Introduction to Gas Insulated Substations / Switchgears (GIS)

Gas-insulated substations (GIS) have been used in power systems over the last three decades because of their high reliability, easy maintenance, small ground space requirement, etc. This article is an introduction to Gas-insulated Substations.

Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) also called SF6 Gas Insulated Metalclad Switchgear is preferred for 12kV, 36kV, 72.5kV, 145 kV, 245 kV, 420 kV, and above voltages.

In a GIS substation, the various equipment like Circuit Breakers, Bus bars, Isolators, Load break switches, Current transformers, Voltage transformers, Earthing switches, etc. are housed in separate metal-enclosed modules filled with SF6 gas. The SF6 gas provides the phase to ground insulation.

As the dielectric strength of SF6 gas is higher than air, the clearances required are smaller. Hence the overall size of each equipment and the complete sub-station is reduced.

The various modules are factory assembled and are filled with SF6 gas. Thereafter, they are taken to site for final assembly.

SF6 Gas Insulated Substations are compact and can be installed conveniently on any floor of a multi-storeyed building or in an underground substation.  As the units are factory assembled, the installation time is substantially reduced.

Such installations are preferred in composition cities, industrial townships, hydro stations where land is very costly.

The higher cost of SF6 insulated switchgear is justified by saving to the reduction in floor-area requirement.

SF6 insulated switchgear is also preferred in heavily polluted areas where dust, chemical fumes and salt layers can cause frequent flashovers in conventional outdoor sub-stations.

The GIS require less number of lightning arresters than a conventional one. This is mainly because of its compactness.

Why SF6 is Used?

Inside a Gas Insulated Substation (Video)

Advantages of Gas Insulated Substations

The following are the main advantages of Gas Insulated Substations over Air Insulated Substations and Hybrid Substations.

Compactness of GIS

The space occupied by SF6 installation is only about 10% of that of a conventional outdoor substation. High cost is partly compensated by saving in cost of space. 

Protection from pollution

The moisture, pollution, dust etc., have little influence on SF6 insulated sub-stations. However, to facilitate installation and maintenance, such substations are generally housed inside a small building. 

The construction of the building need not be very strong like conventional power houses. 

Reduced Switching over voltages

The over voltages while closing and opening line, cables motors capacitors etc. are low. 

Reduced Installation Time

The principle of building-block construction (modular construction) reduces the installation time to a few weeks. Conventional sub-stations require a few months for installation. 

Superior Arc Interruption

SF6 gas is used in the circuit-breaker unit for arc quenching. This type of breaker can interrupt current without overvoltages and with minimum acing time. Contacts have long life and the breaker is maintenance free. 

Gas Pressure

The gas pressure (4 kgf/cm2) is relatively low and does not pose serious leakage problems. 

Increased Safety

As the enclosures are at earth potential, there is no possibility of accidental contact by service personnel to live parts. 

Demerits of GIS

1. High cost compared to conventional outdoor sub-station.
2. Excessive damage in case of internal fault. Long outage periods as repair of damaged part at site may be difficult.
3. Requirements of cleanliness are very stringent. Dust or moisture can cause internal flashovers.
4. Such sub-stations generally indoor. They need a separate building. This is generally not required for conventional outdoor sub-stations. Procurement of gas and supply of gas to site is problematic. Adequate stock of gas must be maintained.