Hubbell Tips & News - April 2020

T I P S A N D N E W S S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

IN THIS ISSUE: IEEE BOOTH PREVIEW TIPS FOR NEW LITERATURE STOREFRONT WILDLIFE COVERS THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT HOW CHANCE® TOOLS SAVED SKYLAB Read more on page 14

THE YEARWAS 2012 and it marked the 75 th year of CHANCE® Linemen Grade Tools ™

Celebrating 83 years of keeping linemen safe on the job!

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In The News

YOU’RE INVITED TO HUBBELL’S ONLINE TRAINING COURSES

See Page 26 for more info

WE’RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW LITERATURE STOREFRONT!

See page 14 for tips on how to access and use.

FIRE PROTECTION COATING LAB TESTING VIDEO

Hubbell’s Fire Protective Coating tested to the proposed ASTM method for wood utility poles.

CLICK TO WATCH

Check out our newest podcasts!

Learn how we’re actively developing products and solutions for wildfire mitigation!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

HUBBELL UTILITY SOLUTIONS | 3

WELCOME!

CPI designs, develops and manufactures innovative, high-quality products for power utilities and mass transit. Specializing in connectors, CPI is a dynamic, flexible company that offers outstanding customer service and short lead times, especially during emergencies. “Better Products by Design” is their mission and a philosophy they live by as a trusted industry supplier.

On December 6, Hubbell acquired substantially all of the assets of Connector Products, Inc. (CPI), designer and manufacturer of electrical connectors and accessories for power utilities and mass transit rail systems. CPI joins the Hubbell family under the BURNDY® brand. Located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, has provided electrical connectors for major power utility transmission and distribution systems across the United States and throughout the world for more than 40 years.

To learn more, visit: http://connectorproducts.com

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n December 9, Hubbell acquired Cantega Technologies and its associated brands, GreenJacket, Reliaguard and Cantega RTS, known for innovative animal

“Cantega is a natural addition to the Hubbell family as their products and people are of the highest quality and uncompromising integrity,” remarked Mark Mikes, Power Systems Division President, Hubbell Utility Solutions. “Asset protection is a growing need in the industry and essential to our growth. I am pleased to welcome them to the team and look forward to taking the industry further, together.” GREENJACKET and RELIAGUARD covers, as well as CPI connectors, are supported by the Hubbell Utility Solutions sales team.

mitigation solutions and services. Along with our ANDERSON™ wildlife cover and HUBBELL® arrester bird cap, GREENJACKET® and RELIAGUARD® covers will create another business unit within within the Power Systems Division dedicated to wildlife mitigation. Cantega was founded in 2001 by Marty Niles, a power lineman with more than 25 years of experience in the electric utility industry. Today, Cantega is a rapidly growing company protecting more than 700 substations across North America from animal-related outages and is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

For more information ask your Territory Manager.

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NEW “430 DIELESS” CRIMPER JAW PATRIOT® IN-LINE® PATMD-LW SERIES TOOLS

The PATMD430LWJAW is a new utility focused, dieless crimping jaw for use with the PATRIOT® IN-LINE® PATMD-LW series of hydraulic crimping tools. An addition to the existing interchangeable cutting and crimping jaws, the “430 Dieless” crimper jaw is specifically designed only for use on BURNDY® Overhead Distribution Terminals and Splices. Families include: YDS-RL, YDSR-RL, YDS-RLY, YDR-RL, YDRR-RL, YCS-RL, YCA-RL and YSS-R. The “430 Dieless” jaw offers the capability to crimp a wide range of BURNDY utility distribution connectors, from #4 AWG - 3/0 AWG, without the use of dies.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Dieless crimp profile for #4 - 3/0 BURNDY® Overhead Distribution connectors only

• Connections comply with ANSI C119.4 for Full Tension Overhead Splices

• For use with all PATRIOT® IN-LINE® PATMD-LW crimping and cutting tools

• Customize a kit with up to 3 jaw sets and select accessories

For product inquiries, please contact your local BURNDY Salesperson or Customer Service for assistance.

