OIL FILLED CUTOUT

[mjv29]

Hello,

I am looking for some direction on OIL FILLED CUTOUTS and a maintance plan.

SPECS: 4kV, 100 & 200 Amp, Oil Filled, Submersible.

Basically, I am trying to develop an inspection program for the OFCO in effort to determine when it should be replaced.

I am looking for some criteria on how to evaluate an OFCO and if other utilities have a OFCO replacement plan.

If so, how do you "track" the OFCO and determine to replace it or not?

thanks!
--mjv29

 

[Dumbo2929]

If that a G&W or G.E. OFC? What is the vintage? Companies such as G&W have put out statements recommending that all customers remove the OFC's from their system due to their risk of explosive failure. Utilities have been removing these for more than 10 years, given the higher failure rate.

 

[mjv29]

The OFCO's are GE of several vintages - 1929 to 1990's.

Some of the oldest are in perfect condition - the environment the OFCO is in and elements which it is exposed to determine the condition of the unit.

I agree the OFCO's are prone to violent failure - however [if] maintained can provide an effective solution to 4kV switching and isolation.

My biggest concern is that by moving towards the vacuum based cutout (G&W) requires many of my manholes to be enlarged - very expensive.

We have been refurbishing the units (sandblasting, repainting, and oil replacement) - but we do not have a good way to test the unit in an effort to determine if an energized unit is unsatisfactory for operation.

The "VISUAL" inspection method - what we use now - has caused us to replace many OFCO's that have are satisfactory for operation - upon further investigation, we found the oil to be in good condition.

thanks!
mjv

 

[Dumbo2929]

There are direct replacement vacuum switches from Elastimold that take up the same wall space, designed for the replacement application.

http://util-cat.tnb.com/tnbcat/elm_sf_dsp.sf_login?p_cat_grp=Molded+Vacuum+Switches