PACSafe TM

Arc Resistant…..
Metalclad Switchgear...
...to 15 kV, to 63 kA.
...to 26 kV, to 40 kA.
...to 38 kV, to 40 kA.
For:
Oil & Gas
Chemical
Electric Utilities
Industrials
Technical Municipals
Authorities
Information Marine
Railway & Transit
...etc.
Indoor or Outdoor

Since 1972 The Experienced Company

61 Steamboat Road, Great Neck, New York 11024 U.S.A.

Tel: 516-829-9060 Fax: 516-829-9557 E-mail: sales@pacsindustries.com Web: pacsindustries.com

IEC 50 Hertz or 60 Hertz

25 Hertz for Railways
ANSI/IEEE
ISO 9001-2000
IEEE C37.20.07-2007
 Who We Are
PACS Industries, Inc., has been in business since 1972, and is a leading
independent manufacturer of pre-fabricated metal buildings, switchgear,
and control systems . PACS is a leader in developing innovative switchgear
such as 6,000 Ampere Drawout Generator Switchgear, Arc Furnace switch-
gear for steel mills, Railway Catenary switchgear, etc.

PACS has developed a product line of Arc Resistant PACSafe

medium voltage switchgear between 2400 Volts and 38 kV in accor-
dance with the IEEE C37.20.07 –2007 standard. PACS has tested this
switchgear at the KEMA Laboratory and continues to test as certain
newer products are developed. PACS also manufactures metal switch- PACS-Ohio
gear outdoor buildings into which the PACSafe switchgear is inte-
grated. PACS can also integrate low voltage switchgear, MCC’s, batter-
ies, etc., into these Power and Control Centers (PCC) buildings.

The PACS factory (PACS-Ohio) is located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and is

220,000 square feet . The factory is vertically integrated, including our metal
fabricating shop, and powder coat paint line. Our test laboratory includes an
Impulse Generator through 250 KV, Heat Run generator through 7,000
Amperes, Partial Discharge Analyzer, Hi-pot equipment, etc.
PACS Industries International, Inc., conducts international business, with
Sales & Service partnerships in various countries.. International commercial
transactions such as export boxing & letters of credit are normal for PACS.
PACS-NY
PACS-NY

Switchgear and Apparatus Available To IEEE Standards For Domestic Use, or IEC Standards For International use.

Building Base Fabrication

MANUFACTURE & INTEGRATION

Building Assembly Bay Switchgear Assembly Bay Switchgear Assembly Bay

ASK FOR OUR COMPLETE CATALOG

Why Purchase PACS Products? Type Testing: INSPECTION AFTER
As an independent company we concen- PACS equipment and SUCCESSFUL ARC
trate on providing products and services to components Type RESISTANT TEST AT KEMA
our customers that are not always available Tested to relevant
to them these days. After-order service is
Standards are avail-
very important , and our customers can
directly contact the engineering team work- able. Short circuit tests
ing on their order. After-shipment, PACS are generally run at
maintains the same high level of field ser- KEMA. UL & CSA &
vice, as needed, either domestically, or CE available.
overseas.

2 61 Steamboat Road, Great Neck, NY 11024, U.S.A. Tel: 516-829-9060 e-mail: sales@pacsindustries.com
 What is Arc Fault Damage?

Arc-flash is normally the result of a short circuit that can occur randomly,
because of poor maintenance practices, deteriorating insulation creating ioni-
zation, tools being left behind on live bus bars, animals, or any such event.
The fault can occur between phase and ground or across phases. A series of
destructive and life threatening events are set in motion, as illustrated in the
four panels to the right. In the worst case, the complete system available short
circuit can flash across the fault, causing considerable damage.
Arc-Current can flash across the short circuit.. A plasma arc is created by
this energy, which can create temperatures as high 35,000 degrees Fahren-
heit within a millisecond. The Arc-Flash can expand with high speed that can
exceed 300 feet per second. There is an immediate burst of radiation of visi-
ble and invisible light, in the range of 300 to 1500 nm, copper expands and
vaporizes by a factor of 67,000.
Arc-Blast is immediate, and a powerful pressure wave occurs which can
exceed thousands of pounds, accompanied by sound that can exceed 160
db. Material, metal, flames and smoke is expelled away from the arc at
speeds exceeding 700 miles per hour, which can create shrapnel that com-
pletely penetrates the body. Arc flashes can kill at a distance of 10 feet.
Arc-Fault collectively describes the forgoing events.
Safety Steps. NFPA E70 requires the use of Personnel Protective Equip-
ment (PPE) when operating switchgear, and IEEE C37.20.07 is the defining
Standard for Arc-Resistant switchgear. PPE clothing is rated from Hazard/
Risk Category 0 to Category 4. The use of Arc-resistant switchgear can mate-
rially reduce the Hazard/Risk rating, a result of which could be less stringent
(or no) PPE clothing. Most important however, is that even though
PPE can protect against burning, shock, or similar hazards, it CANNOT
PREVENT AGAINST INJURIES CAUSED BY THE VIOLENT NATURE OF
AN ARC-FAULT EXPLOSION. Arc-Resistant switchgear can however, con-
tain these violent forces which can mitigate or prevent injuries, or worse.

