Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation is introducing the W-VACiMB medium voltage vacuum circuit breaker that is designed for mining applications. The new circuit breaker is engineered to provide reliable and robust circuit protection in a compact, environmentally friendly, and reliable package. The W-VACiMB mining breaker will be showcased at MineExpo International tradeshow in Las Vegas on September 24-26, 2012.
The W-VACiMBbreakers are designed to protect transformers, capacitor banks, motors, busbar sections, and cable. To withstand demanding environmental conditions in mining applications, W-VACiMB breakers are sealed from dust and contaminants prevalent in the mining industry and are suitable for high altitude, shock, vibration and high ambient temperatures.
“The new W-VACi mining breaker is an addition to Eaton’s extensive family of global medium-voltage solutions and builds on Eaton’s long history of industry-leading vacuum interruption and solid insulation technologies,” said Jhula Barua, product manager at Eaton.
The 17.5 kilovolt (kV) W-VACiMB circuit breakers make and break power in a sealed environment with no external arcing, a safety feature in mining applications where hazardous gasses may exist – in a compact 18”x18”x18”, 133-pound package. The compact W-VACiMB breakers serve both 50 Hertz (Hz) and 60 Hz segments of the underground mining industry. Eaton medium voltageW-VACiMB breakers meet and exceed the electrical and mechanical requirements of E2 and M2 in accordance with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62271-100.
The W-VACiMBcircuit breakers have three key building blocks: the vacuum interrupter, the encapsulated pole unit, and the universal mechanism assembly. The compact, modular design is a key attribute designed to make this mining breaker virtually maintenance free. The mining breaker is complemented with accessories that are field mountable, making it a versatile solution for the mining industry.
For increased durability, performance and compactness, the Eaton vacuum interrupters are encapsulated in epoxy resin, protecting them from mechanical impact and environmental conditions such as humidity and dust. The W-VACiMB breakers use a simple modular operating mechanism that is fastened to the breaker with just threebolts, making the W-VACiMB breakers extremely user friendly. Due to its modular design, material selection and limited number of moving parts, the W-VACiMB mechanism assembly requires little inspection during its long life of 20,000 operations.
Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader in power distribution, power quality, control and automation, power monitoring, and energy management products and services. Eaton is positioned, through its global electrical product series and solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.
