Switchgear Systems expands BPV range of bypass switches to include current ratings up to 4000A

(10/06/2011)

Energy-hungry businesses such as supermarkets, large factories, and major city hospitals are increasingly turning to voltage optimisation (VO) to reduce the amount of electricity they use. Installing a bypass switch in conjunction with VO equipment provides safe working conditions during installation, testing and subsequent maintenance.

Switchgear Systems Ltd is responding to steep demand from the Voltage Optimisation industry, for bypass switches to safeguard installations on ever-larger facilities: Switchgear Systems Ltd has been collaborating with Italian partners, Contactplasma S.R.L to expand its BPV range of bypass switches to include current ratings up to 4000A. Contactplasma’s owner Mr Tosi, one of the global switchgear industry’s top designers, developed an innovative solution, designed to overcome the practical difficulties associated with installations of this size.

A pyramid of connections was arrived at with a linear design, which maximises the connection flexibility for the varying cable types employed by the installers of VO transformers.

BPV4000 is an adaptation from the building blocks of the Contactplasma INP Disconnector range. These building blocks have been used in disconnectors up to 7000A for more than 20 years. The design of the BPV4000 consists of three banks of disconnectors linked and interlocked to provide the bypass function.

The flexibility continues with three configurations available within the range: The standard BPV4000 1-0-11 with three positions provides Break-Before-Make operation; BPV4000 1-11 with two positions can be supplied with either Break-Before-Make or Make-Before-Break contacts.

Product Features
· AC23 rated, full-load current.
· Available in three and four-pole versions.
· Linear design for ease of cabling.
· Accepts up to eight M16 cable lugs per phase
· Cabling for the top or bottom.
· Single handle operation of the two switching positions.
· Integral interlocking with single handle.
· Auxiliary contacts available.

Richard Kennedy, managing director, Switchgear Systems, says: “The existing BPV range from 250A to 1800A is a compact layered design with three-position switching from a single handle. The logistics of connecting and operating larger bypass switches necessitated a complete redesign to meet the needs of this expanding market. During the initial design discussions the need for the connection of multi large core cables from any direction was paramount, as was the need to maintain manual operation and integral interlocking.”

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