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ADVANTAGES OF ESP™ FOR DISTRIBUTION ARRESTERS

HALEY A. ENGEL MARKETING MANAGER | AIKEN, SC

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SUMMARY Polymer insulation used for distribution arrester housing materials are typically defined by the base polymer material. Polymer compounds suitable for electrical insulation are also made with fillers and additives which can enhance or support the base polymer’s characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the extensive polymer development history behind Hubbell Utility Solutions introduction of the ESP™ material, and demonstrate its benefits as a reliable housing material for distribution arresters and other system critical equipment. INTRODUCTION Utilities are being held to higher power quality standards as society becomes more dependent on access to uninterrupted power. Manufacturers of power distribution equipment are in turn expected to provide products that will last for decades in harsh environments. Because the polymer housing protects internal components, like metal oxide varistor (MOV) discs inside distribution arresters, the life of system critical equipment can be related to the life of the polymer. Polymer compounding for electrical equipment is a complex subject clouded by the perception that the base polymer alone defines the product characteristics. However, the performance also depends highly on the materials added to the base polymer. Additionally, the equipment manufacturer’s experience plays a key role in developing a consistent and reliable polymer product. Ohio Brass, now a part of Hubbell Utility Solutions, first began developing polymers in the 1960s in an effort to find a lighter, safer and cost-effective alternative to porcelain. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL POLYMER It’s a commonly held belief that the single most important characteristic for insulating materials is hydrophobicity, the ability to shed water or cause water films to bead, breaking up the potential leakage current path. Because the polymer housing is the primary defense for system critical distribution equipment, there are several other important polymer characteristics worth taking into consideration. The combination of characteristics listed below can greatly contribute to the long-term performance of the products in service. Ohio Brass developed a series of polymer testing methods, referenced later, that correlate lab performance to long term reliability in the field.

Resistance to Tracking and Erosion An important characteristic of a polymer compound is its ability to resist tracking and erosion especially under contaminated conditions. With high enough contamination levels, polymer sheds can begin to track and form an electrically conductive path along the surface. The presence of this new conductive path defeats the intended purpose of the insulating material and can lead to a line- to-ground short. These high leakage currents combined with associated dry band arcing can severely damage the polymer surface in the form of erosion. Dry band arcing generates ozone, high temperatures and UV radiation exposure on the polymer surface. ESP™ does not track. The EPDM base, when exposed to high temperatures, will revert to a gaseous state, leaving no conductive residue. This property will prolong its service life regardless of the level of hydrophobicity. UV Resistance Polymer devices are exposed to UV in the form of sunlight, corona and dry band arcing which can cause changes on the surface. In the case of ESP™, a light chalking develops during this process, which serves to protect the underlying substrate from severe UV damage. High Mechanical Strength Distribution products are exposed to a high level of mechanical stress during installation and service. It is essential that the polymer material be robust enough to maintain mechanical integrity. Damage to housings in arresters for example could lead to moisture ingress and ultimately an electrical failure. Additionally, utilities around the world have reported instances of damage to polymer insulation from birds pecking at the polymer insulation. EPDM based materials are significantly stronger mechanically and proven to be more resistant to damage from birds which can be a major issue for utilities. Low Moisture Permeability Low moisture permeability for arrester housings is important because of frequent exposure to rain and humidity for these products in the field. Moisture ingress is the most common cause for arrester failures. The fillers included in the ESP™ compound prevent buildup of moisture within the housing by releasing water over time. Short and Long Term Hydrophobicity Hydrophobicity is the ability to bead water which can reduce electrical activity on the surface. This property is mostly valuable to polymers like silicone rubbers which depend on low surface tension to withstand tracking and erosion. Data and field history show prolonged exposure to UV and contamination can significantly degrade polymer surfaces,

Characteristics of an Ideal Polymer: • Resistance to tracking and erosion • Ultraviolet (UV) resistance • High mechanical strength • Low moisture permeability • Short and long-term hydrophobicity

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reducing the hydrophobic properties significantly or completely. Temporary loss in surface tension can leave some polymer materials vulnerable to tracking before hydrophobic properties are regained. The ideal polymer however would need to have a permanently hydrophobic surface or have a high level of resistance to leakage currents. ESP™ displays characteristics of hydrophobicity, but the material does not rely on this characteristic alone to ensure long term reliability. The original design goal for ESP™ was to meet or exceed the capability of existing porcelain designs in terms of resistance to surface leakage current and/or dry band arcing activity. The materials that have been developed by Hubbell have succeeded in achieving this goal. Without good performance in these key areas, the chances of field failures increase significantly. COMPONENTS OF A RELIABLE COMPOUND Compounds suitable for electrical insulation can consist of 10 or more ingredients which can be broken down to three major categories, shown in Figure 1. These include the base polymer, fillers which can make up nearly 50% of the total compound, and active additives. Compounding of an elastomer with fillers and additives to achieve the desired results for a given application is critical. The components are carefully selected to enhance field performance and ease of manufacture.

