The switching life of short-circuit contact breakers in power systems

Integral distributions of the actual values of short-circuit currents in the 100–500 kV networks, obtained by processing oscillograms of the transients in electrical transmission lines, are presented. It is shown that in the majority of newly established modern gas-filled contact breakers with spring-loaded drive mechanisms the switching and mechanical lives will not be exhausted after their useful life. Hence, planned repairs of such contact breakers can be predicted starting from their actual state and not from the fixed inter-repair periods. * JSC “Otdelenie Dal'nikh Peredach,” Russia. ** Electric Main Line Network Center (MéS Tsentra), Russia. *** IVTs Mosénergo, Moscow, Russia. **** Moscow Power Institute – Technical University, Moscow, Russia. ***** JSC “énergoservisproekt,” Russia. Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 10, October 2008, pp. 59–62.