SUBSTATION INTERLOCKING.
Introduction
Interlocking is used to ensure that equipment (circuit breakers, disconnectors & earth
switches) are operated in the correct sequence so that personnel do not endanger
themselves and / or damage the equipment.
There are two types of interlocking, operational interlocking which is concerned with the
operation of circuit breakers and disconnectors when system connections are reconfigured
and is usually accomplished electrically. Maintenance interlocking is concerned with the
application of earthing devices and assisting in safe access of equipment / plant for
maintenance and is usually performed mechanically.
Interlocking schemes should cover the following conditions (from NGTS 3.1.1).
a. Interlocking between circuit breakers and disconnectors to ensure disconnectors do
not make or break load currents.
b. Interlocking between disconnectors and earth switches to ensure that earth switches
cannot be closed on to a locally energised circuit and cannot be energised, when
closed, by operation of disconectors.
c. Interlocking between disconnectors and adjacent earth switches to permit operation
of the disconnector when earth switches are closed on either side of the
disconnector.
d. Ensure correct sequence of on load busbar transfer switching operations at multiple
busbar substations.
e. Ensure that a bus coupler or bus section circuit breaker can only be closed with it’s
associated
Mechanical Interlocking
Mechanical interlocking schemes are shown on a single line diagram showing only the main
items of plant and substation configuration (i.e double busbar. mesh etc.) The following
symbols are used to show the interlocking scheme.
Key Exchange Box Symbols
Vertical Box
Horizontal box
K K K
K
Denotes that keys are trapped and are released when keys shown as are inserted, these
are then trapped and released when keys shown as are removed.
Exchange boxes are used for the following reasons.
a. The device may not be capable of accommodating the required amount of keys.
b. When devices need to be operated during maintenance, keys required to operate the
equipment may be tied up in the scheme therefore duplicate keys are obtained from
an exchange box. These boxes are called maintenance boxes and are generally
used for disconnectors.
Single Phase Interlocking.
This is the interlocking of single phase units within the 3 phase scheme i.e. pantograph
disconnector’s each with a single drive mechanism. These units have phase by phase
interlocks so that a key is needed from the red phase to operate the blue for example. The
overall diagram only shows the input and output keys and the interphase interlocking is
shown in the notes.
Commissioning keys.
During the construction of the substation the interlocking may need to be operated for
commissioning purposes before other items of equipment are installed. Therefore
commissioning keys are required for all locks which don’t normally have a key in the rest
position. These keys are only required for the duration of the site works and should be
carefully controlled.
