Colombia. Safety and reliability in electrical installations are a fundamental issue for the operation of buildings and in different infrastructures. Therefore, Schneider Electric, a leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, offers EasyPact EXE, a solution that is part of its range of switches, which connect the building infrastructure (heating, ventilation and lighting, among others) and the processes of an industrial plant (MV motors, MT / BT substations and furnaces, etc.) to the power grid, protecting operators and equipment.
Sergio Luque, Energy Product Manager- Andean Cluster at Schneider Electric, reported: "These switches offer greater flexibility and allow medium voltage distribution equipment to be delivered faster. Its ductility is based on modular kits that provide more rear customization options than other switches in its class. They are easy to use and through online ordering and personalized technical support, a quick delivery of the product is made . tags. It is also designed to increase safety, both for the operator and for end-user applications."
Luque added that among the main sectors of application are construction, large commercial buildings, shopping centers, industrial plants, networks and substations of electrical distribution. It is also noteworthy that EasyPact EXE brings two versions: fixed and removable.
Among the most important features that differentiate the two versions, is that the fixed has a capacity of up to 17.5 kilovolts; three-pole switches equipped with empty cutting bottles; six dry contacts; spring-operated mechanism for opening and closing; set of terminals to connect the switch auxiliaries to the switching control circuit and protection relay.
Its flexibility allows the staff (Panel Builder) to customize the circuit breaker following instructions; that is, you choose accessories and make changes easily according to the requirements of your customers. Moreover, its wide selection of dimensions available in the catalog helps the Panel Builder to design cubicles with various sizes, for example, feeders 600 mm wide for 1,250 A / 31.5 kA / 12 kV.
For its part, the removable version of 12 kilovolts comprises characteristics similar to the fixed version and additionally has a trolley to move the automatic switch from the disconnected position to the service position and vice versa, either by turning a lever on the front of the switch with the door closed or remotely by activating an electrical order from the control room. It also has a low voltage plug to keep the switch connected to the protection relay in any position of the switch: disconnected or in service.
Designed for greater security
The operating mechanism gives the device an opening and closing speed that is independent of the operator, either by electric or manual control, also allows to perform closing cycles and is automatically recharged with a gear motor. The system has the ability to ensure that the opening order always takes precedence over the closing order, in the event that a simultaneous order is submitted, you must keep the circuit breaker in the open position and once completed.
Luque highlighted: "Another feature that contributes to safety are the materials used to manufacture the EasyPact EXE cargo cart subassemblies, which have been selected and designed to operate 2,000 cycles under the conditions defined by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard." To that, we must add – in terms of safety – that the EasyPact EXE extraction cart includes an integrated pushbutton to trigger the CB (Circuit Breaker) without the need for voltage supply, keeping it in that state throughout the racking operation. It also operates a mechanical indicator to make the service visible and the disconnected positions.
The interlocks between the shelving trolley contain a low-voltage connector, door handle, circuit breaker and pole-to-ground switch, an optional key locking system to lock the load trolley in the disconnected position. An optional electric motor that enables remote racking operations from a separate control room with reliable vacuum switches, operating mechanism and shelf trolley.
Luque explained that "it is important to note that essential components, such as the operating mechanism, vacuum switches and shelving trolley, are produced in factories certified by Schneider Electric ISO 9001."