reinforcing and extending. Reinforcing fillers can improve tensile strength, modulus, tear strength and abrasion resistance of a compound. An extending filler is a loading or non-reinforcing material used to enhance desirable properties such as electrical characteristics and flammability resistance. Alumina Trihydrate (ATH, or Hydrated Alumina) acts as an extending filler in ESP™ which further improves the compound’s already good electrical characteristics. As an additional benefit when the ATH is overheated it goes through an endothermic reaction in which it rehydrates to release water. This leaves behind the inorganic component but, in the process, cools the surface making it more resistant to damage due to dry band arcing on its surface. Additives Additives support the manufacturing processes by protecting the chemical bond between fillers and elastomer during vulcanization. These materials make up a small percentage of the overall compound but help manufacturers achieve consistency in the final product. The combination of these three components results in a well-rounded polymer that can stand up to environmental factors which might otherwise deteriorate most polymers. TESTING FOR LONG TERM RELIABILITY The next step after defining the characteristics required of an ideal polymer housing material was to develop an appropriate test protocol. Good polymer compounds used for high voltage insulation should be tested for the ability to resist tracking, erosion, corona, and ultra-violet (UV) radiation exposure to ensure long term reliability. The section below provides a high-level overview of the key test procedures defined to achieve the previously mentioned characteristics. Detailed information is found in Polymer Compounds used in High Voltage Insulators [1]. The testing regime, outlined in Table 1, allows various materials to be evaluated and led to the optimum material selection for electrical insulation applications.

Figure 1: Typical Composition of a Polymer Compound

Base Polymer The base polymer that makes up a compound is called an elastomer. The two referenced in this paper and widely recognized are EPDM and Silicone. Selection of the base compound is only the first step in designing a reliable polymer compound for electrical applications. ESP™ is an EPDM based compound which was formulated over many years of research starting before the transition from porcelain to polymer. Fillers Fillers are used to support the base elastomer of a compound and typically make up 40-60% of a compound. There are two types of fillers which are classified as

Table 1: Lab Performance Requirements of Hubbell Polymer Compounds

Test

Minimum Passing Criteria

Tracking and Erosion

15,000 cycles

Ultraviolet (QUV)

8,000 hours

Corona Cutting

1,000 hours

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Resistance to Tracking and Erosion The Hubbell tracking test was initially developed to evaluate glaze compounds for porcelain insulators. It was next used for evaluating the tracking and erosion resistance of polymeric insulating materials and their ability to withstand electrical discharge on the surface. This test was used as a screening method to ensure any polymer material would perform as well as porcelain. sides with a defined gap between them. The sample is energized and repeatedly sprayed with a conducting solution. The surface currents between the electrodes heats and dries the sample until the flow of current ceases. The sample is then sprayed with the conducting solution and these cycles continue until the material shows signs of carbonization or erosion on the surface. This failure is usually the result of tracking/erosion and characterizes the polymer’s ability to withstand harsh service conditions. Ultraviolet (QUV) and Corona Testing Outdoor insulation is exposed to UV from sunlight as well as UV generated from corona and dry band arcing. Ultra Violet testing challenges a polymer’s ability to resist the absorption of this UV radiation in combination with high humidity which can affect the dielectric and weathering properties of a compound. This characteristic is verified by two tests – QUV and Corona Cutting. The QUV subjects a sample to cycles of high UV light, heat and humidity. The corona cutting test subjects a mechanically stressed sample to concentrated corona from a “needle” electrode. The presence of corona ages polymers by generating UV and ozone. Passing this test demonstrates that proper chemical compounding has taken place during the manufacturing process. To further qualify the polymer compound for electrical application, abrasion and tear testing is done to ensure the polymer has high mechanical strength. Additionally, for distribution arresters, moisture permeability of the material must be considered in conjunction with the end product’s sealing system. Both IEC 60099-4 and IEEE C62.11 surge arrester standards provide guidelines for such testing and therefore extensive testing is performed on the entire arrester design. These tests are then documented in manufacturer’s type test reports to ensure that the product’s protective function remains consistent in the field. Tracking evaluation is performed on a rectangular section of the molded material. Electrodes are clamped on opposing Additional Testing for Mechanical Strength and Moisture Permeability

