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High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems enable utilities to move more power further, efficiently integrate renewables, interconnect grids, and improve network performance. HVDC systems utilize power electronics technology to convert AC and DC voltage and are ideal for supporting existing systems or building new power highways.

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GE Vernova provides solutions that offer grid operators the ability to provide reactive power support, enhance controllability, improve stability and increase power transfer capability of AC transmission systems.

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GE Vernova offers solutions for a variety of substation projects and applications, including Modular Substation Automation Systems, utility and industrial substation projects, as well as DC substation solutions.

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The energy landscape today is changing, this is being led by the current industry trends of Decarbonization, Digitization, Decentralization and Electrification. Discover how GE Vernova is working with utility, consumer and industrial customers to design and deploy tailored Microgrid and Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Management solutions.

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Innovations to Decarbonize the Electrical Grid. GRiDEA is our portfolio of decarbonization solutions that empower grid operators to address their net-zero objectives.

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GE Vernova offers a wide range of transformer solutions for the utility, industrial, commercial, residential and energy markets. These solutions feature flexible, reliable and robust designs to support a wide range of applications. With units operating in some of the most demanding electrical environments around the world, We design and delivers transformer solutions that provide among the highest level of performance and reliability to meet rigorous operating requirements.

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GE Vernova provides GIS solutions from 50 kV to 800 kV, along with secondary products to maximize switchgear and network operation. The portfolio includes a full range of SF6 GIS as well as g3 (SF6-free) GIS at 145 kV and 420 kV voltage levels for utilities and industries worldwide.

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GE Vernova is one of the top circuit breaker suppliers in the world. Our products include a range of live tank circuit breakers (up to 800 kV), dead tank circuit breakers (up to 550 kV), as well as hybrid and compact switchgear assemblies. We also provide solutions for power generation applications with our generator circuit breakers for installations up to 1,500 MW.

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GE Vernova is a global market leader for disconnectors (disconnect switches) since 1960, with 8 product facilities in 7 countries and hundreds of thousands installations in more than 130 countries around the world. The portfolio includes disconnectors for AC applications (up to 1,200 kV), for DC applications (up to 1,000 kV) and for railway applications. We also offer power connectors to connect two or more conductors for a continuous electrical path.

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GE Vernova is an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of high, medium and low voltage instrument transformers. With more than 100 years of experience, We offer a broad array of standard and high accuracy models for revenue metering and system protection applications. The portfolio of instrument transformers ranges from low voltage at 600 V suitable for industrial and high accuracy revenue metering, all the way up to high voltage at 1,200 kV. The portfolio also includes line traps and digital instrument transformers.

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For a century, utilities have relied on us to deliver electrical products and services to meet their quality, durability and performance needs. Our capacitor and reactor product lines are an integral part of our portfolio. GE Vernova provides power capacitors that meet ANSI, IEEE and IEC standards, and our low voltage capacitors are UL listed. Ratings range from 1 kvar to 500 MVAR, and from 240 volts to 500 KV.

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GE Vernova provides a broad range of bushings and surge arresters to help protect electrical assets. The bushings portfolio includes AC and DC solutions that enable long life, high reliability and installation flexibility. GE’s Tranquell surge arresters are ideal for distribution and EHV applications up to 612kV, and are available as polymer and porcelain station and intermediate class IEEE/ANSI C62.11.

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Our SF₆-free switchgear range features the same ratings and same dimensional footprint as the state-of-the-art SF₆ equipment, with a drastically reduced carbon footprint.

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The collection of required asset condition data from the field on a large scale for GE Vernova and 3rd party electrical equipment is a key step in building a robust Asset Performance Management strategy. Grid Services specialists are constantly evaluating and implementing new innovative inspection technologies applying strict processes and methods. The digital inspections methods are designed to improve the efficiency of data collection, oil analysis and online monitoring. All new approaches to capture data are integrated into the EnergyAPM ecosystem for automatic data transfer.

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Energy costs are significant expenses for utilities and industries at large, particularly those that are energy-intensive or operate heavy machinery. Between 5% and 25%* of the expenses in these organizations are allocated to energy payments, with up to 15%** of this energy consumption being wasted during operations.

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GE Vernova offers a wide range of solutions to monitor and manage critical assets on the electrical grid, detect and diagnose issues and provide expert information and services to customers. Our asset monitoring and diagnostics portfolio includes solutions for single- and multi-gas transformer DGA, enhanced transformer solutions and switchgear monitoring, as well as software and services.

