Page 16 - SPARKS APRIL 2013 1-28 LOW RES

sparks
ELECTRICAL NEWS april 2013
16 motor control centres and motor protection
Solution for safe power requirements
IN line with its goal of constant devel-
opment and improvement in products
and services, Schneider Electric has
introduced GHA gas-insulated circuit
breaker switchgear offering safety,
security, ecological and economic
advantages.
“GHA provides an optimum solution
for a variety of safe power require-
ments, with applications ranging from
transformer substations to switching
stations for primary power supplies.
It also carries IAC classification,”says
Isaac Kruger, manager: MV offer and
technology at Schneider Electric South
Africa.
“Nogas-handling is requiredduring
installation, extensionwork or panel
replacement and thebusbar link is in-
novative and fault-tolerant, while its en-
vironmental compatibility offers simple
andeasy recycling. Erection, extension
ACTOM Electrical Machines has
introduced a new hi-spec range of low
voltage motors as the successor to its
successful LS4 range launched in 2003.
“The main advance of the new LS5
range is that the full range, covering
frame sizes 80 to 355, is IE2 efficient
under the quality standard applicable
New range of hi-spec low voltage motors launched
to it, which is the SA Bureau of Stand-
ards’ SANS IEC 60034-30,” says Tony
Teixeira, ACTOM Electrical Machines’
general manager.
A significant advantage of the LS5
range, which like its predecessor is
available in power ratings from 0,25kW
to 400kW, is that it is very competitively
priced compared with equivalent
hi-spec brands currently on offer.
“In developing the new range our
primary strategic objective was to keep
the price at the lowest level possible.
Therefore we are confident in claiming
that it is the best priced hi-spec, high
efficiency (IE2) low voltage industrial
motor available,”Teixeira says.
“The LS5s have been very well
received since we introduced them into
the market at the beginning of May this
year. The feedback has been extremely
positive,”he adds.
Other major features of the new LS5
range (which also applied to the LS4s
previously) are:
• Class H insulation system.
• Vacuum impregnation of the stator
winding.
• Class B temperature rise.
• IP 65 degree of enclosure protection.
• Re-greasable, heavy duty bearings.
• Reduced vibration levels.
SaysTeixeira:“We anticipate achieving
similar successeswith the LS5s aswehave
with the LS4s over thepast six years.
“We were the first to introduce
hi-spec low voltage motors into the
local market, which we did in consul-
tation with major users,
especially leading players in the
mining industry.
The LS4 range was developed as
a superior quality product that was
best suited to the stringent require-
ments applicable in those industries.
“Our development of the new
LS5 range represents a further ad-
vance in this direction,” he concludes.
Enquiries: (011) 899-1081
anddisassembly are straight-
forward and the innovative
B-Link busbar connection
simplifies theprocess.”
The complete metal
enclosure of all switchgear
components provides maxi-
mumprotection against
accidental contact and a
comprehensive interlocking
system ensures maximum
operator safety.
For secure operation, the
active MV components
are located in hermetically
sealed, gas-filled compart-
ments and are insensitive
to aggressive atmospheres,
dirt, dust and vermin.
Protection against fire in
the panel and prevention of
contact oxidation are pro-
vided by SF6 insulating gas.
“Reliability is ensured by
the application of mechani-
cal or electronic gas moni-
toring equipment for each
gas compartment, all of
which have a pressure relief
device,”adds Kruger.“Also
contributing to overall reli-
ability are the low number of
static and dynamic seals, the
high number of mechanical
and electrical operations afforded by
vacuum circuit breakers and the drive
and interlocking system.”
Design is clear and compact offering
easy access to all function groups, easy
operation with ergonomic design, a
visually highlighted control panel, logi-
cal operation and visual operator guid-
ance for mechanical panel operation.
Economic efficiencies are achieved
through reduced space and surface
area, short assembly times, minimised
operating costs andmaintenance-free
gas tank constructed from stainless
chromium-nickel steel.
“All of the HV parts are set in an SF6
atmosphere with slight over-pressure
to protect against humidity and
contamination irrespective of installa-
tion altitude,”says Kruger.“Ecological
benefits include optimisation of mate-
rial and energy consumption during
manufacture and the absence of gas
handling on assembly or switchgear
extensions on either side. Recyclable
materials are used for efficient disposal
at the end of service life.”
Connection of the busbars from
adjacent panels is through Schnei-
der Electric’s innovative link system
known as B-link. Maintenance free, it
enables assembly without gas work
at the customer site. Extensions or
panel replacements within the panel
assembly can be executed without gas
handling or interference in gas-filled
compartments.
“The potential-controlled, externally
grounded, flexible and robust silicone
insulated elements of the B-link sys-
tem are simply assembled withmini-
mal electrical field intensities. Busbars
on the switchgear ends are also closed
with voltage-proof terminations,”says
Kruger.
“Finally, as a result of the reduced
space requirements, the GHA switch-
gear minimises investment cost.
Replacement of old conventional
switchgear units with GHA in existing
rooms is possible through step-wise
commissioning of the GHA panels
while disassembling the old switch-
gear, a factor that significantly reduces
down time and overall costs.”
Enquiries: (011) 254-6400
ACTOM Electrical Machines factory workers with some of the new LS5 hi-spec motors.