As a result of the test methods covered in this section, two materials emerged as the most suitable materials for this application – EPDM and Silicone Rubber based polymers. The Hubbell standard tests have proven very effective at determining the robustness of materials for field use. These same tests are still followed by Hubbell polymer experts today when qualifying both silicone and EPDM based compounds. CONCLUSION The components of ESP™ were carefully selected with the goal being to design a polymer compound suitable for replacing porcelain. Field history has shown that base polymer is not the only determinant of long service life, instead it is more a function of compounding and processing by the supplier. Hubbell engineers formulated a series of tests in the early 1970s to qualify ESP™ which has proven to be a reliable housing material for decades, with tens of millions of distribution products installed around the world.

BIBLIOGRAPHY [1] R.A. Bernstorf, Polymer Compounds used in High Voltage Insulators, Hubbell Power Systems, 2004 [2] Long Term Performance of Polymer Housed MO-Surge Arresters, CIGRE, 2004 [3] Dr. F. Schmuck, Dealing with Deterioration of Silicone Insulation in Critical Applications, http://www.inmr.com/dealing-deterioration-silicone- insulation-critical-applications-2/ [4] V. Sklenicka, K. Fiala and M. Bruckmet, Applying RTV Silicone Coatings to Restore Degraded Composite Housings, http://www.inmr.com/applying-rtv- silicone-coatings-restore-degraded-composite-housings/ [5] IEC 60099-4, Surge arresters - Part 4: Metal-oxide surge arresters without gaps for a.c. systems [6] IEEE C62.11, IEEE Standard for Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for AC Power Circuits (> 1 kV) BIOGRAPHY Haley Engel received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University. She began her career as a Mechanical Engineer and Drone Pilot for Kratos in Huntsville, Alabama. Haley later joined Hubbell Utility Solutions as an Application Engineer with a focus on Distribution Arresters, and is currently the Marketing Manager for the Arrester business unit in Aiken, South Carolina.

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Learn More

HOW UTILITIES CAN MITIGATE WILDFIRES Hubbell Utility Solutions and Aclara are excited to introduce different fire protection products to help minimize the chances of wildfires.

For the full story, visit: storyscape.tdworld.com/hubbell-wildfire-mitigation/

HUBBELL UTILITY SOLUTIONS | 11

IEEE 2020

BUILD. MAINTAIN. MODERNIZE. Face the future with confidence.

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JOIN US IN OCTOBER TO SEE OUR NEW BOOTH DESIGN! We were set to unveil our completely renovated booth at IEEE, April 20-23. Though global conditions caused a necessary delay to October, we couldn’t wait to showcase our new design — so check out the sneak peek below! Theater space, streamlined design, and skybridge view of the exhibit hall floor — we think it’s a showstopper (but we genuinely hope it’s not).

CLICK HERE to follow updates from IEEE on rescheduled dates.

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TIPS TO the new LITERATURE STOREFRONT NAVIGATE

1 FIND THE LINK VIA HUBBELLPOWERSYSTEMS.COM

LOGIN/REGISTER FOR YOUR SECURITY AND OURS 2

SEARCH BY KEYWORD OR BULLETIN NUMBER 3

1. To find the link: Go to hubbellpowersystems.com > Resources > Request Literature *Note that if you just go to Literature, this will only give you literature that you can view and download on our website; it’s not the same portal as to order printed collateral. 2. You need to login; this is for your security and ours. Anyone can register and you can bookmark the link and save your login information. Anyone can register by clicking the “Create an Account” link on the login page. 3. Search - Most of our literature has a bulletin number (ex: SF00100E) at the bottom or on the last page, that you can use to search if you’re wanting to order more of something you already have. You can also keyword search and it will bring up literature that has that keyword or phrase in the title. 4. Many of our items are printed upon demand, seeing print on demand, or “0” doesn’t mean an item is not available. 5. Struggling to login? On the login screen you have the option to have your password resent, but there’s also an email for you to send issues to: hubbellfulfillment@knowclassic.com .

