BLG

Spring operating mechanism

for high voltage circuit-breakers.
Spring operated mechanism BLG
The demands on the reliability of power transmission
are increasing continuously. Capacitor bank and
reactor switching is becoming more common and
imposes further requirements on operational
endurance.
International statistics show that 80% of all circuit-
breaker failures are due to defects of mechanical
nature. With this figure in mind, we have further
developed and improved our operating mechanism.
The design of the BLG is a well proven technology
(over 30 000 units in service). This proven technology
is efficiently combined with new materials. Smaller
tolerances and reduced power consumption based on
more exact calculation give the operating mechanism
optimal efficiency.
BLG is the answer to the demands of today and tomor-
row.
3
1
Rear door open
1 Terminal blocks 3 Control equipment
2 Interlocking for 4 Auxiliary contacts
hand spring charging
Features and advantages
• Increased operational endurance. 10 000 operations
or 30 years of service with minimal inspection and
maintenance.
• Modular design with fewer components, more
stringent quality demands and testing of each module
before final assembly.
• Maintenance-free enclosure of painted aluminium.
The inside is insulated to reduce heating costs and to
lower the noise level.
• Good accessibility through large doors.
• Better overview since electrical components and
terminal blocks are collected together.
• Simple electrical and mechanical installation,
resulting in shorter assembly times.
• High level of accessories.
Front door open
5 Operating panel
BLG optional equipment
• Manual trip push-button
- Inside or outside cubicle
- With or without “69” device
• Additional auxiliary contacts
- 6 N.O. + 6 N.C.
• Trip circuit supervision
• Red spot fuses and / or links
• UK 10 3-HESI fuses
• Internal light with door switch
• Socket outlet
• Position indicating lights
• Extra heater with MCB
- (-40°)C C=140W
- (-50°)C C=140W + 140W
- Moisture detector control
• Provision for Castell / Fortress interlock
• Extra closing coil
• Low voltage relay
• Signal lamp for heater
• Lockable operating panel
• Lockable operating switches
• Protective cover for terminal blocks
Design and properties
The closing springs in the mechanism generate the
required driving force to close the breaker and charge
the opening spring.
The opening spring is part of the breaker’s link system.
This means that the mechanical energy needed for the
vital opening operation is always stored in the opening
spring when the breaker is in closed position. In other
words, a closed breaker is always prepared for immediate
opening.
The spring charging gear is driven by a universal motor
which automatically charges the closing springs
immediately after each closing operation. The springs
are kept in the charged state by a latch that is released
when the breaker is being closed. This enables rapid
reclosing of the breaker after a dead-time interval of 0.3 s.
The closing springs can be charged manually with a
crank.
The principle of the operating mechanism can be briefly
described as follows: A cam disc and a set of springs are
linked by an endless chain. The chain, which is in two
loops and runs over a motor-driven sprocket, transmits
energy when the springs are being charged and drives
the cam disc around when the circuit-breaker is to be
closed. During its rotation the cam disc actuates a link
that converts the rotating motion into a linear motion.
The various stages of operation are shown in the figures
on the next two pages.
The auxiliary equipment is characterized by the
following main features:
• Most of the wiring is connected to terminal blocks
• Strong, rugged auxiliary contacts and limit switches
• The operation panel and terminal blocks are easily
accessible behind the doors of the unit
• Indication of charged and discharged closing springs
The enclosure of the operating mechanism has the
following design:
• Corrosion-resistant painted aluminium
• Lockable doors, provided with door stops
• Side and doors are insulated to reduce noise level
and the need for additional heating
Interlocking against unintentional operation
Interlocking takes place partly electrically and partly
mechanically. Electrical interlocking is achieved by
having the circuits of the operation coils connected
through the auxiliary contacts of the device. In addition,
the closing coil is connected through a limit switch that
is controlled by the position of the spring bridge.
In this way the closing circuit is only closed when the
breaker is in the open position and the closing springs
are fully charged.
Due to the mechanical interlocking, which is dependent
both on the position on the operating link (= position of
the breaker), and partly on the position of the spring
bridge, closing is possible only if:
1) the breaker is in the open position
2) the closing springs are fully charged.
In this way the following operations are not possible
when in service:
• closing operation when the breaker is already
closed, a “blind” stroke
• closing operation during an opening operation
• slow closing operation with the spring bridge
Operating process
Normal operational position

In its normal position, the breaker (B) is in

closed position, with closing springs (5) and 1
opening spring (A) charged. The breaker is
kept in the closed position by the opening
latch (1) which takes up the force from the
charged opening spring. The mechanism is
now ready to open upon an opening
command and can carry out a complete fast
re-closing (O – 0.3 s – CO) cycle.

A
B
5

Normal operational position

Breaker closed.
Closing springs charged.
Opening spring charged.
Operating mechanism ready
for O – 0.3 s – CO.

Opening operation

When the breaker is being opened, the latch

(1) is released by the tripping coil. The 1
opening spring (A) pulls the breaker (B) 2
towards the open position. The operating
lever (2) moves to the right and finally rests
against the cam disc (3). The motion of the 4
contact system is damped towards the end 3
of the stroke by an oil-filled damping device
(4).

Opening operation
The opening spring pulls the
breaker towards the open
position.
Closing springs charged.
Closing operation

When the breaker is being closed, the

closing latch (6) is released by the closing 1
2
coil. The sprocket (7) is locked to prevent 6 11
rotation where upon the operating energy in
the closing springs is transferred via section
(8) of the endless chain to the sprocket (11)
belonging to the cam disc (3). The cam disc 3
then pushes the operating lever (2) towards
the left where it is locked in its end position
by the tripping latch (1). The last part of the
rotation of the cam disc is damped by the 7
damping device (9) and a locking latch on A
the sprocket (11) again takes up the initial 8 B
position against the closing latch (6). 9

Closing operation
The closing springs take
care of the operation and
charge the opening spring
at the same time.