Certain information above is derived from NFPA E70,.

It is the responsibility of the end-user of electrical switchgear to provide a safe operat-

ing environment for their personnel, and to properly train their personnel in the safe
operation of switchgear, and in accordance with required safety procedures of relevant
Regulatory Agencies such as OSHA, NFPA, NEC, etc.

Representative views of switchgear damaged or destroyed by the effects of an Arc-Fault. Above representations can be mitigated by use of a roof
mounted Collector Plenum as on further pages.

61 Steamboat Road, Great Neck, NY 11024, U.S.A. Tel: 516-829-9060 e-mail: sales@pacsindustries.com 3
 Type Testing Criteria

FAILED PASSED

Test standards require that a thermal indicator rack ( 2
meters high) containing black cotton fabric be placed in
front (and sides for Type 2) of cubicle being tested. If
fabric ignites during a test, this is a failure. During a se-
ries of tests, a cubicle may sometimes fail. After investi-
gation, corrections are made (at the lab) on remaining
cubicles and the tests continue. Normally, spare cubicles
are included for retest.
During a test series, a cubicle failed. Upon investi-
gation it was found that a plug weld was not strong
enough for the forces exerted. The plug weld design
was changed to stitch welds at the laboratory (and
in later production) and the unit was retested. This
photo is representative of a bolted short circuit
failure that could occur in non-Arc Resistant switch-
gear.
You do not want to be there ! ! !
There were several subsequent tests after the
welding design change, and they all passed.
This photo illustrates how the front of the switch-
gear has contained the Arc fault explosion, and
how the energy debris has been moved to the
top Collector Plenum. In an actual installation,
this would be ducted out of the area.

Following are the IEEE C37.20.7-2007 test criteria assessments required to pass Arc Resistant Type
Tests. These tests are conducted in high power laboratories such as KEMA.
 Arc duration should be maintained for 0.5 seconds.
 No fragmentation of the enclosure occurs within the test time. IEEE allows small parts up to 60 grams to be ejected
over the 2 meter height.
 There shall be no burn-through of metal cubicle surfaces (Type 1 & Type 2).
 No cotton indicators shall be ignited. Surface charring is permitted.
 All grounding connections remain effective.

Following discusses Accessibility features described in IEEE C37.20.7-2007:

 Accessibility Type 1: Switchgear with arc-resistant designs or features at the freely accessible front of the equipment only.
 Accessibility Type 2: Switchgear with arc-resistant designs or features at the freely accessible exterior (front, back, and sides) of the
equipment only.
 Suffix B: This is a new standard that applies to Type 1 and Type 2. It applies specifically to compartments designated as low voltage
control , or instrumentation compartments. During testing, “Suffix B” requires that indicators be placed directly in front of such com-
partments with the doors removed to evaluate the entrance of ionized gases into those compartments.
 Suffix C This suffix is designated for equipment where isolation from the effects of an internal arcing fault is desired between all of the
compartments within a vertical switchgear cubicle. An Arc fault within a vertical cubicle with compartments would undoubtedly
cause bowing and distortion which would render the complete vertical cubicle unusable. PACSafe switchgear is constructed wit h a
double 11 gauge wall between cubicles, and the Vertical Plenum separates adjacent vertical cubicles by six inches, minimum. Conse-
quently, since there has never been burn-through between adjacent vertical cubicles, PACSafe equipment is offered as Suffix C be-
tween adjacent vertical cubicles.
 Suffix D: This is a new standard. It is designed for special applications where certain installations would require that flame indicators
be placed at the front of the switchgear, and then only those surfaces (sides or rear) that are accessible to personnel.

