ABB 2493 Is Limiter GB NewBranding
ABB 2493 Is Limiter GB NewBranding
ABB 2493 Is Limiter GB NewBranding
2 | IS-limiter
without IS-limiter
Current i = i1 + i2
at the fault location
with IS-limiter
The IS-limiter, a switching device with extremely short The course of the current through the IS-limiter in such an
operating time, solves the problem. event is shown below as current i 2.
A short-circuit downstream from an outgoing feeder breaker
is assumed. The oscillogram above indicates the course of It can be seen that the IS-limiter is operating so rapidly, that
the short-circuit currents in the first half wave. there is no contribution via the transformer T 2, to the total
peak short-circuit current (i1 + i2). Therefore, a switchgear
A short-circuit current of 31.5 kA can flow to the fault loca- with a rating of 31.5 kA is suitable for this application.
tion through each transformer. This would result in a total
short-circuit current of 63 kA, which is twice as much as the
switchgear capability.
I S-limiter | 3
1 2 3 4
peak
Ik Ik Ik Ik
1. What is the peak short-circuit current? 3. How can switchboards which are only dimensioned for
The peak short-circuit current ipeak is the maximum instan- 2 x IK be operated with four transformers infeeds and a
taneous value of the current after the short-circuit occurs. total short-circuit current of 4 x IK without any risk of
overload and without losses?
By installing an IS-limiter between the busbar sections 1 - 2
and 3 - 4. (This is only one of the many possibilities for
the use of an I S-limiter (see page 15 for further examples)).
2. Why the peak short-circuit current have to be limited? 4. How does the I S-limiter work?
Because otherwise insufficiently dimensioned switchboards, The I S-limiter consists of two parallel conductors.
switches, current transformers, cables, etc. would be The main conductor carries the high rated normal
destroyed due to the magnetic forces caused by the current. current (up to 5.000 A).
After tripping, the parallel fuse limits the short-circuit
current during the first current rise (in less than 1 ms).
1 2 3 4
1 x Ik 2 x Ik 3 x Ik 4 x Ik
Ik
4
3
2
1
t
Transformers: 1 1+2 1+2+3 1+2+3 +4
4 | IS-limiter
1
3
2
5. How is the main conductor opened in less than a 7. Can IS-limiter inserts be refurbished after interruption of
thousandth of a second? a short-circuit?
Switching devices with mechanical mechanisms and this Yes! They can be refurbished at the manufacturer’s works.
high rating are not able to open the main current path in The costs are low. The opened main conductor, the parallel
such a short time. For this reason we use an electronically fuse and the charge will be replaced. All other parts can be
triggered charge as switching mechanism. re-used.
6. What overvoltages occurs as a result of the sudden 8. Does the IS-limiter trip on every short-circuit?
interruption of the current? No! The I S-limiter only trips when the system is at risk.
The main conductor is suddenly opened, but not the Small short-circuit currents are interrupted by the
entire current path. With the opening of the main current circuit-breakers.
path the current commutates to the parallel fuse, which
interrupts the current. The overvoltage occuring at the
interruption by the fuse is considerably below the
permissible levels stated in the IEC / VDE standards,
e.g. IEC 60282-1 / VDE 0670 part 4.
I S-limiter | 5
9. How does the IS‑limiter distinguish between minor and 11. How often does an IS-limiter trip?
serious short-circuits? Experience shows that an IS-limiter trips once every four
The measuring and tripping device of the I S‑limiter detects years on average (based on a statistic with approximately
the instantaneous current level and the rate of current 3000 IS-limiters in service).
rise. The I S‑limiter only trips when both set response
values are reached.
10. What experience is available with the operation of 12. Which short-circuit current the IS-limiter can interrupt?
IS-limiters?
Since the invention of the I S-limiter by ABB Calor Emag
in 1955, several thousand devices have been success-
fully used in DC, AC and particularly in three phase
systems. Tests at KEMA to date have
We have over 50 years of good operating experience demonstrated
worldwide. More and more customers are selecting the 12 kV up to 210 kA RMS
IS-limiter when they need high short-circuit currents to 17.5 kV up to 210 kA RMS
be safely limited and electrical systems and distribution
24 kV up to 140 kA RMS
networks to be economically built or expanded.
