Overview

The Southern States CapSwitcher®, a capacitor switching device specifically designed to meet the power quality needs of today’s electrical systems, has become a prefered switching method for medium and high voltage capacitors. This special purpose SF6 capacitor switcher is available for application on single bank or back-to-back banks. Its closing resistors provide transient mitigation to minimize the detrimental effects of voltage transients, including voltage magnification, on sensitive equipment such as computers, CNC machines, and variable speed drives. It also minimizes the detrimental effects of current transients on utility equipment such as circuit breaker contacts, power transformer cores and coils, etc. Other key features of this device include circuit making in SF6 rather than in air, reliable long-life operation utilizing a mechanically gang operated spring-spring mechanism , and single gap per phase puffer interrupters having long contact life and multi-time fault closing capability. The CapSwitcher®’s use of a closing resistor significantly reduces the inrush current, thus eliminating the need for inrush current reactors that are often required for use with breakers and other switching devices.

Features

Closing resistors provide the most reliable and consistently repeatable voltage and current transient suppression available in the market
Designed and tested for restrike-free performance
Makes and breaks circuit in SF6 gas rather than in air
Simple, cost effective, mechanical design provides repeatability
Closing resistor eliminates the need for inrush reactors
Long life span (10,000 operations)
Availability of multiple resistor sizes allows performance optimization
Sensor on each interrupter provides auto-trip or lockout on low gas pressure
Gas monitoring provided on all designs
Integrated capacitor control available for some ratings
Separate control cabinet provides ground level access to control components
Optional Capacitor Bank Control (VAR, Voltage, Current, TOD, Temp, SCADA)
Designed to mount on new or existing capacitor bank racks
Each unit is completely assembled and tested at the factory with only the disassembly required to accommodate shipment restrictions being performed
Straight forward mechanical design insures long life, repeatable operation
Ships assembled and pressurized minimizing installation and setup