Shandong, China Power Grid 110kV GIS Circuit Breaker Hydraulic Mechanism Renovation Project Achieves Complete Success

The 110kV GIS circuit breaker hydraulic-to-spring mechanism retrofit project undertaken by Huatech for Yantai Fushan Substation in Shandong, China has recently completed all commissioning work and was successfully energized.

The project encompassed scheme validation, precision engineering, customized production, and on-site efficient construction, successfully resolving the long-standing operational pain points of traditional hydraulic mechanisms and providing a benchmark demonstration for the green life-extension and reliable operation of aging circuit breakers in power grids.

Project Background: Resolving Long-Standing Pain Points of Hydraulic Mechanisms

In power grid and industrial distribution systems, early-stage high-voltage circuit breakers were predominantly equipped with hydraulic operating mechanisms. While these offered certain performance advantages initially, issues such as seal aging, hydraulic oil leakage, degraded low-temperature performance, high maintenance costs, and limited mechanical lifespan have become increasingly prominent over years of service. These problems not only increase the risk of unplanned outages but also significantly raise operational maintenance and spare parts costs, making them a critical bottleneck in the safe and stable operation of aging equipment.

Renovation Solution: Minimal Changes, Maximum Efficiency Gains

• Huatech's Technical Strength and Core Renovation Measures: As the global pioneer of solid-insulated encapsulated circuit breakers and a national-level "Little Giant" specialized and sophisticated enterprise, Huatech has over two decades of deep expertise in the power transmission and distribution sector. The company focuses on the retrofit needs of aging switchgear in industrial facilities, continuously advancing key technologies for mechanism upgrades. For this project, the technical team adhered to the principle of "minimal changes, maximum efficiency gains, and long-term reliability." Based on the original circuit breaker parameters, on-site operating conditions, and frequent switching requirements, a customized modular spring operating mechanism replacement solution was developed.

• Specific Renovation Procedures and Advantages of the Spring Mechanism: The core renovation involved the removal of the hydraulic mechanism, adaptation and installation of the high-performance spring mechanism, as well as critical steps including transmission system optimization, closing holding module reinforcement, and mechanical characteristic matching and commissioning. Huatech's self-developed new-generation spring operating mechanism features an integrated design and high-strength wear-resistant components, offering significant advantages such as compact structure, reliable operation, excellent fatigue resistance, extended mechanical lifespan, and prolonged maintenance-free intervals. It fundamentally eliminates issues associated with hydraulic mechanisms, including leakage, low-temperature failure, and cumbersome maintenance, perfectly matching grid switching requirements. Meanwhile, the renovation process followed strict standardized construction procedures, minimizing outage time and ensuring continuity of customer operations.

Renovation Outcomes: Post-renovation comprehensive testing demonstrated precise opening and closing actions, stable energy storage, and superior mechanical characteristics. All performance indicators exceeded national standards and original manufacturer technical specifications. The overall reliability, environmental adaptability, and service life of the equipment have been significantly enhanced, truly achieving the goal of "rejuvenating aging equipment and achieving life-extension and efficiency improvement for safe operation."

The success of this project represents another important practice for Huatech in fulfilling its mission of technological upgrades for aging equipment and deepening its presence in the industrial power distribution retrofit market. Looking ahead, Huatech will continue to uphold its philosophy of "technological innovation, quality first, and customer orientation," intensifying R&D efforts in retrofit technologies for aging switchgear. Through customized and highly reliable upgrade solutions, Huatech aims to help more industrial customers overcome equipment operational challenges, empower safe, stable, and efficient power system operation, and contribute Huatech's strength to the high-quality development of the power transmission and distribution industry.