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GE Vernova's Grid Solutions business electrifies the world with advanced grid technologies and systems, enabling power transmission and distribution from the grid to homes, businesses, and industries effieciently and reliably.

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GridBeats™ is a portfolio of software-defined automation solutions for grid digitalization. The portfolio is designed to enable utilities and industrial customers to ensure a stable, efficient energy supply amidst the growing integration of renewable energy sources and aging infrastructure.

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GE Vernova's Critical Infrastructure Communications solutions deliver comprehensive networks that are designed to be secure, flexible, and tailored to meet customers' objectives and unique geographic requirements.

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GE Vernova's comprehensive portfolio of solutions for implementing and managing a substation.

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GE Vernova's Asset Lifecycle Management services combine a large set of methodologies to collect condition data off and online, consulting and asset optimization services using digital technology to improve the monitoring, recording and analysis of asset operations and predict asset behavior.

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GE’s innovative and high-quality services help maintain and optimize high-voltage electrical assets throughout their entire lifecycle. Leveraging the design and manufacturing knowledge of our engineers, the customized service solutions ensure substations and networks perform as planned. Experts deliver services for applications across the power system, keeping assets up-to-date, safe, reliable and efficient while improving customers’ return-on-investment.

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GE Vernova provides a full range of services & support tailored to meet a broad range of power system needs across utility and industrial applications. With deep domain knowledge and industry expertise GE’s service application engineers and technical specialists can help plan, design, operate, maintain, and modernize your protection, control, monitoring and automation systems.

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GE Vernova provides comprehensive services throughout the systems lifecycle. The services can be provided by our local team and with the support of our global Competence Centers when the equipment is installed, during the warranty period and beyond.

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Our technical experts are ready to equip customers with the knowledge needed to effectively manage their critical assets and systems, and increase their return on product investments. Our training courses are offered in a variety of ways, including online, onsite at customer locations, and in our state-of-the art training centers around the world.

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GE Vernova's Grid Solutions' Testing Laboratories enable manufacturers and end users to test their primary equipment by leveraging deep domain expertise and testing facilities, to develop enhanced high voltage products and certify their capabilities before market introductions.

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GE Vernova delivers materials and eco-design studies for high voltage solutions to accelerate insulation and environmental innovation. GE’s services provide the expertise and methods that enable new value to support customer engineering, sourcing, quality control and EHS activities.

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With the rapid digitalization of the grid, utility, power generation and industrial operators require cybersecurity solutions to monitor and protect grid asset and systems from increased severity and frequency of cyber attacks. GE Vernova adopted a “defense in depth” approach, providing innovative cybersecurity solutions designed to increase operational integrity, comply with regulations and control costs of security.

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Utilities today seek to create and connect new sources of power generation to meet growing global demand, while also managing grid reliability, costs and regulatory factors.

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Water is central not just to the economy, but to life. As a result, water treatment systems demand secure, dependable power to ensure process uptime. From the grid-connected substation to reliable electrical protection, control, and power quality metering, GE Vernova offers tailored solutions to keep critical plants operational and meet the unique needs of the water and wastewater industry.

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As power systems become increasingly interconnected and complex, utilities need solutions that optimize energy transmission and management while improving reliability.

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Data centers – and the information they store – are becoming increasingly integral to the way we live our lives every day. With rising demand also come rising costs. And more importantly, the information in these centers must remain secure while simultaneously accessible. We provide data centers with electrical infrastructure solutions from the input utility source to the IT server racks. This includes high-voltage switchgear and transformers, medium and low voltage electrical equipment, automatic transfer switches, switchboards, UPS systems, critical power PDUs, static transfer switches, and overhead busway. This chain of electrification products provides high quality and reliable products and services for the entire lifecycle of a data center.

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The oil and gas industry is evolving at a rate never seen before, facing shifting pricing levels, ever-changing regulatory requirements, and increased environmental consciousness. Through reliable, safe, and innovative solutions and a holistic service offering, GE Vernova can help the energy sector thrive in this changing reality.

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Modernizing and digitizing the distribution grid is imperative for utilities and customers to enhance power system stability and safety, while increasingly integrating distributed power and demand response.

