LOW-VOLTAGE VACUUM SWITCHGEAR

摘要

Given the advantages of vacuum switchgear (primarily, long switching life and minimal operating costs) over traditional switches, its use in all low-voltage classes (up to 1140 V) is attractive. Vacuum switchgear performs exceptionally in moderate-voltage grids (6-35 kV). Operational experience suggests that, in the near future, it will be widely introduced in low-voltage grids. Already, low-voltage vacuum switches are used extensively in Russia and around the world. The working life of such switches is several million operations, which is very important for equipment with high switching rates. In Russia, low-voltage vacuum switches are produced by the ChEAZ plant (Cheboksary) and the NPP Kontakt state enterprise (Saratov). Switches for rated currents of 160, 250, and 400 A are now in mass production; 630- and 1000-A switches are under development. Tables 1 and 2 present the basic characteristics of switches in production at NPP Kontakt and under development. NPP Kontakt produces several thousand switches per year; operational experience confirms the effectiveness of vacuum switches.