Title: Southern States 38 kV-170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification

Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1.0 SCOPE.......................................................................................................................2
2.0 STANDARDS .............................................................................................................2
3.0 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................2
3.01 Service Conditions ................................................................................................. 2
3.02 Ratings................................................................................................................... 2
3.03 Resistors ................................................................................................................ 4
3.04 Interrupter .............................................................................................................. 5
3.05 SF6 Gas System .................................................................................................... 5
3.06 Terminal Pads........................................................................................................ 5
3.07 Operating Mechanism............................................................................................ 5
3.08 Ground Pads.......................................................................................................... 6
4.0 MANUFACTURING REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................6
4.01 Wiring..................................................................................................................... 6
4.02 Base Frame ........................................................................................................... 6
4.03 Support Structure................................................................................................... 7
5.0 DESIGN TESTS .........................................................................................................7
6.0 PRODUCTION TESTS...............................................................................................7
6.01 Mechanical Operation Tests .................................................................................. 7
6.02 Leak Test ............................................................................................................... 8
6.03 Resistance Tests ................................................................................................... 8
6.04 Dielectric Tests ...................................................................................................... 8
7.0 SPARE PARTS ..........................................................................................................8
8.0 DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................8
8.01 Approval Drawings ................................................................................................. 8
8.02 Final Drawings ....................................................................................................... 9
8.03 Instruction Books ................................................................................................... 9
8.04 Additional Documentation ...................................................................................... 9
9.0 SHIPPING and DELIVERY.........................................................................................9
10.0 WARRANTY ...............................................................................................................9
11.0 SPECIFIC QUOTE REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................9
12.0 ACCEPTABLE CAPACITOR SWITCHER................................................................10

Page 1 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

1.0 SCOPE

This specification covers the design, manufacture, and testing of three pole, gang
operated vertical interrupter outdoor capacitor switchers available with or without
integrated transient over-voltage control and inrush current mitigation.

2.0 STANDARDS

All outdoor capacitor switchers shall be designed, manufactured, assembled, and tested
in accordance with the latest applicable ANSI, NEMA, and ASTM standards and
guidelines. If there are any conflicts between the ANSI, NEMA, or ASTM standards and
this specification the specification shall govern.

3.0 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

3.01 Service Conditions

The capacitor switcher shall be suitable for outdoor installation in electric power
substations under the following conditions:

3.01.01 Temperature
The capacitor switcher shall perform in an ambient temperature range of
-40oC through +50oC.

3.01.02 Altitude
The capacitor switcher shall perform at elevations up to 3,300 feet.

3.01.03 Seismic
The capacitor switcher shall be capable of withstanding seismic loading
of 0.2 g ground acceleration in any direction when installed on the
manufacturer’s furnished support structure and anchor bolts and with
flexible connections to the terminal pads. The device shall perform its
specified functions during and after the seismic event.

3.01.04 Wind Loading

The capacitor switcher shall be capable of withstanding wind loads up to
90 mph without loss of function.

3.01.05 Additional Requirements

If any site-specific service conditions not covered in sections 3.01.01
through 3.01.04 exist (e.g. extreme cold temperature installation,
corrosive environment, high altitude installation, etc.) they will be defined
in the quotation request.

3.02 Ratings

3.02.01 General Specifications

Page 2 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

Rated Maximum
38 kV 48.3 kV 72.5 kV 123 kV 145 kV 170 kV
Voltage
Rated Power
Frequency Withstand 80 kV 105 kV 160 kV 260 kV 310 kV 365 kV
Voltage
Rated Lightning
Impulse Withstand 200 kV 250 kV 350 kV 550 kV 650 kV 750 kV
Voltage (BIL)
Rated Power
50/60 Hz
Frequency
Rated Continuous
600 A 650 A
Current
Peak Withstand
104 kA 164 kA
Current
Short-Time
40 kA RMS 1 sec,
Symmetrical 40 kA RMS 1 sec
63 kA RMS 18 cycles
Withstand
Rated Short Circuit
25 kA 40 kA
Interrupting Current
Number of Full Fault
30 10 at 40 kA, 15 at 31.5 kA, 30 at 20 kA
Operations
Interrupting Speed 5 cycles 3 cycles
10 time 40 kA, 15 time 31.5 kA, 2 time 63 kA, 10 time 40 kA,
Fault Closing
30 time 20 kA 15 time 31.5 kA, 30 time 20 kA
CO – 5 min – CO – 5 min – CO
Rated Duty Cycle (Note: The 5 minutes is to allow the substation capacitor bank to discharge.)

