalizer may also be
the solenoid’s plunger is held by the ture, a minimum of 3-1/2 amps of applied to protect an important
magnetic force produced by the per- load current must normally flow branch which may be carrying only a
manent magnet. In this position, the through the sectionalizer. small portion of the total load (Figure
compressed spring is acting to 6. The momentary and short-time 10). Although this example will result
release the plunger. ratings of the sectionalizer must in fewer inrush-current problems that
During the opening operation, the not be exceeded. the previous application, inrush-cur-
trip-energy-storage capacitors are 7. Three-phase sectionalizers must rent considerations should not be
connected across the coil of the be used with backup breakers or ignored here.
solenoid. The counter-magnetic flux reclosers in which all three phases
produced by the discharge of the open simultaneously. The counting
capacitors is great enough for the functions of the sectionalizer do
compressed spring to override the not recognize a signal as originat-
net magnetic force, pull down the ing in a particular phase, but total
plunger to operate the trip lever, and the overcurrent interruptions in all
open the sectionalizer contacts. As three phases. Non-simultaneous
the sectionalizer contacts are three-phase tripping of the backup
opened, the spring-biased reset device could result in the section-
lever of the tripping mechanism is alizer interrupting fault current in
released to return the solenoid one or more phases.
plunger and reset the assembly for 8. Application on multi-grounded-wye
the next opening operation. systems generally requires Figure 10.
groundfault sensing and inrush- Sectionalizer application:
APPLICATlON current restraint. Setting the phase Sectionalizer protects a branch
actuating level to the ground set- which carries only a small portion of
REQUIREMENTS ting of the backup device may the total load.
The following basic coordinating result in erroneous counts due to
principles should be observed in the inrush currents and incorrect
application of Types GN3E and The typical sectionalizer settings
opening of the sectionalizer for shown in these illustrations are iden-
GN3VE electronically controlled source-side faults.
sectionalizers: tical for both applications since they
1. For both phase and ground cur- are based on the settings of the
Application of Inrush- backup device.
rents, the minimum actuating-cur- Current Restraint
rent setting of the sectionalizer To prevent false operation, the
Sectionalizers can be applied inrush-restraint function should be
should be approximately 80% of where the main feeder is divided
the minimum trip-current setting programmed so that:
into two feeders close to the sub- 1. The Multiplier setting exceeds the
of the backup recloser or reclos- station (Figure 9). Inrush current
ing breaker. expected inrush current (cold-
will be a problem here, since the load pickup and/or transformer
2. The counts-to-open setting of the load current (and connected
sectionalizer must be at least one magnetizing);
transformer capacity) is close to the 2. The inrush current decays to
less than the number of opera- operating settings of the
tions to lockout of the backup below the normal actuating
sectionalizer. current setting of the sectionalizer
device.
3. Total accumulated time (TAT) for within the duration of the Reset
the operation of the backup fault- setting.
interrupting device must not SECTlONALIZER
exceed one minute betweeen
each operation. TAT is counted SETTINGS
from the backup device’s first trip For proper sectionalizer operation,
operation to the trip operation the following settings must be
which causes the sectionalizer to specified on the order:
open. ■ Minimum phase-actuating current.
4. To assure that the trip-energy- ■ Minimum ground-actuating
storage capacitors are fully current.
charged before the backup trips, ■ Number of overcurrent counts to
the clearing time of the backup open.
device must be greater than the ■ Multiple of phase minimum-
charging time of the trip-energy- actuating current.
storage capacitors. The charging ■ Duration of raised phase current
time-current curve for the trip- sensing.
energy-storage capacitors is ■ Duration of ground current-
shown in Figure 5. sensing block.
Figure 9.
Sectionalizer application: Main
Feeder is divided into two feeders
close to the substation.

