ENGINEERING

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Fuse links
Weatherproof housings

RAPIER RX Air Break Switch up to 52kV

With automation or remote control options

A division of W. Lucy & Co Ltd

RX - the state of the art in air break technology

Features
R AT IN G S U P T O 5 2 k V

E N VIR ON ME N TA LLY FR IE N D LY
A IR B R E A K T E C H N OLOG Y

R OB U ST A N D R E LIA B LE

VE RY LOW MA IN T E N A N C E

E A SE OF IN STA LLAT ION

U N IVE R SA L B A SE FOR H OR IZ ON TA L

Air break Isolators 400/630/800A

Load-break Switches 400/630A

OR VE RT IC A L MOU N T IN G

R E P LA C E A B LE U N IVE R SA L C ON TA C T S

Fault Make Switches to 31.5kA

Robust and highly reliable contacts capable

ON - SIT E U P G R A D E S

of withstanding short time currents of up

to 25kA for 3s (62.5kA peak)

Independent Manual Operation

Single and Double acting
Spring Actuators

Voltage and Current monitoring

Automatic sectionalising capability
Full automation capability

Accessories
REM O T E C O NT R O L ( GE M I NI RT U)

M OT O R AC T UAT O R

EA RT H B L ADE S

L OA D- B R E AK I NG HE ADS

FA U LT M AK I NG HE ADS

A U TO M AT I C S E C T I O NAL I S I NG

FA U LT PAS S AGE S E NS O R

IN T E R LOC KE D FOR SA FE OP E R AT ION

PA D LOC KIN G FA C ILIT IE S

RX - Robust and Reliable with added flexibility

Robustness and reliability:
Particular attention has been taken to ensure our air break switch is robust

Our RX air break switch

and fully reliable.

has been carefully designed

and developed with
flexibility in mind to

A high proportion of RX components are manufactured from stainless steel

for maximum protection against corrosion.

The contacts have been enhanced to enable them to withstand short time

meet the most diverse of

currents of up to 25kA for 3s. Unlike traditional air break switches our RX

customers requirements.

range can be supplied with tungsten tipped Fault Make Heads, ensuring

Combining high
performance and high
reliability, our new RX
rocking type switch can be
a key element of your rural
distribution applications.

that switches can withstand high fault making currents up to 31.5kA.

Laminated flexible connections, supported by spring steel strips, have a life

span far in excess of the standard 1000 cycle test without showing signs of
stress or fracture.

The Arc Chute design has been improved for rapid arc extinction when
load breaking.

As an additional assurance of reliability, our Load Break Heads are fully

tested to IEC 60265-1 by KEMA laboratory and have passed temperature
rise and ice tests to IEC 60129, which make the RX suitable for the most
extreme climates and conditions (coastal areas, high pollution, humidity).

Flexibility
Based on the concept of modular design, our RX can be configured to suit a variety of applications.
From the standard switch, the RX can be very easily upgraded to meet your highest specifications
and suit the evolving requirements of your network.

Additional parts required for upgrade are easily fitted on locating pins ensuring correct
positioning and accurate alignment without the need for any specific setting.

The standard RX contacts and connector pads have been tested to 800A, 25kA/3secs. This
means by adding extra laminations, the switch can be upgraded to suit specific requirements.

The RX can be fitted with Fault Make Heads, Load Break Heads, or Earth Blades.
The new folded universal base allows the standard switch to be mounted horizontally or
vertically on most structures.

The RX can be manually operated or remotely controlled via an RTU and integrated
motorised actuator.

It can be used as a single point of isolation or configured as an RX-S sectionaliser programmed

to automatically open in the deadtime of an upstream autorecloser.

A wide range of insulators is also available including ceramic or polymeric options including
EPDM, Cyclo-Aliphatic or Silicone Rubber.

RX - a cost effective solution for your distribution network

Simplicity
Significant cost savings have been achieved through the simplified design
of the Load Break Heads and commonality of main RX components. One
standard contact system is now available across our full range, independent
of the voltage and current ratings. That enables customers to minimise
stock holdings of spares. The retrofit ability of main RX components is
also of prime importance. Both male and female contacts can be easily
replaced on site without affecting the setting of the switch by means
of accurate locating pins. The same applies to the arc chute and faultmake tips.

Working in partnership with our customers has also provided real benefits.
The result is a simplified and universal steelwork to suit all mounting
configurations for 12, 24 and 36kV switches. This means simpler materials
management, lower stock holding requirements, a greater ease of
installation for the customer and improved delivery times.

Based around flexibility and retrofit ability, considerable

economies in terms of material, engineering and installation
can be offered. All of which makes the RX a cost -effective
solution for your existing network and its future expansion.

RX-RC a fully integrated package for your automation distribution needs

By combining our experience in air break
technology and system automation, we can offer

GEMINI RTU controller features

ST A IN LE SS ST E E L E N C LOSU R E FOR LON G T R OU B LE FR E E LIFE

our customers an intelligent switch optimised for

remote control and monitoring.

C OMP A C T N E SS

The integration of sensors (Current, Voltage

EASE OF FIELD SERVICEABILITY: ALL ELECTRONICS CONTAINED IN

and Fault Passage Indicators) provides essential

AN INNER COVER CAN BE SIMPLY AND RAPIDLY REMOVED FROM

information to a customers SCADA systems

T H E C ON T R OLLE R U N IT FOR MA IN T E N A N C E OR U P G R A D E

enabling the operator to localise, determine the

cause and therefore the appropriate action to a

T OLE R A N T OF T R OP IC A L E N VIR ON ME N T S

fault on their distribution networks.

