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Significant Cost Reduction for Retrofit with Custom-Made Heavy-Duty Disconnectors

Ferraz Shawmut, one of the leading global manufacturers of current disconnectors and switching equipment, also offers custom-made switches for plants built to non-European or obsolete standards which need to be upgraded during modernization. The new switches fulfill the various different national and international security standards as well as new specifications. A modular system permits a high level of compatibility and an accurately fitting solution. Modifications can be avoided in most cases. For the end-user this retrofit – the adjustment to the dimensions of the older equipment – means a significant cost reduction and also saves precious time.

Current disconnectors, able to withstand high mechanical and electrical loading, are needed where medium- and high-power output has to be transmitted reliably, e.g. in power plants, in energy distribution, in the chemical industry and in the steel and aluminium production. Top grade disconnectors are safe and require very little maintenance. They endure tens of thousands of switching cycles, even under extreme thermal conditions and have a lifespan of decades.

One of the outstanding features of Ferraz Shawmut disconnectors are the self-cleaning contacts made of solid silver. During the self-cleaning operation, displaceable blades with defined contact points glide over the mating contacts. Any contact resistance created by high-temperature oxidation and soiling can thus be reduced to a minimum.

Winfried Kipke, Product Manager Power Interconnection of Ferraz Shawmut, says about this very special and demanding application: “Complex safety concepts and national standards play a commanding role when such switches are replaced. Exceptionally high requirements were demanded in several power generation plant upgrades in Wolgograd, at the Russian Aluminium producer RUSAL and in the Tehri Hydro retaining dam project in India. Our success is based largely on the ability to develop a unique individual concept for each project, instead of just selling off-the-shelf equipment.”