H I G H VO LTAG E P R O D U C T S | G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I TC H G E A R

ELK-3, 420 kV
High performance ratings in a modular design

HITACHI ABB POWER GRIDS

2 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V

More than 50 years of gas-insulated

switchgear innovation

ELK-3, 420 kV Hitachi ABB Power Grids is global technology leader
installation
with a combined heritage of almost 250 years,
employing around 36,000 people in 90 countries.
Headquartered in Switzerland, the business serves
utility, industry and infrastructure customers across the
value chain, and emerging areas like sustainable
mobility, smart cities, energy storage and data centers.
With a proven track record, global footprint and
unparalleled installed base, Hitachi ABB Power Grids
balances
social, environmental and economic values. It is
committed to powering good for a sustainable energy
future, with pioneering and digital technologies, as the
partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and
greener grid
Hitachi ABB Power Grids offers a wide range of
high-voltage products up to 1200 kilovolt (kV) that help
enhance the reliability, efficiency and quality of power
in transmission and distribution grids, power plants
and industries while minimizing environmental impact.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids provides a complete range
of GIS for all ratings and applications from 72.5 kV
to 1200 kV matching current and future requirements
for modern switchgears. As a market leader in
high-voltage GIS technology, Hitachi ABB Power Grids
has a global installed base of more than 37,000 bays.
GIS is a compact metal-encapsulated switchgear
consisting of high-voltage components such as
circuit-breakers and disconnectors.
GIS type ELK-3 is the ideal solution for reliable energy
supply up to a rated voltage of 420 kV. Based on a few
building blocks with standardized dimensions, its
space saving and modular design offers a small
footprint and easy operation at high performance
ratings. The ELK-3 offers high level of flexibility for
optimizing substation layouts.

In a power system, switchgear controls, protects and

isolates electrical equipment to boost the reliability of
power supply. With gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)
technology, key components including breakers,
switches, contacts and conductors are protected with
insulating gas. Hitachi ABB Power Grids has always
been and continues to drive innovation in GIS
technology in ratings, operations, switching
technology, smart control and supervision, and
compactness.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids is a
pioneering technology leader that
works closely with utility,
industry, transportation and
infrastructure customers to write
the future of industrial
digitalization and realize value.
4 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V
ELK-3, 420 kV
Clear-cut advantages and outstanding
qualities
01 ELK-3, 420 kV From Hitachi ABB Power Grid's decades of
double busbar bay
experience, a highly standardized modular system
02 ELK-3, 420 kV was developed, which is characterized by the fact that
1½-breaker bay
a wide variety of technical requirements can be met
with a small number of modules.
Greater performance with fewer components, this
counts for both, the primary equipment and control
& protection. That makes Hitachi ABB Power Grid's
ELK-3 so revolutionary: Since it requires less space, it
drastically cuts your construction costs and saves your
operating costs at the same time.
Maximum system security with a minimum of
maintenance is another quality feature of the
environment-friendly ELK-3 system. And because it is
modular, it can be ex­tended or adapted at any time to
meet your present and future requirements.
High-performance circuit-breakers
Enhanced performance and lower maintenance
that is the simple principle behind Hitachi ABB Power
Grid's high-voltage circuit-breakers. Designed for
maximum efficiency with quality in mind.
01 02
Save disconnectors and earthing switches
Even the disconnectors and earthing switches prove
Hitachi ABB Power Grid's pioneering technology in
terms of construction and design as well as system
safety.
Reliable current and voltage transformers
The current and vol­t­age transformers are as efficient as
they are economical, and leave nothing to be desired
in terms of service life. This is also true for the latest
generation of NCITs (non-conventional instrument
transformers).
Versatile connecting elements
Hitachi ABB Power Grid's product range also features
a collection of connecting elements in various shapes
and sizes which enable our substations to be adapted
to virtually any customers requirement.
Innovative control & protection technology
Hitachi ABB Power Grid's forward-looking control &
protection technol­ogy is fully integrated and completely
open, which makes it more adaptable and simplifies
operation.
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V 5