CAPACITOR SWITCHING RATINGS

Rated Capacitive
600 A 650 A
Switching Current
Back-To-Back
Capacitor Bank 600 A 650 A
Breaking Current
Rated High-Frequency
Transient-Making
18 kA peak / 4630 Hz 20 kA peak / 4600 Hz
Current / Transient
Inrush Frequency
See Table in 3.03.01
Resistor Value
Pre-insertion time 5-15 ms

3.02.02 Additional
The capacitor switcher shall have an endurance life of 10,000
operations.

Page 3 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

3.02.03 Source Supply Voltages

Purchaser will supply the following sources for the motor, auxiliary, and
control circuits:
1. Motor / Control Voltage 48 VDC; 125 VDC; 250 VDC; 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅;
or 240 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅
2. Auxiliary Voltage 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅ or 240 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅

3.03 Resistors
The capacitor switcher shall be constructed with pre-insertion (closing) resistors
for damping transients caused by switching capacitor banks. The resistor
contacts and the main contacts shall make and break in SF6 gas.

3.03.01 Resistor Values and Selection Chart

38 kV 48.3 kV 72.5 kV 123 kV 145 kV 170 kV

3–6 4 – 18 5 – 20 15 – 40 10 – 25 18 – 30
MVAR MVAR MVAR MVAR MVAR MVAR
90 Ω 40 Ω 80 Ω 150 Ω 300 Ω 300 Ω

6.1 – 16 18.1 – 48 20.1 – 72 40.1 – 75 25.1 – 60 30.1 – 75

MVAR MVAR MVAR MVAR MVAR MVAR
30 Ω 20 Ω 40 Ω 75 Ω 150 Ω 150 Ω

16.1 – 40 75.1 – 130 60.1 – 120 75.1 – 181

MVAR MVAR MVAR MVAR
12 Ω 37.5 Ω 75 Ω 75 Ω

120.1 – 155
MVAR
37.5 Ω

The resistor must be able to withstand closing into a fault and continue to
perform its specified function without damage. Resistor insertion time shall be
between 5 ms and 15 ms. Resistors shall be optional for systems that do not
require transient over-voltage control or inrush current mitigation. The quotation
request will specify if resistors are to be supplied and their required ohm rating.

The resistor and interrupter must be contained in a common housing. The

interrupter must directly activate the resistor. Designs using separate housings
for the interrupter and resistor (or other transient suppression device) are not
acceptable. Designs that insert the transient suppression device in air are not
acceptable.

Page 4 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

3.04 Interrupter
The capacitor switcher shall use SF6 single gap puffer interrupters. Each
interrupter shall be housed in an insulator that is ANSI 70 gray. Arc assist type
interrupters are not acceptable. Each interrupter shall be provided with an
overpressure relief device and shall be field refillable. Hermetically sealed
interrupters are not acceptable.

3.05 SF6 Gas System

The capacitor switcher shall have a common gas system constructed of copper
tubing that allows all of the interrupters to be pressurized through one fill port
accessible from the mechanism housing/control cabinet.

The gas system shall include the insulators, a color-coded, temperature

compensated gas density gauge that is visible from the ground and has
low-pressure alarm and lockout contacts. The density switch must be at ground
potential. Battery powered gas density monitors are not acceptable.

The system shall be constructed such that the density gauge can be isolated
from the interrupters to allow the low-pressure alarm and lockout contact set
points to be verified. A means for refilling the system in the field without
disassembling the capacitor switcher must be provided. The capacitor switcher
shall have a leak rate of less than 0.5% per year.

3.06 Terminal Pads

Terminal pads shall be unplated aluminum with 4 hole NEMA drilling pattern for
use with purchaser furnished terminal connectors. The terminal pads shall be
reversible for mounting at the top, bottom, or either side of the interrupter.

