High Voltage Vacuum Circuit Breakers

High voltage vacuum circuit breakers (VCB) are safety switches that turns power off to provide safety during lightning strikes and through the neutral sections on the overhead lines. TE's vacuum circuit breaker for rolling stock was the first completely electro-magnetically operated system for 25kV and 15kV vehicles.

Features

  • 25/15 kV vehicle mounted circuit breaker optimized for use in the rail environment
  • Electro-magnetic operation - no compresses air required
  • Solid insulation with no internal creepage paths to eliminate internal flashovers
  • Low height and weight compared to existing technologies
  • Fits industry standard footprint making it suitable for newbuild and retrofit applications
  • Available with integral earthing switch saving space and expense
  • Can be interlocked with train safety/control systems
  • High reliablity and low maintenance reducing total life-cycle costs

Product Offering

Part Number Model Description
1-2191020-1 RS-AVCB-ECB-101 With Earth Arms
1-2191021-1 RS-AVCB-ENN-102 Without Earth Arms

Typical Ratings

This table gives you typical ratings for a 25kV VESA vacuum circuit breaker. Ratings for 15kV VESA circuit breakers are available on request.

Characteristic Value
Nominal line supply voltage (Un) 25 kV
Rated operational voltage (Un) 30 kV
Rated operational frequency (f) 50 Hz
Rated dialectric withstand (U50 75 kVrms
Rated impulse withstand voltage (Uimp) 170 kV
Rated operational current 1000 Arms
Rated making/breaking capacity 50 / 20 kA
Rated short time withstand current 25 kA / 1s
Closing time 42 ms (typical)
Contact seperation time 18 ms (typical)
Low voltage circuit supply 24,48,72,110
-30/+255 Vdc
Operating temperature range -50 to +70 oC
Height
  • Above roofline: 490mm
  • Below roofline: 140mm
Base plate dimensions 940 x 430 mm
Weight (with earthing switch)
(without earthing switch)
105 kg
95 kg

TE Connectivity’s (TE) optimized VESA vacuum circuit breaker for railway electrification is the first completely electro-magnetically operated system for 25 kV and 15kV vehicles. More than 1200 units on four continents, with the first unit installed over ten years ago, generate an unbeatable proven reliability and thus lead the electrical rail vehicle market into a new era. Electro-magnetically operated VESA AC vacuum circuit breakers are lighter weight than the pneumatic circuit breakers, easy to install, provide higher levels of safety and need less energy to be operated. Providing the market with a lower total installed cost solution, allowing removal of bulky pneumatic systems, this innovative TE solution offers an exciting and reliable product for both new designs and refurbishment programs. Decide to reduce your total cost of ownership and choose TE’s greener way to more efficiency.

Applications

  • Suitable for 25kV/15kV AC applications and others upon request
  • Rolling stock

Standards and Testing

VESA vacuum circuit breakers are designed to be compliant with IEC 60077-4, EN50121-3-2, EN60529, EN62217 Ed1/CDV, EN50124-1 and other major specifications used in the rail industry. A qualification test program has been completed including:

  • Power switching and short time current
  • Impulse withstand voltage
  • AC withstand voltage
  • EMC
  • Shock and vibration
  • IP 66 rating
  • Ice build up
  • 250,000 no-load operations

Auxiliary contacts are provided for the main circuit and for the position of the earthing switch