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Home / Technical Articles / Standard cubicle configurations for a medium voltage metal-enclosed switchgear

MV metal-enclosed switchgear

This technical article will shed some light on the standard design of medium voltage metal-enclosed switchgear cubicles in terms of enclosure configurations as well as the characteristics of busbar system. Article explains the following cubicles types: incomer feeder, direct incomer, bus coupler, bus riser and metering.

Standard cubicle configurations for a medium voltage metal-enclosed switchgear
Standard cubicle configurations for a medium voltage metal-enclosed switchgear

Metal-enclosed, medium voltage switchgear cubicles and associated apparatus, rated from 1 kV to 52 kV, are covered by IEC 62271-200 (this standard supersedes IEC 60298).

MV cubicle design and construction is determined by several key operating factors and classifications:

  • Rated voltage Ur (kV). Determines the minimum insulation level requirements
  • Rated current Ir (A)
  • Rated frequency ƒr (Hz)
  • Short circuit power SSC (MVA). Determines elements of mechanical cubicle design and selection of integrated switchgear apparatus
  • Accessibility to cubicle compartments
  • Continuation of service with main compartment open
  • Necessary isolation and segregation of live parts
  • Level of internal arc withstand
You should know that there are many different types of enclosure designs for medium voltage switchgear use. However, the most commonly accepted and used style is metal-enclosed, with segregated and insulated apparatus compartments.

Please note that in addition to basic cubicle types, there are other types such as fuse-switch cubicle for transformer protection or motor control cubicles with contactor…

Table of content:

  1. MV enclosures:
    1. Incomer feeder cubicle
    2. Direct incomer cubicle
    3. Bus coupler cubicle
    4. Bus riser cubicle
    5. Metering cubicle
  2. Busbar system and its characteristics

1. Medium voltage switchgear cubicles

1.1 Incomer Feeder Cubicle

Diagram:

Incomer feeder diagram
Figure 1 – Incomer feeder diagram

Where:

  1. Withdrawable circuit breaker,
  2. Current transformer set,
  3. Earth switch and
  4. Voltage transformer (fused and withdrawable)

As the name implies, this cubicle configuration serves two purposes, as an incomer cubicle and as a feeder cubicle.

If used as an incomer cubicle, it switches the incoming main supply onto the common horizontal busbar system of a metal-enclosed switchgear arrangement

If used as s a feeder cubicle, it switches the main supply from the common horizontal busbar system of a metal-enclosed switchgear arrangement onto a specific feeder circuit.

The enclosure will always have a main circuit breaker (normally withdrawable), housed in its own compartment of the cubicle. An earth switch at the cable termination end of the circuit provides isolation during shutdown and maintenance. Interlocking ensures that the earth switch cannot be closed until the main circuit breaker is open and racked-out into the test position.

Current transformers are fitted to interface with a protection relay for circuit breaker trip operation. Depending on the required function, voltage transformers can be supplied. These can be 3-phase or single phase, either fixed or withdrawable style.

A variety of low voltage equipment is used, which is mounted in its own segregated compartment, situated at the top-front of the enclosure assembly.

Front, side and rear view:

Incomer feeder cubicle (front, side and rear view)
Figure 2 – Incomer feeder cubicle (front, side and rear view)

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1.2 Direct Incomer Cubicle

Diagram:

Direct incomer diagram
Figure 3 – Direct incomer diagram

Where:

  1. Current transformer set
  2. Earth switch
  3. Voltage transformer (fused and withdrawable)

A direct incomer cubicle connects the incoming main supply onto the common horizontal busbar system of a metal enclosed switchgear arrangement, without any primary switching device.

An earth switch is typically provided at the cable termination end of the circuit for isolation during shutdown and maintenance.

Access to earth switch operation must be interlocked with the supply end switchgear so that the earth switch cannot be closed onto a live circuit.