Charging of the closing springs

The breaker has closed, the motor starts and

drives the sprocket (7). The sprocket (11)
belonging to the cam disc (3), has its catch 6 11
locked against the closing latch (6),
whereupon the sections of the chain (8)
raise the spring bridge (10). The closing
springs (5) are thereby charged and the 3
mechanism again takes up its normal
operating position.
7
A
8 B

10

Charging of closing
springs
Breaker closed.
Opening spring charged.
Electrical functions
The principle function of the mechanism’s electrical
components is shown in the elementary diagram to the
right.

CONTROL CIRCUITS,
Closing circuit
remote control
The operating coil (Y3) can be activated electrically
through local or remote control. When the breaker is in
closed position, the closing circuit is interrupted by BD Signal contact of density switch
auxiliary contact (BG).
BG Auxiliary contact

BT1 Thermostat
Tripping circuits BW Limit switch
The mechanism is provided with two independent trip
coils (Y1 and Y2). The mechanism can be operated E1, E2 Heater
electrically through local or remote control. With the
breaker in the open position, the auxiliary contact (BG) F1 Direct-on-line motor, starter
blocks all electrical impulses to the tripping coils (Y1
and Y2). F2 Miniature circuit-breaker, heater

K3 Anti-pumping

K9, K10 Interlocking relay, trip, close

Interlocks
The contact on the density switch (BD) actuates the M Motor
auxiliary relays (K9, K10,) which block the operat-ing
impulse if the density of the SF6 gas is too low. The Q1 Contactor
antipumping relay (K3) blocks any remaining closing
impulse after the breaker has completed a closing S1 Switch, trip
operation.
S3 Switch, close
The density of the SF6 gas and condition of the
operating mechanism is monitored electrically, given S4 Selector switch for local or remote operation
the following (remote) indications:
Y1, Y2 Operation coil for tripping latch
• Topping of SF6 gas is recommended (alarm level)
Y3 Operation coil for closing latch
• Density of the SF6 gas is too low (blocking level)
Y7 Blocking contact
• Direct-on-line motor starter switched off

• Indication of spring tension The circuit diagram is based on a breaker in open position
and before being pressurised. The closing spring of the
operating mechanism is not charged, the operating
Heater circuits voltages are not connected and the selected switch (S4) is
in the open position.
The operating mechanism is provided with an anti-
condensation heater.

To ensure reliable operation at low temperatures the

mechanism is provided with a thermostat-controlled
heater unit (BT1, E2).
 Close Open 1 Open 2
+

1+
+ 2+

S1
S1

S4 BD S4 BD S4

K9 K9 K9 K10 K10

K3

BG BG BG
BW

Y1 Y2
BG
K3
Y3
K3

- 2-
1-

Signals Motor AC/DC Heater AC

_ +
N L N L
F1 F1 F2
S4 S1 BD K9 K10
Y7 Y7
BT1
BW BW

Q1 Q1 E1 E2

BW BG M
Technical data
Motor
Universal motor for 110-125 or 220-250, AC or DC
Rated Starting current Normal current Power Degree of
voltage Peak value at DC consumption protection as per IEC 60527: IP 55
(V) approx. (A) approx. (A) approx. (W)
Terminal
220 10-30 *) 3-9 1500 blocks Supply motor and AC circuits,
110 20-45 *) 6-18 1500 isolatable 6 mm2 block.
Signal circuits through 4 mm2 block.
Spring charging time _< 15 sec
*) Depending on current source
Cable
connection Size FL 33: 102 x 306 mm.

Operating coils Earthing

clamp For conductors with max 13 mm diameter.
Operating Rated voltage Power consumption
coil (V, DC) approx. (W)
Internal
cable Motor circuits 2,5 mm2 PVC-insulated cable.
Closing coil 110 - 125, 220 - 250 200
Otherwise 1,5 mm2 PVC-insulated cable.
Tripping coil 110 - 125, 220 - 250 200

The working range for motor voltage and coils fulfils the requirements Operating Rated operating sequence:
of IEC 60056 and ANSI C37. times O - 0.3s - CO - 3 min - CO (per IEC)
CO - 15s - CO (per ANSI)

Auxiliary contact
Breaking current
Testing
Rated Rated Making DC 50 Hz
voltage current current L/R = 40 ms P.F. = 0,95 The spring operating mechanism has passed type tests
(V) (A) (A) (A) (A) according to IEC 60056 and ANSI C37 successfully.
Mechanical life tests have been performed with 10 000
110 25 20 4 25
220 25 10 2 25
operations.

The operating mechanism in its standard design has 9 normally open Before delivery each operating mechanism has to pass
and 11 normally closed contacts available for customer connections.
Selection of (6+6) extra contacts is possible.
routine tests conforming with current standards. For
each breaker a routine test report is issued showing the
Heating element actual test result.
Power requirements

Rated Continuously Thermo-

voltage connected statically
controlled
(V, AC) (W) (W)

220 - 254 70 2 x 140

110 - 127 70 2 x 140

Test voltage 1 min, 50 Hz

Auxiliary circuits 2,0 kV
Motor 2,0 kV
Prod. SEHVP/BF/ERRA

PLEASE NOTE! ABB is working to continuously improve the products.

Therefore we reserve the right to change design, dimensions and data without prior notice.

ABB Power Technology Products AB / HV Products

771 80 LUDVIKA
Tel. +46 240 78 20 00 Publ SEHVP/B 2504 en
Fax +46 240 78 36 50 Edition 4, 2001-09
E-mail: circuit.breaker@se.abb.com
http://www.abb.com