Eaton’s Electrical Sector, a leading manufacturer of components and systems for electrical engineering and automation, is pleased to announce that its Power Xpert FMX Medium-Voltage 24 kV switchgear has successfully passed an assessment by the Energy Networks Association (ENA). The ENA is the industry body for the UK and Ireland energy transmission and distribution licence holders and operators. Eaton’s Power Xpert FMX, was able to meet the requirements of the ENA assessment, which is based on operational safety biased criteria, giving the product range a bench mark for acceptance within the industry. 
 
The ENA is recognised by government regulators and the EU commission, and it is instrumental in addressing safety issues across the energy sector and produces a wide range of industry standards. In order to pass an ENA assessment, Eaton had to first receive sponsorship from two ENA member companies, which include National Grid and the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) companies, and only once agreed, the Power Xpert FMX product range could then be submitted for assessment. 

Eaton’s Power Xpert FMX range comprises metal-enclosed single-busbar switchgear that uses air and solid insulation and is available in IEC 12 kV and 24 kV versions with ratings up to 2,000 A. The products in the range are designed around Eaton’s proven vacuum interrupters, which require no maintenance and are certified for 30,000 operation cycles. In this range of switchgear, the interrupters are switched by a novel and patented electromagnetic operating mechanism that provides an optimised force/stroke characteristic without the need for complicated and potentially unreliable mechanical linkages.

The use of vacuum interrupters and solid insulation means that FMX switchgear is much more environmentally friendly than MV switchgear that uses SF6 gas as an insulant. The cost of ownership is also significantly reduced, as regular testing of gas pressure or other routine maintenance is not required and there is no high end-of-life cost associated with ultimately disposing of the equipment.

The compact nature of the FMX switchgear has a panel width of just 500 mm and has provision for cable connections to be made from the front, enabling the equipment to be mounted in close proximity to a back wall. This makes FMX switchgear economical in its use of floor space, and easy to accommodate in even the most restricted of environments.

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Editor’s Notes
Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader in power distribution, power quality, control and automation, power monitoring, and energy management products and services. Eaton is positioned through its global electrical product series, to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with more than 100 years of experience providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. With 2011 sales of $16.0 billion, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components, systems and services for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.eu

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