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Automatic Source Transfer, Fault Protection, and Switching/Sectionalizing VACpac®
Kyle® Type VACpac® underground distribution vacuum switchgear is an SF6-insulated stainless steel unit that has found great acceptance by utility, industrial, and commercial users. Installations include underground vaults, submersible installations, high-rise building installations, URD, mining operations, campus installations, and computer-controlled switching. The deadfront tank features one- or three-pole, manual, group-operated mechanisms with vacuum bottles for circuit switching. The VACpac features the proven technology of vacuum interrupters supported by more than three decades of successful VACpac field experience.
VACpac switchgear can be used to switch or sectionalize load, loop underground systems, perform source transfers, provide tap overcurrent protection, provide transformer network protection and for co-generation applications, among others. VACpac units can be installed on distribution systems having voltage ratings lower than nameplate and retain all other ratings. VACpac has a capacitor switching duty cycle of greater than 7,000 operations. The VACpac is ideally suited for automated applications that require a large number of switching operations.
The hermetically sealed stainless steel unit provides a corrosion-resistant, maintenance free, controlled atmosphere. A positive SF6 gas pressure assures a controlled environment and the additional benefit of compactness and light weight. VACpac space requirements are minimal, so it can be mounted from walls or ceilings. Since installation is possible through the access openings, compact VACpac units can be utilized in manholes or vaults.
VACpac designs include a short operating stroke requiring little force. This permits the use of a wide variety of remote and automatic operators with the switching flexibility normally obtained with more costly circuit breakers.
| VACpac Switch Ratings |
| Voltage Class |
15 kV |
25 kV |
35 kV |
| Maximum Design Voltage (kV) |
15.5 |
27 |
38 |
| BIL (kV) |
95 |
125 |
150 |
| Continuous Current (Maximum) (Amps) |
200/600 |
200/600 |
200/600 |
| Load Switching (Amps) |
200/600 |
200/600 |
200/600 |
| Interrupting Rating (kA) |
2/12 |
2/12 |
0.6/10 |
| Momentary Current, 10 Cycles (asym.)
(Amps) |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
| Make and Latch (asym.) (Amps) |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
| Make and Latch (asym.) (Amps) (with Kearney C.L. fuses) |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
VACpac vacuum switchgear offers the following features and benefits:
- Safe operation in a self contained fireproof medium, with elbow terminations and remote switching options. Non-flammable insulating SF6 gas will not support combustion in the event of a short circuit inside the switch.
- A compact unit with a vacuum switching medium and a SF6 self-contained operation medium. The largest unit fits through manhole openings. The volume is approximately 1/5 that of equivalent oil switches.
- All switches, mechanism, and bus work hermetically sealed within a corrosion-resistant 300 series stainless steel enclosure in an inert SF6 environment. The vacuum interrupter, housed in a sealed environment, is essentially maintenance-free throughout its lifetime.
- The VACpac is lightweight. It is estimated to weigh approximately 100 lbs. per three-phase way or 1/7 that of equivalent oil switch.
- The VACpac is not position sensitive. It can be mounted on floors, from walls, or ceilings with complete elbow operating flexibility.
- The installation time is less than half when compared with oil switches.
- Number of switching operations are approximately 25 times greater than that obtained with liquid switching mediums.
- The VACpac is submersible and exceeds the rigorous triple contingency fault switching requirements for underground operations as proposed by ANSI C37.71.
- The low energy requirements to switch vacuum interrupters permit long operating life. It provides positive quick make-break switching.
- Externally mounted operators allow flexibility to upgrade over time.
A permanent gauge is standard with all VACpac switches to verify proper SF6 gas pressure surrounding the vacuum bottles. The 2" diameter gauge is quite visible and is located on top of the VACpac with the switch operating handles and controls.
A manual selector switch interlock is available for VACpac switches to prevent simultaneous closure of two switched ways. This tool blocks the second handle in the OPEN position when one handle is closed. Operation is automatic, and permits easy switch operation, even with a hookstick.
All VACpac switches include an operating shaft for switching control. A 3" linear movement of the operating shaft is required to cause the vacuum interrupter to perform a switching function, push to CLOSE, and pull to OPEN.
The unique mechanical requirements for switching VACpac units allow for a wide variation of switching control systems. Switching can be accomplished manually or automatically, at or remotely from the VACpac switch. Controls include electrically controlled or mechanically controlled remote switching. These control systems are housed in separate switch panels and are connected to the operators by means of appropriate cable controls. Switching intelligence for automatic switching comes from standard relay packages, and/or Sigma Fault Detector, and/or Elbow Potential Voltage Sensing Signals.
There are four basic operators, which can be coupled to any operating shaft on a VACpac switch. These operators can be used singly or in combination, depending on the switching requirements. The operators are identified as follows:
- VACop I - A 240 Vac linear electric motor operator.
- VACop III - A single shot OPEN stored energy spring operator with manual reset.
- VACop IV - A manual remote cable operator.
- VACop VI - A 48 Vdc battery-powered solenoid operator.
Packages available include:
- Source transfer package with overcurrent protected load(s)
- Source transfer with tie switch
- VACpac with overcurrent protected load(s)
- Transformer network protection
VACpac is available in 2, 3, and 4-way standard configurations at 15 and 25 kV. Two and three-way standard configurations are available at 35 kV. For availability of other configurations, contact your Cooper Power Systems representative.
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