185 / 2024-04-15 19:46:44

Sensors for Smart Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker

embedded sensors,condition monitoring,fault diagnostics,predictive maintenance,reliability,mechnical endurance

Due to energy transition, modern networks require more performant and more reliable equipment. Circuit breakers can be switched more often than in the traditional grids. This requires better mechanical and electrical endurance.



To tackle those challenges, a new smart vacuum circuit breaker has been developed, featuring outstanding mechanical and electrical endurances performance, as well as the built-in native ability to monitor these key performances.



This new natively digital circuit breaker, equipped with built-in sensors and monitoring module, is providing the following values for the customer:

1. Energy availability – through preventive maintenance;


2. Safety – through monitoring and remote control;


3. Simplify operations – through CB tracking and operating guidance;


4. Operating cost savings – Through remote control and monitoring;


5. Optimize asset management – through EcostruXure offer.

The paper will be focused on “Mechanism Monitoring” and “Vacuum Interrupter erosion monitoring” functions, as they are related with the mechanical and electrical endurances. It will show how those functions contribute to the customer value creation.



The speed of the spring drive mechanism is supervised for “Mechanism Monitoring” function. The erosion gap is supervised for “Vacuum Interrupter erosion monitoring”. The paper will explain which sensors were selected and how they were integrated into the breaker. Principe of the functioning of the sensors will be given.



Then, the paper will show how the measurement is managed by the built-in smart module, as well as how the result of the measurement is treated and communicated further. The paper will give the explanation of different types of alarms generated by the system and the expected actions depending on the type of the alarm.



At the end, the paper will show synthetic and real cases of the failures, that were detected by the smart digital system in the breaker.