Magnetic actuated vs. spring charged VCB 1

matwong · Sep 6, 2005

Any idea why magnetic actuated VCB isn't gain its popularity in MV switchgear as compare with the conventional type of spring charged motor driven VCB ? We have been told that it has been in the market for quite some years and has all sort of advantages over the other, in terms of less components, therefore less maintenance, lower failure rate etc. But I am not too comfortable with its design which depend so much on the DC source to make VCB holds in the position. Besides that, is there any disadvantages of this type of design (e.g. anti-damping etc) until some utility doesn't accept it ? Does it still based on the same standard of IEC56 ?

BEPC13 · Sep 6, 2005

I have actually used about 80 of ABB's AMVAC MV VCB in power plant applications. I have only had them in service for a year and besides some minor RFI noise issues they have worked well. They do not rely on the DC voltage to stay in position however they do rely heavily on it to change state. With a spring operated breaker if the DC power is not there you still have stored energy to change state but with a magnetic accuated breaker if there is no DC the ability to change state is lost in under 2 minutes I believe. But I look at it like this my DC source is very reliable and if I don't have it I have no energy to operate a trip coil anyway.

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Magnetic actuated vs. spring charged VCB 1

matwong

Electrical

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BEPC13

Electrical

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