Monitoring and aging evaluation in MV smart circuit breaker for special applications

The energy transition towards an increasing electrification and more sustainable energy production relying on renewable sources requires a resilient and fast reconfigurable distribution network, to ensure continuity and quality of electricity supply. In this paper an advanced monitoring solution is introduced, applied to Medium Voltage smart circuit breakers (CB) with an integrated monitoring and diagnostic platform. The native digital characteristics of these apparatuses pave the way for important topics in the field of operation in distribution business as the monitor, diagnostics, asset management and state estimation. The monitoring of the circuit breaker status as well as its aging condition is essential to improve the network reliability a nd to reduce the time of intervention in case of faults. The collection of high precision measurements at each operation, along with advanced analytics during the breaker lifetime, leads to the detection of electrical and mechanical drifts in circuit breaker components. This leads to an accurate estimation of the circuit breaker mechanical and electrical state, giving to the custom er the information of CB health for each aspects monitored. Based on this information, the status of the assets on the network is available and monitored, increasing system reliability, and allowing specific maintenance plan with economic advantages.