Rotoblok VCB - a new generation of medium voltage switchgear (MV)

Rotoblok VCB - a new generation of medium voltage switchgear (MV)

Modern, indoor medium voltage switchgear intended for distribution of three-phase alternating current with a frequency of 50 Hz, at a rated voltage up to 25 kV, in industrial and commercial power sector distribution grids. The modular design of the Rotoblok VCB switchgear bays enables and allows any configuration and combination with the Rotoblok and Rotoblok SF switchgear bay product range.

Characteristics and advantages

Characteristics and advantages

The Rotoblok VCB type switchgear is a two compartment, indoors switchgear in metal enclosure made of zinc-coated metal sheet, with a single primary busbars system. The switchgear is an air insulated switchgear (AIS) with compact dimensions, ensured by the use of an innovative three function medium voltage isolator switch which replaces three devices used previously: circuit breaker, disconnector and earthing switch. For the quenching of electric arc vacuum chambers built into resin insulators are used, which in turn are installed on a common rotating shaft, which can be used as a disconnector. A system of mechanical interlocks prevents incorrect switching operations, and opening of the distribution bay doors before voltage is disconnected and the earthing switch is closed. Custom design and used materials guarantee high durability and reliability, but mainly very high safety.

The distribution bays have the following properties:

  • the use of a state-of-the-art TGI type device (manufactured by ZPUE S.A.) which combines three functions: circuit breaker, disconnector and earthing switch,
  • miniaturisation of bay dimensions, and therefore switchgear dimensions while maintaining high electrical and utility parameters (the main width of Rotoblok VCB bay is only 500 mm),
  • the interlock system is limited to a single device,
  • the device may be controlled locally or remotely (e.g. by radio),
  • high safety of operation is ensured by forcing of correct witching operations,
  • two visible, full insulation air gaps ensure the highest level of safety,
  • the device in off and open position provides by itself a mechanical and isolating partition between the primary busbar compartment and the cable connections part
  • improvement of reliability by elimination of multiple mechanical and electrical interlocks,
  • simplification and improvement of reliability of construction through elimination of many busbar connections,
  • long operating period without the need for troublesome maintenance operations,
  • the main apparatus shaft (circuit breaker + switch disconnector) can be replaced quickly and simply during service operations,
  • high corrosion resistance, the switchgear design uses metal sheet which has been zinc-coated for corrosion protection,
  • adapted for the installation of state of the art protection and control devices by various manufacturers,
  • the possibility of wall-mounting of the switchgear, saving space in the switching room is particularly important during retrofits and expansions of existing switching stations,
  • easy and quick access to switchgear devices for supervision and maintenance,
  • simple operation.
Basic technical data

Basic technical data

Compliance with standards:

The Rotoblok VCB type switchgear meets the requirements of the following standards:

  • (PN-EN) IEC 62271-1 - “High-voltage switchgear and controlgear. Common specifications”,
  • (PN-EN) IEC 62271-100 - “High-voltage switchgear and controlgear. Alternating-current circuit-breakers”,
  • (PN-EN) IEC 62271-200 - “High-voltage switchgear and controlgear. AC metal-enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV”,

The switchgear is certified by the Electrotechnical Institute.

Technical data
Rated network voltage 20 kV
Highest device voltage 25 kV
Rated frequency / number of phases 50 Hz / 3
Rated short-time network frequency withstand voltage 50 kV / 60 kV
Rated withstand lightning surge voltage 1.2/50 μs 125 kV / 145 kV
Continuous rated current 630 A
Rated short-time withstand current up to 16 kA (3s) / up to 20 kA (1s)
Rated peak withstand current up to 50 kA
Resistance to internal arc effects AFLR up to 16 kA (1s)
IP 43 protection rating up to IP4X
Service conditions:
Ambient temperature
- peak short-time
 + 40°C
- highest day average
 + 35°C
- highest annual average
 + 20°C
- lowest long-term
 - 25°C1)
Relative humidity of air
- highest day average
 95%
- highest month average
 90%
- highest day average vapour pressure
 2,2 kPa
- highest month average vapour pressure
 1,8 kPa
Atmosphere at the place of installation no significant contamination with salt, vapour,
dust, smoke, flammable or corrosive
gasses and lack of icing,
frosting and dewing
Installation altitude up to 1000 m asl2)
Vibrations vibrations caused by external
factors or earthquakes negligible

Note:
*1) Unless the manufacturer of instrumentation & control and protection devices has specified otherwise.
*2) If the switchgear installation altitude is higher than 1000 m ASL the switchgear insulation level should corrected by an indicator in accordance with the guidelines of item 2.2.1 of the PN-EN 62271-1 standard.