01 Circuit-breaker

02 Operating mechanism

03 Disconnector/
earthing switch

04 Fast-acting
earthing switch

05 Current transformer

06 Local control
cubicle (LCC)

01 02

03 04

05 06
6 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V

Disconnector/earthing switch
See page 10

Integrated local control cubicle (LCC)

See page 16

Operating mechanism
See page 9
G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V 7

Current transformer
See page 12

Fast-acting earthing switch

See page 11

Ciruit-breaker
See page 8
8 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V

High-voltage circuit-breaker

01 Single chmaber breaker The circuit-breaker Breaker Design

02 Double chamber breaker Over the years, the circuit-breaker, using SF6-gas for
insulation and arc-quenching purposes, has been
03 PIR chamber breaker
continuously developed and improved. Extensive
operating experiences, as well as ongoing research
and development activities are the cornerstone to
meet the future market requirements.
Benefits
• Reliable making and breaking capacity for heavy
load and short-circuit currents
• Easy access to active parts for inspection and
overhaul
• Low noise level
• Separate contact system for continuous current and
current interruption
• High dielectric withstand in open and closed
position
• Single-phase auto-reclosing
• Compact spring operating mechanism
• Continuous self-supervision of energy transmission
system
• Type tested according latest IEC and ANSI
standards
• Maintenance-free design
Each circuit-breaker type ELK-3 comprises three
single-phase metal-enclosed breaker poles. According
to the technical requirements a circuit-breaker with
one or two interrupting units is employed. Each pole
consists of the operating mechanism, the interrupter
column with one or two interrupting chambers and the
enclosure with the basic support structure.
When a two-chamber circuit-breaker is employed, the
chambers are mechanically connected in series to
guarantee simultaneous interruption. Also one grading
capacitor for each chamber assures an equalised
voltage distribution across the interrupting chambers.
In case of an overhaul, the interrupter column
can easily be removed from the enclosure.
The circuit-breaker is a single-pressure type and
works on the latest arc-quenching technology. During
an interruption, a compression piston in the each
chamber generates the SF6-gas pressure required
to extinguish the arc between the contacts.

01

02 03
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V
Circuit-breaker operating mechanism
01 Operating The Operating mechanism
mechanism closed
Each pole of the circuit-breaker is equipped with
02 Operating a spring operating mechanism. The mechanism
mechanism
power pack combines the nonwearing properties of a hydraulic
system with the robustness of mechanical spring
operating mechanisms. Spring operating mechanisms
are used for Hitachi ABB Power Grid’s entire GIS
portfolio, from 72.5 kV to 1100 kV and for various
other applications in AIS, PASS and DTB. Hiatchi ABB
Power Grids has supplied more than 145,000 spring
operating mechanisms of HM type.
The components of the operating mechanism
• Charging system
• Energy storage with disk spring stack
• Three independent actuator pistons and control
valves
• Auxiliary switches and position indicators
A hydraulic energy control system is integrated within
a compact, sealed block that does not require any
external piping. All components are easily accessible
for maintenance and repair.
01
9
Charging
A pump moves oil from the low-pressure oil reservoir
to the high-pressure side of the energy storage piston
and compresses the disk spring stack. A micro switch
stops the pump when the disk spring stack is fully
charged.
Close operation
A magnetically operated change-over valve initiates the
close operation and connects the high pressure side
of the energy-storage piston to the actuator piston.
Both sides of the actuator piston are connected to the
high-pressure reservoir. Due to the different areas of
both surfaces of the actuator piston, the circuit-breaker
closes and is retained in a closed position.
Open operation
The trip coil operates the change over valve and
connects the actuator piston to the low pressure
reservoir. The circuit-breaker opens and is retained in
an open position by the pressure difference.
02
10 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V