36/40.5 kV up to 140 kA RMS
6 | IS-limiter
The rising demand for energy world-wide requires more current at the first rise, i.e. in less than 1 ms. The maximum
powerful or additional transformers and generators, and an instantaneous current occurring remains well below the level
increasing interconnection of the individual supply networks. of the peak short-circuit current.
This can lead to the permissible short-circuit currents for the
equipment being exceeded and thus parts of the equipment In comparison with complex conventional solutions, the
being dynamically or thermally destroyed. IS-limiter has both technical and economic advantages
when used in transformer or generator feeders, in switch-
The replacement of existing switchgear and cable connections gear sectionalizing and connected in parallel with reactors.
by new equipment with higher short-circuit strength is often
technically impossible or uneconomical for the user. The use of The IS-limiter is in every regard the ideal switching device
IS-limiters reduces the short-circuit current in new systems and to solve the short-circuit problems for switchgear in power
expansions to existing systems, thus saving cost. stations, in heavy industry and at utilities.
I S-limiter | 7
1
7
2
3
4 9
10
11
5
4
12
Figure 1: IS-limiter insert holder with insert for 12 kV, 2000 A Figure 2: IS‑limiter insert
1 Base plate 4 Fuse
2 Insulator 7 Fuse indicator
3 Pole head with clamping device 8 Insulating tube
4 Fuse 9 Bursting bridge
5 Telescopic contact 10 Charge
6 Insulator with pulse transformer 11 Main conductor indicator
12 Fuse element
I S‑limiter insert holders The pulse transformer transmits the tripping pulse from the
The IS-limiter insert holder comprises: tripping device (Figure 3) to the charge 10 in the IS-limiter
- - base plate 1, insert, and at the same time ensures electrical isolation of
- - insulator 2, the tripping device from the charge which is at system
- - insulator with pulse transformer 6 and potential.
telescopic contact 5,
- - pole heads with clamping device 3 for I S‑limiter insert
the reception of the IS-limiter insert. The IS-limiter insert is the switching element. In a sturdy
insulating tube 8, the insert contains the main conductor,
The operation of the clamping device will be done with two designed as a bursting bridge 9, which encloses a charge 10.
levers. Only for insert holders Ir ≥ 2500 A and 12 kV/17.5 kV On tripping, this charge is triggered and the main conductor
the inserts are fixed with two bolts. opens at the rupture point.
8 | IS-limiter
The current commutates to the parallel high rupture capacity The functional groups within the control cabinet or low voltage
(HRC) fuse 4. The fuse element 12 in the HRC fuse melts, compartment are combined such as to form replaceable units
thus limiting the further current rise. The current is interrupted and are partly mounted on hinged frames.
at the next voltage zero passage.
The measuring and tripping device includes:
Tripping current transformer -- a power unit to provide the necessary auxiliary DC volt-
The tripping current transformers are used to measure the ages, a main switch which allows the tripping system to
current flowing through the IS-limiter. They are located directly be switched on and off at any time, and additionally a
in series with the I S-limiter. monitoring module,
-- one tripping unit for each phase, which monitors the cur-
The I S-limiter current transformer is externally identical to a rent flowing in the relevant phase and on tripping provides
conventional current transformer and is designed as a post or the energy for triggering of the charge in the corresponding
bushing type current transformer. It´s remarkable features are: IS-limiter insert,
-- an extremely high overcurrent factor, -- an indication unit with five flag indicator relays:
-- an iron core with air gap to keep the remanent induction - - one relay per phase for trip signalling,
low, - - one relay for monitoring of readiness for operation,
-- a low impedance shield between the primary and secon- - - one relay for monitoring of the supply voltages,
dary winding. -- an anti-interference unit to protect the measuring and trip-
ping assemblies from interference pulses from the outside,
Measuring and tripping device which could possibly cause malfunction. The connecting
The measuring and tripping device is accommodated in a wires from the measuring and tripping device to the current
sheet steel control cabinet (Figure 3) or in the low voltage transformers, to the I S-limiter insert holders and to the AC
compartment of the I S-limiter panel. voltage supplies are routed via the anti-interference unit.