6
 270-15
Minimum-Actuating Current The minimum-trip levels of the The available minimum actuating-
To assure that the sectionalizer will recloser fast curves in question and current-level values for both phase
sense and count every fault-trip the comparable minimum-actuating and ground have been selected to
operation of its backup protective levels of the sectionalizer to attain coordinate with the more popular
device, the minimum-actuating proper coordination are listed in recloser trip settings. The following
phase- and ground-trip setting Tables 8 and 9. Below these levels, values are available for phase sens-
should be approximately 80% of the the Type GN3E or GN3VE sectional- ing: 16, 24, 40, 56, 80, 112, 160, 224,
comparable minimum-trip values of izer may not count the fast-curve 256, 296, and 320 amps. For ground
the backup device. However, in a few operation. sensing, the values available are 3.5,
instances, the lower end of the back- The minimum actuating-current 5, 7, 16, 28, 40, 56, 80, 112, 160,
up recloser’s fast-trip curve may be level is determined by plug-in resis- 224, and 320 amps.
faster than the charging time of the tors located on the inrush-current- NOTE: If the backup protective device does
trip-energy-storage capacitor, and restraint circuit board housed in the not include ground-fault trip, a dummy plug-in
proper coordination may not be control cabinet (Figure 11). resistor is used to deactivate the ground-sens-
attained. ing circuits of the sectionalizer control. See
ORDERING INFORMATION for proper
TABLE 8 catalog number.
Phase Trip Coordination
Recloser Sectionalizer Number of Counts to Open
Minimum-Trip Minimum-Acluating The number of overcurrent counts
Recloser Type Current (amps) Current (amps) to open should be at least one less
W, WV, VW, VWV27 100 (A Curve) 80 than the number of trips to lockout
WE, WVE, VWE, VWVE27 100 (A Curve) 80 of the backup device. One, two, or
three counts are available.
TABLE 9 This setting is determined by
Ground Trip Coordination attaching the jumper wire to the
Minimum-Trip Sectionalizer
proper terminal tab on the same
Current Minimum-Actuating
printed-circuit board that holds the
Device (amps) Current (amps) phase and ground plug-in resistors
(Figure 11).
Hydraulic recloser with KA510R hydraulic
ground-trip accessory 110 (1 Curve) 80 Inrush-Current Restraint Whenever
Hydraulic recloser with KA1144R electronic 100 (1 Curve) 80 circuit logic determines that the over-
ground-trip accessory 50 (2 Curve) 40 current is inrush current, this feature
20 (3 Curve) 16 raises the minimum phase-actuating-
10 (4 Curve) 7 current level of the sectionalizer by a
Electronic recloser with ground trip on ME 100 (1 Curve) 80
multiple X (2, 4, 6, or 8 times) or
blocks overcurrent detection entirely
Control 50 (4 Curve) 40
for a period of time Y (5,10,15, or 20
cycles) after current flow through the
sectionalizer is restored. At the same
time, ground overcurrent detection is
also blocked entirely for a period Z
(0.3, 0.7,1.5, 3, or 5 seconds). To
operate effectively, the values select-
ed for X, Y, and Z should exceed the
time-current parameters of the
expected inrush currents.
With the inrush-current restraint
set on BLOCK for phase-sensing
and the ground-sensing circuit nor-
mally operating on block, the sec-
tionalizer will not count a system
fault interrupted by the backup
device within the block time span.
The settings for raising the phase-
current-actuating level, the duration
of this raised level, and the duration
of ground-current block are made by
attaching jumper wires to the proper
terminal tabs on the inrush-current-
Figure 11. restraint circuit board. This circuit
Sectionalizer settings are located on the printed circuit board in the con- board is housed in the control cabi-
troll cabinet. net at the back of the sectionalizer
(Figure 11).

7
Types GH, GN3, GN3V Hydraulically Controlled Sectionalizers

RATINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS

TABLE 10
Basic Data for Types GN3E and GN3VE Sectionalizers
Type Type
GN3E GN3VE

Nominal operating voltage (kV rms) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.4 24.9

Max rated voltage (kV rms) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.5 27
Impulse withstand (BIL) 1.2 x 50µsec wave (kV crest) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 125
60 Hz withstand (kV rms)
Dry, 1 min . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 60
Wet, 10 sec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 50
Rated continuous current (amps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 200
Rated symmetrical load interrupting current (rms amps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440 440
Rated making current (rms amps; asymmetrical) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9000 9000
Short-time ratings (rms amps)
10 sec, symmetrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2600 2600
1 sec, symmetrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5700 5700
Momentary, max, asymmetrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9000 9000

TABLE 11
Control Data for Types GN3E and GN3VE Sectionalizers
Minimum Actuating-Current Settings (amps) Number of Memory Reset
Phase- Ground- Counts Time* Time**
Sensing Sensing to Open (sec) (minutes)
16, 24, 40, 56, 80, 112, 160, 3.5, 7, 16, 28, 40, 56, 80
1, 2, or 3 60 7
224, 256, 296, 320 112, 160, 224, 320
*Period of time sectionalizer will retain its count.
**Time required for all count retention to be lost for sectionalizer control operations that do not total the required
number of counts to open.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS

Figure 12.
Dimensions for Types GN3E and GN3VE

8
 270-15

Figure 13.
KA19H3 double-crossarm bracket.

9
Types GN3E and GN3VE Sectionalizers

TABLE 12
Weights and Oil Capacity
Sectionalizer Without With Oil Capacity
Type Oil (lb) Oil (lb) (gal)
GN3E . . . . . 156 250 12-1/2
GN3VE . . . . 166 260 12-1/2

Figure 14.
KA116H3 pole-mounting frame for Type GN3E and KGN50E pole-mount-
ing frame for Type GN3VE sectionalizers.

10
 P.O. Box 1640
Waukesha, WI 53187
Kyle ® is a registered trademark of Cooper Industries, Inc. www.cooperpower.com