Zurich, Switzerland: Power and automation technology group ABB announced the launch of its latest generation 245kV ELK-14 series of Gas Insulated Switchgear April 6.
The company says the footprint of this latest GIS is 40 per cent less than conventional designs and it uses 20 per cent less SF6 gas compared to the previous generation, making it even more environmentally friendly than its predecessor. A compact design also enables the unit to be delivered as a completely assembled bay, reducing installation time by more than 60 per cent compared to traditional construction, the company says. The bays feature single-phase isolation, and are delivered as fully tested and mounted on a frame. The intelligent control and protection equipment installed in the control cubicle directly at the bay is also a smart grid enabling feature.
The bay arrangement is highly flexible, so that all system configurations, including subsequent expansions, can be easily and quickly implemented. The systems have been designed for a rated voltage of 253 kV, and can handle rated currents of up to 3,150 amperes. The versions conforming to IEC and IEEE standards have been designed to protect power networks up to a rated short-circuit (fault) current of up to 50 kA (kiloamperes). The new ELK-14 design also facilitates more convenient accessibility to the operating mechanisms located in the front of the bay and positioning of the current transformers outside the gas compartments.