SAME DAY SWITCHING

Disconnect and Grounding Switching Operations Safer with Less Equipment Stress


By By Sarabel Amador-Nelson & Jack Harley
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Same day switching avoids the extended outages and human and equipment costs associated with inoperable and broken switches.
The vast majority of air break disconnect and ground switches in electric power networks typically receive no appreciable maintenance. This invariably results in the inability to operate switches when needed. A pretreatment method is now available that is safe to use on energized switches. It consists of a remote radio-controlled hot stick tool and a non-flammable aerosol fluid engineered to dissolve the corrosion and dried grease deposits that often inhibit switch movement. The method has been shown to reliably restore normal function and operation to previously inoperable air disconnect switches.
During a test phase, the tool was used to apply fluid to a variety of types and voltages of known inoperable switches in varying environmental conditions. Switching functions were successfully restored in a short time to allow same day switching activities. Testing shows that the use of the pretreatment method will reduce the mechanical force exerted on switch equipment by up to 50 percent during opening, resulting in less stress exerted on switches and insulators. The improved ergonomics of the tool and method also display a positive effect for the switchman, reducing physical impact of striking activity by nearly 40 percent.
This method may help to extend the life of switching equipment and contribute to reduction in work force injury claims related to switching activities.

Read full article in the Special SUBSTATIONS Issue.

First Power Group LLC advertisement in the issue:
“Lube by Number”
“Stinger®. Switching Operations Safer and Easier”

SOURCEElectricity Today Magazine, Vol.33, No.3
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Sarabel Amador-Nelson is Sales Engineer at FirstPower Group LLC. Sarabel was born in Ensenada BC Mexico has a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico de Tijuana 20+ years of experience in International Logistics, Productivity in a Manufacturing environment using the 5S foundation, working at companies like General Cable, TE Connectivity, and Eaton. Jack Harley is President of FirstPower Group LLC, which provides substation equipment and services to electric utilities and industrial users of electric power. He is active in the IEEE Switchgear Committee, the IEEE Transformers Committee and a member of CIGRE.

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