Medium-voltage switchgear system having single phase breaker control

A medium-voltage switchgear system, comprising:

• a three-phase power distribution grid, the three-phase power distribution grid comprising:
• a switchgear frame having a plurality of interior compartments, each of the interior compartments having:
• first, second and third single-phase inputs, first, second and third single-phase outputs connected to a respective one of first, second and third single-phase circuits of the three-phase power distribution grid,
• a truck and a three-phase circuit breaker carried on the truck, the truck supporting the three-phase circuit breaker for movement within a respective one of the interior compartments,
• said three-phase circuit breaker comprising:
• first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters configured to be connected between respective pairs of the first, second and third single-phase inputs and the first, second and third single-phase outputs,
• a first magnetic actuator connected to the first single-phase vacuum interrupter, a second magnetic actuator connected to the second single-phase vacuum interrupter, and a third magnetic actuator connected to the third single-phase vacuum interrupter;
• wherein each of the first, second and third magnetic actuators configured to receive an interrupt signal and in response, actuate a respective one of the first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters connected thereto into an open circuit condition;
• a drive mechanism mounted on respective one of the interior compartments, the drive mechanism connected to the truck and configured to rack the truck and first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters into electrical connection with the respective pairs of the first, second and third single-phase inputs and the first, second and third single-phase outputs;
• and
• a controller circuit mounted within the respective one of the interior compartments and separate from the three-phase circuit breaker,
• the controller circuit connected to each of said first, second and third magnetic actuators,
• the controller circuit configured to generate the interrupt signal to at least one of the first, second and third magnetic actuators in response to a detection of at least one single-phase overcurrents or faults on at least one of the first, second and third single-phase circuits and interrupt a respective one or ones of the at least one of the single-phase circuits on which the at least one single-phase overcurrents or faults occurred and maintain power on any remaining one or ones of the first, second and third single-phase circuits over which the at least one single-phase overcurrents or faults was not detected.

A method of operating a medium-voltage switchgear system, comprising:

• providing a three-phase power distribution grid;
• connecting respective pairs of first, second and third single-phase inputs of the three-phase power distribution grid and first, second and third single-phase outputs of the three-phase power distribution grid contained within a respective one of a plurality of interior compartments of a switchgear frame to a respective one of first, second and third single phase circuits of the three-phase power distribution grid;
• providing a three-phase circuit breaker within the respective one of the interior compartments, the three-phase circuit breaker comprising:
• first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters between the respective pairs first, second and third single-phase inputs and the first, second and third single-phase outputs,
• a first magnetic actuator connected to the first single-phase vacuum interrupter, a second magnetic actuator connected to the second single-phase vacuum interrupter, and a third magnetic actuator connected to the third single-phase vacuum interrupter,
• wherein each of the first, second and third magnetic actuators configured to receive an interrupt signal and in response, actuate a respective one of the first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters connected thereto into an open circuit condition;
• receiving the interrupt signal within one of the first magnetic actuator, the second magnetic actuator, and the third magnetic actuator, and in response, actuating the respective one of the first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters connected thereto into the open circuit condition;
• and
• generating the interrupt signal via a controller circuit mounted within a respective one of the interior compartments and separate from the three-phase circuit breaker,
• the controller circuit connected to each of said first, second and third magnetic actuators,
• the controller circuit configured to generate the interrupt signal to at least one of the first, second and third magnetic actuators in response to a detection of at least one single-phase overcurrents or faults on at least one of of the first, second and third single-phase circuits and interrupt a respective one or ones of the at least one of the single-phase circuits on which the at least one single-phase overcurrents or faults occurred and maintain power on any remaining one or ones of the first, second and third single-phase circuits over which the at least one single-phase overcurrents or faults was not detected.