How combining controlled switching functions with extensive monitoring improves operation of circuit breakers

Primary equipment manufacturers also designing and integrating digital technology need to address these concerns by providing innovative solutions to improve data quality, reduce the

IED count and lower operation complexity in electrical substations. Research and Development efforts led by some Controlled Switching Devices (CSD) and Circuit Breaker (CB) manufacturers in the past years focused on improving the quality of the records feeding controlled switching algorithms, consequently turning some of the devices on the market into high-end operations recorders. Along with their core features, the records generated could be derived into powerful monitoring indicators, realizing the full potential of Controlled Switching

Devices. Benefits for circuit breaker operation are multiple. With type tests campaigns being a good starting point to initiate operation, real life data enforces more realistic models with accurate measurements of both mechanical and electrical characteristics. Additional monitoring possibilities allow detection of the effective making instant and identification of any problem root cause. Where traditional controllers provide signaling stating an abnormal performance, advanced monitoring allows detection of the deviation origin. From users’ perspective, combining monitoring and control in a single device provides two main benefits: rationalization of the IED count on the field, and improved knowledge from operators and maintenance staff to ease diagnosis when the switching performance is under concern.