Interesting comments regarding IEEE C37.20.7-2007:

 1.2.4: Allows tests carried out on a particular design to be transferred to another design, if the original design was more severe.
 5.1.1, i: Where interior venting tunnels pass through several vertical cubicles in the design, a separate test of 2 meters of the venting
tunnel will be performed to check leakage to adjoining cubicles. (PACSafe switchgear does not use such venting tunnels).
 5.1.2. b): Allows a “generic” cubicle to be used for different purposes (C.B., PT’s, etc.) providing the generic cubicle has the most
restrictive design configuration.
 Annex B.2.4.4: Discusses the use of light & current detection to reduce the arcing time, and mitigate the Arc Flash. It also discusses
the use of Partial Discharge monitoring to detect corona buildup and prevent Arc Flash. PACSafe switchgear is tested without these
devices, and recommends them only for fully rated equipment. Available as optional products.
Certain data herein is derived from the IEEE C 37.20.7-2007 guide.

4 61 Steamboat Road, Great Neck, NY 11024, U.S.A. Tel: 516-829-9060 e-mail: sales@pacsindustries.com
 The Plenum System

In order to safely divert the Arc
Blast pressure, flame, debris,
gas, etc., from the switchgear
interior, various plenums and
tunnel designs have been devel-
oped that divert the blast from
the affected cubicle interior, to a
safer location. Each compart-
ment of a vertical switchgear
cubicle such as the circuit
breaker, main bus, cabling com-
partment, etc., includes flaps
that are forced open by the Arc
Blast. The pressure of the blast
then forces all the Arc Blast
byproducts into these plenums,
which reduces the cubicle pres-
sure and diverts these byprod-
ucts out of the switchgear and to
a safer area.
Tunnel Type Vent
Tunnel
Above is an illustration of a “Tunnel Type” system that
uses a common horizontal tunnel located within the
switchgear to create a path out of the affected cubicle
and into a vertical exit vent. This tunnel will route
through a number of adjacent cubicles until it reaches
a vertical empty section and thence to the exit plenum.
This could create a longer path, and with the possibil-
ity of penetrating neighboring cubicles. PACS does
not use this method. Two vents may also be used.
Direct Vertical Access
Vent
Collector Plenum
Collector Plenum
Each vertical cubicle of PACSafe switchgear directly accesses
the top exiting Collector Panel using our patented Vertical
Isolated Plenum (VIP), and/or Vertical Direct Access (VDA) to
directly discharge Arc Blast byproducts into the exiting top
Collector Plenum. A common interior tunnel is not used. Each
vertical cubicle includes a dedicated VIP or VDA that is not
shared by adjacent cubicles. Field ducting will direct these
dangerous by products into a safe area. Two vents may be also
be used.

Ductwork

PASSED
Although the photo at the left looks ominous, it is actually a “Pass” for an Arc Resistant Type Test we performed at KEMA in about 1996. All of the Arc Blast
byproducts have been forced to the top of the switchgear, and do not come through the front doors. In those days switchgear without the top Collector Plenums
were common, but it created a terrible environmental condition for the operators, and the explosion could as well damage the building. Since then however,
PACS has developed a Collector Plenum mounted on the switchgear roof which routes these byproducts through field installed ductwork to a safe area, safe-
guarding the operators and the building. The center photo shows the ductwork installed in the field. The right illustration depicts an Arc Blast being routed away
from the operator through the ductwork. Without such ductwork, the ceiling height above the switchgear would need to be 8-12 feet, the building must withstand
the severe Arc Blast pressure, and equipment such as cable trays, lighting, etc., must not be installed over the switchgear.

Views to the right of a Collector

Plenum interior, as well as two
methods of venting the Collec-
tor Plenum outlet. Both de-
signs are provided with end
flaps to prevent ingress of
foreign objects as part of a
PACS PCC building. If the
customer provides ductwork Optional for PACS’ PCC Buildings Indoor or Outdoor
connected to the horizontal
discharge throat , he must Interior view of reinforced PACSafe “snorkel” design may be in- PACSafe horizontal discharge
provide end flaps. PACSafe Collector Plenum stalled on the roof of outdoor buildings. throat for field installed ductwork.

IEEE C37.20.7-2007, paragraph B.2.3.2.2 , Building Considerations (in part) states : “When the arc-resistant switchgear vents the overpressure
directly into the building, the building must be evaluated for the items below:” “ d) The ability of the ceiling, roof, and other structural components
of the building located in the path of arc gases released from the switchgear’s pressure relief vents to remain intact when exposed to the exhaust so
they will not be damaged, compromise the areas designated by the switchgear accessibility type rating, or create additional hazards. These items
may need to be flame resistant.”. PACS’ NOTE: The use of the PACSafe Collector Plenum should always be specified to avoid these problems.