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HUBBELLPOWERSYSTEMS.COM RESOURCES » REQUEST LITERATURE

PRINT ON DEMAND 4

EMAIL PROVIDED FOR ISSUES AND SUPPORT 5

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D O C U M E N T A R Y

LAUNCHING 4.18.2020 | SAVINGSKYLAB.COM

On July 22, 1969, only two days after the first successful lunar landing, the Skylab space station project began. Nearly four years later, Skylab was launched on May 14, 1973 and became the first American space station to reach orbit. However, there were multiple issues that arose putting the mission in jeopardy. Once in orbit the second Skylab solar panel failed to fully deploy. Skylab was critically under-

powered and was at risk of becoming uninhabitable. Plans to rescue the already in-orbit space station began. Shortly after the problems arose with the initial launch, Charles Lewis, a man-systems engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, reached out to the AB Chance company to acquire lineman tools that were light- weight and could possibly be

used to help fix Skylab. Those tools would be hand delivered by Cliff Bosch, an AB Chance product manager, to Marshall and later directly to the astronauts at Cape Canaveral a few days before launch. The tools that were ultimately used in space were a combination of AB Chance tools and other parts that could be modified for use by the astronauts.

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A M E R I C A ’ S F I R S T S P A C E S T A T I O N

The first crew to visit Skylab, in addition to its science objectives, were to perform two space walks focused solely on repairs. This team deployed a parasol sun shade and freed the stuck solar panel using the tools that were created. After hosting three successful crews and performing hundreds of experiments, the Skylab program began to wind down

in March 1974. Though initially troubled with damage during launch, the Skylab program was tremendously successful. Skylab served as the foundation for creating technology and techniques used throughout the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. Saving Skylab is a short documentary telling the story of how an electric lineman's

tool manufacturer in Centralia, Missouri helped save the first American space station from catastrophe. The film is being produced by Hubbell Utility Solutions and will be released on Saturday, April 18, 2020 . The film will be available to view at SavingSkylab.com and on YouTube the following week.

TO THOSE WHO CLIMB ™ NATIONAL LINEMAN APPRECIATION DAY | APRIL 18

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SKYLAB II PROTOTYPE CUTTER TOOL

Astronauts used this cutter tool designed

by the AB Chance company to cut the metal strap preventing deployment of the Skylab solar array.

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MAHLON L. “CLIFF” BOSCH August 12, 1928 – April 18, 1992

Cliff Bosch was a product manager for the AB Chance company during the creation and launch of Skylab.

Starting his career in the industry in the 1950s, Cliff became instrumental in the development of many line tools, procedures, and training innovations.

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WITH TODD TIPS

Todd Neville is a Sr. Product Specialist with our Cable Accessories business unit. Formerly, he was a lineman for 25 years.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TIPS

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YOUR CHOICE FOR ADVANCED DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION 3Ø SOLID DIELECTRIC SWITCHES

For advanced distribution automation switching applications, Hubbell Utility Solutions has you covered. The Hubbell 3Ø recloser offering is a pole-ready, completely integrated solution.

For product inquiries, contact your Hubbell Sales Representative or customer service for more information.

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Courtesy Springfield News Ledger

KEEPING AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES ROLLING White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Branson, MO

When transient fault-level voltages and short-time, fault-level, charging currents from capacitor operations blew fuses and caused an outage at a nearby amusement park, White River Valley Electric Cooperative stopped the trouble with synchronous, zero-voltage close, capacitor switching technology.

“If large (or) back-to-back capacitor switching will cause problems for your end users, you want to make sure that you minimize the impact. Synchronous, zero-voltage close, capacitor switching technology does a very good job at that.”

