Disconnecting Circuit Breakers help Transpower to solve corrosion problem

How DCBs eliminated the impact of corrosive environmental factors and increased grid reliability at Transpower’s high-voltage substations

Many substations in New Zealand are exposed to wind borne salt, agricultural pollutants from fertilizers and sulphur dioxide from volcanic activity. As a result, the corrosion in the open air contacts used in high-voltage disconnectors at these substations leads to significant maintenance requirements and down time. Transpower, New Zealand’s national power transmission operator faced this problem and introduced ABB’s Disconnecting Circuit Breakers to help solve it. A Disconnecting Circuit Breaker (DCB) provides the functionality of a circuit breaker and a disconnector combined in a single unit.

Take a look at the following video to how the DCBs function and how they are installed.

Due to New Zealand’s high level of seismic activity Transpower adopted the IEEE 693-2005 HIGH standard for all their switchgear. ABB’s DCB together with the current transformers, were earth quake tested and verified in an independent laboratory before delivery.

 

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We invite you to take the opportunity to visit the new High Voltage web portal

 

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About the author

Sophie A.Blomgren

I am the global marketing communication manager for Product Group Breaker and Modules in ABB's High Voltage Products business. I have been with the company for the past 15 years in different roles. I live by the mantra " you always learn something new every day
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