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Standard Arcing Horn
High-speed, snap-out arcing
horns are standard equipment on all transmission switching applications.
Fabricated from beryllium tube, the rod is tapered to achieve high tip speed
during the first cycle after separation. A black neoprene snubber
attached to two stainless steel support rods is provided to prevent recoil
into the open gap during operation. A copper hook acts as a catcher
for the arcing horn during opening, allowing a suitable open gap to be
developed before the horn releases with great speed.
Standard arcing horns are suitable for
interruption of limited amounts of line charging and transformer
magnetizing currents. In performance, this horn is comparable to
horns offered by other manufacturers.
High Velocity Whip
For interruption of substantially greater amounts of line
charging current, SEECO has developed the High Velocity Whip (HVW),
a spring loaded, stored energy arcing horn, which achieves a very large air gap within the first cycle
after separation. The whip also employs a Delrin®
tip, which assists in the dissipation of ionized gases. Tested at NEETRAC, the HVW
outperformed all other arcing horns in head to head competition.
The HVW is available for use with all SEECO side, center,
center Vee and double end break switch configurations, at voltage ratings
of 46-230 kV.
Single Bottle Interrupter
SEECO manufactures a single bottle interrupter for those
applications
where the recovery voltage does not exceed 30 kV peak and the maximum
interrupting current is 3000 amps or less. Less expensive than multi
bottle interrupters, single bottle devices offer substantial cost savings
but with reduced functionality and more limited switching applications.
An off-setting disadvantage can be the occasional confusion experienced by
field personnel who often struggle with understanding the limitations of
the single bottle device relative to the broader functionality of the
multi bottle interrupter. Single bottle interrupters can be
installed initially with the switch or added later as a field retrofit or
upgrade.
Common switching applications for
single bottle interrupters include:
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Load dropping - 70% pf of load interruption up
to 25 kV on ungrounded systems and 34.5 kV on solidly grounded systems
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Line dropping - to 25 kV or 72.5 kV with
voltage limiter
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Loop splitting (parallel break) - to 230 kV
if recovery voltage does not exceed 30 kV peak
This
interrupter can be used with both SEECO and non-SEECO group operated
switches, including side-break, center-break,
center Vee and vertical-break configurations. Please refer to
product catalog section PC-007-02 and this
webpage for additional information.
For two and three-way phase-over-phase switching
applications, SEECO offers a single bottle interrupter that is shared by
all ways of the switch. Like the multi bottle interrupter below, the
cost of the interrupter unit is spread across each way of the switch,
making the cost 'per way' progressively less expensive; all ways of the
switch participate in the full functionality of the device. Please refer to product catalog section
PC-007-01 and this
webpage for additional information.
Multi Bottle
Vacuum Interrupter
For maximum sectionalizing flexibility, SEECO manufactures
multi-bottle vacuum interrupters that provide a broader range of
interrupting capability, including load dropping, line dropping and loop
splitting. Multi-bottle interrupters
simplify switching "rules" and reduce the confusion frequently experienced
by operating personnel over the capability (device rating) and appropriate use of more
limited devices. Multi
bottle interrupters can be installed initially with the switch or added
later as a field retrofit or upgrade.
In transmission sectionalizing applications, the use of
(multi bottle) interrupter switches helps extend the operating life of
more expensive circuit breakers by reducing unnecessary operations and
wear, allowing breakers to be reserved for their intended duty of fault
interruption. On a cost per operation
basis, interrupter switches are substantially more economical and better
suited for general line sectionalizing purposes.
When used in conjunction with two and three-way switches,
the benefits of multi-bottle interrupter devices are significant.
One interrupter unit (column) is used per phase and is mounted on the
stationary, non-rotating insulator; the interrupter unit is then shared by
each way of the switch. The shared interrupter increases the cost
savings achieved by utilizing two and three-way switches and magnifies the
'bundling' effect.
Upright (vertical) Mounting
For two and three-way switches of any voltage and one-way switches rated
115 kV and up, the interrupter column is always mounted upright
(vertical). For
one-way switches rated 46-69 kV, the interrupter column can be mounted
either upright or cantilever. For additional information on multi
bottle devices mounted upright, please refer to product catalog
section PC-007-01 and this
webpage.
Cantilever (horizontal) Mounting
For SEECO one-way, phase-over-phase switches rated 46-115 kV, the
interrupter column can be mounted cantilever which permits more compact
phase spacing, reducing pole height and cost. Cantilever mounting of
the interrupter is not available on two and three-way switches, and on
one-way switches rated 138 kV and up.
For additional information on multi bottle devices mounted cantilever, please
refer to product catalog section PC-007-04 and this webpage.
Vertical Break Mounting
SEECO type VM multi bottle interrupters can also be supplied
with SEECO
vertical break switches as well as those offered by other manufacturers, with
voltage ranges of 46-230 kV and current interruption ratings through 3000
amps.
For additional information on multi bottle devices mounted on vertical
break switches, please
refer to product catalog section PC-007-03 and this
webpage.
Brand Compatibility
In response to very strong interest from our customers and
the general market, SEECO has begun adaptation of our existing single and
multi bottle interrupter products for use with other brands of group
operated switches. It is our intent to eventually offer vacuum
interrupter devices for all major brands and switch configurations.
SEECO is currently working closely with Pascor Atlantic, USCO and Royal
Switchgear. Interrupter kits will also be developed for Southern
States, S&C, Pascor, Turner and others as they are requested by customers.
For general questions about SEECO interrupters and compatibility
with other brands and configurations of group operated switches, please contact the
factory or your local SEECO representative.
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