WO2013173958A1

WO2013173958A1 - Switchgear assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013173958A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/075817
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yang Zhang; Delong WANG
Original assignee: Abb Technology Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-05-21
Filing date: 2012-05-21
Publication date: 2013-11-28
Also published as: CN204558897U

Abstract

A switchgear assembly is provided, comprising: a cable compartment (10) configured to accommodate cables; a circuit breaker compartment (20) arranged on the top of the cable compartment and configured to accommodate a circuit breaker; a low voltage compartment arranged on the front top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to control the switchgear; and a busbar compartment arranged on the rear top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to accommodate a plurality of poles (30). The switchgear assembly provides various advantages, such as reduced complexity and cost, ease of operation and lowered space occupation.

Description

SWITCHGEAR ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a switchgear assembly. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to an air insulated medium voltage switchgear assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Currently, it is imperative to develop a low end, low cost medium voltage (thereafter referred to as "MV") switchgear assembly from marketing point of view.

[0003] Figure 1 is a diagram which shows a classical switchgear assembly according to the prior art. As shown in Figure 1 , the switchgear assembly comprises a cable compartment C at the bottom, a circuit breaker compartment A arranged on front top of the cable compartment C, a busbar compartment B arranged on rear top of the cable compartment C and configured for receiving busbars, a low voltage compartment D on top of the circuit breaker compartment C, and a compact gas duct channel E arranged on top of the compartment B for safety purpose.

[0004] From Figure 1 , it is clear that various compartments, for example, the compartments A and C are irregular-shaped, which leads to some disadvantages such as complicated arrangement of various compartment, increased manufacturing cost, and so on.

[0005] Since the busbars received in the compartment B are arranged in a vertical plan, it will be necessary to arrange tee-off bars to connect the busbars and the circuit breaker. It is apparent that the introduction of tee-off bars will further complicate the switchgear assembly and increase the cost of the switchgear assembly.

[0006] Moreover, when there is a need to disconnect the circuit breaker and the busbars, for example, for maintenance and/or repairing purpose of the switchgear assembly, it is normally necessary to withdraw the circuit breaker from the circuit breaker compartment A so as to create an isolation distance between the busbar compartment B and the circuit breaker compartment A. However, fully withdrawing the circuit breaker will bring inconvenience to the operations and also needs a considerable space in front of the switchgear assemble. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One or more objects of various embodiments of the present invention include reducing complexity of the switchgear assembly, decreasing the cost of manufacturing, easing the operations, lowering the space occupation and so on.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switchgear assembly, comprising: a cable compartment configured to accommodate cables; a circuit breaker compartment arranged on top of the cable compartment and configured to accommodate a circuit breaker; a low voltage compartment arranged on the front top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to control the switchgear; and a busbar compartment arranged on the rear top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to accommodate a plurality of poles.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of poles is connected with respective one of a plurality of busbars and is connectable with respective one of the cables via the circuit breaker. The plurality of poles are arranged such that they are separated with each other by a certain distance in a first horizontal direction defined from the front to the rear of the circuit breaker compartment.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment is divided into a test position in which the circuit breaker is disconnected with the poles and the cables, and a service position in which the circuit breaker is connected with the poles and the cables, in a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly further comprises a shutter arranged between the test position and the service position, which provides an isolation there between when closed and enables the circuit breaker to connect with the poles and the cables when opened.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shutter has a set of mechanical interlock to prevent manual opening the shutter by personal.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment comprises a first rail in the second horizontal direction to enable the circuit breaker to slide between the test position and the service position.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment further comprises a second rail in the first horizontal direction to enable the circuit breaker to slide into or out of the circuit breaker compartment.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly further comprises a mechanism for driving the sliding of the circuit breaker. [0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, connections between the poles and the circuit breaker and/or connections between the circuit breaker and the cables are protected by insulating bushing modules.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of poles is directly connectable with the circuit breaker.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of poles goes straight from the busbar compartment to the circuit breaker compartment.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly further comprises an arc duct arranged at the back of at least one of the cable compartment, the circuit breaker compartment, and the busbar compartment, and arranged for internal arc classified switchgear and controlgear (IAC) application.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment is interlocked with the cable compartment and the busbar compartment.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly is an air insulating medium voltage switchgear assembly.

