Retrofit Trip unit for 600 V breaker and arc Flash

[tem1234]

Hi,

We want to retrofit the trip unit of a FPE 50 H2 breaker at 600 V.

We would like to add a trip unit with a maintenance mode to reduce arc flash.

I know the Quick Trip by Utility Relay, but i'm in Canada and i'm not sure that it as been approved here by CSA.

So do you have any recommandation for this application here in Canada with your experience.

Thanks

 

[dpc]

You might check with Cutler Hammer - they sell retrofit trip units for other breakers and they do offer their ARM switch. Not sure if they have a kit for this breaker or not.

 

[Zogzog]

We are in the process of adding AC PRO w/QT to 200 FPE H2 breakers for a utility in canada right now.

 

[tem1234]

Thanks to both of you,

I wasn't sure if there is any standard about this.

 

[Zogzog]

The AC PRO meets all the CSA standards, if you look at the front of one of the new units you will see the CSA listing next to the UL listing of the left.

http://www.utilityrelay.com/PDFs/I-AC-PRO-QT-1_2.pdf

 

[rhatcher]

My company has installed AC PRO trip units on various breakers. They work well and have good features but they do require a little more effort to install than an OEM retrofit kit. I am pretty sure that I have also seen the CSA logo on their literature, I can check this for you but you can also call them yourself. They are very friendly and helpful.

That being said, there is no OEM retrofit that I know of for an FPE breaker. As far as I know, Utility Relay Company (AC PRO) is the only that provides a retrofit kit for this breaker.

 

[rhatcher]

I should have said "the company I work for." I am just a worker.

 

[Chad12]

The AC pro is a good option but I would keep in mind the pitiful reputation (well deserved) that FPE breakers have. I would recommend an aggressive maintenance/inspection interval for this equipment as mechanical operating time for this breaker is not improved by any trip unit. ABB makes a breaker that will fit into the existing switchgear that will be more reliable.

Chad Snyder
Director of Operations
American Power Technology

http://www.ampowertech.com

 

[Zogzog]

The poor reputation for FP comes from residential breakers, you have any data to back that up? We keep a database that includes tens of thousands of breaker tests and we have not seen the H2 breakers exhibit any different failure rates than other types.

I agree that proper maintenence is key, lubrication (Not that spary lube, or "tech in a can" that many testing companies like to use) is the key factor for trip times. We have been doing a lot of research on "first trip" data which is the only test that tells you the real clearing time for breakers in service.

I have a hard time believing a SACE retrofill would be any more reliable than a properly maintained breaker with modern trip devices.

 

[tem1234]

Thank for the reply

I didn't notice that the CSA logo is on the front

Chad12, i never heard of this bad reputation. We work on a lot of these breaker without problem, exept when there is a lack of maintenance!

We usually retrofit these breaker with a "Cariere Digital" trip unit by schneider. Since there is no option of maintenance mode, we were looking for something else.

I found another product similar to the Quick Trip.

http://www.etc-12.com