REINY CASH, CHIEF ENGINEER WHITE RIVER VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

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BUSINESS CHALLENGE If you own and operate an amusement park, you know roller coasters are a star attraction. The last thing you want is to have one stopped in its tracks by an unplanned power outage. For Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-themed venue with some 2.2 million guests annually, this potential problem was much more likely to happen due to the demand that thrill rides operated at the park put on the electric system. “Being an amusement park with many rides, Silver Dollar City has a lot of motor load and pretty high demand that puts reactive current on the system,” said Reiny Cash, chief engineer for White River Valley Electric. Inside the park, the utility has a distribution automation scheme and pad-mounted capacitors. Along with the intelligence and automation in the park, White River has another large capacitor bank close to the park and, for years, the utility had been able to manage power quality simply by leaving the external bank turned on manually because it didn’t have a switch. That worked until 2013, when Silver Dollar City installed the Outlaw Run amusement ride. When the giant ride debuted, it was the world’s steepest wood coaster. It’s first drop features an 81-degree fall of 162 feet – more than 16 stories – making it also one of the world’s fastest wood coasters, a gut-churner that topped out at 68 miles per hour. Voted Best New Ride of 2013 worldwide by Amusement Today, this ride is advertised as one that will test just about anybody’s grit. MYSTERY ARC SHUTS DOWN RIDE The electrical source of this ride was tied into the vacuum fault interrupter (VFI) switch gear used for overcurrent protection on the capacitor bank outside the park, which happened to be a large 1200 kVAR unit. Soon after Outlaw Run was installed and undergoing routine testing, the cooperative received a call letting them know the ride had no power. Trouble shooters discovered that the VFIs had tripped on the switch gear feeding both the ride and capacitor bank near it. They suspected trouble with the capacitor itself: a bad cell, animal intrusion or some other simple cause that could easily be addressed. As it turns out, it also tested the capacitor bank just outside park grounds.

When they opened the capacitor bank enclosure, however, they found absolutely nothing but some residue from the arcing that took out the fuse. The utility crew isolated the capacitor bank and got the ride back online. Then, they got to work researching possible reasons for the problem. It wasn’t long before chief engineer Cash came across a white paper explaining how large capacitor bank switching causes voltage transients associated with high charging current. When capacitors are switched off, they’re discharged and almost at ground potential. As soon as you switch them on, they quickly charge from zero voltage to whatever the line voltage happens to be. If the cap bank is on a 13,800-volt line, the moment you switch that capacitor in, the capacitor bank charges from zero volts all the way to 13,800 volts, and usually there are over-voltage transients too. Quickly, the capacitor settles into the right voltage, but transients for a few cycles after switching are common. The larger the capacitor you switch in, the more transient fault current hits the line. Cash calculated the amount of charging current at his capacitor banks and knew that it was likely a short-duration fault current that could easily take out a fuse over time. The utility switched on the capacitor bank outside the park to provide reactive current because they needed the VAR support. But, due to the charging-current issue, engineers didn’t want to leave the other bank inside the park on while the outer bank was in a fixed position, so they shut it off. That inner bank was 900-kVAR, which meant the utility had and needed a total of 2100 kVAR on the feeder serving the park. Engineers knew they must find a way to get capacitance back onto the line. That’s when Cash and his team started looking for a switch that would avert the heavy in-rush of charging current.

SOLUTION OVERVIEW

Fig. 1 – SmartClose Synchronous Vacuum Switch

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BUSINESS JUSTIFICATION

White River engineers selected the Trinetics SmartClose® 3-Phase, synchronous, zero-voltage close capacitor switch. With built-in intelligence and six integrated voltage sensors, it senses when the 60 hertz sine wave passes zero voltage and closes in that instant. No voltage, no transients. Problem solved. These zero-crossing capacitor switches have built-in sensors and intelligence, allowing the device to measure voltage and close at the zero point on the waveform on each phase of the system. That doesn’t happen with competitive products. Most other zero-voltage capacitor switches simply time the close on each phase to reflect that 120-degree difference between the phases. The problem is that the timing in which a switch closes is limited by its mechanical characteristics. Some capacitor switches may close in half a second, some may close in 10 cycles, some could take 40 cycles or more. And even if one of the capacitor switches happens to close when the capacitor voltage is zero, the other phase switches will close with a large voltage across them and there is no means to control the precise timing of the switches. The SmartClose capacitor switches also can close within 5° of zero voltage, as opposed to the industry standard of 21°. In fact, there’s even validation software so system operators can verify the switches are opening and closing on the zero axis of the waveform. In addition, the SmartClose line of switches eliminates field calibration and commissioning and reduces the overall cost of installation. Partly, that’s because the capacitor switches are precalibrated, another benefit of keeping intelligence in the switch. “In our case, we assembled a new capacitor bank and had the switch mounted on the rack and ready to go,” said chief engineer Cash. “Putting the rack together in the warehouse probably took us an hour and a half. In the field, it took about an hour – maybe even less – to get the capacitor mounted on the pole, energized and online. It was very easy.” Finally, SmartClose switches are solid dielectric switches with a C2 re-strike free rating that use vacuum bottle technology to stop arcing. That eliminates the need for oil and all the maintenance that comes with it.

