SUBSTATION INTERLOCKING.

Introduction

Interlocking is used to ensure that equipment (circuit breakers, disconnectors & earth switches) are
operated in the correct sequence so that personnel do not endanger themselves and / or damage the
equipment.

There are two types of interlocking, operational interlocking which is concerned with the operation of
circuit breakers and disconnectors when system connections are reconfigured and is usually
accomplished electrically. Maintenance interlocking is concerned with the application of earthing
devices and assisting in safe access of equipment / plant for maintenance and is usually performed
mechanically.

Interlocking schemes should cover the following conditions (from NGTS 3.1.1).
a. Interlocking between circuit breakers and disconnectors to ensure disconnectors do not make
or break load currents.
b. Interlocking between disconnectors and earth switches to ensure that earth switches cannot
be closed on to a locally energised circuit and cannot be energised, when closed, by
operation of disconectors.
c. Interlocking between disconnectors and adjacent earth switches to permit operation of the
disconnector when earth switches are closed on either side of the disconnector.
d. Ensure correct sequence of on load busbar transfer switching operations at multiple busbar
substations.
e. Ensure that a bus coupler or bus section circuit breaker can only be closed with it’s
associated

Mechanical Interlocking

Mechanical interlocking schemes are shown on a single line diagram showing only the main items of
plant and substation configuration (i.e double busbar. mesh etc.) The following symbols are used to
show the interlocking scheme.
Key Exchange Box Symbols

Vertical Box

Horizontal box

K K K
K

Denotes that keys are trapped and are released when keys shown as are inserted, these are then
trapped and released when keys shown as are removed.

Exchange boxes are used for the following reasons.

a. The device may not be capable of accommodating the required amount of keys.
b. When devices need to be operated during maintenance, keys required to operate the
equipment may be tied up in the scheme therefore duplicate keys are obtained from an
exchange box. These boxes are called maintenance boxes and are generally used for
disconnectors.

Single Phase Interlocking.

This is the interlocking of single phase units within the 3 phase scheme i.e. pantograph disconnector’s
each with a single drive mechanism. These units have phase by phase interlocks so that a key is
needed from the red phase to operate the blue for example. The overall diagram only shows the input
and output keys and the interphase interlocking is shown in the notes.

Busbar Disconnector and Earth Switch Interlocking.

An exchange box is required for each section of bar that can be isolated, for a double busbar
substation with a main and reserve bus section would require 4 exchange boxes. The number of
locks required depend on the number of disconnectors and earth switches connected to the section of
busbar. The should be a type lock for every disconnector and a for efvery earth switch.

Commissioning keys.

During the construction of the substation the interlocking may need to be operated for commissioning
purposes before other items of equipment are installed. Therefore commissioning keys are required
for all locks which don’t normally have a key in the rest position. These keys are only required for the
duration of the site works and should be carefully controlled.