ABB’s Circuit Breaker Sentinel™ to drive maintenance of 30 year old power equipment

The 14,000MW ITAIPU hydropower plant in South Brazil is amongst the largest power plant worldwide (~95 billion kWhrs generated in 2008). ABB’s High Voltage Products business will install 54 Circuit Breaker Sentinels™ (CBS) on the 550kV BBC gas insulated switchgear (GIS) circuit breakers to ensure uninterrupted transmission of power. The GIS is 30 years old.

ABB's CBS monitors online the "health" of a circuit breaker thus contributing to a smarter grid.

ITAIPU Hydro Power Plant
ITAIPU Hydro Power Plant
center

ABB's service engineers from Brazil and USA, have been supporting the customer in understanding the value and benefits of the CBS. The team recently won the order for 54 units in a highly competitive environment.

A reliability centered program, built around condition monitoring, data analysis and spare parts inventory management, is a more effective methodology for cost effectively managing substation assets compared to the traditional periodic equipment maintenance schedule. The CBS is a diagnostic and monitoring system for single pressure SF6 power circuit breakers rated 38 kV and above. It monitors parameters necessary to assess interrupter wear, integrity of the SF6 gas system, the circuit breaker mechanical system, the electrical control system and auxiliaries. It consists of a modular microprocessor unit and sensors.

The CBS improves the efficiency of circuit breakers and provides cost reductions through performing maintenance only when required. It helps to minimize the risk of emergency repairs and unnecessary dismantling of breaker, thus avoiding loss of revenue due to failed equipment. It also provides an effective SF6 gas leakage monitoring, local and remote access to information of key parameters related to circuit breaker performance and condition, eliminating the need for substation visits to check circuit breaker condition.

550 kV GIS at ITAIPU Hydro Power Plant
550 kV GIS at ITAIPU Hydro Power Plant
center

Links

Contact us

Downloads

Share this article

Facebook LinkedIn X WhatsApp