Pioneering

technology for
extra-high voltage
applications

High Voltage Products | Gas-insulated switchgear

ELK-4, 800 kV
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- 4, 8 0 0 K V

More than 50 years of

gas-insulated switchgear
innovation

Hitachi Energy is global technology leader with a combined
heritage of almost 250 years, employing around 38,000 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
Energy 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 Energy 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 Energy 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 Energy has a global
installed base around 40,000 bays.
GIS is a compact metal-encapsulated switchgear consisting
of high-voltage components such as circuit-breakers and
disconnectors.
GIS type ELK-4 is the ideal solution for reliable energy supply
up to a rated voltage of 800 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-4 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 Energy
has always been and continues to drive innovation in GIS
technology in ratings, operations, switching technology,
smart control and supervision, and compactness.
 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 4, 8 0 0 K V | 3

Hitachi Energy 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- 4, 8 0 0 K V
ELK-4, 800 kV
Clear-cut advantages and outstanding qualities
New generation ELK-4 series for
800 kV is designed to increase
performance and enhance reliability
for future power demand.
Benefits
• Well proven and reliable technology
• High performance ratings for future power demands
• Modular and flexible design
• Simple and reliable
• Optimized and compact layouts
• Advanced features for digital substations

Well proven and reliable technology
GIS technology is based on over 50 years of pioneering
innovation. Hitachi Energy commissioned one of the world‘s
first 800 kV GIS to ESKOM in South Africa in 1987. The
substation continues to provide excellent service.
High performance ratings for future power demands
Circuit-breaker can be equipped with pre-insertion closing
resistor (PIR) in separate enclosures to provide maximum
thermal capacity that is designed for the most demanding
switching cycles of 300 Ohm and above. High dielectric
margins enhance the reliability for future power demands.
Modular and flexible design
Separate enclosures for PIR enables replacement of the
interrupter without disassembly in case of maintenance and
overhaul. Design with puffer gas compartment guarantees
highest availability and easy maintenance while adjacent
bays remain in service.
Example of one diameter in a 1½-breaker arrangement
G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 4, 8 0 0 K V | 5
Simple and reliable
Single-phase encapsulated assures minimal dielectric and
dynamic stresses. Fewer and simpler parts in conductors and
contacts reduce complexity. Current transformers are located
outside the gas compartments without the need for agas-tight
feed to the secondary terminals.
Optimized and compact layouts
Full sets of standardized connection elements allows for all
possible configurations and building optimization, including
integration into existing buildings, giving you utmost flexibility
in the shortest possible delivery time.
Advanced features for digital substation
The ELK-4 can be equipped with monitoring, measurement,
control, protection and communication features for smooth
integration into substation automation system using IEC 61850.
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- 4, 8 0 0 K V

SF6-air bushing

See page 11

Connecting elements

See page 11

Circuit-breaker with operating mechanism

See page 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- 4, 8 0 0 K V | 7

Fast-acting earthing switch

See page 9

Disconnector and maintenance earthing switch

See page 9

Current transformer

See page 10
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- 4, 8 0 0 K V

Circuit-breaker and operating

mechanism

Reliable, well-proven technology

At the heart of the ELK-4 GIS is the circuit-breaker with
three interrupters in series to provide reliable switching and
protection. Each circuit-breaker comprises three single-phase
breaker poles. Each pole consists of the hydraulic spring
operating mechanism, the interrupter column with three
interrupting chamber and the enclosure with the basic support
structure. During overhauls, the interrupter unit can be removed
easily from the enclosure or replaced by a new unit.

The PIR, which is placed in a separated enclosure and in

parallel to the interrupting chamber, reduces over voltages
effectively during closing operation of long overhead
transmission lines. When the circuit-breaker closes, the resistor
switch closes first to insert the resistor into the circuit. After the
pre-insertion time, the interrupter contacts close and bypass
the closing resistor parts.

Circuit-breaker with operating mechanism

 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 4, 8 0 0 K V | 9

Disconnectors and earthing

switches

Convenient operations and operational safety

The angular disconnector integrated in the busbars ensures
the highest degree of flexibility in layouts. It is also possible
to accommodate a maintenance earthing switch in the same
enclosure.