View of the switch

View of the switch

View of the switch

Rotoblok VCB view of the switch

View of the main insulation shaft with a vacuum circuit breaker

Rotoblok VCB view of the main insulation shaft with a vacuum circuit breaker

1 - Insulating main shaft with circuit breaker
2 - Switch drive
3 - Vacuum chamber of the circuit breaker
4 - Resin insulators
5 - Lower earthing switch
6 - Zinc-coated steel frame
7 - Circuit breaker ON button
8 - Circuit breaker OFF button
9 - Disconnector socket

10 - Earthing switch socket and indication
11 - Circuit breaker spring charging socket
12 - Spring charging indication
13 - Plug connections for secondary circuits
14 - Circuit breaker position indicator
15 - Disconnector position indicator

Device operating positions

Device operating positions

“On” position - closed

Rotoblok VCB - Device operating positions - “On” position - closed

“Off” position - closed

Rotoblok VCB - Device operating positions - “Off” position - closed

“Off” position - open

Rotoblok VCB - Device operating positions - “Off” position - open

Earthed position

Rotoblok VCB - Device operating positions - Earthed position

Rotoblok VCB switchgear bay variants

Rotoblok VCB switchgear bay variants

VCB 1

VCB 1

Electrical diagram
Electrical diagram Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 1 bay variant
Front view
Front view Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 1 bay variant

Note:
These pictures present exemplary bay equipment. It is possible to configure the bays to the customer’s needs. In such cases, please contact the manufacturer to request pictures.
Optional equipment is marked with red.

  1. Using 24 kV supportive current transformers instead of bushing transformers.
  2. Using a fuse base above the voltage transformers.
  3. Using voltage transformers.
  4. A TGI 24 apparatus with current transformers can be located on the right side of the bay.
  5. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 17,5 kV and Rotoblok SF bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950mm, and the depth is 950 mm. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 24 bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950 mm, and depth 1150 mm.
VCB 2(31))

VCB 2(31))

Electrical diagram
Electrical diagram Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 2 bay variant
Front view
Front view Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 1 bay variant

Note:
These pictures present exemplary bay equipment. It is possible to configure the bays to the customer’s needs. In such cases, please contact the manufacturer to request pictures.
Optional equipment is marked with red.

  1. Using 24 kV supportive current transformers instead of bushing transformers.
  2. Using a fuse base above the voltage transformers.
  3. Using voltage transformers.
  4. A TGI 24 apparatus with current transformers can be located on the right side of the bay.
  5. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 17,5 kV and Rotoblok SF bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950mm, and the depth is 950 mm. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 24 bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950 mm, and depth 1150 mm.
VCB 5(6*2))

VCB 5(6*2))

Electrical diagram
Electrical diagram Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 5 bay variant
Front view
Front view Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 5 bay variant

Note:
These pictures present exemplary bay equipment. It is possible to configure the bays to the customer’s needs. In such cases, please contact the manufacturer to request pictures.
Optional equipment is marked with red.

  1. Using 24 kV supportive current transformers instead of bushing transformers.
  2. Using a fuse base above the voltage transformers.
  3. Using voltage transformers.
  4. A TGI 24 apparatus with current transformers can be located on the right side of the bay.
  5. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 17,5 kV and Rotoblok SF bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950mm, and the depth is 950 mm. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 24 bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950 mm, and depth 1150 mm.
VCB O5

VCB O5

Electrical diagram
Electrical diagram Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 05 bay variant
Front view
Front view Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB 05 bay variant

Notice:
These pictures present exemplary bay equipment. It is possible to configure the bays to the customer’s needs. In such cases, please contact the manufacturer to request pictures.
Optional equipment is marked with red.

  1. Using 24 kV supportive current transformers instead of bushing transformers.
  2. Using a fuse base above the voltage transformers.
  3. Using voltage transformers.
  4. A TGI 24 apparatus with current transformers can be located on the right side of the bay.
  5. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 17,5 kV and Rotoblok SF bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950mm, and the depth is 950 mm. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 24 bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950 mm, and depth 1150 mm.
VCB S1L(P4))

VCB S1L(P4))

Electrical diagram
Electrical diagram Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB S1L bay variant
Front view
Front view Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB S1L bay variant

Note:
These pictures present exemplary bay equipment. It is possible to configure the bays to the customer’s needs. In such cases, please contact the manufacturer to request pictures.
Optional equipment is marked with red.

  1. Using 24 kV supportive current transformers instead of bushing transformers.
  2. Using a fuse base above the voltage transformers.
  3. Using voltage transformers.
  4. A TGI 24 apparatus with current transformers can be located on the right side of the bay.
  5. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 17,5 kV and Rotoblok SF bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950mm, and the depth is 950 mm. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 24 bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950 mm, and depth 1150 mm.
VCB S3L(P4))

VCB S3L(P4))

Electrical diagram
Electrical diagram Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB S3L bay variant
Front view
Front view Rotoblok VCB switchgear - VCB S3L bay variant

Note:
These pictures present exemplary bay equipment. It is possible to configure the bays to the customer’s needs. In such cases, please contact the manufacturer to request pictures.
Optional equipment is marked with red.

  1. Using 24 kV supportive current transformers instead of bushing transformers.
  2. Using a fuse base above the voltage transformers.
  3. Using voltage transformers.
  4. A TGI 24 apparatus with current transformers can be located on the right side of the bay.
  5. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 17,5 kV and Rotoblok SF bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950mm, and the depth is 950 mm. When the Rotoblok VCB bays are connected with Rotoblok 24 bays, the height of the switchgear bay is 1950 mm, and depth 1150 mm.
Examples of the switchgear Rotoblok VCB in combination with the Rotoblok switchgear and Rotoblok SF

Examples of the switchgear Rotoblok VCB in combination with the Rotoblok switchgear and Rotoblok SF

Electrical diagram
Examples of the switchgear Rotoblok VCB - Electrical diagram
Front view
Examples of the switchgear Rotoblok VCB - Front view
Electrical diagram
Examples of the switchgear Rotoblok VCB - Electrical diagram
Front view
Examples of the switchgear Rotoblok VCB - Front view

MV switchgear (medium voltage)

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