The disconnector/earthing switch

01 Disconnector/ The disconnector/earthing switch Benefits

earthing switch
The disconnector/earthing switch combines two
02 Viewpoint functions – a disconnector and a maintenance earthing
Disconnector- Open
switch – in one common enclosure, sharing one
03 Viewpoint common operating mechanism.
Disconnector- Closed
04 Viewpoint earthing The disconnector/earthing switch is based on a
switch - Open
modular design. It has identical active parts for all
05 Viewpoint earthing variants and incorporates an insulating gap for the
switch - Closed
disconnector and one for the earthing switch. Variable
arrangement of the active parts allows up to eight
different configurations. This ensures the highest
degree of flexibility with the lowest number of different
parts.
The operating mechanism is of modular design.
The modular design enables rapid replacement of
complete modules, thus ensuring greater service
friendliness and excellent access for maintenance and
repair.
• Reliable SF6-gas insulation across the isolation
distance
• Reliable switching capacity for small capacitive
currents and bus-transfer currents
• High capacity for carrying rated and short-circuit
currents
• Space-saving combination of disconnector and
earthing switch
• Mechanical interlocking between disconnector and
earthing switch
• Insulated earth connection allows measurements
without opening gas compartment
• Manual operation by hand crank possible
• Reliable 3-pole operating mechanism
• One drive only for both functions
• Location of drive unit outside SF6-gas compartment
• Separated mechanically coupled position indicator
for each function
• Viewing port for checking position and condition of
contacts
• Fully type-tested for conformity to latest IEC and
ANSI standards

Viewpoint
disconnector

02 03

Viewpoint earthing
switch

01 04 05
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V
The fast-acting earthing switch
01 The fast-acting The fast-acting earthing switch
earthing switch
The fast-acting earthing switch is used to earth
insulated sections of the installation to protect
personnel during overhaul and assembly work. But
it is also employed for earthing capacitance (cables,
transmission lines, etc.). The earthing switch can be
mounted at any position by using a linear connection
element, thus ensuring the greatest flexibility in
switchgear layout.
The controlled “Open”-operation results from a slow
linear contact motion directly driven by an electric
motor, which is located in one of the outer phases and
connects the other phases by rotating shafts. This
enables optimal switching movement during contact
opening.
The fast “Close”-operation is spring-actuated. After
a closing command, the electric motor and the
rotating shafts will compress the spring of a phase.
After reaching the required state of charge, they are
automatically released until the next closing command
is activated.
01
11
Benefits
• Reliable earthing of main circuit
• High short-circuit current carrying capacity in closed
position
• High short-circuit current making capability
• Insulated operating mechanism
• Capable of switching induced capacitive and
inductive currents
• Fast linear contact motion by spring-loaded drive for
“Close”-operation
• Manual operation by hand crank possible
• Location of drive unit outside the SF6-gas
• Position indicator mechanically coupled to the
moving contact
• Viewing ports for checking position and condition of
contacts
• Safety elements such as padlocks can be
provided
• Fully type-tested for conformity to latest IEC and
ANSI standards
12 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V
Voltage and current transformers
01 Voltage transformer The voltage transformer
Used for system protection or revenue metering,
02 Current transformer
Hitachi ABB Power Grid's powerful transformers offer
years of trouble-free service. Even for heavy-duty
applications. They are based on the electromagnetic
transformer prin­ciple, where primary and secondary
windings are galvanically separated from one another.
The single-pole inductive voltage transformers are
connected to the switchgear with a standardised
connecting flange and a partition insulator. The
primary winding is wound on top of the core and the
secondary windings. The latter are connected to the
terminals in the external terminal box through a gas-
tight multiple bushing.
Benefits
• Utilisation of SF6-gas as insulating medium, together
with plastic foil in the windings
• High secondary output and accuracy
• Ratio and number of secondary windings according
to actual GIS plant requirements
• Effective damping of very fast transients, transmitted
to the secondary side
• Horizontal or vertical mounting possible
• Separate gas volume with density monitoring
• Over-pressure relief device provided
• Secondary fuses on request
• Maintenance-free
01
The current transformer
The ring core current transformers concentrically
enclose the primary conductor. The core support is
provided by the pressure-proof enclosure, which is
insulated from the basic flange to prevent the return
current from passing through the cores.
Benefits
• Simple ring-core type windings integrated in the
main current path
• SF6-gas as main insulation according to Hitachi ABB
Power Grid's well-proved-GIS technique
• Secondary windings on ring-cores, located inside
of the SF6-gas compartment and mechanically
protected
• Efficient damping of the very fast transients
transmitted to the secondary side
• Any accuracy class defined by international
standards is possible
• Maintenance-free
02
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V 13

