VACpac Vacuum Switchgear

Eaton's Cooper Power series VACpac underground distribution vacuum switchgear is used to switch load, loop, capacitor and cable charging as well as magnetizing currents. Ideal applications include underground vaults, submersible, high-rise building, mining operations, campus and computer-controlled switching installations.

Check out the fundamentals of medium-voltage switchgear

Non-catastrophic failure mode

Optimal safety

Fully submersible

Permits usage in manholes and vaults

Compact, low-profile

Application versatility

Core features

Switches or sectionalizes load and loop underground systems
Provides tap overcurrent and transformer network protection
Permits a long operating life with the low-energy requirements to switch vacuum interrupters
Features the highest duty cycle of any distribution system, making it an ideal solution for automated applications that require a large number of switching operations
Provides the proven technology of vacuum interrupters supported by more than five decades of successful VACpac switchgear field experience

Application versatility

Eaton's Cooper Power series VACpac switchgear is compact, lightweight and can be mounted in any orientation, including manholes and vaults.

Fully submersible and maintenance-free

Eaton's Cooper Power series VACpac has a completely welded seal with fully stainless steel construction and SF6 insulation.

Technical

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Eaton’s mission is to improve the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. We provide sustainable solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power – more safely, more efficiently and more reliably. Eaton’s 2019 revenues were $21.4 billion, and we sell products to customers in more than 175 countries.

Safety	Operation is in a self-contained fireproof medium—with elbow terminations—with remote switching options
Compact	Accomplished with a vacuum switching medium and an SF6 self-contained operation medium—largest unit fits through manhole openings—volume is approximately 1/5 that of equivalent oil switches
Maintenance free	All switches, mechanism and bus work sealed within a corrosion-resistant 300 series stainless steel enclosure in an inert SF6 environment The vacuum interrupter housed in a sealed environment is essentially maintenance free throughout its lifetime
Ideal switching	Vacuum arc interrupters are fast, efficient, quiet and not susceptible to the danger of contamination from load switching arcs, lightning or other surges When closed an ideal conductor, when open an ideal insulator Contact design prevents current chopping
Minimize liabilities	Nonflammable insulating SF6 gas will not support combustion in the event of a short circuit inside the switch This will guard against possible costly liabilities relative to adjacent electrical apparatus, private property, high-rise buildings, schools, extended outages, etc.
Lightweight	Estimated at approximately 100 lbs. per three-phase way or 1/7 that of an equivalent oil switch
Flexibility	Not position-sensitive—may be mounted on floors, from walls or ceiling with complete elbow operating flexibility
Installation time	Less than half when compared with oil switches
Circuitry	Accommodates four three-phase or single-phase circuits with many switching combinations in one compact enclosure
Switching operations	Approximately 25 times greater than that obtained with liquid switching mediums
Controls	Include short stroke manual, remote control manual, electric automatic, spring loaded automatic for new or retrofit operations
Automation	Control intelligence includes all conventional PTs, CTs and relays
Pad-mounted	Low profile enclosures include VACpac switchgear with tap fusing and/or relay protection schemes incorporating elbow switching concepts
Heavy gas	SF6 is heavier than air and will not “leak upward"
Operating mechanism	Low energy requirements to switch vacuum interrupters permit long operating life Provides positive quick make-break switching
Fault energy withstand	A vacuum switch failure can withstand an energy let-thru in SF6 gas 200 times greater than that of a liquid insulating medium
Reduced voltage	Higher voltage rated VACpac switchgear may be operated at reduced voltages in anticipation of a future voltage conversion
Application	High voltage switching manual and/or remote for subsurface, surface and vertical distribution circuits
Turnkey package systems	Switch complete with controls, accessories and terminations (Cables not included)

Test notes
a. This testing exceeds the requirements of ANSI C37.71 for submersible switchgear
b. The number of switching functions for various circuit conditions were in excess of 360 operations
c. The 6 fault close operations exceed by a factor of 2 maximum requirements for submersible switchgear
d. When the testing was discontinued, the test switch was yet electrically and mechanically sound
Interrupting Tests	Amperes	Operations
a. Load switching — Close and Open	600	20
	300	30
	50	10
b. Magnetizing current — Open only	21	10
b. Magnetizing current — Open only	7	10
c. Cable Charging Current — Close and Open	25	20
Mechanical operation test
a. Close and Open	-0-	50
b. High potential @ 30 kV — Open	—	OK
Momentary current test
a. Calibration — Closed	12,000	3
b. 10-cycle duration — Closed	20,000	9
Making current test (Fault Close)
a. Reduced voltage — Close	10,000	2
b. Full voltage — Close	20,000	3
Withstand test
a. High potential @ 42 kV — Open	—	OK
Thermal runaway test
a. Continuous loading	600	OK
Thermal stability — Closed
Mechanical operations test
a. Close and Open	-0-	200
b. Continuity — Closed	-0-	OK
c. High potential @ 38 kV — Open	-0-	OK
Making current test (Fault Close)
a. Reduced voltage — Close	10,000	3
b. Full voltage — Close	20,000	3

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VACpac Vacuum Switchgear

Core features

Application versatility

Fully submersible and maintenance-free

Ratings

Standard features

Optional accessories

Features and benefits

Performance tests

Catalogs

Product specification guides

Need product support?

New to switchgear?

Emergency and storm shipments

Select your location

Africa

Asia

Central America and Caribbean

Europe

Middle East

North America

Oceania

South America

VACpac Vacuum Switchgear

Core features

Application versatility

Fully submersible and maintenance-free

Ratings

Standard features

Optional accessories

Features and benefits

Performance tests

Catalogs

Product specification guides

Need product support?

New to switchgear?

Emergency and storm shipments

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