Low voltage RN-W type switchgears

The subject of this page is an RN-W type low voltage switchgear intended to supply LV electrical devices. This type of switchgear is widely used in municipal transformer stations, in industrial plants, department stores and other facilities.

Characteristics and system of interlocks

Characteristics

  • possibility of visual inspection of the condition of cable connections without opening the switchgear,
  • all cable connections are made in the lower part of the switchgear,
  • small dimensions, compact construction,
  • possibility of metering the current at the outgoing circuits,
  • possibility of safe replacement of a damaged switch disconnector without having to de-energise the switchgear,
  • possibility of expanding the unit while live,
  • cable connections without crimping of cable terminals,
  • may operate with TN–S, TN–C, TN–C–S, TT and IT type low voltage cable grids,
  • possibility of feeding the outgoing cables upwards,
  • fuse slot powered ahead of the switching device installed on the enclosure of the incoming unit.

System of interlocks

High level of safety was achieved by:

  • an interlock which allows the replacement of fuses only in a dead state, after circuit disconnection, without having to use a special grip,
  • secure grounding of lower switch disconnector terminals (outgoing feeders) by installation of earthing devices,
  • rapid de-energising of the entire switchgear under full load through the use of a quick-acting visible gap switch disconnector,
  • possibility of locking the switch disconnector in an open state, preventing accidental energisation,
  • the use of an interlock between the doors and the main switch disconnector (when an INP-1250 switch disconnector is used), enabling the opening of doors only when the switch disconnector is off.

Switchgear design

Switchgear design

The switchgear enclosure is made with bent zinc aluminium sheet elements riveted together, ensuring equipotential bonding.

The switchgear is configured using independent modules (incoming, outgoing, metering, etc.), enabling easy expansion of existing units and design of new units.

Electrical equipment

  • The incoming module may use the following devices:
    • INP-1250, INP-1600 or INP-2000 switch disconnectors — as standard,
    • or others on arrangement with the manufacturer,
    • MCCB 630 to 1600 A circuit breakers,
    • ACB 630 to 1600 A circuit breakers,
  • the outgoing bays may use the following devices:
    • ARS size 00 to 3 manufactured by Apator S.A. — as standard,
    • BTVC size 00 to 3 manufactured by Pronutec — as standard,
    • 3 NSL-E size 00 to 3 manufactured by EFEN — as standard,
    • or others on arrangement with the manufacturer.
  • Additionally the switchgear may be equipped with:
    • current and voltage control metering,
    • semi-indirect energy metering system,
    • area lighting module,
    • capacitor bank,
    • capacitor for transformer no-load compensation.
  • Busbar connections are made with copper flat bars with a cross-section adapted to rated currents,
  • In case of ARS, BTVC, NSL-E type switch disconnectors it is possible to install two size 00 switch disconnectors instead of a single size 1 to 3 switch disconnector with no changes to the switchgear design.

Basic technical data

Compliance with standards:

The RN-W type switchgear meets the requirements of the following standards:

  • PN-EN 61439-1 - „Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. General rules”,
  • PN-EN 61439-2 - „Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies”,
  • PN-EN 61439-5 - „Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. Assemblies for power distribution in public networks”,
  • PN-EN 50274 - „Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. Protection against electric shock. Protection against unintentional direct contact with hazardous live parts”,
  • PN-EN 62262 - „Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts (IK code)”.
  • PN-EN 60529 - „Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)”,
Electrical data
Rated insulation voltage 1000 V
Rated switching voltage 400 V / 690V / 800V
Test impulse withstand voltage 8 kV
Rated frequency 50 Hz
Rated current of the switchgear 1250 A / 1600 A / 2000 A
Rated short-time withstand current 35 kA (1s)
Rated peak withstand current do 77 kA

Mechanical data
Dimensions Width depending on the configuration
Height from 1275 up to 2075 mm
Depth 270 / 320 / 400 mm
IP protection rating IP2X / IP4X
IK protection rating up tp IK 10
Surface protection

framework: Aluzinc or painted steel sheet
covers: Aluzinc or painted steel sheet
front panels: plastic

Powder painting (option) standard - RAL 7035
other colours on request
Plastic components Halogen-free, self-extinguishing,
fire-resistant, CFC-free

Service conditions:
Ambient temperature
    - lower limit of ambient temperature
    - upper limit of ambient temperature
    - average daily ambient temperatures over 24 hours
ambient temperature
-5oC (-25oC)1)
+40oC
-5oC up to 35oC
Relative humidity up to 50% (at a temp. of 40oC)
Installation altitude up to 1000 m n.p.m.
Atmosphere at the place of installation free from chemically aggressive and
conducting dust, fumes and gases

2) - Depending on the devices used..