The non-conventional instrument

transformer (NCIT)

01 Non-conventional The non-conventional instrument transformer Benefits

instrument transformer
(NCIT)
NCITs replace the conventional voltage and current
transformers. The NCIT uses two redundant Rogowski
Coils to measure the current value. The primary
voltage is measured by a capacitive voltage divider
composed of two cylindrical electrodes, the conductor
and the enclosure. The measured values ​​are digitally
processed by the “Secondary Converters” and sent
to the “Merging Unit”. From there the data is routed
through a standardized, optical connection to the
protection, measurement and control devices.
• High bandwidth, high accuracy and linearity,
high reliability
• SF6 insulated unit with excellent long term stability
and long service life
• No saturation or ferroresonance effects
• Standardised digital interfaces according to
IEC 61850-9-2
• Configurable voltage and current ratings
(for protection, control and measurement
applications and energy metering)
• Integrated self supervision
• Maintenance-free

01
14 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V

Terminals and connecting elements

01 Single bus duct The connecting elements The terminal connections

02 Cross / T-connector Switching systems need to be as varied as the
purposes for which they are intended. That is why
03 Angle connector
Hitachi ABB Power Grids supplies connecting
04 Compensators elements in all shapes and sizes: cross-shaped and
05 Transformer T-elements, as well as simple straight sections, are the
connection links that join up individual GIS components.
Compensators of various types allow for heat
expansion, vibrations during operation and tolerances
in the lengths of specific components. Moreover,
lateral disman­tling units guarantee hassle-free
assembly and dismantling.
Hitachi ABB Power Grid's GIS range includes the
connecting elements for peripherals such as the
SF6-air bushings, the enclosures for the cable
terminations and the enclosures for the transformer
terminals.
The transformer termination
The transformer connection enables transformers to
be connected directly to the switchgear using bellows.
Benefits
• Effective compensation of vibrations
• Connection between the SF6 switchgear and the
transformer
• Isolation of the SF6 switchgear from the transformer
for testing possible
• Interface according IEC 61639
• Maintenance-free

01 02

03 04 05
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V 15

Terminals and connecting elements

01 Cable connection The cable termination The SF6-air bushing

02 The SF 6 -air bushing Cable connections, which are part of the cable The SF6-air bushings are available in two different
manufacturer’s scope of supply, consist typically of an versions: with clas­sical porcelain insulators or in the
epoxy resin barrier insulator and can be either of dry standard version, with fibre-reinforced resin insulators
type or of fluid-filled type. with silicon sheds.

Benefits Benefits
• Interface according IEC 62271-209 • High creepage current resistivity
• The GIS and the high-voltage cable can be • Self-cleaning silicon sheds
galvanically separated and the high-voltage tests • Single pressure SF6-gas insulation
be carried out independently • Explosion and vandal-proof
• Removable link easily accessible • Resistivity against sandstorms
• Flange available to attach a test bushing • All fitting positions possible
• Easy mounting of the cable at any rotation angle • Low weight
• Maintenance-free • Maintenance-free

