Breaker Retrofill By Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric, provider of energy management and automation solutions, has introduced the 26″ wide Draw-Out Breaker Retrofill Solution for 5-kilovolt (kV) vacuum switchgear applications. While most switchgear applications use a standard 36″ wide cell, this new product helps facility management meet space restrictions, without modifying existing switchgear line-up.

switchgear
Rear view of 26″ wide retrofill from Schneider Electric

Engineers and designers face growing space challenges and ongoing pressure to reduce the size of installed electrical equipment and increase space. Previously, as electrical engineers looked to modernize electrical components, non-standard switchgear applications required modification of the existing switchgear lineup, which is costly, inefficient, and can require a longer business outage. This new Retrofill Solution can be applied in any 5kV application, up to 2000 amps/350 mega volt amps (MVA), without the need to replace or change the switchgear lineup. Using this, customers upgrade existing electrical equipment more efficiently compared to traditional equipment replacement.

“Modernizing electrical equipment is important not only for electrical reliability and safety, but for meeting new constrained space requirements,” says John Blaylock, senior operations director of Schneider Electric’s U.S. Services Division. “With this new retrofill solution, electrical personnel can upgrade and consolidate existing equipment to meet the latest IEEE safety standards without incurring the costly downtime or capital expenditures typical of equipment replacement, custom or otherwise.”

Fully tested to IEEE C37.59, the 26″ wide Retrofill Solution works with Schneider Electric’s standard VR remote racking system for added safety in switchgear operation. While there is no need for a mechanical-operated cell switch, the solution does include a truck operated cell switch, which is wired through a secondary contact and requires less maintenance. It is also available with six current transformers (CTs) mounted in the breaker compartment and an optional breaker cart.

Retrofill options improve reliability, reduce maintenance requirements and increase equipment capabilities, making the larger system much more sustainable across its lifecycle. Schneider Electric service technicians offer evaluation and consultation services to help customers modernize and increase the safety of electrical work spaces.