3.07 Operating Mechanism

3.07.01 Spring Operating Mechanism

Each capacitor switcher shall be provided with a spring open-spring
close mechanism with a rated duty cycle of CO – 5 min – CO – 5 min –
CO. The spring shall be charged via an electric motor in 15 seconds or
less. Pneumatic, hydraulic, or combination pneumatic/hydraulic
mechanisms are not acceptable. Devices utilizing multiple mechanisms
are not acceptable.

3.07.02 Mechanism Housing and Control Components

An ANSI 70 gray painted steel mechanism housing shall be furnished
and shall be provided with the following accessories:

Page 5 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

1. Electric spring charging motor

2. Color coded, temperature compensated gas density gauge with
low-pressure alarm contact and low-pressure lockout contact
3. Trip-close pistol grip switch
4. Close coil
5. Trip coil
6. Anti-pump relay
7. Time delay relay
8. Local-remote selector switch
9. 10 spare non-adjustable auxiliary switch contacts factory set as 5
normally open (NO) and 5 normally closed (NC) contacts (for 38
kV-72.5 kV units) or 12 spare non-adjustable auxiliary switch
contacts factory set as 6 normally open (NO) and 6 normally
closed (NC) contacts (for 123 kV-170 kV units)
10. Thermostatically controlled cabinet heater
11. Molded case circuit breakers for protection of motor circuit, control
circuit, and heater circuit
12. Spring charged-discharged indicator
13. Manual closing spring charging handle
14. Open-Close position indicator
15. Manual trip and close lever
16. Operations counter
17. 120 VAC cabinet light with door actuated switch
18. 120 VAC duplex receptacle with GFCI
19. View window in cabinet door
20. Hinged cabinet door with 3 point latch, open position door stop,
and padlocking provisions

3.08 Ground Pads

Two NEMA 2 hole ground pads shall be supplied for grounding the structure to
the station ground grid.

4.0 MANUFACTURING REQUIREMENTS

4.01 Wiring
Wiring shall be:
1. Point-to-point without splices or tee connections.
2. Bundled using cable ties.
3. Clearly identified with permanently affixed markers.
4. Sized per NFPA-70 except being No. 14 AWG.

4.02 Base Frame

Each capacitor switcher shall be provided with a manufacturer furnished base
frame which houses the gas piping that forms the common gas system while also
housing the interpole linkage that connects the three interrupters to the spring

Page 6 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

operating mechanism. The base frame shall be ANSI 70 gray painted steel with
phase spacing as shown in the following table.

Maximum kV Rating Phase Spacing (inches)

38, 48.3, or 72.5 48
123, 145, or 170 84

4.03 Support Structure

Each 38 kV through 72.5 kV capacitor switcher shall be provided with a
manufacturer supplied support structure consisting of one hot dipped galvanized
tubular steel 12” x 8” vertical column (mounting pedestal) 46-¾” tall with a 1”
thick base plate measuring 24” x 24” with a 4 hole bolt pattern on 20” x 20”
centers and furnished for use with 1” x 2’-9” “J” type anchor bolts.

Each 123 kV through 170 kV capacitor switcher shall be provided with a

manufacturer supplied support structure consisting of two hot dipped galvanized
tubular steel 12” X 8” vertical columns (mounting pedestals) 83-¼” tall with a 1”
thick base plate measuring 24” x 24” with a 4 hole bolt pattern on 20” x 20”
centers and furnished for use with 1” x 2’-9” “J” type anchor bolts.

Unless otherwise specified in the quotation request anchor bolts will be provided
by the purchaser. All anchor bolts shall be sized as required for the operational
loads generated by the capacitor switcher. The manufacturer shall determine
anchor bolt sizing and anchor bolt plan details when providing the anchor bolts.

5.0 DESIGN TESTS

The capacitor switcher shall be design tested in accordance with ANSI C37.09-2001.
The testing shall include a dielectric test, a power test, a continuous current test, and a
mechanical endurance test. The dielectric test shall include 60 Hz power frequency,
lighting impulse withstand, and visual corona. The power test shall include short circuit
interrupting, fault closing, short time withstand, resistor fault closing, and shunt capacitor
bank switching.

