Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) Panel is a medium-voltage (MV) electrical switchgear assembly that uses vacuum as an arc-quenching medium to safely start, stop, and protect electrical circuits.
Technical Specifications
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Features
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11kV VCB Panel
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33kV VCB Panel
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Nominal System Voltage
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11kV
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33kV
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Highest System Voltage
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12 kV
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36 kV
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Rated Current
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Up to 2000A
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Up to 3150A
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Short Time Current (3s)
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25 kA
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26.3 kA to 31.5 kA
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Impulse Withstand
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75 kV peak
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170 kV peak
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Power Frequency
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28 kV rms
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70 kV rms
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Protection
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IP54 | IP55 | IP65
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IP54 | IP55 | IP65
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Frequency
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50 Hz | 60 Hz
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50 Hz | 60 Hz
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Design Features
§ Enclosure:
Fabricated from CRCA sheet steel up to 3mm thick with a powder-coated finish for corrosion resistance.
§ Mounting:
Breakers are typically mounted on with drawable trucks or trolleys for horizontal isolation and easy maintenance.
§ Breaker Type:
Horizontal or vertical draw-out type mounted on a truck for easy isolation.
§ Interlocks:
Comprehensive mechanical and electrical interlocks prevent racking the breaker in or out while it is in the "ON" position.
§ Smart Features:
Modern panels utilize DLMS protocol-compliant energy meters and IoT-ready numerical relays for remote fault monitoring
§ Standard Protections:
Over-current (50/51), Earth Fault (50N/51N), and Negative Phase Sequence (46).
§ Instrumentation:
Equipped with digital ammeters, voltmeters, and status indicators (ON/OFF/Trip).
Material Specification
§ Vacuum Interrupter:
The heart of the panel where the actual switching and arc quenching happen.
§ Draw-out Trolley:
Allows the breaker to be physically disconnected and rolled out for maintenance.
§ Busbars:
High-conductivity copper or aluminium bars that carry the main current.
§ Numerical Relays:
Digital "brains" that sense faults (over-current, earth fault) and tell the breaker to trip.
§ CTs and PTs:
Current and Potential Transformers that scale down high power to safe levels for metering and protection.
Why Use a VCB Panel?
§ Reliability:
VCBs are preferred for 11kV to 33kV ranges because they require minimal maintenance and have a long operational life.
§ Safety:
The metal-clad, compartmentalized design prevents faults in one section from spreading to others.
§ Eco-Friendly:
Unlike SF6 units, VCBs do not use greenhouse gases for insulation, making them the standard for sustainable energy infrastructure.
§ Fast Response:
They can interrupt heavy fault currents within milliseconds, protecting expensive downstream equipment like transformers and motors.
Standard Tests
§ IEC-62271-200, IEC-61439
§ CPRI Type Tested(S/C, Temp Rise, IP)
§ Internal Arc Tested
Brands
§ Novatric Export
Common Applications
§ Industries & Manufacturing | Infrastructure & Utility | Commercial | Renewable Energy | Telecom