Importance of pole mounted recloser in substations

Why Use Reclosers in Substations?

The primary reason for using reclosers in substation environments is cost savings through integration. Unlike traditional circuit breakers, reclosers are compact, lightweight, and designed for fast opening and closing, making them a practical and cost-effective solution.

Compact Design and Cost Efficiency

Reclosers are equipped with a comprehensive control system, including protection relays, SCADA FTUs, and automation. In contrast, traditional substation equipment requires separate procurement of relays, communication systems, and main circuit breakers. The integrated design of reclosers not only reduces upfront capital costs but also minimizes commissioning expenses, as they are factory-tested and delivered as complete systems.

By using an integrated recloser system, there is no need for separate communication wiring between relays and circuit breakers, nor is point-to-point testing of this wiring required. Instead, engineers and technicians can apply construction methods typically used in pole-mounted recloser installations, further simplifying the process.

Limitations of Reclosers in Substations

While reclosers are versatile, they have limitations regarding fault current and load current ratings. Most reclosers are designed with an interrupting capacity of up to 16 kA and a voltage rating of 38 kV, restricting their use to smaller substations, such as those in rural areas or sites integrating renewable energy. These locations typically have lower fault currents, making reclosers a suitable choice. However, even in larger urban substations, reclosers can be applied as long as fault currents remain within the device’s capacity.

Additional Options and Accessories

Substation Mounting Frames:

Reclosers can often be retrofitted onto existing mounting frames from decommissioned switchgear. However, when new mounting arrangements are needed, specially designed substation mounting frames provide an ideal solution for recloser installation.

In summary, the use of reclosers in substation environments provides significant cost savings, reduced commissioning time, and simplified installation processes. Despite their limitations in terms of fault current and load capacity, reclosers remain a viable and efficient alternative to traditional circuit breakers, particularly in smaller substations and renewable energy applications.