Current and voltage transformers can be supplied as optional items, along with a variety of low voltage equipment, which is mounted in its own segregated compartment situated at the top-front of the enclosure assembly.

Front, side and rear view:

Direct incomer cubicle (front, side and rear view)
Figure 4 – Direct incomer cubicle (front, side and rear view)

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1.3 Bus Coupler Cubicle

Diagram:

Bus coupler diagram
Figure 5 – Bus coupler diagram

Where:

  1. Circuit breaker
  2. Current transformer set
  3. Earth switch

A bus coupler cubicle connects two adjacent horizontal busbar systems together using a main circuit breaker (normally a withdrawable type), which is housed in its own compartment of the cubicle. The horizontal busbar system of metal-enclosed switchgear is usually situated towards the top of the cubicle enclosure.

NOTE: In order to physically connect two adjacent busbar systems together, a bus coupler cubicle must be used alongside a bus riser cubicle.

A main earth switch, current and voltage transformers and low voltage equipment can all be supplied as optional extras.

Front, side and rear view:

Bus Coupler cubicle (front, side and rear view)
Figure 6 – Bus coupler cubicle (front, side and rear view)

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1.4 Bus Riser Cubicle

Diagram:

Bus riser diagram
Figure 7 – Bus riser diagram

Where: (1) – Voltage transformer (fused and withdrawable)

A bus riser cubicle contains a vertical 3-phase bus which connects the output of a bus coupler cubicle at the bottom of the enclosure, to a horizontal busbar system at the top of the enclosure.

NOTE: In order to physically connect two adjacent horizontal busbar systems together, a bus riser cubicle must be used alongside a bus coupler cubicle.

Voltage transformers, along with low voltage equipment, can be supplied as optional extras.

Front, side and rear view:

Bus Riser cubicle (front, side and rear view)
Figure 8 – Bus Riser cubicle (front, side and rear view)

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1.5 Metering Cubicle

Diagram:

Metering cubicle diagram
Figure 9 – Metering cubicle diagram

Where:

  1. Earth switch
  2. Voltage transformer (fused and withdrawable)

A metering cubicle contains a primary horizontal busbar system with a bus tap-off that drops vertically to the bottom of the enclosure. The vertical bus is connected to voltage transformers, which can be of the fixed or withdrawable type.

Sometimes a main earth switch is supplied. Metering equipment is often contained within the segregated low voltage compartment, located at the top-front of the enclosure.

Front, side and rear view:

Metering cubicle (front, side and rear view)
Figure 10 – Metering cubicle (front, side and rear view)

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2. Busbar Systems

Medium voltage busbar systems consist of two general arrangements. The main switchgear distribution bus has three busbar sets (one set per phase) which run horizontally through all the cubicles in a line-up. These distribution busbars run through a dedicated chamber within each metal-enclosed cubicle.

Segregation of busbar chambers, between adjacent cubicles, is provided by using insulated through-bushings. Inside the horizontal busbar chamber of each cubicle, a vertical feeder busbar system can be tapped off the main horizontal system, for incomer, feeder, bus-coupler, bus-riser, metering or motor starter circuit.

 Busbar system of a medium voltage switchgear
Figure 11 – Busbar system of a medium voltage switchgear

2.1 Busbar Ratings

The nominal current rating (Ir) of an incomer busbar system usually matches the rating of the main busbar system it is feeding. Likewise, bus-coupler and bus-riser systems have the same current rating as the main busbar system they are connecting. A feeder circuit busbar system has a nominal current rating to match the expected load.

The nominal current rating is determined by the cross sectional area, shape and configuration of the individual phase bars.

The short-time withstand current rating (Ik) of the busbar system must be greater than the highest expected symmetrical fault current at the point of installation. This rating is for a short-time withstand period of 1 or 3 seconds (tk). All busbar systems installed in the same switchgear line-up usually have the same short-time withstand current/time rating.

