What is load break switch
A load break switch ie. on load break switch (LBS) which is a capable small fault current breaking switchgear.It is not like VCB or GCB which can even breaking short circuit current, Thus load break switch is actual a on load switching on/off switchgear at normal condition, normal application load break switch mechanical life and electrical life is not high required, So Mechanical is less than 5000 times, and electrical life is also less than 1000 times. Some special load break switch is capable to switching on/off capacitive load or inductive load and with higher life request. Rockwill provide with different type of load break switch, like sf6 gas type, vacuum type and air type.
What is a load break switch
A load break switch is a disconnect switch that has been designed to provide making or breaking of specified currents. This is accomplished by addition of equipment that increases the operating speed of the disconnect switch blade and the addition of some type of equipment to alter the arcing phenomena and allow the safe interruption of the arc resulting when switching load currents. SF6 Insulated Load Break Switch for the use in medium voltage switchboards for secondary distribution networks.
Disconnect switches can be supplied with equipment to provide a limited load switching capability. Arcing horns, whips, and spring actuators are typical at lower voltages. These switches are used to de-energize or energize a circuit that possesses some limited amount of magnetic or capacitive current, such as transformer exciting current or line charging currents.
An air switch can be modified to include a series interrupter (typically vacuum or SF6) for higher voltage and current interrupting levels. These interrupters increase the load break capability of the disconnect switch and can be applied for switching load or fault currents of the associated equipment.
What is the difference between Load Break Switch and Circuit Breaker
There are two important different parameters as far as the disconnection/connection of Electrical utilities is concerned.
- Breaking capacity.
- Making Capacity.
Making capacity is more higher since it is considering the initial starting current, inrush and faults that might occur at switching on moment.
Accordingly, the Circuit breakers have both while the Isolator or LBS has only breaking capacity. Isolator therefore used to isolate/disconnect/break load. To be switched on only under no load.
Basically and LBS is only designed to make and break load currents. It can be closed onto a fault (has a making rating) and cannot break a fault current. A CB is designed to make and break fault currents and off course load currents. Need to be careful with switching long cables and long lines with LBS, due to its limitation with switching cable/line charging (highly capacitive) currents. Similar precaution with needed with switching reactive loads like large transformers. Normally a CB is recommended for the 2 latter cases. Check the manufacturer test specs.
In simple way the Load Break Switch used to cut off healthy circuits or to break / disconnect the load. As a precaution, normally the LBS / Isolator are to be switched on under no load, the connected load to be utilized after switching on the Isolator. This why it has no making capacity. Circuit Breakers are intended to operate under unnormal conditions in order to clear the fault & to isolate the defective circuits protecting its associated electrical equipment, therefore breaking and making capacities are considered as the most important criteria as far Circuit breaker are concerned.
The making current is not an RMS value it is the peak value ie. Impk = 2.5Irms. The peak value of 2.5 times RMS is the DC offset at point when the LBS closes on the fault and is taken as the worst case X/R ratio of the source (X/R of about 20). This peak decays to RMS value Ith (thermal withstand current) dependent on the X/R delay constant. The decay rate is exponential with time. There is a misconception that making is 2.5times breaking current, but making is normally quoted as a peak and breaking as RMS. The breaking current in a CB is an RMS value. Breaking fault current is far more difficult that making especially when the contacts open when current is not at zero crossing point on the sine wave. For HV systems 132KV and above, the restrike and TRV starts to become a major consideration in CB selection, especially for long cables and lines.
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More about Indoor and Outdoor application load break switch information see below link:
Outdoor pole mounted load break switch:
https://www.cnrockwill.com/on-load-break-switch
Indoor SF6 gas load break switch:
https://www.cnrockwill.com/SF6-load-break-switch
Indoor vacuum circuit breaker:
https://www.cnrockwill.com/vacuum-circuit-breaker
Indoor SF6 gad circuit breaker:
https://www.cnrockwill.com/SF6-circuit-breaker
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