POWER SYSTEMS
Meeting local SIS demand
A
ctom’s MV Switchgear Division is establishing new markets in Southern Africa following the conclusion of its value-added reseller and channel partner agreement with Gelpag Advanced Technology. Based in Germany, Gelpag is an international designer and manufacturer of solid insulated switchgear (SIS). The first order secured was for an eightpanel 6.6 kV 1 250 A board from Gelpag’s MSS range of MV switchgear. This was ordered by Germiston-based APE Pumps to replace an ageing board at Umgeni Water’s Verulam pump station, situated on KwaZuluNatal’s North Coast. The new board was installed and commissioned in May 2021. “Unlike air-insulated switchgear (AIS) and gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), SIS uses neither air nor gas for the primar y insulation. It comprises a fully screened epoxy resin dielectric, which makes the switchgear per formance completely independent from environmental pollution, humidity and altitude,” explains Rhett Kelly, technology development specialist: MV Switchgear.
sought after, as it requires significantly less maintenance than AIS. And while GIS also requires minimal maintenance, it does use SF6 gas, which is being discouraged worldwide due to its adverse environmental impact if released into the atmosphere. The MSS range of switchgear is available up to 40 kA and has a footprint that is
approximately 30% smaller than AIS. It offers panel widths of 500 mm for up to 1 250 A units and 700 mm for up to 2 500 A units. “The MSS range is one of the first of its kind in the world to achieve a 2 500 A rating using solid dielectric insulation without forced cooling,” adds Kelly.
Gelpag MSS SIS pole with three-position disconnector and circuit breaker
Far less maintenance SIS technology is becoming increasingly
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