Secondary Vacuum Circuit Breakers
VD4/R: Compact low-duty medium voltage vacuum circuit breaker for secondary distribution
Protecting an evolving grid in secondary distribution
ABB’s medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers for secondary distribution protect the evolving grid by safely interrupting the power flow when a grid anomality happens and then re-establishing it once is fixed. Grid anomalies can be caused by over currents - the overload through lightning or malfunctioning electric equipment or a short circuit in the system. ABB’s medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers are key components to ensure continuous power flow to industrial, commercial, and residential users.
ABB’s circuit breakers have been a market benchmark for over 35 years. ABB’s vacuum interrupters, within the circuit breakers, are embedded in poles for protection against humidity, shocks and dust. ABB’s circuit breakers are available for original equipment manufacturers (OEM), panel builders and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPCs) partners to incorporate in their own installations or for use in repair, retrofit and upgrade projects. ABB offers a complete package for secondary distribution partners with our VD4/R together with the load break switch and disconnector GSec/GSec air and ABB Relion protection relay family.
ABB supports customers and partners in staying ahead of increasing electrification needs, technology, and regulatory changes, providing the power to adapt to a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
secondary vacuum circuit breakers: VD4/R
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About VD4/R
VD4/R, up to 24 kV, is a compact medium voltage circuit breaker with lateral mechanical actuator (spring mechanism) for secondary distribution. VD4/R can operate in all medium voltage secondary distribution systems and MV/LV transformer substations in factories, industrial workshops, etc. It also delivers good performance in harsh environment as the vacuum interrupters are embedded in the resin poles, protecting vacuum interrupters against impacts, condensation and polluted environments.
It is a preferred solution for low duty distribution and features a modular spring-operated mechanical actuator which ensures easy operation even without auxiliary supply. It can perform up to 10,000 class M2 mechanical operations.
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Technical features
- Rated voltage: up to 24 kV
- Rated current: up to 1,250 A
- Rated short circuit current:
up to 25 kA
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Benefits
- Compact solution for low-duty distribution
- Easy and fast installation
- 10,000 maintenance-free mechanical operations
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Applications
- Factories
- MV/LV transformer substations
- Industrial workshops
- Services-providing sectors
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Learn more
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eConfigure Devices
Product scope
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VD4-R
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Rated Voltage
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up to 24 kV
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Rated Current
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up to 1,250 A
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Rated short circuit current
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up to 25 kA
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Technology
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Vacuum
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Operating mechanism
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Mechanical
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Mechanical operations
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10,000 cycles
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Standards
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IEC
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Industries
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Renewables, industries, infrastructures,
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Customer benefits
Continuous operation
<ul> <li>Reduced spares and maintenance – 10.000 mechanical close-open operations assured (M2 class). </li> <li>Long electrical life with vacuum interrupter technology embedded in poles for optimum protection from external factors. </li> </ul>Easy to install
<ul> <li>Easy and fast to install with on board protection relay and current sensors available. </li> <li>Full range of plug and play accessories. </li> </ul>Safe
<ul> <li>Hazardous situations prevented through integrated mechanical anti-pumping system to prevent accidental reclosing </li> <li>ABB by your side – Count on a worldwide presence for any support you may need.</li> </ul>Frequently Asked Questions
A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) is a protection device for electrical circuits capable of interrupting the energy flow in a circuit during normal operations, maintenance or in case of a potential anomality in the grid. The core component in ABB’s vacuum circuit breakers are the vacuum interrupters, where the current is extinguished and are embedded inside the poles. Vacuum technology in medium voltage is a mature and well tested technology, there where products in the market since 1950s.
Vacuum circuit breakers protect the evolving grid by safely interrupting the power flow when a grid anomality happens and then re-establishing it once is fixed. Grid anomalies can be caused by over currents - the overload through lightning or malfunctioning electric equipment or a short circuit in the system. The vacuum circuit breakers interrupt the current through the vacuum interrupters, where the current is extinguished and are embedded inside the poles.
ABB’s circuit breakers feature vacuum interrupters embedded in poles, which protect against humidity, shocks, and dust. This design ensures durability and reduces the risk of failure due to contamination, tracking, or partial discharge.
The main difference between a vacuum circuit breaker and a switch disconnector is that the circuit breaker is capable to protect the electrical circuit by clearing the fault currents. The switch disconnector instead will not interrupt the fault current, but once opened it permits to operate on the disconnected part of the plant guaranteeing the insulation from the still active part of the electrical circuit.
Yes, ABB offers also SF6 circuit breaker: the HD4. ABB’s complete transition to SF6-free portfolio will be phased in line with our ambitious sustainability targets, evolving regulatory deadlines, market demand, and production capacity.
Vacuum technology offers many advantages:
- It does not require any additional refill of gas (SF6) or oil, after the operation the vacuum automatically recovers its insulating properties – as a consequence, vacuum circuit breakers require minimal maintenance.
- The vacuum grants a high dielectric strength allowing a compact design.
- The electrical arc is contained inside the vacuum interrupters contributing to a reduced footprint.
- Environmentally friendly, vacuum circuit breakers do not use greenhouse gases to break the current.
Yes, they are. ABB’s vacuum circuit breakers demand very low maintenance.
Yes, they are. Our customers can select the best customization and accessories for the circuit breaker among those available. ABB also has specific circuit breakers for specific applications such as VD4G for generator applications, VD4-CS for inrush free capacitor bank operations, VD4-AF and AF1 for electrical arc furnaces transformers.
The VD4/R, up to 24 kV, is designed for secondary distribution in medium voltage systems. It is ideal for use in MV/LV (Medium Voltage / Low Voltage) transformer substations, factories, industrial workshops, and the services sector.
The VD4/R features a modular spring-operated mechanical actuator, which allows for easy operation even without an auxiliary supply. It also offers an optional integrated solution with onboard-tested relay and current sensors/transformers for fast and easy installation.
The VD4/R is specifically designed for low duty distribution, providing reliable performance with its lateral mechanical actuator. Its compact and modular design makes it a versatile and efficient choice for various secondary distribution applications.