GENERAL ELECTRIC'S POWER/VAC METALCLAD SWITCHGEAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 25
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 16, 2007
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: August 1, 1976
• Content Type: MISC

Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 I Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
muci ai i. is ti is J
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
General Electric metalclad switchgear has long been
the standard of excellence for medium-voltage power 19
circuit protection and control. Since the introduction of
WMI
metalclad design in 40 years.
U03
The most si nifi t
POWER/VACS Metalclad$wilge
the first vertical lift metalclad switchgear design in 1928, '
General Electric has led the industry in making tech-
nological improvements to assure the highest quality asp
product to meet customer needs.
Consistent with its dedication to continually improve
switchgear quality and performance, General Electric 1MU 4A
switchgear, the most significant new metalclad design
in 40 years. It represents a marriage of General
Electric's proven vacuum interruption technology and
its years of experience in the design, production
and application of medium-voltage switchgear.
r
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
The complete POWER/VAC Metalclad Switchgear line is
being introduced on a planned schedule through June 1977,
beginning with the availability of the 4.16 kV-250 MVA and
13.8 kV-500 MVA ratings in September 1976. Thus, not all
ratings listed herein were immediately available at the time
of printing of this publication (August 1976). Announcements
will be made as each new rating becomes available. Contact
your General Electric sales engineer for availability of
specific ratings during the introduction period.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
General Electric POWER/VAC metalclad switchgear
provides the time-honored advantages of metalclad
switchgear-safety, flexibility, quality and economy-
plus the benefits of GE vacuum interruption-relia-
bility, simplicity, less maintenance and reduced size
and weight. These benefits have been blended into
a metalclad design that:
^ offers two-tier breaker stacking for added appli-
cation freedom and significant floor space savings
^ incorporates standardized modular construction to
simplify station planning and provide installation
economies
^ features pre-engineered protection, instrumenta-
tion and control packages for the majority of
applications.
By design, there is no equal to General Electric's
POWER/VAC metalclad switchgear. Its many new
features minimize engineering time while providing
effective circuit protection based on established
engineering practice and the use of high-quality
devices.
Metalclad safety
GE POWER/VAC switchgear
is designed, assembled and
tested to applicable
ANSI, IEEE and
NEMA standards. It
incorporates full com-
partmentation with
primary functions segregated by grounded metal
barriers. No live parts are exposed and safety inter-
locks are provided throughout. These features plus
totally-enclosed arc interruption in vacuum provide
a new standard of value for safety.
Metalclad flexibility 1
GE POWER/VAC switchgear
has been designed to meet a
wide variety of protection and
switching applications. These
include radial, main and transfer,
and feeder tie. All functional
units such as incoming line,
feeder, bus-tie, bus-entrance
and auxiliary units are
available, assuring your system planning engineer
complete application flexibility. These basic func-
tions plus the versatility of two-tier breaker stacking
add up to a new standard of value in application.
Metalclad quality
Modular design of GE metalclad
switchgear coupled with highly-
tooled parts and standardized
production techniques offers
dual benefits: maximum product
flexibility plus high quality. In fact,
General Electric's wealth of metal-
clad experience plus the improved
design and producibility features
of POWER/VAC switchgear have set
the pace for a new level of quality for the
decades ahead.
Metalclad economy
Factory assembled
metalclad switchgear
equipment has, histor-
ically, provided attrac-
tive installation, mainte-
nance and performance
economies. POWER/VAC
switchgear does this and more
by meeting system needs with
smaller, lighter, more compact equipment.
Switchgear...PLUS!
POWER/VAC is metalclad but with an extra measure
of value in safety, flexibility, quality and economy.
In total, it makes POWER/VAC the new standard of
excellence in metalclad switchgear.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
These superior design features are standard
with GE POWER! VAC switchgear.
Unique two-tier construction adds application
flexibility and can provide substantial floor-space
savings for most installations. Breaker and auxiliary
units can be mixed, top and bottom; and, depending
on rating, breakers can be stacked two-high. In
addition, a single, basic unit size is used for all
switchgear ratings, functions and circuit configura-
tions-a valuable asset in planning and layout of
your switchgear requirements.
In switchgear equipment, safety and reliability go
hand in hand. Complete compartmentation of primary
functions in GE's simplified POWER/VAC switchgear
design enhances operator safety while increasing
reliability.
