G & W Electric Company - Vault Style Vacuum Interrupter Switches

More Information
	Specifications
	Literature
	FI / VI Ratings
	FI Contact Principle
	VI Contact Principle
	Automation
	Accessories / Options
	TCC Curves
	Drawings

Vault Style Vacuum Interrupter Switches

Fault interrupting to 12kA symmetrical (18kA optional).

Vacuum interrupter switches provide single or three phase, electronically controlled overcurrent protection in a deadfront, submersible construction. The switches offer many advantages over conventional fuse protection.

Features:
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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:

	Transformer and Motor Protection — The three phase trip feature and high continuous current capability make VIs ideal for three phase motors and transformers.
	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.
	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.
	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.

Site Map