The modular design of the operating mechanism enables rapid

replacement of complete modules, thus ensuring greater service
friendliness and excellent access for maintenance and repair.
Feeder terminals are often equipped with fast-acting earth switch
to provide access. The fast-acting earthing switch includes a
spring operated mechanism that is is either charged by a motor
or by a hand crank.

Similar to disconnectors, the operating mechanism of the

maintenance earthing switch and the fast-acting earthing
switch is located in the equipment itself and controlled via the
control cubicle. In certain cases, an interposed insulation is
fitted between the earthing switch and the enclosure to provide
access to the active parts without opening the enclosure.

Disconnector switch Fast-acting earthing switch

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- 4, 8 0 0 K V

Voltage and current transformers

Metering, control and protection functions

Our maintenance-free voltage and current transformers provide
highly reliable metering, control, and protection functions. Used
for system protection, our powerful transformers offer years of
trouble-free service even for heavy-duty applications.

The single-pole inductive voltage transformers are connected

to the GIS with a standardized connecting flange and a
partition insulator. The primary winding is coiled 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. The inductive current transformers are of
ring core type. The cores concentrically enclose the primary
conductor and are located outside the gas compartment
eliminating the need for a gas-tight feed to the secondary
terminals. Each current transformer may contain multiple cores
for metering and protection. An insulation gap in the basic
flange prevents the return current of the enclosure from flowing
through the inside of the current transformer cores, thereby
correct current readings are guaranteed.

Voltage transformer Current 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- 4, 8 0 0 K V | 11

Terminals and connecting

elements

Maximum Flexibilty
Our versatile terminal and connecting elements enable the
GIS to be customized to fit your project requirements. Our
connecting elements are available in various shapes and sizes
including T-elements, cross-shaped and straight sections.
The ELK-4, has a parallel compensator to 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.

A complete range of connecting elements for peripherals, such

as SF6 air bushings, and enclosures for direct transformer
connections are available. Our lightweight SF6 air bushings are
available in two variants – with porcelain insulators or in the
standard version, with composite insulators and silicon sheds.

The bushings are maintenance-free with self-cleaning silicon

sheds and protection against sandstorms.

Lateral dismantling unit Angle element T-element SF6-air bushing with silicon insulator
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- 4, 8 0 0 K V

Advanced features to enable

digital substations

The local control cubicle (LCC) Benefits

The LCC is integrated in the ELK-4, 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 Energy's Relion® series bay control IED, or via
conventional control mimic. Hitachi Energy's Relion® series of
protection and control IEDs allows flexible combination of
control and protection functionality in one device.
• Integration into substation automation systems, using
IEC 61850 interface to low power instrument transformers
(LPIT) 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 Energy's Relion® series
bay control IED, or via conventional control mimic. Hitachi
Energy'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
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
solutions with IEC 61850 Remote control
station bus

IEC 61850
station bus

Bay level
Relion® 670 series control
and protection IED as well
as REB500 busbar
protection system, with
IEC 61850 and PWC600 LCC MSM PWC600 REB500 Relion ® 670 series IED
for station and process bus
IEC 61850-9-2
process bus

Process level Merging unit SAM600

LPIT transmits the signal to
the merging unit in the LCC
and is connected to the
IEC 61850-9-2 process bus
for sampled analog values
for protection and metering Current Voltage
GIS LPIT 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- 4, 8 0 0 K V | 13

Configurations

1½-breaker arrangement (2 diameter side-by-side with PIR)

1½-breaker arrangement (2 diameter in-line with PIR)

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- 4, 8 0 0 K V

Dimensions

ELK-4, 800 kV

14000
5100

8000

Dimensions in millimeters (mm)

 G A S - I N S U L AT E D S W I T C H G E A R E L K- 4, 8 0 0 K V | 15

Ratings

ELK-4, 800 kV Product-ID 2GHV013559M0001

Rated voltage kV 800

Rated frequency Hz 50

Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) kV 960

Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2/50 µs) kV 2100

Rated switching impulse withstand voltage (250 / 2500 µs) kV 1550

Rated normal current at (40 °C) A 6300 / 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 -40 … +40

Type of installation indoor / outdoor
Hitachi Energy
High Voltage Products
Gas-insulated switchgear
contact-us@hitachienergy.com

www.hitachienergy.com

©Hitachi Energy 2021. All rights reserved.

Specifications subject to change without notice. 1HZC208015 / 202111