S&C Vista Switchgear Helps A Wind Turbine Manufacturer Address A Unique Switching Application

In April 2003, a wind turbine manufacturer contacted S&C regarding the availability of 38-kV switchgear suitable for switching and protecting their wind turbine generating towers. Eighty one-way units were required for a large new windfarm located in Wyoming. The caveat: the gear had to fit through a 23 x 54 inch doorway located in the base of the tower.

Although no product currently available met the dimensional requirements of the application, S&C's Metal-Enclosed Gear Products Division explored the possibility. In remarkably short turnaround time, they designed a special type of Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear that met the size needs.

Upon presenting the proposed design to the wind turbine manufacturer, an additional requirement came to light: the switchgear needed a 25-kA interrupting rating...the gear S&C proposed was rated 12.5 kA.

S&C was able to adapt the design to provide the desired 25-kA rating while still maintaining the required dimensions. The wind turbine manufacturer accepted S&C's amended design.

An order was placed for eighty of the special one-way Vista units. The gear was delivered in late summer 2003 and operational in early December. The wind turbine manufacturer and their electrical contractor were very pleased with the ease of installation and its performance in service.

SOURCE: S&C Electric Company