A New Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker Type for the ANSI Market

Abstract

In the ANSI market, we can distinguish two types of medium voltage circuit breakers based on the connections to the switchgear: fixed circuit breaker and withdrawable circuit breaker. In the air insulated medium voltage vacuum bottle circuit breakers ANSI market, the withdrawable type of the circuit breaker is typically breaker of choice. Both types of the circuit breakers offer valuable features to the customers; however, our experience with the customers owning the modern high power density facilities and applying stringent safety procedures, tells us that some of the features that breakers and the switchgear offer, end up unused. The complexity of the switchgear and breaker design, in that case, is seen as a reliability factor with the high-cost tag. This paper is discussing the new breaker design, so-called plug-in circuit breaker for the indoor applications, that will satisfy the unique market needs, and on multiple levels affects switchgear design by reducing the cost of the switchgear, increasing system reliability, and not compromise safety. The plug-in circuit breaker offers compactness of the fixed circuit breaker but also withdrawable feature. The intention of the plug-in circuit breaker is not to replace fixed or withdrawable circuit breakers, but to offer a competitive edge to specifically targeted customers and markets.