The nominal voltage rating (Ur) of a busbar system must be greater than the installation’s operating voltage. This voltage rating determines the minimum phase-to-phase and phase-to-earth busbar clearances.

The nominal frequency rating (ƒr) of a busbar system must match the installation’s operating frequency.

NOTE! – The nominal current must be derated for high ambient temperatures (usually above 40 °C). The nominal voltage and insulation ratings of a busbar system must be adjusted for altitudes over 1000 metres.

Medium voltage distribution switchgears
Figure 12 – Medium voltage distribution switchgears

2.2 Design

Busbar system design must consider:

  1. Adequate minimum required clearance between phases and phase to earth
  2. Selection of adequate busbar insulator standoffs
  3. Bolting arrangements for continuous busbar connections
  4. Thermal effects on busbar and insulator standoffs under normal and fault conditions
  5. Electrodynamic forces applied to busbars and insulator standoffs under fault conditions
  6. Avoidance of mechanical resonance under normal operating and fault conditions

2.3 Voltage ratings and clearance

IEC 62271-1 gives typical voltage ratings for busbar systems and insulator standoffs.

Table 1 – Typical voltage ratings and minimum clearances for busbar systems and insulator standoffs

Rated Voltage
Ur (kV)
Power frequency withstand voltage
Ud (kV)
Lightning impulse withstand voltage
Up (kV)
Recommended clearance
P-P and P-E (mm)
7.2206070~90
122875120
17.53895160
2450125220
3670170320

Source: derived from IEC 62271-1


2.4 Current ratings and dimensions

The nominal current rating of a busbar is determined by the type of material, shape and cross sectional area of the bar and the maximum permissible temperature rise of the material. If the busbar is carrying AC current, the operating frequency has a slight effect on the busbar rating due to magnetic skin effect.

A busbar system has a short-time withstand current rating. The temperature rise in the event of a short circuit condition must not exceed the thermal limits of busbar standoffs.

Table 2 – Typical current ratings and nominal dimensions for medium voltage busbar systems

Rated Current
(A)
Bar dimensions – per phase
W×D (mm)
Rated short-time withstand current*
Ik (kA)
Rated short-time withstand period*
tk (seconds)
63050×612.5/16/20/25/
31.5/40/50
0.5/1/2/3
125080×10
1600100×10
2000100×6 (2 bars)
2500100×10 (2 bars)
3150100×3 (3 bars)

Source: current rating information is derived from IEC 62271-1

* Most medium voltage switchgear including busbar systems have short-time withstand ratings of 16 kA, 20 kA, 25 kA or 31.5 kA for 3 seconds.

NOTE! – Dimensions should be used as a guideline only and may vary. The dimensions stated in this table are based on bare copper at ambient temperature of 40 °C, maximum permissible temperature rise of 50 °C, operating at 50 Hz.


2.5 Temperature rise

During short circuit conditions the busbar will rise in temperature, depending on the level of short circuit current and time duration. This temperature rise must not exceed the thermal limits of any equipment in contact with the busbar.

Table 3 – Maximum permissible temperature rise for bolt-connected devices, including busbars

Material and dielectric mediumMaximum permissible
temperature
(°C)
Temperature rise above
40 °C ambient
(°C)
Bare copper, bare copper alloy or bare aluminium alloy
 • In air9050
 • In sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)11575
 • In oil10060
Silver or nickel coated
 • In air11575
 • In sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)11575
 • In oil10060
Tin-coated
 • In air10565
 • In sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)10565
 • In oil10060

Source: derived from IEC 62271-1

NOTE: – When engaging parts with different coatings, or where one part is of bare material, the permissible temperature and temperature rise shall be those of the surface material having the lowest permitted value.


2.6 Electrodynamic withstand

During short circuit conditions, the peak current associated with the first loop of the fault current produces electrodynamic forces which stress the busbar and insulator standoff supports.

Stress on the busbars must not exceed the limits of the material used. Bending forces must not exceed the mechanical limits of the insulator standoffs.