“The fact that this switch is packaged as a plug and play assembly where the end user really does not have to know anything more about it is, I think, the biggest benefit.” REINY CASH, CHIEF ENGINEER WHITE RIVER VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Because elimination of large voltage transients was a key reason White River Valley Electric changed its capacitor switch technology, better power quality for all customers in the area was one of the main benefits this solution provided. In addition, the utility gained: Restrike-free switching: Also called transient recovery voltage, re-striking voltage appears across the breaker contacts they open. It can result in short-duration high frequency. Because the SmartClose capacitor switch is designed with robust switching mechanism and vacuum interrupter technology that is rated Class C2 re-strike free, it avoids this potentially harmful voltage. Easier installation: Other zero-voltage capacitor switching solutions use secondary controllers that receive signals from the main controller mounted on the pole. That means there’s more wiring and more complicated installation. On top of that, the intelligence is in those secondary, middleman controllers, not the switch. That means installers must run the controllers and switches through calibration exercises multiple times during installation so that the secondary controller can learn how long it takes for switches to close and time its zero-close operations. That, too, requires special training for field workers and more time during the installation process. This one-time initial calibration does not guarantee that the switch timing will remain constant over years of operation and temperature variations. The SmartClose zero-crossing capacitor switch is a complete plug-and-play solution that requires zero additional training and zero field commissioning. In addition, it doesn’t force a utility to use a new controller. Utilities can use any capacitor bank controller along with it, even a simple Time-of-Day or Temperature based controller. Maintenance-free operation: SmartClose is a solid dielectric switch. “The switching is actually being done in a vacuum chamber as opposed to being done with contacts that are under oil, where you are going to get carbon build-up each time that they operate,” Cash explains. “There is maintenance that is associated with

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oil-based switches after a certain time, such as a three- year cycle. Those old switches need to be taken down and serviced. These switches can reduce your maintenance and operating costs.” Lower capital expense: Oil-based switches are typically rated for 2,000 operations. Since closing of the SmartClose capacitor switch is times at zero-voltage, there is no electrical stress during the closing operation, which further improves the life of the product. The capacitor switches are rated for 50,000 operations, giving them decades more service that’s maintenance-free. Set-and-forget technology: Using systems with multiple controllers means recalibration will eventually be needed. That’s because field technicians set the calibration of the controller and switch during installation, but a few years down the road, those mechanical switches will slow down, and the controllers won’t know it. The SmartClose does. It also knows the voltages on all the phases of the line because each phase has its own sensors associated with it. When mechanical switches slow down, Smart Close sees and reacts. High levels of VAR support in proximity: White River Electric’s chief engineer Cash chose the SmartClose switch because he saw it working well for a nearby utility. He explains: “They had an installation over in the Joplin, Missouri area near an industrial park where they had several capacitor banks close together. The transients from switching were causing issues on variable frequency drives inside some of the manufacturing firms in this industrial park. When they utilized these zero-crossing switches, they had no more problems.”

Reactive energy must be supplied somewhere, and if its not being supplied by capacitor banks, it needs to come from a generating station. That adds line losses to the system, as well as the additional cost of generating those VARs. “By utilizing your capacitors and switching them in an intelligent manner, you can help reduce those losses tremendously,” Cash notes. He says that SmartClose switches help utilities add capacitance in sensitive areas where it’s crucial to minimize power quality issues that capacitor switching operations could cause. Given the many benefits, it makes sense that engineers at White River Valley Electric are thinking of investing in SmartClose technology again. “We are looking at and going ahead and getting another one of these SmartClose switches to use on another capacitor bank serving the park,” Cash says. “They are in the process of installing a new ride, and we want to make sure that our capacitor switching operations on are not going to cause any issues for the newer high-tech control systems that are going to be on that ride.”