Compartmentation barriers isolate each unit from
adjacent units. Within each unit, the breaker, bus,
cables, control and potential transformers and panel
devices are isolated by metal barriers. These bar-
riers, basic to metalclad switchgear, increase
operator safety by preventing inadvertent access to
energized parts and improve reliability by confining
fault damage, thus reducing outage time.
General Electric POWER/VAC switchgear begins
with a rugged steel frame. All right-angle joints are
reinforced with steel gussets for added strength and
dimensional integrity. Metal barriers provide the
necessary compartmentation of major functions.
In addition, a thoroughly tested insulation system
utilizes carefully selected, coordinated and quality
controlled materials. All these features help make
long term reliability a reality.
Relays and instrumentation are effectively com-
partmentalized by the breaker front panel. Open
doors are securely held with positive stops so
breakers can be inserted and withdrawn without dam-
aging control, indication and protection devices.
Breakers move into position on side rails.
Positive stops are provided in the test/disconnected
and connected positions. Movement to the con-
nected position is accomplished with a simple,
rugged jackscrew racking mechanism which can
be manually or electrically operated from the front of
the unit with the door closed.
A simple portable lifting device facilitates handling
of the lightweight breaker element when placing it
in the compartment or removing it for maintenance
or inspection.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
1. Main bus compartment is completely isolated by
metal and track-resistant polyester barriers. These
rugged, molded polyester barriers also serve as
high-strength bus supports. Bus bars are insulated
with high dielectric, thermosetting epoxy insulation,
applied using the fluidized-bed process. All bus bar
joints have silver-to-silver connections for positive
contact and low resistance, and are insulated with
vinyl boots. Porcelain insulation to ground is pro-
vided as standard in the 15 kV class equipment.
2. Grounded metal safety shutters, located behind
a polyester glass shutter barrier, isolate the primary
disconnects as the breaker is moved from the con-
nected position. The shutters are positive-actuated
and prevent accidental contact with the energized
primary disconnects when the breaker is removed.
3. Cable compartment in a basic two-breaker
vertical section has ample space for termination of
two 750 MOM cables per phase, including stress-
cone makeup, or pothead installation. Standard
extension compartments can be added for additional
space, if required. Of course, the entire cable area
space is available for use when only one breaker is
supplied in a vertical section.
In double-breaker equipments a vertical steel
duct serves as a pull-box and barrier for the rear-
most set of cables. This duct is easily removed to
facilitate initial installation, but is designed to be left
in place in most situations requiring access to the
"inside" terminations.
NEMA drilling is provided at all cable connection
points. No terminals are supplied as part of a basic
unit but a wide variety of optional terminals, pot-
heads and other terminations are available.
4. Secondary disconnects combine the positive-
contact reliability of a plug with the automatic,
self-aligning convenience of sliding-type contacts.
The movable plug remains engaged between the
connected and test/disconnected positions, then is
easily disengaged by a simple linkage operable from
the front of the circuit breaker.
5. Current transformers are safely isolated behind
the shutter barrier. Two CT's per phase can be
accommodated on both the line and load sides of
the breaker. CT's are front-accessible after removal
of the shutter barrier.
6. Breaker lifting is accomplished using a portable
lifting device. The portable lift doubles as a transfer
truck to transport the breaker and is suitable for use
on indoor or outdoor installations.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
New breakers are smaller, safer to operate
than conventional units.
The new vacuum breaker developed for POWER/VAC
switchgear is a high-performance, compact device.
Only 33 inches high, 30 inches wide and 28 inches
deep, the breaker is significantly smaller than con-
ventional medium-voltage drawout circuit breakers.
And not only is it small, but it's lightweight, too.
Breaker weights range from 550 to 780 pounds de-
pending on continuous current rating. Designed
and thoroughly tested to applicable ANSI, IEEE and
NEMA standards, the POWER/VAC breaker sets an
advanced design benchmark for the switchgear
industry.
A new measure of standardization has been
achieved with POWER/VAC breakers. All breakers,
regardless of voltage or interrupting capability, are
the same size. Not only that, most parts of the frame,
primary conductors and disconnects, mechanism and
interrupter assemblies are identical throughout the
breaker product line. This new level of standardiza-
tion means a higher quality product through high-
volume parts production with fewer parts to stock.
Training time for operating and maintenance person-
nel is also reduced, as is repair time.
