Description:

The ABB GBU72 (also identified by the part number 3BHE055094R0002) is a high-performance Grid Breaker Unit, specifically engineered by ABB for robust protection and control within demanding power electronic systems. This specialized module is designed for the rapid and reliable interruption of fault currents, featuring exceptional short-circuit capacity and long operational life. It plays a critical role in ensuring grid stability and safeguarding expensive equipment in various harsh power environments. The GBU72 can function as an integral component within an inverter, braking resistor unit, or gate drive unit, signifying its versatile application in controlling and protecting power conversion processes. Other associated part numbers include 3BHE031197R0001 and 3BHB030310R0001, indicating its integration into broader ABB power solutions like the PCS 6000 system inverters.

Application Scenarios:

Consider a large-scale industrial facility, such as an aluminum smelter, which requires an immense and stable supply of electricity. The highly dynamic and reactive loads generated by the smelting process can introduce significant disturbances into the electrical grid. The ABB GBU72 plays a vital role within the plant’s active power filters or static VAR compensators. In the event of a sudden and severe fault, like a short circuit or an extreme overload in one of the furnace lines, the GBU72 acts almost instantaneously. It rapidly detects the anomaly and isolates the faulty section of the grid, preventing the disturbance from affecting other critical areas of the plant or impacting the main utility grid. This swift and decisive action of the GBU72 safeguards expensive transformers, rectifiers, and other power electronics from damage, minimizes costly production downtime, and ensures the continuous and stable operation of the entire facility. Its robust design allows it to handle these severe transient conditions repeatedly, making it indispensable for critical industrial processes.

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Technical Principles and Innovative Values:

The ABB GBU72 (3BHE055094R0002) embodies cutting-edge technical principles and offers distinct innovative values crucial for modern power systems:

• Ultra-Fast Fault Current Clearance: The core innovation of the GBU72 lies in its ability to detect and interrupt fault currents with extreme rapidity, often in milliseconds. This is achieved through advanced sensing and actuation mechanisms that ensure minimal fault duration, thereby significantly reducing the destructive energy delivered during a short circuit and protecting valuable power electronics and infrastructure.
• Exceptional Short-Circuit Withstand Capability: Designed for resilience, the GBU72 is built with high short-circuit capacity, enabling it to repeatedly clear massive fault currents without degrading its performance or structural integrity. This robust design ensures long-term reliability and reduces the frequency of replacements, even in environments prone to frequent electrical disturbances.
• Modular and Flexible Integration: The modular architecture of the GBU72 allows for seamless integration into a wide array of power system configurations, including large-scale inverters, braking units, and comprehensive switchgear assemblies. This adaptability simplifies system design, enables quick installation, and facilitates future upgrades or expansions without requiring complete system overhauls.
• Enhanced Grid Stability and Ride-Through Capabilities: When integrated into advanced power electronic systems, the GBU72 contributes to overall grid stability. It can be part of solutions that enable features like Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) and High Voltage Ride-Through (HVRT), ensuring that critical assets remain online during grid disturbances. Its dynamic braking chopper capabilities allow for controlled energy dissipation, further enhancing system resilience and grid code compliance.

 

Application Cases and Industry Value:

In a bustling metropolitan railway network, the traction power supply system is under constant stress from accelerating and decelerating trains, leading to dynamic load changes and potential grid instability. The legacy protection systems were proving inadequate, causing disruptions and increasing maintenance burdens. The railway operator upgraded its substations with ABB GBU72 units.

During a sudden surge in regenerative braking from a train approaching a station, the ABB GBU72 units within the substation’s power converters efficiently managed the excess energy by activating dynamic braking resistors, preventing overvoltage conditions on the DC link. Conversely, when a train rapidly accelerated, creating a high current demand, the GBU72 units ensured rapid and stable power delivery from the grid, preventing voltage sags. This real-time power regulation and protection led to a 10% improvement in energy efficiency for the railway system due to better energy recovery and reduced losses. Furthermore, the enhanced protection significantly reduced incidents of equipment damage, leading to a 30% decrease in maintenance costs and increased operational uptime for the entire railway network. This case vividly demonstrates how the ABB GBU72 contributes to optimizing energy usage, ensuring operational continuity, and bolstering safety in critical transportation infrastructure.

Related Product Combination Solutions:

The ABB GBU72 (3BHE055094R0002) is integral to a comprehensive power system. Consider these synergistic ABB components for a complete solution:

• ABB PCS 6000 Full Power Converter: The GBU72 is a core protection and control element within the PCS 6000 series, crucial for grid connection of renewable energy sources (wind, solar) and energy storage systems, ensuring stable and compliant power flow.
• ABB AC 800PEC (Power Electronic Controller): This high-performance controller can serve as the brain for sophisticated protection and control strategies, interacting with the GBU72 for real-time diagnostics, remote operation, and complex grid-code compliance functions.
• ABB Medium Voltage Switchgear (e.g., UniGear, ZX series): The GBU72 is often integrated within ABB’s robust medium voltage switchgear, forming a comprehensive and reliable solution for power distribution and protection in large industrial and utility applications.
• ABB Current and Voltage Transformers: High-precision current and voltage transformers provide essential real-time measurement data to the control logic associated with the GBU72, enabling accurate fault detection and precise triggering of protection actions.
• ABB Relion Protection and Control Relays: These intelligent relays provide the overarching protection schemes and communication capabilities that work in conjunction with the GBU72 to ensure comprehensive system protection, fault isolation, and rapid system restoration.

Installation, Maintenance, and Full-Cycle Support:

The ABB GBU72 (3BHE055094R0002) is engineered for straightforward installation and minimal, yet crucial, maintenance, reflecting ABB’s focus on long-term reliability in critical power applications. Its modular design allows for efficient integration into existing or new power electronic cabinets and switchgear, streamlining deployment and reducing commissioning time. The unit is built to perform robustly across a wide range of challenging industrial environments; however, proper enclosure, ventilation, and adherence to specific cooling requirements are essential to ensure its optimal performance and longevity.

Routine maintenance for the ABB GBU72 primarily involves periodic visual inspections to confirm secure connections and the absence of environmental contaminants within its operating space. Its solid-state design and high inherent durability significantly reduce the need for frequent hands-on servicing. Should a fault occur, or at the end of its projected operational life, the modularity of the GBU72 facilitates quick and efficient replacement, minimizing system downtime and simplifying spare parts management. ABB provides comprehensive full-cycle support for the ABB GBU72, including detailed technical documentation, expert engineering support for commissioning and optimization, and a global service network for prompt assistance, diagnostics, and the supply of genuine spare parts, guaranteeing the continued high performance and safety of your critical power infrastructure throughout its entire operational duration.

Contact us for a customized solution that secures and optimizes your critical power infrastructure.