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The industry is changing. Simultaneously, so are your utility’s needs. Operational effectiveness, power stability, and critical asset management are key priorities – whether in pulp and paper, steel, or data centers. GE’s holistic portfolio of products and services are designed with reliability, innovation, and sustainability at the forefront, helping you face the energy transition with ease.

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Mining companies require secure communications, efficient asset performance management, and dependable, innovative technology to protect their critical assets. GE Vernova offers a broad product portfolio to help you through each step of the mining process – safely and reliably.

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HV/MV Equipment
Generator Circuit Breakers

Home > HV/MV Equipment > Circuit Breakers > Generator Circuit Breakers

  
Generator Circuit Breakers
Increased Availability, Enhanced Protection and Simplified Operations for Power Plants

GE's Generator Circuit Breakers (GCBs) are ideally suited for new and refurbished power plants from 50 MW to 1,500 MW and feature advanced technology with spring-spring-operated mechanisms. The comprehensive GCB portfolio provides solutions from generator circuit breakers without enclosure to customized solutions including disconnector, earthing switch, starting switch and instrument transformers.

Key Features: 
  • GCB ranges FKG1, FKG2 and FKGA
  • Spring-spring operated mechanism for utmost reliability
  • Optimized, preventive maintenance with monitoring system
  • Breaker natural cooling up to 30,000 A and enhanced cooling up to 40,000 A
  • 3,000+ GCB installations and 40+ years of expertise
  • Optimized digital smart cooling solution optimizing ventilation system in real time
  • Digital proxy communication including IEC 61850 and Modbus TCP
GCB explorer
Overview
Key Benefits
Components
GCB Portfolio
Pump Storage Solution
Services & Retrofit
Explore GE’s Generator Circuit Breaker solutions to protect and simplify power plants operation and find your solution with the selector guide.

Today's Challenging Environment

For most utilities ensuring grid reliability, efficiency, and security is a primary concern. As the grid evolves and load profiles change, stresses are being put onto transmission and distribution networks, making the work of grid management much more challenging. Globally, utilities are facing many grid challenges and market condition changes including:

  • Changes in generation mix
  • Decrease in conventional generation
  • Increase in renewable and distributed generation
  • Environmental and regulatory policy changes

Utilities must respond to these challenges and generate energy economically and safely. They face additionally following business challenges:

  • Calculable investments costs
  • Maximum power plant availability
  • Reliable power plant operation
  • Long life-time of equipment

GE's Solution

GE offers utilities a reliable and robust solution to address the commercial and operational requirements with a comprehensive range of Generator Circuit Breakers (GCB) with advanced technology and 40+ years of deep domain expertise. GE is a world leader for GCB with 3,000+ installed breakers worldwide in applications including hydro, pump-storage, gas and steam turbines, combined cycle, nuclear and geothermal power plants from 50 MW to 1,500 MW.

Key Benefits

Power plant owners must generate energy economically and safely with the highest availability of their equipment. Most operational managers recognize the need for reliable and robust generator circuit breakers. The modular diagram - which uses a generator circuit breaker compared to the block type diagram solution - has several advantages, which are summarized as following:

 

logo Increased power plant operational availability   logo Easier operation particularly regarding the transfer of auxiliaries   logo Improved safety in faults management
               
logo Increased protection especially for the power transformer   logo More flexibility and potential combinations   logo Substantial cost advantages

 

gcb ge advantage

Components

The design of the generator circuit breakers is compliant with IEC/IEEE 62271-37-013 standard and other relevant international standards. The following components are commonly used in the GCB range with proven robustness and reliability.

gcb component

Circuit Breaker Monitoring Solution CBWatch3

CBWatch photo

CBWatch3 is a universal and compact device suitable for any kind of HV circuit breaker.

  • Compact and modular solution adaptable to any circuit breaker type
  • Delivers reduced and optimized operating maintenance costs
  • Enables health/condition based asset replacement strategy
  • Help reduce costly SF6 gas losses into the environment
  • Seamless integration into digital control systems and easy web server interface
  • GE as single vendor to monitor all key substation assets

GCB Portfolio

Equipment for Power Plants from 50 to 200 MW
FKG2S photo without enclosure FKG2S without enclosure Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 50 to 150 MW
More Info
FKG2S photo FKG2S Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 50 to 150 MW
More Info
 
FKG2M photo FKG2M Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 100 to 200 MW
More Info
   