Remote control and monitoring for rapid fault

localisation and isolation of the faulty section.

Remote controlled RX switch

Real time information and remote switching

enables the restoration of electricity supplies
to the healthy parts of the network thereby
improving quality of supply.

VT for power
Insulating Insert

supply to controller

Double acting

Hook stick

spring mechanism

manual override

Antenna

Communication via
low power radio, GSM
and Paknet
Protocol - DNP V30

Primary substation
RTU controller

SCADA control system

Secondary automation
scheme for control of
automated air break switches

RX General Arrangement
GEMINI RTU Features
Dimensions and
LOC A L / R E MOT E OP E R AT ION

installation arrangements

FLE XIB LE C OMMS IN T E R FA C E - R A D IO, RS232,

PA KN E T, G SM, P ST N , OP T IC A L FIB R E
D N P 3 .0 P R OT OC OL A S STA N D A R D - OTHER
P R OT OC OLS ON R E QU E ST
3 P H A SE MON IT OR IN G OF IN P U T VOLTAGE
A N D C U R R E N T U SIN G A N A LOG U E IN P UTS

ISOLAT E D D IG ITA L IN P U T S

600
D IG ITA L C ON T R OL OU T P U T S

2 4 V B AT T E RY FOR C ON T IN U E D OP E R ATION

210

U N D E R P OWE R FA ILU R E C ON D IT ION S

400

B AT T E RY C ON D IT ION MON IT OR IN G

Dim C

Dim A

Dim D

Dim B
Dim E

Dim E

Dim F

Dim C

Rated
Voltage
kV

Impulse
Withstand
Test

A
Post
Centres

B
Post
Centres

C
Terminal
Pad Height

D
Isolating
Distance
Minimum

E
Minimum
Phase
Centres

F
Post
Centres

Base
Fixing
Centres

Mounting
Height

Operating
Mechanism
Height

12kV

125kV

310

310

275*

242

500

290

As reqd

As reqd

1200

24kV

140kV

355

355

350*

290

600

360

As reqd

As reqd

1200

36kV

200kV

415

375

425*

391

700

560

As reqd

As reqd

1200

52kV

250kV

500

450

600*

505

800

640

As reqd

As reqd

1200

* Nominal values depending on insulator used

Rapier RX Electrical Performance

RAPIER RX Electrical Performance
Product Range

Rapier RX

Rated Voltage

12kV

24kV

36kV

52kV

Rated Current

400/630A

400/630A

400/630/800A

400/630/800A

Power Frequency

50/60Hz

50/60Hz

50/60Hz

50/60Hz

Short Time Current

25kA/3s

25kA/3s

25kA/3s

25kA/3s

Fault make capacity*

31.5kA

25kA

20kA

400/630A

400/630A

400A

400A

125kV

140kV

250kV

250kV

To 560mm

To 1000mm

To 1320mm

To 1440mm

FMH (Fault make Heads)

LBH (Load Break Heads)

EB (Earth Blades)

Breaking Capacity
Mainly Active Load
Impulse withstand Voltage
Insulator Creepage
Options

Environmental
Ambient Temperature

-20 +50

Humidity

0 -100%

Altitude (max)

Up to 1000m

* With optional Fault Make Head fitted

Product Range
Product Designation

Mode

RX-M

Manual Operation

Description
Manually operated air break switch disconnector.
Optional accessories include single or double-acting
spring mechanism for independent manual operation.

RX-RC

Remote Control

Remotely controlled/monitored air break switch

equipped with Gemini RTU controller. Optional
accessories include voltage sensing insulators and
patented fault passage indicator.

RX-FS

Fuse Switch

Fuse switch consisting of an in-series manually

operated air break switch disconnector with
expulsion type fuses.

RX-S

Sectionaliser

Automatic air break sectionaliser equipped with

control electronics, low voltage solenoid operated
spring-assisted mechanism with manual reset,
voltage sensing insulator and patented fault
passage indicator. Telemonitoring optional.

For pole mounted SF6 gas insulated switches, refer to RAPIER GX range.

All products have been fully certified in accordance with IEC standards: IEC 60694 (1996),
IEC 60265 (1998) to meet and exceed customer specifications.

utilities uk
In the UK, our major customers include:
YORKSHIRE ELECTRICITY
EAST MIDLANDS ELECTRICITY
INFRALEC
24SEVEN
MANWEB
NORTHERN ELECTRICITY
NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTRICITY
SCOTTISH POWER
SEEBOARD
SCOTTISH & SOUTHERN ENERGY
GPU POWER

A global network
export worldwide
Delivering products worldwide:
CLP Hong Kong

Currently exporting to more than 50 countries.

Over the past three decades LUCY Switchgear
has become a truly international company with

MEW Kuwait
MEW Oman

sites in the UK, the Middle East, South Africa,

ADWEA Abu Dhabi

BEC Bahamas

India and the Mediterranean.

CEA Mauritius
GECOL Libya
ECG Ghana
KPLC Kenya
NEPA Nigeria
SESCO Sarawak
UEB Uganda
TNB Malaysia
POWERGRID Singapore
SCECO Saudi

Power Isolators Office

Unit 14 Thorpe Lane
Thorpe Way Industrial Estate
Banbury OX16 4UT United Kingdom
telephone +44 (0)1295 270448
fax +44 (0)1295 270446
email Power.Isolators@wlucy.co.uk
internet http://www.lucyswitchgear.com
LS 00001 RX 072001