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Fault interrupting
to 12kA symmetrical.
Vacuum interrupter switches provide single
phase or three phase, electronically controlled overcurrent
protection in a deadfront, environmentally sealed construction.
Vacuum interrupters offer many advantages over conventional
fuse protection.
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Operator Safety
— G&W Vacuum Interrupters are totally sealed, deadfront
and insulated with nonflammable, nontoxic SF6 gas. Operators
are spring assisted for positive quick-make, quick-break
operation. A trip-free mechanism permits interruption
independent of the operating handle if closing into a
fault. Viewing windows permit visible indication of interrupter
contact position. |
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Minimal Maintenance
— No more routine inspections or dielectric testing as
with oil gear. No more contact contamination, rodent problems
or insulator maintenance as with air gear. A periodic
check of the gas pressure gauge is all that is required.
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Three Phase
Tripping — No more single phasing problems. Simultaneous
three phase tripping is available through the electronics
and with three phase operating handles for manual operation
and reset. |
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Protection Curve
Compatibility — No need to recoordinate your distribution
system. G&W solid state electronic controls permit
extremely accurate, consistent protection curve characteristics
compared to conventional fuses. The exclusive controls
can emulate the most common protection curves for power
fuses, relays and fuse links (oil fuse cutouts). Optional
electronic packages can provide ground trip, inrush restraint
and adjustable time delay capability. |
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User Friendly
Controls — Specific protection curve characteristics
are factory set in accordance with customer requirements.
Controls permit individual phase trip setting selection
from twelve available ratings. Future changes in protection
curve requirements can be easily made in the field. |
Applications:
G&W Vacuum Interrupters are available
in single or three phase models with a variety of mounting
arrangements and cable entrance styles and locations. VIs
are ideal for a variety of applications requiring overcurrent
protection, including:
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Transformer
and Motor Protection — The three phase trip feature
and high continuous current capability make VIs ideal
for three phase motors and transformers. |
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Oil Fuse Cutout
Replacement — The resettable feature and
continuous current capability through 600A make VIs ideal
for replacement of oil fused cutouts. Another advantage
is a significant total cost savings when considering the
routine maintenance requirements for oil and downtime
for fuse link replacement. The spring-assisted operating
mechanism and use of SF6 gas also permit greater operator
safety compared to non-spring-assisted, oil insulated
devices. |
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Load Break Switching
— G&W VIs can function as a load break switch
by using either the operating handle or optional manual
trip push-button on the electronics. Vacuum interrupters
can also be combined with other load break switch contact
configurations for loop and tap applications. Refer to
puffer vacuum interrupter section of this catalog. |
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Remote/SCADA
Control — G&W Vacuum Interrupters can
be supplied with motor actuators providing remote control
capability. Various control packages including portable
or permanently mounted DC controllers for onsite operation
or complete SCADA / RTU systems are available. |
Vacuum Interrupter
Operation
The vacuum interrupter trip module monitors the current in
the tap circuits and activates a trip solenoid which opens
the vacuum interrupter to interrupt the circuits. The trip
module is powered by current transformers mounted inside the
sealed switch tank. The trip selector is used to select the
time-current response curve for the tap circuits. Selection
of time-current characteristics may be made under load or
no-load conditions with continuous current ranges in twelve
selectable levels. A wide variety of TCC curves are built
into the trip module and can be changed in the field.
There are two styles of vacuum interrupter
mechanisms. The model VI mechanism is a single phase vacuum
bottle and spring assembly used for single phase protection.
Three individual mechanisms can also be gang linked together
with an external operating handle assembly if three phase
operation is desired. Switches incorporating the VI mechanism
permit changing from single phase to three phase operation
in the field and provide in-line bushing arrangements with
a minimum 6 1/2" phase spacing for maximum clearance
of elbow connectors.
The model FI interrupter mechanism is used
on certain switch designs for three phase operation. The FI
combines three vacuum bottles into a single spring assisted
mechanism providing simultaneous open and close operation
for manual trip and reset. Switches incorporating the FI provide
a more compact construction by utilizing diagonal bushing
configurations with 5" phase spacing.
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