At the customer's request it is possible to design a switchgear adapted to other conditions.

Functional modules of the switchgear

Functional modules of the switchgear

The switchgear is composed of independent elements (modules) which may be assembled into various sets. The basic modules of the RN-W switchgear include:

  • outgoing module,
  • incoming module,
  • metering module,
  • other modules, e.g. area lighting, installation devices, automation, etc.

Design options of individual elements are presented in tables.

Outgoing (connection) module

Outgoing (connection) moduleBetween 5 and 12 fuse switch disconnectors of various manufacturers can be installed in the outgoing module, size 1 to 3 with transformers. Outgoing modules can be combined into sets.

Outgoing module
Module name Number of disconnectors for installation from size 1 to 3 (size 00) Dimensions [mm] [ width x height x depth] Notes
Standard design
CO-5 5 (10) 550 x 1275 x 400 (320) For ARS, BTVC and NSL switch
disconnectors it is possible to install
two size 00 switch disconnectors
instead of one size 1 to 3 switch
disconnector.
CO-10 10 (20) 1100 x 1275 x 400 (320)
Special construction
CO-6 6 (12) 700 x 1275 x 400 (320) For ARS, BTVC and NSL switch
disconnectors it is possible to install
two size 00 switch disconnectors
instead of one size 1 to 3 switch
disconnector.
CO-7 7 (14) 800 x 1275 x 400 (320)
CO-8 8 (16) 900 x 1275 x 400 (320)
CO-9 9 (18) 1000 x 1275 x 400 (320)
CO-12 12 (24) 1300 x 1275 x 400 (320)
CZO-1 9 (18) 1100 x 1275 x 400 (320) The incoming/outgoing module
adapted to the installation of
an NH – latr 910 type switch
disconnector and size 1 to 3
disconnectors. Details, see figure 1.
CZO-2 10 (20) 1650 x 1275 x 400 (320) The incoming/outgoing module
adapted to the installation of
an INP-1250 switch disconnector
and size 1 to 3 outgoing switch
disconnectors. Details, see figure 2.
CO-...XX 0 XXX x 1275 x 400 (320) Outgoing module adapted to the
installation of 2 or 3 compact circuit
breakers from 250 to 630 A. Details,
see figure 3.
Module name and
dimensions depend on the type
and number of installed switch
disconnectors.

Sizes of the used fuse links and cables when cable connections are used. V-klema type depends on the device type:

Device group Current ranges of the fuse links Max. cable cross-section
GR. 00 6 ÷ 160 A up to 95 mm2 (depending on the device type)
GR. 1 6 ÷ 250 A 240 mm2 (300 mm2 — in case of a wire with
a sector cross-section)
GR. 2 63 ÷ 400 A
GR. 3 250 ÷ 630 A

Examples of custom design:

Figure 1 - CZO-1 incoming/outgoing module with an NH – latr 910 switch disconnector
CZO-1 incoming/outgoing module with an NH – latr 910 switch disconnector
CZO-1 incoming/outgoing module with an NH – latr 910 switch disconnector
Figure 2 - CZO-2 incoming/outgoing module with a switch disconnector
CZO-2 incoming/outgoing module with a switch disconnector
CZO-2 incoming/outgoing module with a switch disconnector

Additional equipment is marked with red

Figure 3 – CO-3 Outgoing module with switch disconnectors
CO-3 Outgoing module with switch disconnectors
CO-3 Outgoing module with switch disconnectors

Additional equipment is marked with red

Incoming compartment (incoming module)

Incoming compartment (incoming module)

In the incoming module, an INP 1000–2000 switch disconnector or other manufacturer's switch disconnector (after consultation) or compact circuit breaker with rated current (630 – 1600 A) can be installed. The circuit breaker or switch disconnector can be equipped with a motor-drive mechanism. It is also possible to install ammeters, voltmeters or a network analyser.

Incoming module
Module name Installed device Dimensions [mm] [ width x height x depth] Notes
Standard design
CZ-1 INP 1250 or other
switch disconnector
550 x 675 x 400 (320) The possibility of installation
of current transformers, ammeters,
voltmeter and transformers for
semi-indirect energy metering.
Custom design
CZ-4 630–1600 A compact
circuit-breaker
550 x 675 x 400 (320) Drive on the doors, current
transformers may not be
installed
CZ-5 630–1600 A compact
circuit-breaker*)
550 x 800 x 400 (320) As for standard design
CZ-6 INP 1250 or other
switch disconnector*)
1100 x 1275 x 400 (320) As for standard design, additionally
installation circuit interlocks may be
installed for the station's auxiliary
circuits. Details, see figure 4.
CZ-9 630–1600 A compact
circuit-breaker*)
550 x 1275 x 400 (320) As above.
Details, see figure 5.