I S-limiter | 9
+150 V
G1 A 2 L1 A 2 L2 A 2 L3
A4
H 106 H 116 H 1L1 H 1L2 H 1L3
IS-limiter Phase L1 Phase L2 Phase L3
not ready tripped tripped tripped
G1 Power unit
Anti-inteference unit A 3 A2 Tripping units
A3 Anti-interference unit
F 116
A4 Indication unit
F116 Miniature circuit-breaker for supply voltage
U
Q6 I S-limiter (insert holder and insert)
T1 I S-limiter tripping transformer
L1 L2 L3
Q 6 L 1 T1 L1 Q 6 L 2 T1 L2 Q 6 L 3 T1 L3
The IS-limiter consists in principle of an extremely fast switch, The loss-free conduction of a high operating current on the
able to carry a high rated current but having a low switching one hand and the limitation of the short-circuit current at
capacity, and a high rupturing capacity (HRC) fuse arranged the first current rise on the other hand are made possible by
in parallel. In order to achieve the desired short opening time, distributing these two functions of the IS-limiter between two
a small charge is used as the energy store for opening of the conductors. In comparison with reactors, the IS-limiter avoids
switch (main conductor). When the main conductor is opened, voltage drops and does not contribute to the peak short-
the current continues to flow through the parallel fuse, where circuit current.
it is limited within 0.5 ms and then finally interrupted at the
next voltage zero passage. In order to assure a three phase interruption it is necessary to
install a circuit-breaker and the IS-limiter serially.
The current flowing through the I S-limiter is monitored by an
electronic measuring and tripping device. At the very first Power unit
rise of a short-circuit current, this device decides whether A DC voltage of 150 V generated in the power unit is used as
tripping of the I S-limiter is necessary. In order to reach this the charging voltage for the tripping capacitors and at the
decision, the instantaneous current and rate of current rise at same time as the supply voltage for the electronics. As far as
the I S-limiter are constantly measured and evaluated. When necessary, the supply voltage is divided and stabilized within
the setpoints are simultaneously reached or exceeded, the the individual assemblies. A watchdog module in the power
I S-limiter trips. The three phases are operated independently unit constantly monitors the most important functions of the
of one another. three tripping units.
10 | IS-limiter
Measuring
element 2
Tripping unit
The current supplied by the tripping transformers for the
corresponding phases is monitored in the tripping units.
The three tripping units work independently of each other.
Both the rate of current rise and the instantaneous current
value are used as criteria for tripping.
I S-limiter | 11
1 2 3
H
D
W
Figure 6: 1 I S-limiter insert holder with test insert | 2 Test plug | 3 Test equipment
The test plug is used to check the voltages and the functions
of the tripping system. The user friendly test equipment
facilitates further tests such as determination of the response
voltages of the measuring elements, and testing and setting
of the modules of the measuring circuits.
12 | IS-limiter
1 2 3 4
5 6 7
H
D
W
Technical data 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Rated voltage V 750 12000 12000 17500 17500 24000 36000 / 40500
Rated current A 1250 1250 2500 1250 2500 1250 1250
2000 2000 3000 2000 3000 1600 2000
3000 4000 1) 4000 1) 2000 2500 1)
4500 1)
3000 1)
5000 1)
Rated power-frequency
withstand voltage kV 3 28 28 38 38 50 75
Rated lightning impulse
withstand voltage kV – 75 75 95 95 125 200
Interrupting
current kA RMS up to 140 up to 210 up to 210 up to 210 up to 210 up to 140 up to 140
IS-limiter insert holder kg 10.5 27.5 65 27.5 65 27 / 31.5 / 33 60
I S-limiter insert kg 17.0 12.5 15.5 14.5 17.5 19 / 19.5 / 24 42
I S-limiter Width W mm 148 180 180 180 180 180 240
insert holder Height H mm 554 651 951 651 951 740 / 754 / 837 1016
with insert Depth D mm 384 510 509 510 509 553 / 560 / 560 695
1)
With cooling fan
Frequency: 50/60 Hz. For higher rated currents, insert holders with inserts are connected in parallel.
I S-limiter | 13
For all fixed mounted IS-limiters the electrical data are the
same as for loose equipment supply. Dimensions and
weights on request.