6.0 PRODUCTION TESTS

Each capacitor switcher shall be fully assembled as a three-phase unit at the factory,
adjusted, tested, and timed per ANSI C37.09 section 5. The tests shall include:

6.01 Mechanical Operation Tests

There shall be at least 50 mechanical operations performed at the factory.
Timing tests, opening and closing operations at minimum and maximum
operating voltage, and spring recharge time shall be recorded.

Page 7 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

6.02 Leak Test

An SF6 leak test shall be performed to confirm the leak rate is less than 0.5% per
year.

6.03 Resistance Tests

6.03.01 Current Path Resistance Tests

A terminal-to-terminal micro-ohm resistance check shall be performed on
each interrupter using a 100 A DC source and the values shall be
recorded.

6.03.02 Heater, Coil, and Relay Resistance Tests

The resistance of each heater, coil, and relay shall be confirmed to be
within specifications and the value(s) shall be recorded.

6.03.03 Closing Resistor Value Tests

The value of the resistor in each interrupter shall be confirmed to be
within specifications and shall be recorded.

6.04 Dielectric Tests

6.04.01 Control Circuit Dielectric Test

The completely assembled and wired operator control circuit shall pass a
dielectric test of 1500 V for 1 minute.

6.04.02 Interrupter Dielectric Test

Each interrupter shall pass a power frequency withstand test at 60 Hz for
one minute. The required test value shall be at least three times rated
line-to-ground voltage.

7.0 SPARE PARTS

No spare parts shall be required to be purchased at the time of capacitor switcher

purchase. Stock shall be maintained at the manufacturer available for rush shipment in
the event of an emergency need.

8.0 DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

8.01 Approval Drawings

The manufacturer shall furnish approval drawings in AutoCAD .DWG format via
e-mail. The purchase order will designate the name and e-mail address of the
individual where the drawings should be forwarded. If there are no comments to
the approval drawings purchaser will respond via e-mail that drawings are
approved as submitted with no changes. If comments are required then one
copy of the drawings will be returned to the manufacturer within 10 days from the
date of transmittal marked “approved with comments as noted”.

Page 8 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

8.02 Final Drawings

The manufacturer shall furnish final drawings in AutoCAD .DWG format via e-
mail. Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, the final drawings will be
forwarded to the same individual that the approval drawings were sent to.

8.03 Instruction Books

The manufacturer shall furnish an electronic copy of each applicable instruction
book in Adobe Acrobat .PDF format via e-mail. Unless otherwise specified in the
purchase order, the instruction book(s) will be forwarded to the same individual
that the approval drawings were sent to.

8.04 Additional Documentation

One complete set of final drawings and one copy of each applicable instruction
book shall be shipped in a weatherproof envelope with each capacitor switcher.

9.0 SHIPPING and DELIVERY

The capacitor switcher shall be match-marked and disassembled as necessary to

accommodate shipping dimensional clearance restrictions. The interrupters shall be
shipped with a positive pressure of 5 – 10 psi of SF6, eliminating the need to pull a
vacuum on them in the field. An SF6 fill kit shall be provided to fill the common gas
system to rated pressure during installation.

10.0 WARRANTY

All capacitor switchers and their accessories furnished under this specification shall
be covered by a five-year warranty from date of shipment or 10,000 operations;
whichever comes first; against failure due to design or to defects in workmanship or
material.

11.0 SPECIFIC QUOTE REQUIREMENTS

Information furnished by purchaser at time of quote request will include:

1. kV rating
2. Closing resistor value
3. Motor / Control voltage (48 VDC; 125 VDC; 250 VDC; 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅; or
240 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅)
4. Heater voltage (120 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅ or 240 VAC, 60 Hz, 1∅)
5. If manufacturer is to supply anchor bolts
6. Additional requirements, if applicable (see section 3.01.05)

Page 9 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109

Title: Southern States 38 kV–170 kV CapSwitcher® Product Specification
Vertical Interrupter Style Capacitor Switcher Guide

12.0 ACCEPTABLE CAPACITOR SWITCHER

Supply Southern States type CapSwitcher® or acceptable equal. Any equal

proposed must meet or exceed this specification.

CapSwitcher® is a registered trademark of Southern States, LLC.

Page 10 of 10 Publication No.: PSG-807-031109