36 kV vacuum circuit breaker panel - The perfect switchgear for wind

For the wind industry, generator ratings in turbines are often above 2 MVA. Typically large wind farms are built and connected via a common transformer to the collection grid. Such high energy input in the network should preferably be done at a voltage higher than 24 kV. In large wind farms the optimum voltage level can be selected as the installation is new and is connected to the collector system. For these new installations, 36 kV is a good candidate. To make a cost optimized connection to the transformers in the wind towers, special switchgear components are required. To secure a good fit of components for wind towers, special requirements in the wind segments must be included when new products are developed. For ratings above 2 MVA, circuit breaker is often the preferred transformer protection. Circuit breaker panels must therefore be designed with dimensions suitable for wind tower doors. This requires a slim design to allow easy handling through narrow wind tower doors. To secure a good fit of circuit breaker panels for distribution networks and wind farm applications, personnel safety and service continuity are critical success factors.