Electrodynamic forces in medium voltage busbars
Figure 13 – Electrodynamic forces in medium voltage busbars

Where:

  • d – Distance between phases (cm)
  • l – Distance between insulators on a single phase (cm)
  • F1 – Force on busbar centre of gravity (daN)
  • Ip – Peak value of short circuit current (kA)
  • H – Insulator height
  • h – Distance from head of insulator to busbar centre of gravity
  • F – Force on head of insulator stand-off (daN)

NOTE: 1 daN (dekanewton) is equal to 10 newtons.


2.7 Resonant frequency

The busbar system must be checked for potential resonance under normal operating conditions and fault conditions. This is done by calculating the natural resonant frequency of the system, which must meet the following criteria:

  • 50 Hz supply: not within the ranges 48 Hz to 52 Hz and 96 Hz to 104 Hz
  • 60 Hz supply: not within the ranges 58 Hz to 62 Hz and 116 Hz to 124 Hz

2.8 Calculation requirements

Busbar systems are subjected to thermal and electrodynamic stresses under normal operating conditions, but more so under short circuit fault conditions.

It is important to ensure the busbar system will function safely under all known conditions. When checking the design, the most important considerations are the nominal operating current, expected fault current at the point of installation, average ambient temperature and the altitude of the installation.

To check the safety of a busbar system:

  1. Check that the current rating of the busbar system (Ir) exceeds the expected nominal current. Main factors affecting the busbar rating are busbar material and configuration, ambient temperature and maximum permissible temperature rise.
  2. Check the maximum expected temperature rise of the busbar during a short circuit fault. In the event of short circuit current flow (Ith), the surface temperature of a busbar must not exceed the thermal limits of any material coming in contact with it (ie insulator standoffs).
  3. Check the maximum expected electrodynamic forces imparted on the busbars and insulator standoffs, due to the peak short circuit fault current (Idyn). Do not exceed the mechanical limitations of the material.
  4. Check that the busbar system will not resonate under normal operating and fault conditions.

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Sources:

  1. Medium Voltage Application Guide by Aucom
  2. IEC 62271-200 – High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 200: AC metal-enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV

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More Information
author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

11 Comments


  1. Andy Carson
    Nov 23, 2020

    good article


  2. Mr. Tiew Giap Lee
    Jul 14, 2020

    is there a IEC recommendation for electrical clearance in AIR for 11 kV Medium Voltage Switchgear.


  3. Hamid
    Apr 18, 2020

    Interesting and well-explained. Thank you, Edvard!


  4. Abdelrazek
    Oct 25, 2019

    really thankful to you for these valuable posts


  5. Rady
    Oct 22, 2019

    Thank you for these information and details


  6. Oshevire Stephen
    Oct 21, 2019

    Edvard, can you design and construct a MV power distribution board with related switch gears.
    * Estimated 6MVA capacity
    * operating voltage. 11kv
    * Two 11kv incomer feeder cubicle
    * Four 11kv load feeder cubicle


  7. A.Nejat Gürsoy
    Oct 21, 2019

    It may be interesting for young engineers. Not a new knowledge for me. I deal with harmonic compensation systems.


  8. Jude T Lasserre
    Oct 21, 2019

    Great article – I would like to see one addressing the incoming busway challenges. i.e. Mismatch of manufacturers – such as MV Power Centers, MCC to Siemens busway.
    We are using the ILIne busway with ABB Rockwell Power Center and MCC/VFDs.

    Thank you,
    Jude


  9. Bezabih Tegegn
    Oct 21, 2019

    please i need same help from you i am working in salini but i am new engineer in salini i ask you same thing about LV/MV switch gears and high power busbar i need more. how a get a tool in autocad to design.


    • ghasem
      Jan 23, 2022

      hi
      that was good article …. thanks alot


  10. NguyenCao Ky
    Oct 21, 2019

    thank you so much

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