Dimensions of an exemplary IS-limiter bus riser (IS-limiter cubicle with truck-mounted IS-limiter components)
1)
With cooling fan 2)
Necessity of additional width for adapter about 200 mm
For higher currents, insert holders with inserts are connected in parallel.
14 | IS-limiter
I S-limiter | 15
I"kT = 15 kA
10 kV
3 ~ 50 Hz I"k perm = 25 kA
Figure 10: I S-limiter in connecting point with a public supply network Figure 11: I S-limiter in parallel with a reactor in a generator feeder
IS-limiters used as a link between public networks IS‑limiter in parallel with a reactor
and consumer owned power supply systems. The I S-limiter can also be connected in parallel with a reactor
The decentralization of power supply leads to systems with (Figure 11). If a short-circuit occurs behind the reactor, the
their own power generating facilities being interconnected IS-limiter trips and the current commutates at the first current
with public supply networks. The additional short-circuit rise to the parallel reactor, which then limits the short-circuit
current from generators leads to the permissible short-circuit current to the permissible level.
current in the utility network being exceeded. The most
appropriate technical solution – and mostly the only one – For normal operation, the IS-limiter bridges the reactor coil.
is the installation of an IS-limiter in the interconnection with This avoids:
the public utility network (Figure 10). -- Current dependent copper losses and the associated
operating costs of the reactor.
If necessary, the IS-limiter can be provided with a directional -- Current dependent voltage drop at the reactor, which
tripping criterion. This requires three addit ional current trans- frequently causes major difficulties on start-up of big
formers in the neutral connections of the generators. The motors.
IS-limiter then only trips on short-circuits in the public supply -- Control problems with the generator.
network if a generator is in operation.
16 | IS-limiter
Use of more than one IS‑limiter with selectivity The total current Isum2 is equal to the current of transformer T2
In order to achieve selectivity in a switchboard or switch- plus the currents flowing through IS-limiter 1 and 2.
boards with more than one I S-limiter installed, additional
tripping criteria as current summation or differences or The total current Isum3 is equal to the current of transformer T3
comparison of current directions are required. plus the current flowing through IS-limiter 2.
If in case of two IS-limiters installed in a switchboard selec- The tripping criteria of the I S-limiters correspond to a logic
tive tripping is required, a measurement of the total current ”and“ function. The I S-limiter 1 trips in case of short-circuits
becomes necessary. The I S-limiter trips as follows: in section A, if the current of IS-limiter 1 and the total current
- - Short-circuit in section A: Isum1 reach or exceed their response values simulaneously.
Only I S-limiter no. 1 trips. The same is applicable for section C. In case of a short-circuit
-- Short-circuit in section B: in section B IS-limiters 1 and 2 trip.
I S-limiter no. 1 and no. 2 trip.
-- Short-circuit in section C: The summation of the currents corresponds to the principle
Only I S-limiter no. 2 trips. of the adding up of currents in a busbar protection system.
The only difference is the non-requirement of current trans-
For measurement of the total current, transformer feeders formers in the outgoing feeders, i.e. the requirement of
must be additionally equipped with one CT set each. material is negligable. With this principle up to 5 transformers
have so far been connected in parallel, using 4 I S-limiters only.
The total current I sum1 is equal to the current (IT1) of transformer The principle ensures that always only the I S-limiter or these
T1 plus the current (IIs-1) flowing through the IS-limiter 1. IS-limiters trip, which are closest to the point of short-circuit.
I S-limiter | 17
Sender:
ABB AG
Calor Emag Medium Voltage Products
Postfach 10 12 20
D-40832 Ratingen
Questionnaire on the use of IS-limiters in medium and low 5. Which parts of the system should be protected?
voltage three-phase systems. Please note that more than one IS-limiter can be installed
in one system and we can realise selectivity between
We require the following data for a quotation and design of I S-limiters.
an I S-limiter:
1. Operating Voltage:
2. Rated Current:
3. Frequency:
6. Requirements for the installation:
18 | IS-limiter
As main supply:
……… V ……… Hz
As stand-by supply:
……… V ……… Hz
I S-limiter | 19
ABB AG Note: