Vacuum switching technology

and components for medium voltage

For all applications. Everywhere.

Answers for energy.

 Vacuum switching technology –
an innovation that wrote history

Innovations and precision – a passion

Efficient power distribution requires a long service life and a high avail-
ability from medium-voltage switching devices. This is not least the reason
why more than 70 percent of system operators decide in favour of vacuum
switching technology. As a pioneer for this technology, we are committed
to meeting your high demands concerning quality and reliability of supply.
We take care of that by means of consistent optimisation of our product
portfolio and our manufacturing processes. In the centre of interest there
are not only innovative technologies and maximum internal quality de-
mands, but also environmental protection – even during development and
production.

High performance, quality and reliability

You can rely on vacuum switching technology from Siemens. The decisive
advantage is that its properties remain constant throughout the entire
life cycle, due to the hermetically tight vacuum interrupter which elimi-
nates any external influences – polluting decomposition products have no
chance. Our comprehensive know-how is reflected even during produc-
tion: enhanced cleanroom conditions and special production units for the
vacuum brazing technique such as the vacuum furnace form the basis for
the highest product quality – in the long term.

Maintenance-free – throughout the whole lifetime of the product

The vacuum interrupter always operates reliably throughout its entire
service life – without any maintenance. This is a result of:
 Reduced wear due to an extremely low arc voltage.
 Minimum energy conversion in the contact gap due to the short
arcing time.
 Very low contact resistance, as the contacts do not oxidize in the
vacuum – for a maximum number of operating cycles.

Cost-efficient on principle
The life cycle costs of a product are a decisive factor for its profitable appli-
cation. Here also, vacuum switching devices from Siemens are convincing:
As they are maintenance-free, this important cost factor is omitted – for
your advantage.

Contents
Vacuum switching technology –
an innovation that wrote history 2–3

Vacuum switching technology –

the production processes 4–13

The right solution

for each task 14–15

2
2
To prove the atmospheric pressure, in 1654
Otto von Guericke created a vacuum with the
Magdeburg hemispheres for the first time in his-
tory. More than 35 years ago, Siemens developed
vacuum switching technology, leading it to series
production. What was then a fundamental in-
novation has been developed further to a proven
technology, which now has a worldwide market
share of about 70 percent. Vacuum switching
technology from Siemens meets all the require-
ments placed on circuit-breakers and contactors
in medium-voltage switchgear up to 40.5 kV,
and is now an integral part of many applications
because of its clear advantages.
2008 Siemens vacuum recloser 3AD – a vacuum circuit-
breaker with monitoring function for overhead-line
distribution systems
2007 Vacuum generator circuit-breaker 3AH37 – the first
generator circuit-breaker worldwide for normal
currents up to 6,300 A according to IEEE C37.013
2006 SION vacuum circuit-breaker – the circuit-breaker
with the lowest mounting depth on the market
2003 Vacuum generator circuit-breaker 3AH38 for 17.5 kV –
the first generator circuit-breaker worldwide for
rated short-circuit currents up to 72 kA and rated
normal currents up to 4,000 A according to
IEEE C37.013
1998 Vacuum contactor 3TL71 – the first contactor world-
wide for 24 kV, application in the Transrapid
1994 Vacuum circuit-breaker modules for gas-insulated
switchgear NXPLUS C
1993 3AH vacuum circuit-breaker – the first completely
maintenance-free circuit-breaker worldwide
1982 Vacuum switching technology in gas-insulated
switchgear 8DA10
1977 3AF vacuum circuit-breaker – the first circuit-breaker
worldwide with vacuum switching technology
1972 3TL vacuum contactor – the first contactor world-
wide with vacuum switching technology
3
4
Vacuum switching technology –
the production processes

To be able to generate, transmit and use electrical
energy in a reliable, secure and economic way, you
have to rely on safe, trouble-free switching processes
at any time – not only as a power generator and
supplier, but also as an industrial user. High quality
and availability as well as a long service life are the
decisive key factors for competition.
Only modern, highly automatic machines and pro-
duction processes are applied in our factories, with
quality standards and manufacturing accuracy ex-
ceeding the demands of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 by
far. In this way we obtain high-quality products with
a long working life, guaranteeing a constantly high
production quality which is reproducible at any time.

As a pioneer for vacuum switching technology, Please visit us and convince yourself!
Siemens contributes comprehensive know-how.
Decades of experience in development and produc-
tion support our position as a technological leader.
Our proven solutions and services meet all require-
ments. And, of course, our quality claim is already
reflected in the production of our vacuum switching
technology.

5
 Contact rod processing

In our numerically controlled multi-axis lathes, the

raw parts are given the external contour and the
slots of the contact carrier surface in just one single
operation. The fully automatic process reduces the
error rate to a minimum. A constantly high quality
characterizes the produced parts.

Contact material processing

Siemens is the only manufacturer of vacuum

interrupters worldwide to produce the contact
material itself. The basic raw materials copper and
chrome are combined to a powerful contact material
by means of the arc-melting procedure. The result-
ing raw parts are processed to RMF or AMF contact
discs, whereby the slotted AMF discs are deburred
at the end. All processing steps are electronically
recorded for quality purposes.

6
Metallography

To fulfil the highest quality demands, samples of

the contact material are examined by metallography.
Here, the homogeneity of the contact material, the
quality of the melting process as well as the brazed
connection between the contact material
and the contact rod are checked.

Endurance test for bellows

To enable them to meet the requirements for high

endurance in real practice, the bellows are regularly
subjected to an endurance test every three months.
The test is carried out in a fully automatic test cabin
with the travels adjusted to the respective type.

7
 Vacuum interrupter assembly
under cleanroom conditions

After having finished and cleaned the surfaces by

electroplating and performed an optical inspection
of the surface consistency of all single parts, the
interrupter is assembled. The high-vacuum solder is
applied at the joints of the components, the parts are
aligned, and the interrupters are fixed. As cleanliness
during assembly is especially important, all opera-
tions are done under air-conditioned cleanroom con-
ditions – in this way we can guarantee a constantly
high quality of the interrupters and maximum pos-
sible ratings up to 72 kA according to IEEE C37.013.

High-vacuum brazing furnace

In the high-vacuum brazing furnace, the joints of

the vacuum interrupters are brazed at temperatures
up to 900 °C and a pressure of 10-6 mbar. Thus, the
interrupters fulfil the quality requirement “sealed for
lifetime”. Thanks to the fully automatic production
process, the high quality can be constantly reproduced
at any time.

8
X-ray test

The evaluation of the interrupters by means of the

X-ray procedure is used to verify the positions as
well as the completeness of the internal compo-
nents, and the quality of the brazing points. In this
way we ensure the high quality of our products.

Forming and high-voltage testing of

vacuum interrupters

During forming, the definitive internal dielectric

strength of the vacuum interrupter is established
with gradually increasing voltage, and this is veri-
fied by a subsequent lightning impulse voltage test.
Both operations are done with higher values than
those specified in the standards, as evidence of the
extraordinary quality of the Siemens vacuum inter-
rupters. This is the prerequisite for a long endurance
and a high availability.

9
 Switching device production

The switching device production is set up as a direct

flow production. Various assemblies are prefabricat-
ed in parallel and combined at the mounting place
of the switching device. The flow production reduces
the order lead times, and thus the delivery times of
the switching devices to a minimum.

Laser welding

Laser welding provides a completely positive mate-

rial joint between individual components – as a pre-
requisite for highly resistant, dynamically stressable
assemblies such as the operating mechanism box.
Its superiority over conventional welding becomes
apparent, above all, by the fact that no hollows are
produced – which would be susceptible to humidity –
and that the material cannot loose shape anymore.
The consequence: a high dimensional accuracy with
the lowest tolerances possible – and thus, reduction
of later adjustments to a minimum.

Stamping and laser cutting

In the pre-production, the steel plates are processed

by highly automatic and highly productive stamping
and laser cutting machines – providing the assured
adherence to minimum tolerances, even with high
quantities. The high degree of automation results in
a process-safe, trouble-free production with short
lead times, almost without any down time. Load-
ing, operating and programming is possible with the
machine running, without interrupting the produc-
tion process.

10
Surface Treatment

Electroplating is used to improve the material

surfaces and to protect them against corrosion.
By plating with a second material, the mechanical
and electrical properties of the carrier materials are
sustainably improved. This provides an optimised
surface – which is decisive for a longer service life of
the product and its permanently maintenance-free
design.

Final assembly of switching devices

For all switching devices, the individual construc-

tional units are pre-assembled in parallel. During
final assembly, the different constructional units,
the pole structure as well as the operating mecha-
nism box are combined, and the device is equipped
with the order-specific secondary system. Parallel
work operations reduce the production lead time
of the switching device to a minimum – sometimes
even short-term customer requirements can still be
implemented.

11
 Stock-keeping

A modern stock-keeping concept provides most

rapid availability of the materials to be processed.
For you, this means: fast delivery times, even for
customer-specific special designs.

Test cabin for circuit-breakers

To guarantee our high quality, the switching devices

undergo a series of tests which are, of course,
adjusted to the circuit-breaker types and individual
customer specifications. The computer-controlled
test sequence ensures that – despite the high variety –
only those circuit-breakers will leave the factory
that have passed all test operations completely and
successfully.

12
 Final inspection and testing of
circuit-breakers

After having passed the routine and high-voltage

tests successfully, the circuit-breakers are inspected
at the final testing station to detect visible sources of
faults. The rating plate is not attached until this last
visual inspection has been completed successfully,
and then the circuit-breaker is released for dispatch.
To reduce complaints to a minimum, the order is
checked for completeness and conformity before
leaving – after all, you are expecting quality in every
detail.

