Hydro Extrusions plant

Hydro Extrusions chooses a green and maintenance-free solution

The aluminium manufacturing plant Hydro Extrusions chooses Eaton’s safe and sustainable, SF₆-free power management technologies to reduce its environmental impact and carbon footprint.

One of the challenges at plants such as Hydro Extrusions is that the air surrounding industrial manufacturing and production sites can be full of industrial dust and particles. There is a great risk that this will require increased maintenance of medium-voltage equipment, as air containing dust and particles leaks into and affects the equipment itself. Additionally, there is always a risk of short circuits while working with medium voltage, which can be particularly dangerous and may result in fires or an explosion. Should such an incident occur, it is highly likely to impact the plant’s ability to operate and, of course, to compromise the safety of the workforce. The gas SF₆, or sulphur hexafluoride, as its commonly known, is widely used in electrical equipment to prevent short circuits and accidents, but it also severely impacts the environment in the event of leakage. Hydro Extrusions wanted to invest in environmentally friendly solutions that are safer for its workforce and kinder to the environment, but without limiting operations at its production site.

The Norwegian company Laje Nettservice installed an Eaton Power Xpert FMX at Hydro Extrusions’ plant. Eaton’s Power Xpert FMX is used for applications in medium-voltage networks up to 24 kV and is completely free of the dangerous gas SF₆. This new generation of environmentally friendly air-insulated switchgear uses vacuum technology combined with easily recyclable materials.

Switchgear vacuum technology is as effective as switchgear using SF₆ gas, with the fundamental difference that vacuum technology does not have the severe environmental impact of SF₆. Eaton’s Power Xpert FMX features primary components that are contained in a sealed tank to mitigate environmental influences. Additionally, visible isolation-earthing and an arc-proof enclosure ensure optimal operator safety. Thanks to the use of load break switches and circuit breakers with vacuum interrupters, the system requires minimal maintenance. The simple and obvious operation of the system also keeps operator switching errors to a minimum.

"We have installed one FMX switchgear for Hydro Extrusions, which uses vacuum technology instead of SF₆ gas with the same physical and technical characteristics as SF₆- insulated switchgear. The technology from Eaton is quick and easy to install, and safe for the workers and the environment. We always recommend environmentally friendly solutions for electrical installations when possible because great alternatives without SF₆ gas do exist,” says Rolv Marius Faleide, group leader for Laje Nettservice.

Hydro Extrusions is an inspiration to the industry, showing how easy it is to adapt to a more sustainable future without the risk of emitting severe greenhouse gases. The SF₆-free solution from Eaton also reduces maintenance to a minimum and delivers a safer working environment, thanks to the plant’s reliable and safe system for distributing electrical energy.