Monitoring Erosion on Contacts of Medium-Voltage SF6 Circuit Breakers Using Contact Temperature

The power distribution network presents operational hurdles. Assessing active loss is pivotal for efficiency, with circuit breakers essential for reliability. However, a greater number of circuit breakers can elevate energy losses. The research utilizes COMSOL, a Multiphysics software based on Finite Element Method (FEM), to simulate the temperature of circuit breakers (CBs) under different conditions. These simulations, conducted in a steady state, use a 3D model derived from an actual 24-kV SF6 circuit breaker design. By incorporating electrical and thermal equations, the study aims to monitor connections in real-time actively, fostering preventive conservation and minimizing losses within the distribution network. Continuous monitoring of the CB in real-time and assessing its erosion contribute to reducing losses in the distribution system.