*) - the devices used in the switchgear can be equipped with a motor drive, after prior consultation with the manufacturer.


Examples of custom designs:

Figure 4 – CZ-6 incoming/outgoing module with a switch disconnector
CZ-6 incoming/outgoing module with a switch disconnector
CZ-6 incoming/outgoing module with a switch disconnector

Additional equipment is marked with red

Figure 5 – CZ-9 incoming/outgoing module with compact circuit breakers
CZ-9 incoming/outgoing module with compact circuit breakers
CZ-9 incoming/outgoing module with compact circuit breakers

Additional equipment is marked with red

Metering compartment (metering module)

Metering compartment (metering module)

The metering module is used to install an energy meter for billing purposes, designed as a panel for installation of one to four meters. The metering system is also equipped with a metering terminal block, e.g. SKa, and voltage circuits protection.

Metering module
Module name Installed device Dimensions [mm] [ width x height x depth] Notes
Standard design
TP-1 1 or 2 electricity meters 550 x 675 x 400 (320) Details, see figure 6.
Custom design
TP-2 3 electricity meters 750 x 675 x 400 (320) Details, see figure 7.
TP-3 3 or 4 electricity meters 1100 x 675 x 400 (320) Details, see figure 8.

Examples of custom design:

Figure 6 – TP-1 metering panel
TP-1 metering panel
TP-1 metering panel
Figure 7 – TP-2 metering panel
TP-2 metering panel
TP-2 metering panel
Figure 8 – TP-3 metering panel
TP-3 metering panel
TP-3 metering panel

Other compartments and additional elements

In the RN-W switchgear other modules may be installed in standard dimension cabinets, e.g.:

  • area lighting module,
  • installation outgoing feeders module,
  • automation module,
  • ATS system module,
  • Others
Other modules
Module name Equipment Dimensions [mm]
[width x height x depth]
Notes
Standard design
TO Area lighting module 550 x 1275 x 400 (320) Installed device.
Details, see figure 9.
Custom design
TI-1 Installation switch disconnectors
or circuit breaker
550 x 675 x 400 (320) 2 rows of modular devices
Each row can be equipped
with 22 devices with a width
of 18 mm
TI-2 Installation switch disconnectors
or circuit breaker
550 x 1275 x 400 (320) 4 rows of modular devices
Each row can be equipped
with 22 devices with a width
of 18 mm
TA-1
TA-2
Automation system 550 x 675 x 400 (320)
550 x 1275 x 400 (320)
The design of the system to be
agreed upon with the manufacturer
TSZR Automatic transfer
switching system
550 x 1275 x 400 (320) The design of the system to be
agreed upon with the manufacturer
TX Other systems 550 x 675 x 400 (320)
550 x 1275 x 400 (320)
To be agreed with
the manufacturer
Figure 9 – TO area lighting module
TO area lighting module
TO area lighting module

Additional equipment of the RN-W switchgear

Busbar bridge cover

Busbar bridge cover
A cover for leading the busbar power supply out of the switchgear. Provides an IP20 protection rating and protects the personnel against touching of live elements.

Cable frame

Cable frame
A frame enabling the feeding of cables into the switchgear in rooms without cable trays. The cable frame height “a” depends on the bending radius of the cables.


The RN-W switchgears are designed for indoors installation. They can be placed directly on concrete flooring of the facility. Regardless of the type of foundation, switchgears must be placed exactly horizontally (maximum deviation may not exceed 2mm over 1 m of base length). The switchgear should be fixed to the foundation with 4 M8 bolts in locations shown on figure 11. The power supply is provided at the top of the switchgear with busbars.

NOTE: Busbar connections to the switchgear must be protected from direct contact (using the original cover or one made by the installer), minimum IP20 protection rating.

Phase cables are connected directly to devices' terminals. The connection height is shown on figure 12.

The devices are adapted to connection of cables up to 95 mm2 for size 00 devices (depending on the type of device) and to connect cables with a cross-section up to 240 mm2 (300 mm2 conductor with a sector cross-section) for size 1–3 devices.

Figure 11 – Arrangement of holes in the foundation for the installation of RN-W switchgear
Arrangement of holes in the foundation for the installation of RN-W switchgear
Figure 12 – Height of the cable connection terminals
Height of the cable connection terminals
Additional information