SPECIFY & PURCHASE VERTICAL ISOLATION PLENUM, & COLLECTOR PLENUM SWITCHGEAR

61 Steamboat Road, Great Neck, NY 11024, U.S.A. Tel: 516-829-9060 e-mail: sales@pacsindustries.com 5
 Details

Standards: The switchgear portion is manufactured to the standards of IEEE C37.20.2. The Arc Resistant switchgear enclosures manufac-
tured to the standards of C37.20.7-2007. Circuit breakers manufactured to standard of IEEE C37.20.4,6,9. Some IEC standards.
Circuit Breakers:
C37.20.7-2007 criteria allows that rather than use actual circuit breakers and other major components in these destruc-
tive Type Tests, that equivalent volume dummy devices may be used.
As a consequence the actual Arc Resistant enclosure being tested is independent of interior components. Therefore any
brand of circuit breaker can be used in PACSafe switchgear, such as GE, Siemens, ABB, Square D, Areva, or Eaton
vacuum circuit breakers. At 24-38 kV, we provide our own vacuum drawout circuit breaker. In all cases, we build the cell
to meet stringent Arc Resistant requirements.

2-high PACSafe switchgear, with PACSafe circuit breakers utilize safe PACSafe switchgear utilizes simple one-
lifting rack for 2 high breakers. through-the-door racking. Or remote. handle open/close method for front & rear.

ABB Breaker-

PACSafe circuit breaker cells Left cubicle

utilizes automatic shutters as well
as other metalclad features.
Cubicle is is
to left one-high with
one-high adequate
with Views of two-high switchgear. PACSafe con-
control space. Right cubicle two-high struction compatible with any brand circuit
with limited control space. See unique breaker as customer prefers.
PACSafe control space on last page.

Left is view of reinforced PACSafe door to with-

stand Arc Blast. Pressure can exceed 40,000
PSI. Door also includes ventilation louvers with
slam-shut panel to seal gases in case of
Arc-Blast. KEMA tested.

38 kV Arc resistant
switchgear now GE Breaker
available in 2 high
construction.

6 See appropriate PACS’ metalclad bulletins (to 15 kV, to 38 kV) or industry references for standard circuit breaker ratings.
 Details

PACSafe switchgear includes such metalclad switchgear features

as shutters, spring discharge, disconnect, test and connect posi-
tions, automatic position grounding, preventing movement of a
closed breaker, etc., as in IEEE C37.20.2.
AVAILABLE FEATURES:
 Indoor or outdoor construction.
 Viewing windows.
 Automatic secondary control plug (does not require hand plug-in).
 Circuit breakers interlock with front door.
 Circuit breakers interlock with rear door.
 Closed door breaker operation.
 Remote motor operated breaker racking and/or remote breaker
operation. Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3
 Slot-Lock doors or Vault type doors.
 Single handle door operation. Slot-Lock Type Vault Type
 PT and CPT rollouts in Arc Resistant construction.
 Front door emergency breaker trip.
Exclusively among manufacturers, PACS offers 2 PACSafe door styles. In
the Slot-Lock style, tabs on the door (fig 1) match into spaces on the cubi-
 Door ventilation louvers.
cle (fig 2), and then drop down so that the door tabs sit behind the cubicle
 To 4000 Amps. tabs, locking into position. The Vault style is illustrated in fig 3. The locking
 Grounding switches & disconnect switches. handle drives locking pins into cubicle frame, much like a bank vault. Locking
 ….contact us for additional information. pins on all four sides of door. Single handle operation.

13.8 kV, 2 high PACSafe outdoor metalclad

34.5 kV PACSafe metalclad switchgear lineup. Indoor. 48 inch wide cells. switchgear in PACS factory-prefabricated Power
Now available in 2 high construction where space is a problem. and Control Center (PCC) building.

PACSafe PCC being prepared for shipment. Includes other PACSafe metalclad switchgear in an outdoor PCC manufactured in
items such as MCCs, aux transformers, LV switchgear, etc. PACS’ factory, prior to disassembly for road clearances.

