Autoreclosing switchgear in distribution practice

The paper reviews the use and purpose of automatic-reclosing circuit breakers and pole-mounted reclosers in controlling 11¿66kV overhead power lines in Great Britain. The operational performance of 11 kV overhead lines is analysed and the improvement that can be obtained using high-speed tripping and reclosing techniques is described. The principles involved in obtaining the optimum system performance are stated. The extension of automatic reclosing to the higher distribution voltages is discussed and possible future developments are suggested.