Packaging

The packaging for our switching devices is made

exclusively of environmentally compatible and recy-
clable material such as timber, cardboard and PE foil
– modularly adjusted to the transportation method
and route. To save you having to dispose of waste,
the type and amount of packing material is reduced
to the necessary minimum.

13
 The right solution for each task
Whatever your requirements for medium-voltage vacuum circuit-
breakers and contactors may be – with the Siemens vacuum switch-
ing technology you are always on the safe side:
 F or large numbers of operating cycles and high ratings, mainly as
required by the industry.
 For small currents and infrequent switching operations, mainly as
required by power supply companies.
Even for duties requiring the use of switch-disconnectors, disconnec-
tors and earthing switches, fuses, instrument transformers, or surge
arresters, Siemens offers the complete product range.
SION
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.02
3AH5
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.05
3AH4
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.04
3AH47
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.52
3AH3
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.03
3AF0/3AG0
(Live Tank)
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.41
SDV6
(Dead Tank)
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.41
14
Please find more information in our catalogues.
Just tell your local sales partner the catalogue
designation you need – he/she will be pleased to
send the information material to your address.
Or visit us online at:
www.siemens.com/energy
Vacuum circuit-breaker for
standard applications
up to 24 kV rated voltage
up to 40 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
up to 3,150 A rated normal current
Vacuum circuit-breaker for
standard applications
up to 36 kV rated voltage
up to 31.5 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
up to 2,500 A rated normal current
Vacuum circuit-breaker for
frequent-operation applications
up to 36 kV rated voltage
up to 40 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
up to 4,000 A rated normal current
Vacuum circuit-breaker for
traction applications
up to 27.5 kV rated voltage
up to 50 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
up to 2,500 A rated normal current
Vacuum circuit-breaker for
high-current applications
up to 36 kV rated voltage
up to 63 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
up to 4,000 A rated normal current
Vacuum circuit-breaker for
outdoor applications
up to 40.5 kV rated voltage
up to 40 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
up to 2,000 A rated normal current
Vacuum circuit-breaker for
outdoor applications
up to 38 kV rated voltage
up to 40 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
up to 3,000 A rated normal current
Siemens Vacuum circuit-breaker for
outdoor applications
Vacuum Recloser up to 38 kV rated voltage
up to 16 kA rated short-circuit breaking current
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.42 up to 800 A rated normal current

3TL Vacuum contactors

up to 24 kV rated voltage
Catalogue designation:
up to 800 A rated normal current
HG 11.21
up to 3 million operating cycles

3TL6 SSK Contactor-fuse combination

up to 12 kV rated voltage
Catalogue designation:
HG 11.22
up to 450 A rated normal current
up to 1 million operating cycles

3D Disconnectors and
earthing switches
Catalogue designation:
up to 36 kV rated voltage
HG 11.31
up to 63 kA rated short-time withstand current (1 s)
up to 3,000 A rated normal current

3CJ2 Switch-disconnector
up to 36 kV rated voltage
Catalogue designation:
HG 12.21
up to 25 kA rated short-time withstand current (1 s)
up to 630 A rated normal current

3CG Vacuum switch

up to 24 kV rated voltage
Catalogue designation:
HG 12.11
up to 20 kA rated short-time withstand current (3 s)
up to 800 A rated normal current

Vacuum Vacuum interrupters

up to 40.5 kV rated voltage

interrupters up to 72 kA rated short-time withstand current (1 s)

up to 6,300 A rated normal current

4M Instrument transformers
up to 52 kV rated voltage
Catalogue designation:
HG 24

3G HV HRC fuse-links and

fuse-bases
Catalogue designation:
HG 12.31
up to 36 kV rated voltage
up to 80 kA rated short-time withstand current (1 s)
up to 250 A rated normal current

3E Surge arresters and limiters

up to 40.5 kV rated voltage
Catalogue designation:
HG 21
up to 300 kA rated short-circuit current

15
Published by and copyright © 2008:
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Freyeslebenstr. 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany

Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Power Distribution Division
Medium Voltage
Nonnendammallee 104
13623 Berlin, Germany

For more information, please contact

our Customer Support Centre.
Phone: +49 180/524 70 00
Fax: +49 180/524 24 71
(Charges depending on provider)
E-mail: support.energy@siemens.com

Power Distribution Division

Order no. E50001-G710-A106-X-4A00
Printed in Germany
Dispo 40402
GB 071239 103471 WS 10083.0
Printed on elementary chlorine-free bleached paper.

All rights reserved.

All trademarks or product names used in this document
are the property of Siemens AG, its associated companies
or the respective owners.

Subject to change without prior notice.

The information in this document contains general
descriptions of the technical options available, which may
not apply in all cases. The required technical options should
therefore be specified in the contract.

www.siemens.com/energy