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention provide various advantages, including but not limited to, reduced complexity and cost, ease of operation, and lowered space occupation, and so on.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention would also be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a diagram which shows a classical switchgear assembly according to the prior art;

[0026] Figure 2 is a diagram which shows an overall arrangement of the switchgear assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is a diagram which shows the side sectional view of the switchgear assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0028] Figure 4 is a diagram which illustrates the front sectional view of the circuit breaker compartment according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 is a diagram which illustrates the front sectional view of the circuit breaker compartment when the circuit breaker is at the service position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is a diagram which shows a closed shutter according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 is a diagram which shows a opened shutter according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 illustrates the overall process for inserting the circuit breaker into the circuit breaker compartment according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0033] Figure 9 shows an exemplary bushing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0034] Reference will be made in details to the embodiments of the present invention. Examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 2 is a diagram which shows an overall arrangement of the switchgear assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a diagram which shows the side sectional view of the switchgear assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, an embodiment of the present invention provides a switchgear assembly, comprising: a cable compartment configured to accommodate cables 10; a circuit breaker compartment arranged on top of the cable compartment and configured to accommodate a circuit breaker 20; a low voltage compartment arranged on the front top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to control the switchgear; and a busbar compartment arranged on the rear top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to accommodate a plurality of poles 30 (as shown in Figure 3). For clarity and ease of explanation, in the context of the specification, the direction from the cable compartment to circuit breaker compartment and then to busbar compartment is called as a vertical direction.

[0037] Compared with the classical switchgear assemble according to the prior art, the switchgear assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention arranges the busbar compartment on top of the circuit breaker compartment and behind the low voltage compartment rather than behind the circuit breaker compartment. As further shown in Figure 2, the cable , circuit breaker, busbar and low voltage compartments may be regular shape, for example cubic shape. Thus, the manufacturing and arranging of these compartments are relatively simple compared with those according to the prior art. Of course, the cubic shape is only an exemplary embodiment, and other shapes, for example column shape and other irregular shapes, are also feasible.

[0038] Moreover, the arrangement of busbar compartment behind the low voltage compartment is helpful to improve the human safety. In this arrangement, the low voltage compartment may be accessible by an operator (for example for maintenance and control purpose) while the busbar compartment will be separated away from the operator by the low voltage compartment and is non-accessible by the operator. Therefore, the arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention may guarantee the safety of an operator.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of poles 30 is connected with respective one of a plurality of busbars and is connectable with respective one of the cables 10 via the circuit breaker 20; and the plurality of poles 30 are arranged such that they are separated with each other by a certain distance in a first horizontal direction defined from the front to the rear of the circuit breaker compartment.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the number of poles 30 typically is three and corresponds to each phase of a three-phase power supply. Thus, there are typically three busbars connected with the poles 30. Of course, other number of poles is also applicable if necessary.

[0041] It is noted that the term "first horizontal direction" in the context of the specification refers to a direction which is perpendicular to the above "vertical direction" and extends from the low voltage compartment to the busbar compartment (or from the busbar compartment to the low voltage compartment), as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0042] Further as shown in Figure 3, the poles may extend to the circuit breaker compartment and connect with the circuit breaker 20 therein. The circuit breaker 20 normally has corresponding number of connectors (for example three connection poles) for connecting with the poles extended from the busbar compartment. At the other end of the circuit breaker, there is corresponding number of cables connected and thus the current may flow from the busbars received in the busbar compartment to the cables in the cable compartment through the circuit breaker in the circuit breaker compartment.

[0043] Since the busbars received by the compartment B are arranged in a vertical plan according to the prior art solution, it will be necessary to arrange tee-off bars to connect the busbars and the circuit breaker. However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3, the plurality of poles 30 are arranged in a first horizontal direction rather than a vertical direction, such that the poles 30 may go straight from the busbar compartment to the circuit breaker compartment without any bending or direction conversion, and also, the poles 30 may be directly connectable with the circuit breaker without any other intermediate components (for example tee-off bars employed in the prior art). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bars (for example copper bars) are needed only for instruments transformers and cable connection. [0044] Of course, it is understandable that the embodiment as discussed above is only preferable and exemplary, and there may be any suitable components between the poles and the circuit breaker if necessary.