 
Equipment for Power Plants from 150 to 450 MW
FKG1N photo without enclosure FKG1N without enclosure Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 150 to 300 MW
More Info
FKG1N photo FKG1N Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 200 to 300 MW
More Info
 
FKG1F photo FKG1F Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 300 to 450 MW
More Info
FKGA2 photo FKGA2 Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 200 to 450 MW
More Info
 
Equipment for Power Plants from 450 to 1,000 MW
FKG1X photo FKG1X Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 450 to 600 MW
More Info
FKG1XV photo FKG1XV Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 750 to 900 MW
More Info
 
FKG1XP photo FKG1XP Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 600 to 750 MW
More Info
FKG1XW photo FKG1XW Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 900 to 1000 MW
More Info
 
Equipment for Power Plants from 700 to 1,500 MW
FKGA8 photo FKGA8 Generator circuit breaker for power plants
from 700 to 1,500 MW
More Info
   

Pump Storage Solution

Modular Arrangement and Switching Devices for Pump Storage Operation and Protection

GE's solution for Pumped Storage Power Plant (PSPP) offers an integrated package of protection schemes, including generator circuit breaker, phase reverse disconnector, braking, starting and back-to-back switches.

Braking Switch
Braking switch is designed to perform an electromagnetic braking of the generator by carrying out a circuit of the 3 phases, allowing to reduce the time of shutdown before being able to reverse the operation cycle.

Generator Circuit Breaker (GCB)
The use of GCB increases the overall availability of the power plant. It also insures safe, reliable, economical operation and protection of the power plant.
Starting Disconnector Switch (SDS) on generator side and Back-to-Back Switch on transformer side
Starting Disconnector and Back-to-Back switches are the mechanical isolation devices located on the generator and transformer sides of the GCB. These switches ensure busbars connection between units and allow starting in pumping mode for Pumped Storage Power Plant. SDS alone or combined SDS with back-to-back solution are available according to power plant layout.

Phase Reverse Disconnector Switch (PRDS)
Phase Reverse Disconnector Switch provides 3 phases closing in pumping or generation mode, it also makes breaking capability for active parts to ensure the safety and electrical insulation of the open device.

Single-Line-Diagram and Components
  1. Circuit Breaker
  2. Disconnector
  3. Braking Switch
  4. Starting Disconnector Switch
  5. Back-to-Back Switch
  1. Earthing Switch
  2. Surge Arrester
  3. Capacitor
  4. Voltage Transformers
  5. Current Transformers
Single line diagram

Example: Pump Storage Solution with Phase Reverse Disconnector Switch (PRDS) with 5 Phases in line
Pump Storage Solution example diagram

Service & Retrofit

Based on manufacturing expertise and time-proven field experience, GE offers cost-effective and efficient solutions to help increase the life span of your generator circuit breakers and drastically reduce the risks of failure. Benefiting from GE’s innovative technical services will keep your equipment up-to-date, safe, reliable and efficient all along its lifecycle. From onsite assessment, periodic maintenance and mid-life overhaul to complete retrofit and emergency solutions, GE provides customized solutions for your generator circuit breaker according to its type, age, operating conditions and ratings.

Maintenance & Repair

  • Preventive maintenance (every year, 5, 10 and 20 years)
  • Condition based maintenance based on operations numbers and cumulative current broken by the GCB or earthing switch
  • Trouble shooting repair
  • Long Term Service Agreement

Strategic Spare Parts Management

  • Emergency management with strategic stock including poles, complete active parts, disconnecting switches, coils, motors and protection sets
  • Spare parts kits for maintenance and repair
  • Critical spare parts rotation programs

Emergency Support

  • Guaranteed response time by a certified expert
  • 24/7 on-line technical support


Modernization and Retrofit

Solving Obsolescence of Equipment and Saving Maintenance Cost

  • Perform on-site assessment prior recommendation
  • Develop engineered solutions to minimize power plant downtime
  • Implement latest technology solution on GE and 3rd party OEM brownfield assets
  • Optimize site modification and intervention duration
  • Guarantee full turnkey solution and engineering capabilities
  • Benefit from decades of retrofit projects know how

Renovation and Overhaul

Expanding the Life of Aging Equipment

  • Customized recommendations based on high voltage expert site survey
  • Conduct the overhauling of the generator circuit breaker
  • Change specified parts based on real condition


Generator Circuit Breaker Generator Circuit Breaker