Every year the grid becomes more dynamic and complex. Utilities are now contending with multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) throughout the distribution system, creating new challenges around maintaining reliability.
These technologies create two-way power flow, which is straining existing infrastructure. To manage DERs, utilities are increasing grid sectionalization. But that’s creating its own challenges.
Achieving widespread sectionalization requires your overhead feeder switches to be dependable—regardless of whether you deploy 10 or 1,000 switches. Ineffective switches can worsen customer outages, hurt your reliability performance metrics, and add operations and maintenance (O&M) costs to your balance sheet.
S&C’s Omni-Rupter® Switches are key for mass sectionalization because they’re dependable, robust, and hassle-free to install.
Advantages
A well-performing switch must be optimized in three critical areas:
Features
Wide Range of Ratings
Interrupts up to 900 A through 29 kV and 630 A through 38 kV
Articulating Terminal Pads
Provides flexibility when connecting jumpers
Lifting Bracket
Single-point lift for easy install
Hookstick-Operated Option
Extendo-stick simplifies switch operation
Wildlife Protection
Guards against unwanted contact from pesky creatures
Ice Shields
Allows operation in icy conditions
Clamping System
Secures and permanently locks pole-units to base
Single-Piece Blade
Comes factory-aligned, and nickel-silver plated copper adds durability
Floating Button Fixed Contact
Allows switch to self-adjust to mechanical stresses
Greaseless-Contact Option
Provides operational certainty in harsh environments
Fiberglass Base Option
Lightweight construction for easy crew deployment
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50/60-Hz Ratings①
| kV | Amperes | Fault Closing Capability, Amperes Peak |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal | Maximum | BIL | Continuous | Interrupting |
Peak | One-Second, RMS Sym. |
Three-Second, RMS Sym. |
Two-Time Duty Cycle |
Ten-Time Duty Cycle |
| 14.4 | 17.0 | 110 | 900 | 900 | 65 000 | 25 000 | 20 000 | 42 000 | 21 000 |
| 25 | 29 | 150 | 900 | 900 | 65 000 | 25 000 | 20 000 | 42 000 | 21 000 |
| 34.5 | 38 | 200 | 630 | 630 | 65 000 | 25 000 | 25 000 | 32 500 | 21 000 |
① Ratings apply to Omni-Rupter Switches with catalog number revision "R4." For ratings for previous versions of Omni-Rupter Switches, please contact your nearest S&C Sales office.
Interrupting Ratings
| Application Class | Maximum Amperes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.4-kV and 25-kV Switches | 34.5-kV Switches | ||
| Transformer Switching | Parallel Switching② | 900 | 630 |
| Load Dropping③ | 900 | 630 | |
| Line Switching | Load Splitting (Parallel or Loop Switching) | 900 | 630 |
| Load Dropping | 900 | 630 | |
| Line Dropping (Charging Current) | 10 | 10 | |
| Cable Switching | Load Splitting (Parallel or Loop Switching) | 900 | 630 |
| Load Dropping | 900 | 630 | |
| Cable Dropping (Charging Current) | 20 | 20 | |
② Applies to the switching of the primary of a transformer that remains energized from the secondary bus or to the disconnecting of a loaded secondary bus from one of the two transformers supplying that bus while the primary side of the transformer remains energized.
③ Omni-Rupter Switches can also switch the magnetizing currents associated with such loads.
A variety of optional features are available for Omni-Rupter Switches.
Factory-Adjusted Hookstick Operating Mechanism
- Operable from the ground using an “extendo” hot-stick. Reflectors are included to provide enhanced visibility at night and during inclement weather.
- No vandal-tempting operating handle to install, or grounding mat.
- Cuts switch installation time by up to 60%.
- Redesigned “U”-shaped hookstick pull rings provide a larger landing area for the hookstick, allowing operation from all angles—even directly behind the switch.
- A padlock hasp is incorporated into the hookstick handle, improving visibility by placing the lockout front and center on the switch.
- No field adjustment is needed—ever.
Phase-to-Ground Wildlife Protection
- The phase-to-ground wildlife protection is retrofittable to all installed Omni-Rupter Switches in the upright mounting style.