[0045] It is further noted that arranging the poles in the first horizontal direction is only a preferred embodiment, and other arrangements may be possible, as long as the plurality of poles are separated by a certain distance in the first horizontal direction. For example, one of the plurality of the poles may be arranged higher or lower (in the vertical direction) than other poles, etc.

[0046] Next, the inner structure of the circuit breaker compartment will be described in detail by reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0047] Figure 4 is a diagram which illustrates the front sectional view of the circuit breaker compartment when the circuit breaker is located at the test position P1 . Figure 5 is a diagram which illustrates the front sectional view of the circuit breaker compartment when the circuit breaker is located at the service position P2.

[0048] Referring to Figure 4, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment is divided into a test position P1 in which the circuit breaker is disconnected with the poles and the cables, and a service position P2 in which the circuit breaker is connected with the poles and the cables, in a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

[0049] It is noted that the term "second horizontal direction" in the context of the specification is a direction which is perpendicular to both the first horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the circuit breaker compartment has a service position P2 at the left and a test position P1 at the right. In the test position P1 , the circuit breaker is disconnected with both the poles in the busbar compartment and the cables (not shown in figure 4) in the cable compartment. When the circuit breaker is driven to move from the right to the left and reaches the service position P2, as shown in Figure 5, it will connect the poles in the busbar compartment to the cables in the cable compartment. Of course, according to another embodiment, it is understandable that the test position P1 may be at the left side, while the service position P2 may be at the right side.

[0051] Compared with the prior art in which the circuit breaker must be withdrawn from the compartment A to disconnect the poles and the cables, it is unnecessary to withdraw the circuit breaker from the circuit breaker compartment according to the embodiments of the present invention Instead, an operator may only need to move the circuit breaker from the left side to the right side (or from the right side to the left side), then the connections between the poles and the circuit breaker and between the circuit breaker and the cables will be shut off. Obviously, this will reduce the space occupation according to the embodiment of the invention. [0052] For further improving the safety for operators, it is preferable to create a separation between the test position P1 and the service position P2. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly further comprises a shutter 70 arranged between the test position P1 and the service position P2, which provides an isolation there between when closed and enables the circuit breaker to connect with the poles and the cables when opened.

[0053] Figure 6 is a diagram which shows the closed shutter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the shutter 70 is closed such that the test position and the service position are fully isolated. Preferably, the shutter may be automatically closed when the circuit breaker leaves the service position. This will guarantee the safety for operators.

[0055] Preferably, the shutter has a set of mechanical interlock (not shown) to prevent manual opening the shutter by personal. The mechanical interlock may by any known or to-be developed mechanism that can interlock the shutter.

[0056] Figure 7 is a diagram which shows the opened shutter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the shutter can be driven to open towards the service position when the circuit breaker moves from the test position to the service. Of course, the shutter can also be driven to open towards the test position so as to enable the connection between the poles and the circuit breaker (also between the cables and the circuit breaker). According to an embodiment of the present invention, a shutter driving member 40 can be used to open the shutter. However, it is understandable that the shutter driving member is only an alternative; the shutter can be opened simply by pushing force caused by the movement of the circuit breaker.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment comprises a first rail (not shown) in the second horizontal direction to enable the circuit breaker to slide between the test position and the service position.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment further comprises a second rail 50 (see Figure 7) in the first horizontal direction to enable the circuit breaker to slide into or out of the circuit breaker compartment.

[0060] The first and second rails will be helpful for smoothly moving the circuit breaker

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly may further comprise a mechanism for driving the sliding of the circuit breaker.

