MV Switchgear’s AMV12 range of air-insulated switchgear has proven to be highly successful since its launch into the market at the beginning of 2015.
MV Switchgear technicians do finishing touches to an AMV12D double busbar switchboard manufactured for the upgrade and extension of Bronkhorstspruit substation.MV Switchgear technicians do finishing touches to an AMV12D double busbar switchboard manufactured for the upgrade and extension of Bronkhorstspruit substation.
About 750 panels of the advanced new product, which MV Switchgear developed in partnership with YIHE Electric Group, a reputable Chinese manufacturer of electrical equipment, have been sold in the 6-1/2 years since the launch.
“This sales tally applies to the original standard product that was introduced in 2015, namely the AMV12 single busbar bottom-entry air-insulated switchgear rated for 12kV, with ratings of 1250A and 2500A and having an internal arc classification (IAC) of AFLR 31,5kA for 1 second, in accordance with IEC 62271-200,” said Greg Whyte, MV Switchgear’s Design & Development Manager.
“In the interim, however, in response to market demand, we have developed six variations to meet the requirements of various customers. These variations account for a further 150 panels sold, bringing total sales of AMV12 panels to 900 in all, which decisively demonstrates the success MV Switchgear has achieved in meeting the market’s diverse requirements with the AMV12 range,” he stated.
The six variations of AMV12 developed since 2015 are:
l In 2016 MV Switchgear introduced a 650mm wide compact panel version, rated at 800A for use in instances where space constraints apply. By comparison, individual standard AMV12 panels are available in widths of 800mm and 1000mm.
l In 2017 a 400A 650mm wide contactor panel was developed, which is ideally suited to motor switching applications requiring a higher mechanical and electrical switching endurance.
l At the end of 2017 MV Switchgear began developing a double-busbar variant with on-load busbar transfer capability. “The double-busbar design incorporates fully motorised and interlocked busbar disconnectors to allow for the safe transfer of load from one busbar system to the other while the circuit-breaker remains racked in and closed,” Greg commented.
l In 2019 an arc cooling pressure relief system, it had developed with YIHE Electric Group was introduced as an alternative to the arc deflector system to limit hot arc emissions from the switchgear. “The arc coolers are well-suited for use in substations where there are space constraints, as they are substantially more compact than the arc deflectors,” Greg remarked.
l In 2020, in response to enquiries received mainly from the mining industry, MV Switchgear introduced top power cable entry panel variants of AMV12, which is applicable in cases where the substation layout requires it in preference to the standard bottom-entry arrangement.
l In late 2020, in response to customers looking to have venting of arc emissions outside the switch-room, an arc ducting solution was developed and type tested.
Orders for double-bus switchgear panels have comprised the bulk of the sales of AMV12 variants to date. The most noteworthy of these comprise two City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality substation upgrade and extension projects that are currently in progress:
l The first is the Shoshanguve substation upgrade and extension, awarded to ACTOM Power Systems in mid-2019, for which MV Switchgear recently supplied a 53-panel double-bus AMV12 switchboard.
l The second is the upgrade and extension of Bronkhorstspruit substation, for which MV Switchgear has been contracted to manufacture and supply double-bus AMV12 switchgear in two separate portions – a 20-panel extension board for installation in a newly-constructed building next to the existing building housing the substation’s original switchboard, and a 19-panel board to replace the old board, which once installed will be connected to the extension board to operate as a unified 39-panel board.
