Products and Devices

4.3 Vacuum Switching Technology and Components for Medium Voltage

4.3.7 Vacuum Contactors

3TL vacuum contactors (g. 4.3-8 to g. 4.3-10) are 3-pole contactors with electromagnetic operating mechanisms for medium-voltage switchgear. They are load breaking devices with a limited short-circuit making and breaking capacity for applications with high switching rates of up to 1 million operating cycles. Vacuum contactors are suitable for operational switching of alternating current consumers in indoor switchgear. They can be used, e.g., for the following switching duties: AC-3: Squirrel-cage motors: Starting, stopping of running motor AC-4: Starting, plugging and inching Switching of three-phase motors in AC-3 or AC-4 operation (e.g., in conveying and elevator systems, compressors, pumping stations, ventilation and heating) Switching of transformers (e.g., in secondary distribution switchgear, industrial distributions) Switching of reactors (e.g., in industrial distribution systems, DC-link reactors, power factor correction systems) Switching of resistive consumers (e.g., heating resistors, electrical furnaces) Switching of capacitors (e.g., in power factor correction systems, capacitor banks). Further switching duties are: Switching of motors Switching of transformers Switching of capacitors. In contactor-type reversing starter combinations (reversing duty), only one contactor is required for each direction of rotation if high-voltage high-rupturing capacity fuses are used for short-circuit protection. The portfolio of the vacuum contactors is shown in table 4.3-6.

Fig. 4.3-8: Vacuum contactor 3TL6

Fig. 4.3-9: Vacuum contactor 3TL71

Fig. 4.3-10: Vacuum contactor 3TL81

Type Rated voltage Rated frequency Rated normal current Rated making current* Rated breaking current* Mechanical endurance of the contactor* Electrical endurance of the vacuum interrupter (rated current)*

3TL81 7.2 kV 50/60 Hz 400 A 4,000 A 3,200 A 1 million operating cycles 0.25 million operating cycles

3TL61 7.2 kV 50/60 Hz 450 A 4,500 A 3,600 A 3 million operating cycles 1 million operating cycles

3TL65 12 kV 50/60 Hz 400 A 4,000 A 3,200 A 1 million operating cycles 0.5 million operating cycles

3TL68 15 kV 50/60 Hz 320 A 3,200 A 2,560 A 1 million operating cycles 0.25 million operating cycles

3TL71 24 kV 50/60 Hz 800 A 4,500 A 3,600 A 1 million operating cycles 0.5 million operating cycles

* Switching capacity according to utilization category AC-4 (cos = 0.35)

Table 4.3-6: Portfolio of vacuum contactors

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