Aclara, now part of the Hubbell Utility Solutions family of brands, is a world-class supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) and services to more than 1,000 water, gas, and electric utilities globally. Aclara SIS offerings include smart meters and other field devices, advanced metering infrastructure and software and services that enable utilities to predict and respond to conditions, leverage their distribution networks effectively, and engage with their customers.

Fig. 2 – Zero-voltage close waveforms being downloaded from the SmartClose capacitor switch with fiber-optic cable.

Reduced line losses: “VAR support is an economic issue,” Cash says. That’s because the power triangle requires utilities to be supplying watts, VARs and volt-amperes.

Visit us at Aclara.com, follow us on Twitter @AclaraSolutions or subscribe to our blog.

HUBBELL UTILITY SOLUTIONS | 25

You’re Invited TO TECHNICAL TRAINING ON HUBBELL UTILITY SOLUTIONS PRODUCTS

Want to learn more about mitigating outages from wildlife? Or perhaps you’re interested in options for keeping power transformer bushings in service – or best practices for preserving your anchor tooling? Hubbell Utility Solutions’ NEW online, free webinars feature a wide range of solutions specifically designed for distributors and electric utility personnel. Featured topics include: substation grounding options, wildlife mitigation, new automation products and much more!

WEBINAR TITLE

DATE

WEBINAR TITLE

DATE

4/17/20

5/1/20

Electric Motion Company – Customizable EU Solutions

URD Arresters Overview

4/20/20

5/4/20

FlexMo: Solid state motor operator for distribution systems

Bushings Replacement Evaluation Process

4/21/20

5/5/20

BURNDY PAT444S Dieless Crimping Tool Overview

Mechanical Grounding Applications

4/22/20

5/6/20

Capacitor Switches & Comparison of Capacitor Switching Technologies

Power Installed Anchor Tool Maintenance and Safety

4/23/20

5/7/20

Wildlife Mitigation Solutions for Power Distribution Systems

Exothermic Grounding Applications

4/24/20

5/8/20

Cable Accessories Product Overview

Transmission and Substation Helical Pile Foundation Case Studies

4/27/20

5/11/20

Characteristics of a quality polymer cutout

Fiberglass Standoffs and Guy Strains –Value Added Products

4/28/20

5/12/20

The BURNDY® Advantage

Pole Line Hardware – Distribution Line Construction

4/29/20

5/13/20

Sensors Product Portfolio

HYGROUND Benefits and Reliability

4/30/20

5/14/20

Transmission and Substation Connectors - The Basics

HeliCAP® Helical Capacity Design Software Version 3.0

Webinars will be hosted Monday-Friday, 2PM EDT. All webinars are 30 minutes in duration. Click here to register and learn more.

26 | HUBBELL UTILITY SOLUTIONS

EASY ORDERING | MORE VALUE | LESS GUESSWORK

SHUNT CAPACITORS

LINE POST SENSORS

CAPACITOR SWITCHES

CUTOUTS & FUSES

DISTRIBUTION ARRESTERS

ACLARA CST FOR TWACS

Hubbell Express capacitor banks offer a reliable and comprehensive pole-mount capacitor rack solution that meets the needs of electric cooperatives and public power utilities. Our Express capacitor banks are designed to simplify the ordering process by providing easy selections for customers, and covering most of the common requirements for a pole mount power factor correction solution.

Our Express capacitor banks are factory assembled, pre-wired and are delivered ready for immediate field installation, including the wildlife protectors as a standard offering.

For product inquiries, contact your Hubbell Sales Representative or customer service for more information.

HUBBELL UTILITY SOLUTIONS | 27

HUBBELL T I PS & NEWS

Hubbell TIPS & NEWS is published to inform personnel of electric utilities and associated companies of new ideas and techniques in electric utility and communication practices. The magazine, under different titles and formats, has been published since 1932. Your suggestions, editorial or photographic contributions are invited and may be submitted to emarketing@hubbell.com.

©Copyright 2019 Hubbell Incorporated NOTE: We have a policy of continuous product improvement. Please visit hubbellpowersystems.com to confirm current design specifications.

VOL. 24 NO. 1 | SPRING 2020

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