[0062] The mechanism for driving the sliding of the circuit breaker may be a rocker, a motor and so on. [0063] Figure 8 illustrates the overall process for inserting the circuit breaker into the circuit breaker compartment. As shown in Figure 8, the circuit breaker is first inserted into the test position along for example the second rail. When reaching a certain position, the circuit breaker is then driven to move to the service position along for example the first rail. With the movement of the circuit from the test position to the service position, the shutter is opened towards the service position (for example by the shutter driving member) such that the circuit breaker can connect the poles in the busbar compartment to the cables in the cable compartment. When there is a need to be withdrawn, the circuit breaker is first moved from the service position to the test position along for example the first rail (the shutter will close (preferably automatically) and then can be withdrawn from the circuit breaker compartment along for example the second rail.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connections between the poles and the circuit breaker and/or connections between the circuit breaker and the cables are protected by insulating bushing modules.

[0065] Figure 9 shows an exemplary bushing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] The bushing module is used for the insulting and support between the compartments. For example, when the housings of the switchgear assembly are made of metal, then there is a need to arrange insulting bushing modules between for example the poles and the cases, between the circuit breaker and the cases and between the cables and the cases. Of course, if the housings are made of insulting material, then the bushing modules are not needed.

[0067] The bushing module is commercially available in the market. Normally, the commercially available bushing module is in an integrated form and can be used directly for the switchgear assembly according to the invention.

[0068] The reference goes back to Figures 2 and 3. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly may further comprises an arc duct 60 arranged at the back of at least one of the cable compartment, the circuit breaker compartment, and the busbar compartment, and arranged for internal arc classified switchgear and controlgear (IAC) application.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker compartment may be interlocked with at least one of the cable compartment, the busbar compartment and the low voltage compartment such that the whole switchgear assembly can maintain stable and robust. Any known or to-be developed mechanism can be used to interlock the various compartments.

[0070] Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear assembly may be for example an air insulating medium voltage switchgear assembly. [0071] The switchgear assembly according to various embodiments of the present invention is designed to comply with the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) 62271 -20 "LSC-2B" and "Partition Metallic".

[0072] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments of the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1 . A switchgear assembly, comprising:

a cable compartment configured to accommodate cables;

a circuit breaker compartment arranged on the top of the cable compartment and configured to accommodate a circuit breaker;

a low voltage compartment arranged on the front top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to control the switchgear; and

a busbar compartment arranged on the rear top of the circuit breaker compartment and configured to accommodate a plurality of poles.

2. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 1 ,

wherein each of the plurality of poles is connected with respective one of a plurality of busbars and is connectable with respective one of the cables via the circuit breaker; and

the plurality of poles are arranged such that they are separated with each other by a certain distance in a first horizontal direction defined from the front to the rear of the circuit breaker compartment.

3. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the circuit breaker compartment is divided into a test position in which the circuit breaker is disconnected with the poles and the cables, and a service position in which the circuit breaker is connected with the poles and the cables, in a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

4. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 3, further comprising a shutter arranged between the test position and the service position, which provides an isolation during closing and enables the circuit breaker to connect with the poles and the cables during opening.

5. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the shutter has a set of mechanical interlock to prevent manually opening of the shutter.

6. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the circuit breaker compartment comprises a first rail in the second horizontal direction to enable the circuit breaker to slide between the test position and the service position.

7. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the circuit breaker compartment further comprises a second rail in the first horizontal direction to enable the circuit breaker to slide into or out of the circuit breaker compartment.

8. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 6 or 7, further comprising a mechanism for driving the sliding of the circuit breaker.

9. The switchgear according to Claim 2, wherein the connections between the poles and the circuit breaker and/or connections between the circuit breaker and the cables are protected by insulating bushing modules.

10. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of poles is directly connectable with the circuit breaker.

1 1 . The switchgear assembly according to Claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of poles goes straight from the busbar compartment to the circuit breaker compartment.

12. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 1 , further comprising an arc duct arranged at the back of at least one of the cable compartment, the circuit breaker compartment, and the busbar compartment, and arranged for internal arc classified switchgear and controlgear application.

13. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 1 , wherein the circuit breaker compartment is interlocked with at least one of the cable compartment, the busbar compartment and the low voltage compartment.

14. The switchgear assembly according to Claim 1 , wherein the switchgear assembly is an air insulating medium voltage switchgear assembly.