Eaton MV withdrawable vacuum Fused Contactor

Trucks – Built for Extreme!
Eaton Corporation, April 2013

Abstract Eaton’s W-SLC withdrawable type vacuum

Generally, contactors are used on critical contactor-fuse combination units not only
power systems used in diverse harsh addresses these challenges, but enables
conditions as required in industries such as users to achieve a lot more with
motor starting, mining, automotive, technological improvements and
petrochemical etc. When it comes to advancements in the existing designs.
medium voltage solutions, Eaton vacuum 1. The vacuum-packed setting in which
contactor-fuse combination units are world the switching takes place permits for a
leading in terms of performance, safety and fast, clean ‘’make/break’’ action of the
functionality. contacts in harsh environments.
2. Medium voltage vacuum contactors are
This paper mainly discusses the various always protected by an adequately
benefits of Eaton’s W-SLC withdrawable secure and evaluated short circuit
type vacuum contactor-fuse combination protection device in the form of fuses.
units, and will guide users towards the 3. Proper control schemes with
appropriate applications for using this mechanical and electrical interlocks are
product. provided to reduce the risk of user
safety issues.
Introduction
4. Low current chopping currents reduce
The products are normally used under
the generation of harmful voltage spikes
heavy loads and in harsh environment
during switching operations.
conditions. The end users, panel
constructors, OEM’s, and manufacturers
demand reliability of the product. Vacuum
contactors are becoming an increasingly
worthwhile alternative for reducing
downtime in such environments.

When it comes to vacuum contactors, there

are areas of caution that need to be
examined, which include:
• Whether or not, adequate short circuit
protection is provided for the
contactors?
• How degrading is the frequent operation
to the lifetime of the product?
Figure 1: Eaton's W-SLC vacuum contactor

Eaton Eaton IEC MV vacuum fused contactor trucks – Build for Extreme! Page 1
                                                                                                                                                                      

Benefits Utilization conditions

The W-SLC vacuum contactor-fuse Eaton’s vacuum contactor-fuse

combination units are applicable in AC combination units are suitable for use in the
systems with voltages up to 12 kV and following conditions:
50/60 Hz. They are especially
recommended for heavy duty applications 1. Ambient temperature: -15 ˚C to +40 ˚C
and harsh environments found in industries
2. Relative humidity: max. 95%, Non-
including mining, HVAC, oil and gas, condensing, monthly average 90%
pumping and automotive where frequent
operations are required. 3. Altitude: up to 1000 m

The W-SLC vacuum contactors combination Standards

unit deals with:
• Reliability, safety and performance W-SLC medium voltage vacuum contactor
• Versatility and flexibility fuse combination trucks are designed and
• Leading - edge vacuum technology. third party tested to the latest IEC 62271-
• Fully complies with latest IEC 106 and IEC 62271-200 standards.
standards
• Field kits are available for Auxiliary Key technical featurs
contacts and Mechanical latch.
• Maintenance free • Voltage: 3.6 kV, 7.2 kV and 12 kV
Contactor continuous current:
Safety features 200 A for 12 kV and
400 A for 7.2 kV.
The electrical and mechanical interlocks are
provided on combination unit as described
• Combination continuous current: 200 A
below to prevent mis-operation and to
ensure high safety.
• Breaking: Up to 50 kA with fuse.
1. The contactor is prevented from closing
and a panel indication is provided when • 8500 A interrupting rating without fuse.
the fuse is blown or fuse is not fitted.
• Control voltages:
2. The truck is prevented from being o 110, 220 50 Hz VAC
racked in if: o 120, 240 60 Hz VAC
a) The front door is open. o 125 VDC
b) The earth switch is ON

3. The earth switch cannot be switched

ON, if the truck is in the service position.

4. The panel door cannot be opened if the

truck is in the Service position.

Eaton Eaton IEC MV vacuum fused contactor trucks – Build for Extreme! Page 2
                                                                                                                                                                      

Advanttages C
Conclusion
n

• Lonng Mechanical life TThe Eaton m medium volttage vacuum m

Typiically 1 million operatio
ons. ccontactor tru uck is the rig
ght choice w where
rreliability is a
an importan nt factor in m
motor
• Lonng Electrica al life –
ccontrol and p pump contro ol applicatio
ons that
Typiically 300,00 00 operations defined ini
aare located iin harsh, dirrty, and toug gh
cate
egory AC3 a and AC4.
eenvironmentts. These prroducts are built to
• Fully applicable to bbe reliable, e energy efficcient, safe to
o operate,
Bothh full voltage
e and reducced voltage aand cost effe ective.
startting.
• Loww Maintenan nce
No sspecial main ntenance skkills or
adju
ustments req quired.
• Ressistant to Environmen nt
Conntacts are va acuum seale ed from
atmoospheric co ontamination n.
• Rouugh, Compa act, Noiseleess and
lightweight
Sma aller, quieter than conveentional air
brea
akers.
• Shoort arcing tiime – 12 mss or less

ations
Applica

Vacuumm contactorss today are applied on

low and medium vo oltage syste
ems on:

Motors
1. Sq quirrel cage
e induction
2. Syynchronouss induction
3. WWound rotor

Whetheer based on frequently o operated

heavy lo
oad or harsh h environme ent with
possible
e contamina ants, the vaccuum
contactoor is designed with toug gh
applicattions in mind d. Additiona ally,
applicattions that exxperience co ontinuous
heavy dduty cycling of motors, w where reliab
ble
motor sttarting is criitical, will likkely benefit by
using m
medium volta age vacuum m contactorss.

Eaton’s Medium Vo oltage fusedd contactor

truck is well suited for heavy duty
applicattions and ha arsh environnments foun nd
in indusstries includiing mining, HVAC, oil aand
gas, pum mping and a automotive where
frequent operationss are require ed.

Eaton Eaton IEC MV vacuum

m fused conta
actor trucks – Build for Exxtreme! Page 3