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Load Interrupter Switch for Medium Voltage Generators
2

Load Interrupter Switch for Medium Voltage Generators

Load Interrupter Switch for Medium Voltage Generators

(OP)
I have 4 medium voltage generators (13.8KV) connected to a paralleling switchgear. The generator's manufacturer is recommending to use a load interrupter switch, SF6 type,  rather than a simple safety disconnect switch on each generator. I know that the circuit breakers in the paralleling switchgear provides protection to the generators, i.e. excitacion loss, etc. What is the purpose of using this load interrupter? Thanks  

RE: Load Interrupter Switch for Medium Voltage Generators

Most air switches in medium voltage switchgear are designed for load interruption as well. They may be using SF6 interrupters to reduce physical size.

RE: Load Interrupter Switch for Medium Voltage Generators

(OP)
I guess my question is, why the manufacturer is worried about protecting each generator with a load interrupter switch when it's known that the medium voltage circuit breakers in the paralleling switchgear provide that protection. Why not to use a simple safety disconnect switch normally closed, used for maintenance purposes only, and is cheaper compared to a load interrupter switch?. Thanks  

RE: Load Interrupter Switch for Medium Voltage Generators

Could be as simple as the SF6 interrupter is the standard design and they are trying to save the cost of engineering a custom product when their standard offering exceeds the requirement of the custom design.
  

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RE: Load Interrupter Switch for Medium Voltage Generators

They should be able to omit it if you don't want it.

If this is a packaged genset, sometimes they have integrated electronic protection relays which might be wired to open the interrupter. If so, you would need to provide an alternative interrupter/breaker wired to their controller or other protection that meets their requirements (and yours).

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