Fully tested to industry standards, the new circuit
breaker utilizes General Electric vacuum interrupters
for fast, reliable and safe interruption. Consistent
quality is insured through precision tooling and
through quality control. Interrupting contacts are
sealed in a high vacuum environment and require no
maintenance, eliminating problems caused by lack
of contact maintenance or improper reassembly
and alignment often experienced with conventional
circuit breakers.
Though it's small in size, the new POWER/VAC
breaker is big on safety. A complete system of
mechanical and electrical safety interlocks is pro-
vided. For example, breaker contacts must be open
before the breaker can be moved to or from the
connected position. A positive mechanical stop is
provided when the breaker reaches the connect or
test/disconnect positions. Mechanical interference
interlocks are provided to permit only breakers with
the same or higher ratings to be inserted in any
specific compartment. These and other required
interlocks, combined with appropriate indicators,
provide a complete safety interlock system,
designed and built to prevent unsafe operation.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 ?1
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
1. Front Panel. This attractive,
11-gage steel front panel fits
into a collar in the equipment when
the breaker is in the connected
position. It provides a metal barrier
between the breaker compartment
and the secondary device com-
partment. Operating controls and
indicators are well marked and easy
to read. The front panel contains:
TRIP button; CLOSE button; OPEN/
CLOSE indicator; CHARGE/
DISCHARGE indicator; operations
counter; and has integral handgrips
to facilitate moving the breaker.
2. Vacuum Interrupter. The heart of
General Electric's POWER/VAC
switchgear is the vacuum interrupter.
For safe, reliable and consistent
current switching and interruption,
there is no equal. During interruption
the arc is completely sealed; hence,
no arcing by-products are expelled
to the environment. Main contacts
are sealed in a vacuum-completely
protected from dust, pollutants and
humidity-and require no contact
maintenance.
3. Primary Disconnect. The primary
disconnect finger set is rugged and
simple. Designed for optimum con-
tact, built of silver-plated copper,
and tested for continuous and
momentary currents, these discon-
nects insure proper contact for the
critical primary disconnect function.
4. Contact Erosion Indicator.
Vacuum interrupter contacts seldom
wear out over the life-span of a
circuit breaker in normal duty
applications. Nevertheless, for
inspection convenience a contact
erosion indicator has been provided.
It is visible with the breaker fully
withdrawn and the front panel
removed.
5. Interrupter Support. A rugged
polyester glass molded piece
supports each vacuum interrupter
and its associated primary con-
ductors. (Clear plastic housing is
used for display purposes only.)
This high tensile strength track-
resistant polyester glass structure
not only firmly positions and holds
the interrupter and primary con-
ductors, but also provides insu-
lation to ground and between phases.
For repair or replacement, this
unique interrupter support assembly
can be removed quickly and easily
by removing only six bolts. When
the support assembly is replaced,
no readjustment of the vacuum
interrupter contacts is needed and
only a simple alignment of the
primary conductors is required.
6. Breaker Mechanism. A simple,
spring-charged stored-energy
mechanism design eliminates the
troublesome ratchet wheel and pawl
required for spring charging in many
conventional breaker mechanisms.
The POWER/VAC breaker mecha-
nism is mechanically and electrically
trip-free and can be operated by dc
control voltages of 48 V, 125 V or
250 V or ac voltages of 115 V or
230 V. Mechanism parts are high
quality, close tolerance, 100 percent
tool-made for operating consistency
and reliability and ease of main-
tenance.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
GE's POWER/VAC Interrupter:
Flexible
Metallic
Bellows
Assembly
Insulating
Vacuum
Envelope
Electrical
Contacts
Vacuum
Chamber
Metal-to-insulation Metal Vapor
Vacuum Seal Condensing Shield
Since 1961, more than 40,000 General Electric
POWER/VAC vacuum interrupters have ful-
filled the promise of this new power switching
technology. GE's POWER/VAC interrupter
transforms the sophisticated concept of
vacuum switching into reality. The result-a
simple, reliable device that provides fast, safe
and quiet power switching. Proper utilization
of the simple and efficient vacuum interrupter
can reduce switchgear size and weight, lower
maintenance requirements, and improve
operating reliability compared to conventional
switching technologies.
General Electric's new POWER/VAC metal-
clad switchgear is optimized around the
advantages attendant to vacuum switching.
