High Voltage Gas Insulated Substations (GIS) are one-time installations having a very long operating life with minimal maintenance, unlike Air Insulated Substations (AIS). However, being a complex and high-cost construction, the operation and maintenance of GIS is still an elusive topic that requires a closely coordinated plan and schedule based on the manuals and instructions of OEMs.
They draw a lot of similarities, as well as quite a few differences from their conventional counterpart, AIS.
After its inception in the mid-1960s, GIS technology has become a remarkable success over a wide range of high voltage applications up to 800 kV. Reliable operation and compact size have been its main advantages over its conventional air-insulated counterparts. Despite a very high initial capital cost, these two advantages reflect in other multiple aspects like low maintenance, minimum footprint, enhanced safety, pleasing aesthetics, and so on.
Operating a GIS module could be a challenge for untrained operators because of completely encapsulated switchgear, measuring equipment, and conducting parts. Although the components and operations are principally similar to an AIS, the physical arrangement of those elements marks a notable difference.
The presence of metallic enclosure and unavailability of visible indication of component operations require getting used to. Furthermore, a GIS module requires stringent interlocking schemes between breakers, maintenance switches, and earthing switches to ensure safe operation and maintenance.
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