- The discs’ unique “snap-fit” design allows the protection system to be installed on a de-energized switch on the pole. No tools are required, and no disassembly of the switch parts is needed.
- The wildlife protection prevents animals from making phase-to-ground part contact.
Hookstick with Hookstick Lockout/Tagout
Hookstick-operated Omni-Rupter Switches (mounting configurations) are available with a hookstick-operated lockout/tagout device. This padlockable device locks the switch in the Open position with a single pull of the hookstick.
Also Available:
- Insulating section in the vertical shaft
- Mounting provisions for surge arresters
- Dead-ending extension-link assemblies
- Ice shields
- Open-gap wildlife protection
- Harsh-environment contacts
6801M Automatic Switch Operator
S&C’s 6801M Automatic Switch Operators are fully integrated, microprocessor-based controls that let you automate almost any distribution-class switch and are an ideal match for Omni-Rupter Switches. By combining and testing the electromechanical components, remote terminal unit (RTU), control, and communications as a single package, we also added intelligence, increased reliability, and reduced costs.
When equipped with the optional radio faulted-circuit indicators, the 6801M operator can isolate faults without the need for expensive line post current sensors. Sectionalizing is triggered by a signal from the radio faulted-circuit indicators, followed by a loss of control power.
When equipped with the optional voltage- and current-sensing option, the 6801M operator provides true RMS voltage and current readings plus fault detection, automatic sectionalizing, and loss-of-phase capabilities. When paired with S&C’s IntelliTeam® SG Automatic Restoration System, multiple 6801M operators can work together as teams with IntelliRupter® PulseCloser® Fault Interrupters, 6800 Series Automatic Switch Controls, and IntelliNode™ Interface Modules.
S&C Omni-Rupter Switches are expressly designed for overhead feeder switching and for use in sectionalization schemes. These interrupter switches are available in five mounting configurations to accommodate the variety of line constructions encountered on today’s distribution systems:
Upright Mounting Configuration
Switches in the popular upright mounting configuration are suitable for horizontal distribution-feeder line configurations, and they are available with extra mounting pole clearance. Upright Omni-Rupter Switches use a rotating-type manual operating handle and can be provided with a hookstick operating mechanism. To guard against animal-related outages, upright interrupter switches are also available with optional wildlife protection. Upright Omni-Rupter Switches are available with optional surge arrester mounting brackets and can be specified with either a steel or fiberglass base.
Vertical Mounting Configuration
Switches in the vertical mounting configuration are ideally suited for use at cable risers and transformer tapoffs from overhead lines. Vertical Omni-Rupter Switches use a reciprocating-type manual operating handle to open and close the switch and can be provided with a hookstick operating mechanism. Vertical switches can be specified with either a steel or fiberglass base.
Tiered-Outboard Mounting Configuration
Switches in the tiered-outboard mounting configuration are designed for vertical (phase-over-phase) distribution-feeder line configurations. Tiered-outboard Omni-Rupter Switches use a reciprocating-type manual operating handle to open and close the switch and can be provided with a hookstick operating mechanism. Tiered-outboard switches are available with optional surge arrester mounting brackets and can be specified with either a steel or fiberglass base.
Triangular Mounting Configuration
Switches in the triangular mounting configuration are tailored for use on systems having pole-top or triangular distribution-feeder line configurations. Triangular Omni-Rupter Switches use a rotating-type manual operating handle to open and close the switch.
Not available at 34.5 kV.
Inverted Mounting Configuration
Switches in the inverted mounting configuration are ideal for use in areas where raptors and other large birds are of a concern to electrical systems. Inverted Omni-Rupter Switches use either a rotating-type or reciprocating-type operating handle to open and close the switch and can be provided with a hookstick operating mechanism.
All Omni-Rupter Switches are available with a choice of either Cypoxy™, porcelain, or silicone polymer insulators and can be supplied with a wide variety of options, including insulated bases, insulated operating rods, surge arrester mounting brackets, and wildlife protection. (Switches shown feature steel bases and Cypoxy Insulators.)
For a full list of options, see S&C Specification Bulletin 765-31.
Standard erection drawings for S&C Alduti-Rupter® Switches, Omni-Rupter® Switches, Scada-Mate® Switches, Circuit-Switchers, etc. can be requested by completing the form here.