Fast Interruption. The POWER/VAC inter-
rupter is fast. Arc interruption typically takes
place at the first current zero because the high
dielectric strength of the vacuum gap results
in an extremely short clearing time. Depending
on interrupting rating, contact travel ranges
from 1/2 to 3/4 inch for full interruption which
permits a simple and reliable mechanism
design.
Low Maintenance. Electrical contacts are
sealed in a high vacuum environment equiva-
lent to that existing in outer space. Vacuum is
a nearly perfect medium for arc interruption-
fireproof, explosion-proof, and free of corona
degradation. One set of contacts performs the
functions of both main and arcing contacts and,
since they are permanently sealed in a vacuum,
away from dirt, moisture and pollutants, no
contact maintenance is required. Only an
occasional check of the contact erosion indi-
cator is necessary. If desired, vacuum integrity
may be checked by a one-minute hi-pot test
of the vacuum interrupter.
Quiet, Safe Operation. GE's POWER/VAC
interrupters do their job quietly in the new
metalclad switchgear equipment. Arc extinction
is silent and mechanism sound level is low.
This feature makes POWER/VAC switchgear
particularly suitable for application in shopping
centers, hospitals and residential areas.
Long Service Life. GE POWER/VAC inter-
rupters have been designed and tested to
exceed 20 years shelf life and to exceed the
performance requirements of applicable ANSI,
IEEE and NEMA standards for metalclad
switchgear.
POWER/VAC interrupters can give several
times the service life of other types of inter-
rupters. Under proper use, contact erosion is
the only factor which limits vacuum interrupter
life. In most normal duty applications, contact
erosion will not exceed the allowable Vs inch
during the service life of the circuit breaker.
' Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
the key to increased reliability.
Operation of the GE
POWER/VAC Interrupter.
The POWER/VAC interrupter is a simple device
consisting of a pair of butt contacts, a vapor
condensing shield and a bellows through which
one of the contacts is moved ... all sealed in a
vacuum-tight enclosure.
The reason for its rapid arc interruption is the
higher voltage withstand strength of the vacuum
11
U
O Contacts have opened; DAt peak of the current
with current at low value wave, an intense arc
(see chart below), the encompasses entire
arc is diffuse, contact region (moving
cathode spots appear
as irregular bright line
due to photo exposure
time).
Arc
Extinguished
Interruption of arcing current occurs within oie cycle pontact parting.
environment surrounding the interrupter's
contacts. Only a short contact travel is necessary
to interrupt a power fault-generally t/z to 3/a
inch, depending on the interrupter rating.
Therefore, total clearing is faster and simpler than
that of other types of interrupting equipment.
With the POWER/VAC interrupter, interrupting
time is one cycle or less after contact parting-
resulting in extended contact life and superior
overall performance.
11
IIHI.
ao ~u
DAs current decreases, (D Nearing current zero, ? After current zero with
intensity and energy of only a faint glow of arc recovery voltage applied;
arc lessens. remains. arc has been fully
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
Pre-'engineered device packages
simplify equipment selection.
POWER/VAC switchgear is available
with the same custom-designed device
packages furnished today in conven-
tional "one-high" switchgear units. So
far, that's nothing unique ... but there
is a difference.
The PIC package
To complement its modern, highly-
structured equipment and breaker de-
signs, POWER/VAC switchgear features
completely pre-engineered and stan-
dardized Protection, Instrumention, and
Control (PIC) packages. Designed to
meet the functional requirements of a
wide variety of specific circuit breaker
applications, these PIC packages con-
tain all door-mounted devices such as
relays, switches, meters, instruments
and indicating lights required for
each application and non-door-
mounted devices such as fuses,
current transformers and potential trans-
formers, required for proper operation.
This concept provides several benefits.
First, pre-designed packages can be
ordered quickly and easily. You are
assured of receiving exactly those
devices in the material list, located ex-
actly as shown on the door-panel draw-
ing and wired exactly as indicated in
the schematic diagram.
And, these standard PIC packages
are fully documented and integrated
with a special computerized drawing
system. When you specify standard
PIC device complements, you will re-
ceive these final drawings (front view,
one-line diagram, device list and floor
plan details) with your POWER/VAC
switchgear proposal. No more guessing
about the appearance of your switch-
gear or whether everything you wanted
will be included. The equipment will be
built as shown, resulting in fewer costly
changes, fewer shortages and shipping
errors and shorter delivery cycles
The packages shown are illus-
trative of the many pre-engineered
units available
Incoming Line. This standard
protection and control package
is tailored for an incoming line
with no transformer protection.
