ABB has led developments in switchgear technology for more than 100 years with a succession of groundbreaking innovations that include the first three-phase AC transmission in 1893, the first 400 kV and HVDC transmissions in the 1950s, the first gas insulated switchgear in 1965, and the first SF6 circuit breaker in 1985.
Transmission takes off
During the first half of the 20th century, the requirements on current and voltage were moderate. Transmission over long distances was not possible and transmission voltages were comparatively low.
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1902
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1934
2003
The real breakthrough came in 1952 when ABB designed and built the first 400 kV long-distance transmission line, linking hydropower stations in the far north of Sweden with the main load center 1,000 kilometers further south.
This innovation was a monumental breakthrough in power technology. By that time, ABB was the only company with a complete range of high voltage switchgear for all ratings up to and including the then maximum of 400 kV.
From 500 to 800 kV
As the countries of the world built and expanded their electric power systems in the post-war boom of the 1950s and 1960s, ABB became the leading supplier worldwide of high voltage products and systems.
The world’s first 500 kV transmission in 19xx was followed by the world’s first 800 kV in Canada in 1965, both designed and delivered by ABB.
The latter coincided with ABB’s invention of gas insulated switchgear in 1965, an innovation of enormous import which slashed the size of substations by 90 percent and enabled them to be built in space-restricted environments such as downtown areas and hydropower plants.
Integrating and innovating new technologies
In the last 20 years ABB has integrated and pioneered a number of new technologies to enhance performance and reliability and reduce maintenance intervals and costs.
SF6 gas technology for circuit breakers, ZnO for arresters, radio communication for condition monitoring, and a choice of porcelain or polymer composite for the full range of equipment are some of the technologies integrated or innovated by ABB in recent years.
Building-block bays
ABB’s latest offering is the result of its unique across-the-board strength in high voltage technology. Configurable switchgear bays combine standalone modules of key components – each component is also built as a series of modules - into an integrated whole.
Lead times are short, and substation size is up to 40 percent smaller than with tailored bays. Each component can be added or removed for maintenance without disturbing the operation of the whole.
The concept has been successfully used in many demanding applications such as the Three Gorges in China, the Garabi-Itá-interconnection between Brazil and Argentina, and other projects in Europe and the Americas where compactness has been a key factor.