IEEE C37.20.2, C37-20-7-2007 , IEEE C37.20.2, NFPA E70, and other similar references are trade mark property of IEEE, NFPA, and others. Used for reference only.
7
61 Steamboat Road, Great Neck, NY 11024, U.S.A. Tel: 516-829-9060 e-mail: sales@pacsindustries.com
 Typical Dimension Guide

Arc Resistant switchgear, does not allow for relays and other devices to be mounted on the doors in front of the Arc Resistant
cubicles because these doors must contain the pressures created by an Arc Blast. Consequently, many specifications do
not properly serve the protective relay and control requirements. Most available 2 high Arc Resistant switchgear allows only
for a small 19” high by 30” control cubicle placed between the upper cubicle and lower cubicle. PACSafe switchgear offers a
series of cubicles with various control configurations to allow maximum space and flexibility for controls. See below. Call
PACS for final dimensions. 3000 Amp and 4000 Amp breakers may not have medium voltage equipment installed in the
upper cubicle. All cables that enter switchgear must be properly sealed by installer against pressure. For bus duct entry,
contact PACS. Following for estimating purposes only. Contact PACS for project-specific requirements, and for PCC outdoor
Control cubicle showing space & tight wiring.
dimensions.
Front Views Side Views
To 15 kV and 26 kV (125 kV BIL)
Collector Plenum 24” 15kV or 26kV 9” Collector Plenum typical for all 12”
Floor Plan Views
Control 1 high, Control
101” controls on Power
Compartment cable Cable entry Power
top. entry top or bottom
125” Control cables cables
36” wide. top
total
Model VDA Main top or bottom
height Bus
Circuit breaker typical Power
for all
Circuit breaker
or Potential wiring
Models or Potential
transformer compart-
transformer
compartment ment
To 15 kV, depth 96 inches.
26 kV (125 kV BIL, depth 108”)

Collector Plenum 15kV or 26kV Collector Plenum

2 high
Controls Vertical Isolated Plenum VIP
Circuit Breaker or C Circuit breaker
controls in Cable entry Control cable entry
Potential o or Potential Power
center and to top or bottom through plenum. Top
Transformers n transformer Cables
left. Left VIP or bottom.
t plenum Main
Controls r 6” to 12” Controls Bus
o wide.
Basic cubicle Cable entry
Circuit Breaker or l
is 36” wide. Circuit breaker bottom
When specifying a PACSafe model, include the operating
Potential s or Potential
transformers Total 42”- 45” voltage and BIL, as below :
wide. transformer Model VIP-13.8kV-95kV
6-12” Control Space Model VIP Model VDA-34.5 kV– 150 kV

Instrument and control space is normally limited on two-high construction for Arc Resistant switchgear, because unlike standard,
non-Arc Resistant switchgear, the front doors may not be penetrated with instruments or other such devices.
The unique construction of PACSafe Model VIP addresses this problem because of our patented Vertical Isolated Plenum Model
VIP construction. The VIP offers additional vertical control space of 6 inches minimum width, to 12 inches optional width. The
difference being a function of required control devices to be installed on a given circuit. Please note in the sketch above, that the
front of the vertical plenum is sealed from the Arc Resistant section, the same as is for any other control section.
The minimum 6 inch width allows for switches to be installed in this space relieving the center control space. If additional space
for relays is required, this space can be widened to 12 inches during design. The control front of the VIP can be equipped with a
door when relays are used.
In comparing floor space required for the basic VIP (42”) against the tunnel method (36”) please be aware that the tunnel type
could require a 36” wide vertical column about every 5 cubicles, which could require additional floor space.

38 kV Class Arc Resistant switchgear is now available with 2 high Construction.

24”
Collector Plenum 38 kV , Collector Plenum 38 kV Class. 150 kV & 170 kV BIL
Control 1 high. Control Depth 140”
compartment or 108” Controls on top.
PTs PT’s may also
be installed on Main
132’ top, in which Bus Control cables
Total
height
case controls top or bottom
Circuit breaker may NOT be
compartment installed on Circuit breaker
door. compartment
48” to 54” wide.
Model VDA

OSHA, NEC, NFPA (and other agencies) require that the Owner , User or Maintainer (OUM) of switchgear shall provide a safe workplace for all personnel. PACSafe products
W Rev o
shall be properly installed and used by OUM, and OUM shall train personnel prior to operating or maintaining PACSafe and other PACS products. During maintenance all 8
power must be disconnected. Proper PPE must be worn as determined by the OUM. PACS Industries, Inc., assumes no legal responsibility or liabilities of any injuries or
death or damage to property whether sold through a third party reseller or directly to a OUM.