Three-Phase Automatic Circuit Reclosers
Clears a transient fault on the feeder without a truck roll
Most faults on an overhead distribution feeder are transient. A recloser trips, waits, and closes back in. If the arc has cleared, the customers downstream never open a ticket. An automatic circuit recloser moves that decision out to the pole instead of leaving it in the substation, so a branch fault stops taking the whole feeder with it.
These reclosers cover 15, 27 and 38 kV maximum voltage at 400, 630, 800 or 1,250 A, with symmetrical breaking from 12.5 kA to 40 kA and peak withstand to 63 kA. The magnetic actuator opens in 30 ms or less and is rated for 30,000 mechanical operations; a spring mechanism is available where an O-0.3s-CO-180s-CO sequence is preferred. Current and voltage sensing is built into the pole at ±0.5% and ±1%, so the control unit sees source- and load-side voltage without a separate metering set. IEEE C37.112-1996 time-overcurrent curves and DNP3.0, Modbus or IEC 60870-5-101/-104 connect it to the automation scheme you already run.
Why it matters
30,000 mechanical operations from the magnetic actuator against 10,000 from a spring mechanism is the difference between a 20-year asset and a mid-life replacement.
Integrated current transformers at ±0.5% and voltage sensors at ±1% take a separate metering package off the pole and out of the bill of materials.
Up to six voltage sensors on epoxy poles give both source- and load-side voltage, which is the input a loop or FLISR scheme needs to decide direction.
DNP3.0, Modbus and IEC 60870-5-101/-104 in the same unit mean the recloser answers to the master station you already operate.
Creepage of 31 mm/kV at pollution level IV in a 304 stainless steel tank rated IP54 holds up on coastal and heavy industrial feeders.
Ratings
Maximum voltage: 15 kV · 27 kV · 38 kV
Rated current: 400 · 630 · 800 · 1,250 A
Short-circuit breaking: 12.5 · 16 · 20 · 25 · 40 kA symmetrical
Peak withstand: 31.5 · 40 · 50 · 63 kA
Short-circuit duration: 3 s
Power-frequency withstand (dry/wet, 1 min): 28/36 kV · 60 kV · 70 kV (silicone pole); 36/50 · 65 · 85 kV (epoxy pole)
BIL: 95 / 125 / 170 kV (silicone); 110 / 140 / 185 kV (epoxy); 120 / 150 / 195 kV (gas-insulated)
Operating sequence: O-0.5s-CO-2s-CO-5s-CO (magnetic actuator); O-0.3s-CO-180s-CO (spring)
Mechanical life: 30,000 operations (magnetic actuator) / 10,000 (spring)
Opening / closing time: ≤30 ms / ≤40 ms (magnetic actuator)
Creepage: 31 mm/kV, pollution level IV
Phase spacing: 360 / 380 / 435 mm at 15 / 27 / 38 kV
Enclosure: 304 stainless steel tank, IP54 (IP67 on gas-insulated version)
Design life: >20 years heavy duty; −45 °C to +85 °C; altitude to 2,500 m
Interruption: Vacuum; SF₆-free on air-insulated pole versions
Extended range
Integrated current transformers: ±0.5% accuracy, 200/400/800:1 ratios, 1.5 / 2.5 / 5 VA burden
Integrated voltage sensors: ±1% accuracy, 1,000:1; up to 3 units on silicone poles and 6 on epoxy poles for both source- and load-side voltage
Standards
IEEE C37.60
IEEE C37.112-1996 (time-overcurrent curves)
IEC 62271-111
IEC 60870-5-101/-104 · DNP3.0 · Modbus
Applications
Overhead MV distribution feeders
Feeder automation and self-healing (FLISR) schemes
Substation outgoing feeders
Rural and long radial networks
Questions engineers ask
What is the difference between the magnetic actuator and spring versions?The magnetic actuator opens in 30 ms or less, closes in 40 ms or less, and is rated for 30,000 mechanical operations on an O-0.5s-CO-2s-CO-5s-CO sequence. The spring mechanism is rated for 10,000 operations and follows O-0.3s-CO-180s-CO. Feeders with frequent transient faults and heavy automation duty favor the magnetic actuator.
Do these reclosers contain SF₆?Interruption is by vacuum, and the air-insulated pole versions are SF₆-free. A gas-insulated version is offered where a higher impulse level is required, reaching 120, 150 and 195 kV BIL at 15, 27 and 38 kV with an IP67 enclosure instead of IP54. Both versions share the same vacuum interrupters and control interface.
Technical documentation
Download HVEX Three-Phase Recloser and Control System datasheet (English, PDF)
