Advanced Switchgear Technology for Reliable Performance
GE offers a comprehensive range of dead tank circuit breakers that support a voltage rating up to 550 kV, and are capable of carrying a continuous current up to 5,000 A. GE’s circuit breakers meet or exceed the latest IEEE/ANSI and IEC standards, including C2 and M2. They can be gang operated up to 245 kV, and Independent Pole Operation (IPO) is available at all voltage levels.
The DT Series from GE is characterized by advanced self-blast interrupters, leak resistant cast aluminum enclosures and durable low energy mechanisms. More than 100,000 circuit breakers with self-blast interrupters and spring-spring operated mechanism have been in service since 1989, including more than 25,000 dead tank circuit breakers.
The SF6 dead tank circuit breakers assure a high level of reliability on a daily basis, even under extreme conditions such as low temperatures, highly active seismic areas, regions with high pollution levels, and a corrosive atmosphere
This range of Live Tank Circuit Breakers can be used everywhere in the energy field even in highly seismic, highly polluted and low temperature environments. The breakers benefit from single and three pole application and their low energy operation makes them a cost-effective option.
The GL Live Tank Circuit Breaker range includes breakers using single or double motion technology and reduced chamber size. Both, porcelain and composite insulators are available.
Today’s Challenging Environment
Utilities are heavily struggling with the decentralization of power generation and especially with the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. Integration can conflict with existing modernization and optimization plans. Issues of reliability, safety, power quality and economics have to be taken into account when planning substations and choosing the right switchgear.
Additionally, power systems are already interconnected, highly complex networks that are susceptible to instability. Utilities face several challenges in managing and maintaining today‘s complex grid, including:
- Increasing grid efficiency and resilience without the necessary funding to invest in new capital equipment.
- Expertise to manage the grid is rapidly diminishing due to the exit of skilled, technical resources from the workplace.
- Environmental impact and lifecycle cost of substation equipment
Overall, utilities are under intense scrutiny, by both regulatory agencies and the public, to prevent power system failures today, and in the future.
GE’s Solution
GE offers utilities very reliable high voltage circuit breakers with advanced switchgear technology to improve grid stability and increase the efficiency of the transmission system infrastructure. The role of circuit breakers is to protect electrical equipment and system infrastructure, by fulfilling critical operational and safety functions. In normal operation, they carry nominal load currents, and depending on the installation, switch various equipment such as lines or transformers.
GE Advantage
GE’s dead tank circuit breakers are developed based on the highest standards for performance, ratings, user convenience and reliability. Every circuit breaker model is thoroughly tested to meet or exceed the latest IEEE and IEC standards including Class C2, Class M2, fast TRV and high asymmetry.
- Durable spring-spring mechanism provides 5 times more reliability than hydraulic, pneumatic or hydraulic-spring designs according to CIGRE report 510.
- Innovative interrupter design with self-blast technology reduces required mechanical energy to clear fault currents without any sacrifice in performance or reliability.
- Designed to operate within extreme environmental conditions with available options for high elevation, very low and high temperatures (-60 °C to +60 °C), seismic zones, polluted areas, and corrosive atmospheres.
- Global manufacturing sites are certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
- Products are manufactured using GE’s Advanced Production System ensuring the highest level of quality.
- Available customization expertise to meet customer unique application requirements.
- R&D Competence Center and associated testing labaratories located at GE‘s Charleroi, Pennsyvlania, United States facility.
- Dead Tank Circuit Breakers are type tested for more than 10,000 mechanical operations exceeding IEEE and IEC Class M2 standards.
- Industry-best SF6 tightness testing system. guaranteeing lower than 0.5 % annual emission rate through quantified routine tests for every Dead Tank Circuit Breaker manufactured in the Charleroi plant.
- To date there are over 25,000 dead tank circuit breakers installed and in service in more than 60 countries.
- Complete monitoring system available for asset management and digital substation integration.
- Independent pole operation with Point-on-Wave switching available when required for specific applications.
- Full life-cycle support for products, spare parts management and technical training by circuit breaker experts.
- Local Product Sales Specialists provide strong product and technical support.
Manufacturing Excellence
GE’s investments in Research and Development (R&D) are significant, allowing utilities and grid operators to benefit from the latest technologies and innovations. The Center of Excellence for dead tank circuit breakers is located in Charleroi, PA (USA), where dead tank circuit breakers up to 550 kV and live tank circuit breakers up to 800 kV are assembled.
