CONCEPTS OF LOW VOLTAGE,

MEDIUM VOLTAGE & HIGH

VOLTAGE REALY & CIRCUIT
BREAKER OPERATION
ALI HUSNAIN 1787-2021

AMIR SHAHZAD 1731-2021

ARSLAN HANIF 1316-2021

HARIS MEHMOOD 1885-2021

FAKHIR 1948-2021
1. LOW VOLTAGE (LV):

• Voltage Range:
• Typically, low voltage refers to electrical systems with voltages up to 1,000 volts (V) in
alternating current (AC) systems or up to 1,500 volts in direct current (DC) systems.

• Common Applications:
• Commonly used in residential, commercial, and light industrial settings.
• Examples include household outlets (120V or 230V), lighting circuits, and small appliances.
1. LOW VOLTAGE (LV):

• Characteristics:
• Lower voltage levels result in safer electrical installations.
• Devices and components designed for LV systems are generally smaller and more lightweight.

• Protection:
• Overcurrent protection devices (e.g., circuit breakers) are commonly used to protect LV
circuits.
• Electrical safety is crucial due to the proximity of LV systems to humans.
2. MEDIUM VOLTAGE (MV):

• Voltage Range:
• Medium voltage typically refers to electrical systems with voltages ranging from 1,000 volts to
69,000 volts.

• Common Applications:
• Used in industrial facilities, large commercial buildings, and distribution networks.
• Examples include motor drives, industrial machinery, and some types of outdoor lighting.
2. MEDIUM VOLTAGE (MV):

• Characteristics:
• MV systems are characterized by higher power levels and greater distribution distances.
• Equipment and components are more robust than those used in LV systems.

• Protection:
• Overcurrent protection, as well as protective relays, is commonly employed.
• Safety measures become more critical as the potential for greater fault currents increases.
3. HIGH VOLTAGE (HV):

• Voltage Range:
• High voltage typically refers to electrical systems with voltages above 69,000 volts.

• Common Applications:
• Used in power transmission, large industrial facilities, and high-power applications.
• Examples include transformers at power substations, transmission lines, and heavy industrial
machinery.
3. HIGH VOLTAGE (HV):

• Characteristics:
• HV systems are designed for the efficient transmission of large amounts of electrical power
over long distances.
• Insulation and safety measures are critical due to the potential for higher fault currents.

• Protection:
• Sophisticated protective relays and monitoring systems are essential for HV systems.
• Safety protocols, including insulating equipment and safety barriers, are crucial due to the
higher energy levels involved.
RELAY OPERATION:

• Relays are electrical devices designed to open or close electrical contacts in response to
specific conditions or signals. They play a crucial role in various applications, including
protection, automation, and control. Here's a general overview of how relays operate:
RELAY OPERATION:

• Sensing Conditions:
• Relays are equipped with sensors or input devices that monitor specific electrical parameters such as current, voltage, temperature, or
frequency.

• Comparison and Decision:

• The relay continuously compares the sensed parameters to predetermined values or setpoints.
• Based on this comparison, the relay makes a decision about whether the conditions are within acceptable limits or if there's a fault or
abnormal situation.

• Control Element Activation:

• If the relay detects a fault or a specific condition, it activates the control element. The control element could be a solenoid, an electromagnet,
or a solid-state device.

• Contact Operation:
• The activation of the control element causes a mechanical or electrical movement in the relay, resulting in the opening or closing of electrical
contacts.
RELAY OPERATION:

• Contact Output:
• The opened or closed contacts in the relay create or interrupt an electrical circuit.
• This change in the circuit can be used to trigger other devices or systems, such as circuit breakers, alarms, or control systems.

• Types of Relays:
• There are various types of relays, each designed for specific applications. Common types include:
• Overcurrent Relays: Activate in response to excessive current.
• Voltage Relays: Respond to voltage variations.
• Differential Relays: Compare currents entering and leaving a system.
• Distance Relays: Measure the impedance or distance to a fault.
• Temperature Relays: Activate based on temperature changes.

• Applications:
• Relays are widely used in electrical protection systems, motor control, automation, and signaling applications.
• They provide a flexible and reliable means of controlling and protecting electrical circuits.
CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATION:

• Circuit breakers are protective devices designed to interrupt the flow of electrical current
in the event of a fault or abnormal condition in an electrical system. Here's a basic
explanation of how circuit breakers operate:
CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATION:

• Normal Operation:
• In normal operating conditions, the circuit breaker allows the uninterrupted flow of current through its contacts.

• Detection of Fault:
• When a fault occurs, such as a short circuit or an overcurrent situation, the circuit breaker's protective relay
senses the abnormal condition.

• Relay Activation:
• The protective relay sends a signal to the circuit breaker, instructing it to trip or open its contacts.

• Mechanical Operation:
• Upon receiving the trip signal, the circuit breaker undergoes a mechanical operation. This can involve the
movement of internal components, such as a trip coil or a spring mechanism.
CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATION:

• Opening of Contacts:
• The mechanical operation results in the opening of the circuit breaker's contacts. This interruption of the current flow prevents
further damage to the electrical system.

• Isolation of Fault:
• By opening its contacts, the circuit breaker isolates the faulty section of the electrical system from the rest, ensuring that the fault
doesn't propagate.

• Arc Extinction:
• In the process of opening contacts, an electric arc may form between them. Arc extinction mechanisms, such as arc chutes or
magnetic blowouts, are employed to extinguish the arc quickly.

• Trip-Free Mechanism:
• Circuit breakers often have a trip-free mechanism, meaning that even if an attempt is made to close the contacts manually while a
fault still exists, the circuit breaker will not latch in the closed position.
CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATION:

• Reset and Closing:

• After the fault is cleared, the circuit breaker can be manually or automatically reset, and its contacts can be closed
again to restore normal operation.

• Types of Circuit Breakers:

• Circuit breakers come in various types, including:
• Air Circuit Breakers (ACB): Use air as the interrupting medium.
• Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB): Have a molded case and are commonly used in low-voltage applications.
• Oil Circuit Breakers: Use oil as the insulating and arc-quenching medium.
• Vacuum Circuit Breakers: Use a vacuum as the interrupting medium.
• SF6 Circuit Breakers: Use sulfur hexafluoride gas for insulation and arc quenching.
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