Functions included are phase
over-current protection, current
indication, voltage indication and
circuit breaker control with indi-
cating lights. The breaker is
located in the top unit and the
fused potential transformer (PT)
roll-out in the bottom unit.
Available as pre-engineered
options are functions such as
undervoltage and bus differential
protection; watts and vars indica-
tion; and control features such as
lockout and permissive switches.
General Purpose Feeder. These
two devices par kaaes are almost
identical, 'rovic,ne the basic
functions it phi ;e wercurrent
protectio! otmr rf indication
and break - co- ire with indi-
cating lights. Tt o t,ottom unit also
contains r run o:ercurrent pro-
tection (n ,:dua c,:nnected CT's).
Both unit trousee a circuit breaker
in addltic,~i to the required com-
plement sec( scary devices.
The flexibility o, those basic
feeder units is Enhanced by
standard ootiorns iricluding auto-
matic recissinu ar d bus differ-
ential CT ,, volt snd watthour
demand ndica,ion, and voltage
and curr?- it tes b f)cks.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
Induction Motor Full-Voltage
Starting. The top unit includes
local control for motors rated
1500 HP and below. Standard
functions are phase and ground
overcurrent and single-phase
timed undervoltage protection,
amperes indication and breaker
control. Standard optional func-
tions include bus differential
current transformers; watts, watt-
hour demand, and vars indication;
and test blocks for current and
voltage.
The bottom unit is also de-
signed for induction motor full-
voltage start, but for motors rated
above 1500 HP. Two additional
basic functions are included;
machine differential and over-
temperature protection.
Synchronous Motor Full-Voltage
Starting. Recommended for
machines above 1500 HP. It in-
cludes RTD's, machine self-
balance differential and local
control.-Basic control, indication
and protection functions are
breaker control and field appli-
cation control; amperes, field
amperes and vars indication; and
phase and ground over-current,
incomplete sequence, self-
balance differential and over-
temperature protection. A variety
of standard options are available.
Among them: voltage unbalance
protection, watt and watthour
indication, and test blocks for
volts and amps. The top unit
houses the breaker; the bottom,
the field application control
devices.
Gas Turbine or Diesel Generator.
Typical of a more cor iplex urc-
tional control and pnotection
package. Basic funct ons include
phase and ground over-current
and reverse power protection;
amperes, watts, vars and volts
indication; and breaker control.
ammeter, governor and synchro-
nizing switches. Pre-engineered
options include loss of excitation
or loss of regulator po~lentia p-o-
tection; temperature, watthour
and watthour demand indication;
and current and voltage test
blocks. As with the incoming line
equipment, the breakor is loca ed
in the top unit and the PT roil-cut
in the bottom.
Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP02-06298R000300110003-8
Additional features and accessories
To facilitate inspection, maintenance ~ rid testing
operations, General Electric offers a frill selection
of devices and accessories for POWEF?/VAC
metalclad switchgear.
1. Ground and Test Devices. Grounc and test
devices provide facilities for groundinc; either the
bus side or the outgoing cable side of he metalclad
unit, or for "phasing out" the operatinc circuits.
The type GVV device is designed to nake either
the upper or lower primary conductors in the
breaker unit readily accessible for grownding and
testing. The device is racked between he connect
and disconnect positions using the br( riker racking
mechanism. An optional remote rackin t control is
available for added safety.
Terminals, accessible through the device front
panel, are provided on each primary c< nductor to
allow for testing and the attachment of stroundinq
cables.
Since it includes no safety interlocks application
of the type GVV device is recommends only if
operated under the supervision of expc rienced
operating engineers.
The deluxe power-operated type Gr.!J device has
a self-contained bus or line selector svv itch and a
separately controlled, power operated. three-phase
grounding switch. The GMV device is a dead-front
design with mechanical and electrical terlocks.
provision for remote control and plug-tipe cable
testing and phasing. The primary conductors re-
quired for grounding are self-container with no
external cable connections required.
The GMV device is designed for ma;.imum safety
to personnel while accomplishing all tl-c, basic
required grounding and testing functionnns.
2. Racking Handle operates the break c~r racking
mechanism to manually move the brea