Electrical Terms

Resistance Switching

A fixed connection of resistance in parallel with the contact space or arc is called the resistance switching. Resistance switching is employed in circuit breakers having a high post zero resistance of contact space. The resistance switching is mainly used for reducing the restriking voltage and the transient voltage surge. Severe voltage occurs in the system …

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Vacuum Circuit Breaker

A breaker which used vacuum as an arc extinction medium is called a vacuum circuit breaker. In this circuit breaker, the fixed and moving contact is enclosed in a permanently sealed vacuum interrupter. The arc is extinct as the contacts are separated in high vacuum. It is mainly used for medium voltage ranging from 11 …

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Arc Extinction

When the current carrying contacts of the circuit breaker are moved apart, an arc is formed, which insist for a short period after the separation of contacts. This arc is dangerous on account of the energy generated in it in the form of heat which may result in explosive force. The circuit breaker should be …

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Oil Circuit Breaker

Oil circuit breaker is such type of circuit breaker which used oil as a dielectric or insulating medium for arc extinction. In oil circuit breaker the contacts of the breaker are made to separate within an insulating oil. When the fault occurs in the system the contacts of the circuit breaker are open under the …

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Circuit Breaker

A circuit breaker is a switching device that interrupts the abnormal or fault current. It is a mechanical device that disturbs the flow of high magnitude (fault) current and in additions performs the function of a switch. The circuit breaker is mainly designed for closing or opening of an electrical circuit, thus protects the electrical …

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Step & Touch Potential

When a fault occurs, the fault current flow to the ground due to which the potential gradient near the electrical equipment developed. This potential gradient may affect a person in two ways, either by step-to-step contact or by touch contact. Step-Potential – Step potential is the potential difference between the feet of a person standing on …

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Booster Transformer

Booster transformer is one which is often used towards the end of a power line to raise the voltage to the desired value. It is used for controlling the voltage of a feeder at a point far away from the main transformer. The secondary of the booster transformer is connected in series with the line, …

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Static VAR Compensator

A static VAR compensator is a parallel combination of controlled reactor and fixed shunt capacitor shown in the figure below. The thyristor switch assembly in the SVC controls the reactor. The firing angle of the thyristor controls the voltage across the inductor and thus the current flowing through the inductor. In this way, the reactive …

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