Pentograph Disconnect 1

[Mbrooke]

A while back I promised I would link a video of a pentograph disconnect in action if I found it, and I did:

https://youtu.be/2MnaldqlHiA?t=250

So I need to ask, what advantage do these offer over regular vertical break disconnects? Seems more complicated.

 

[Palletjack]

pAntograph disconnect
There are many videos and brochures about them on the web. Not hard to find.

incoming bus comes in overhead, pantograph disconnects to GIS UG to various other circuits.
Smaller footprint.

 

[Mbrooke]

Yup, though not everyone has seen them in operation. I'll agree with you on the smaller foot print.

 

[cuky2000]

Pantograph switch is popular in Europe another IEC marketplaces but no much use in the USA. Careful analysis should is suggested prior to specifying a pantograph switch in the ANSI marketplace. Traditionally disconnect switches are governed by four key organizations—NEMA, ANSI, IEEE, and IEC. Today each governs some specific aspects of disconnect switch design.
QUOTE:
[li]NEMA rated disconnect switches are the most robustly designed but are pricey[/li]
[li]If the disconnect switch can meet the ANSI/IEEE requirements it can always meet the IEC requirements but cannot meet the NEMA requirements.[/li]
[li]Disconnect switches designed to IEC requirements are best suited to countries which have light load currents, which have small fault currents, and which do not wish to have or do not require the same margin of safety desired and required in the U.S. and Canadian electric power grids.[/li]
_{NOTE: NEMA standards allow only a 30 degrees C temperature rise; ANSI/IEEE standards allow a 53 degrees C temperature rise and IEC standards allow a 65 degrees C temperature rise. NEMA standards require a 4-second short circuit withstand; ANSI/IEEE standards require a 3-second short circuit withstands, and IEC standards require only a 1-second short circuit withstand.}

 

[Mbrooke]

Well deserved star given again Cuky2000! So I have to ask, do they make Pentos to the NEMA/ANSI/IEEE standards? The Cross Hudson converter station in New Jersey uses them...

 

[cuky2000]

Hi Mbrooke:

The pantograph switches are build per the IEC 62271-102. There are not pantograph switches recognized by the IEEE, ANSI, or NEMA.

The BTB Bergenfield converter station was developed by a private enterprise (Anbaric) with a turn-key contract to Siemens and Prysmian and that provides the flexibility to accept a nontraditional design.

The picture below indicates that there are standard AC switches mounted in a 4 leg pedestal. Pantograph disconnect switches were not observed.

 

[Mbrooke]

I'm probably thinking of the wrong converter station. 1 Railroad Avenue Ridgefield New Jersey.

https://hudsonproject.com/project/description/

Google street view and Google aerial shadows appear to show pantographs and and live tank breakers. Here are two examples:

https://files.engineering.com/getfi...-a16c-3a928137ad4b&file=1_railroad_ave_01.jpg

https://files.engineering.com/getfi...-8330-66dbb178e6b1&file=1_railroad_ave_02.jpg

 

[crshears]

I seem to remember hearing of these also being known as "grasshopper" disconnects . . . possibility? My trainer at the time had worked on electrical projects in Nigeria, which by the sound of things would have at least at that time been covered by the IEC umbrella.

CR

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." [Proverbs 27:17, NIV]