HV Line Disconnector With Sacrificial Fuse for Transformer Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for high voltage electrical energy transmission do not ensure continuity of transmission when a fault occurs on a voltage transformer mounted directly on a high voltage support.
Innovation Solution
An electro-mechanical disconnector is installed between a high voltage overhead power line conductor and a voltage transformer mounted on a high voltage support. This disconnector comprises a sectioning element and a sacrificial element made of a material that melts when a fault current passes, allowing the operating arm to rotate and create an electrical insulation distance, thus disconnecting the faulty component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a voltage transformer is mounted directly on a high voltage support, then land occupation is reduced and installation space is optimized, but the continuity of high voltage transmission is compromised when a fault occurs on the transformer
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the high voltage conductor and the voltage transformer is segmented into two separate elements: a sectioning element and a sacrificial element. This segmentation allows the system to isolate faults locally while maintaining the overall structural integration of mounting the transformer on the support, thus reducing land occupation while improving transmission continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
A sacrificial element is introduced as an intermediary component between the sectioning element and the voltage transformer. This sacrificial element acts as a mediator that can be sacrificed (melt) to protect the main high voltage transmission line, allowing the transformer to be mounted on the support without compromising the reliability of the main transmission.
2Reliability
If a line switch is used to interrupt fault currents, then the faulty portion of the network is isolated, but the high voltage backbone operation is interrupted causing transmission discontinuity
Solution Approach 1:
The fault isolation function is extracted from the main high voltage backbone and relocated to a dedicated sacrificial element mounted on the support. When a fault occurs, only the sacrificial element is affected and isolated, while the main high voltage transmission line continues to operate, thus maintaining transmission productivity while achieving fault isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial element is designed as a disposable component that can be quickly replaced. It is intentionally made to be sacrificial (melt under fault conditions) so that it can protect the main transmission line by being destroyed in the process. This allows rapid restoration of service by simply replacing the sacrificial element rather than interrupting the main backbone.
3Productivity
If a sacrificial element is used to disconnect faulty components, then the high voltage line operation can be restored rapidly, but the device complexity increases due to the additional sectioning and sacrificial elements
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial element is designed to automatically perform the disconnection function through its own physical transformation (melting) when exposed to fault currents. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems, sensors, or actuation mechanisms, thereby achieving rapid fault isolation and restoration while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial element utilizes phase transition (melting from solid to liquid) as its operating mechanism. When fault current passes through, the sacrificial element melts and physically disconnects the faulty transformer from the high voltage line. This simple phase-change-based mechanism achieves rapid automatic disconnection without requiring complex mechanical or electronic control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The electro-mechanical disconnector enables the rapid restoration of high voltage line operation by ensuring electrical insulation and disconnecting the faulty component, thereby maintaining the continuity of high voltage electrical energy transmission with minimal voltage dip.
Implementation Method 1
said sacrificial element is made of a material able to melt when a fault current passes
Implementation Method 2
said isolating element is able to place itself at an electrical insulation distance in the air from said conductor following the melting of said sacrificial element
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-mechanical disconnector mounted between an HV overhead power line conductor and a voltage transformer, mounted on a support of the support power line of HV overhead power line conductors. The electro-mechanical disconnector comprises an isolating element and a sacrificial element arranged in series with each other. The sacrificial element is made of a material capable of melting upon the passage of a fault current, and the sectioning element is capable of moving to an electrically insulating distance from the conductor following the melting of the element.