01 02
16 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V

Advanced features to enable digital

substations

The local control cubicle (LCC) Benefits

The LCC is integrated in the ELK-3, factory-tested and
shipped as one transport unit. This reduces installation
and commissioning time to a minimum and eliminates
errors during site installation.
All monitoring features are integrated into the LCC to
provide guided local control of all motorized switching
objects via HMI of Hitachi ABB Power Grid's Relion®
series bay control IED, or via conventional control mimic.
Hitachi ABB Power Grid's Relion® series of protection and
control IEDs allows flexible combination of control and
protection functionality in one device.
Station level
• Integration into substation automation systems,
using IEC 61850 interface to non-conventional
instrument transformers (NCIT) via IEC 61850-9-2LE
process bus
• All monitoring features are integrated into the local
control cubicle to provide guided local control of all
motorized switching objects via HMI of Hitachi ABB
Power Grid's Relion® series bay control IED, or via
conventional control mimic. Hitachi ABB Power
Grid's Relion® series of protection and control IEDs
allows flexible combination of control and protection
functionality in one device
• Modular Switchgear Monitoring (MSM) supervises
SF6 density and circuit-breaker within the GIS
• Primary and secondary system status supervision
and alarm visualization
• Station wide interlocking and double-operation
interlocking is implemented via fail-safe IEC 61850
GOOSE, or via parallel wiring
• Point-on-wave controller PWC600 for highest
operation precision

Station level
Substation automation Remote control
solutions with IEC 61850
station bus

IEC 61850
station bus
Bay level
Relion® 670 series control
and protection IED as well
Bay level

as REB500 busbar
protection system, with
IEC 61850 and PWC600
for station and process bus
LCC MSM PWC600 REB500 Relion® 670 series IED

IEC 61850-9-2
process bus
Process level
NCIT transmits the
Process level

signal to the merging Merging unit SAM600

unit in the LCC and is
connected to the
IEC 61850-9-2 process
bus for sampled analog
values for protection Current Voltage
and metering GIS NCIT transformer transformer
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V 17

Configurations

01 Double
busbar layout

02 1½-breaker
layout

01

02
18 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V

Dimensions

ELK-3, 420 kV
double busbar bay
(Dimensions
in meters)

c
a
d
b

Dimensions DBB One chamber Two Chamber

a 5430 6320
b 6980 7870
c 3280 3280
d 2160 2700

ELK-3, 420 kV
1½-breaker bay
(Dimensions
in meters)
c

a
b d

Dimensions OHB One chamber Two Chamber CB with PIR

a - - 6700
b 6620 7250 -
c 3550 3550 3550
d 2160 2700 3120
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 3 , 42 0 K V 19

Ratings

ELK-3, 420 kV Product-ID 1HC0071250M0070

Rated voltage kV 420
Rated frequency Hz 50/60
Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) kV 650
Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2/50 µs) kV 1425
Rated switching impulse withstand voltage (250 / 2500 µs) kV 1050
Rated normal current at (40 °C) A 5000
Rated short circuit-breaker current kA 63
Rated short-time withstand current (up to 3 s) kA 63
Rated peak withstand current kA 171
Circuit-breaker mechanical endurance class M2(10,000 CO)
Circuit-breaker capacitive switching class (k=1.4) C2
Temperature range (ambient) °C -30 ... +50*
Type of installation indoor / outdoor
*Temperature range for SF6 - free passive components: Indoor -5...+40 °C / Outdoor -25...+40 °C
ABB Power Grids Germany AG PT ABB Sakti Industri
(A Hitachi ABB Joint Venture) Jl. Gajah Tunggal Km. 1
High Voltage Products 15135 Tangerang, Indonesia
Brown-Boveri-Strasse 30 Phone: +62 21 255 955 99
63457 Hanau, Germany
Phone: +49 621 381 3333 ABB Power Grids Switzerland Ltd
High Voltage Products
ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd. Brown-Boveri-Strasse 5
2nd Industrial City, Street No. 39 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
31521 Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Phone: +41 844 845 845
Phone: +966 92 001 0301
www.hitachiabb-powergrids.com
ABB High Voltage Switchgear (Xiamen)
Company Ltd.
No. 883, FangShanXiEr Road
Xiang’An Torch Hi-tech Zone, Xiamen
361101 Fujian, P. R. China
Phone: +86 21 33 18 4688

ABB Power Products & Systems India

Limited
Plot No. 25 & 26 (Alindra)
Savli GIDC Industrial Estate, Taluka Savli
391775 Vadodara, India
Phone: +91 80 67 143 000

1HC0029799 E01 / AH20

ABB is a registered trademark of ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.

Manufactured by/for a Hitachi Power Grids company.

© Copyright 2020 Hitachi ABB Power Grids. All rights reserved.

Specifications subject to change without notice.